Crossing Oceans

A well written poignant weeper

Following the death of her mother, a pregnancy in which her lover David Preston dumped her without knowing she was carrying and a fight with her father, Jenny Lucas left Tulleytown, North Carolina vowing to never return. Six years later, she and her daughter Isabella have come home. Her oxygen carrying Mama Peg welcomes her granddaughter and great-granddaughter while her daddy remains hurt and distant until Jenny explains she is dying from cancer just like her mom though a different form of the killer.

Jenny seeks a caretaker for her child as she knows Mama Peg is not healthy enough and her dad failed her. She considers David, but when she goes to tell him he is a father, he is nasty. Ironically his wife Lindsay is nice. Her high school peer Craig Allen who rents a loft is kind to mother and daughter. However, the clock is running out on Jenny and she must decide what is best for her beloved daughter between her father and her former lover; both who failed her when she grieved her mom's death at a time when she needed each of them; she fears they will do again but this time she cannot clean up the mess.

The key to this well written poignant weeper is no miracle occurs saving Jenny, but the right person is there for Isabella if the dying mom can get through the pain of her past to see the future as her dad believes David's dad's misdiagnosed his wife's illness leading to her death. Character driven with a powerful ensemble cast supporting Jenny, readers will appreciate the angst filling an ocean as Jenny worries who will raise Isabella once she dies.

Harriet Klausner

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Once in a lifetime quality!

When I turned the last page and sat back in my chair, the only word I could think of to describe this book is.wow. Heartrenching, gripping, can't-put-it-down kind of story that as a reader makes my heart glad to have the chance to read this book. It has a once in a life time quality to it that will make this story a best seller. It already is. It has that great of an impact.
With a reminiscence of Nicholas Spark's A Walk to Remember, CROSSING OCEANS is the story of a young mother dying of cancer and the journey she must take to prepare her five year old daughter. You might already be throwing the idea of this book out, right? Too depressing. This is the farthest thing from the truth. Jenny has a sense of humor and a way of looking at the world that brings the reader into the middle of the story with her. By the first couple of chapters my heart was already wrenching for her as she slowly gave up her worldly existence. But there is hope in this story, a hope that cannot be found in secular fiction because of the hope in Christ. This book goes beyond mere life and death, this book taps into the reader's emotions. I felt anger, sadness, joy, the full gauntlet in this well written and poignant novel. This is one book that will stick with me for years to come.
If there is one book you read this year, this needs to be it. It will change the way you look at all other books and the life you live, making each moment count.for Christ.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Crossing Oceans

Crossing Oceans - Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of Stir, Laugh, Repeat

'Remember that night in the car, David? I started to tell you, but you broke up with me first. You said things could never work for us. You told me our fathers would never get along. You told me you didn't share my desire for having a family. How could I tell you you were going to be a father right after you said you never wanted children? When she was born, I called you from the hospital as I held her in my arms. I couldn't wait to show you what we'd created, but your answering machine picked up and I heard "David and Lindsey Preston aren't here to take your call." I didn't know you'd gotten married. It had been less than a years since we broke up. You wouldn't believe the shock I felt, the betrayal, the pain. I didn't want to cause trouble for you. I couldn't..'

Jenny Lucas is the Prodigal Daughter returning home after walking away six years ago. David Preston had thrown her away when she needed him the most. When she was pregnant with their daughter Isabella. Now she's bringing her daughter home to meet the family she's never met, including her father. But Jenny isn't renewing the relationship with her own father as well as David for old times' sake. She's doing it out of necessity. She must find a home for Bella because she is dying with cancer.

The Lucas', as well as the Preston family, have a lot of baggage to overcome. Jenny's dad insists that David's father killed her mother by misdiagnosing her illness. And her death is something that he's never been able to get over making it difficult for him to get close to Jenny. So, hating the Preston family as much as he does, he insists that Bella should be raised by him. David, as well as his family, have to overcome the fact that Jenny has done something that he and his wife Lindsey haven't been able to. She has given him a child, which has made him determined to have full custody of Isabella no matter what it takes. Bella, on the other hand, has to learn to give to others something she has only had to share with her mother. love. And while wading through these obstacles, everyone has to accept Jenny's dying. Can they all put aside their differences and help Jenny and Bella make their transitions as comfortably and positive as possible?

I've never read a book quite as touching as Crossing Oceans. The characters are all written very strongly. Their courage, and sometimes lack of courage, is something that I think will stay with me for a long time in hopes that if I'm ever put into either of their positions, I can remember their strength exposed in Crossing Oceans It is one beautiful book.

Tyndal House Publishers
2010
390 Pages
ISBN# 978-1-4143-3305-2


Review Stir, Laugh, Repeat at Amazon.com Stir, Laugh, Repeat

Labels: Book Reviews, Cancer, cookbooks, Crossing Oceans, Family, garlic, Gina Holmes, Martha A Cheves, Spiced Egg Salad and Spinach, Stir Laugh Repeat

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

A Book With Take-Home Value

This book came highly recommended to me and I was not disappointed. This book changed me.

From the very first line I was intrigued. I wanted to know more about this woman. Why did she say she didn't have a decent relationship with her dad? I had to keep reading to find out.

I appreciated Jenny's love for her small daughter, for her grandmother. I hurt for her when she remembered how she fell in love with Isabella's father, thinking he felt the same. I hurt for her when she revealed how he had broken off with her before she could tell him he would soon be a father.

Gina Holmes has written a compelling book and her lead, Jenny Lucas is a strong woman. I admire her and wish to have the same strength of character.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Stunning debut novel will break readers' hearts

Crossing Oceans by Gina Holmes is a stunning debut novel. Jenny Lucas has returned home after five years to do the hardest thing she's ever had to do. She left home after being dumped by her childhood sweetheart, David, just before she could tell him that she was pregnant. Her father's cold treatment after the death of her mother made her turn to David for comfort, but feeling abandoned by both of them, she left town to raise her daughter, Isabella, alone. Facing a death sentence from cancer, Jenny comes back home to find someone to care for Isabella when she's gone. I knew that this book would break my heart from the very first page. Holmes perfectly captures the agony and ecstasy of being a mother, and her portrayal of Jenny's trying to say good-bye to her child is poignant and heart-rending without being melodramatic. Just as in real life, when someone young and good is dying from a terrible illness, I found myself ranting at the unfairness of it all. The story goes even deeper when Holmes refuses to engage in cliches. David is a married jerk, and Jenny's father still can't seem to show his emotions, although his reaction to Jenny's diagnosis is one of the most moving in the entire novel. A twist midway through took my very breath away. Jenny's decisions show the true love of a mother, and her faith is inspiring. This is truly one of the most moving books I've read...ever! Even long after I've finished reading, I still find myself thinking about the message of love and devotion and focusing on my blessings. Gina Holmes is an author to watch!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

A Beautiful True-to-life Story that will Shatter Your Heart!!

Wow. Simply wow. What more can I say about a story that is as heart-wrenching as this one? It's beautiful. It's heart-breaking. It's real. It's life. Period.



Gina Holmes brings a wonderful story full of heart ache and pain. It's also a story of forgiveness, family, and love. Not to mention a bit of humor from time to time. But above all it's about leaning on God's ways and trusting Him to know what's best for everyone. I literally read this book in less than a day. I couldn't put it done. More times than not I wanted to...not because the book wasn't good...but because if I didn't I wouldn't be able to see the words for the bluriness of tears! This story really hit home to me. It's full of Christian values but at the same time shows us how life really is. It's full of mistakes and broken promises but if we learn to lean on God, it's the best thing all around. While my heart went out to sweet, beautiful little Isabella, my heart went out most to Jenny. She suffered so much, from losing her mom to being dumped by her boyfriend to falling out with her father, then recieving shattering news. I found my self praying for her so many times! I became friends with Jenny...I cried when she did, laughed when she did, lost when she did. She's an amazing person in this story.



I highly recommend this book to everyone. It's a 5 star worthy book, that will leave you in awe from the beautiful and heart-wrenching way that Gina Holmes brings truth to the story while making it fiction. The story line of this book is so close to real life that I felt every emotion that you can feel. POWERFUL! Again, I highly recommend this book! You will look at life with a whole new perspective and you will cherish every second of life! I am anxiously waiting with great anticipation for future books like this from Gina! Well done!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

EXCELLENT!!!

One of the best books I've ever read. I love the romance, I love the mother-daughter relationship. Its just an excellent book all around that will tug at your heart strings

Laugh, cry and love this book

What an amazing read...LOVED this.

This book made me both laugh and cry. It was amazing. It's SO to

This book made me both laugh and cry. It was amazing. It's SO touching! Gina Holmes does an excellent job of helping the reader feel connected to the characters in the story. This is one of my new favorite reads.

TO EVERYONE IN OCEANCLAN

We are moving camps to oceana result one.-seastar

Fantastic story!

This story reminded me of the movie Beaches with Bette Midler. AN ALL TIME FAVORITE MOVIE! This book was a Fantastic read.

Amazing BOOK!!

This is an amazing book. I read it quickly. It makes you feel something while reading it.

Great book!

This book captivated me from the beginning! Beautiful story! Have a box of tissues ready because this is definitely a tear jerker!!

Recommended

This book was absolutely awesome. It held me captivated until the last page and then I wanted to read more. The ending was predictable to some extent but it was a great story about reconciliation within the family. I would definately recommend this book to others, it was truly a great read!

Pedictable

A friend highly recommended this book but I thought it was EXTEREMELY predictable and not that well written? Skip it...

What a great book

This is an author I had never read before. I really enjoyed the book. It is sad and it did make me cry and made me angry but well worth reading!!!

need a good cry? try this weepy story

well written weepy Christian romance/family love story. Good light reading

Very realistic and wonderful!

I really enjoyed how this writer made you feel like the main character was in fact a real person. Her thoughts and feelings were very realistic and normal. At times I would think she (main character) is awful for thinking that and then I would realize I too have had thoughts like that. I think at times we all have thoughts that are not nice and this book makes you feel normal. I believed every character in this book and could not put this book down. It is definitely an emotional roller coaster and worth every smile and tear.

loved this book!!

what a wonderful debut novel- i absolutely loved it! can't wait to read more from this author!

SOOO GOOD!!

I loved this book, quite a tear jerker but such a good story and so easy to relate to! Very much recommended!