When Mitch Brannon's wife doesn't return home after a conference, he does everything he can to find her. Hours turn to days, and many theories are given about why she has yet to return home. Mitch knows she wouldn't have left him voluntarily, though, so he he can't give up trying to find out what happened to her, with the help of their next-door-neighbor and his wife's best friend, Shelley. But how can she handle her growing attraction for her missing friend's husband as she begins to spend more time with him?

When I first heard about this book, I had some concerns about how it might go, based on the synopsis, regarding the developing relationship between Mitch and Shelley. But after reading some reviews, I decided to give it a try. While my concerns were not entirely unfounded, the author did handle the situation as well as I think could be possible in this type of book, especially on Mitch's side of things. I did not like Shelley, however, who had been attracted to her best friend's husband long before any of this happened, and whose actions I didn't care for throughout the book.

The book is written well, but the story was not as engaging as I would have hoped for. It's said to be suspense, but to me, there wasn't much of that. The mystery involving Mitch's wife made me curious, but curiosity is not suspense. In the end, it went on a little long and included a few romance cliches that made me cringe, since I couldn't buy into any kind of romance between the two main characters. It's an interesting perspective regarding a Christian man or woman whose spouse goes missing (not dead, not moved out/divorced, but just disappeared) and the question of how or when, if at all, the one left behind should move on with their life, especially relationship-wise. ( )

This was a story that grabbed me from the start and wouldn't let me go until I finished the last page. Give yourself some time to read, because it is a hard book to put down. It is very rare for me to want to go to the end of the book to see what happens while I am reading, but for this story it was very tempting. A storyline that was not your usual romance. Very thought provoking.

Mitch Brannon returns from work in the evening, waiting on his wife to return from an out of town conference, and finds a message on the answering machine saying she was leaving the hotel and would be home in time for supper. He prepares a meal and waits for her to arrive. But she never shows up. When the police get involved and no clues are available, Mitch enlists the help of their next door neighbor, and his wife Jill's best friend, Shelley, to help him search for answers. Days will turn into weeks and months of searching, and as Mitch and Shelley work together their friendship grows closer and closer, and much more complicated. How does Mitch honor his vows to his wife, who has disappeared off the face of the earth, and keep his new feelings for his neighbor from turning into something more than it already is.

This dilemma was VERY well written and I appreciated so much how this author dealt with these feelings and how she ended her story! It was a mystery to unravel and I couldn't wait to see how it would end. (Note: When you finish the book make sure you read the author's note and the Q and A at the back. Even that was very well said.) ( )

Jill and Mitchell Brannon appear to be happily married, now empty nesters since their last child has just gone off to college. Jill, a 3rd grade teacher, attends an educational conference in Kansas City, but never returns home. It seems she disappears off the face of the earth with no clues to her whereabouts. There is no plausible explanation for Jill's disappearance. The family tries their best to keep up their faith, to hold and hope, and keep believing - and the story unfolds ---

Mitch, Jill's husband, is the Principal at Sylvia High School. Mitch tries hard to hold his family together through this nightmare. Jill's best friend and neighbor, Shelley, becomes very supportive of Mitch and his kids. Over the next five months Shelley and Mitch become very close as they eventually start to talk over other things - their kids and jobs - dreams and disappointments. Shelley becomes Mitch's confidante and sounding board and he begins to treasure their close friendship that is growing between them. And yet, they both start to feel they are headed towards an uncomforted zone that could complicate their lives.

The author launches into this captivating story with sensitivity and grace - a story about tragedy, loss, faith and hope. The resolution comes about as a complete surprise after many twists and turns throughout.

One or two negative comments - parts of the book moved too slowly making the book a bit long. I thought it was inappropriate for Matt to allow his romantic feelings, for Shelley, to surface so soon after Jill's disappearance, although it was handled well. This was a huge part of the storyline.

The writing is simple and flowing - a good, easy read that I do recommend. Truly a heartwarming story. My rating is 4 stars. ( )

"The Face of the Earth" by Deborah Raney is an amazing book. From the moment I started reading the book I couldn't put it down. I loved everything about the authors writing. I also had to find out how the book ended because while I was reading the book I couldn't figure out was going to happen like I can with some of the books that I read. In this book you follow along with Mitchell as he looks for his wife who just disappears one day. I loved it because I spent the whole book wondering if anything would happen between Mitch and his wife's best friend Shelley. The author does a great job at making me understand how the characters are feeling and making you feel as if you are there with them. ( )

I can't really say much outside of what the synopsis shares, but what I can say is Wow! A great word to sum up Angela Hunt's The Offering. I was riveted to this book and paralyzed to my seat the entire time getting lost in the drama and heartbreak of Amanda's world. I adored the relationship she had with her husband and his family and grieved with her during the hard parts even when I knew they were coming.

The Offering was an emotional roller coaster of a book, the writing was fantastic, the story-line amazing. While I wish the marketing had left some mystery in its gripping plotline, as the synopsis gives away over half the plot, it was in the end an amazing read. There are very few Inspy novels that make impressions on me as of late and Hunts realistic, moving and authentic portrayal of the military, marriage, grief and relationships was a breath of fresh air. ( )