"Second Chances"
By Shirley Quiring Mozena
Genre: Family and relationships/Death, Grief, Bereavement
Release Date: September, 2012
When Shirley and Bill set out on a dream trip in the beautiful northwest wilderness to celebrate their 40th anniversary, what develops is a nightmare that has no end. Mysterious pangs turn into a vicious virus that makes its way into Bill’s body. Shirley finds comfort through her Savior during the six months of Bill’s illness—an illness which eventually takes his life.
After a time, Shirley’s heart aches for companionship. Little does she know that living a few miles from her home, a widower mourns the loss of his wife of 32 years. They meet and fall hopelessly in love, and their love takes them on a two-year journey of joy and adventure until once again overwhelming heartbreak rocks Shirley’s world. This is a story of faith and courage to strengthen your own soul.
Click here to get your copy!
My Thoughts:
As I was started to read this book, I was immediately struck with how different it was from what I expected. More than a novel, this story a life changing tale , one of enduring love, loss and the search for joy in the great hope that our Lord provides to us in order to sustain us during the worse times of our lives. Lives change at the blink of an eye, but how much can the average human endure? What would any of us do without prayer?
I have never had to endure the loss of a spouse , but I did watch my mother lose my dad when she was in her fifties. As the only child still living at home, I went through the valleys with her. The only hope she had was that of seeing my dad again one day in heaven. God gave her the much needed strength to keep going.
Shirley has written a sad story of loss, not once but twice, a life experience that none of want to ever have to endure! The underlying theme of this whole book was the very clear message that there can be joy and hope in the future if one walks the path outlined by God. The continued love of God is what Shirley hangs on to when everything she holds near and dear falls apart.
This book left a deep impression on my inner soul. Do I have that deep faith that Shirley has? Could I find joy once again if I lost my spouse? If not, I had better get to work on my faith! The sadness was deeply felt as was the promise of a happy future.
This book was received from CelebrateLit. A positive review was not required. The thoughts and opinions expressed are honest and my own.
About the Author:
Shirley Quiring Mozena is an outdoors woman, musician, amateur chef, and former elementary music teacher and librarian. She has survived the hardest test of her faith and now works with others grieving the loss of loved ones.
More from Shirley
They told me there was no hope. How could that be? I’d already lost one husband. Would I have to lose another? We’d had so little time!
Four years earlier—nearly to the day—my high school sweetheart and father of my two children had died. We’d gone through so many struggles. Our marriage was nearly broken. Through courage in facing our faults and selfishness, our marriage was restored. And then, after a six month battle with a terrible virus, my husband died.
I’d never dreamed I’d love again, but it happened. Six months after our first date, we were married. It seemed like we were still on our honeymoon when the next tragedy happened. Just like that, he was gone.
And then I knew the story needed to be told. For myself. For my children. For anyone who wanted to know. It’s a story of second chances in a restored marriage. In love. In hope for the future and God’s sustaining love and comfort. A story to strengthen your own soul.
Blog Stops
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 19
Where Crisis & Christ Collide, October 20
Avid Reader Nurse, October 21
For the Love of Literature, October 21 (Author Interview)
Inklings and notions , October 22
Locks, Hooks and Books, October 23
Just the Write Escape, October 24
Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess , October 25
Through the Fire Blogs, October 26
Quiet Quilter, October 27
Texas Book-aholic, October 28
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 29
janicesbookreviews, October 30
Andrea Christenson, October 31 (Author Interview)
A Reader’s Brain, November 1
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Shirley is giving away the grand prize package of a copy of Beyond Second Chances and a $25 Amazon gift card!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
This book sounds like a great read.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds good. I haven't lost a spouse, but have lost a child. That's hard enough--but God is good.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing your book and for the giveaway also. Geatly appreciated!
ReplyDeleteSuch a hard subject!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your review and the book and author details. This sounds like both a heartbreaking and an inspiring read.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your heartfelt review. It would be devastating losing a spouse, to have it happen twice in such a short amount of time would test anyone's faith. I'm glad people like Shirley are willing to share their stories to show how relying on the Lord can give one strength to endure.
ReplyDelete