"Emotional family saga"

Tucker and Ellie Grant were high school sweethearts who married and had three children. However, the death of one of their kids led to the destruction of the relationship between Tucker and Ellie though their split is amiable. However, their two surviving sons Zach and Kody believe that their parents still love each in spite of the evidence that both have moved on with their lives in different ways with both dating others. Zach and Kody decide that Tucker and Ellie need a catalyst to bring them together just as the tragedy tore them apart.

The younger generation Grants run off to the Baxter Wilderness Area where the family used to camp out in happier times, but not before informing their father that they will remain in the Oregon woods until Tucker and Ellie come back to one another. Accompanying Tucker and Ellie on their trek is their current significant others though neither are welcomed. Will a family formed out of love find its way back to each other or will this incident place the final exclamation point to what once was?

ALWAYS IN MY HEART is an emotional family saga that focuses on the aftermath of a tragic event on the survivors. The story line succeeds because the Grant quartet seem very real as each one internally accepts the blame for Sammy's accidental death. Fans of passionate relationship dramas will want to read Catherine Anderson's novel that emphasizes the need to remain open with your loved ones if one is to begin to heal.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted July 20, 2002

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Summary

Two years ago, Ellie Grant would have fallen apart at any reminder of her ex-husband, Tucker. But now she doesn't bat an eye when "their song" comes on the radio. She's unfazed by the thought of Tucker's perky new girlfriend. Ellie Grant is over him. And things are better for Tucker as well. The single life agrees with him. And certainly they've both done a good job of being civil to each other, for the kids' sake.

But the kids aren't buying it. Zach and Kody are convinced that, deep down, their parents are still meant to be together. Up to their elbows in scheming and dreaming, the brothers hatch a plan: They'll run away from home into the Oregon wilderness and stay there until their parents agree to get back together. Surely Ellie and Tucker will come to the rescue—and to their senses.

Let the games begin and the sparks fly . . . .