Blue Columbine

Childhood friends Jamie Carson and Andy Harris have lived divergent lives, but, now in their 30s, the two have returned to their Colorado roots and encounter each other in the meadow where they once played as children. Jamie, an earth science teacher and amateur nature photographer, has maintained a deep relationship with God. Meanwhile, Andy, a defense attorney, has lost all respect for religion. He prefers to drown “his troubles in the anesthetizing effect of drink and the pleasures of a pretty and willing woman.” Yet, for all their differences, a strong connection remains. Melissa, Jamie’s housemate, and Ryan, who pursues a romantic relationship with Jamie, serve as strong supporting characters, providing friendship, a sounding board, and spiritual guidance. Rodewald (Reclaimed) deftly portrays the downward spiral of alcoholism and the complexities of maintaining a relationship with someone addicted to the bottle. Jamie struggles to be Andy’s friend through the tough times, and her deeper feelings serve only to cause her pain. A subplot involving intelligent design versus evolution seems out of place in the story, although it does serve to show the way Andy has changed, both intellectually and spiritually. The characters are all impressively multifaceted, engaging with complex emotional strains and difficult issues of allegiance. In her second novel of Christian romance, Rodewald proves to be a formidable new voice.(BookLife)