One Perfect Day

By Lauraine Snelling

Book Overview

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.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0446582107
• ISBN13: 9780446582100
• Release Date: October 2008
• Publisher: Faithwords
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 0.64 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.3" x 7.9"

Customer Reviews

perfect

Wonderful novel, be prepared to cry. It is very well written. It makes you really see the feelings of both sides of the coin with organ donation.

Very good

Very good book. Kept me anxious to find out what would happen next. A good read and hard to put down until the end.

All about living life to the fullest

Two women. Two dreams. Both lives abruptly change course, all in one day due to circumstances beyond their control. Lauraine Snelling creates the story of two families preparing for Christmas. Nora and Gordon are proud parents of twins, Charlie and Christi. This will be their final Christmas together at home before the twins go to college-and Nora wants it to be "One Perfect Day." She's baked, shopped and decorated. Now she awaits her husband's return from a business trip. It's uncharacteristic for him not to call and let her know if his flight is delayed. Finally the phone rings and changes Nora's life. Elsewhere Jenna works long hours in the hospital emergency room. She is a single parent of 20-year-old Heather whose life is on hold. Heather's name is on the heart transplant list and wait for "One Perfect Day." Jenna cannot focus on decorating, baking and shopping. Her days run together as she helps Heather cling to life. Nora hides her pain in the darkness of sleep. Her pain, desperation and hopelessness are palpable. How can she go on? Can she escape the gloominess? Jenna's fatigue wears on her like a pair of concrete boots. How will her daughter's struggle end? Is there anything she can do? Two families. Two outcomes. One Perfect Day is inspiring and insightful. Snelling intertwines two very different stories with the finesse and expertise of a skilled surgeon. Don't take tomorrow or even today for granted. Hug the ones you love. Appreciate life. Don't wait to make important decisions. Today is "One Perfect Day." Live it to the fullest. Armchair Interviews agrees with that message.

The Perfect Christmas Gift for Readers

One Perfect Day is a gripping tale of hope and loss, of sorrow and joy. Most of all it celebrates the gift of love as one family struggles to accept their son's death and allow his organs to give the gift of life to someone else. Snelling's masterfully portrays both sides of the emotion fraught organ donor program. I was not ready for the book to end when I turned the last page. These characters had become friends and I didn't want the friendship to end. One Perfect Day is the perfect Christmas present for any reader on your list. I give it my highest recommendation; any book that leaves me wanting more is a five-star read.

Review

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.