We planned a fiftieth wedding anniversary party–across the miles and one we never actually held. My parents’ fiftieth wedding anniversary happened smack dab between #1son’s and #5daughter’s graduations from college. Oh, and just after that, I had to teach at a conference.
It would have been awkward, I told myself. Dad’s in a home now. Mom wasn’t. Since being at my mom’s house in Noel, I know even better why the Lord decided that our grand plans for a party weren’t to be. He’s pretty good at that stuff if we just don’t try to force our ideas about things.
Around that time, I had a chance to read a book about another woman’s experiences in marriage–a long one and a short one. I figured it would be a good book, so I requested a free review copy.
My parents had a second chance, once. I’ve had second chances. How about you?
Links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you. Additionally, I received a free copy of the book for review purposes and the following review is my opinion alone.
Life Is Full of Second Chances What Was Yours?
The genre for this book is listed as “Family and relationships/Death, Grief, Bereavement. I’d call it a memoir. Written almost as a diary of the author’s life over the span of about five years, we learn much of the two very different men she married, what she learned from each of them, and how the Lord blessed her with both easy and difficult marriages.
Saying goodbye to one husband is hard enough, but having to do it back-to-back has to be one of the hardest things a woman can live through, and while Ms. Mozena is raw and real about her pain, her faith shines through. She encouraged me by her trust in the Lord in difficult times.
Still, I have to admit that some parts confused me. I find it difficult to understand why people choose which details they share. Some of the details in this are clearly very important to the author–clothing, food, decor. But aside from a couple of things, they only confused me because I kept waiting for the point to them to show up. Unfortunately, it didn’t.
I’m glad I chose to request a review copy of the book. If I’d known it was a memoir, I wouldn’t have, and I would have missed some encouraging stories. Recommended for people who enjoy memoirs, seasoned romance, and encouragement in the Lord’s goodness even when it seems that He isn’t.
Second Chances is on tour with Celebrate Lit
About the Book
Book: Second Chances
Author: Shirley Quiring Mozena
Genre: Family and relationships/Death, Grief, Bereavement
Release Date: September 2012
About the Author
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.
https://promosimple.com/ps/ee1a/second-chances-celebration-tour-giveaway
Thank you for your review on this book. I like to read how people find strength in the Lord through difficult circumstances because it gives me hope for when I go through my own. 🙂
Thank you for sharing your review of Second Chances. Your comments on the story were helpful.
So happy to have gotten to know about your book. Thanks so much for sharing.
I’m always looking for ways to understand what others are going through. Sounds like this book will be helpful!
This book sounds really good.
I’m not typically a fan of memoirs but just finished two. So, maybe I should start reading more of them!
This book sounds like a fantastic read.
Sounds like a good read.