After I read A Rush of Wings I couldn’t wait to get my hands on its sequel, The Still of Night. Heitzmann introduced the nicely ambiguous character of Morgan Spencer in the first book, made him the third leg of a love triangle, got the reader to respond to him, and then gave him the big old Love Shaft. It was clear that Morgan needed his own story after all that, and I’m thankful I didn’t have to wait more than a few months for it.

Morgan Spencer is the “success guru.” He’s a sort of financial prodigy who specializes in turning failing corporations around and getting them on solid footing again. He’s made a lot of money doing this and has gotten to travel, date beautiful women, and do what he likes. But still his life is emotionally empty. He thought he’d found the woman to fill it in Noelle St. Claire, but she preferred his steady brother Rick to Morgan’s own flamboyant charm. But in Morgan’s heart he knows that Noelle was never the one – he’s never really gotten over Jill Runyan, his high school sweetheart – and the central character in the worst drama of his life.

Jill Runyan isn’t over Morgan Spencer any more than he’s over her. Fifteen years ago the two of them were homecoming king and queen. They both had success written all over them and were truly in love. Then Jill got pregnant, her parents wigged out, took her out of town, made her give the baby up, and told Morgan she’d aborted it. Since Morgan had been more than willing to own up to his responsibility and marry Jill, he was doubly hurt by what the Runyans did. He’s lived with the anger and the guilt for years, drowning it in busy-ness, achievement, and booze. He’s now a functional alcoholic. Yet his past has not made him shun others. He’s still has a burning need to help people, both professionally and personally. He can’t resist a challenge, whether it be a bottom line in the red or an angry foster kid who needs a good influence.

Jill’s and Morgan’s lives touch again when Jill gets a letter from her daughter’s adoptive parents. It seems Kelsey has leukemia, and it’s advanced to the point where a bone marrow transplant seems like the only thing that might work. Kelsey’s mother Cinda asks Jill if she would be willing to be a donor. Unfortunately, Jill, as a birth parent and not a sibling, doesn’t have the right combination of genetics. So she must track down Morgan, admit to him that he has a daughter, and persuade him to help Kelsey. But can she do this without losing the peace of mind she’s cultivated over the past fifteen years? Or without breaking her heart again?

Again, I must say that Heitzmann writes exactly the kind of inspirational romances I’ve been looking for. Her books are respectful of the various Christian denominations, they are inspirational without being preachy, and they show God’s love at work in his people and challenge the reader to do likewise. This story was particularly touching. I read the last half with a lump in my throat, fully hoping Jill, Morgan, and Kelsey could get beyond their pain and suffering.

Morgan is a fascinating combination of all-together and falling apart. He is the golden boy, the “big man on campus,” the great American success story, but no matter how many things he does right, he can’t find the peace of mind and rest he needs. At least while he’s sober. The reader is treated to different versions of Morgan – how he sees himself, how Jill saw him long ago, the version her parents have kept in their minds, how his family, friends, and staff feel about him, and what is revealed in the bitter, frighteningly clear vision of Todd, that angry foster kid who is also the son of a raging alcoholic.

Jill is a much more straightforward character. After she was forced to give up her daughter, she retreated emotionally from her parents’ condemnation and focused her energy on helping children with disabilities. Her personal life is active, but her relations with friends, coworkers, and parishioners are cool. She feels she is living a lie. She can’t tell anyone about Kelsey because it would get back to her parents and hurt them, but she doesn’t feel she’s entitled to her Good Christian status. Especially with her doubts about God’s love. Finding Kelsey again and finding her sick remind her of her own inadequacies and meeting Morgan again just makes those inadequacies seem even more striking.

Kelsey was also interesting. Despite her illness, her faith remains untouched, and she becomes a source of strength for both Jill and Morgan. Her need brings them together and forces them to help each other. Watching Jill and Morgan draw closer and draw apart, wound and heal each other was absorbing. I was slightly disappointed that they didn’t get more scenes together – they are physically separated for much of the story – but their emotional connection was never in question. Readers who appreciate the longing and anguish of second chance stories should definitely check this one out.

Like all character-driven stories, The Still of Night affects because of all the small moments of interaction. Morgan, Kelsey, and Jill are real people with real sorrow and insecurities. They try, they fail, and they try again. Heitzmann’s writing, while not lush, is smooth. She makes her points and pulls on reader’s emotions by describing the joys and tragedies of the everyday. I was so impressed with this book. You don’t often see two wonderful books in a row – I’m definitely going to be keeping an eye on this author.