Brilliantly written, utterly compelling…
Steeped in mystery and intrigue and laced with a dash of otherworldly, the engrossing series from McDonald impresses with its originality and imagination. Divorced after two decades of her marriage, Nolee Burnett is eager to leave her West Texas home for an island cabin nestled in spruce trees in the Pacific Northwest. She soon forms a close bond with her next-door neighbor Keet Noland. But there’s something about Keet that screams otherworldly. In this second installment, Nolee and Keet are trying to navigate their relationship with each other after the traumatic episode of Keet’s abduction when the appearance of an unknown family member complicates things further. Writing with sensitivity and empathy, McDonald vividly captures the rhythms of everyday life on Camas Island as well as Nolee’s distress and grief as she tries to come to terms with the circumstances of her life. The alternating first-person and third-person narrative voices skillfully incorporate the protagonists’ backstories, and the slowly unfolding mystery of Keet’s real identity introduces intrigue and tension. Keet’s initial restlessness, juxtaposed with scenes from his content time with Nolee, provide insight into his struggles as he tries to navigate his separate identities. Following a traumatic and an emotionally charged time after Keet’s departure as she tries to come to terms with his absence, Nolee maneuvers unexplored feelings of consistent rage, pain, and abandonment, addresses tumultuous personal dilemmas, and learns to be brave. Her bonds with Keet as well as Fae and Wilson are ones to be cherished. Relevant themes—the power of forgiveness and love and human connection—are woven skillfully into the narrative. Employing a compelling cast, expert prose, and intriguing storyline, McDonald ably composes a moving and tender-hearted story of two people discovering new truths about themselves in this poignant celebration of love, identity, and self-discovery. A triumph.
North to Home
Crissi McDonald
North to Home: Book 1
Price $17.99 (USD) Paperback, $5.99 Kindle edition
The Clock in the Water: Book 2
Price $17.99 (USD) Paperback, $5.99 Kindle edition
