For Claire Anderson, her position as a teacher in Hanover Falls, Missouri is the realization of a long-held dream. In this loving small-town community where her beloved grandmother resides, she attempts to cast aside the memories of her troubled childhood. Michael Meredith finds worth as a nursing care home administrator. Until an unwelcome investigation concerning suspicious deaths among the … among the home’s residents threatens his career and his integrity. In the midst of this crisis, friendship blooms and deepens between Michael and Claire—until an agonizing secret is revealed. One that may tear the delicate fabric of their love. Is their faith strong enough to survive their astonishing discovery?
Deborah Raney has woven an intriguing tale… Her characters breathe life as they struggle with deep, heartfelt needs. What I loved most was the message that hidden sins and a painful past cannot be stuffed away and forgotten without the cleansing power of God’s forgiveness. —an amazon.com reviewer
This novel was originally published as Kindred Bond. It has been expanded and updated from the original edition.
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I enjoy reading authors that use their ability to write a great story without foul language and steamy sex. Deborah draws you into her novels from the first page and you stay there until the ending.
Deborah never fails to deliver a quality book, a great story !
Well Deborah Raney does it again with a heartwarming story. This one will really tug at your heart strings. Claire’s childhood was anything but ideal, yet it doesn’t stop her in her life long dream to teach. With the love of her grandmother she grows up into a wonderful young woman, although her childhood still haunts her. Michael runs the nursing home in the small town Claire moves too and together they both face the past and bring closer to their future. Wonderful story, the writing keeps you glued to the pages, the story within the story will at times bring tears and heartbreak but it all works so well together.
I’ve become a fan of Deborah Raney, and download any book bearing her name. She is good at painting realistic people in difficult, current struggles. You won’t be disappointed.
Very entertaining read, great characters. Interesting twist. Clean & inspirational. Deborah Rainey is always a good read.
Enjoyed reading it.
Deborah is true to life author.
Deborah Raney brings her characters to life.
This book isn’t “Gone With the Wind,” but it does pass the most important test in this era of a zillion free or nearly free inspirational novels out there. The story is compelling and you want to keep reading right to the last page. I had three or four books going at once on my Kindle, and kept coming back to this one because it had the most fascinating plot.
Both main characters are interesting and likeable. The Christian element is definitely present, but pleasantly earthy and not oppressive. And this story has much less of the faux twinkliness that is too common in Christian novels, where everyone winks and chuckles and incessantly slaps their neighbor on the back.
I am still getting used to love stories where the author skips back and forth between the girl and the guy. Not my favorite gambit, but Deborah Raney does it well. I always wonder if both lead characters are so breathlessly in love, why is it that hard to get together! But this story held its suspense line quite well, and the third character coming in about two-thirds of the way through was a nice twist. The “angel of mercy” subplot seemed contrived at first, but worked into an okay story at the end. All through, Raney handles the details of a convalescent home/hospital well; the details seem plausible.
Oddly, the book does have some minor flubs in it: misplaced quote marks and so on. But overall, this is a solid effort and “Nearly” does offer a strong vision of what God’s grace can achieve in the lives of people who submit their wills to him.
Thought provoking and entertaining
This author wrote a great book on one of the social problems still going on in our society. Love her style of writing and would certainly read more of her books
The story kept moving forward. There was a wonderful example of forgiveness. I love this book. Also examples of having a relationship with God.
Had a good message
I always find things I like in a Deborah Raney book. I will explain, at the end of story summary, why I did not give this book 5 stars (as it could easily have been). Small town school teacher, Claire Anderson, had a difficult childhood as did foster child Michael Meredith. The setting of Hanover Falls, Missouri has a charm of its own. Claire’s grand-mother’s inspirational advice portrays the Biblical wisdom so many of us seek. Claire and Michael, both likable people, have a budding romance and everything seems to be falling into place. Another plot, besides the romance, is interwoven into the story and that is centered in Michael’s job as administrator of an assisted living/nursing home.
We then learn of a long-ago mysterious connection between the two of them. Now, the reason I cannot give the story 5 stars. Claire continuously obsesses about this past event. The basis of her struggle seemed a little far-fetched to me. My question was “Does anyone really give up a beautiful romance over that past event!” However, I am glad I read the story and will continue to buy Raney books.
Raney at her usual best.
It was really good although a little slow getting going. I could have done without all the little clothes and daily duties detail.
Another Deborah Raney must read. Wonderful true to life characters and story line.
I loved this book.
This book was a fantastic read! I liked that it wasn’t predictable. It gave me hope since I have a troubled relationship with one of my younger sisters. The characters are incredibly well-defined and strong. The story deals with a lot of different types of relationships, guilt and forgiveness, including forgiving yourself. It made me take a close look inside.
This was a book that was hard to lay down, because I couldn’t wait to see what was going on.