This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Bethany House (October 1, 2009)
by
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Jackina (pronounced with a long “i” to rhyme with China) Stark recently retired from teaching English at Ozark Christian College to spend more time writing and traveling.
Jackina says: “Although I loved my subjects and my students, I retired to do more writing and speaking, to spend more time with my family, and to travel with family and friends (including trips to encourage two missions in Cambodia). I have also spoken nationally and internationally at many retreats and seminars and enjoy running into many readers and former students. I have written frequently for both Christian Standard and Lookout, periodicals of Standard Publishing. Years ago I wrote two non-fiction books, published by College Press, but currently out of print. These days, I’m exploring fiction. My first novel, Tender Grace, was released by Bethany House January 30, 2009, and Things Worth Remembering, is the second. I’m working on new projects, including a third novel, as time permits. Whether speaking or writing, I love the opportunity to tell about Him whom Jesus called “Holy Father” and “the only true God.”
She has been married to her husband, Tony, for forty-two years. They live in Carl Junction, Missouri, and have two daughters and six grandchildren.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Kendy Laswell and her daughter, Maisey, used to do everything together–until one fateful summer when Maisey witnessed something she shouldn’t have, and their relationship fractured. Now, Maisey is back home to get married and Kendy realizes this is her last chance to reconnect with her daughter. Will Kendy and Maisey be able to reclaim the bond they once shared?
Maisey asked for a bride doll the Christmas she was five, mesmerized by her aunt’s wedding the fall before. Since then I’ve been dreaming of the day, or days, we would shop for her wedding dress. A mother helping her daughter find just the right creation for that momentous walk down the aisle strikes me as one of life’s happiest endeavors. The night she called to tell us she’d bought her “dream of a gown,” I sat beside Luke on the couch, a striking contrast to Maisey’s exuberance.
My dejection seemed a tad inappropriate. “Being hurt because I wasn’t included is silly, isn’t it?” I asked.
“Not so silly,” he said.
Will I ever quit longing for the Maisey who was once mine?
If you would like to read the first chapter of Things Worth Remembering , go HERE
Learn more about Jackina and her bookson her Website.
MY REVIEW:
Things Worth Remembering tells the story of three generations of women and the misunderstandings that wasted so many years. Because her own mother had not taken the time to help her choose her wedding dress, Kendy had always dreamed of the day she would help her daughter Maisey shop for hers. Unfortunately all of Kendy’s hopes and dreams were dashed when Maisey came home the week before her wedding and Kendy found herself totally excluded from all the plans. In fact Maisey avoided being around her mother if at all possible. After a crisis with Kendy’s mother and an unexpected confrontation with Maisey, hidden secrets surfaced that impacted each of the women.
Things Worth Remembering is a touching story about love, understanding, and forgiveness that exposes the danger of not dealing immediately with interpersonal issues and the healing that can take place when these same issues are dealt with properly.
