A beautiful story about second chances. ( )

Can you stand the rain? Will I whether the storm? So many times I have heard those words, in song lyrics, in passing jest, etc., but do people truly understand the gravity of those words? Because of You takes a good hard look at those words. Abby and Ethan's truth is one that will break your heart. What began as a tragedy becomes a heartbreaking miscarriage of justice. Abby has to find the strength to never lose hope and keep moving forward, even as her world is continuously falling apart. Ethan has to find the courage to forgive himself, for the part he played in an innocent woman's downfall. Barbara McMahon wades through the ugliness of humanity to create something beautifully inspiring. ( )

Barbara McMahon is a master at writing sweet emotional stories that draw the reader in & won't let them go until the end. Abby was a young terrified widow when circumstances, a spoiled selfish friend & an ambitious egotistical DA managed to get her convicted for life. She lost everything! How could she trust the man who helped put her away?

Ethan was an idealistic young prosecutor just starting out. Something about Abby stuck with him through the years. When a chance comment lead him to investigate & find out that Abby was truly innocent, he was sick at heart. He did everything he could to get her released & started on a new life. Somewhere his feelings began to change & he wasn't operating on guilt.

I loved these two characters! Abby has been broken down & her innocence lost. The decision about her daughter was heart wrenching while it was also the purest decision made of love. Ms. McMahon manages to make the reader fully feel Ethan's guilt & pain even while sympathizing with Abby. As a reader, you would think you needed to support one or the other but you soon realize they are both broken in their own way. The addition of Sam brings back innocent love in its purest sense. He adds that element of unconditional love & acceptance. This story touched my heart! ( )