By Way of the Moonlight, (Paperback)

By Way of the Moonlight is a beautiful dual timeline story. The historical part tells Barbara Dale Butler's story from a young girl through young woman. She grows up with a great love of horses and trains and competes with her dear friend Tommy Ridley, who is a couple of years older. Dale is tiny in stature but feisty, very stubborn, and not afraid of hard work. The current day storyline centers around Dale's granddaughter, Allie, who has inherited her estate. She has plans to open an equine therapy center there. Allie and her family are shocked when they learn it has instead been sold to a developer. Allie's obsession with getting it back makes her a mess and causes trouble with relationships. There is somewhat of a mystery as Allie searches for answers about her grandmother's life. Both Dale and Allie have to learn the value of faith, especially when facing life's tragedies. Parts of this book are incredibly sad but there is a sense of hope. The historical aspects were very interesting, especially about the Coast Guard Mounted Patrol during World War II. Though I sometimes got impatient with Allie, I really enjoyed By Way of the Moonlight. I received a complimentary copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.

Allie has always had three loves: Nana Dale, horses, and the dream of opening a horse therapeutic center. Nana Dale had promised to leave her mansion and valuable acreage to Allie for that purpose. But when her will was read, it had recently been redone, with the land and home going to an unscrupulous builder Nana Dale didn't like. Even working day and night, Allie is unable to prove the builder tricked her grandmother into signing the will update. Allie is also trying to find the answers to Nana Dale's mystery. The date she has to give up the property is fast approaching, and she has made no progress. Allie's fiancé, Austin, is convinced she is obsessed with all of it, so breaks up with her. What did Nana Dale mean when she said there would be plenty of money no matter what? What happened to Tommy, the love of her grandmother's life? Nana Dale said Allie would get all the answers about him, but where? How did Nana Dale reunite with her beloved horse, Essie, after she had to be sold for much need money to the Great Depression? Her search for answers will take her back to the 1930's, and World War II. What Allie finds out is not what she expected. There were lots of twists and turns, along with good advice about finding satisfaction in life. Among other things, this exciting tale dealt with solving a mystery, lost love, and problems between mothers and daughters. This clean, five-star book is done from a Christian perspective. I recommend it to fans of mysteries, relationships, and well-written stories. Bethany House Publishing has provided Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, By Way of the Moonlight, for the purpose of review.