Kristy Kiernan builds a powerful book with well done characters, dialogue and scenarios. Faith, religion and belief in God are such a personal thing and Ms. Kiernan is sensitive to that while still showing that it may not have been only God Marshall was searching for. He thinks he's found something special with Ada, just doesn't really know the woman's story as we learn it after Meghan is put into a coma. Ada's so called faith basis with her family seems more like the stuff of nightmares.

Chloe and Cal are well done as unique individuals. We get to know Chloe well as she and Marshall alternate in telling their story. It's not until much later we get an up close and personal look at Cal and the decisions he's made in life. We get bits and pieces throughout the book but the story he tells Marshall in the swamps of Florida may give the reader a different perspective.

I think Ms. Kiernan did an exceptionally good job of leaving the reader to form our own conclusions about many parts of the story and the people in it. Her ending shows no quick fixes to a complex problem, no easy outs just like life. Many readers may have an emotional reaction to the story. It's fiction but it's so close to reality we can put ourselves or those we know in similar circumstances. This is one of those rare books that leave me with a feeling of 'Wow, what a story.'

Overall rating:
Sensuality rating: Sweet

Reviewer: Dee Dailey
October 17, 2008