A Borrowed Life
A Novel
Published on 22. September 2020
Book
Paperback/Softback
320 pages
978-1-5420-1948-4 (ISBN)
Description
From the Amazon Charts bestselling author of Whisper Me This comes an emotional and sharply witty novel about how life's unexpected detours can ultimately bring you home.
For thirty years Liz has perfectly played the part of Mrs. Thomas Lightsey, exemplary pastor's wife and mother. But maintaining appearances for the congregation and catering to her demanding husband takes a toll, and she's lost herself in meeting the expectations of others. When Thomas suddenly dies, Liz feels shock, grief, and, to her surprise, the siren song of freedom. Dare she dream of a life to call her own?
Despite the resistance of her daughter, Abigail, to even the smallest changes, Liz lands a role at the community theater. Inspired by new friends and the character she plays, she explores life's possibilities, including an unexpected-and steamy-relationship with her leading man.
Just when Liz thinks she might be winning, life hits her with an unthinkable shock. She's pregnant at forty-nine. Torn between conflicting loyalties to her daughter, her lover, her unborn baby, and herself, can Liz find a way to rebuild her dream life one more time?
For thirty years Liz has perfectly played the part of Mrs. Thomas Lightsey, exemplary pastor's wife and mother. But maintaining appearances for the congregation and catering to her demanding husband takes a toll, and she's lost herself in meeting the expectations of others. When Thomas suddenly dies, Liz feels shock, grief, and, to her surprise, the siren song of freedom. Dare she dream of a life to call her own?
Despite the resistance of her daughter, Abigail, to even the smallest changes, Liz lands a role at the community theater. Inspired by new friends and the character she plays, she explores life's possibilities, including an unexpected-and steamy-relationship with her leading man.
Just when Liz thinks she might be winning, life hits her with an unthinkable shock. She's pregnant at forty-nine. Torn between conflicting loyalties to her daughter, her lover, her unborn baby, and herself, can Liz find a way to rebuild her dream life one more time?
Reviews / Votes
"King's fans will love this tale of rejuvenation." -Publishers Weekly"In this vivid and triumphant tale, a woman loses her controlling husband and discovers she's been tightly contained in a cocoon for decades. Learning who she is, one step at a time like an unsteady toddler, means challenging everything and every relationship in her life-and grappling with surprises that will turn her world upside down. Is she Elizabeth, the tight-laced pastor's wife, or Liz, the thespian who has a point of view all her own? Earthy, unpredictable, and wildly enjoyable." -Barbara O'Neal, Wall Street Journal and Washington Post bestselling author of When We Believed in Mermaids
"Watching Liz Lightsey come back to life after years of letting her identity slide away is a treat. A Borrowed Life shows Kerry Anne King at her empathetic best, writing a tale of passion, meaning, and growth at any age, and leaving this reader touched and delighted!" -Kelly Harms, Washington Post bestselling author of The Bright Side of Going Dark
"Written by Kerry Anne King with humor and heart, A Borrowed Life is the story of Liz, a woman who finds herself at a midlife crossroads and bravely decides to reinvent her life by taking a giant leap outside her comfort zone. At times hilarious and cringe inducing, heartbreakingly sad and bursting with joy, Liz's unpredictable journey will have you gasping at every turn. I loved this book!" -Loretta Nyhan, bestselling author of Digging In
"Kerry Anne King's A Borrowed Life is both beautifully written and unflinchingly honest. A cautionary tale about the insidious ways we allow others to keep us small, it's also a lesson on the enormous power of love and friendship, and how the people in our lives can lend us strength as we grow, cheering us on to be our best lives and who we are truly meant to be. This story with its wonderful cast of characters is one that will grab you by the heart and refuse to let go." -Barbara Davis, bestselling author of When Never Comes
"Life has a way of coming up with surprises, even for people who know themselves to be settled. In Kerry Anne King's latest wonderful novel, Elizabeth is a mother and dutiful pastor's wife, serving the needs of her family and the church. But when Thomas suddenly dies, Elizabeth embarks on a journey of self-discovery that awakens her to life's joys and losses, risks and magic. With A Borrowed Life, King has written a heartrending, page-turning novel that zips along with twists and turns, humor and poignancy, and will have you cheering (and gasping) as Elizabeth-now-Liz rediscovers the meaning of freedom and creativity and love." -Maddie Dawson, bestselling author of Matchmaking for Beginners
"In A Borrowed Life Kerry Anne King cleverly delves into a forty-nine-year-old woman's unexpected coming of age. Newly widowed, after a twenty-six-year marriage to a man who controlled her thoughts and actions, Elizabeth becomes Liz and takes complete charge of her life, exploring her world as never before. Making decisions that bring her happiness, often at the temporary expense of her inflexible adult daughter, Liz discovers life is not linear as she contends with unexpected roadblocks. King's storytelling gifts have us completely engaged until the last page is turned." -Patricia Sands, author of the bestselling Love in Provence series
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Seattle
United States
Publishing group
Amazon Publishing
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Dimensions
Height: 210 mm
Width: 140 mm
Thickness: 22 mm
Weight
318 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-5420-1948-4 (9781542019484)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Kerry Anne King is the Washington Post and Amazon Charts bestselling author of Closer Home, I Wish You Happy, Whisper Me This, and Everything You Are. Licensed as both an RN and a mental-health counselor, she draws on her experience working in the medical and mental-health fields to explore themes of loss, grief, and transformation-but always with a dose of hope and humor. Kerry lives in a little house in the big woods of the Inland Northwest with her Viking, three cats, a dog, and a yard full of wild turkeys and deer. She also writes fantasy and mystery novels as Kerry Schafer. Visit Kerry at www.kerryanneking.com.