The Way It Should Be - by Christina Suzann Nelson (Paperback)

About the Book

Zara Mahoney was enjoying newlywed bliss until her estranged sister, Eve, upends her plans, moving Zara to take custody of her children. Eve's struggles lead her to Tiff Bradley, who's determined to help despite the past hurts the relationship triggers. Can these women find the hope they--and those they love--desperately need?

Book Synopsis

After years of estrangement, the lives of Zara Mahoney and her twin sister, Eve, are suddenly and completely intertwined again. Eve's troubled lifestyle causes the state to take custody of her two children and contact Zara and her husband, asking them to consider foster care. Newlywed Zara thought she'd finally been given a fresh start and feels wholly unprepared to care for a niece and nephew whose existence she wasn't even aware of.

Meanwhile, Eve may have a real chance to start over this time with the help of Tiff Bradley, who's dedicated to helping women everyone else has given up on after facing a heartbreaking tragedy in her own family.

Over the course of one summer, all three women's hearts and lives hang in the balance as Eve desperately works toward a new life. Can they redefine their expectations of how life should be to find the hope they--and those they love--so desperately need?

From the Back Cover

After years of estrangement, the lives of Zara Mahoney and her twin sister, Eve, are suddenly intertwined again. When Eve's troubled lifestyle causes the state to contact Zara about taking custody of Eve's two children, Zara feels wholly unprepared. Besides never knowing she was an aunt, her new house, new husband, and plans for the future were meant to give her a fresh start.

Meanwhile, Eve may have a real chance at a new beginning with the help of Tiff Bradley, who, after facing a heartbreaking tragedy in her own family, is dedicated to helping women everyone else has given up on.

Over the course of one summer, all three women's hearts and lives hang in the balance as Eve desperately works toward a new life. Can they redefine their expectations of how life should be to find the hope they--and those they love--so desperately need?

Praise for More Than We Remember

"An excellent tale of how community and faith help people through difficult times."--Publishers Weekly starred review

"Readers who are looking for faith-based women's fiction will be quickly drawn into this powerful novel that is, in turns, both heartbreaking and uplifting."--Booklist starred review

"The plot realistically portrays some of life's burdens by dealing with hard subjects like dementia, substance abuse, and death. In the end, though, the heavy drama gives way to a sliver of hope."--World Magazine

"Nelson dives into the emotional and physical toll drugs and violence take on the victims and the survivors. Through Zara, Eve, and Tiff, readers are drawn into complicated family dynamics as the characters are forced to confront questions with no easy answers. Recommended for libraries where Karen Kingsbury and Robin Lee Hatcher are popular."--Library Journal

About the Author

CBA bestselling author Christina Suzann Nelson writes stories that focus on changing legacies from dysfunction to hope. Her novel More Than We Remember received starred reviews from both Publishers Weekly and Booklist, and her debut novel was named a Library Journal Best Book of 2017 and a Foreword INDIES 2017 Book of the Year. Christina is a member of Oregon Christian Writers and ACFW, where she has served as the northwest zone director. She lives in Oregon's gorgeous Willamette Valley with her husband of 26 years and their children. Find her online at www.christinasuzannnelson.com.