One Step from Grace

By Barbara J. Petee

"When a love is as strong as the two of you profess to share, the rest usually falls into place." That's what psychiatrist Neal Wallace tells his patient, David Durling, during their first official... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1588202755
• ISBN13: 9781588202758
• Release Date: November 2000
• Publisher: 1st Book Library
• Length: 516 Pages
• Weight: 1.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Outstanding! Wonderful story!

Kudos to Barbara Petee! She has captured the laughter and tears, the joys and pains of being a family. This is a wonderful, feel-good novel [but keep your tissues close at hand!]. From the first page, I could not put the book down. The characters unfolded to be real people in my world. Their strengths and weakness, make them both believable and yet remarkable. Ms. Petee's background in the medical field provided true-to-life descriptions as needed, and lent a sense of authenticity and realism that steered clear of syrupy pathos. I can't wait for her next book to see what happens to my new-found friends!

A Great Read

Wonderful story! I couldn't put it down. The characters are so real that I feel I walked with them through each and every experience and circumstance. The way Ms. Petee has crafted each character made me feel that I wanted to be, and at times I was, a member of the family. Here is a family who teaches and shows what it means to love and be loved. A modern day "Walton's." I loved every minute I shared with the family. The book jacket said Ms. Petee has a sequel. I eagerly await to hear more of the Durling family.

One Step From Grace

One Step From Grace is a heart rending story of individual survivors who share the intimate committment of being a family. Ms. Petee has created a powerful novel that captures the heart and mind of the reader as one vicariously joins in the complexities of a family's journey. The members of this family are each both the victim and the survivor as they share their journey. There are wonderful spiritual analogies that touch one's soul as Ms Petee guides us through the strength and joy found in the triumphs over adversity both minor and profound. This is a story filled with the complexities of life and human relationships told in an incredibly respectful and humane manner that leaves one filled with a renewed sense of courage and joy.

Heartwrenching. Heartwarming. An honest family love story.

Disabilities come in all forms and those we can't see often prove to be the most halting. Afterall, who do you blame when there is no one to blame? And how do you move forward when you can't take a step? These are just a few of the questions that David and Karen Durling must ask themselves as they begin to piece together their once-perfect life. After a injury that resulted from a simple mistep, David is left permanently disabled and must find the courage to move forward in life. And Karen, determined to shepherd him back to the world that was once so easy for him, believes that the family's collective determination will help them all through this dark night. Until -- Karen is faced with her own halting disability that she has ket silent inside of her for so long. In the end it is she who must match her husband's strength and learn how to bury the past -- because no matter what, life goes on. The imagery and tone of this novel will leave you breathless and wanting more. And you'll be astounded at the thoughtful and emotional way in which Petee can make the most simple of circumstances turn to the most beautiful of realities. Happily more of the Durling Family is on the way. Petee's book jacket announces the sequel to GRACE, titled, My Father's House -- and I'll be waiting and wondering how all the Durlings are doing until then.

A Very Personal Story With Universal Themes !

Everyone wants to live in that safe place called home. But what happens when home itself becomes alien territory, and you have to learn all over again how to live your life in your own place, in your own space, with the people who love you the most? These are just a few of the questions and dilemmas facing Karen and David Durling, when one small step in the wrong direction throws their lives into turmoil and leads both Karen and David to a near fall from grace. What begins as a favor to a neighbor leads David Durling into an irreversible medical catastrophe, and the once strong and active father of Jeff, and loving husband of Karen, find himself facing a life GREATLY altered from the one he and his family had planned. ONE STEP FROM GRACE is a very emotional story about real people trying to overcome seemingly impossible tragedy in order to find a way to rebuild their lives, and the lives of those around them, in a very real and faith affirming way. The author writes with equal authority about the medical predicaments facing the family as well as the confusions of the heart that each and every member of the close knit family must eventually deal with . Fear, anger, denial, acceptance and finally hope, are all emotions experienced by the family through their darkest moments and onward, back into the light. The author promises a sequel for the Durling family and I will be anxious to read where their lives take them from here !