I can’t tell you how excited I am as this series starts to release one book after another! First, we had Mae Clair’s Price of Atonement, and now, we have Gwen Plano’s compelling contribution! Release day was actually yesterday, but I was wrapping up my Ten Days of Flowers posts.
BLURB:
In an innocent 1958 American suburb, Shelly doesn’t know the power of a kiss. Or how it will change her entire life.
At sixteen years old, she falls in love with a young man. One night—just one night—they go too far. Months later, pregnant and shamed, Shelly’s parents banish her.
Alone and heavily pregnant, circumstances force Shelly to cross the country in an old pickup.
A mistaken turn leaves her lost in a forest amidst a severe snow storm and in labor.
In the dark of night. Shelly must get help for her newborn baby before they both perish. A light in the distance gives her the slimmest glimmer of hope.
After Shelly wraps the infant in her father’s old jacket, she trudges through the snow to a lighthouse keeper’s cottage. Snow half buries the squat stone building.
Will Shelly find shelter, or is it the beginning of the end?
MY REVIEW:
I can always count on Gwen Plano to deliver a heartfelt story with deeply interwoven family relationships.
Shelley is a sixteen-year-old in trouble. Who knew a kiss could lead to such dire circumstances? And now she’s being sent away by her parents to an aunt’s house until the ‘trouble’ blows over. Her mother has no empathy for her. Her father is somewhat more sympathetic, but rules are rules, and she will not be allowed to bring such disgrace to the family.
Traveling for days in an old pickup with little money and little food, Shelley’s predicament intensifies when contractions begin. The old pickup breaks down, and now she’s lost in a snowstorm. That’s how the story opens.
I was drawn in from the first paragraph. The author made me feel Shelley’s desperation not only to survive but to save her newborn baby.
This sentence from the story says it all, “She cries out for help, but none is forthcoming.”
How will she survive? And how can she hope to keep the newborn alive? With no other choice available, Shelley sets out on foot, guided by the only light she can see anywhere, carrying the newborn, praying she can find help before they both perish.
Luckily, it is the Harbor Pointe lighthouse that has guided her way. I love all of the characters in this story, especially Shelley. Her strength and courage at such a young age touched my heart. What will happen to her and her baby? I won’t leave a spoiler here. You’ll have to read it for yourself.
This is such a good story that will leave you feeling hopeful in a dark world. I highly recommend it!
I hope you’ll grab your copy today if you haven’t already!
Click HERE for ALL the books in The Harbor Pointe Series!