Within Golden Bands. Norma Gail’s newest book, transports you to the beautiful area of Loch Garry in Scotland where the main characters, Bonny and Kieran MacDonell, live. The descriptions portray a peaceful, calm and tranquil area. However, it is anything but for Bonny and Kieran.

I was unaware that Within Golden Bands was the sequel to Land of My Dreams. I found though, that except for one or two small exceptions, I was able to follow the story quite easily.

The book is full of action, suspense, mystery and intrigue, along with following the honeymoon and getting to know one another phase of the MacDonell’s lives.

There were several things I appreciated about the story. For instance, the way Gail describes a devastating but very real loss and its effects on both the characters and their family and friends. The faith storyline was skillfully written without self-righteousness or holier than thou. Nonetheless, there were several aspects of the book I struggled with. I could not comprehend how any one person, much less two, could bear up under the constant, non-stop onslaught of pain, tragedy, fear and horror in this story. Some of the more descriptive pages of the aforementioned horror are truly horrific.

I would caution anyone with PTSD or other such difficulties that there are several heartbreaking and heart-stopping scenes.

I received this book from the author. However, I was under no obligation to write a review. ( )

You know an author is talented when they can convince readers that a country is one of their main characters! This is exactly what Norma Gail has done in Within Golden Bands. As she tells the love story of Bonny and Kieran MacDonell. she portrays the magic and beauty of Scotland in a way that made me want to visit it even more than I had before.

Within Golden Bands is both a love story and a mystery and I was surprised and shocked at some of the revelations. Kieran MacDonell's family has experienced great tragedy in the past and this book isn't always filled with happy circumstances. It is, however, a joyful story because, during their hardest times and their deepest hurts, Kieran and his wife Bonny remain committed to each other and to God. Yes, Bonny grieves for the baby that she lost and she wonders why this happened but she still loves God. Both she and Kieran are stalked by a deranged person but they still trust God and believe that He will help them. Through their worst times, they are able to display unwavering Christian witness to those around them. Happy? Sometimes. Hopeful? Always! Joyful? Forever!

I highly recommend this book that is filled with both suspense and danger and its ending makes me wish for another story with Bonny, Kieran, and Scotland. If you enjoy contemporary Christian romance you'll want to read Within Golden Bands.

I received an e-copy of this book from the author. There was no obligation for a positive review. These are my own thoughts. ( )