Review: Shannon's Hope by Josi S. Kilpack

Shannon's Hope by Josi S. Kilpack

Book Description:

Shannon’s troubled stepdaughter has been missing for two weeks. When Keisha finally calls, Shannon doesn’t hesitate to welcome her into her home — despite her husband, John’s, misgivings. As a pharmacist, Shannon has always taken an analytical view of Keisha’s addiction problems and feels that treating her underlying depression and providing a support system can break the bonds that have taken over her life.

When Keisha first begins breaking the rules, Shannon worries John will kick Keisha out and send her back to her druggie friends. Shannon commits to being even more diligent in helping Keisha. As more of her energy goes toward Keisha, a distance emerges between Shannon, her husband, and their twelve-year-old son, Landon. Shannon finds it easy to justify her own behavior as unconditional love, but as Keisha’s stumblings become dramatic falls, Shannon realizes this is no longer just about Keisha.

Shannon finds herself facing the reality that addiction comes in many forms. Can she shift her perspective from Keisha’s future — which was never hers to control — to her own? Can she keep from spiraling into a pattern of obsessive rescuing and find the strength to repair her own fractured relationships before she drives her husband and son away for good?

Review:

I've enjoyed reading all of the novels in The Newport Ladies Book Club series, and I was excited when I heard that Shannon's Hope had been released. Shannon played a very small role in the other books, so I wasn't sure what to expect. I found her story to be pretty interesting. It didn't suck me in-I could put in down without a problem, but Kilpack's writing ability helped me feel a connection to the characters, and I was interested to see what would happen with Shannon and her family.

I was bothered by all of the dishonesty in the story. I appreciated that it bothered Shannon too, although it was the sort of thing that made me feel a little uncomfortable just waiting for when and how the truth would come out and the repercussions from it.

I liked the message about helping people in our lives, both close loved ones and acquaintances. And, that the best way to help them might not be the way we want to help them.

About Author Josi S. Kilpack:

Josi S. Kilpack hated to read until her mother handed her a copy of The Witch of Blackbird Pond when she was 13. From that day forward, she read everything she could get her hands on and accredits her writing “education” to the many novels she has “studied” since then. She began writing her first novel in 1998 and never stopped. Her novel, Sheep’s Clothing won the Whitney Award 2007 for Mystery/Suspense. Lemon Tart, the first book in the Sadie Hoffmiller Culinary Mystery series was a finalist in 2009.  Josi currently lives in Willard Utah with her husband, children and super-cute cat.

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Title: Shannon's Hope
Author: Josi S. Kilpack
Publisher: Covenant Communication Inc.
Published: August 2013
ISBN: 1621084698
FTC FYI: I received an eCopy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

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