The Seventeen Second Miracle [Paperback]

Jason F. Wright (Author)

Book Description

Release date: September 28, 2010

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Wednesday Letters and The Cross Gardener, a story of small kindnesses-and life-changing miracles.

Seventeen seconds can change a life forever. This is what Rex Connor learned on a gorgeous summer afternoon in 1970 when, as a lifeguard, he diverted his gaze for seventeen seconds and tragedy occurred. Forty years later the waves of that day still ripple through the lives of countless people, including his son, Cole.

Cole Connor has become a patient teacher, and now he has invited three struggling teenagers to visit him on his front porch to learn about Rex Connor-and the Seventeen Second Miracle. Together they will learn how Rex Connor could have allowed seventeen seconds to destroy him, but instead he chose to live every day believing the smallest of acts could change the world for good. And the students, each with their own secrets and private pains, will begin to understand that even tragedy brings lessons. Even pain brings comfort. Even death brings miracles. A seventeen second miracle can change a life-if you let it.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Sharp prose, clever characterizations, thought-provoking insights….fresh and spiritual."
– Don Piper, New York Times bestselling author of 90 Minutes in Heaven and Heaven is Real



"Passionate, spiritual and thought-provoking…[A] beautifully written book."
– Glenn Beck, talk radio and FOX news host, #1 New York Times bestselling author



"Celebrates the incredible joys of the human experience."
– Kevin Milne, author of The Nine Lessons



"Fans of author Jason F. Wright's previous inspirational novels…will delight in this uplifting tale."
– Birmingham Magazine



"Jason Wright's storytelling captures the reader's heart and draws them along on the journey to find forgiveness, acceptance and peace through this loving tale."
– Wichita Falls Times Record News



"The Cross Gardener is a quiet book with a quiet message of hope…Wright is to be commended for his passion and commitment to his subject."
– Deseret News



"Plenty of uplift and tradition-affirming sentiment."
– Publishers Weekly

About the Author

Jason F. Wright is the national bestselling author of Christmas Jars. He’s also a consultant whose editorial articles on politics, pop culture, and public policy have appeared in newspapers and magazines nationwide. He serves as founder and managing editor of the widely read political destination, PoliticalDerby.com.

Jason fell in love with Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley while researching the area for The Wednesday Letters, and with the enthusiastic blessing of his wife, Kodi, he recently relocated with her and their four children to the historic town of Woodstock. A sign on their door says, “Friends welcome. Family by appointment only.”

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Berkley Trade; 1 edition (September 28, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 042523794X
• ISBN-13: 978-0425237946
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 5.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (72 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #674,688 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Jason Wright is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USAToday bestselling author.

He is the author of The James Miracle (2004); Christmas Jars (2005); The Wednesday Letters (2007); Recovering Charles (2008), Christmas Jars Reunion (2009); Penny's Christmas Jar Miracle (2009); The Cross Gardener (2010); The Seventeen Second Miracle (2010); The Wedding Letters (2011); and The 13th Day of Christmas (2012).

Articles by Jason have appeared in over 50 newspapers and magazines across the United States including The Washington Times, The Chicago Tribune, and Forbes. He has been seen on FoxNews, CNN, CSPAN and on many local and national radio shows.

Jason is also a popular speaker who speaks to over 100,000 annually on topics ranging from the value of service, the joy of failure, the lost art of letter writing and many other topics.

He lives with his wife, Kodi, and their four children in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 23 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Gooey, syrupy in excess January 5, 2011

By Dawn Kessinger VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback|Amazon Vine™ Review (What's this?)

I feel like a jerk saying that I didn't much like this book, but I have to be honest. I have read The Wednesday Letters and Christmas Jars by Wright and enjoyed them very much, so I was excited to get Seventeen Second Miracle. I was certain I was going to love it. I was shocked when I didn't - I had to force myself to finish it.

It's not that the story itself or the idea of the seventeen second miracle is bad - I think reminding people to notice others' needs and offer help and kindnesses in all kinds of circumstances is great. But I was turned off by a couple of things: Gooey, syrupy in excess ... a little goes a long way, and I found main character, the "hero" and founder of it all, to be unbelievably perfect (I'm talking about after he discovers the seventeen-second miracle - it seems he started out as a pretty normal, likable teenager, and after an accident when he finds his footing again, he transforms somehow into this angelic model to all humanity). It annoyed me - a miracle or doing nothing but good every single day, sometimes at the expense of his family. I get it - I should give more and take less. But sometimes, people get grumpy. They argue. Sometimes, it's understandable that a kid will be disappointed because his dad pushes his son's plans to the bottom of the pile because there was someone else in need. There was always someone in need, and the wise sayings and advice never stopped flowing from the always kind, always patient dad who just couldn't understand why a 6th-grader might be upset that Dad couldn't find a way to compromise and help someone while also doing something nice for his son. The way the dad turned everything into a lesson was tiring, too - I felt preached at and hit over the head with the idea of turning everything into a miracle.

I did like the three students chosen to take the discussions - Miles, Kendra (and her dad the coach) and especially Travis are more believable with doubts, problems and pain that felt more like real life. They all learned something, and not everything they learned was positive. The ongoing story of the saccharine, "perfect" hero diminished even the good parts of the story for me. But I can still appreciate and agree with the general idea of watching for opportunities to both give and receive (and appreciate) miracles.

24 of 27 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars ABOUT ORDINARY PEOPLE IN BELIEVABLE SITUATIONS--BELIEVABLE MIRACLES September 28, 2010

By Harold Wolf TOP 50 REVIEWER

Format:Paperback

A novel that keeps you reading. "The Seventeen Second Miracle" is a story about normal people who face bumps, big bumps, in the road, and yet carry on. Wright has his own way of taking characters, not much different than you and I, and making their life worth reading about and learning from. He leaves the reader with a message, an opportunity for a life change, and a life-style improvement. This is not FLUFF.

There is some suspense, but it's not about that, it's about finding heart in living when sometimes life throws us curves. But are normal lives capable of producing miracles? In this story of Cole Conner, a man who has decided to continue a project started by his father, the miracle is found in 17 seconds. Dad Conner was involved in a tragic moment as a youth. He found a way to turn that horror into a positive. Who among us can't use that? But is it realistic? Jason F. Wright makes it believable. He makes miracles happen in a way that become 21st century comprehendible. His characters are real; I can see each of them in people touching my own life. That makes the book meaningful. It's not just a heartwarming story; it's a lesson quite achievable.

Author Wright so subtly creates several characters' descriptions which include outwardly almost hidden signs of continual grappling with grief. Prolonged grief for the loss of a relationship is typically inward, and in this book so realistically portrayed, that readers who have not yet experienced grief of death, separation, or other forms of relationship grief may miss it altogether. Just like in real life. Extended grief festers. This writer indirectly describes it so well, perhaps only those who have thus suffered, and trained professionals, will fully recognize the brilliance in the writing.

This is a story of families, of tragedies, of relationships, of love--with a bit of humor, suspense, drama, and emotion that flows from the pages to touch the reader as surely as the events touched the book characters. It's what I've come to expect from this author, a solid story, but with an ending that will get the reader thinking about changes to adapt to their own way of living.

Cole sets out to find the secret needs of three teenage youth, and like the similar Discussion groups in the past, finds the participants with their own way of leading. Is it about faith? Not religion but faith in mankind. About values? You bet, and written in a way anyone from middle school to adult can absorb. As a side benefit, it's a good book for married couples. As relevant to married couples as "Love Dare."

So what is "The Seventeen Second Miracle?" To spell it all out would take too long and ruin some of the suspense and magic. It would spoil the reading quest. It would destroy the 17 second miracle you will find in reading this book. I am past 60, and if I live long enough, I'll enjoy this book for the next 17 years, 17 seconds at a time. Read it--then you'll understand. And then buy one for a friend--a 17 second miracle.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars You'll NEVER be the same!! December 9, 2010

By Chris R. Lubitz

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I thought Christmas Jars was AMAZING but The Seventeen Second Miracle will change your life!! I've always been an encourager and one that is aware of the power of words but never have had the evidence of that portrayed in such an wonderfully written way. From THE MOMENT I finished the book, I was even more aware of the moments of my life and how I wanted to make them count. From applauding a group of soldiers & thanking them as they boarded a plane to handing a cup of coffee to a Salvation Army bell ringer on a freezing cold day my eyes have been opened to the people around me in ways I've not noticed before. What a wonderful gift Jason Wright has given us all this holiday season......the gift of time and how easy it is to make a difference in a life. It won't take you long to read this book because it draws you in quickly but it WILL change your life!! I HIGHLY recommend it & encourage you to give it to everyone you know this holiday season!! It's a WINNER!!