Can't stop thinking about this book. The characters are so much a part of me now. Francine Rivers is one of the best character writers I know (as well as Lynn Austin). This book is full of imperfect people with imperfect lives. Exactly like real life. I love books that portray life as it really is instead of idealistically. I was so disheartened reading the first book in this series. It actually depressed me so much that I had to abandon it 3/4 of the way through. After finishing this book, I can better understand the hopelessness and desperation that plagued the main character in the previous book. It was all worked out in the pages of this book so beautifully. Thank you Francine for writing yet another story that inspires, encourages and relates to the rest of us.