A Change of Heart: A Harmony Novel (Plus)
Mix Garrison Keillor, Tom Bodett, and Jan Karon, and you have Quaker minister Gulley's Harmony series featuring Pastor Sam Gardner. The stakes aren't as high in this fifth entry as they were inJust Shy of Harmony(2002), when Sam questioned whether he still believed in God, or inSigns and Wonders(2003), when evidence of miracles gave him pause. This time there are only subplots revolving around members of Sam's congregation: spinster Deena Morrison, rehearsing for a perfect wedding; mean old Dale Hinshaw, at death's door and in need of a new heart; and Ellis and Miriam Hodge, who years ago took in their niece, Amanda, and raised her as their own. Now they face Amanda's biological parents, Ellis' brother and his wife, dedicated alcoholics who have dried out and want a place in their daughter's life. AlthoughA Change of Heartlacks cohesion, each of its small stories is entertaining and fresh, and makes a reader wish for a town like Harmony to live in. And truly, it's Gulley's Hoosier humor that readers return for. Mulling over his wedding ceremony, Sam's grateful there are no "readings from Kahlil Gibran about how if you love someone, let them go and if they return they are yours, but if they don't, they're with someone else, or words to that effect." Mark Twain would have chuckled at that one.John MortCopyright &#169; American Library Association. All rights reserved--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.