Together for Good: A Novel [Paperback]

Melanie Dobson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 16, 2006

Abby Wagner's past still haunts her as she remembers the baby boy she lost. Now, twenty years later, Abby returns to her family's cottage only to discover a miracle in the most unexpected place. Guaranteed fiction! (20061009)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Together For Good is the debut novel from author Melanie Dobson. As someone familiar with the adoption process, she brings first hand knowledge to the joys and pains of this difficult and sometimes heart-rending experience. This is an adoption book with a unique twist and a strong evangelical message that shows how even the most heartbreaking experiences can be redeemed into something beautiful." (Cheryl Russell Infuze Magazine )

"Together for Good is an awesome read. It has a great plot with several unique twists and subplots. Instead of the same-old same-old, this time the story focuses on a woman who wanted a child and the birthmother reclaimed the child before relinquishing her rights. Now twenty years later, Abby needs to know if her almost-son was safe and doing well. . . .I had a warm fuzzy along with my clogged throat when I reached the end of the story, the kind that makes you want to sigh with satisfaction. The story didn't have a tidy, unrealistic ending, but one that glorified God! I loved this book and highly recommend it! Oh, and it was very romantic even without a lot of physical contact. Very well done!" (Michelle edgyinspirationalauthor.blogspot.com )

"Together for Good is a beautifully written story of God's love and redemption for us all. In the midst of our pain, we often fail to see any good in the situation and are blinded to the overall picture God has painted regarding our lives. In her debut novel, Melanie Dobson has illustrated Romans 8:28 with tenderness and very real characters. Set in the beautiful Puget Sound, Melanie successfully weaves two storylines into a well crafted novel which highlights both the pain and joy of adoption and the effects of pollution on wildlife. Whether you have been touched by adoption or not, you don't want to miss this novel with its heart-warming characters and beautiful scenery." (Vennessa illuminatingfiction.com )

From the Back Cover

Twenty years ago, Abby Wagner lost her baby. 

Now, at the pinnacle of her career, the repressed pain from that loss surfaces when she is assigned to design a publicity campaign for Heartsong Adoptions . . . the very organization that separated her from her son. The panic she feels opens her deepest wounds as the past rises up to haunt her.

To find some peace of mind, Abby returns to her family’s cottage on Orcas Island. As she slowly releases her grip on the past, Abby discovers a miracle in the most unexpected place.

“Melanie has taken the age-old truth that God can be trusted with what we value most and crafted a lovely story that reveals what can happen when we let go and believe it.”

—Susan Meissner
Author, Why the Sky is Blue

“Melanie Dobson’s got a story for you. In this straw-to-gold tale of a lost boy who finds his way home, Dobson shows that she can both spin a yarn and turn a phrase. The tapestry that is Together for Good will warm your heart like only a gift stitched with love can do.”

—Melanie Wells
Author, Soul Hunter

Melanie Dobson is an author as well as the owner of the publicity firm Dobson Media. The former corporate publicity manager at Focus on the Family, Melanie has worked in the fields of journalism and publicity for more than twelve years. Melanie currently lives in California with her husband, Jon, and their two adopted daughters, Karly and Kinzel.

(20061020)

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Kregel Publications (May 16, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0825424445
• ISBN-13: 978-0825424441
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,676,448 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

My passion is to write entertaining and inspirational fiction that demonstrates God's significant purpose for each of His children. I've always loved to read fiction and write--I still have my grade school journals along with the ragged notebook pages from my attempts at writing a mystery series during junior high.

When I was seventeen, I left my small hometown in Ohio and drove to Virginia to attend Liberty University and Regent University. With degrees in journalism and communications, I moved to Colorado Springs to work as the corporate publicity manager for Focus on the Family. It was in the Springs that I met and married Jon Dobson...and that's when the adventure really began.

I wrote three novels before a publisher decided to publish Together for Good. My next novel, Going for Broke, will be published in Spring 2007.

Jon and I have two adopted toddlers (Karly and Kiki), and we currently live in Southern California. As I seek after God, I hope the stories He's etched in my heart will give readers a glimpse of His love and grace even when they don't understand His plan.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A poignant reminder, October 23, 2006

By 

Illuminating Fiction "Book Reviewer - http://... (New Zealand) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Together for Good: A Novel (Paperback)

As the vice president of Nulte PR, Abby Wagner has managed to bury her pain by immersing herself in work. However, her life soon begins to unravel when she is assigned a new public relations campaign for Heartsong Adoptions, the firm that had torn her family apart 20 years ago. Before long, she finds her job on the line as past anguish resurfaces.

When Abby's daughter Jessica decides to spend the summer on Orcas Island, the childhood playground she had once enjoyed with her father, Abby finally returns to the family cottage she has avoided since the day her son had been stolen from her life.

While on the island, Abby reunites with her childhood friend Damian De Lucia, who runs a tour boat business on Puget Sound. Prompted by Damian's concern about the dwindling number of orca's returning to the Sound each year, Abby embarks on a PR campaign to help publicize their plight.

As Abby works through her past, she discovers the God really does work all things out for the good of those who love him.

Together for Good is a beautifully written story of God's love and redemption for us all. In the midst of our pain, we often fail to see any good in the situation and are blinded to the overall picture God has painted regarding our lives. In her debut novel, Melanie Dobson has illustrated Romans 8:28 with tenderness and very real characters.

Set in the beautiful Puget Sound, Melanie successfully weaves two storylines into a well crafted novel which highlights both the pain and joy of adoption and the effects of pollution on wildlife.

Whether you have been touched by adoption or not, you don't want to miss this novel with its heart-warming characters and beautiful scenery.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful, August 27, 2006

By 

Jeanne Damoff "writer" (Marshall, TX United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Together for Good: A Novel (Paperback)

Melanie Dobson's Together for Good is a heart-warming story about Abby Wagner, a woman who has never recovered from the loss of her adopted son when his birth mother changed her mind after four months and took him back. Twenty years have passed, but the wounds remain, festering beneath a work-a-holic veneer.

When Abby's world begins crumbling around her, she and her daughter return to Orcas Island, a place that holds both fond and heart-breaking memories for Abby. Through Damien, a dear friend from her youth, and Marc, his young sailing partner, Abby comes to realize she almost forfeited the real treasure she possesses for the sake of clinging to crushed dreams she built around her adopted son.

Dobson's descriptions bring the beautiful Puget Sound area to life, her pacing keeps the story moving, and her gift for suspense keeps the reader turning pages. The story is a metaphor for Romans 8:28. God causes all things to work together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. Abby not only finds healing from her past, she comes to understand why it had to be the way it was, and she receives a gift far greater than her loss.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful description and emotionally gripping read!, September 19, 2006

By 

Michelle Sutton (Arizona) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Together for Good: A Novel (Paperback)

Together for Good is an awesome read. It has a great plot with several unique twists and subplots. Instead of the same-old same-old, this time the story focuses on a woman who wanted a child and the birthmother reclaimed the child before relinquishing her rights. Now twenty years later, Abby needs to know if her almost-son was safe and doing well.

The author created loveable characters who felt like real people to me. And the guys were hunks! Amazingly well-written for a debut novel, IMHO. All around, I'm impressed. The character emotion and grief issues felt real. Plus, to top it all off, the author obviously did her research and got her facts straight about adoption. Whoo hoo! I hate it when an author is clueless about the subject matter and they guess at how the system works.

In addition, I felt like I was in the Puget Sound during the story. I love slipping into another time and place. Honestly, the scenery and sailing felt very real to me. Now I want to visit Washington and Puget Sound. I loved the snorkeling scenes and the wildlife sightings. Wonderful description of the orcas, too. Plus, this story had an environmental issue as part of the plot, so awareness about the harmful effects of pollution came across. Very cool.

The ending was a bit of a tear jerker, but it perfectly illustrated the scripture from Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together to them that love God, to them that are called according to His purpose.

I had a warm fuzzy along with my clogged throat when I reached the end of the story. the kind that makes you want to sigh with satisfaction. The story didn't have a tidy, unrealistic ending, but one that glorified God! I loved this book and highly recommend it! Oh, and it was very romantic even without a lot of physical contact. Very well done!