The Secret of Us by Roxanne Henke

When a beloved author finishes a series and embarks on a new project or creates new characters, I always wonder if I'll enjoy the new as much as the old. Many of my favorite authors have left behind beloved characters for new ones, and it's been kind of sad...but enjoyable as well.

Roxanne Henke has a unique style of writing...it's multi-layered and from the point of view of first person, but from different main characters. So it can take a little getting used to at first. I discovered her in the novel "After Anne" and enjoyed her way of writing.

Her style continues in "The Story of Us", the story of Laura and Donnie Dunn. The Dunns have been married for 23 years and are at a crossroads in their union. Years of work and neglect have begun to take their toll, and they both have decisions to make.

The story is also told from the point of view of their daughter, Stasha, a newlywed struggling with the same issues early on in her marriage. So we get a three way look at an issue that many deal with, and few realize the seriousness.

This was a difficult novel to read, as we are struggling right now at home with a variety of things. But it was a necessary novel to read, as it pointed out some weak areas to pray over and made me realize that it is NEVER all one person's fault.

Whether you've been married a long time, or are a newlywed...or maybe engaged or seriously dating someone... "The Secret of Us" is an excellent look at marriage and the power of simple neglect and lack of communication...

I look forward to the next project from Roxanne's PC!

Happy Reading!

Deena