Yesterday's Embers by Deborah Raney - My Review

Originally Posted at Bibliophile's Retreat by Melissa Meeks

Howard Books (March 24, 2009)
I fell in love quickly with Clayburn and the residents both new and old when I started on this series. While all the books were emotional due to this attachment I formed, this particular book hit me hardest from page 1. Perhaps I identify more with Mickey and her dreams than Deb’s other heroines. Anyhow this was a tough read for me because it was so well written and hit home in many ways. I had already laughed, cried, rejoiced and hurt along with Clayburn’s triumphs, trials and struggles in the first two books so the opening events of this chapter of the saga were heartrending.

Deb brings the good and the bad to tangible fruition in her characters and location when penning these books. Yesterday’s Embers was reminiscent of my state when reading Karen Kingsbury novels in the past because of the depth and ease of attaching to the people and places Raney created to share with her readers. This book also carries the strength of emotion I have found in other favorite authors. While these are often the hardest books for me to read they are also the ones I know are by truly talented writers because they become so real for the span of time I am reading and often afterwards as well.

Kaye, Mickey and Doug find themselves and their friends and family living in a nightmare no one should have to experience and it all starts on Thanksgiving day. What a way to start out the holiday season for the DeVore family and their closest friends in Clayburn. Grief and guilt shadow the characters for much of this book yet the growth and dreams that manage to emerge despite the tangled mess of loss and pain they encounter bring light and hope not only to their world but to those around them. Revelations of their own selfishness and choices that hurt others also help them to find the way out of places they wish they’d never been and find the healing of God’s love and acceptance despite their mistakes. Eventually they realize that God doesn’t cause things to happen that harm anyone but He will allow things that are painful to break and reform us as we grow. (ISBN#9781416593096, 400pp, $13.99)

Codicil:
Visit Deborah’s site. Also don’t forget to click the bookcover above to purchase your own copy or read more about the book. Also be sure to pick up copies of Remember to Forget (Clayburn #1) and Leaving November (Clayburn #2) so you don’t miss any Clayburn events.