Chasing Memories (Memory Box Trilogy, Book 1) [Paperback]

Cindy Bauer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 12, 2008

Steven and Laura Thompson have the ideal marriage, and the birth of Annie only strengthens their bond. Life is perfect, as if they have forever, until everything changes in an instant with one man's careless decision - to drive while intoxicated - and the resulting accident leaves Laura a widow.

Now a single mother, Laura struggles to move on with her life but two years later, an unimaginable tragedy strikes again. While shoveling her elderly neighbor's snowy walk, a careening car slides into her on an icy patch on the street, and leaves Laura with no memory of either Steven or Annie!

Laura grapples to make sense of the missing pieces of her past, living in the present with a daughter she can't remember, a friend she doesn't know but must learn to trust, and a future filled with uncertainties. A beautiful memory box, handcrafted by her elderly neighbor and given to her at Christmas, is filled with precious mementos in the hopes she will one day remember.

As Laura instinctively fights for survival, her eventual surrender to a God of love brings hope, healing and a new wholeness to her shattered life.

"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." ~~1 Corinthians 13:13 - NIV

Editorial Reviews

Review

Amnesiac, Laura Thompson, thought the worse crisis that could ever happen to her was losing her memories of her marriage and the birth of her six year-old daughter. But she was wrong. Her life deals her one emotional crisis after another when she struggles to reestablish just who she was.

She learns that her husband is dead, that she lives alone in a small house with her young daughter, and that Christmas is just around the corner. She doesn't remember the car that ran her down and broke her leg as she shoveled snow from her neighbor's walk, or the strong young woman who takes over the directing of her daily life.

Recapturing her illusive identity doesn't come easy, even with the constant love and support from her neighbors, friends, her employer, and family members. Her faith is sorely tested! Again and again she must learn to trust strangers who want to tell her what to do. In spite of her life's traumas she and her young daughter discover that life is a continuous process filled with new opportunities to begin afresh.

This Inspirational story of Laura's brave struggle to become her own person, leans heavily upon her relationships with the people who love her, and the supportive members of her community church. A Good Read! -- JoEllen -- Lighthouse Literary Reviews.

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 290 pages
• Publisher: Lulu.com; 2nd edition (July 12, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1435742885
• ISBN-13: 978-1435742888
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,277,358 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Born and raised in Iowa, Cindy Bauer grew up the youngest of three children. An avid reader since early childhood, she often dreamed of becoming a writer. Cindy graduated from Assumption High School in 1975, married her husband Robert in 1976 and left her dream behind. When her mother became terminally ill, Cindy and her husband relocated to Missouri in 1986 to assist with her care. They decided to stay and make it their home.

Cindy's dream to write rekindled while working for a daily newspaper. She published her first novel, Chasing Memories, in 2006 and her second, Shades of Blue, in 2007, both of which were edited by her sister, a former journalism teacher. In early 2008, Cindy severed ties with her publisher. She then rewrote and republished both those novels in 2008.

But editor "sis" is not the only family member involved with Cindy's writing career. Cindy enlisted the assistance of her brother, an artist and lyrics writer, to design the new covers for Shades of Blue, republished November 2008, and Crystal Clear, published June 2009.

Besides writing and marketing her own works, Cindy now freelances as a writer and editor, and also reviews for Bookpleasures. Most recently, Cindy volunteered her assistance at Books In Sync, a site dedicated to promoting authors and their books.

"I believe the Lord has chosen me to spread His word through my words and who am I to question His plans for me?" ©2008 Cindy Bauer

"Dreams can be turned into reality if one has the courage to try. Failure comes only to those who don't." Copyright ©2006 Cindy Bauer

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars chasing memories, May 3, 2006

By 

Karen Sue Mills (Batesville,AR USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Chasing Memories (Inspirational Trilogy Series, Book 1) (Paperback)

I was very impressed with this book. I felt so sorry that Laura had so much tragedy happen in a short period of time. I kept hoping that her memory would come back, but even though it didn't, I was glad that somewhere in her subconcious, the motherly instinct kicked in and she was able to re-connect with her daughter. I am anxiously awaiting to read the second book in Cindy's trilogy. Karen Mills

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A MOST PLEASANT READ, May 3, 2006

By 

Kay White Miles "Book Addict" (Clinton, Missouri United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Chasing Memories (Inspirational Trilogy Series, Book 1) (Paperback)

What a pleasure, in today's traumatic world, to be able to get comfortable in your recliner and have a "good" read about "normal people" who tackle some of the same problems you and your lady friends have faced from time to time. This book reminds me of the ones my mother's book club read in the 1930's before "Forever Amber" came on the market and caused such a "splash".This was back when Faith Baldwin wrote such good stories, ones that held your attention and about good people who "just did the best they could" and did it with grace. I am looking forward to this writer's "follow up" story.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars my thoughts, May 2, 2006

By 

M. Knisely (U. S. A.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Chasing Memories (Inspirational Trilogy Series, Book 1) (Paperback)

I was drawn into this book by how the author was able to describe everyday events with ease. The more I read the more I felt for the main character and all her challenges. I am looking forward to the next book in the series to find out how life continues to challenge her.