Just Beyond the Clouds

Another of Karen's great stories. Reaffirming one's faith is a loving God is freeing.

I loved that this story which in part is written in the voice of Carl Joseph. This is not a typical Karen Kingsbury story; you enter into Carl Joseph world. My heart was deeply touched in a good way in how the author shows God's love through the eyes of a child. It was lovable and fun. I highly recommend this book. Nora St.Laurent Life Way Book Club Leader

You really should read A Thousand Tomorrows before reading this book. It is listed as a stand-alone novel, but it actually is a continuation from A Thousand Tomorrows. It is a really good book. As with all Karen Kingbury's books she touches on a topic that sometimes we are not that comfortable with. In this book it is Down's Syndrome. I fell in love with Daisy and Carl Joseph. You will not be disappointed.

Reviewed by Debra Gaynor for Reader Views (8/07) Still hurting from being left at the altar several years previously, Elle immerses herself in teaching life skills to people with Down's Syndrome. She wants to help each student to achieve independence. Her sister Daisy is one of her students. Cody Gunnar, Champion Bull Rider, is still mourning the loss of his wife, Ali. His brother Carl Joseph is a member of Elle's class. Cody is afraid he will lose his brother and he is determined that Carl Joseph will be better off staying home. Elle and Cody are at odds on the issue of independence for Carl Joseph. Carl Joseph and Daisy have a lot to teach Cody about life and God. Fans of Karen Kingsbury will not be disappointed in her latest tale, "Just Beyond the Clouds." From page one I was captivated by these remarkable characters. This is the first time I have read a book by Kingsbury. It will not be the last. I have already made a trip to the bookstore for "Like Dandelion Dust." The plot of this book is amazing. Ms. Kingsbury not only entertained me, but also educated me relating to Down's Syndrome. This is a romance written from a Christian perspective. The characters are refreshing. While Cody and Elle are the main characters and very well-developed, Daisy and Carl Joseph won my heart. Their innocent love for each other is heartwarming. The supporting characters, Gus, Tammy, and Sid are endearing and lend much to the plot. I found humor, as well as romance, between the pages of "Just Beyond the Clouds." This book is written with much sensitivity to the subject matter. It is with great honor that I highly recommend this book to fans of Christian romance.

I loved this book! I just finished it last night. What a beautiful story. If you haven't read the prequel, "A Thousand Tomorrows", get it and this one and be sure to get a box of tissues! This one will keep you up. It is so real. I have been working with special needs children for over 17 years now and it opened my eyes to things I never realized. You just have to read it and find out for yourself. It's wonderful!

Widower Cody Gunner thinks it is time to retire from bull-riding though he is still good at it; the rodeo just no longer has the appeal it once had since his beloved Ali died. Instead he would like to open up a gym for Downs Syndrome adults like his brother Carl Joseph. Carl likes the idea of a special gym, but disagrees with his sibling on how much help he and others would need. He currently attends a special school that teaches Downs Syndrome people to live independently although Cody thinks that lofty goal is impossible. However, Carl's instructor Elle Dalton believes her student can do it and wants to persuade protective Cody to help not hinder his sibling's progress. Cody and Elle are attracted to one another, but both fears what an intimate relationship between them might do to Carl. With homage to Rain Man, JUST BEYOND THE CLOUDS is a terrific inspirational romance as Cody and Elle fall in love, but both fears how Carl will react to his brother and mentor becoming a romantic entry. Much of the plot focuses on how people especially the lead duo interact with Carl; thus this is not a typical contemporary romance. Fans will welcome the return of Cody and Carl (see A THOUSAND TOMORROWS) as the former has become even more protective of the latter since Ali died in this well written second chance at love. Harriet Klausner