No River Too Wide

May 5, 2014
Richards (One Mountain Away) builds a complex, yearning saga of broken families and damaged trust in the latest in her Goddesses Anonymous series, this time based on the hair-raising escape of battered wife Janine; the disappearance of her abusive husband, Rex; and an insurance-fraud scheme. After leaving her home in flames in Topeka, Kans., the traumatized Janine, with the help of a group of advocates for abuse victims, resettles in Asheville, N.C., to quietly reunite with estranged daughter, Harmony, and grandbaby Lottie—a relationship nurtured by Harmony’s friend Taylor. With the simultaneous arrival in town of Alex, who offers to run a defense course for women at Taylor’s newly opened health and fitness studio—fanning the flames of Alex and Taylor’s immediate red-hot attraction—Janine rediscovers her self-confidence. Alex is hiding his own secrets, however, and their revelation, along with the depth of Rex’s betrayal, threaten to end both Janine’s and Taylor’s newfound happiness. Richards deftly juggles an intriguing thriller with an exploration of domestic violence and reinvention. Still, it’s the quirky, gritty characters in and out of Goddesses Anonymous—all determined to help women in need—who power this tale of forgiveness every step of the way.

June 1, 2014

Richards's latest "Goddesses Anonymous" novel (after Somewhere Between Luck and Trust) introduces three women trying to move beyond the restraints and bad memories of their pasts. After years of abuse from her husband, Janine resolves to run away and create a new life. She risks everything to see her estranged daughter, Harmony, before she leaves, hoping that she is not being tracked. Harmony, with a new baby, is trying to create a "perfect" life. Once she knows her mother is alive and well, she wants her to stay and be a part of her new family. Harmony's friend Taylor sees the importance of trying to help, as her own mother would, and offers shelter to Janine. Taylor struggles with how to keep opening her heart to trust and to have faith, especially for Adam Pryor, as he arrives in all of their lives. Can these women learn to ever trust again, especially if they don't know what's become of Janine's husband? VERDICT This is emotional, suspenseful drama filled with hope and love.--Anne M. Miskewitch, Chicago P.L.

Copyright 2014 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 15, 2014
For decades, Jan Stoddard has been physically and emotionally abused by her husband, Rex, a pillar of their Topeka religious and business community. Finally, summoning unimagined courage, Jan quietly works with an aid organization to plan her escape, but on the very night she hopes to flee, a fire destroys the family's home. Out of town that night, Rex remains unaccounted for, while Jan manages to travel to Asheville and a surprise reunion with the daughter who was banished years before. With help from daughter Harmony's friend Taylor, Jan makes a new homeone, however, that may be threatened by a new man in Taylor's life. Always alert to the possibility that Rex will track her down, Jan is unprepared for the news of his death and subsequent accusations that she is guilty of murder and insurance fraud. Portraying the uncomfortable subject of domestic abuse with unflinching thoroughness and tender understanding, Richards' (Somewhere between Luck and Trust, 2013) third installment in the Goddesses Anonymous series offers important insights into a far too prevalent social problem.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)