A walking fire Book

On a scale of cotton candy to Brussels sprouts, A Vow to Cherish by Deborah Raney is Rose Water Shortbread Cookies. These dense cookies hold their shape and yet have the ability to crumble at a touch. And mingled with the familiar flavor of butter and sugar twines the timeless rose.

Ellen and Jake Brighton have it all: a happy marriage, children to be proud of, and the approaching golden years of an empty nest. When Ellen begins to place sticks of butter in Jake's underwear drawer, they try to laugh it off. But, they both know something is not right. As Alzheimer's draws Ellen away from Jake, will he hold to his marriage vows?

A friend recommended this book to me as one of her favorites of Deborah Raney's. Although the writing style (third person) of this book is not my favorite and a surprise character entered mid-book (shoving me right out of the story for a few minutes), I found myself enjoying the story. I suddenly had a whole new perspective of what my grandmother lost when my grandfather was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. By the time I remembered him, he was a shell of a human. As I read about Ellen and Jake, tears often filmed my eyes as I considered my own grandparents. I lived through this story, and I can now voice on my own (vicarious experience) that Alzheimer's is terribly unfair.

Although I compared this book to a delicious cookie, this was no fluffy read. This story offered substance and a perspective I could never get on my own. I recommend it.