"We live by faith, not by sight." ~~ II Corinthians 5:7 - NIV

When Susan Barnes accepted the position at the law firm and moved to Kansas City, leaving her best friend and small hometown behind, she never dreamed she would fall in love and get married. A beautiful handcrafted memory box given to them as a wedding gift becomes her most treasured possession. She's eagerly looking forward to filling the box with years of sentimental mementos, marking their journey through life together.

Tom Watson is a strikingly handsome young attorney with a very promising future. But it isn't long before Susan discovers Tom is not the man she thought she had married. Behind those sparkling gray-blue eyes, lies a secretive side to her new husband and beginning with the birth of little Tommy, she suddenly finds herself on an emotional roller coaster ride, which ultimately costs her an extremely hefty price.

Once a strong Christian woman, now driven to the lowest level possible at the hands of her beloved, Susan summons up the strength to surrender her life into the loving hands of God, once again, for He is their only hope. But will they be able to escape from danger in time?

Don't miss what happens next when all of your favorite characters in Chasing Memories, return in Shades of Blue -- Second in the Memory Box Trilogy!

REVIEW

FOUR STAR REVIEW


Susan Barnes never put too much thought into marriage or a family of her own. She believed that love was something that would come in due time. Until then, she remained a true, dedicated friend to Laura Thompson and her daughter Annie, who, had suffered through tragedies of their own. Susan, a vibrant, independent young woman finally found the man of her dreams. Tom Watson dazzled her from the first time they met. He was perfect. She thought. Somewhere through it all she lost that fairytale love. She lost her self-esteem and finesse.

I thought the book was a delicate read. The spiritual side of the story was very empowering. I could relate to Susan in many ways.

EXCERPT

It had been a very sad, very long day. Drawn into the past by the funeral of her closest and dearest friend of more than fifty years, she searched thoughtfully in her bedroom for the carved rosewood box, which she found on the shelf at the end of her closet. She carefully lifted it into the soft light and stood silent, holding it close to her body. Walking heavily to the moss green, wing chair next to her bed, she sat down with the treasured box on her lap.

Just seeing it again, after all these years, brought back a flood of memories. She slowly traced the floral pattern carved in the wood, her expression weary. She removed the small brass key from her nightstand and carefully unlocked it. And as she did, the survival mode era of her past collided in her mind with her current, serene environment.

Gently pushing aside two small greeting cards and a crumbling, dried red rose, she caressed the faded blue cover of the worn and tattered diary. With trembling fingers, she turned the pages of the dreams written by the young author - words of hope, trust and love. A tear trailed a crooked path along her wrinkled cheek and slipped quietly away, as completely as had the youthful dreams scrawled on the pages, reminding her of how quickly it had all gone wrong...