Gail Martin Category:  Romance Publisher: Heartsongs Type: Fiction Copyright: May 1 1999 When Spring Dalton’s best friend excludes her as a bridesmaid because of her 'less than perfect’ figure, she faces her life head-on. Thinking God may never answer her prayers, she accepts her cousin's offer and travels to Heidelberg, Germany with dreams of a becoming an artist, becoming thinner, and being swept away by Prince Charming On the train from Frankfurt to Heidelberg, Matt Sherman literally falls into her lap and the two strangers embark on a floundering adventure falling in love. From the first day, Matt is drawn to Spring, but guilt and anger from his past makes him feel unworthy to be loved. Will Spring learn patience as she realizes prayer is answered in God's time? Will Matt learn to forgive and accept God’s forgiveness so he can follow his heart and ask Spring to be his wife? Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. Psalms 90:14 Excerpt Spring placed her carry-on luggage in the train's overhead compartment. She dropped into the seat and relaxed against the cushion back, looking out the window at the bustling activity of the Frankfurt railroad station. Reflecting on her flight, she was grateful that the train seats were more ample than those on the airplane. Jammed in the confining space, Spring had been miserable in her eight-hour trip from Michigan to Frankfurt. To add to her misery, she already felt homesick. Although her flight was tedious, her taxi ride to the Frankfurt station hadn't been as terrifying as she had speculated. Relief swept over her when she learned the cab driver spoke English. Yes and no were the only words she knew in German, and those two words would never be enough to get her from the airport to the train station. Now she felt safe, seated by the window in the train. Her next worry - she prayed Jenny would meet her at the station in Heidelberg. The whistle sounded as the train gave a lurch. Shuddering momentarily, it chugged its way through the station in slow, rhythmic jerks. Spring watched out the window as the station walls gave way to an urban landscape with tall buildings and wide streets like Detroit. She had expected to see cottages nestled together with colorful roofs and flower boxes on the windows, dripping with geraniums and petunias. A ripple of disappointed moved through her. As she turned away from the view, the train jolted, and a body catapulted toward her from the aisle. A strong arm braced against her shoulder, and a masculine frame fell against her arm, then into the empty seat next to hers, knees first, then hip and torso. Her eyes focused on a smile framing a pair of straight, even teeth as white as milk glass, then rose to meet a pair of gorgeous, moss green eyes, and a face that looked as surprised as hers. "Es tut mir leid." His pleasant expression broke into a chuckle. "Ist das Platz frei?" He slid himself into the seat, looking at her as if she should get the joke. Spring stared at the friendly face, having absolutely no idea what he said. Tearing open her handbag, she searched for the German Quick and Easy she'd tucked inside. Unable to find the little book, she halted. She shrugged with an embarrassed grin and spoke in English. "I'm sorry. I don't speak German."

Romantic Times, August 1999 - Bev Huston
4 stars - Rich with German culture and vivid imagery. A fairy tale come true.

News Chief Book Review, June 1999 - Velma Daniels
Martin is a fine writer with exceptionally good dialogue humor and description. If you've never been to Germany, then you will no doubt want to go there as soon as you finish "Dreaming of Castles."


Romance Writers (at)Sine-Gen.com - Leann Ardnt
4 stars - Gail Gaymer Martin's DREAMING OF CASTLES is utterly charming and lovely, much like the heroine, Spring Dalton. Spring is an overweight young woman, strong in faith with God. She takes herself in hand and proceeds to follow her dreams of being a professional artist. She answers the invitation of an old friend and moves to Germany.