Aaron Miller had won the Congressional Medal of Honor in the Vietnam War.  Yet, since the war, he lived a lonely life in a small trailer park as a handyman.  Aaron struggled with life after the war, becoming such an undependable alcoholic that his wife divorced him and refused to allow him to see their two children, even years later when he had gotten his life back together.

Dave Russo, a journalist, was working on his first book about the Vietnam War. As he interview veterans, he came across one man who wanted Aaron Miller found because he thought Aaron was the one person that needed to be in Dave’s book.  He gave Dave a very generous expense account and asked him to find Aaron.  Through his search, Dave also finds love.

The Reunion is an immensely touching story of the heros that were often down graded and of a man who continued to be a hero in the lives that he touched.  You must have tissues close by for the last three chapters or so.

by Sally John

Hearing about earthquakes is disturbing, but when Teal sees the highway fall right before her eyes, it is a life changing experience.  Of course the first thing one would do is reach for the cell phone and call your loved ones.  Lines are jammed and towers are down, so Teal isn’t able to make a connection with her husband, River, or daughter, Maiya.  When she finally has reception, she receives the news that River is in the hospital.  Of course they survive all the trauma, but it brings about questions that Teal would rather leave unanswered.  Maiya wants to know who her biological father is.  Teal has never told anyone, not even the father.  It’s a door she was hoping to keep shut forever.  Teal’s own family, sister, brother, mom, stepdad, and her own father who left and never came back,  has been estranged.  But now that trouble has come to them, she must return to her home town and face issues she’s hidden away for far too long.  Sally John delivers a touching story about life’s unexpected detours and the courage it takes to erase the lies that can echo in our hearts.

Although Bethany is more interested in her career than her family and friends she left 10 years previously, she is compelled to return to her hometown to care for her grandfather as he recovers from a heart attack.  Also bidding her home, is her childhood friend, Robin, whose husband is dying.  Whatever happened in Bethany’s earlier life has affected her relationships in her small hometown.  She dispises her mother and fears letting her feelings come out of the controlled status she has kept them under.  Wildflowers from Winter by Katie Ganshert is a story of hurting, fleeing, returning and healing.  Ganshert’s characters are well described and you will find yourself becoming part of their lives and situations.