After All

In this last book of her Hanover Falls series, Raney (A Vow to Cherish) continues delving into the citizenry of the Missouri town shaken by a devastating fire. The tragedy serves as the catalyst for the story line, which follows a cast of complex characters headed by Susan Marlowe, the operator of the homeless shelter destroyed by the fire, and Pete Brennan, the fire chief who lost five firefighters in the blaze. As the two struggle to move forward, they are thrust into circumstances to which many readers will relate, including family problems, personal secrets, and broken hearts. Raney avoids preaching at her audience. Instead, she deftly weaves a spiritual element that inspires through the actions of her characters. Readers who have been following the Hanover Falls saga will find continuing threads from the previous installments; however, the novel stands alone, so reading the other books is not necessary in order to enjoy this one. While the story is peppered with some implausible twists, it holds strong to its premise: an encouraging testimony to the power of forgiveness, not for the forgiven, but for the forgiver. Agent: Steve Laube. (May)