Shade

Shade is the third novella in a series by Calvin Miller all centered in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. Set during the Great Depression, this historical novel portrays the intertwined lives of two Lutheran families, the Muellers and the McCaslins. The patriarch of the Mueller family is diagnosed with terminal cancer. His wife and two grown sons, Erick and Otto, must come to terms with mortality while confronting their own relationship problems. Erick's fiancé meets a man from her past, the twin brother of her dead husband. Erick fears her feelings for her husband will transfer to the brother. Otto's girlfriend leaves him when her first love, a Bible salesman, returns to King of Prussia. The salesman uses the love of Christ to wheedle money out of the most impoverished Christians.The highlight of this novella is the poetry written by Otto. It resounds with love of God and love of family. This gentle story of compassion, healing, and loyalty takes only a short time to read, but its characters remain memorable long after this book is back on the shelf.--- reviewed by Terri for Christian Bookshelf