When you reach the end of Emilie Betts' courageous memoir, "Shadows in My House of Sunshine," you will feel like you are old friends. Her writing takes you on her life's journey, from the loss of a happy childhood home during the Great Depression, through her family's struggle to survive, to the later years of her life, when a surprise twist showed her a happy home could be anywhere. Emilie's story is brave in its honesty, engaging in its frank look at her life, and clever in the way it weaves in historic events of the 20th century. Each of her homes has a connection to societal changes (the awakening of feminism, the free-love era of the 1960s) or a tie to history, such as the outing at her Florida home, when everyone looked up to see the space shuttle explode. Emilie's search for happiness and security she once felt in her "house of sunshine" captures your emotions. You'll root for Emilie the child, cheer for Emilie, the woman and when you reach the last page, you'll wish for more.