Coming Home

by Barbara Jean Hicks

After five years, Katie Brannigan has grown and matured...and so has her love for Keith Castle.

Genres: Romance, Christian Fiction, Christian

304 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1996

About the author

Acclaimed children's book author Barbara Jean Hicks offers visiting author programs and workshops for aspiring writers of all ages. With a flair for the dramatic, Barbara engages, entertains, educates and inspires her audiences. She has taught at the preschool, middle school and community college levels and most recently worked in an elementary school as author-in-residence, program facilitator and parent educator. She has also written marketing copy and edited manuscripts for numerous trade publishers. Her picture books include the award-winning Jitterbug Jam: A Monster Tale and The Secret Life of Walter Kitty. Barbara lives in Oxnard, California.

Reviews

[SK · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story starts with a Prologue that presents the lead characters at a much younger, age, but even though Keith (Kee) and Katie (Irish) are much younger, we see their strong, childhood friendship, how connected they are to each other. Then chapter one begins five years later, after the two besties have been separated from each other by oceans and continents.

We learn of the story of Keith & Katie, Doc & Danny & Toni, Emily & Beau, Chappie & Tomahawk Church, and North Carolina State & Professor Henry Gillette. The character’s stories pulled me in. Keith’s tale was layered and his response to the death of his mother was tinged with mystery. Danny & Toni’s story at first seemed rather hopeless, but by the end of the book their story is relayed in a very satisfying way. Emily is a wonderful best friend to Katie, and the entrance of Emily & Beau’s first child arrives with a splash during a concert. Henry Gillette is a pivotal secondary character and although Katie turned down Henry’s marriage proposal, he continues to supports her personally and professionally.

Barbara Jean Hicks writes great characters, the characters are not stagnant, they grow and change. An example of that is Keith and Katie’s spiritual and emotional journey they travel before they successfully connect as a couple. Chapters twenty and twenty-one were absolutely the highlight of the journey of Keith and Katie; Chappie plays a pivotal part. The Epilogue was the finishing touch to a very good story. I must say, it is always good to find a Palisade book, my surprise find came from a county-wide used book sale.

[Amber Willard · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75

[Loraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy to read Christian romance.

[Marlena · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful romance with a real characters. Not too far fetched storyline.