Where the Blue Sky Begins

Written by Katie Powner

Narrated by Christina Moore

Sometimes the hardest road of all is the road home.

When confident and handsome Eric Larson is sent to a rural Montana town to work in the local branch of his uncle’s financial company, he’s determined to exceed everyone’s expectations, earn a promotion, and be back in Seattle by the end of summer. Yet nothing could prepare him for the
lessons this small town has in store.

At forty-six years old, eccentric and outspoken Eunice Parker has come to accept her terminal illness and has given herself one final goal: seek forgiveness from everyone on her bucket list before her time runs out. But it will take more courage than she can muster on her own.

After an accident pushes Eric and Eunice together, the unlikely pair is forced to spend more time with each other than either would like, which challenges their deepest prejudices and beliefs. As summer draws to a close, neither Eric nor Eunice is where they thought they would be, but they both
wrestle with the same important question: What matters most when the end is near?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Oct 10, 2023
• ISBN: 9798890593184

Katie Powner

Katie Powner (www.katiepowner.com) is an award-winning author who lives in rural Montana, where cows still outnumber people. She writes contemporary fiction about redemption, relationships, and finding the dirt road home. She's a mom to the third power (biological, adoptive, and foster) who loves red shoes, Jesus, and candy--not necessarily in that order.

Reviews for Where the Blue Sky Begins

[Leslie Wolf · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was a fantastic story and I loved it! Please listen to it and it was clean and delightful!

[fcplcataloger · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Where the Blue Sky Begins shares the powerful and poignant story of Eunice Parker as she seeks forgiveness from the people she feels that she's wronged. Will she be able to cross all of the names off of her list before she succumbs to her terminal illness? As her condition worsens, it seems unlikely that she will succeed. Can she do it on her own, or will she need her new neighbor to help her with this journey?Where the Blue Sky Begins is definitely a love story, but it isn't about romantic love. It's about two imperfect people, totally different, who create a special bond that changes both of their lives forever. I was totally captivated by this unlikely friendship. Eric is somewhat shallow when he first arrives in Tukston but Eunice's deep faith changes him for the better.Author Katie Powner made me smile, laugh, and cry, and she kept me totally engaged in this touching and thought-provoking story that has a plot twist that I didn't see coming! I highly recommend this book to all who enjoy contemporary Christian fiction.I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher. There was no obligation for a positive review, and I am voluntarily sharing my thoughts.

[grammy57 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I won a copy of this book through Librarything. I am giving my honest opinion of my own accord.This is published by Bethany House and is supposed to be a Christian book, but, there was very little about God in this book.I did enjoy the book as it was well written. The 2 main characters were well done and believable. The story flowed well and gave a lot of insight into their lives. I was sorry that it ended as it did as it seemed to leave a lot left undone but maybe there will be a sequel.I would recommend this book. It is a good, clean book that gives you a lot to think about.

[2lz · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Thank you librarything for the advanced digital copy of Where the Blue Sky Begins by Katie Powner in return for my honest review. A dying, elderly woman, Eunice, manipulates her young neighbor, Eric, to help her apologize, make amends, and ask forgiveness from those she has hurt throughout her life. A rocky start turns into a growing friendship, and both are ultimately changed for the better. I am very much drawn to older characters, especially when they provide guidance and wisdom to the younger generation. Eunice is not a warm and fuzzy grandma type, and Eric’s arrogance and self-involvement is initially off-putting, but these two start to grow on the reader as the novel progresses, and Eric especially, shows significant personal growth by the book’s end.The story takes place in small town Montana, underestimated by newcomer Eric in the beginning, but seen with a new perspective when the story closes. I loved the quirky characters and the charming setting. It was heartwarming as well as heart breaking, and there was also plenty of humor too. I enjoyed it and recommend it.

[alejandraivanez · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What a beautiful story. This is a great story of faith, of the human connection we find when we least expect it and of courage. Although scared about her end, Eunice does what I believe many of us would like to have the chance to do if we knew our end is coming. To ask for forgiveness and right a wrong before it's too late and leave this world with a clean slate. "I'm only concerned with my own debts now." People, a quote has never resonated with me as deeply as this one did; because in the end, isn't our own debt to others, to the world we leave behind, to ourselves, what matters the most? Although I know we follow Eric in this lovely story, it really is more about Eunice. About how she changes his thinking and his way of feeling about Tukston and about life. Eric becomes a better person because of her, and in the end this legacy is what she leaves behind. She thought she was alone, but don't we all feel that way sometimes? And in the end, we always find out we were never alone. Faith, the human connections we make when we least expect it and courage. Courage to finish your life doing something for others because you know that's why you were meant to do. This is what this story left me with.

[alekee_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What a wonderful read, you may need the tissue box near! A beautifully written page turner, full of human emotions, and a few chuckles!!You will be picturing sharp dressed Eric Larson, tie and polished shoes, going into the office with the others dress in jeans and cowboy hats!I loved how Eric meets Eunice and what she gets him to do, and then how it affects his life! She has a list, and now he is forced to help her out. Keep reading and finding out how Eric ends up with a Chicken and later a Goose!Forgiveness resonates here, and we hope for peace and healing, which does come, but maybe not how you wanted it, much like life!A book you don't want to miss, I'm so glad I read it!I received this book through Net galley and the Publisher Bethany House, and was not required to give a positive review.