Synopses & Reviews
Haunted by the death of her two brothers, and living under the shadow of her pious mother, Miriam Kovatch is thirtysomething, pregnant, and suddenly widowed. Her search for hope and purpose---from this startling new voice in literary fiction---is unforgettable. When her husband suddenly dies, Miriam Kovatch finds herself thrust into a journey of self-discovery, at odds with friends and family. Her search for meaning will take her to the brink of despair. With her temperamental cat and only a few belongings, Miriam finds refuge in a motel under the watchful eye of a caring stranger, who gives her hope, purpose, and a mysterious dark oval stone. In this poignant debut novel full of unforgetttable characters, Miriam begins the painful process of embracing a much fuller life, sustained by unexpected friendship and surprising grace.
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Synopsis
Haunted by a childhood shaped by the death of one brother in Vietnam and another in an elementary school fire, Miriam Kovatch is accustomed to living under the shadow of grief. Her deceased mother, devoutly religious and expert at sodden prayers, taught Miriam to be on the alert for whatever tragedy was destined to be lurking around the corner. When Miriam's husband dies suddenly, confirming her mother's powerful lessons, she is forced to embark on an enlightening journey of self-discovery that shakes the foundations of her own faith and ultimately contradicts everything she once believed about her family and herself. Sustained by the unexpected friendship of a remarkable stranger, Miriam begins the painful process of embracing all that life has to offer.