Drenched in Light

Once again Lisa Wingate has done a stellar job of layering warm, inspirational values throughout the very well drawn characters of Drenched in Light. This reader found herself cheering for Julia's growing strength and independence, as well as Dell's growing sense of self. As an author, Wingate is unafraid to mix characters and settings, consistently providing her readers with a full sensory read that delights completely. Whether in her more mainstream selections (Tending Roses, Good Hope Road, etc.) or her Texas Hill Country romance series (Texas Cooking, Lone Star Cafe, Over the Moon at the Blue Lizard Diner), Wingate allows the reader to journey alongside her protagonist, letting them experience a full range of thought and emotion, dappled with down home humor while raising awareness of societal pitfalls and the need for faith in a warm, unobtrusive manner. Definitely a must read.

I love Lisa Wingate's books - evidenced by the fact that I've read them ALL. I'm especially fond of this one as it takes place in my hometown - Kansas City and Overland Park, Kansas. Thank you Lisa for bringing us another wonderfully moving read. As usual, I can't wait until your next one....

The main character in the story here is Julia Costell, of whom is 24-years-old, a former ballet dancer, and now a new guidance counselor at Harrington School. Harrington is a very exclusive school for kids who are talented in the arts, and academically talented as well. Julia has only been there 2-years. She gave up dancing when she became severely bulimic and almost died. And this was a secret she hid from everyone around her. Now she is back home living with her parents who pick on her and her eating habits way too much. Not only that, but her job is very very demanding at the school, and she often thinks she won't be able to live up to the standards there of what people expect of her. Dell Jordan comes into the picture here, living with her new foster parents Karen and James. She is attending Harrington, and though she is very talented musically, is behind in her studies, and on the verge of failing. When Julia gets to know this special student, who came from a horrible broken home amongst everything else, she takes Dell under her wing, and finds help for her academically so she can pass her classes. They form a special relationship and are the best of friends. There are also more problems at Harrington involving drugs. Julia has a student, Cameron, of whom is obviously on drugs himself, but she cannot convince the principal of this, and soon is in deep trouble with the boy's parents. Julia is in danger of losing her job, along with all of her other troubles, but she cannot very well apologize to Cameron's parents when she knows he is in need of help and the parents refuse to believe it. The book was very worthwhile reading as it is very much into the lives of families and their challenges.

No doubt about it ~~ ever since I first read "Tending Roses" I have been hooked on Lisa's books. This one is not a story about Kate or Karen, but about Julia, Dell's guidance counselor at Harrington. Julia befriends Dell as she recognizes something inside Dell that she was once like. Julia had been a ballerina until she woke up backstage throwing up blood from purging and bingeing too many times to maintain her weight. All too well, Julia understands the pressure that Dell had put on herself in order to exceed at Harrington, the special school that focuses on music and art. Along with Julia's awakening, she finds herself immerged into her job as the guidance counselor, which she never thought she would enjoy, and planning her sister's wedding. Julia soon finds herself and the peace she had been looking for ever since she was a child. Dell shares her story with Julia and together, they find the way to inner happiness and peace. Julia may have had to struggle more to overcome her eating disorder but soon, she realizes that she is in the right place at the right time once she discovers the underlying drug scene at Harrington. It is a wonderful book; beautifully written and as always, Lisa brings you into the story and leaves you walking away feeling refreshed and hopeful. The characters linger long after the last page has been turned and the reader sits there wondering why she has to wait another year for another Wingate book. =0) The characters are unforgettable and their stories may sound commonplace but not really as they are inspirational and sounds realistic enough to encourage you to believe in light and goodness again. It is a wonderful book to read over and over again and to give to all of your friends. It's not a sappy romance or fluffy reading ~~ but thoughtful reading that keeps you wanting more. It's a keeper in my library. 7-28-06

I picked up this book because the title intrigued me and I was headed to the beach for a short vacation. Being an educator myself, I was intrigued by the setting. I found the book to be not only a beautiful story about the paths we choose in life and the ways in which we become connected to other people, but also just a well-written story filled with insight and life lessons. I will definitely read the rest of the books in the series. Great read!