I loved The Water Bearer. It is a moving story of two young people Cassidy and Jared making their way through the aftermath of a difficult past.

I must admit I was moved to tears and that rarely happens to me. :)

Wendi Christner has a lovely writing style not to be missed.
I look forward to more from this author.

The Water Bearer is a sweet, romantic story with hints of mysticism woven into the plot. But it is the well-developed characters that really drew me in.

Cassidy Strumond is a young woman haunted by guilt: Seven years prior she accidentally set a fire that burned down her house and killed her parents. Burdened by the memory, and tormented by persistent dreams of her mother, Cassidy decides to leave her troubles behind by making plans to go to college in another city. The problem is, if she goes, she'll be abandoning everyone she has left in her life, including a young man named Jared whom she has loved since childhood.

There are many interesting characters in The Water Bearer, but the relationship between Cassidy and Jared is the central focus of the story. They have a deep abiding friendship, yet also share a passion that Cassidy in particular tries to deny. At times it is difficult to witness Cassidy's treatment of Jared. He seems like the perfect guy, yet she keeps his love at arm's length while teasing him with obvious, but suppressed, desires. Though one cannot help but sympathize with Cassidy's fragile emotions, good-hearted Jared shows unbearable patience in her regard. When at last he makes a bold confession in the hope that it will convince her to stay, it causes a rift that could destroy their relationship forever. It is at this point that the reader may find their sympathies swinging away from Cassidy, who has lost so much, and more toward Jared, who seems to have it all.

There are other characters of note: Gima, Cassidy's grandmother, is a likeable woman who understands her granddaughter's need for escape. Though Gima doesn't meddle in the affairs of Cassidy's heart, she does share her own wisdom about life, love, and relationships in the hope it will plant a seed of understanding in Cassidy's conflicted emotions. Meanwhile Willetta, a feisty neighbor with Native American roots, works openly to find a mystical remedy that will cure Cassidy's ills, while Jared's aunt Lilith makes no secret of her desire to tear Jared and Cassidy apart.

While some of the characters strive to guide Cassidy through her issues, and others work to see her fail, the author sets her on a path of discovery of her own: Biding her time before leaving for college in the fall, Cassidy temporarily takes over the care of an abused, and recently rescued, horse, and in so doing, comes to realize just how much they have in common.

The Water Bearer is a well-written and entertaining book, and I highly recommend to anyone who enjoys contemporary romance with a small-town feel. The characters are interesting and well-developed, the setting realistic, and the lessons in love and hope inspiring.

Cassidy, the sassy, lovable heroine, is haunted by the guilt of accidentally setting the fire that killed her parents and destroyed her home. Jared, the handsome cowboy hero, tries to help her come to terms with her tragic past. He gives her a precious silver medallion of Aquarius, the Water Bearer, that had once belonged to his mother.
Jared rescues and protects Cassidy - he's a wonderful hero! He loves her and is wise in his love.

Writing in a flowing, descriptive style, Wendi Christner perfectly captures the country and the people of rural north Florida. She shows the country life in all its dusty glory. I could smell the cows and horses and men. I was fascinated by the Native medicine and spirit beliefs, by the country customs and by the kinship with animals, especially horses.

Wendi also beautifully evokes the power of first love - its gradual awakening and awareness, its heat and passion and sweetness.

There's tension throughout the story - will Cassidy leave or stay? Will she come to terms with the past? Will she and Jared find the love and courage to win through together? Read it and find out!

This is a marvellous, heartfelt novel that I really loved. I have no hesitation whatsoever in recommending to everyone who enjoys compelling, realistic, glorious love stories.