Wow! I have read each of Katie's books and they just keep getting better! I love the character development in this book and how they are woven together. The fact that she trusts me as a reader to draw some conclusions is something I appreciate. This is a book that kept me up too late reading to find out what was next. I am in awe of how she gently introduces faith into the story without forcing faith on the reader. Katie is a treasure to readers and a gifted author.

The only way Eric Larson would consider ever going to a small town in Montana was the promise of a promotion to a different location, at the end of his stay. Little did Eric know what was in store for him in that small town. He first has a close encounter with Eunice Parker. She uses that encounter to get Eric to accompany her on a mission. A hard and urgent mission Eunice’s not sure if she’s up to taking but knows she must.

Eric struggles with the slow pace of life in this rural town. He misses his friends, high internet speeds, power lunches, and his lifestyle back home. There is no health food, no fancy coffee, and the fact that his uncle has taken him to this place is mind-blowing to him. He learns a thing or two about a few things that surprise Eric and readers as something unexpected happens to him as he intermingles with the locals. He sees things he never paid attention to before, as he slows down to help his neighbor and the chicken that lives in his yard.

This author takes her time in showing Eric and the reader around town, getting to know his neighbors and get a sense of community. Eric respects his uncle and wants to do his best to please him. What Eric is about to discover will change his life and his perspective on everything. This unexpected journey he’s on is the most meaningful he could ever go on. There he learns things his uncle could never teach him. He had to experience them for himself.

This is an emotional journey that will tug at your heart strings, and make you think, as it did Eric. Eunice doesn’t have long to make things right. The author also lets you see things through Eunice ‘s eyes as she faces the hardest challenges of her life.

This is a novel that stays with you long after you close the book. It’s one that would work well for your next book club pick. There is so much to talk about.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I requested and received a copy of this book by Revell through Interviews & Reviews. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins! https://psalm516.blogspot.com/
The Book Club Network blog

This book is an emotional rollercoaster! It will make you laugh, cry and feel every emotion in between. once you start reading it, you don't want to stop, you have to know what happens next. This story will stay with you long after you've read the last page. Excellent read!
I received a complimentary copy from Bethany House via NetGalley and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

"Mom, why are you reading a book that is happy, then sad" this coming from my 8 year old daughter. I was laughing really hard and a few minutes later had new tears in my eyes. I replied, "it's like life isn't it?"

Katie Powner has delivered a heartfelt, wonderful book. Forgiveness; seeking it, giving it; and making the most of our time are all entwined in this book. Slow down and recognize what is really important in life. I am going to find Katie's other books to read now!

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?

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.

This amazing story had me laughing and crying throughout the book. Katie Powner wrote an incredible story about forgiveness and reconciliation, about learning who you are, and how to leave this life without any debts/regrets to others. Eunice is a 46-year-old who has only a few short months to live. Eric Larson, from the big city of Seattle, has just moved to tiny Tukston, Montana to be the interim financial advisor at his uncle's company. These two unlikely neighbors strike a deal to help each other and it will change their lives for the better. With a small-town backdrop, a cast of friendly characters, and a quirky group of animals, this book tackles the hard subject of death interspersed with light and humorous moments.

Such an unexpected story about two people coming to terms with their life. Eunice is dying and vows to make amends/ask forgiveness from those she has wronged. Eric comes to middle of nowhere Montana to prove to his uncle that he has what it takes to run a branch of their financial company in hopes that he will promote him back in Seattle. Eunice and Eric's paths keep crossing and a friendship develops and both of them learn lessons from each other along the way. A good story filled with unexpected life lessons.

I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Where the Blue Sky Begins by Katie Powner is a realistic look at life and the power of forgiveness. It was my first time reading one of her books, and it won't be my last.

Eunice Parker is dying, and her bucket list of wishes is to go to everyone she ever hurt, apologize, and ask for their forgiveness. It won't be an easy task when her days are filled with pain, and she is getting weaker. If only God would intervene.

Enter Eric Larson. He is new to town, full of himself and ready to make his mark in Tukston. What he calls "a sorry excuse for a town." The sooner he can leave, the better. But first, he meets Eunice by accident (literally), and he finds that getting stuck in Tukson might be the best thing for him.

I must admit, while I understood where the author was going with both characters, I found them both so disagreeable that I didn't like either one at first. This made it difficult for me to keep on reading. But I'm glad I did. I liked the character growth I saw in Eric. He went from being arrogant and narcissistic to actually see that other people existed and they mattered. But, while there was growth in Eric, I didn't see the same thing in Eunice. She would do something illegal with a feeble, "Sorry, God," hoping that would make things right because the end justified the means. I can't tell you what happened, but she didn't have to do what she did. I believe Eric would have helped her.

However, there were some moments that I'm sure will bring tears to the eye. And there was quite a lot of humour (mainly at Eric's expense, poor Eric). I loved how he was accepted by the town and how they tried to show him (in humorous ways) that he wasn't living in the city anymore. His growth really pushed the novel forward.

I loved this line by Eunice speaking to Eric, "In the end, it only matters where you stand with one person, and it's not your dad." Eunice had much to teach Eric if she had more time and if he would open his heart to really listen. And while Eric understood who Eunice was talking about, the author decided to leave it at that. This might seem like a missed opportunity to some readers. But the author has made a subtle yet significant point - don't waste your moments. If you know someone who needs God, talk to them. If you aren't right with God - get on your knees and ask for His forgiveness. He's waiting for you.

If you like hometown books with interesting and quirky characters, you will probably enjoy Where the Blue Sky Begins.

I received a review copy courtesy of Bethany House Publishers through NetGalley for my honest opinion.

This was quite the emotional read for me. It had depth and sadness, often too much for me. It seemed slow and often filled with physical and emotional pain, so much that it made me want to stop reading.
I felt it predicable and hard to get into as I thought I knew where it was going and the details of Eunice's illness were off putting.
But is is a heartfelt story with many lessons, of making friends with those not like us and realizing what is important and really matters in life.
Thank you to Net Galley for allowing me to read this book. he opinions are entirely my own.

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.

Wow! What an amazing story!

Where the Blue Sky Begins is such a well written story that it ranks as one of my favorites this year. I was left emotionally bound to Eunice, Eric and the eclectic cast that inhabit Tukston, Montana, population few.

Katie Powner has such a beautiful way of crafting an emotionally gripping story amongst pages of laugh out loud humor, molding her characters into a plausible and endearing community that includes an 80 year old receptionist, a retired bull rider and a chicken named Cinderella. This inspiring journey explores small town friendships, broken relationships and forgiveness. It is about relationships between old and young, families and strangers, living and dying, here and gone…a story that will stay with you and one that you will want to reread again and again.

This book is suitable for teens and older with no inappropriate intimate scenes and no bad language. I received this book from the author/publisher free of charge, with no expectation of a positive review.

Do you have a bucket list? You shouldn't wait until your last days to do the things you want to do and to ask for forgiveness from those you feel like you should. This was such a moving and heartfelt story. Katie Powner knows how to get to the everyday matters of the heart. These are the things that people are living with and dealing with everyday. She is so witty that she just makes you laugh one minute and cry the next. If you want to read a book that makes you feel something, pick up this book!

Loved quirky Eunice! Many aspects of this story will cause readers to ponder life's choices. Eric did not want to be anything like his dad who had deserted his family. Spending time with Eunice will make him decide what kind of man he wants to be. Both Eunice and Eric will decide what matters most in the end. Enjoyed the characters, animals and the small town setting. Forgiveness and making amends was the main emphasis in this story.

I am quite impressed with Katie Powner’s ability to take a serious subject and infuse humor along the way. There is an underlying current in this book that leaves you with a powerful lesson and gives you something to think about long after you have finished the book. The book includes a cast of lovable, quirky characters that live in the small town of Tukston, Montana. Eric Larson is a young executive that is sent to work at the local office in Tukston, far from his home in Seattle. His first encounter with a local is with Eunice Parker, who has been diagnosed with a terminal disease. However, this is the impressive part about the book to me, the book does not focus on her illness, but the focus is more on forgiveness and living a life that is well lived and well loved. Katie Powner’s writing style is quite lovely as well “The sky in Montana was vast. Clouds pile up like foam on the seashore.” I would highly recommend this book and hope there will be a sequel since I have fallen in love with the characters that live in Tukston, Montana.

My thanks to the author and Bethany House Publishers for an early copy of this book. The opinions here are entirely my own.

Katie Powner continues to deliver powerful stories full of inspiration and depth. Where the Blue Sky Begins is a perfect combination of beauty, emotion, and humor that has become a trademark of Katie Powner’s masterful writing. This novel deals with terminal illness, strained relationships, self-reflection, and most of all forgiveness. It’s a must-read that will keep you captivated until the last page.

Bittersweet story of a seriously ill woman who befriends her new neighbor, a young man trying to prove his worth in his uncle's investment business. I liked the small-town quirky characters. I thought the backgrounds of the main characters could have been developed more, but overall, it was a good read.

What a great novel! It took me a while to get into it because I prefer female protagonist and this was mostly from Eric's, the main male character, POV. But once I did- I was hooked.

Eric is taken fully out of his element and sent to run a branch of his uncle's financial management company in a small cowboy town in Montana. His new neighbor is a chicken and an oddball middle-aged lady. Everyone in town wants to set him up with their daughter/niece/grandchild and he just wants to put in his time and get his promotion.

But, wouldn't you know it, God has other plans? :) Great book!

Oh SO good! Another remarkable story by author Katie Powner. From the first line "Eric Larson had never seen such a sorry excuse for a town" to the last line, I was captivated by Where the Blue Sky Begins. In fact, I sincerely hope for a sequel!

"When Uncle Jack had told him that he thought Eric was ready for the next step in his career, Eric had assumed he was being promoted. Not being sent to Hicktown, USA." By accident, quite literally, a new and unlikely friendship forms between Eric Larson and his next-door neighbor Eunice Parker. Their relationship as she deals with her terminal illness is simultaneously heartwarming, heartbreaking, and humorous.

Eunice: "A groan escaped. Did she really want to spend what little time she had left on these seven people?"
What Eric doesn't anticipate is the effect this town and his new friendships will have on him.

Author Katie Powner writes so beautifully; the reader is transported to beautiful Montana, encounters a whole host of interesting characters (and animals), and learns so many beautiful lessons of friendship, asking for forgiveness, and seeking that which is truly important. And the humor is so sweet, I loved every minute of this story!

I highly recommend Where The Blue Sky Begins! Thank you to the author and publisher Bethany House for allowing me to read an early copy. All opinions are my own!

Big city meets small town when Eric Larson moves from Seattle to Tukston, Montana to help run his uncle’s financial branch. He only plans to stay long enough to impress his uncle and secure his office spot on the tenth floor back home, but quickly realizes that won’t be as easy as he hoped. And the closest thing to a social life he’ll have while there is chauffeuring around his crazy old neighbor as she crosses off some sort of mystery bucket list; the least he can do since he accidentally ran her and her scooter off the road.

This book has all the perks of a Hallmark story without the cheesiness in my opinion! I was privileged to receive an advanced copy as part of Katie’s launch team and can’t wait to hear what others think!

From the first page to the last, I loved this latest Women's Fiction story by Katie Powner. The storyline is so unique, as are the characters-both human and furry/feathered. The humor sprinkled throughout helped balance the thought-provoking moments focused on the importance of forgiveness, accepting people who are different than we are, and how we face sickness and death.

Eric Larsen, Financial Advisor and Seattle-ite, is out of his element in a small town, especially when he's coerced by his terminally ill neighbor, Eunice, to help her complete a bucket list of apologies to those she's hurt or offended.

Eric was changed through his interactions with Eunice, and I'm pretty sure I have been too.

The ending was a sweet surprise and makes me long for a sequel.

Well done, Powner!

Thanks to Bethany House Publishers for a copy of this book via Net Galley. The opinion here is entirely my own.