A Rose by the Door

Critical Praise

Warner's new Christian list is off to a solid start with this story of faith and loss, wrapped around the motif of yellow pioneer roses. Lonely Beatrice Bartling is stunned when she learns that her estranged son, Nathan, has been killed in an accident. As she grieves, she becomes angry with God, who has "shut the door on her lifelong prayer" of seeing Nathan again. Bea's bitterness makes her cautious when the bedraggled young Gemma and her four-and-a-half-year-old daughter, Paisley, show up on her doorstep, homeless and claiming to be Nathan's family. In her overwhelming sorrow, Bea rejects them both, and they are soon arrested as vagrants. But as Mabel Perkins, the curator of the Garden County Pioneer Museum observes, "No matter what happens at that house, those roses are always blooming." Redemption and hope are just around the corner. Although the novel starts slowly, the writing is strong and the narrative soon clips along at an even pace. Bedford is adept at avoiding the obvious; she astutely blends irony, humor and sweetness into the tale without allowing it to become cloying. There's a touch of mystery—who was Nathan's brother, Jacob, and why did Nathan reject his family?—and just enough withheld information to sustain the pace. Delightful descriptive passages and a cast of engaging characters will please readers who love happy endings and enjoy fiction with a spiritual dimension.
–Publishers Weekly (November 2001)

"A story of relinquishment, reconciliation, and grace...grabs the reader by the heart and doesn't let go."
-Debbie Macomber, author of Ready for Love

"A compelling page-turner, a sure-fire winner from Deborah Bedford."
-Karen Kingsbury, author of A Time to Dance

"A poignant story of old wounds and fresh beginnings."
-Angela Elwell Hunt, author of The Note

"Triumphant and full of hope...an unforgettable story."
-Robin Lee Hatcher, author of Ribbon of Years

"The hope in Bedford's writing beckons like the sun over the western mountains."
-Tim Sandlin, author of Social Blunders

"A beautiful story of faith and renewal...a must-read...a book by Deborah Bedford is always a joy."
-Carol Lampman, author of A Window in Time

"Deborah Bedford delivers a winner in this tender, heart-tugging tale of love and loss, endings and beginnings, and the miracle of second chances. Savor and enjoy!"
-Carole Gift Page, author of Becoming a Woman of Passion

"A poignant novel that is impossible to put down. Deborah Bedford holds up a mirror to the universal flaws in our faith and shows us how the grain of a mustard seed can triumph in the most dire situations...a touching tale of tragedy and reawakening."
-Carolyn Zane, author of The Coltons

"A wonderful book, rich in love and tears. If you love having your heart touched and you delight in surprise, A ROSE BY THE DOOR is for you."
-Gayle Roper, author of Spring Rain

"One of the best books I've read all year. Could not put it down!"
-Lori Copeland, author of Glory and coauthor of the Heavenly Daze series