Amy Halbert changed her name to Sunshine when she turned eighteen and that was only one example of how she flaunted her disdain of her family and their small town life in Slocum, Kansas. At least that was the way her big sister Kathy always viewed it.

Demanding her inheritance from her parents, Sunshine, headed off for the bright lights of anywhere, just not Kansas and for twelve long years the remaining Halbert family grieved, made difficult choices and moved on with their lives. Then everything changes when Kathy answers a knock at the door of the failing farm where she lives with her dad ~ Sunshine has returned home seeking forgiveness and acceptance.

For Kathy, Sunshine’s return is the ultimate slap in the face, a trivialising of her sorrow for the sister she thought was dead and an anger she didn’t know was in her burns fiercely, robbing her peace and driving a wedge between herself and Sunshine and eventually damaging the solace she had always found in her faith in God.

Tracie Peterson’s prodigal daughter storyline is not new yet it is infused with rich emotions and deep struggle. Kathy is torn between desiring retribution against her sister for all she sacrificed due to her disappearance, the loss of her mother and the illness of her father which Kathy holds Sunshine completely responsible and the remembrance of the deep love she once had for her sister. While the story is well written and the characters infused with genuine feelings, I struggled to connect with the characters and the pacing was a bit slow for my liking. Kathy’s journey is not simplified nor are her feelings of hatred and fury diminished which is an encouraging part of this tale. Kathy’s faith and her belief in forgiveness is tested and the road is not a comfortable one. No doubt Tracie’s fans will enjoy her foray once again into a contemporary novel and the final outcome Where My Heart Belongs will please many.

As seen at TitleTrakk.com

I have a copy of this book to give away! To enter:~

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2. Comment by midnight on Thursday 21st February; and

3. Tell me your favourite parable Jesus told!