Libby's Ashes

by Melva J. Henderson

The one thing Oscar Metford wished for above all else on his ninety-first birthday was the ability to fulfill his late wife’s last request. That he be able to take her ashes alone, just the two of them, his last expression of his love for her, and deposit them along the Alpine lake the two of them so cherished in their youth. But age and infirmity made the trek into the mountains and up to the lake on foot or even on horseback impossible for his arthritic body. Then a contest drawing for a hot air balloon excursion that would fly over the very location he needed to go in order to honor his late wife’s request gave him an option in fulfilling the obligation. The contest came to his attention in an ad in the local newspaper. The event was an advertisement for a local radio station. But when he made the request to his children that a balloon ride was what he wanted most of all for his ninety-first birthday, they rejected his request as too dangerous for a man of his advanced years and physical condition. That’s when he entered his name in the radio stations drawing on a whim, and won the trip of a lifetime; a balloon ride that gave him more than he bargained for when it came to friendship and adventure.

What seems an innocent balloon ride triggers a chain of events that proves life altering for six strangers. This is a story of survival, of unlikely friendships, and the strength of love and faith.

306 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 9, 2009

Reviews

[Elizabeth Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Libby's Ashes was such a phenomenal read, I couldn't put it down. From the moment I started reading the first paragraph, I was intrigued and wanted to continue to see where it would lead.
The clever introduction of the characters set the stage in a perfect manner, giving a wonderful and accurate description of each person. You can picture just what they looked like, what they were wearing and the type of person that they were.
In addition, as the author clearly defines each circumstance, you start to feel like you are there; sensing the relaxation during the calm points of the story, or the heightened apprehension during the treacherous scenes.
Each character could easily be someone we know, whether it is a friend, a relative, or even a neighbor; so it is easy to relate and let your imagine wander all at the same time. It is a story of love, courage, honor, respect, adventure,conquering one's fears, finding yourself and what truly matters in life.
When you read a story and it leaves you thinking about it after you have finished the last page, it is clear that it has made quite an impact.
I suggest this book to everyone looking for a real page-turner.

[Dennis Blanchard · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not a fiction reader so I'm in strange territory here. I love the outdoors and the cover of the book attracted me. I bought the book as a gift for someone and ended up reading it.
The story concept was good, and the character development was healthy. A sign of good fiction writing is when you start to have a visual image of the characters and their traits and that worked in this book.
I enjoyed the story. The concept was plausible, and that made it that much better for me. I have difficulty reading things like some of Stephen King's works because they're just too far out there, like IT and THE DOME. Things like MISERY and CUJO I find plausible. Melva Henderson's LIBBY'S ASHES worked for me.
It was an easy read and would fit into a long plane flight.
In most reviews I like to include something I didn't like and my only comment here would be that a few words were overused, such as "frown," it seemed many of the characters "frowned" more often than seemed natural.

[Sheila Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Melva Henderson has done a wonderful job of creating a story which successfully weaves romance, adventure, and life lessons together in one novel. By beginning the tale by using individual chapters to introduce the main characters, the reader gets to know them well enough they seem like real people. While some authors have created characters who seem too good to be true, Melva expertly chose to write about ordinary people who at times do extraordinary things. The plot is fast paced and exciting. In my opinion, the way in which Ms. Henderson shows the growth of the characters and what they learn about themselves through their experiences is outstanding. I consider "Libby's Ashes" a must read.

[Paulette D Seales · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! No Sex!

This was a sweet book of friendship and changing lives. The author used the basis for true lasting love, with friendship, adversity and adventure as her characters found their way to eternal bliss.
As we all know, we are here to live and then to die. We hope that our relationships with others brings out the best of our character. This book brought faith in mankind to a crescendo of how we need others how it brings out that, for Character to be a crescendo of music of the heart that beats for others
to a crescendo of hearts that beats for others as well as ourselves.

[Diane · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book follows five strangers who sign up for a contest to take a balloon ride. They each have their own agendas and as the trip takes some unexpected turns they each find out some important things about themselves.

[Millie Russom · Rating 1 out of 5]

Boring

I just couldn't get interested in this one. It wasn't very good at all. I'm very glad it is finished.