In Waiting for Grace by Caroline E. Zani, Eli Cranston left his old life in Los Angeles to build a new one in Bar Harbor, Maine. The ex-lawyer is now making a living through psychotherapy focusing on Forward Life Progression, FLP, where people push past their trauma and addictions by visualizing themselves forward in time on a possible and better life path. Ironically, Eli himself needs his own healing in order to see his own future. He finds friendship with the local handyman, Clem, as well as comfort and a special spark for Rebecca, the owner of Full Circle Farm. His paternal instinct goes out to the young but capable Hope, who helps take care of his ponies and the work around his barn. Will Eli be able to fully move on from his past and find happiness again?

Zani's Waiting for Grace is a poignant but powerful story of redemption and second chances. It's subtly spiritual in its own way and I loved the growth of the main characters. The character-driven plot is well-paced and delivered in a clear narrative. It was interesting to read how good daily life was for Eli in his new place until he saw several ‘cracks’ in an otherwise peaceful community. I easily gravitated towards young Hope and her struggles with her dysfunctional family. In the meantime, readers got to know Eli's intriguing past that was steadily revealed bit by bit as the story went on. The protagonist was helping other people but needed some guidance himself－86-year-old Dr. Otto Gunther's tale as a Holocaust survivor strongly reminded him that there was always a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel. Simply put, this is a solid read.

Waiting for Grace is a work of suspenseful and dramatic fiction penned by author Caroline E. Zani. Deeply psychological in nature and metaphysical in its themes, this novel considers the possibilities of past and future lives as a central driving force in its plot. Our main protagonist is Eli Cranston, who gives up his high flying life as a lawyer when life takes everything away from him and moves out to the seaside. Here he engages with Forward Life Progression, trying to envision and move towards a new future. But the past is never far behind him, and Eli is about to learn how everything connects on the journey towards contentment and redemption.

Author Caroline E. Zani has produced a fascinating and highly thought-provoking drama that takes a little getting used to at first. Eli’s new beliefs and practices in his new life are slowly unraveled as the first half of the novel progresses, allowing readers to understand the beliefs at play and to get into the more metaphysical nature of the plot. With this concept in hand, the prose flows really well, and the characters are drawn as if they spring straight from real life, facing deeply emotional encounters in the past and present, with common themes about human nature and what we seek for ourselves in the future. Overall, Waiting for Grace is a complex but highly worthwhile read that is definitely recommended to fans of metaphysical and high concept drama.