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Georgia Bockoven
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Disguised Blessing Mass Market Paperback – April 5 2000

by Georgia Bockoven (Author)
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 451 ratings
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Silver Linings

After years of being alone, Catherine Miller thinks she's finally found happiness. Engaged to an adoring, successful executive, she lives in a luxurious house, and her beautiful fifteen-year-old daughter, Linda, is on the brink of college and adulthood. Then, Catherine's rose-colored world is shattered. Her daughter is burned terribly in a freak accident, and just when Catherine needs him most, her fiancé abandons her. Now Catherine must call on every ounce of courage and strength she has to help her beloved daughter recover. Fortunately, she's got help in fire captain Rick Sawyer, an expert burn counselor. Ruggedly handsome, appealingly down-to-earth, Rick is like no man Catherine has ever met. But Catherine made the wrong choice before. How can she trust her emotions--especially when it's not just her heart at stake but her daughter's life, too?

In the tradition of Barbara Delinsky comes this poignant, moving story of the bonds of family, the strength of love, and the courage to dare.

Previous page
  1. Print length
    400 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    HarperTorch
  4. Publication date
    April 5 2000
  5. Dimensions
    10.64 x 2.54 x 17.15 cm
  6. ISBN-10
    0061030201
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0061030208
  8. See all details
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Product description

From Publishers Weekly

When a teenager suffers serious burns--the disguised blessing of the title--her scars prove to be a catalyst in transforming her and her mother's materialistic lives. Catherine Miller is planning her wedding to social-climbing Tom Adams when her 15-year-old daughter, Lynda, is accidentally burned at a barbecue. Hospitalized, Lynda must deal with pain, scarring and the mixed reactions of her friends. Tom's unsupportive attitude reveals his true character to Catherine--especially in contrast to the sterling qualities of Lynda's burn counselor Rick Sawyer, a Sacramento, Calif., fire captain--and she breaks off their engagement. The story of Lynda's healing is interlaced with Catherine's growing financial problems and her need to come to terms with her feelings for Rick, a man from a very different background than Tom. Bockoven (Things Remembered) subtly creates believable characters as she weaves a quietly involving tale that should please fans of mainstream romance. (Apr.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"Always terrific." -- -- Romantic Times

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ HarperTorch (April 5 2000)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Mass Market Paperback ‏ : ‎ 400 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0061030201
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0061030208
  • Item weight ‏ : ‎ 190 g
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 10.64 x 2.54 x 17.15 cm
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 451 ratings

About the author

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Georgia Bockoven

Georgia Bockoven

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Georgia Bockoven is an award-winning author who began writing fiction after a successful career as a freelance journalist and photographer. Her books have sold more than three million copies worldwide. The mother of two, she resides in Northern California with her husband, John.

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3 out of 5
451 global ratings

Top reviews from Canada

Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Great relationship drama
Reviewed in Canada on April 10, 2000
Catherine Miller feels good about the world as she vacations with her beloved teenage daughter Lynda and her beau Tom Adams. Adding to her feeling of euphoria is that Tom and Lynda seem to get on so well together. However, her idyllic world crashes down around her when Lynda is badly burned during a party and is flown to a Sacramento hospital for emergency treatment. Tom fails to be there for the distraught Catherine and unceremoniously hides from the woman who badly needs his support.

Local firefighter Rick Sawyer works closely with burn victims, making sure they receive the needed emotional support to surmount the trauma. As he works with Lynda, the duo hits it off as if they are old buddies. He also falls in love with Catherine, who is weary because her first two choices in males (Lynda's father and Tom) let down both herself and her daughter when they needed them.

DISGUISED BLESSING is a wonderful contemporary relationship drama that will enthrall readers with its message of hope. The plot centers on everyone's reactions to Lynda's trauma. All the charcaters are fully developed so that their motives and actions toward Lynda feel genuine. The lead couple makes a fine pair, but Lynda's plight steals the show, as the audience wants her to fully recover. Georgia Bockoven knows how to pull the strings of her audience and this novel is a virtuoso performance.

Harriet Klausner
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carol irvin
4.0 out of 5 stars This writer is always solid
Reviewed in Canada on May 22, 2000
This was a typical book for this author, which is a pretty good thing. Her stories aren't especially gripping but she always delivers a nice love story, this time about a male firefighter and a divorcee who previously has only married/dated wealthy men. There is also a very good teenage daughter in this book who also needs the firefighter's help and affection and a great dog.
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Peter Gantz
5.0 out of 5 stars Words that tell of the Essence of Life
Reviewed in Canada on May 4, 2000
Do you know that feeling you get when you look into the eyes of the person you love like life itself? That sense that everything is complete? Do you remember what it felt like when you were first falling in love with someone? Those heartwrenching feelings? The gut-twisting panic when you thought that maybe the other person didn't feel that way?
Some of you may remember how you felt when you got a phone call that no person would ever want to get--the one telling you that a friend or a family member had died. That numbing sense that this is not real, followed closely by the beginnings of the deep pain of the loss that can take years to overcome.
If you read this book by Georgia Bockoven, or any of her other books, you will most likely remember these feelings, and so much more. The good and the bad that make up this silly little thing called the human existence. How does Ms. Bockoven capture the essence of life, the emotions of love and loss, and put them to words so well that you relive the best moments of your life--and maybe a little of some of the worst? How does she weave a spell of words that touches your soul itself?
I have no idea--but I'll tell you that she then does the deed one better. Quite frankly, I would normally prefer not to be reminded of the sad events in my life, thank you very much. But Ms. Bockoven, after gently bringing you into the lives of her characters and letting you experience all that they do, gives the reader a priceless gift.
We have the capacity, each and every one of us, to chase away those dark shadows. All it takes is love. A simple little fact, easily forgotten in the midst of life's trials. When you are done reading a Bockoven book, you'll remember.
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Maudeen Wachsmith
5.0 out of 5 stars Another Winner from Georgia Bockoven!
Reviewed in Canada on April 4, 2000
Georgia Bockoven has done it again! She's created wonderful characters and a world the reader is able to immerse themselves in completely.
Catherine Miller seems to have it all - a luxurious house in a trendy subdivision, a successful fiance, and lovely teenage daughter. It all comes crashing down on her one night when her daughter, Lynda, is burned in a tragic accident. Her fiance isn't able to cope with Lynda's problems, leaving Catherine just when he needs her most. Rick Sawyer, the firefighter who is a volunteer support person for burn victims, and is assigned to Lynda's case, is there to pick up the pieces, not only becoming a support for Lynda, but a confidante for Catherine as well.
This book truly took my breath away. It really put me in Catherine's world and made me feel a part of it -- feeling her pain and sorrow -- and finally her need and her love for Rick. This is a book readers won't be able to put down once they start. If you enjoy the works of such great authors of relationship novels as Barbara Delinsky or Kristin Hannah, you are sure to enjoy this outstanding story from Georgia Bockoven, the master of the relationship novel.
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paula_k_98
5.0 out of 5 stars Blessing to have discovered this author!
Reviewed in Canada on April 17, 2000
I must exist on another planet because I have never read anything by Georgia Bockoven before today. If her other books are anything like this one, then I have a treat waiting for me. Disguised Blessing is a book that keeps you wanting more and more. Catherine's 15 year old daughter is accidentally burned at a party. She is taken to a burn center where she is assigned a mentor by the name of Rick who is a captain in a fire department. Rick is a fantastic leading man. We all know men like him. He is truly a good man who does whatever it takes to make the world a better place. Meanwhile, Catherine is dumped by her fiance who can't handle anything that doesn't fit into his perfect world revolving around himself. Lynda is a teenager who goes from having it all to learning to cope when life deals her a cruel blow. I expected light reading, what I got was a wonderful story with characters that leave an impact on you. I would really love a continuation of these characters in another book. How about it Ms. Bockoven?
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Top reviews from other countries

Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read
Reviewed in the United States on April 18, 2015
Verified Purchase
This was a big surprise for me. I expected it to be a triangle love story. Only to find a well written and interesting story. You will find the main characters so easy to like and I had no idea Bout burn victims in a review I try not to reveal the plot. I enjoyed this book very much a.nd I usually read legal like Grisham.
.
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kar
4.0 out of 5 stars Ms. Bockoven never disappoints...
Reviewed in the United States on November 22, 2014
Verified Purchase
I usually try to keep any review short and sweet. So far, Ms. Bockoven has never disappointed me. This book was one of the better, enjoyable reads. It carries all the emotions and yet you can see yourself in the situations. It was just like real life. I love the "side" stories within the story. The whole firemen/firehouse and hospital scenarios add to the storyline. As with all of her books, i would definitely recommend this one!!
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amazon customer
5.0 out of 5 stars fabulous read
Reviewed in the United States on February 10, 2014
Verified Purchase
As always Georgia Bockoven doesn't disappoint! If I could have read this in one sitting I would. Of course, then I'd be sad it was over so soon! A tremendous, emotional read that will stay with you a long time. I highly recommend it!
One person found this helpful
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ronnie v beals
5.0 out of 5 stars Disguised Blessing
Reviewed in the United States on October 14, 2013
Verified Purchase
Great book, the author knows how to keep you interested. The one character shows
the love and giving of other people without wanting anything in return. This
book has sorrow and happiness. Enjoyed it.
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Irishgirl119
3.0 out of 5 stars Editing errors
Reviewed in the United States on November 1, 2013
Verified Purchase
I was enjoying this book until I came across a few editing issues.
There are two key male characters: The first Jack (Catherine's ex-husband & her daughter's father) - he is involved with Michelle and wants to marry her.
The other is Ted(Catherine's ex-boyfriend) - he is involved with a woman, Adrianne, and he wants to marry her.
Somewhere along the story in the book (as printed) The mother and daughter are talking about JACK and ADRIANNE'S wedding (??) and a little farther along in the book Catherine and Rick (the fireman) discuss Jack's and Adrianne's marriage. (??) I was confused on the first error, because Jack was supposed to be involved with Michelle, NOT Adrianne. I was going to try to get past this in the book, but couldn't. Either the book was confusing at that point, or someone was not editing very well. It's a shame, because I was enjoying it, and would have liked to finish it, but couldn't.
5 people found this helpful
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