Lori Copland’s latest book, Mother of Prevention, is a heartwarming read that sucks you in right from the beginning and holds on to you until the very last page.
Kate Madison suffers a tragic loss: her firefighter husband dies, leaving her and her two daughters alone. Kate goes through the motions of living until she realizes that it is just kind of passing her by. Trying to get things back on track, she decides to move from Oklahoma to San Francisco for a fresh start. She is slowly dealing with the hurt, anger, and loneliness, when she is thrown a few surprises in her new city by way of a new best friend and a possible love interest.
This book really does reach out and grab you from the very beginning. Copeland does a great job making Kate’s loss of her husband real for the reader. I was bawling by the time Kate realizes her husband is gone. The scene the next day is heart-wrenching as well, and instead of jerking the reader out of the loss, we grow with Karen as she puts one foot in front of the other and tries to go on with the rest of her life without her husband. She goes back to work and tries to pretend life is okay until a medical problem keeps her from being able to do her job. Her courage in facing these challenges was admirable.
The Christian aspect of this book is very understated. Of course there is the mandatory “God is speaking” scene, and wrap-up at the end that confirms God’s plan. But the majority of the book shows (rather than tells) her faith through her actions and words - and never preaches at the reader.
My only problem with the book was that there is so much going on in so few pages. We had Kate’s relationship with the best friend, the children, her job, her in-laws, and the men who wanted to be a part of her life. I felt like any one of those things could have been expanded on and made a stronger book. The way the attention jumped between all these elements slowed the pace down just a little.
Plot issues aside, Mother of Prevention is a strong read about a woman dealing with the loss of her husband with help from those around her and from God. Be warned: you will cry at first, but in the end you will cheer for Kate as she grows stronger.
Sensuality: N/A
Publication Date: 2005
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