Somewhere Between Heaven and Earth

Book excerpt: Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. In the middle of a treacherous storm, David Preston, determined on arriving home in time to witness the birth of his seventh child, rescues a young woman, Jessie, who is injured on the side of the road. Being a good Samaritan, he takes her home with him. He, being the seventh son of a seventh son, in his family line, he expected another son. However, to his familys surprise and delight, this birth delivered a set of twins, a boy and a girl. The boy is named Jonathon Baron, Biblical for the dove or peacemaker, and the girl is named Amanda Caron, Biblical for worthy of love and both prove to be gifts of God. The sons of the Preston clan each play a significant character role in their relationship to Jessie and the twins. The six older brothers are, oldest to youngest, Jarred (the healer), Adam (the teacher), Brendan (the strength), Damon (the protector), Hank (the challenged), and Jason (the wild spirit). The young woman is taken into the bosom of his family due to her injuries and apparent amnesia at the time of her rescue. As they get to know her, she becomes familiar. First, she assists Sarah with the care of the infants; however, her frustration of her amnesia sends her to another reality where her purpose becomes clear. She guides the twins on their spiritual journey from the baptism in the waters, through life choices of good versus evil, and the ultimate heart-wrenching pain of love and loss and obedience to God. In this novel, God is represented as a great white lion, magnificent and glorified, adorned in a beautiful, pure white light. In this first book, he is portrayed from a childs innocent viewpoint where God is a loving father and nurturer. Bo Donovan, the antagonist, is portrayed as Lucifer being cast out from heaven in a hail of meteors. This once innocent town is now plagued by this wealthy socialite. His family left this town centuries before, but with the twins, chosen by God, Mr. Donovan must return to even his playing field. He attempts to alter the Preston familys reputation and have the twins falter down from a good path to evil, sin. Jessie sees him for who he really is and tries desperately to open the eyes of the Prestons, but his charm and charisma makes her seem like its a personal attack on him. The town church leader, Pastor John, holds the secret, which only he and Jessie know, about the origins of the town and its inhabitants, which neither must reveal at this time. Bo Donovan has two daughters and a granddaughter living with him. Mary is attracted to Damon and pursues him. Damon has fallen in love with Jessie, but this forbidden love must not be, and Jessie must turn down his advances. His love for her is too strong and although she loves him like a brother, she is not in love with him. This gives Bo an opportunity to further compromise Jessie and her relationship with the Prestons. Bo also has a nephew, DJ Kildaine, who works on the Preston Ranch at Roseland Manor. He becomes an informant to him regarding the events at the ranch. Although somewhat of a chauvinist at times, he is basically harmless and a bit dimwitted until Bo asks him to perform the ultimate act of murder. Will he do it? Or will he take on the wrath of Bo Donovan? The plot thickens until the final climatic decisionthe decision that only Jessie can make. But will she be able to live with herself? And will the familys love for her turn to hate? In the end, someone will die. The true identity of Jessie will be revealed as the twins grow from babies to children on their way to young adulthood.