"Home is where the heart is"

The newest installment of Tara Taylor Quinn's Shelter Valley Stories focuses on Bonnie and Keith Neilson. Keith thinks life in Shelter Valley is as wonderful as ever, but unfortunately Bonnie is suffering from a mid life questioning of her selfworth.

Bonnie's life has changed, and while outwardly she's quite happy with where she's at in this life, inwardly she's questioning everything. This puts a strain on the Neilson marriage, and gets to them to the point where neither spouse is sure of where they stand.

Not only is Bonnie's personal life at an uncertain stage, but so is her professional one. She has spent years pursuing her dream of Little Spirits, a daycare for the children of Shelter Valley. However, someone is threatening to destroy her dream. There are several arson attempts, and 2 attempts at flooding her out. Who is trying to get Bonnie to give up her dreams? For that you'll have to read the book.

Born In The Valley is an emotional read, and makes the reader ponder their own life, because if we're honest with ourselves who of us hasn't wondered if we're truly happy with the way our lives are going and changing. It takes one last incident at Little Spirits to make both Neilsons take a second look at their lives. Will things work out for them? Again, you need to read to find out.

Ms. Quinn has created another delightful story about her town of Shelter Valley. There is just the right amount of secondary character story to make a reader pine for the next installment. I've only read two Shelter Valley stories myself, but look forward to reading future ones, and reading the back ones that I'm lucky enough to have sitting in my tbr pile.

Reviewed by Sandi Shilhanek
Posted June 30, 2003

Summary

What's wrong with this picture?
Bonnie Nielson's life looks perfect. She has everything she's always wanted—a husband and child she adores, a successful business, close family and friends, a town she loves. And yet she's not happy.

For some unaccountable reason, Bonnie is no longer satisfied with the life she and Keith have created in Shelter Valley.

She has to figure out why. And—more important—she has to fix the problem, whatever it is. Whatever it takes. Before she loses everyone and everything she loves.