The Desire

Can faith build a bridge between their dreams?

For two years, Allan and Michele have been trying to have a baby. The emotional ride has been taking a toll on their hearts--and their relationship. Michele is obsessed with researching fertility treatments while Allan seems content to spend his time--and their money--on supporting displaced children in Africa. Something's got to give. But they both hope it's not their marriage.

Still, God has a plan for Allan and Michele that they could never have imagined. And all it takes to set it in motion is a change of heart . . .



MEET THE AUTHORS:

Dan Walsh is the bestselling author of many books, including The Dance and The Promise with Gary Smalley, The Discovery, and What Follows After. He has won three Carol Awards, and three of his novels were finalists for RT Book Reviews Inspirational Book of the Year. A member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Dan served as a pastor for 25 years. He lives with his wife in the Daytona Beach area, where he's busy researching and writing his next novel.

Gary Smalley is one of the country's best-known authors and speakers on family relationships and has appeared on national television programs such asOprah, Larry King Live, and TODAY, as well as numerous national radio programs. He is the bestselling and award-winning author or coauthor of many books, including the Baxter Family Redemption series with Karen Kingsbury and The Dance and The Promise with Dan Walsh. Gary and his wife, Norma, have been married for 50 years and live in Missouri.

My Thoughts:
The Desire is the third installment in Walsh and Smalley's The Restoration Series.  I had not read the other books in the series prior to reading this one, but wish I had!  While this book read well as a stand alone novel, I think the reader's experience with the Anderson family will be enhanced by reading the books in the order they have been written.
In this collaborative effort, Walsh and Smalley present readers with characters that feel like "next door neighbors".  They have a genuine feel to them which endeared them to me as I read. Because of excellent character development and real life faith struggles presented, I was immediately drawn into the story and didn't come up for air until I turned the last page.  The hope of the gospel is clearly shown within the story.  I can't wait to read Doug's story in the next book! The author interview in the back of the book sheds much understanding into the purpose of this particular series.  The seamless way Walsh incorporates spiritual principles from Smalley's book Guarding Your Child's Heart adds another valuable and intriguing layer to the book.
Don't miss this series!
*I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher for the purpose of this review.

Happy Reading,
Jennifer