Tuesday, July 11, 2006

Melanie Dobson's Together for Good ~ Reviewed


Together for Good
By Melanie Dobson
Published by Kregel Publications
ISBN 0-8254-2444-5

Twenty years ago, Abby Wagner lost her baby. Now, at the pinnacle of her career, the repressed pain from that loss surfaces when she is assigned to design a publicity campaign for Heartsong Adoptions … the very organization that separated her from her son. The panic she feels opens her deepest wounds as the past rises up to haunt her. To find some peace of mind, Abby returns to her family's cottage on Orcas Island. As she slowly releases her grip on the past, Abby discovers a miracle in the most unexpected place.

Melanie Dobson delivers a gripping story of adoption, of loss and of restoration with a fresh twist—one I hadn't read before. Free of clichéd writing, this unique story echoed in my heart long after I turned the last page.

Set on Washington State's Puget Sound, Dobson's description of the area invoked nostalgic memories. My mother was born and raised on Puget Sound, and I spent many summers there as a child. I could smell the Sound as I turned the pages.

Excellent writing, coupled with unforeseen plot twists, this is a story you'll not forget. I found the way Dobson weaves in the characters' faith journeys refreshing and natural. A haunting story, Together for Good is highly recommended.


Reviewed by Ane Mulligan
www.anemulligan.com

2 comments:

Melanie Dobson said...

Thank you for your review, Ane. It's been terrifying and amazing to see my first novel in print. I'm thrilled that you enjoyed the story.

How fun that you spent your summers on Puget Sound. I'm jealous!!

Anonymous said...

I absolutely loved Melanie's book and I am not a reader. I know Melanie back from her undergraduate college years and have been thrilled to follow her journey throught these years. I am also not a writer which you will see in this little post :) Melanie makes the words jump off the page, and makes you feel like you are right in the middle of the story. You can almost smell the ocean and feel the mist in your face. I am now looking forward to the next book to come.