And the angel showed me a pure river with the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb.
~ Rev 22:1

In 1936, 15-year-old Miriam Gresham of River Bluff, Idaho, wanted nothing more than to be a famous actress, just like Greta Garbo. But God had other things in mind. The remarkable story of her life of faith comes to light at an estate sale … and to restless Julianna Crosby, it’s a priceless find!

Awards & Recognitions

RITA® Award Finalist
Named a Top Ten Favorite Novel of 2001 by Christianbook.com

Additional Reviews

In what I found to be one of the most gratifying, heart wrenching story this year, RIBBON OF YEARS carefully winds the reader through nearly seventy years of Miriam Gresham’s life… I have long been a fan of Ms. Hatcher’s books, but RIBBON OF YEARS became my favorite. It is not an easy read emotionally, the spans involving the bombing of Pearl Harbor, World War II, and the effects war has on the townspeople can easily relate to today’s War Against Terrorism. This poignant view of one woman’s life is a superb read, and one I am glad I did not miss! Be sure to grab a box of Kleenex first, and curl up with RIBBON OF YEARS. — Romance Reader’s Connection

Miriam’s story examines how trust in God can bring people through difficult times. Readers who enjoy strong character depictions will especially enjoy this story, but keep the tissues handy. Miriam’s life isn’t sugarcoated, but a testament to triumph over adversity. — CBA Marketplace

Hatcher writes with a strength and compassion that celebrates the impact of one devout woman on the people around her. Highly recommended. — Library Journal

In her 39th novel, the award-winning Hatcher ambitiously alternates between the past seven decades and the current one to show how the influence of a life of faith can shape the destiny of others. Juliana is 44, and wishing she could start over with a clean slate. When, at an estate sale, she happens across a box of old trinkets marked “My Life,” she hears firsthand the saga of Miriam, the owner of the box, from those who loved her best… Hatcher progresses through Miriam’s escapades as a teenager to her eventual death, interrupting her life story with the present-day reflections of Juliana, who comes to grips with her need for God. The writing is smooth, there’s some nice historical detail and Hatcher manages the time switches with aplomb… Hatcher, a past president of the Romance Writers of America, won a Christy Award last year for her novel Whispers [From] Yesterday. With five million books in print, she has built a loyal following among fans in both the Christian and romance markets… — Publisher’s Weekly

Bring out the tissues, folks. This is a story from the author’s heart, no doubt, and her best so far. No contrived plot lines or stereotypical characters here. If this is the type of book to expect in the future from Ms. Hatcher, I can’t wait for the next one. — Romantic Times Magazine, 4 1/2 Stars, Top Pick