The Still of Night (A Rush of Wings Series #2) download epub

There is no doubt that Heitzmann is my favorite author. I have loved every one of her books that I have read thus far, but this one is hands down my favorite! There are not enough stars. Five seems so insufficient. Now I have to admit that my own personal knowledge of leukemia, having lived with a more controllable type for years, probably plays a role in why this book hit me so hard. But that having been said, it is still one of the best I have read.

Jill and Morgan have both make mistakes starting with the one that created their daughter. From there their lives have taken very different paths but neither have really dealt with and recovered from the aftermath. Morgan's success in business has given him acclaim and financial success while Jill has poured her life into teaching special needs children. When a letter comes from their child's adopted parents their lives are brought back together to try to help her, but they also need healing.

The characters are well defined and become more that real with the story taking several turns sometimes quit suddenly. It's a very hard book to put down and one I am sure I will pick up again to reread, but maybe I will wait until I recover first.

I have thoroughly enjoyed this book! Jill and Morgan's story is touching, compelling, heartfelt and sure to be a page turner! In fact, there were a few times I felt I could skim a few paragraphs, not because the book wasn't good but because I was so anxious to see what was going to happen next and had to speed through! This is one of those books that you hate to put down, and even when you find you have to, you will still have it running through your mind. It was just that good!

There are touches of romance in this story but I wouldn't really label it a romance. It is really about so much more... A story about a prodigal, about life, adoption, love, forgiveness, grace and the truth setting you free. Heitzmann portrays these characters' lives, hurts, fears, hopes and journey with God, honestly, beautifully and truthfully. It is a compelling and thoughtful story. One that I am sure I could read again and again. Very touching.

In life we make choices, sometimes choices get made for us, but what it all comes down to is trusting God with our lives and the outcome. As it said in the book "Things don't always work out the way we want. The trick is to want the way they work out." In another words, to want God's will more than your own. And I believe part of that is in believing His promises. That He does have good for us and He does work all things together for our good. There are times in life when it seems hard to believe that, but we must cling to those promises. He will show Himself faithful!

Book 2 was so good, it topped Book 1 for me. I know she wrote both of these books pretty closely together, time wise. However, Book 3 was published about 9 years after Book 2. Morgan's story continues and I can't wait to read it!

__________________________________SPOILER ALERT __________________________________

I want to add something about the book but in doing so know that it will reveal part of the storyline. So, if you don't want to know - DO NOT READ ANY FURTHER! I read some reviews online prior and in one of them the person was let down that the story wasn't more of a romance between Jill and Morgan and felt that it wasn't a positive spin on adoption. I just want to say that in no way did the fact that this wasn't a big romance novel spoil the book for me. I found it incredibly honest, touching and so good I couldn't turn the pages fast enough.

As to the adoption part... I do think that adoption is a wonderful thing. A precious gift. I applaud all those who love their child enough to give them life and hope for a better future. In this story, Jill and Morgan are both very young when she becomes pregnant. And Jill does what she believes is best. But, I do think what was written is honest. I don't think that a mother just hands over her child lightly and forgets about the child. I do think it is quiet logical for a mother to wonder about that child and maybe as she gets older, have regrets of giving up her child. It has to be a struggle, one where she reminds herself that she did what was best for the child at that time. And as a Christian, has to learn to give all of this to God and share her love for that child by praying. In this book the child was given a stable and loving home with wonderful, Christian parents.

As for Morgan, he really wasn't given a choice. He wanted to keep the baby and raise it. So he struggles with that. I don't think he is down on adoption, but just that he is so wrapped up in that fact, that he wasn't given a choice & that he didn't get to keep the baby. He desires to be a part of this child's life and for this child to know that he loves her and that he didn't just walk away. Yes, maybe they could have stayed together and raised her, with the help of his family - it does happen. There are always what ifs... we can't live in what ifs, we have to live in the present with our eyes towards the future.

In all honesty it is a struggle. One that is different for each person and their situation. But I just wanted to say that I did not come away from the book feeling as if the author was down on adoption. Just that she was expressing what her characters might think and feel in their own situation.

All in all, I recommend this read!

This book was difficult to put down. It has a very strong storyline and strong characters. It really brings so many elements of faith, trust, forgiveness of oneself, forgiveness of others and so much more. A story of a young girl with such a strong faith in spite of her devastating illness. A story of making a mistake but doing the right thing by giving her out of wedlock baby girl up for adoption. Have a box of Kleenex on hand. Wow.

The story of Morgan and Jill is engaging from start to finish. The emotional theme - the child that was born and given away, and seeks her biological parents - is deep and complex. Add to this complexity the fact that Morgan has always believed that Jill aborted the child. His anger at having lost years of being a father; Jill's guilt at having been talked into giving the child away; and the tender heart-wrenching story of the child who is dying of leukemia. The need for a bone marrow transplant and a donor who matches brings the daughter back into Morgan and Jill's lives. But can Morgan forgive Jill for hiding the truth, can Jill forgive herself.
Definitely worth a read.

As with all her book series (and standalones) this sequel to the first Rush of Wings book combines raw emotion, laughter, love and a strong sense of God. Kristen Heitzmann can weave a tale BETTER than "the big names" and keep you guessing until the very end. Check out any of her books...excellent reads all!

While many writers can carry a storyline from one book to the next, Kristen Heitzmann manages to introduce such a stark difference in settings that it is possible to read the end of the series before the beginning and not lose anything in the complexity and nature of the characters.

I stumbled across this author looking for inexpensive Kindle books. One free book and I was hooked. Her writing talent is amazing as she moves through different time periods for each of her series. As an avid reader who averages 5-8 books a week, I can't get enough of her books. As of today I have read every book she has written except for a series which is out of print and not available in a kindle edition.

Want a good book...ANY of her books will fit the bill and leave you wanting more!

Even more telling is that I visited her website and posed a question to her via email, never really expecting to receive an answer. Needless to say I was taken back when she sent a response within a day, and not an "autoform email" which many authors have opted to do. She answered my questions directly. Impressive to say the least!