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If Tomorrow Never Comes
Childhood sweethearts Kinna and Jimmy Henley had simple dreams–marriage, children, a house by the sea…everything they needed for happily ever after. What they didn’t plan on was years of infertility, stealing those dreams, crushing their hopes.
Now, all that’s left is the memory of young love, and the desperate need for a child to erase the pain. Until…
Kinna rescues an elderly woman from the sea, and the threads of the past, present, and future weave together to reveal the wonder of one final hope. One final chance to follow not their dreams, but God’s plan.
Can they embrace the redemptive power of love before it’s too late? Or will their love be washed away like the castles they once built upon the sand? The past whispers to the present. And the future shivers. What if tomorrow never comes?
Now, all that’s left is the memory of young love, and the desperate need for a child to erase the pain. Until…
Kinna rescues an elderly woman from the sea, and the threads of the past, present, and future weave together to reveal the wonder of one final hope. One final chance to follow not their dreams, but God’s plan.
Can they embrace the redemptive power of love before it’s too late? Or will their love be washed away like the castles they once built upon the sand? The past whispers to the present. And the future shivers. What if tomorrow never comes?
352 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
6 people are currently reading
97 people want to read
About the author
Marlo Schalesky
20 books73 followersMarlo Schalesky is the founder and president of Wonder Wood Ranch, a California charitable organization that brings hope through horses to at-risk, gang-impacted, homeless, and other disadvantaged kids in Monterey County. She is also the award winning author of twelve books, including her latest nonfiction, WOMEN OF THE BIBLE SPEAK OUT, Stories of Betrayal, Abuse, Healing & Hope (2020), as well as Reaching for Wonder, Encountering Christ When Life Hurts, Waiting for Wonder, Learning to Live on God’s Timeline, Wrestling with Wonder, a Transformational Journey through the Life of Mary, and Empty Womb, Aching Heart, Hope and Help for those Struggling with Infertility. Her fiction includes RITA finalist Shades of Morning, the Christy Award winning Beyond the Night, and ACFW Book of the Year winner Veil of Fire.
She’s had over 1,000 articles published in various Christian magazines, including Focus on the Family, Today’s Christian Woman, Decision, Moody Magazine, and Discipleship Journal. She has contributed to Dr. Dobson’s Night Light Devotional for Couples, Tyndale’s Book of Devotions for Kids #3, and Discipleship Journal’s 101 Small Group Ideas.
She is a speaker, with appearances on Focus on the Family, Moody Midday, 100 Huntley Street, The Harvest Show, and hundreds of others. She is also a regular columnist for Power for Living.
Marlo is also a California native, a graduate of Stanford University (with a B.S. in Chemistry!). In addition, she has earned her Masters in Theology, with an emphasis in Biblical Studies, from Fuller Theological Seminary.
After twenty years on the infertility journey, and numerous miscarriages, Marlo now lives with her husband, six children, and fifty-some critters in a log home in Central California.
When she’s not cleaning up after critters of all kinds, doing laundry, or writing books, Marlo loves white mochas, reading the New Testament in Greek, and speaking to groups about finding the wonder of God in everyday life.
She’s had over 1,000 articles published in various Christian magazines, including Focus on the Family, Today’s Christian Woman, Decision, Moody Magazine, and Discipleship Journal. She has contributed to Dr. Dobson’s Night Light Devotional for Couples, Tyndale’s Book of Devotions for Kids #3, and Discipleship Journal’s 101 Small Group Ideas.
She is a speaker, with appearances on Focus on the Family, Moody Midday, 100 Huntley Street, The Harvest Show, and hundreds of others. She is also a regular columnist for Power for Living.
Marlo is also a California native, a graduate of Stanford University (with a B.S. in Chemistry!). In addition, she has earned her Masters in Theology, with an emphasis in Biblical Studies, from Fuller Theological Seminary.
After twenty years on the infertility journey, and numerous miscarriages, Marlo now lives with her husband, six children, and fifty-some critters in a log home in Central California.
When she’s not cleaning up after critters of all kinds, doing laundry, or writing books, Marlo loves white mochas, reading the New Testament in Greek, and speaking to groups about finding the wonder of God in everyday life.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
June 19, 2019
Could have been so much better if I had not seen the ending coming from a mile away. Ok book overall.
July 9, 2015
This was one unforgettable book filled with so many of God's truths brought to life. You can sense this story was birthed from the depths of the author's heart and pain. She too struggled with what Kinna and Jimmy Henley agonized over. One lesson learned by all, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways" (Isaiah 55:8)
Marlo's characters ask the tough questions, "If God asked you to give up your dreams for Him, would you? What are you willing to give up, suffer or sacrifice to do God's will? Are you willing to follow His plan for your life and not your own?" These are just some of the great questions that Marlo brings up in this powerful, moving, and gut-wrenchingly honest story of two people chasing their dreams not thinking of what it cost in the end. These are people looking for that "happily ever after" here on earth, that God never promised us.
Which brings up another question, "Can we be happy in this life?" Answer, yes, if we CHOSE TO BE!! We always have a choice. It's a choice of OUR will every time!
"Love wasn't just a feeling. It wasn't a kiss on a doorstep or a dance under the streetlights. It was a life lived together, facing the good and the bad. It was laying down your life for another. It was sacrifice. It was taking a risk. It meant doing right even when it was hard."
Marlo has walked in the shoes of her characters. She tells it like it is and doesn't hold back sharing the pain or the joys discovered in life's journey. Marlo reveals scripture in a unique way and exposes a few lies her characters believe as well. Scripture says the truth will set you "free." The author has her main characters struggle to do the right thing against some incredible odds. You will definitely want to read this story. It's one you will find yourself thinking about and later returning to it to review treasures found. Wow! You will just have to experience it for yourself. I highly recommend it!
Disclosure of Material Connection:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”
Nora St.Laurent
The Book Club Network www.bookfun.org
The Book Club Network blog www.psalm516.blogspot.com
Book Fun Magazine www.bookfunmagazine.com
Marlo's characters ask the tough questions, "If God asked you to give up your dreams for Him, would you? What are you willing to give up, suffer or sacrifice to do God's will? Are you willing to follow His plan for your life and not your own?" These are just some of the great questions that Marlo brings up in this powerful, moving, and gut-wrenchingly honest story of two people chasing their dreams not thinking of what it cost in the end. These are people looking for that "happily ever after" here on earth, that God never promised us.
Which brings up another question, "Can we be happy in this life?" Answer, yes, if we CHOSE TO BE!! We always have a choice. It's a choice of OUR will every time!
"Love wasn't just a feeling. It wasn't a kiss on a doorstep or a dance under the streetlights. It was a life lived together, facing the good and the bad. It was laying down your life for another. It was sacrifice. It was taking a risk. It meant doing right even when it was hard."
Marlo has walked in the shoes of her characters. She tells it like it is and doesn't hold back sharing the pain or the joys discovered in life's journey. Marlo reveals scripture in a unique way and exposes a few lies her characters believe as well. Scripture says the truth will set you "free." The author has her main characters struggle to do the right thing against some incredible odds. You will definitely want to read this story. It's one you will find yourself thinking about and later returning to it to review treasures found. Wow! You will just have to experience it for yourself. I highly recommend it!
Disclosure of Material Connection:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”
Nora St.Laurent
The Book Club Network www.bookfun.org
The Book Club Network blog www.psalm516.blogspot.com
Book Fun Magazine www.bookfunmagazine.com
June 3, 2009
I picked this one up on the "new arrivals" table. It turned out to be by a christian author which I usually avoid. But she's not a bad writer and for some reason I kept reading. The storyline was interesting.... alittle smarmy, but okay.
December 5, 2010
Too long & a bit depressing after you got into it - I skipped a bunch - but then picked it up & was glad I finished reading it. Author has good twists in her writings. Definitely liked the first book of hers I read best, Beyond the Night.
August 15, 2020
Amazing Book!
What a wonderful book! I read it in one day because I just could not put it down. This is an amazing story of love...the love that can only come from God. A story of redemption and grace...a story of hope and dreams...dreams deferred and dreams realized...of unbearable pain, brokenness, forgiveness, and joy. The story of a young couple torn apart by life and restored by God’s mercy. I highly recommend this book.
What a wonderful book! I read it in one day because I just could not put it down. This is an amazing story of love...the love that can only come from God. A story of redemption and grace...a story of hope and dreams...dreams deferred and dreams realized...of unbearable pain, brokenness, forgiveness, and joy. The story of a young couple torn apart by life and restored by God’s mercy. I highly recommend this book.
June 20, 2025
boring boring
March 12, 2009
I loved this book. Kinna is a nurse who suffers from infertility. She is married to Jimmy, her childhood sweetheart. One day she is in a position to steal some pergonal and does. Unfortunately when the time is right, instead of going to bed with her, Jimmy walks out. He accuses her of wanting a baby more than she wants him. Things go downhill from there.
I am fortunate that infertility is not a cross I've had to bear. Margo Schalesky is a wonderful writer and really made me feel both Kinna's pain and the pain of her husband, who feels like he can never to things right. I'm not one who usually describes books as "poignant" or writing as "lyrical" but both those words crossed my mind in reading this book. Mixed into the story of Kinna and Jimmy is the story of Thea, an old woman Kinna rescues from drowning and Joe, and old man who turns out to be more than that.
I am fortunate that infertility is not a cross I've had to bear. Margo Schalesky is a wonderful writer and really made me feel both Kinna's pain and the pain of her husband, who feels like he can never to things right. I'm not one who usually describes books as "poignant" or writing as "lyrical" but both those words crossed my mind in reading this book. Mixed into the story of Kinna and Jimmy is the story of Thea, an old woman Kinna rescues from drowning and Joe, and old man who turns out to be more than that.
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August 9, 2013Even though I do not identify with Kinna's wanting a child, as I am a young adult, I did understand her desire to have her dreams over God's, to pursue her happiness over what God wanted for her. I also understood Jimmy's desire and lesson of what it means to be a child of God and to be seen in God's eyes. Kinna and Jimmy's story reveals a wonderful message as they stop struggling and start following and trusting God. My favorite character was Thea and I loved how her story turned out. This book has a powerful message for all people. A great read.
August 5, 2009
I didn't really like this book, but I had to read it to the end to find out if Kinna had a child and if the old woman that she rescues from the sea was who I thought she was. I thought it was a really weird story.
January 16, 2016
This was a well written book, full of emotion and difficult realizations. I liked how the author referred to God and His love for his children. I did not connect very well with the characters, but that's my own issue, not the author's.
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January 26, 2011
Heartbreaking struggles. Lyrical writing. I won't forget this book and the message of keeping God first.
July 11, 2015
Again - a beautiful message... As I started reading this book, I realized I had read it years ago - but worth the reread...
July 31, 2011
Well-written. Original. Thought-provoking. Creative. Suspenseful. Excellent!
January 26, 2016
4* I like Marlo Schalesky. Her characters have to deal with tough things, but they don't disappoint.
June 29, 2012
Soms heb je het verleden nodig om het heden door te komen,zo ook in dit boek.
Een boek vol liefde en verdriet maar ook de nodige spanning en het onverklaarbare.
Ik Vond het een heerlijk boek.
Een boek vol liefde en verdriet maar ook de nodige spanning en het onverklaarbare.
Ik Vond het een heerlijk boek.
August 31, 2013
This book seemed to drag and I found some parts confusing when jumping around between past and present.
December 11, 2013
Loved this book - sweet story and powerful message!
November 17, 2016
Mooi boek over een vrouw die zo geobsedeerd wordt door haar kinderwens, dat ze andere belangrijke zaken in haar leven verwaarloost.
Ook goed te lezen voor mensen die houden van het magische.
Ook goed te lezen voor mensen die houden van het magische.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews