BOOK REVIEW- A HERO TO KEEP by Susan Gable

Sometimes you have to fight for what - for who - you love.

Shannon Vanderhoff’s childhood taught her early on that nothing was hers to keep, not clothes, or toys, or even people. So she lives, loves, and lets go. She’s not looking for a hero.But with custody of her traumatized six-year-old nephew on the line, she needs help. Charming Greg Hawkins, a comic book artist and art therapist insists he can coax Ryan into speaking again, enabling the boy to reveal what he saw the night of his mother’s death at his father’s hands. And though Shannon’s skeptical of Greg’s methods, there’s no denying that he brings light and color to their lives.

Greg, one of twelve siblings, knows anything worth having is worth fighting for. If anyone can prepare Shannon for the upcoming battle, it’s Greg and his family.

But will she fight to keep him, too?  AMAZON 5 STARS

What a great story.  Shannon, Greg and Ryan (the six year old) made for outstanding main characters. I enjoyed every minute of it.  The Hawkins family figure in later and there is a bunch of them.  Shannon is used to just Ryan and herself being the remaining members of her family.   Life had taught her in her childhood that basically everything was temporary.  You couldn't afford to love it too much because eventually you were going to lose it.  She had learned to embrace and enjoy blessings when they were there but also to know how to let go.  Greg had a loving HUGE family and he was a fighter; he fought for what was right  And he didn't lose easily or quit that way either.  His talent as a comic book geek and art therapist was a different kind slant to the story and kept me involved in the book.  He was like the Piped Piper of kids and helped them so much.  Shannon was the opposite, she was awkward in her dealings with people especially kids.  But she was doing the best she could. 

 There was some laughter, fun AND tears.  The tears come from some of the serious challenges that both Shannon and Ryan are facing.  Even with the seriousness it isn't a story that is a downer; I liked that. 

I thought that it was all well done.