Labor of Love by Marguerite Martin Gray

Labor of Love by Marguerite Martin Gray
Series: Gardens in Time, Book 1 of 3
Publisher: Celebrate Lit Publishing on February 15, 2022

REVIEW BY GWEN PLANO

The setting is 16^th century Florence, Italy, and the focus is the royal Medici family. The opulent palace lifestyle comes alive through Marguerite Gray’s able pen. We walk through the lush gardens, learn the peculiarities of the attire of the rich, and from the distance of time, we taste the luxuriousness of their meals. A reader experiences it all because of Gray’s detailed descriptions of the Renaissance era.

Ana is an unmarried cousin of the Medici family. Her father sends her to her cousins’ dwelling with the hope that she will marry well and climb in social stature. Unfortunately, she is paired with a villain. As the story unfolds, Ana frequently escapes to the gardens, where she meets Marco – the gardener. And with that encounter, the love story begins.

“How difficult to realize God’s contribution while surrounded by wealth and man’s manipulation. But to Ana, the simple acknowledgment of His power over the soil, plants, and animals made her life meaningful. Since He cares for them, He cares for me. No one in the family understands my labor of love in the gardens, but God does.”

She was the sheep He had draped securely over His shoulders. She would have to stop bleating and trying to jump down.

MARGUERITE MARTIN GRAY, LABOR OF LOVE

I was drawn to this story because of the setting – Florence, Italy. Within a few pages, I was in a lavish world that was completely foreign to me. Though intriguing and mystifying, I initially found it difficult to connect. That is, until I met Ana. This young, dreamy protagonist captured my attention through her love of nature and her devotion to God. Because of her, I dove deep into the story.  

I don’t often read historical fiction, but my journey with Labor of Love opened that important door. Gray is very effective in capturing family and cultural practices. At the core of this story is arranged marriages. I was drawn into the inner turmoil of unwelcome arrangements and, for the first time, understood why this practice was followed. Gray handled this topic well and underscored the value of faith in such situations.

Marguerite Martin Gray is a strong descriptive writer. Her scenes are visually unforgettable. If you are interested in the 16th century, I highly recommend this Christian-themed novel.  

_{I read Labor of Love through Kindle.}