Oh where to begin. A NEW HOPE is actually a trilogy between two covers. A NEW HOPE is stories of new beginnings -- at the core is a story about letting go of the past and finally finding your way out of the cloud hanging over your head. Robyn Carr takes her time in finding solace for her characters in A NEW HOPE and in doing so reminds us that in life there are no quick easy fixes.

A NEW HOPE is about those baby steps that take us from one experience to another, hopefully better, happier and more fulfilling. Not everyone gets there as fast but with patience and love there is a light at the end of what seems to be a dark distressing tunnel. But you have to enter the tunnel to find that rewarding light.

For Mad Matt, as his siblings call him, this road has been a harsh one with lots of detours and hazards thrown in his path. His first marriage just didn't take. His wife expected her farmer husband to make a lot of changes to accommodate her lifestyle wishes. To Matt it felt like all the compromises and sacrifices were expected from him. His ex obviously disagreed. So Matt's family can't seem to do anything but watch this very bitter man continue on a self-destructive path.

Ginger is rather new to Thunder Point. Her family has been keeping a watchful eye on her since the sudden death of her baby boy. Ginger was having trouble just getting through each day so relocating to live with a cousin was their way to get Ginger on the road to recovery. Hopefully new place, new faces and with any luck new memories.

Both Matt and Ginger face some serious challenges and neither faced their futures with any sense of optimism. They were surrounded with family with strong values and lots of love. But healing takes time and desire. Neither would truly begin to heal until they each faced their darkest moments.

Surrounding Matt and Ginger's journey back from debilitating sadness and anger are two wonderful stories with characters from past Robyn Carr books. We are immediately in attendance at the highly anticipated wedding of Peyton and Scott. Matt is Peyton's brother and although candidly not the best introduction that is where he meets Ginger.

And let's not forget that Ginger has been working with Grace at the flower shop in town. Grace and Troy are expecting and smack in the middle of all that Grace's mother is coming to town to live. No easy feat considering Grace's past relationship with a very demanding mother. But this story brings together practically the entire town showing once again how precious friends and family are in Thunder Point.

A NEW HOPE by Robyn Carr has multiple story lines filled with romance, love and hope. Lots of beginnings and next steps in the voyage to find the one person who is the missing puzzle piece to your heart. Even with references to characters found in various other Robyn Carr books A NEW HOPE definitely succeeds in standing on its own merit. The book carries very strong messages of trust. Robyn Carr has once again penned an interesting intricate book that will have you turning pages.