Criticism REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
Meg, a fan of Spencer’s novel http:www.barnesandnoble.com, accessed on March 25
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, 2007 says that Then Came Heaven is a beautiful love story. There is love in this book: love for God, love for church, marital love, family love,
community love; and, of course, the pure sweet love that slowly grows between Jean and Eddie. Ms. Spencer shows us, in a clear yet respectful way, just what nuns
prior to Vatican II had to give up for their love of church and God. Its clear that changes in regards to the vows a nun takes were needed.
Moreover, a
reader form
Ohio http:amazon.comgpcustomer-
reviewsdiscussionsstart-thread.html, accessed on March 28
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, 2007 says that this novel is a totally unique romance novel. Set in a Midwest Polish Catholic
community in the 1950s, it is a beautifully crafted glimpse of a time when the world was simpler and more innocent. The primary characters are a grieving widower and
a nun who is struggling with her vocation. In her opinion, Spencer always does a wonderful job of drawing the reader into the emotional lives of her characters, and
these two are particularly sympathetic. The majority of the book focuses on their individual struggles before turning to the romance that springs from their mutual
respect and support. The love story is very sweet and handled with great sensitivity. She also enjoyed the glimpse into the inner life of the nuns.