Love, Family and Forgiveness: Moon Over Edisto by Beth Webb Hart

Julia is preparing for a New York art show when a person from the past arrives on her doorstep. Marney was her best friend in college, spending summers on Edisto Island with her family, but things have changed. One summer Marney and Julia's father became lovers, married and had children, leaving Julia, her sister, Meg, and her mother devastated and uncomprehending. Now Marney's back. She has lung cancer and wants Julia to come home to Edisto Island and take care of the children. Can Julia summon enough forgiveness and love in her heart to return to the place of the betrayal for the sake of the children?

The setting and characters in the book are wonderful. You fall in love with Julia from the first page. She has worked hard to build a life for herself after her father's betrayal. Now that life is threatened. She struggles to leave the past behind, but can she cut herself off from the children?

The setting in the South Carolina low country is magical. You feel the heat, see the reflections on the water and hear the children's joy in being outdoors, fishing, swimming and playing. The author also describes the food. My mouth was watering over some of the meals. I wanted to go there, right then and be part of things.

I highly recommend this book. A talented and beautiful woman struggles with the demons from the past. You can't help but get involved in her pain.

I reviewed this book for the Thomas Nelson Booksneeze Program.