Dogwood

A man just released from prison. A former love. A town not ready to forgive. A mystery of a deep tragedy deep at the heart of it all that is gradually revealed. This book did mesmerize me at times as the stunning nature of the mystery at it's center came to the center. At first the shifting nature of the narrative as it went from character to character had me on my toes as I tried to keep it all straight. At the end it was a meaningful story of forgiveness and the power of God to heal past hurts.

I kind of struggled through this one at the outset. Chapter after chapter of reading but not really understanding what was going on. I got to know the characters, but the story seemed so fragmented and disjointed. As I neared the end, I realized why and the book instantly moved from 2 stars to 3 stars. I was not completely surprised at the end, but did find it was a nice twist.

While this is Christian fiction, winning a Christy Award in 2009 in the Contemporary Standalone category, it is not your typical book in the genre. It is engaging and easy-to-read without being in-your-face evangelistic or full of too-good-to-be-true characters. Very easy to read, t took me a morning to read finish it.

Recommended.

Some sections that were helpful with where I am seeking to know God's heart. Interesting twist at the end.

Definitely deserves a Christy Award ! Surprising twists at the end. A very moving and heart tendering novel.

Good plot, great author.

Fabulous, a real page-turner.
You will never guess the end; it left me astounded. I could never have guessed the ending.

Wow.