Jan Hemby – författare

Julia Burch is a typical fifty-year-old tired of her typical life. But that changes when she answers a mysterious phone call that takes her back thirty years. A series of inexplicable events leaves Julia searching for answers—and forces her to face the source of her unhappiness. But this is only the beginning; there are others who desperately need the vibrant faith and message of love Julia has rediscovered. Prisoners of the past, they have lost hope for anything better and, for some, time is running out. What follows is a journey that crosses social status, racial lines, and even time itself to unite a group of people called to an adventure that will surpass anything they could have imagined.

It's been three years since Julia Burch received a mysterious phone call that led to the rescue of her childhood friend, Margaret Gates, from the brink of suicide. But not everyone is happy with Margaret's survival or her newfound success and happiness. Someone has been waiting for the perfect time to exact their revenge, and that time has finally come. In order to catch the perpetrator, Julia and Margaret must make it appear as if the sinister plan is succeeding. But how far do they let it go? As Margaret becomes entangled in a web of lies, greed, and family secrets, will she be able to hold on to her faith and trust that something good could come from the chaos? In this suspense-filled sequel to The Gates Manor Band, no one—and nothing—is as it seems.

Many of us spend a lot of time and energy trying to live our lives as problem-free and as close to perfect as possible. The reality is that nothing in this life is ever going to be perfect—least of all, us. Our stomachs will growl during silent prayer at church, our kids will act out when the new neighbors come over for dinner, and we will inevitably spill the milk.This book depicts real-life—and often humorous—stories that demonstrate how God can meet us in our imperfect moments in order to teach us, guide us, and help us grow in our relationship with Him. These stories are intended to show how we can apply biblical truths to our everyday lives…even when the situation requires a mop.

When a demolition crew stumbles upon suspicious items in Margaret Gates's abandoned apartment, the police come to her, seeking answers. Margaret fears that her tempestuous past is resurfacing, but to her surprise, the items don't belong to her. The question remains: Whose are they? Could the answer be connected to the vivid dreams she's been having? Desperate for answers, Margaret turns to her lifelong friend, Julia Burch, who has her own mystery to unravel. Julia's discovery of her parents' old answering machine in storage leads her down a path of secrets and questions. What happens next reveals that the past isn't finished with either of them . . . yet.In this suspenseful conclusion to the Gates Manor Series, the past and the present collide as Julia and Margaret realize the answers they seek are hidden in plain sight and need to be uncovered sooner rather than later.Except for one, that is. Some secrets—and keepsakes—should remain under lock and key forever.