"The Sweet By and By" Written by Sara Evans and Rachel Hauck

I'm a long time fan of Sara Evans. I love her music and I enjoyed watching her dance on the TV show "Dancing with the Stars" so I was anxious to read her debut novel. The Sweet By and By is a collaborative effort by Sara Evans and Christian romance writer, Rachel Hauck so I don't know how much of the story was really Sara's but I do know that I enjoyed reading it. I had no idea the multi-talented Evans could write - and write so well. It's a story about redemption, reconciliation and relationships - a couple in love, a mother and daughter and their relationship with God. It's a bittersweet story that will tug at your heartstrings. You might want to keep a box of tissues handy.Jade Freedom Fitzgerald owns a thriving vintage antique shop and she's about to marry a man she loves, Maxwell Charles Benson, a lawyer from Whisper Hollow, Tennessee. But Jade is troubled and lacks self-confidence. Max comes from a wealthy family and Jade feels insecure and unworthy of them. When she le
ft home ten years ago to go to college she buried a sordid past and she has lied to Max about her past and her parents. Jade's future mother-in-law, a meddlesome woman named June, wants her to invite her mother to the wedding and she gives in. When Jade's hippy mother, Beryl and her wild younger sister, Willow, show up three weeks before the wedding Jade is forced to confront old wounds - an absent father, a wandering mother and the rejection of her first love. Beryl has heart wrenching secrets of her own and even Max has baggage to unload.The plot may be predictable and a bit melodramatic but it will suck you in, as it did me. It's a fast and engrossing read with a southern flavor that flows so smoothly you will not believe it was written by two people. The authors deal with issues of forgiveness and closure and pull it off admirably in a believable way. The family dynamics are realistically portrayed and the flawed characters are brought to life with very real emotions. I
was able to connect with Jade and Beryl. Flashbacks of the past add depth to this emotional page turner and the end will satisfy. A reading group guide is provided. It's a thought provoking read, I highly recommend it.The book was provided, at no charge, for review purposes only, and the review is my own unbiased opinion.Publisher: Thomas Nelson (January 5, 2010)ISBN: 978-1595544896Hardcover: 272 PagesPrice: $19.99

View this post on my blog: http://www.yourgamebook.com/the-sweet-by-and-by-written-by-sara-evans-and-rachel-hauck.html