When I received the opportunity to participate in the blog tour for The One Good Thing by Kevin Alan Milne, I almost passed it up. I have so many books to read and review lately, and fitting one more into my schedule seemed silly. But then I took the time to read the description:
For as long as Halley Steen has known her husband Nathan, he has carried a handful of stones in his pocket. Each day he uses those stones to remind him to follow the Golden Rule, moving a stone from one pocket to the other with each act of kindness. So it’s not unusual that Nathan stops to help a stranger on the side of the highway while on his way to his son’s football game one Friday evening. But that one act will change all of their lives forever, when a car hydroplanes off the road, killing Nathan instantly.
As Halley and her children Ty and Alice struggle with their grief, Nathan’s spiritual legacy lives on. A Facebook page appears, where countless stories about Nathan’s selfless acts are shared. But among them is one that stands out, from a woman who says that Nathan saved her life. Neither Halley nor her children have ever heard of Madeline Zuckerman. But soon Halley discovers years of e-mails from this woman to her husband on his computer that refer to “our little girl.” How could her husband have kept the secret of this other child for their entire marriage? Why had he lied to her? Was he not the man she thought he was?
Only thirteen-year-old Alice maintains unwavering faith in her father. She knows there’s an explanation. When she sets out to find Madeline and learn the truth, she will start to unravel the complex story of The One Good Thing Nathan Steen did that had the greatest impact of all.
Though I had never heard of Kevin Alan Milne before, I read someone else’s comparison of him to Nicholas Sparks, and figured between that and the book description, this book was definitely worth reading.
Kevin Milne was born in 1973 and grew up in Sherwood, Oregon, a quiet country town south of Portland. He earned a diploma from Sherwood High school in 1991, in a graduating class of fewer than one hundred students.
In college, after studying such varied fields as film, journalism, communications, pre-dentistry, pre-law, and German, Milne eventually earned a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology from Brigham Young University. One of the few things he didn’t study as an undergrad was business, which, ironically, is what he chose to pursue in graduate school, earning an MBA at Penn State University in 2000.
Today, Kevin is a business professional by day, an author by night, and a husband and father around the clock. He and his wife, Rebecca, were married in Washington DC in 1995. They have five children: Mikayla, Kamry, Mary, Emma, & Kyler (aka “the boy”).
Heidi Says . . .
The One Good Thing is BY FAR one of THE BEST books that I’ve read in a long time. I don’t normally pick up one book when I’m in the middle of reading another. But, the other day just happened to be the 3-year anniversary of my best friend’s death from ovarian cancer – I was reading Jeremy Camp’s book - I Still Believe – and I was right at the point where he was sharing his first wife’s battle with ovarian cancer (that I knew also ended in death). It was not a good day to read that part! So, I picked up The One Good Thing and literally couldn’t put it down!
It’s been a long time since I’ve “devoured” a book. But, this one was stuck to me throughout the next day. I was actually glad I was too sick to work – it gave me the chance to relax and just read. Within 24 hours of starting the book, I finished it.
There was nothing about this book that I didn’t like. All the characters were interesting and very well thought-out. The storyline was touching and endearing, while having a hint of mystery.
In regards to the book, I read this quote by New York Times Bestselling Author Jason Wright:
“The magic of Kevin Milne’s books is that they make you stop wishing the world was a better place and inspire you to actually get up and go make it one. The One Good Thing is exactly that kind of book.”
That pretty much describes my thoughts on this book. I’m inspired. I want to be a better person and do my part to make the world a brighter place in which to live.
I will definitely be watching for more books by Mr. Milne.
GIVEAWAY
I have one copy of The One Good Thing to give away to one lucky reader.
Simply leave a comment telling me what appeals to you about this book – in other words, why do you want to win it? I’ll select a random winner on Monday, March 18th at noon (est). Good luck!
NOTE: I received a free copy of the above mentioned book from Hachette Book Group in order to read the book and share my personal thoughts on it as part of a blog tour. Regardless, I was not obligated to share a positive review and I only share things that I feel will be of benefit to my readers.
