Footsteps [ILLUSTRATED] (Paperback)

by DiAnn Mills (Author) "Listen, kids. Stay right here while I get the car..." (more)
Key Phrases: abducted children, Texas Children, Debra Patterson, Mexico City (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Themes of forgiveness and faith permeate this predictable but mildly entertaining thriller for the Christian market. When Debra Patterson's successful but abusive lawyer-husband Michael abducts their two young children in Houston and disappears from the country, she hits the bottle and laments the turn her life has taken. Then her best friend Jill hooks her up with God, and after the inevitable conversion scene, Debra finds solace while waiting for news about her family by substitute teaching and volunteering in a hospital with critically ill and injured children. Soon she meets Dr. Cale Thurston, a cardiologist with his own issues of forgiveness and loss, and the two strike up a friendship that is destined for romance from the earliest pages. There are glitches—some readers will wonder why Michael abducted his kids at a mall when he had numerous opportunities to do so from home, and Debra's change from agnostic to Christian-retreat speaker feels over the top. The dialogue sometimes veers toward preachiness ("You are the best friend in the world—next to Jesus") and the novel is occasionally marred by overwriting ("her thoughts screamed like the sea gulls near Galveston"). But Christian readers looking for a gentle read, strong statements of faith, light suspense and a happily-ever-after ending should find this well-paced novel to their liking.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review
Footsteps will make you hold your children just a little tighter at bedtime. Highly recommended! -- www.craighart.net

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Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Incorporated (September 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1593101791
• ISBN-13: 978-1593101794
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #757,398 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended!, May 19, 2005

By	Craig A. Hart (Grand Rapids, Michigan) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

DiAnn Mills' Footsteps gives the reader a close look at the downward spiral of a woman caught in tragedy. Debra Patterson's two children are abducted by their father, Michael, and all three disappear into thin air. And so begins the heartbroken mother's descent into despair, loneliness, and self-pity. Slipping into alcoholism, Debra struggles to deal with her shattering losses, while at the same time trying to shut out the quiet voice of God.

After alcohol fails to fill the void in her life, Debra turns to service, giving her time and energy to helping other children in need. However, at last forced to come face-to-face with her own needs, she turns to God and responds to His persistent call.

Although her new relationship with God gives her a fresh lease on life, Debra's problems are not over -- her children are still missing, along with her husband, Michael, who she struggles to forgive.

Footsteps takes the reader into the heart of the struggle, through the desperate first hours of searching, to the long, protracted efforts of first the FBI and, finally, a private investigator. Debra Patterson must rely on God and rebuild her trust in man if she is ever to see her lost children again.

Footsteps by DiAnn Mills will make you hold your children just a little tighter at bedtime. Highly recommended!

Craig Hart (...)

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars DiAnn Mills Promises -- and Delivers -- Adventure!, October 14, 2004

By	persian sunrise (Texas) - See all my reviews

Debra Patterson experiences every parent's worst nightmare - the disappearance of her children. When she discovers her husband plotted for months before snatching them, her world collapses. Debra's journey to locate her missing children leads her on a path of self-discovery and faith. Parents, you may want to cuddle your own children a little closer after reading this book. I could not put it down and highly recommend it!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Keep You on the Edge of Your Seat Story!, October 11, 2004

By	Pamela S. Meyers (Arlington Heights, IL United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Before sitting down to read this book be sure all the lights are on in the house, the windows are locked and you have plenty of coffee handy because you won't want to sleep until you've finished the book. It's that good. When Debra Patterson discovers her children along with her controlling, perfectionistic husband have disappeared she feels she has no where to turn. Her only solace is the love and support of her best friend, a friend who helps her see that only God is the answer and not other means of dulling the pain. Buy this book, you won't be disappointed!