Not by Sight by Kathy Herman

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Suspense!

Description

Sixteen-year-old Abby Cummings has struggled for five years with the mysterious disappearance of her father and two-year old sister, Riley Jo. One day, Abby’s in town shopping and sees a girl about seven, who looks remarkably like she imagines her sister would now. Abby takes a picture with her cell phone and shows it to her mother. Mama, having had her hopes dashed all too often, dismisses it. But Abby can’t. What if her sister is still alive? What if her father is? Abby ’s determined to find out. She confides in her best friend, Jay Rogers, but neither teenager has any idea that Jay holds the key to the truth of what happened.

Based on 2 Corinthians 5:7, "We live by faith, not by sight," this is fast-paced suspense that will appeal to both genders--adults and mature teens.

Purchase here: http://www.deepershopping.com/item/herman-kathy/not-by-sight-ozark-mountain-trilogy-v1/4265730.html

Biography

Best-selling suspense novelist Kathy Herman has written nineteen novels—including the Sophie Trace series, the Secrets of the Roux River Bayou series, the Seaport Suspense series, and the Phantom Hollow series—since retiring from her family’s Christian bookstore business. She and her husband, Paul, have three grown children and live in Tyler, Texas.

My Review ~

Owner of Angel View Lodge located in the Ozark Mountains, Kate Cummings and her family are intensely aware of the fifth anniversary of the sudden disappearance of Micah, Kate's husband, and her youngest daughter, two-year-old Riley Jo. The two had gone fishing and never returned. Kate and Abby's older brother have lost all faith and hope in God since Micah and Riley Jo disappeared. Sixteen-year-old Abby is unable to let go of her losses, and when she encounters a little girl who strongly resembles her little sister she is convinced that it could by Riley Jo, and proceeds to take a picture of the child with her phone. Abby believes that God has given her this sighting as a sign that her little sister may still be alive. Kate forbids her to proceed with her search, but Abby is convinced that the child is her sister. Her best friend Jay is supportive, and although danger may be imminent he assists Abby in her quest for her lost sister. 

This story of extreme loss is heart wrenching, but filled with hope. Each character has a unique way of dealing with the loss of their family members, and moving forward with their lives. Kathy Herman has done a superb job of developing strong and credible characters, and the descriptive elements surrounding the resort area in the Ozark Mountains are picturesque. Hope and faith are strong currents that flow throughout this suspenseful novel. Potential readers would be wise to prepare for an adequate amount of time to read this book in its entirety. Once you begin reading you won't want to put this book down! Excellent writing!

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book through the For Readers Only program through The Book Fun group in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own, and no monetary compensation was received for this review. Thank you to Fred St Laurent and David C Cook Publishing.