BOOK REVIEW- Above All Things by Deborah Raney

They were on their way to being a real family…until she came into their lives.


Expecting their first baby, Judd and Evette McGlin are thrilled at the prospect of becoming parents. But their marriage faces the ultimate test when Judd learns he already has a child: a six-year-old bi-racial daughter, born amid secrets and lies. Now, Evette must decide if she can accept the child—and forgive Judd. She thought she was open-minded—until hidden prejudices threaten the future of an innocent little girl, Evette's marriage, and the very notion of the woman she's believed herself to be. Above all things, this child needs acceptance and love. Needs Evette to discover what being a mother truly means. Needs Judd to face his past. And needs them both to discover what it truly means to be a family.

This novel was originally published in 2009 under the same title by Steeple Hill.It has been updated from the original edition. AMAZON  5 STARS

Wow, what a powerful book.  Emotional.  That one word describes a lot about this book.  Emotional but really good too.  The struggles are real and not easily overcome. 

The faith of both Judd and Evette is severely tested and they begin to see things in themselves that make them cringe.  Especially Evette who had to do some serious growing up when she looked into the "mirror" and didn't like what she saw.  But she is going to have to work through some anger and resentment first.  She is also kind of over her head when it comes to the things that she needs to care physically for Jolie.  
Like hair and skin care, as a white woman, that opened my eyes a bit.  

 Judd "falls in love" with his daughter almost immediately, but has to realize it's not that easy for his wife.  He realizes that he is asking a lot of her but things don't ease for them as a couple for a while. It helped when their pastor wisely counsels him to back off and give her time. Judd is a good man, but he also has to man up to some things that are painful too.  You can almost feel how torn he is too.  The flash backs of who Tabrina was and the current things she is going through was also good and added depth and emotion as well. 

Judd's daughter Jolie is another player in this story.  And wow, she has been through some serious stuff and some serious changes.  Meeting her father and his wife is another major milestone for her.  Her grandmother Carla loves her but she is torn between helping her daughter,Tabrina and her granddaughter.  They both need her so desperately.  What a tough spot to be in, but don't mistake her for a pushover.  She causes some "problems" too. 

It almost feels like a tug-of-war at times over where Jolie should be and with who would be best.  The problem if you want to call it that was that she was SO well loved and no one wanted to give her up in their daily lives.  
Their families (both Judd and Evette's) and community do present some challenges as well.  They do have some in the community who rally around them but not all do of course.  
And some of those struggles that I mentioned, are not going to be overcome in a cookie cutter, perfect, H.E.A. way in the fairy-tales.   It's life but there comes a sort of H.E.A. for some.  Some compromises have to be made.  But I did like the ending with the Epilogue, that included a surprise or two.