When I wrote Home Away from Home, I knew it would be a story of hope. Marigold has the unimaginable happen in her life. At fourteen, her mom died and her dad disappeared. For forty years, she’s clung to the hope she would find her dad and he’d remember her.
Johnny moved to Abbott Island ten years ago and has been estranged from his daughter ever since. His hope is grounded in reconnecting with her and rediscovering the relationship they shared when she was young.
As these two fifty-something people search for answers, they find they need each other, but Marigold hesitates to commit to this man who loves her.
When I finished the edits on Home Away from Home, the true meaning of the story hit me. It’s all about relationship. Whether it’s two people discovering love, families searching for each other, or friends supporting friends, the story circles around the hope and faith the characters have in each other and in God. Marigold’s search for her dad, reminded me of a soul searching for the Father. Sometimes the journey takes many years, while other times He grabs our attention in a moment’s time.
In a world of negativity, darkness, and evil, our only hope is in Jesus. As Marigold and Johnny traverse a trail of doubt and fear, they follow a constant light of hope.
My philosophy for writing stems from finding God’s beauty in everyday life, be it through nature, books, a lovely teacup, or a tattered Bible. So often we’re bogged down with the sadness and tragedy we experience or hear on the news. To combat the sorrow, God has called me to bring hope and joy to people’s lives through the positive relationship I have with Jesus. He has so much to offer to the hurting world and if my writing brings healing and hope through Christ, I’ve done a good work.
As I pen novels of faith and inspiration, I pray the stories touch lives in a positive way and speak the truth of God.
Home Away from Home (Abbott Island series book #2)
When Marigold Hayes turned fourteen, her mother died, and her father went missing. For forty years, she has searched for her dad and lived a quiet life on Abbott Island, until she met Johnny. As her love for Johnny grows, her sorrow from the relentless search for her father breaks her heart. She begs God to help her move forward with her life before she has no love left to give. Then three mysterious strangers show up who could change her life.
Johnny Papadakis moved to Abbott Island ten years ago. His ex-wife had pushed him away and discouraged him from having a relationship with their daughter. After years of hard work, his restaurant flourishes, so does his relationship with Marigold. As he seeks Marigold’s hand in marriage, his daughter shows up on his doorstep, looking for a place to call home.
Can Marigold and Johnny settle the past and move toward the promise of a blessed future?
Purchase at Amazon or Mt Zion Ridge Press
Penny Frost McGinnis, author of Home Where She Belongs and Home Away from Home, books #1 and #2 of the Abbott Island series, would live in a lighthouse or on an island if she could. Instead, she and her husband are content to live in southwest Ohio and visit Lake Erie every chance they get. She adores her family and dog, indulges in dark chocolate, enjoys fiber arts, and baseball. She pens romance with a dash of mystery and the promise of hope. Her life’s goal is to encourage and uplift through her writing. Visit her blog at Hope for Today’s Heart, where she brings God’s hope to people’s lives through the written word.
Connect with Penny:
Penny I think you are a great writer and inspiration to newish writers like me at 86 years young. Like you I love the Lord and proclaim him and the cross especially at this time and of course the glorious resurrection. “Oh what a morning” I would love further encourage from you as I write my life story titled Good Morning Lord. From knowing about God to knowing God. jimallis65@yahoo.co.uk Thanks and God bless you mightily.
Jim