Like Always

Title: LIKE ALWAYS
Author: Robert Elmer
Publisher: WaterBrook Press
June 2007
ISBN: 978-1-4000-7165-4
Genre: Inspirational/women’s fiction

Will Sullivan is tired of his city life, and to escape midlife blues, he decides to buy an abandoned resort in northern Idaho. He talks his wife, Merit, into joining him, though she is less than enthusiastic about the venture. He hopes that their son, Michael, fresh out of the military will also join them, but Michael is not excited about the idea. In fact, he worries that his parents have bitten off more than they can chew, especially after he sees exactly how much work this resort needs to go back into business.

The natives of the resort area are prejudice against the Sullivans from the beginning, especially when they hear that they are from California. So Will starts fudging about his former location some, to simply say, they are from ‘south of Boise.’

When Merit discovers she’s pregnant at the age of 45, she is shocked. It seems too much to bear, until devastating news forces an even bigger decision. As Merit and Will face the greatest trial of their lives, they are forced to reexamine their devotion to each other and to their faith.

LIKE ALWAYS is inspired by a true story—a fun type of book for me to read. And Robert Elmer is just the person to write this story. He is known for writing complex, satisfying books that will stay with the reader for a long time to come, and LIKE ALWAYS is no exception.

Will, Merit, their children, and the secondary characters are all so very well developed, they almost seem real, like neighbors I could walk down the road and visit. I fell in love with each of the characters, and couldn’t wait to see what happens to them. The faith message is expertly woven in and isn’t preachy.

I thoroughly enjoyed LIKE ALWAYS and highly recommend it – as well as any of Robert Elmer’s previous books. $12.99. 304 pages.