TOUCHING STARS

Author: Emilie Richards ISBN: 0778324729 7/2007 CONTEMPORARY Publisher: MIRA

Gayle Fortman has built a good life for herself and her three sons in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Divorced from charismatic broadcast journalist Eric Fortman, Gayle has made a success of Daughter of the Stars, a popular bed-and-breakfast. She has even maintained a cordial relationship with Eric, covering with the boys for his absences and broken promises. Family was never a priority for her ex-husband, even when they were still married. Luckily Travis Allen, her closest neighbor, has been a loving surrogate father to the boys and her own best friend. Then, on the eve of oldest son Jared's graduation, Eric returns, but not for the celebration. He nearly lost his life in Afghanistan. Worse, he has lost his way and his courage, and needs a place to recover. Gayle realizes this might be the last chance for her sons to establish a real bond with their father, and offers him a summer at the inn and a chance to put things right. Gayle and Eric are all too aware that the love and attraction they once shared are still there. But can the pieces of their broken lives be mended, or are they better laid to rest?

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

I finished TOUCHING STARS so quickly that I went back and reread it, twice. I am absolutely amazed at the elements that bring this novel together. In short, this is probably one of the best books that I have read this year.

Gayle owns a popular bed and breakfast business and makes a good life for her and her three sons. She is often mother and father to her children, with a little help from her best friend who lives next door. When Eric, Gayle's ex-husband, is wounded in Afghanistan, he returns just in time for his oldest son's graduation, but not to celebrate. Eric returns a shell of the man he used to be; he has lost his courage and his hope. He comes to the bed and breakfast to heal and to find himself again. With Gayle's help, she and Eric begin a path that might heal him not just physically, but also heal their relationship, as well.

I have never read an Emilie Richards novel, but I just became a huge fan. I will be going to the book store today to check out some of her other novels. She does a fabulous job bringing together her characters and actually deals with social issues that are somewhat taboo today. The finished product is nearly perfection.

Kym Oetting