Multnomah Books (March 17, 2009)
Kinna and Jimmy first found each other on a nearly deserted stretch of Monterey beach. At 10 and 11 romance was certainly not in their minds. Jimmy still dreamt of becoming a Prince Phillip to his own Princess Aurora in the sense of a hero and he lived this out in his mind and play many times over. Kinna was taught that make believe is wishful thinking and even her doll was for practice. Jimmy helps her learn not only to dream but to pursue those dreams despite the obstacles and he also aspires to becoming her knight in shining armor who slays the dragon and rescues her from danger. Amazingly enough Jimmy is faced with an alcoholic father who wasn’t able to be honest with him about his mother’s death when Jimmy was younger. Over time his father also turns abusive and violent towards Jimmy. Kinna is raised in a typical pastor’s household with a mother used to the role of diva and pastor’s wife somehow intertwined. She of course expects Kinna to carry on a similar persona and thinks Jimmy is bad news. Over the years their childhood friendship builds a deep bond between Jimmy and Kinna. Even when Jimmy is forced to move away to his Grandmother’s for a couple years, they never completely loose the connection they found so many years ago. They may not realize it at first but at some point romance and love became part of their dreams for one another and their relationship.
As seems to be the case for many of us, when they became adults, life threw many struggles and few easy choices their way. Unfortunately these struggles and the dreams they couldn’t give up hindered their ability to choose to love one another in the way they both seemed to just know to do in their younger days. Perhaps they can remember what they have just with each other and that a child will not be what it takes to make their lives complete. With their faith and their God life is already complete but other desires have gotten in the way and obscured this truth.
In a heartrending story of dreams that must be given back to their ultimate author and struggles of letting go, we also find the growth of hope, trust and the discovery of who we truly belong to. Wholeness can only be found in one relationship and Schalesky’s characters must eventually find their way back if they are to find true contentment in their lives. Drop into the locations of this story to discover how a mysterious visitor and the locket she brings along are catalysts in Jimmy and Kinna’s journey through this small chunk of their journeys both together and individually. (ISBN# 9781601420244, 352pp, $12.99)
Codicil:
Visit Marlo’s website. Also don’t forget to click the bookcover above to purchase your own copy or read more about the book. Be sure and get a copy of Beyond the Night as well.
