ALMOST FOREVER BY DEBORAH RANEY

27 May

Unearthing a lost memory may cause her to lose everything she holds dear… but could it also set her free?

Bryn Hennesey, a volunteer at the Grove Street Homeless Shelter, was there the night the shelter burned to the ground and five heroic firefighters died at the scene. Among them was her husband, Adam. Like the rest of the surviving spouses, Bryn must find a way to begin again. But Bryn must do so living with a horrible secret.…


Deborah Raney’s first novel, A Vow to Cherish, was awarded a Silver Angel from Excellence in Media and inspired the acclaimed World Wide Pictures film of the same title. Since then her books have won the RITA Award, the HOLT Medallion, and the National Readers’ Choice Award; Raney was also a finalist for the Christy Award. She and her husband, artist Ken Raney, make
their home in their native Kansas.

My Impressions:

Have you ever left a candle burning unattended, left your child alone for just a minute while you answered the phone, or said something you regretted later?  What were the consequences?  We all do and say thoughtless things that usually have no real affect on the rest of our lives. But what if . . . .

Deborah Raney examines the what ifs that are the stuff of nightmares. Bryn Hennesey is married to a firefighter.  She knows the drill about leaving candles burning, curling irons plugged in, etc.  But in one careless moment, her life and the lives of 4 other families are changed forever. What follows is a very real depiction of the emotions, struggles and fears that accompany the aftermath of a tragedy.  Raney takes characters that are good, loving people and at the same time hurting people and explores their reactions when faced with a crisis.  She also causes the reader to question how well he or she would hold up under the stress of tragedy and how much forgiveness would be offered to the one causing it.

Almost Forever is a true-to-life novel.  The characters are real.  Their emotions are real.  They make bad decisions even while the reader shouts — don’t do that!  It is also a thought-provoking read.  You may never light a candle again or say an unkind word to your spouse or child without thinking of the consequences.  Check it out today, you won’t be disappointed.

Recommended.

(Thank you to Deborah Raney and Glass Road Public Relations for the opportunity to review this book.  The opinions expressed are mine alone.)

Check our Deborah Raney’s website.

Q&A with Deborah Raney

Q. How would you describe your life in only 8 words?
A. Faith, family, friends, fun, food, felicity, fabulous, (and going by much too) FAST!
Q. What is your motto or maxim?
A. “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” ~Martyred missionary Jim Elliot
Q. How would you describe perfect happiness?
A. I think perfect happiness has everything to do with learning to be content with what I have. With comparing myself to those who have less and feeling blessed, rather than looking across the fence and bemoaning what I don’t have.
Q. If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would you choose to be?
A. Home. I love to travel, I love to go out with my friends, but what I love most is being home with my family.
Q. What do you regret most?
A. Wasted time and thoughtless words.
Q. If you could acquire any talent, what would it be?
A. I would love to be bilingual. I think having a second or third language at my bidding would open up the world in amazing ways.
Q. What is your greatest achievement?
A. My children. Not that I can take any credit for the amazing people they have become, but I think anyone who meets them can’t help but say we did a few things right.
Q. What’s your greatest flaw?
A. Wasting time and speaking without thinking how it might make others feel.
Q. What’s your best quality?
A. God has blessed me with the gift of cheerfulness. I hope that is a blessing to others.
Q. What is your biggest pet peeve?
A. Price stickers that ruin the product they are affixed to.
Q. What is your favorite occupation, when you’re not writing?
A. Reading. But I also love working in our flower gardens with my husband.
Q. What’s your fantasy profession?
A. I would love to decorate and manage a bed and breakfast.
Q. What 3 personal qualities are most important to you?
A. Honesty, loyalty and selflessness.
Q. If you could eat only one thing for the rest of your days, what would it be?
A. That’s easy: ice cream!

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