The Edge of the Sky

by Drusilla Campbell

Lana Porter had it all-a happy marriage and two wonderful daughters-until her husband's tragic accident left her near-perfect life in ruins... Now, nearly a year later, Lana is still picking up the pieces when she is blindsided by the appearance of her adopted daughter Micki's birth father. He comes bearing startling news: that Micki's birth mother was a rock and roll star who lived fast and died young. His glamorous life leaves Micki star struck by its possibilities. But life's unexpected twists and turns are taking their toll. Still reeling from her father's death and envious of her sister's newfound celebrity, good girl Beth spirals out of control. Her grades drop and she starts running with a dangerous crowd. Just when Lana feels that she can no longer handle her fractured family, she finds support from an unexpected source. And discovers that opening her heart helps it to heal...that the bonds between mothers and daughters can bend, but won't ever break...and that families are never perfect-but their love for each other can be...

Genres: Fiction, Womens Fiction, Relationships

324 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Drusilla Campbell lives in San Diego with her husband, the lawyer-poet-professor, Art Campbell, two rescued dogs and four horses. She was born in Melbourne, Australia and came to California when she was six years old. Before that she criss-crossed the United States by train and car with her brave and resourceful mother and mostly adorable baby brother. She had sailed the Pacific Ocean three times before starting first grade and knew how to run down a pitching outside deck and come to a sliding, slamming stop against a bulkhead, laughing the whole time. She grew up in the Santa Clara Valley in the halcyon days before the dot com magnates discovered it, attended San Jose State University, and then started traveling again. She taught in Melbourne, London and at a remote jungle outpost in Panama before settling down and marrying. While living in Washington, DC she got a Masters Degree in Broadcast Journalism from the American University and went to work for NPR's major DC affiliate, WAMU-fm. She has two sons, Rocky and Matt, and three grandchildren who are smarter, more intelligent and entertaining than anyone elses. The dogs, the horses, the family and friends and writing books keep her happily in one place.

Drusilla is an award winning author of 16 published novels, including the best-selling and award winning novels, The Good Sister, Blood Orange, and Bone Lake. Her latest novel, Little Girl Gone from Grand Central Publishing, is available is available January 31, 2012. you.

Reviews

[Melody · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had to stop reading this book. I got about 150 pages in (I guess I'll just google the ending) but couldn't continue the hope of "MAYBE the author won't cuss anymore. Maybe this is the last F-bomb she'll drop." The author is a WOMAN and she cusses like a sailor. What is up with all the cussing in books lately? It's not like it offers any depth to the characters, it isn't necessary AT ALL to the story....so WHY? I am getting REALLY bugged about it though. The story wasn't life changing, just a fluff story and a book I would have finished had it not been for all the foul language. :(

[Kerry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book though having now read The Good Sister and The Edge of the Sky I wonder if her books are all based on a helpless sister who depends way too much on her older sister while married to a domineering husband who only wants to keep her barefoot & pregant. Also, what was up with so many references to Levi jeans? I thought I was reading a commericial for the jeans as many times as they were mentioned.

[Tabatha · Rating 1 out of 5]

II didn't care for this book enough to finish it. It wasn't nearly as good as her other books I have read.

[Melissa Killian · Rating 2 out of 5]

Did not enjoy this one. I liked the characters of Lana's daughters, but the writing wasn't that great. It was confusing and there were definitely continuity errors, such as the daughters' ages that kept changing even though we were still in January for most of the book. Her younger sister, married to a jerk, had to threaten him with a gun to get him to listen to her, but she still refused to leave him, even though he never changed at all. The eventual solution to Lana's problems was that she needed to go to therapy, as did her daughters, to process the loss of her husband and to rebuild the relationship with her daughters. But this was obvious from the beginning of the book. Lana's decisions were frustrating and sometimes made no sense. And why bring up her absentee father if that story line was never going to be resolved or even mentioned again in the end?

[Karen · Rating 1 out of 5]

The premise of this book was interesting, as I enjoy a story about how families survive difficult challenges, and about female friendships. But the only thing I enjoyed about this book was her writing style and descriptions. The drama seemed to constantly spiral downward with no end in sight, then was wrapped up in the last few pages, without coming to any great resolution. Several story lines were left unaddressed and unresolved. I also did not see the need for, nor appreciated, the foul language. And as a Christian who believes life begins at conception, I do not agree with her descriptions of an unborn baby as a group of cells with no soul. I would not recommend this book.

[Becky · Rating 2 out of 5]

It just seemed pointless. Didn't really seem to be leading up to anything other than Lana and her daughters eventually learning how to go on with life without their husband/father. No resolution for Kathrine either....and Marlene eluded to problems in her life, but they were never brought to light. I just feel kind of blah about the whole thing.

[Trisha Pehrson · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book was just ok. no climax just the story of a family. eh.

[Jessica Evans · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. It was frustrating at times - but I still cared enough to want to know how it ended

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story about a family that experiences loss of a husband and father.

[Shauna · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really like Drusilla Campbell's stories. I think typically they are light easy reads. Not this one. I should have known when I found it at the Dollar Tree (but sometimes I really get great picks there!). To be honest, I don't even know how this book was published. The "climax" of this story happens on the second page. The rest of the story (in MY opinion) really went no where. I didn't feel like I was awaiting a resolution or expecting anything to happen. Okay, that might be a fib. I WAS waiting for it to be over. I felt like it was never going to end, and there was no point to finishing. And the worst part is that when I finished, I didn't feel any happier. I think I could have put it down after page two and been more satisfied.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lana Porter had a good life with her husband and two daughters. But one fateful night everything went topsy turvy. That was the night her husband died in an auto accident and their lives were shattered.

Now Lana is trying to keep the family together and be a good mother to her girls. New challenges arise daily and through all of them the bond between mother and daughters grows stronger. Lord knows there were many days that seemed like the bottom was falling out of everything.

Families aren't perfect, but their love can sustain them through thick and thin.

[Maureen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Campbell, Drusilla The Edge of the Sky--a slow and confusing beginning with characters that were not likable and/or stereotypical. However, as the plot develops I did begin to enjoy the book. the main characters of Lana porter and her daughters, Beth and Micki, did develop and grow. The stereotypical Sicilian brother was an awful prejudicial statement by the author which I found shallow and offensive.

[Marjorie Seward · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's hard enough to raise a family, especially teens, with two parents but when one of the parents is taken away what happens to the rest of the family. I think the author did a good job in tell this story and getting the family back into perspective.

[Pmcdnld2 · Rating 4 out of 5]

A mom with 2 teenage daughters-one biological, one adopted tryin to deal with the accidental death of her husband, teenage rebellion, her adopted daughter's bio-father, and her mom and sisters with their own issued. Good read.

[Denise MacDonald · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting read, with some very real characters. I liked how well the author portrayed the dynamics of all the different types of family relationships. It was slow going with not much of a climax. There was a lot of loose ends that didn't get tied up.

[Lisa Newman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Druscilla is one of my favorite writers. I've been following her since her first book and she never lets me down. She's from San Diego my hometown so it makes it that much more special. I've yet to read a bad book of hers. I'm looking forward to her next one to add my my collection! She is amazing!

[Jenn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Tedious and too emotional (when a prominent theme is avoidance of emotions). Also, dealing with two young female teenagers and an absent father - if I'm honest with myself, with a soon to be teen myself, I just didn't want to read about the challenges I my face.

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Facinating interplay between mothers, daughters and sisters.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book about life and death, raising teenagers as a single parent. Great for mothers of teens to read!

[Chaya Abrams]

I really enjoyed this book. The author's style is very open and honest and it was a stunning depiction of what happens in families due to grief and loss

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story of a family dealing with the death of the father/husband. I feel the writer had a good idea of teenage girls. There was a little too much description of streets but all in all a fair book.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book.

[Teresa Gamble · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have really loved all of this author's books so far and this one is no exception. It had a really good plot and i enjoyed it alot.

[Lynn Henderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

i like this author

[Naviana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastically written novel!

[Lindsay Murphy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the best book. There were too many characters that did not have proper development and the plot was boring. I kept thinking the book was going to get better but it never did.

[Emma · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was just nothing special. The writing was not absolutely terrible, but it didn't stand out to me either.

[Joyce Findlay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like books with real people and their thoughts and feelings. I enjoyed this book.

[Michelle Pannell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Started off very well but I got a little bored with it by the end. Worth reading.

[Charlotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read, however, her books all seem to have the same theme going.