A Heartbeat Away

by Rachel Ann Nunes

You think it’s never going to happen to you. I know because that’s how I was—untouchable. Bad things only happen to someone else. Or if something bad actually did happen, it was always something the doctor could fix with fiberglass or a pill. That’s the way it was with my family—at least until the year I turned thirteen. When their young daughter, Kristin, is kidnapped, Gary and Angie Marshall struggle to make sense of the unthinkable. Who could do such a thing? And why Kristin? As more time passes in their desperate search for their daughter, their hopes slowly dwindle. They are left with "if onlys" and a glaring uncertainty that damages their marriage and their relationships with their other children, especially their oldest daughter, Meghan. Meanwhile, Kristin is having new experiences of her own. Her first assignment in her new "life" is to heal the hearts of her family. But doing so turns out to be more of a challenge than she ever expected. How can she get them to let her go so they can all find happiness? Or can there ever be healing after such a devastating trial? Looming above them all is the question—who is responsible for Kristin’s disappearance? Is it their beloved uncle? Their neighbor Dale Loveridge, who once dated Angie Marshall? Or is it Jay, the young man with a colorful past? Or perhaps someone else entirely? Time is running out. As she blames herself for Kristin’s disappearance, Meghan turns down a road that can only lead to more unhappiness. Kristin must find a way to help her sister find healing—and perhaps love. Rachel Ann Nunes has taken a difficult subject and woven intrigue, romance, and joy to create a story with realistic characters who will live in your mind for years to come.

Genres: Lds Fiction, Lds, Christian Fiction, Fiction, Romance

212 pages, Paperback

First published March 13, 2003

About the author

Rachel Ann Nunes (pronounced noon-esh) learned to read when she was four and by seventh grade knew she was going to be an author. Now as a stay-at-home mother of seven, it isn't easy to find time to write, but she will trade washing dishes or weeding the garden for an hour at the computer any day! Her only rule about writing is to never eat chocolate at the computer. "Since I love chocolate and writing," she jokes, "my family might never see me again."

Rachel has over sixty published books, including the popular Ariana series and the award-winning picture book Daughter of a King. She enjoys hiking, swimming, spending time with her family, reading, and visiting far off places.

For more information or to join her e-mailing list, visit http://www.RachelAnnNunes.com.

Reviews

[Kari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic. This is a very unique story, with a wonderful ending.

[Terisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book, so much that I read in in one evening. Thanks Laura for this site and this book suggestion.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great tearjerker

[Audrey]

not my typical book. I read it for a book club. Fast read. I'm not totally sure how to rate it.

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there are some general things that I don't like about lds fiction. those things were present in this book, though not as annoying as in some other books I've read. however, I honestly just felt icky reading parts of the book. I don't feel like I am one to shy away from heavy topics in the books I read, but even though the violence was not described graphically in the least, I just felt so gross reading all of the kidnapper's parts. it almost felt exploitive, even though it was fictional. the timing with it coming out surrounding the Elizabeth Smart case also sits really weird with me.

and all of the spirit world stuff. I don't like speculative theology, especially in fiction. it's just weird. so I felt weird when the author had imagined so many aspects of the afterlife and then intermingled them with Doctrine. but also, thinking of loved ones who have passed gives all the warm fuzzies. although, I did appreciate that the author was very clear that this book IS her own imaginings/opinions. Other lds authors' I've read don't emphasize that enough imo.

so idk. this book brought up a lot of emotions that I don't think should really go together. so it was all around a weird reading experience for me.

[Ivie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Gary and Angie Marshall face the unthinkable struggles of having their 13 year old daughter, Kristin, kidnapped. time continues to pass and she remains lost and alone. Kristin tells the horrendous story of her kidnapping, while her parents continue to search desperately for her. Their faith is what get's them through the hard times they face and Kristen learns to understand happiness in a time of ultimate despair. This is a book about faith and hope and overcoming trials when it seems impossible.

I found this book touching and sweet, but also a bit cheesy and cliche. I feel as though I have read many books on faith that were a lot like this one, and while this story allowed for it's own special and inspiring moments, I didn't feel like their was much to allow it to stand out in the crowd. The terror of Kristin's kidnapping was absolutely heart-wrenching, and I won't lie that it did captivate me at some points, however I don't think I will be raving about this story anytime soon.

[Jaidee · Rating 4 out of 5]

So i read the book haert beat away it was a good book if u ask me. so the book is about a girl that got kidnapid. so they wetre at the pool with her sister and then they were waiting out side. of the pool and then some car canem u to her. and then took her and her sister was scared and tryed to chages after her. when the car took of.
The character i liked is kristan because she was a nice girl and liked everyone.so she liked this kid and she hraed he was going to the pool the day they were going. she was so exsided to see him and hang out with him. and when she was a round him she changed so much she was nicer too her sister. and was so flerty around the boy she liked.
And then when there were waiting for there dad to pick them up at the pool. the kid she liked had a car and that kid asked her if she wanted a ride. she said no because her dad was coming. but she really wanted too go with them. and then they left anf thats when we got kiddnaped by some pepolpe.
So my opinan on this is i like this book alot it is a good book u guys should read it i think u guys will like it. but its really sad when she gets kissnaped. and then they take her and then kill her. then so goes to heven and god tells her to go back down to earth and make her family forget about the kidnapig.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought it was a sweet little story. Ok maybe not the content by which the book was based so much but the pulling together of a family after one of its members is abducted and murdered. I thought the story was tender because much of it is of Kristin helping her family cope and stay together after her death. It had some interesting ideas about the afterlife, many of which I do believe but it just seemed a little too much for me. It is an LDS based book which at times I felt like the author was trying to cram in all the doctrine of afterlife that the church stands for.

Kristin helping her family after her own death and her thoughts and feelings on it versus her family's who are left on earth are probably more realistic that we think. Having lost a family member myself made me reflect of my sorrows and pains vs his joys and happiness. It was somewhat endearing.

There was just something about this book that I found cute but not great.

[Linnae · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kristin is kidnapped and killed. While her family grieves, her killer is still at large in the community. Meanwhile Kristen is experiencing the afterlife, and trying to help heal the hearts of her family.

I didn't read "The Lovely Bones" but it seems as though the premise is roughly the same. Kristen's kidnapping and death are experienced from her perspective. She doesn't go into great detail; still, I wouldn't recommend it for younger than 16, probably.

Interesting ideas about the afterlife, obviously not to be taken as doctrine (she doesn't claim that they are, either.)

Overall, not my favorite of hers. I think it was supposed to give families who have lost loved ones in this type of tragedy some hope that the person who died is truly now in a better place, surrounded by love, free from pain, etc., which is fine. Just not one I'll read again.

[Jaidee Bryson]

so i read the book hart beat away its a good but really sad.so the book its about the girl and her sister at the pool. and they went out side to wait for there dad. and then a car came up and took her. and then her sister chased after the car. but it was too fast and the car got away.
the charater i liked is kristan. she is the one that got kidnapd. she is a really nice girl and she likes too be with boys. and she just want to hag out with eveery one and likes evry one.
so after she gets kidnapd she is so strong and trys too fight. and just wants too go home. she wnats too see her sister and mom and dad. so the kidnaoig made her stronger.
i liked this book becaouse its sad. and its a good book u guys should read it .i think if u read it u will like it. but it will make u cry becouas its really sad when she gets killed.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kristin Marshall is a thirteen year old Mormon girl who is enjoying life with her family. Nothing out of the ordinary; life is good. Up until she's kidnapped. No one knows where she is or what happened to her. After being called home to her Heavenly home, Kristin is assigned to be a guardian angel for her family - the mission? To heal their hearts. Her family is being torn apart by not knowing and she has to figure out a way to help them. A touching story of loss, love, and the Gospel of Jesus Christ make this a heart-wrenching, lovely book that is absolutely worth the read.

I really appreciate how the story is interwoven with the beliefs of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I have never read a book like this before and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was a pretty easy read but it made you think. I would read this again. Plus it gives you a happy romance too. :)

[Carolyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is definitely a LDS book, by a LDS author for a LDS reader. It was a pretty good read. Characters where surprisingly multidimensional, and the plot was interesting if a little predictable. It was fascinating to read a first hand account of what it would be like to die and go to the the spirit world (fictional obviously). The author did a reasonably good job of keeping the suspense going. And it's available through the KDL library.

[Trinity · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting book. I read it a year ago so I can't remember everything about it but I know I kept thinking about it after I read it. The story line kept me moving from suspect to suspect trying to figure it out. I also enjoyed the authors view of heaven and the relationship of the family/friends both before and after.

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book as it pertained to my religion and beliefs. It showed how weak a family can be when a tragedy happens and then how strong a family can be when they all come to accept the tragedy. It was tear jerker but it as you read it, you realize that it could happen to you and it's actually reality. It was very good and I recommend it to anyone who would be interested.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing book! It is kind of sad, but has a very good message! It is about a girl named Kristin who is kidnapped and then dies. She goes to heaven and meets many people. Jesus tells her that her assignment is to go back to earth and help her family get over her kidnapping. It is a very touching book filled with twist and turns and many suprises.

[Bondab55 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was sad to read because it is about child abduction, but I loved it because it brought a gospel perspective to something that would be so very hard to deal with. She treated the subject with care and respect and I actually felt that this book brought a comforting perspective (in a way that only the gospel could provide) to such a hard subject.

[Dianna · Rating 3 out of 5]

do you know where your children are ? whom are they talking to ? do they do as you ask ?
when I read this book the first time I had chills and felt as though I wanted to gather my children next to me. This title is the one I enjoy the most written by Rachel Nunes.
i recommend this book if you like on the edge of your set reading.

[Lisa M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a less dark, LDS verison of the Lovely Bones. I liked how it brought a gospel perspective to something that would be so very hard to deal with and comforted me when I thought about people who I thought died too young. I especially loved the way the author made the other side of the veil seemed so real and showed how it just might really be.

[Angee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This was a powerful book! Totally different than I expected. It was hard to read: kidnappings, murder, and the grief of families with no answers. But the eternal approach taken was amazing. I liked the perspective it was written in, as well. Totally had me on the edge of my seat, wondering what was going to happen next. A great read!

[Kristen · Rating 1 out of 5]

13 year old girl kidnapped and killed. Family in turmoil because of it. Story told, most of the time, from the dead girls' point of view.

This is a dumb book. It was badly written. If I hadn't been trapped in a car with 4 rabid BSU fans cheering over the slaughter of Colorado State with no other book, I would never have finished it.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. It's about a 13-year-old girl who was kidnapped and murdered. It follows her to Paradise where she meets the Savior who gives her permission to go back to earth, as a spirit, and help her family. However, there doesn't seem to be much she can do since they can't see or hear her. It's sad and kind of depressing, but things do turn out all right in the end.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

It would be utterly devestating to lose a child period--let alone to a kidnapper and rapist. I appreciated Rachel Nunes telling the story using gospel principles of "life after death and resurrection." I also believe in guardian angels and enjoyed reading about Kristen's experiences with her family to help change their hearts.

[Kirsten · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was really different from her other books. But if you like mysteries I thought this was a good one. It actually creeped me out a little. So if you are sensitive to such things (as serial killers) just be cautious. but really the concepts and the overall story I really liked.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, I read this book awhile ago but it has still stuck with me. The basis of the book is a girl that dies and her experience with heaven. I told my sister. That is exactly how I imagine paradise to be!!!

[Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book. I got it to read as an escape book. It definitely isn't that. It is sad and made me think about the importance of relationships, life and the cycle people go through when they are grieving.

[Alexblak blak · Rating 5 out of 5]

i LOVED this book! it is soo good! i know it sounds kinda mormony but its really really good! its about a girl who goes through things with her family! and its just really good, i can connect with it reallywell! read it its good!

[Marisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This a wonderful perspective of "guardian angels" and help from the other side. Imanginative view of what those who pass on to the other side of the veil are doing. I've read it three times, should probably buy my own copy.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book tells the story from the viewpoint of a kidnap victim who is also murdered. She is sent as a spirit to help heal the hearts of her family who are not dealing well with her disappearance. It's an interesting take on what happens in the afterlife.

[Kara · Rating 1 out of 5]

I thought that this was kind of a dumb book. I usually love Rachel Ann Nunes books, but this one was a let down. I wish people wouldn't try and describe what heaven is like. The plot to me was silly to me, and did not leave me wanting more.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a powerful book. The topic was a bit hard to read (kidnapping, murder, and the families who have to deal with that). But, I really liked the eternal perspective given. I kept going back and forth on who the bad guy was. I thought it was well written.

[Janyse · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting take on what the afterlife will be like and what "work" those who have passed on have to do. It also makes you really think about where you are and where you're going. For that alone I give it 4 stars. The story itself is just pure entertainment. =)