One Perfect Day: A Novel [Paperback]

Lauraine Snelling (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 22, 2008

This is the story of two mothers, strangers to one another.

The first has two children--twins, a boy and girl, who are seniors in high school. She wants their last Christmas as a family living in the same home to be perfect, but her husband is delayed returning from a business trip abroad. And then there's an accident--a fatal one involving a drunk driver.

Meanwhile, the other mother has a daughter who needs a new heart, and so the loss of one woman becomes the miracle the other has desperately prayed for. While one mother grieves, and pulls away from her family, the other finds that even miracles aren't always easy to receive. (2008)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Two mothers. Two children. One tragedy. One miracle. Snelling, whose novels have sold more than two million copies, is sure to grab readers from the start of this holiday melodrama. Nora Peterson wants to create the perfect Christmas for what may be the last year her twins are home before leaving for college. Her husband's long business trip threatens her plans, but her world is about to turn upside down from far worse. As she faces tragedy, emergency room nurse Jenna Montgomery faces a miracle: her dying daughter, Heather, is getting a new heart. Snelling moves from one mother's viewpoint to the other's with ease, keeping readers riveted to Nora's emotional and spiritual healing and Jenna's understanding of her daughter's new life, as well as her own. Subplots—Nora's relationship with her daughter, Christi, and Jenna's surprise romance—add layers to this spiritually challenging and emotionally taut story. Fans of Christian women's fiction will enjoy this winning novel. (Oct. 22)
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Review

Snelling's captivating tale will immediately draw readers in. The grief process is accurately portrayed, and readers will be enthralled by the raw emotion of Jenna's and Nora's accounts. (Romantic Times Book Reviews )

"The emotional takeaway of [The Way of Women] is reminiscent of Karen Kingsbury at her best. The characters' issues are neither surface nor easily solved. A challenging, fulfilling read." (Romantic Times )

"Snelling writes about the foibles of human nature with keen insight and sweet honesty." (National Church Library Association )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: FaithWords; First Edition edition (October 22, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446582107
• ISBN-13: 978-0446582100
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.9 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #731,676 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Lauraine Snelling, an award-winning author of fifty-plus books with sales of over 2 million copies, also writes for a wide range of magazines and teaches at writers' conferences across the country. She and her husband make their home in Tehachapi, California.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Review, October 12, 2008

By 

Cheryl Koch (CO) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: One Perfect Day: A Novel (Paperback)

Nora Peterson, her husband Gordon and her twin children, Charlie and Christi were just like any other family. They had their arguments but they all loved each other. Nora, Charlie and Christi were preparing for Christmas. Gordon was stranded momentary due to weather. He was heading home from a business trip. The day was December 23. A day that Nora and her family will never forget. As the turn of events that take place this fatal day will change the lives of two families forever.

Jenna Montgomery and her daughter, Heather both knew how precious living every day to the fullest was. You see, Heather has heart problems and has been on the donors list for a while now. A miracle happens and Heather receives a new heart for Christmas.

I felt for both families as they struggled in different ways to get on with their lives.
Lauraine Snelling has one of my favorite Christian authors. She brings a grace and fluidity to her stories. It has been a while since I have read one of her books. I have to say that after reading One Perfect Day I will be starting back up again with her books. She is a master storyteller. Mrs. Snelling's books can be read and enjoyed by anyone. Just because she writes Christian books does not mean that she gets preachy in them. They do teach a lesson but they are lessons that we all can benefit from remembering and using in our everyday lives.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Two stories in one, October 15, 2008

By 

ruthjoec "ruthjoec" (Kenner LA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: One Perfect Day: A Novel (Paperback)

This book is the story of two mothers. One lost her son right before Christmas. The other one's daughter received his heart in a transplant. The chapters alternate, one tells Nora's story, the next, Jenna's. Not unsurprisingly Nora, who lost her son, finds herself distant from God. She is furious at him and drowning in her sorrow. Jenna praises Him for the new life in her daughter.

I guess sorrow is a stronger emotion than joy. If felt Nora's pain much more than I shared Jenna's joy, but I loved the book.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Emotionally gripping, November 5, 2008

By 

Jennifer Bogart "@ Quiverfullfamily.com" (Alberta, Canada) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: One Perfect Day: A Novel (Paperback)

Lauraine Snelling is a consummate and prolific Christian women's author. She delves into emotionally charged situations, producing realistic scenes of grief, mourning, cautious elation, and new hope. Both families struggle to adapt to the momentous changes in their lives as their stories are related in tandem. Nora's descent into unbearable grief is written so strongly that it nearly overpowers the glimpses of praise and refreshment in Jenna's story.

Enveloped in her own despair, Nora sets herself at odds with God, enraged by His taking her son. As the Peterson's struggle to adapt to the loss of their son they must learn to reach out to their remaining child as she sinks deeper into the darkness. However, there is a light at the end of the tunnel, no matter how faint. Conversely the Montgomerys are faced with new independence and a newly birthed spirit of enthusiasm from Jenna. New dreams and desires erupt from the hearts of both mother and daughter. Knowing that a future is possible for Heather opens a realm of previously unexplored possibilities to each of them.

Throughout all of these changes God is present to walk His children through them. Using believers in the lives of these women He uplifts, encourages, and supports them through their respective periods of growth and change - even when it appears that His presence is missing.

The strength of this title is found in the fluctuation of emotions the characters endure. Snelling's depiction of Nora's abrupt slide into a depression seemingly without end throbs with authenticity. Likewise the tentative tendrils of a newly blooming romance are suitably cautious and tender as Jenna begins to open her heart. It is this ring of truth combined with the emotionally dramatic that brings readers back to Snelling's works.