Crossing Oceans

Crossing Oceans is the story of one mother's journey to reconcile her past with the reality of her present and the needs of her daughter's future. It seemed introspective as I read it, close and intimate with few characters and a tight story line. I read it while on vacation, and in contrast to another book that took me a good two and a half weeks to finish, Crossing Oceans was a page turner that I was able to read in two short days. ( )

How does a mother describe death to her five-year-old daughter? Looking out over the water from her father’s property Jenny tells Isabella that death is like crossing from one side of the ocean to the other. Jenny is forced to do this because she is dying. Only a reason so dire could have forced her return to the North Carolina town she turned her back on six years ago, grieving her mother’s death and abandoned by the men in her life. Her father was overwhelmed by his own grief and her boyfriend, not knowing she was pregnant, callously dumped her. But Jenny must find someone to care for Bella after she is gone. So she returns home to face her past and repair broken relationships. Raw emotion fairly jumps off the pages as Holmes’ flawed, believable characters interact with each other, wrestling with their grief, their love and their conflicting plans for Isabella. To her credit debut novelist Holmes never resorts to clichés, nor does she indulge in a miraculous cure for Jenny. She does, however, provide a good home for Isabella whom we meet again as an adult in the epilogue. Jenny’s journey down the path of surrendering to God’s will for her life is heartfelt and rendered so realistically that the reader knows that the author has experienced loss in her own life. This is a very poignant tale of love and loss, of mistakes and forgiveness, and of learning to trust in God in the direst of circumstances. At times, this is not an easy read, but it is definitely worth it!

In this book Gina Holmes creates a world where a mother’s love and a child’s innocence join forces to twist, pull and tug at every emotion. Jenna learns she has one year to live. As a single mother, estranged from her family this means one year to establish a future for her five year old daughter. The story sounds sad but it’s really thought provoking and inspirational; one that will resonate with women in particular. As Jenny prepares for her daughter’s future she makes some tough but realistic choices and confronts her own past. The story will bring tears to your eyes. These tears will stem from the beautiful presentation of a sensitive topic and being able to identify with the characters and circumstances. In summary, a touching and tender portrayal of love and forgiveness that will appeal to those who appreciate woman’s fiction and enjoy a good story
Review previously posted at: www.princetonbookreview.com
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Before you start reading this book, open a new box of tissues and keep them close by. This is a story about a young mother who is dying, but it is not depressing. The story delves into family dynamics, love lost, traditions, and strength. Except for David I found the characters to be very well developed and multidimensional. David seemed to me to be all bad, with no real redeeming qualities; there might be someone in the world like that, but there is always some positive in everyone (or am I just a Polly Anna?). The story was engrossing with twists and turns that kept my interest. This will be a story that will stay with me for a long time. ( )

This is a wonderful novel. Beautiful, heart wrenching, heartwarming, sad, hopeful. Jenny is so full of life and love, her emotions and struggles are so real. All the characters in this book, especially Jenny's family, are great. I wish I knew them! They are definitely not perfect, very true to life with flaws and struggles and deep emotions (with scarring).

This is the kind of book that sucks me in and doesn't let me go. The kind of book that speeds time up, while I just want to slow it down. The kind of book that makes me feel deeply for the characters and reminds me to be grateful for what I have in my own life. I LOVED this book.

If you don't have a problem with the main character (who you will grow to love) dying at the end of a book, I highly recommend you read Crossing Oceans! ( )