What does a mother do to protect the life of her most treasured connection, a child? Martha Warden is totally unhinged by a devastating explosion in her normal but ever-increasingly threatened rural world. The perpetrator of this violence leaves a note in which he clearly states that he would have taken every single, existing child with him if possible. Apparently believing that Martha has become seriously paranoid in the ensuing days, David, her husband, plans to have her committed to a hospital for psychiatric care. Little does he know that his insistence on his truth will commit Martha and their son, Duncan, to a faith, freedom, and safety far beyond David's worst fears about loss.

Having collected every imaginable supply for a long journey, Martha whisks six-year-old Duncan out of the house to journey to their new life in the wilderness of Texas. Guilty but determined, she attempts to destroy her path so that none may follow. The challenges of cave living slowly remove the fear of discovery until the arrival of Andrew, who capably and easily handles every daunting task of their most primitive abode but begins to fail his primary job.

Beautiful sunsets plummeting into an intrepid canyon, a clear and clean lake washing away past fears, stalagmites resembling every human's most imaginative visions, storytelling confronting and removing all evil, and slowly revealing conversations seduce the reader with every turn of the pages. Just when the reader begins to wonder about some scenes being contrived, another scene dashes away the reader's doubt. Allowing a new trust and care, Martha knows her deep, deep love is split but stronger than it has ever been. There is more than one healing scene to follow.

Kathy Hepinstall is a master of psychological suspense! Rejecting fear and embracing love on one's own terms, she has crafted an alternative life that will leave the reader gasping at the end of Martha, David, and Duncan Warden's escape from fear. With Andrew, we embrace life's demons on love's terms.

Reviewed by Viviane Crystal

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