MORNING LIGHT - Catherine Anderson
The Harrigan Family Series, Book 2
Signet
ISBN: 978-0-451-22277-0
January 2008
Contemporary Romance with a Paranormal Element

Central Oregon, the Present

Loni MacEwen comes from a long line of psychics; one female in every generation is born with some form of second sight. Loni's gift is strong and varied, as evidenced by the dark red birthmark on the nape of her neck; her mother's and grandmother's marks are merely pink. But that does not mean they are unable to keep close tabs on Loni and her sister Deidre. Loni is not grateful for her talents; she'd much rather be normal like Deidre, who has a husband and children. Loni became a target of the media after a sad incident in Seattle, and she was so besieged by them and frantic people she couldn't help, she had to leave her home and interior decorating business and move away.

Loni is just getting re-established in Crystal Falls, Oregon where Deidre lives, when she literally bumps into her dream cowboy at the grocery store -- the man who has inhabited her dreams and visions all her life. Most recently he appeared to be standing in her living room in what Loni realized was a foretelling of the future. Now that they've actually touched, she experiences a powerful vision of a rafting accident in which a man and woman drown and a St. Bernard rescues a young boy. The vision is so strong Loni feels the shock of the cold water; she knows the boy's name is Trevor and that he and Nana, the dog, are lost in the wilderness. She also knows her dream cowboy is the boy's father and the only one who can save him. The vision so overwhelms Loni, she can barely make it home. Now she has to decide what to do about it.

Clint Harrigan finds the little brunette with whom he bumps heads in the checkout line intriguing until she weirds out and takes off. But then she shows up at his house that evening with a preposterous story about a river accident and his son needing him. He has no son, and he can't get rid of the kook fast enough. But when the next day's news is filled with a story about a well-known family's disappearance during a rafting trip, and the details match Loni's tale, and the woman is Susan, Clint's college girl friend, he begins to wonder and eventually contacts Loni.

Clint raises quarter horses on his Circle H Ranch, part of the original home place his father Frank divided and gave a piece to each of his five children. Clint and his horses are also experienced trail riders; Clint even has emergency medical training. He and Loni, who is definitely a city girl and has never before come close to a horse, set out to find Trevor.

What ensues is a race against time in a rugged wilderness area to find a lost ten-year-old boy with only his dog for company. But it's also a miraculous time when two people who appear to have nothing in common become close and learn to understand and value each other. Who would have expected a man who thought all psychic phenomena pure bunk would be the one to encourage Loni to come to terms with her abilities?

For a heartwarming novel starring two deeply plumbed, likable people with integrity, faith and generosity, pick up MORNING LIGHT. With its suspense, stirring emotion, and touches of lightness and humor, you'd have to look a long time for something as satisfying. The psychic events in MORNING LIGHT are not something added just because they are popular now; they are integral to this plot and written about thoughtfully and their many ramifications insightfully explored. MORNING LIGHT is terrific.

The Harrigan family was introduced in January 2007's SUN KISSED, which features Samantha Harrigan and Tucker Coulter, the last one to marry of the six Coulters of his generation. Yet to come are the connected books about Clint's younger brothers, Quincy, Parker, and Zachary Harrigan. As with all Catherine Anderson's lovely novels, they stand alone on their own sturdy legs. If you haven't yet found this author, you have many great contemporary and historical treats ahead of you.

Jane Bowers