Blue Moon Bay

Starred review from February 15, 2012
Heather Hampton thinks it's a done deal. She convinced her uncles to sell the family land in Moses Lake, Texas, so it can be used for an industrial plant. Best of all, it will be her first major project as an architect. Except for her family, Heather has no love for the town, having been moved there against her will during her senior year of high school. She left as soon as she could and never looked back, until now. After a disastrous journey, she arrives at Moses Lake to finalize her plans. Much to her surprise, there's strong opposition to the plant, even though it will provide jobs to the community, and her own brother is on the other side. Even the town banker, Blaine Underhill, whom Heather remembers as big man on campus, is against the project, although it's sure to lead to economic growth for the town. Versatile and popular Wingate (Larkspur Cove, 2011) presents a warm and expressive modern twist on the parable of the Prodigal Son, or, in this case, Prodigal Daughter, that will appeal to a broad spectrum of readers.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)