Reviewed by Brenda Casto for Readers' Favorite

Twenty-seven year old Cascade Preston often wondered what it would be like to have someone to lean on, because she has always felt alone. She is a successful stained glass artist who hasn't really dealt with a past that still haunts her, a past that has her vowing that she will never return to Sterling Lakes the town she grew up in, a town that she blames because the citizens stood by and did nothing when her family needed help most. The thing is, when Brendan (Dan) McQuay, the project manager who is overseeing the remodeling of the church in Sterling Lakes, shows up at her studio wanting to know about her stained window plans for the project, she isn't sure what is going on. When she learns that her cousin bid and won the job, she decides to try and do it. In the process she finds herself attracted to Dan, but he is also carrying issues from his past. Can they open their hearts and allow God to lead them on the journey he has intended for them?

"Light of the Heart: Sterling Lakes Series Book 1" is like a breath of fresh air in the inspirational romantic fiction genre. The plot flows very well, and the characters really make the story. What makes it unique is that both Cascade and Dan haven't lost their faith in God, instead they are just carrying issues from their past that keep them from all that God wants them to be. Both characters find themselves as a caretaker to their mother's, and while the situations were different, they were very similar as well. I think many will identify with Cascade and Dan because of the responsible way they take care of their parent. The author slowly reveals each character's past issues easily allowing me to connect with both. I think readers will readily understand why Cascade felt the way she did about Sterling Lake, and will also understand why Dan doesn't really want any attachments. The author touches on the tough subject of abuse, and does it in a very realistic way without being overly graphic. I really enjoyed watching the characters not only grow closer together, but also closer to God as the story progressed. It was nice to see the walls they had constructed around their hearts start to crumble. The spiritual messages that Regina Andrews weaves into the pages of the story were very well done, and fit perfectly into the plot. I always love whenever an author incorporates pets into a story and with this one we had Cascade's cat Miranda and Dan's golden retriever Jake. Overall, if you are a fan of inspirational fiction you won't go wrong in reading "Light of the Heart: Sterling Lakes Series Book 1" by Regina Andrews. I have to say that one of my favorite lines was "Let Go and Let God" which was perfect for this story because it really was about letting go of old hurts and allowing God to lead in order to heal. A great beginning to what promises to be an uplifting, inspiring new series from Regina Andrews.