Author’s Latest Bridges the Gap Between Loss and Starting Anew

THE BEST IS YET TO COME

In this novel from #1 New York Times best-selling author Debbie Macomber, we find two lost souls, Hope Godwin and Cade Lincoln, Jr., in the cozy town of Oceanside, Washington. 

In desperate need of a new beginning, Hope moves from California to Oceanside, Washington to teach History after the death of her twin brother in Afghanistan. There are plenty of distractions, like her cozy cottage with the slightly nosy landlords next door, and a brewing drama among her students at the local high school.

Despite having settled quickly into the community, something is still missing for Hope. That is until her landlord convinces her to volunteer at his animal shelter. There she meets Shadow, an aggressive German Shepherd rescue dog, that everyone has given up on. But true to her name, Hope believes he’s worth saving. Like Shadow, shelter volunteer Cade, an Army veteran who lost his two best friends in combat, is suffering from injuries most can't see (PTSD). After a fight, Cade is taking anger management classes and fulfilling his court-mandated community service at the shelter. He’s immediately struck by Hope's patience with the abused and aggressive dog, and the pair forge a close relationship throughout their service. 

Cade identifies with Shadow, assuming they are both beyond help. Hope senses that what they each need is someone to believe in them, and she has a lot of love to give. As she gains Shadow’s trust, Hope notices Cade begins to open up as well. Finding the courage to be vulnerable again, Cade and Hope take steps toward a relationship, and Hope finally begins to feel at peace in her new home.

Yet Hope’s new happiness is put to the test when Cade’s past conflicts resurface, and Hope becomes embroiled in the escalating situation at the high school. Love and compassion are supposed to heal all wounds. Hope and Cade overcome the pain of their past and the obstacles in the way of a better future.

There is also some mystery at the high school where Hope teaches history. A few students are entangled in drugs and when the sister of one of the star football players tries to get to the bottom of it, things get scary. 

GIFT OF STORYTELLING

Debbie's stories of love, forgiveness, loss, and hope have captivated both readers and viewers. She has become the leading voice in women’s fiction. “I write in the secular market," says Debbie. "You can't separate my faith from my writing." Her style is the opposite of what is popular. "My values come through in my writing,” she says. 

She struggled in school and didn’t learn to read until she was 10 years old. Debbie was dyslexic and didn’t find out until her children were diagnosed with the same learning disability. “I assumed I was dumb,” says Debbie.  

In 1972, one of Debbie’s neighbors invited her to a Bible study at church. Soon Debbie started reading on her own and developed a relationship with the Lord. She says, “God gave me the gift of storytelling. To put it simply, I wanted to become a writer because I had stories to tell. And I was always interested in people—in what happens to them and what they choose to do or not do and why—which is the basis of a story. I knew from the time I was in grade school that I wanted to write books, but it was a dream I kept close to my heart for fear someone would laugh or tell me I’d never be published. I started my first book at age 30, as a young mother of four, so I had some living under my belt.”

Five years later, she sold her first book, Heartsong, to Silhouette Books. Debbie was featured in Newsweek, and the demand for her books quickly exceeded her wildest dreams. With over 200 million books in print, Debbie is a regular on the New York Times best-seller lists. Several of her novels have been made into made for television movies or series like Cedar Cove starring Andie MacDowell, featured on the Hallmark Channel; three of her books have been turned into plays. 

When asked about the importance of having happy endings to all of her books, Debbie replies, “When I read, I make an emotional investment in a book and I want to come away with a feeling of satisfaction and hope. I believe my readers feel the same way; we all want reassurance that the couple is genuinely and deeply in love and committed to the relationship; that things will work out; that there is something to be hopeful for.”