But as the year went on and we were swamped with illness, grief, and estate duties, I had trouble keeping up my reading targets. I found myself slipping further and further behind. Then, December hit, and I took off like a rocket!
I smashed my 50 book goal in early December, and I've been devouring books all month!
It put me a bit behind in my reviews, so stay tuned for some great reviews over the next week.
Last January, I read and reviewed Katie's novel,
Where The Blue Sky Begins.
You can read that review HERE.
Katie has a gift for pairing interesting characters in a way that highlights the beauty and power of honest connections in ordinary life.
I really loved this book for so many reasons. First, the prairie landscape serves as its own character, giving a sense of vista and isolation. Having just spent the fall driving across the Canadian prairies, I resonated with the long drives and open space.
Second, each character is quirky, rooted, and endearing in their own way. These are flawed people who each have their own broken backstory. You find yourself cheering them on and hoping each has their own happy ending. Katie's own personal history with fostering children adds weight and realism to one particular storyline.
Finally, I love the way faith is part of this story without ever proselytizing. This is a story of redemption, friendship, family, and love. Faith guides the path without ever demanding a direction. There's a heart and gentleness to this world that stayed with me long after I closed the cover.
You can find more of Katie's wonderful writing at
