Crossing Oceans by Gina Holmes

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Crossing Oceans
Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (May 1, 2010)
by
Gina Holmes

Jenny Lucas swore she’d never go home again. But being told you’re dying has a way of changing things. Years after she left, she and her five-year-old daughter, Isabella, must return to her sleepy North Carolina town to face the ghosts she left behind. They welcome her in the form of her oxygen tank–toting grandmother, her stoic and distant father, and David, Isabella’s dad . . . who doesn’t yet know he has a daughter. As Jenny navigates the rough and unknown waters of her new reality, the unforgettable story that unfolds is a testament to the power of love and its ability to change everything—to heal old hurts, bring new beginnings . . . even overcome the impossible. A stunning debut about love and loss from a talented new voice.
If you would like to read the first chapter of Crossing Oceans, go HERE.

Gina Holmes began her career in 1998, penning articles and short stories. In 2005 she founded the influential literary blog, Novel Journey. She holds degrees in science and nursing and currently resides with her husband and children in southern Virginia. To learn more about her, visit May 2010's issue of CFOM at Interview with Gina Holmes or Novel Journey.

Roxie’s Review . . . If this is Gina Holmes’ first published novel, I anxiously await her second, and third.

I could not put this book down. I kept thinking that Jenny’s cancer diagnosis was a mistake and that all would come out well in the end. It did – but not as I’d expected.

I don’t remember actually crying as I read a book before – I’d cried over movies, but not a book. Well, I found myself sobbing out loud more than once as I read Crossing Oceans.

How sad it was – but how heartwarming. Love triumphed – love of family, friends, love of and for God.

I strongly recommend it!

Heidi Says . . . My mom told me that I better not read this book just yet – she knows I’m still dealing with the recent passing of my best friend. I had all intentions of taking her advice, but had a lull in my review book pile and decided to pick this one up.  I must echo my mom’s thoughts above – Wow!  Crossing Oceans absolutely does not read like a first novel!

Gina Holmes is an author to rival another favorite of mine – Nicholas Sparks. The similarity is that death is inevitable – it’s part of life. The difference is that Ms. Holmes adds the element of Christianity to her story, making it much more appealing to me. When you add God to the equation, death isn’t so scary or final – it’s not the end, but the beginning.

I’ll admit, I cried too – several  times. But sometimes crying is a good thing! I’ll definitely recommend Crossing Oceans and will be looking for more books from Gina Holmes.