Earthly Vows

Hickman's final installment in the Millwood Hollow quartet delivers what fans have come to expect—a satisfying and well-told tale of family and survival during the Great Depression—while delving a bit deeper into the murkier places in the human heart. Rev. Jeb Nubey is engaged to the hard-won Fern Coulter, but in her distance and his blame-filled lack of understanding, Hickman shows readers just how much individuals can hurt one another even when they are in love. Jeb's foster daughter, Angel, also has an awakening of sorts when she finds that the long-awaited reunion with her biological family isn't all sweetness and light. Hickman skillfully weaves a dust bowl drought into the story, making its heat and apparently never-ending dryness an apt metaphor for her characters' spiritual and emotional isolation. She hits a strong note with the 1930s historical setting, which is well-researched and authentic but not obtrusive. Fans will enjoy and be subtly challenged by this conclusion to the series, though newcomers should be warned to start with the first novel (Fallen Angels ) lest they be overwhelmed by the dizzying cast of characters. (Nov. 16)