Title: Romanian Rhapsody

Author: Darlene Franklin

Publisher: Heartsong Presents

ISBN: 1-59310-549-5

Genre: Inspirational/Contemporary/Romance

Carrie Randolph wants to pursue a degree in counseling and while she is in Romania on a singing tour, she decides to visit the orphanage there. In spite of the dinginess and hardship surrounding the orphanage, Carrie decides to volunteer her time there for two years before applying for seminary. She is assigned to five toddlers who quickly steal her heart and call her ‘mama.’

Steve Romero’s wife and son die in an unfortunate tragedy in Romania while they are on tour with the singing group. Steve is heartbroken, but while taking his nursery apart at home, he felt God leading him to adopt. Lead back to Romania, Steve meets up with Carrie again and is stunned by her resemblance to his deceased wife. He falls in love with one of Carrie’s charges, a boy named Viktor, and starts procedures to adopt him.

Viktor is Carrie’s favorite of all the children she cares for, and it breaks her heart when Steve decides to adopt him. Will Carrie be able to release Viktor? Will she be able to trust God to open doors to an uncertain future? Could this future include Steve?

Romanian Rhapsody is a cute story with an unusual setting. I enjoyed visiting the stark orphanages in Romania, in spite the dire living conditions there. This story made my heart ache for children who truly live in orphanages similar to the one portrayed in the story.