What could a
midwestern Special Ed. Teacher and a west coast guru well-known for turning around failing
businesses have in common?
Years ago, when
Jill Runyan was seventeen, she had a baby of wedlock. Her parents, devoted Christians,
were ashamed of her and tried to force her to have an abortion. Jill refused and was
allowed to carry the baby to term only if she agreed to two things: 1. She would give the
baby up for adoption immediately. 2. She would never have contact with her high school
boyfriend ever again. Jill agrees to it, desperate to save her baby’s life.
Morgan Spencer was
raised in a Christian family. He confessed and practiced Christianity until Jill’s
parents tell him that Jill went on a long-term mission trip and has aborted his baby.
Morgan came from a large family where children were special and he couldn’t
understand why Jill would kill the child they made out of love, especially when he was
willing to marry her. At very least, his family would have taken the child. Believing Jill
had the abortion, Morgan gave up on God and turned to alcohol.
Fourteen years
later the adoptive parents contact Jill. Her daughter, Kelsie, has contacted leukemia and
her only hope of survival is a bone marrow transplant. Jill is tested, but she isn’t
a match. Will she be able to find Morgan? If she does, how can she ever tell him that the
baby he believes dead is really alive but needs his help to keep from dying?
Jill is a loveable
heroine that I fell in love with instantly. I wasn’t too sure about Morgan at first
as drunken heroes don’t appeal to me at all. As I got to know Morgan better, I
understood why he acted the way he did and I began to hope that he’d be able to work
through his hurt and betrayal to discover the truth and love.
THE STILL OF NIGHT
is a compelling story about love and loss. It is apparent the author spent many hours
researching leukemia and the treatments available. Kelsie is a spunky, loveable girl with
an unfortunate illness. THE STILL OF NIGHT is a book I highly recommend. This is a book
for the keeper shelf. $12.99, 427 pages.
Reviewed by Laura
V. Hilton for The Road to Romance
December 6, 2003 |
