barbara j. franzen

Twelve year old Celeste Dusty faces abuse when her parents sudden death and the actions of a dishonest child services employee result in Celeste being taken from idyllic farm life to Lincoln, Nebraska where she spends the next four years with Aunt Sylvie, a socialite with a secret vendetta against Celestes dead mother. Almost immediately Celeste realizes something evil is about to touch her life. Along with malicious Aunt Sylvie, Celeste encounters Pastor Evans. He is good looking and charismatic, but unfortunately the good Pastors interest in shy girls has nothing to do with God.

Celeste grows up, but old wounds are hard to healeven when she runs into childhood friend Will Temple. The once cocky Will is smitten with Celestes beauty, humor, and innocence. . She feels unable to commit due to scars left by her abuse, and it may take a Christmas miracle for her to accept Wills love. Can Celeste move forward or will the ills done in her past steal future happiness?

This is a beautiful story of love and healing written by a therapist who worked with teenagers on the journey to healing. It was well researched and includes Nebraska landmarks, historical events, and the unique farming culture of the 1920s-40s.