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Very successful plastic surgeon Max Jordan accuses his son, Dr. Joshua Jordan, of wasting his education by choosing to practice medicine in Haiti instead of the more lucrative USA. In fact, Max, whose nick-name is “Max-a-Million,” is so used to the good life, he is blind to the real wealth his son has serving the children of Haiti.
But, Joshua does more than practice medicine. He serves with the joy and love of the Lord Jesus Christ. He is at peace, encouraged, and in love with fellow missionary minded nurse, Samantha. She is with him at his last moment alive.
Josh's sudden death is felt from Haiti to Chicago. Samantha is devastated at the loss of her friend and love. Josh's dad, Dr. Max, is incredulous at the news of his son's death. And, he feels a sort of guilt that he didn’t really know his son. He judged his son without really understanding him. Max needs to visit the place of his son’s death.
Valerie Austin is supposed to be lying on a sandy beach, with turquoise water lapping the shores and her new husband by her side. That vision is shattered when the marriage is called off, and Valerie begins to think her dream to me a wife and mother is gone forever. She volunteers to go to Haiti and help on a short term mission trip to an orphanage.
The more time Max spends with those Josh served with, the more admiration he feels for his son’s sacrificial life. He also feels regret that he had judged his son so harshly. Life in Haiti is difficult, but Max is smitten with the young missionary, Valarie and the selfless life of the people at the orphanages. When it's time for Max to return to Chicago he carries a piece of Valerie in his heart and she has a piece of his. Will the two people from such vastly different walks of life, be able to enjoy a life together?
I was a little disappointed at the beginning of the story because one of Ms. Raney's recent novels starts out with a sort of same incident. I quickly got over that disappointment, by the compelling story that drew me into the story. And, the characters stayed with me well after I read the final page. Not just the main characters, but the older couple who run the orphanage and the decision that gentleman made early in his life that had effects on his life even now. And, my heart ached for Valerie. I felt a kinship to her and actually cried when God’s hand moved in her life in a huge way, with a little incident.
You won’t be disappointed with this book. As always Deborah Raney’s writing left a warm handprint on my spirit. Highly recommended.
Reviewed by Linda Mae Baldwin
for The Road to Romance
November 17, 2005
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