The Soul Keys

The Soul Keys
Jim Oakley
Candle Glow Press
ISBN:1-58961-153-5
Fiction, Romance
Reviewed by Dr. Tami Brady

The Soul Keys is a story about healing, friendship, and love. At age 50, Maurice R. Johnson (Ream) thought he had it all: a successful chain of hotels, money, and a new love. A simple trip to the convenience store would change everything. While minding his own business, the store was robbed. A stray bullet ricocheted and robbed Ream of his sight. Without his sight, everything seemed to fall apart.
Ream started over and moved to Sedona. At first, he felt horribly sorry for himself. Then, slowly things started to change. Ream starting making some good friends. Gus, Ream’s neighbour, started giving Ream horse riding lessons. Ream also started having a phone friendship with Sally Barringer, a reporter from the local paper who had recently gotten divorced.
The Soul Keys is a sweet story of friendship that heals and turns into love. Unlike most romance stories, this book has a more relaxed, comfortable feel to it. There are no overwhelmingly hot passionate scenes or improbable chaotic events associated with this romance. Instead, the evolution of this romance is more natural and realistic. Furthermore, the characters in this story have real life problems and issues. These aspects make the reader feel as if the author is sharing a life story rather than writing a piece of fiction. Moreover, the reader leaves this book with a sense that things happen for a reason and that true happiness is attainable.