Passing into Light

February 24, 2003
In this much-improved sequel to Riding Through Shadows, Foster gives her loyal evangelical Christian audience glimpses of African-American life, faith and romance that helped forge her reputation in Passing by Samaria
and Ain't No River. Shirley Ferris-Mills and her two children shake the red clay dust of Alabama off their feet and head for California, where the widowed Shirley hopes to craft a new life. They detour to Tyler, Tex., to drop off Windy, a pregnant white teenage shoplifter they picked up along the way, and to visit Mother Johnson, who cared for Shirley as a child. Shirley's old prom date, Tony Taylor, soon discovers she's in town, and romance seems imminent. But first, Shirley must make peace with her past, which sends her on yet another quest. "It could be, baby, that what's going on in your life now is less about starting over than it is about finishing the race that you've started to run," says the wise Mother Johnson. There are some significant improvements over the novel's predecessor: the dark demonic angel is gone, and with the exception of some flashbacks, the time frame remains firmly in the present, creating a smoother read. A few structural troubles continue to dog the Christy Award–winning Foster, who includes some preachy passages and problematic names. However, this novel generally offers the good writing and wise insights Foster is known for, and her fans will enjoy this story of love, prayer, and healing.