Echoes (The Michelli Family Series #3) [Paperback]

Kristen Heitzmann (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2007

Romantic suspense from a best-selling novelist. Sequel to Unforgotten, Sofie Michelli goes to Sonoma to unravel her past, but returns to face the future.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

The Sequel to Unforgotten

The whimper came, no more than a note of longing--or fear--in a child's throat. Sofie reacted instinctively, each nerve pulled taut. But when she opened her eyes, there was no warm, damp cheek, no tiny brow wrinkled with sleep-swept worries. She sank back as sorrow, marrow deep, found a familiar fit.....

Even in the midst of her affectionate and chaotic Italian family all living in the Bronx neighborhood where she grew up, Sofie Michelli feels alone. For too long, she has been caught in a net of loss and despair. When an old woman murmurs, "Finche c'e vita c'e speranza" Where there's life, there's hope, Sofie feels the familiar words penetrate and awaken something. She is alive. It is time to let go, to start again.

Rese is not sure what to make of Lance Michelli's healing gift, but she feels protective of this humbled version of the swaggering man who turned her life inside out. As they find new footing, the Sonoma villa they once intended as an inn becomes a refuge for the downtrodden--including Lance's sister Sofie.

Driven to protect the weak and innocent, Child Protective Service worker Matt Hammond responds to a call and finds an infant abandoned to the care of an odd assortment of misfits. He reserves judgment on the unconventional caregivers--who both concern and fascinate him--but he is especially drawn to Sofie, the mesmerizing woman with a dancer's poise, eyes like dark copper pennies--and scars on her wrists.

About the Author

Kristen Heitzmann is the bestselling author of over a dozen novels, including Freefall, Halos, A Rush of Wings, and the Christy Award winner Secrets. She and her husband, Jim, and their family live in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where she serves as worship leader in their church. Visit Kristen's Web site at www.kristenheitzmann.com

Product Details

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers; Reprinted edition (September 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764228307
• ISBN-13: 978-0764228308
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #601,558 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Kristen Heitzmann is the bestselling author of seventeen novels, including The Edge of Recall and the Christy Award winner Secrets. An artist and music minister, Kristen lives in Colorado Springs with her husband, Jim, and their family.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Visceral. Edgy. Awesome., September 12, 2007

By 

Kay S. Walsh (Harrisonburg, VA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Echoes (The Michelli Family Series #3) (Paperback)

Sophie, Lance's sister and Nonna Antonia's caregiver in Unforgotten, is caught between her past, present and future. When all three confront her at the same time, fireworks result. (Would we expect anything less of a Michelli?)

Sophie had loved a man and his little girl. While living together, Sophie came to cherish his daughter as her own. Unwittingly, Sophie was drawn into the obsessive web of her lover. When his love turned evil, he ripped his young daughter away.

Years later, Sophie seeks a new life in Sonoma in the Villa with Lance and Rese. She finds herself drawn to a man she hopes is worthy of her trust. As this tentative yet promising relationship grows, her old life creeps in, only to ambush her.

Lance, in his quest of seeking God's will, has found gifts that bring both healing and burden. He and Rese explore the future with optimistic caution. Each so different, yet uniquely bonded.

Lance wants to jump on his white horse... oops, his Harley... to rescue Sophie. But what will that mean to his relationship with Rese?

The third book in the Secrets Series by Kristen Heitzman challenges the reader to examine, experience and live the Christian faith. Not preachy, just awesome.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not to be missed!, December 10, 2007

By 

Rel Mollet "RelzReviewz" (Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Echoes (The Michelli Family Series #3) (Paperback)

Kristen Heitzmann's concluding story, Echoes which follows the remarkable Secrets and Unforgotten is both draining and uplifting. This story delves deeply in to the heart and mind of a women almost consumed by the "love" of a charismatic yet emotionally unhealthy man. Sofie's journey is painful and agonisingly real as she searches for truth and healing. Matt is also deeply troubled by his past, burdened with anger and bitterness against his unforgiving father and attempting to assuage his own guilt by saving others. Seamlessly woven around Matt and Sofie's story is the ongoing tale of Lance's love for Rese and his battle to win back her trust while coming to terms with his God-given gift of healing. Every single character in this story is drawn with great depth and dimension, showcasing Kirsten's exceptional talent. I was drawn to each one and shared their heartaches and joys as if I was rooming at the villa.

My expectations are sky high each time I open a Kristen Heitzmann novel. I am delighted to say Kristen has managed to exceed those expectations every time and Echoes is no exception. Do not miss this compelling series!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Another enjoyable book from Kristen Heitzmann!, October 18, 2007

By 

Tamara Tilley (Hume Lake, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Echoes (The Michelli Family Series #3) (Paperback)

ECHOES is the conclusion to two previous books by Kristen Heitzmann, SECRETS and UNFORGOTTEN. I was so excited to be able to read about Lance and Rese again, characters that I really enjoyed, but ECHOES is mainly centered around Lance's sister Sofie, a woman struggling to make sense of a difficult past.

I liked ECHOES, though at times, I felt frustrated by Sofie. Sofie is a woman suffering from the mental abuse of her previous relationship. A suicide survivor, she decides she needs a change of scenery if she is ever going to put her destructive past behind her. She leaves New York and travels to Sonoma, CA, to be near her brother Lance, and to try to get her life back together. In a twist of events, she ends up caring for an abandoned child, which brings Matt Hammond, a child protective services agent, into her life. Matt is a great guy, wanting nothing more than to help Sofie deal with her past.

My frustration lies in the fact that Sofie's past, abusive boyfriend, has such a hold on her, she keeps pushing Matt away. Though the end is fulfilling, bringing Lance and Rese full circle, I would've like to see Sofie and Matt's relationship not rushed at the end of the book. You see loose ends tied up, but not maybe as satisfying as I would've liked.