The Night Olivia Sang

About the Book

There are many different kinds of people, and all lives travel in different directions, but God has His hand on us all. He speaks to us in many ways—through his Word, through the counsel of a friend, or even through the words of a song. If we listen to Him and follow his leading, we will find peace and joy. Susan is middle aged and the mother of two grown children. Because of her social service job, she is much too involved in everyone else's life. She doesn't have the time to notice that her personal life is in a shambles, she has few friends, and her children's lives are troubled. A freak accident forces her to take some time off and face the grief she has been running from. Sara is a teenager who has lost the grandmother with whom she had a special relationship. Her parents presume that she is much more mature than she actually is. They overlook the signs that their daughter is involved in a dangerous relationship. When Sara finally confides in them, they realize how close they have come to losing their little girl. Unfortunately, Sara has become so deeply entangled with her troubles that desperate measures must be taken to restore the family. Arthur is a man who suffered brain injuries and the loss of both his parents in a tragic accident when he was a teen. He now lives in his old hometown, mostly ignored because his injuries left him with a nine-year-old intellect. One day he meets Charlie, and his life changes forever. Karen is the wife of an assistant pastor. She thought her life was perfect until the day the church elders decided they could not afford a second salary and let her husband go. Eventually he finds a new position as a senior pastor in another small town. Instead of being thankful, Karen becomes determined to show the old church what a mistake they made. She throws herself into revitalizing the town to attract tourism and building a senior center. Her projects are worthwhile, but her motive is pride. Nathan is a young man in trouble with the law. A kind probation officer arranges for him to move to a very small town and live with his aunt. Nathan feels like an outsider, but decides to make the best of his situation. Reluctantly he begins to absorb his aunt's small town values and his life starts to turn around. Then he meets Olivia. Olivia's childhood is horrible. Her mother is incapacitated by alcoholism. Olivia is forced to care for her mentally handicapped younger brother, because her father is absent. By the time she is in the fourth grade, she realizes her home life is not normal. She confides in a special teacher who makes a drastic difference. Together Olivia and Nathan write a song, and their pastor asks them to perform it at a church function. Providence gathers together several who especially need to hear the message of this song. Each heart is touched, and each life is changed on the night Olivia sang.

About the Author

Barbara J. True has worked as a high school secretary for more than 20 years. She enjoys painting. She has written stories and poetry since she was a child and is a voracious reader. Since her daughter was young, they would create stories together for fun. Their close relationship makes it easy for them to work together. Barbara's daughter, Melissa Hertsel has one daughter and two sons of her own. She has experience in educating learning disabled teens. Melissa is currently working in the local Career Center for high school students in the radio and television program. She loves music and is developing a concert web site.