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Seeds of Hope

Rylan O’Connor

Shalyn Kauzlarick

Brookelyn Hassett

Plot Summary

Sharisa Wentworth, a single mother to a five-year-old girl named Lisa, lives with the hauntings of her late husband who had betrayed her in the past. The two live a financially stable life, they are happy to be on their on and feel as though they do not need the help of any man ever again. Sharisa does very well for herself while working at the library and reading to children in the hospital. Sharisa has put up an icy front when it comes to anyone entering her or her daughter's life. She feels that if she lets another man into her life, they will end up betraying her the same way that her late husband had.

A stranger, named Shane Gallagher, comes across Sharisa while she is sleeping on a blanket in a hiking path one afternoon. He instantly falls in love with her and is determined to know more about her. Shanes first efforts at getting to know Sharisa more (following her home from a nightclub, and showing up unannounced) present him as more of a stalker than the hopeless romantic he was going for. The two eventually cross paths again, and Shane works day and night tirelessly to try and prove to Sharisa that he will not hurt her. At first, Sharisa is unresponsive to all of Shane's actions, however, he soon manages to becomes close with her and her daughter. Throughout the novel, Sharisa is fighting an internal battle with herself. She feels as though she does not need a man to depend on, but at the same time cannot stop thinking about Shane when she is at work or when he is out of town. Sharisa has to work through her emotional hardships before she can begin to imagine picturing herself with someone new. Shane showcases an exemplary effort of devotion and is patient with Sharisa as she takes her time falling in love with him, while working through her past struggles. Sharisa's daughter Lisa becomes very close with Shane within a few short visits and this somewhat brings Sharisa and Shane closer together. Sharisa is very short with Shane when they are alone, but puts forward a happy front when Lisa is present. With the more welcoming tone put forward with Lisa in the room, this gives Shane more desire to be persistent with his actions.

Shane goes to visit Sharisa, and discovers she is performing an entertainment show for the elderly at the hospital. Shane is blown away by Sharisa's singing and convinces her to go for a dinner with him as things quickly progress. They later go back to Sharia’s where he finds many poems and short stories that she has written. Shane questions why all of the short stories focus on revenge and this causes her to open up about her past. She speaks about her parents, her brother, her daughter, and her life before and after her first husband, Donald. She regretfully tells Shane about some dark things she has done, and fears that he will leave. After everything, he still tries to convince her that happy marriages exist. Sharisa realizes that she truly cares about Shane and that he makes her feel so many emotions such as happiness, fear, love, and many others. After a few daysof Sharisa not hearing from Shane, she suddenly receives a package. The package contains a tape that was recorded by Shane, telling her that he loves her regardless of her past. This causes Sharisa to cry and wonder what she has done to deserve a man like him.

Main Characters

Sharisa Wentworth is a single independent mother who cares for her daughter on her own. Other than her daughter, everything Sharisa has today she got on her own - her late husband provided her with nothing but disappointment and heartache. Sharisa is guarded because of her past experiences with men and is determined never need the help from another man again. Sharisa works at the Library part time because she does not need a large income at this point in her life.

Lisa Wentworth is a five-year-old girl with a big heart. Lisa looks up to her mother Sharisa and is enlightened by the new man in her mother's life. As a young girl, Lisa does not understand why her mother does not want this man around her or her daughter but continues to act like a young matchmaker in her mother's life bringing the two closer together as the novel progresses.

Shane Gallagher a successful businessman who is determined to gain the love and trust of Sharisa and her daughter. Shane will go to great lengths to forge the bond and start a relationship. Shane comes off as more of a uninvited stalker than someone who Sharisa would enjoy getting to know. Further throughout the novel Shane becomes more of a romantic figure in Sharisa’s eyes and more of a father figure in Lisa’s eyes.

Themes: Some major themes of this novel are heroism, love, and loss.

Heroism

From the beginning of the novel it is evident that one of the main characters Sharisa, has gone through a painful past. As the novel moves forward, the reader will learn that Sharisa has not only gone through a tough time, but has also overcome this struggle and came out on the other side a much stronger woman than before. The ability to overcome a hard time to this degree introduces the theme of heroism. Heroism is the act of great bravery and great bravery is shown twice in the novel. It is displayed first when the reader learns a little about how Sharisa has killed her abusive husband, became a single mother, and is now raising her daughter alone. It it than seen again when Sharisa allows herself to fall in love with Shane. For a woman who has experienced abuse it can be hard for her to put herself in a position to get hurt again, or depend on another man.

Love

In addition to heroism, the theme of love can also be found in the novel. As previously stated, Sharisa has allowed herself to fall in love with a new man for the first time since her husband's passing. The determined businessman falls in love with Sharisa the second he sees her for the first time on a hiking path. Sharisa on the other hand, takes a much longer time to reciprocate these feelings. Although not mentioned until later in the novel, the reader may interpret that Sharisa began to fall in love with Shane after only a few times of seeing one another. There are many instances in the novel where Sharisa states that she cannot stop thinking about this man and the reader may interpret theses as deep feelings for someone.

Loss

Alongside the themes of heroism and love, the novel also introduces the theme of loss. Although this is not a theme that is carried out until the end, loss is very important to the interpretation of the novel. The theme of loss starts off in the first chapter when Shane sees a beautiful woman sleeping in a hiking path. He sketches her and moves on thinking that he has lost the opportunity of true love and that he may never see her again. Throughout the first half of the novel, shane is constantly devoting all of his time to making sure that he does not lose Sharisa again. The reader may interpret this when he follows her home from the club, or when he insists on spending more time with her every day. Shane is not the only character that experiences loss. Sharisa and her daughter have experienced one of the most painful losses in their lives. The loss of a father and a husband. Although Sharisa’s husband is not portrayed to be a wonderful man, the experience of coping with the loss of a significant other in their lives is something that is very hard to overcome.