In the hills of Eastern Kentucky, Melinda Campbell lived in a mining town. When her father became ill with Black Lung Fever and could no longer work, her mother worked 50 hours a week in a grocery store/garage. She mopped floors, cleaned toilets, ran errands, and stocked shelves for a minimum wage. They struggled, close and loving. Melinda cared for her father and books played an important part in her upbringing.

One day, when she was 12, she took a shortcut through the woods to school. There she met Daniel Clausen, the son of the most hated man in Walker County. Clausen made his living traveling around the country closing mines, putting men out of work. At school, Daniel was always surrounded by his classmates and Melinda thought he was a stuck-up, rich kid. As they walked toward their homes, they talked. Melinda decided he was just a nice, very lonely kid. They became friends and as time passed, they became lovers. Daniel confided that his home life was unbearable. His father had already gotten rid of his brother and sister. He was cruel and abusive to Daniel.

When Daniel drove his car off the bridge, it was rumored to be suicide. Broken hearted, Melinda soon discovered she was pregnant with his child. She left town and delivered a daughter in Mississippi. A daughter she held for a few hours before she had to give her up for adoption. It was the only possible decision for Melinda. She had no money, needed home to care for her failing father. This was a chance for her daughter to have a loving home and a happy future. If Grandfather Clauson discovered her, he would take her away and ruin her life like he did his children.

Georgia Bockoven tells a story that will touch your heart. Melinda is a strong and sassy heroine that you cheer and root for. She held on to the dream of being reunited with her daughter for 13 years. When the call came from Jeremy Richmond, the adoptive father, inviting her to Santa Cruz, California to meet her daughter, she did not hesitate. Arriving at the beach cottage, she waited for the call to come from Jeremy. Instead, he arrived in person. Tall, handsome, with sun bleached hair, a GQ unshaven face, and dark brown eyes. He was bitter as he told how his wife left their daughter, Shiloh, the day before her 7th birthday because she had Lupus and her mother did not want to care for a sick child. Shiloh was in the hospital and plans were made to meet her there the next day

Her meeting with her daughter, Shiloh, was sweet. Melinda took her hand, smiled and said, "It's been a long time." Their journey back together was special filled with surprises and an ending, that to me, was the icing on the cake. THE BEACH HOUSE: COMING HOME is a gentle read that will make you cry and smile especially at Heidi, the kitten that came from the dumpster to heaven on earth! I loved this book.