"Where the River Ends" is truly a wonderful love story. Although this book is reminiscent of Nicholas Sparks' "The Notebook" and readers have seen "to-do" lists before, Charles Martin covers new ground in his depiction of a couple's battle with cancer. I sincerely appreciated his realism - he doesn't gloss over the hard questions or the less polite aspects of life with cancer. On the other hand, most readers do not have the affluence - and thus, the privileges that brings - of the couple in this novel, and that will hinder perhaps the ability of the reader to identify with the story. I applaud Charles Martin for his characters' commitment to their marriage vows. The honoring of the marriage vows is a priority that is sorely needed in society today, and I appreciate Mr. Martin's giving the reader a story in which marital fidelity is both desired and upheld. That is not to say that there are not some questionalbe moral decisions - for example, the male progagonist is a thief. There are several issues concerning morals that surface in the novel. Neither it nor its characters is perfect. Despite these concerns, the novel is a good one and one that I would recommend. The younger set of readers will not fully appreciate the story, but the older set definitely will.

On a personal note, I read this book shortly after a friend died of cancer. For a look at a real-life love story and battle with cancer, I encourage readers to read the blog of Tim and Lane Ann Miller. It can be found at www.laneannmiller.blogspot.com. It Is well worth the time spent reading.