Love's Miracles

By: Sandra Leesmith

Narrated by: Rachel Fulginiti

Dr. Margo Devaull came to Dominic Zanelli's mountain retreat confident that she could help this Vietnam veteran overcome the torment that kept him apart from the world. But her training as a psychologist had not prepared her for the tragic, explosive contradictions brewing inside him. For here was a sensitive artist who could be gentle - and a man whose eyes flashed with violence and pain when he told her to leave and never come back. Yet Margo did come back, slowly gain his trust, and awaken the sleeping needs of his heart. Only by reliving her own wounded past and helping Zane confront a terrible memory from the war could she set them both free - and save their last chance for love.

©1989 Sandra Lee Smith (P)2013 Sandra Lee Smith

I enjoyed the book and audible recording very much

What made the experience of listening to Love's Miracles the most enjoyable?

I thought it was a good story, good pacing and and exceptional narration. As a member of the ACFW and a pre-published writer I admire writers who persevere to become published. Sandra has bright career ahead of her and this book is worth the purchase in audiobook form. Interesting story that had me from the first chapter.

What other book might you compare Love's Miracles to and why?

Similar to Collen Coble's Lonestar Series. The recording was just as professional and appealing to listen. While most of us are not fully in Coble's realm as a writer, Sandra has found the bread crumbs and employed them as I wish and work towards having my own follow. In some ways I found it similar to Karen Kingsbury's ABOVE THE LINE series as well. We all aim to work towards becoming as competent as the master writers we admire. Sanda has a bright future continuing on the path she is following.

What does Rachel Fulginiti bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Emotion. I enjoy both reading and listening to audio books. The audio versions often add something I might rush through in reading. They slow down my pace and frankly that is a beneficial plus.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No. Multiple sittings just based on free time. I enjoy audio books that way. Able to start, stop and quickly get back into the stories recalling what came before and looking forward to what is ahead.

Any additional comments?

Keep an eye and ear out for Sandra's future work. She is worth the time to follow and enjoy. I sure did.

So much more than I expected.

What did you love best about Love's Miracles?

The cover to me didn't quite hint enough at the pain and depth of character that I found the story to have. Wounded heroes are totally my reader binge of choice but I found this one exceptionally deep and moving, and felt I learned a lot about the personal torments experienced by veterans of war and the psychology meant to help them. All without ever overshadowing the slow-burning love story.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Love's Miracles?

I can't say because it would be an absolute spoiler but I will see, hear, and feel that scene for a long time.

What about Rachel Fulginiti’s performance did you like?

Rachel can really deliver the emotion of the dialogue and scenes. It took me a long time to get accustomed to her voice, and there were quite a few places I could hear her inhale between the lines which was a little distracting at times but after about five chapters, I got very attuned to her reading and enjoyed it to the end. Her performance in the climax and last third of the novel were very powerful.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The moment I realized what Zane had to do. His secret and the source of his deepest pain, shame, and withdrawal. But there were so many, like when Margo made the choice to stand up for what she knew to be right in spite of the overwhelming evidence and conjecture she was making the wrong choice.

Any additional comments?

I typically read and listen to Christian fiction almost exclusively unless a general market book comes recommended to me as this one did. I found the occasional use of language and scene and character appropriate sensuality gave depth and authenticity to the story. Overall I was surprised by how much I enjoyed Love's Miracles and will explore other works by this author and narrator.

Loved this one!

Where does Love's Miracles rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I love audiobooks because of their flexibility, and this one packed in a very compelling, emotional story. It's definitely one of the books I'd recommend.

What did you like best about this story?

Sandra Leesmith does an amazing job with these characters, getting us into their heads so you feel Zane's craving for isolation and understand the passion that drives Margo to help war veterans at all costs - Zane in particular. The romance is crackling, too, but stays fairly clean.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The climax near the end was my favorite, but I won't spoil it for you. Let's just say you won't know what's coming next and you should prepare to become emotionally involved. :)

Any additional comments?

I've enjoyed the other books I've read/heard from this author, but this was by far my favorite!

Great Love story!

What made the experience of listening to Love's Miracles the most enjoyable?

I loved the story and the narrator's voice was very soothing. Perfect for the car!

Good story, starts slow, satisfying ending

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Perhaps. I know, a vague answer, but here's why: the main character seems nagging at times. She's a psychologist trying to push someone into therapy and if she were pushing me, I'd probably deck her. Once the story got past that, though, I found it very enjoyable, although I think we could have come to the ending a bit sooner.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The mother, actually. Good head on her shoulders. Compassionate, a great mom.

Which character – as performed by Rachel Fulginiti – was your favorite?

Betina, the mother. Rachel did a fabulous French accent.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

I'm not sure I can answer that.

Any additional comments?

I have to say that the narrator's voice was a bit annoying at first. It seemed rather dull, but as I got further into the story, I got used to it and it didn't bother me any more.

The Cost of War

Good story. Good explanation of PTSD in an easy to understand format. Will listen again.

First Vietnam Story I’ve Ever Been Able to Finish!

If you could sum up Love's Miracles in three words, what would they be?

Realism ups the emotional ante to the highest threshold in "Love's Miracles". This is far more a genuine mainstream psychological drama than a genre romance. The attention to detail, the slow rate of the healing process, the relapses, the reality based ethical conflicts, and the traumatized past of both the hero and heroine combine to make this story a tour de force. This is not a fluffy genre romance. It is the first Vietnam era story I’ve ever been able to finish – not that I have started that many. To be frank, I did give up on reading the book but I liked it enough to buy and listen to the audible version. I just thought that if I didn’t have to read it, it would be more ‘out there in the world’ and not so much inside my head. It worked. The reader’s great ability to bring the story to life and make the emotions live in the characters' souls gave the story an interpetation I could finally experience. Audio books are very, very different than reading the same story.

What other book might you compare Love's Miracles to and why?

I have not read any other Vietnam era book so I will compare it to Hemingway’s “A Farewell to Arms”. Both books have very realistic combat scenes and both seem to deal with the problems of identity and an entire generation. Hemingway had the lost generation. Zane in this book, like many vets my age and in my generation, came back from the war not lost but rather invisible and wanting to become lost. Lost in their own world. Lost in love. Lost in drugs. “Love’s Miracles” really does speak to a whole generation.

Which scene was your favorite?

I liked the scene where the heroine has to confront her fear of the dark and how the power of love overcomes this lifelong fear. Love performs many miracles in this story.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

War is a hell that can reverberate for a lifetime – baring a miracle.

Any additional comments?

I think this book is better listened to than read. The emotions emanating from the spoken words by this fine reader surrounded me in a way reading would not have. It’s like the difference between scratching your own back and having someone else do it for you. It always fees better when someone else does it. I’m so glad that I purchased this audible book. This is a book that speaks to a generation in a voice of compassion and love and hope. I would not have wanted to miss it.

I must add one caveat: this book went from being a resounding 5-star experience to becoming a potential 3-star disappointment in the Epilogue when I missed hearing one word! That one word is Zanelli and if you don’t hear it, as I didn’t, the ending of “Love’s Miracles” moves far closer to being emotionally like “A Farewell to Arms” ending than to the satisfying love story it really is. Don't miss 'Zanelli'.

Timesless read

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I loved how the characters are strong. This book takes place in 1989 but it could just as easily taken place in present time.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Margo and Dominic are both great characters. They have depth and a backstory. I love how what happened in there past is what brought them together.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

This book is very predictable but when all is revealed it is a very emotional part that you can't help but feeling for all the characters involved.

A good, heart-felt story

I like how the author presented the psychological issues (fears, PTSD) in the context of the story. I don't really know why, but I never felt drawn to the characters emotionally, and I thought the story was very predictable. There wasn't anything I particularly disliked about the characters or the story. The writing and the narration were both okay. Maybe that's it - they were just okay. I didn't feel there was anything extraordinary about this story. I liked it well enough. I just think it could have been done better.