Isaiah 6:8

8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Mercy Come Morning


About The Book:  There are no second chances. Or are there?  Krista Mueller is in a good place. She’s got a successful career as a professor of history; she’s respected and well-liked; and she lives hundreds of miles from her hometown and the distant mother she could never please. It’s been more than a decade since Alzheimer’s disease first claimed Charlotte Mueller’s mind, but Krista has dutifully kept her mother in a first-class nursing home.  Now Charlotte is dying of heart failure and, surprised by her own emotions, Krista rushes to Taos, New Mexico, to sit at her estranged mother’s side as she slips away. Battling feelings of loss, abandonment, and relief, Krista is also unsettled by her proximity to Dane McConnell, director of the nursing home—and, once upon a time, her first love. Dane’s kind and gentle spirit—and a surprising discovery about her mother—make Krista wonder if she can at last close the distance between her and her mother … and open the part of her heart she thought was lost forever.
About The Author:  Lisa Tawn Bergren is a mompreneur, God follower, author, editor, traveler, dreamer, risk taker, learner all rolled up into one.  She is definitely my kind of writer.  Visit her website:  http://www.lisatawnbergren.com
My Thoughts About The Book:  As a child of a parents who suffered from dementia this book touched me to the core.  I wish there really were somewhere like Cimarron where Alzheimer's patients could be treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.  This book is a must if you have walked, or are walking in my shoes.  The characters were so vivid that I felt as if I knew both Krista and her mom.  It was a touching and emotional story line.  When dementia takes a loved ones mind it is actually harder than death....because they are physically still present....but the person you knew and loved is no more.  I think Bergren did a wonderful job of portraying the steps of dealing with this illness and making peace with the past.  A must read!  But don't just believe me....look at what other writers have said about this book:
“A timeless tale, to be kept every day in the heart as a reminder that forgiveness is a gift to self.”—PATRICIA HICKMAN, author of The Pirate Queen
Praise for MERCY COME MORNING
Mercy Come Morning is Lisa Bergren’s best yet! Strong characters dealing with passionate life-and-death issues in a Southwest setting so authentic I could taste the chilies and smell the sage. A compelling story of longing, love, and the search for life.… It’s a story to meet the need in every woman’s heart.”
—JANE KIRKPATRICK , author of A Name of Her Own and the Kinship and Courage series “Bergren just keeps getting better. Mercy Come Morning is a deeply moving story of love lost and found. It is also a gentle but compelling invitation to remember the things we should know by heart but often forget along the way.”
—CAROLYN ARENDS, recording artist and author of We’ve Been Waiting for You
“Lisa Bergren writes like a dream, softly calling us to familiar places, walking us through our memories in grandma’s kitchen, past the disappointments of growing up, and through the complexities of imperfect families. Mercy Come Morning is a timeless tale, to be kept every day in the heart as a reminder that forgiveness is a gift to self and joy the glittering residue left upon our doorpost when Christmas is kept every day of the year.”
—PATRICIA HICKMAN, author of Sandpebbles and Katrina’s Wings
This book was previously released as Christmas Every Morning
Disclaimer:  I received a copy of this book in ebook format from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Company through their Blogging for Books program in exchange for my review. No other compensation was received. All opinions are 100% my own and may differ from others.

3 comments:

Edie Marie's Attic said...

Good Morning Karen!

I stopped by to tell you that I have posted about your wonderful Giveaway Prizes you sent to me.

But as usual I was so enriched by stopping here today. The Christmas pic of you and your Hubby is fabulous... you two are a beautiful couple!

And then of course the book... I too understand the pain of dementia and Alzheimers. What a cruel disease. We were blessed with a facility that was for such patients in Toledo Ohio. The Elizabeth Scott Center was a nursing facility whose founders both had dementia/Alzheimers in later years. Their son, Wayne Butcher, saw that there was a huge need for special care for such patients and he started Parkcliffe Alzheimers Community where Mother was at. It was so good for her. She always wanted to go home of course but they knew what the dementia stricken needed. I am so thankful that we had such a great place for Mom's last years that was safe and geared to her needs. There is so much pain for the loved ones when a family member's memory fades away into a world of confusion. It's heart piercing. A very personal heartbreak when your family is involved in dementia's cruelness.

I wish you and yours a very Happy New Year Karen!!

Big hugs, Sherry

Edie Marie's Attic said...

PS If you ever need to talk about dementia or anything, I'm here for you sweet friend.

Diane said...

This sounds like an interesting book. Great review. Hugs and have a great weekend! :O)