"Shades of Morning" is a book about love, healing, family, commitment, and self-worth. It has a wonderful message about forgiveness, letting things go and turning those things over to God.

The story opens with a tragedy that immediately made my heart break and captured my attention. From that point on, I had to continue reading, and only the need for sleep made me put this book aside. It certainly was a captivating read. Even though I had most of the story figured out, I never saw the end coming.

I did enjoy the storyline and a loved the characters, but the ending was not as real and believable as the rest of the storyline. Although good, it was a bit of a disappointment.

One wonderful addition to the book is the author's note at the end. She explains one of the characters and where he came from and her personal thoughts. I really liked this little insight. ( )

I am so glad that I was allowed to review this book. Marnie has had so many problems in her past that are now affecting her future. She has never really felt worthy of love. That comes out all through this book. How many times do we feel like we don't deserve to be happy, or loved? At an early age Marnie runs away and ends up owning a coffee/book store. She has broken all ties with those in her past, including her only sister. Marnie's past comes back to haunt her when she receives a letter from the man she loves but ran away from. She is informed that she is to become the guardian of Emmit her sister's son after her sister was killed in an accident. Taylor the lawyer has grown to love Emmit and it tears him up to send Emmit out to Marnie. It means they both must face their past. Marnie has dealt with her past by keeping reminders of her mistakes in a box. When Emmit, a downs-syndrome boy arrives he finds the box. As he slowly picks the pieces out he teaches Marnie to face her past and learn to love. The great thing about this book was just when you thought you had it all figured out there is another boy thrown in the mix. Who is the real Emmit and why has all of this happened. I loved this book and can't wait to recommend it to all of my friends. ( )

Shades of Morning is the type of Christian fiction that I usually enjoy. Marnie is a flawed character and a woman of faith. She is imperfect, with a past that has been forgiven. She doesn’t always understand the directions in which God is taking her, but she follows.

Her “avoidance issues” are sometimes comical and her fierce love for Emmett is heartwarming even when she really didn’t want to be his mother. Her experiences in church with Emmett and the looks by the so-perfect couple in front of them were too true-to-life.

I enjoyed most of this touching book very much, but the end left me stunned and cold. Honestly, I wanted to throw the book across the room. Because discussing the details would be a “spoiler”, I will just say that I think it gives the wrong message about Down syndrome and the twist at the end was almost a new-age type of message. ( )