My review of Over the Waters by Deborah Raney

Synopsis

In her most transcendent novel to date, RITA Award-winning author Deborah Raney depicts a driven, ambitious man shaken into a journey of self-discovery by the death of his son.

As "Dr. Botox" to the bored, rich women of Chicago, plastic surgeon Max Jordan was shocked by the decision of his son, Joshua, to focus his medical talent on Haitian orphans. Embittered by Joshua's death, Max searched for resolution in the very place his son called home. The selfless labor of Joshua's co-workers stunned Max, and he was particularly taken by American volunteer Valerie Austin, whose view of his son's sacrifice, and her own, challenged Max's values and assumptions. Transformed by his visit to Haiti, and especially by his encounters with Valerie, Max wondered if he could ever return to his "Max-a-Million" lifestyle, or if the doors to his gilded cage had finally opened.

My review:

Over the Waters is one of those rare books that is good enough to read twice. The emotion is deep,the romance is beatiful, and the selfless love of the characters is admirable. Neither main character started out giving of themselves with full abandon to God and His service, but as they grow in Him and listen to His voice they are pulled by His love in that direction. I adore love stories written by Deb Raney and this is no exception. In fact, it's one of my favorites. What thrills me most, however, about the re-release of this book, is that the epilogue includes some yummy kisses. Yahoo! What a fabulous way to end a beautiful romance story. If you haven't experienced the emotional and spiritual rush from reading the first release of Over the Waters, then you MUST check out this version (the mass market paperback) with the brand new epilogue!

Over the Waters was published by Steeple Hill and released in Oct. 2005, then re-released in 2008.