This is book seven of the series and every book has been fun, but this one really steps up the energy and humor.  The character development and personal interaction of the characters is brilliantly entertaining and three dimensional.  Several new people are introduced.  Some are like the friends we all dream we could have while others are a bit repulsive.  Coming face to face with the horrors of a real-world disaster, the true personality of each character is revealed.  The author uses fantastic imagery in describing the scene as it unfolds on the island.  It’s like feeling the water lap against my feet or smelling the sulfur as it escapes the mountain side.  The pacing accelerates as the pages turn and doesn’t diminish in speed.  This book was hard to put down.

Chaney and Shiloh have a long history and truly complement each other.  Chaney is all business and somewhat caught within her societal class but Shiloh breaks through her armor and often makes her laugh.  Shiloh, on the other hand, comes into the story line with a clean slate.  As an orphan, he has had the chance to create the person he wants to be without any attachment to his past that he may not know or like.  Not afraid to be different, Shiloh has a sweet spot for Chaney and has been her nurse, working alongside her for a few years by the point of this installment.  They have a romance that is smoldering like an ember, waiting to catch fire but just hasn’t gone anywhere quite yet.  As they spend time in Hawaii, they encounter local beliefs that are a little bewildering and Chaney has a chance to live out her faith as she faces her fears. 

The author, Lynn Morris, has written eight books in this series with another three books about Chaney and Shiloh’s future titled The Inheritance.  Lynn Morris is the daughter of Gilbert Morris who collaborated with her on this series.  Gilbert Morris has published over one hundred books.  Lynn Morris has written and published about twenty-one books. 

Content Analysis:

Profanity/Language:  None

Violence/Gore:  Talk of a boxing/wrestling match between 2 men; multiple earthquakes, a woman faints, many are frightened, a woman is burned; a pestilence of bugs, several people and animals are bitten; people fight over transportation, one man ends up with broken bones, several hurt; a volcano erupts, people go crazy, fall in the ocean with deadly creatures, woman almost drowns her daughter when trying to get out, a man punches a woman to knock her out because she’s trying to kill somebody, a man swings a stick menacingly, a husband runs off without his daughters and wife.

Sex/Nudity:  A man is accused of purchasing a 12-year old girl for prostitution and owning a brothel; 2 men pick up 2 women and carry them from harm, some flirting; a slight romance runs between a man and a woman.

Mature Subject Matter:

Social class distinctions, death of parents, prostitution/brothel, marriage infidelity resulting in a child, lies, stealing, earthquakes, erupting volcano, parental abandonment, mental health issues.

Alcohol / Drug Use:

A young woman is given a few drops of alcohol after fainting; an elderly lady takes alcohol for medicinal purposes after being burned; a woman takes a drug to try to balance her mental health problems.