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Devotion & Loss
She aches to redraw fate’s hand. When she’s trapped under a mountain of pain, can hope help her survive?
Geneva Olsson finally enjoys a measure of peace. After losing her soulmate to his wife overseas, the ER doctor has poured her affection into the baby he left behind. But though she’s determined to let her now-grown son live his own life, she’s distraught when he enlists in the Canadian military as a sniper.
Pushed beyond the brink of sanity when she receives news that her only child has been killed in action, Geneva rages against a cruel universe. And the once confident and independent woman doesn’t know where to turn as her mind becomes encircled by darkness.
Can she pass through this storm of grief without being swept away?
Devotion & Loss is the heart-wrenching second book in the Their Hearts’ Desires women’s fiction series. If you like characters bound by duty, lyrical prose, and sweeping tales of honor, then you’ll adore Marlene F. Cheng’s timeless romance.
Buy Devotion & Loss to mourn lost dreams today!
Geneva Olsson finally enjoys a measure of peace. After losing her soulmate to his wife overseas, the ER doctor has poured her affection into the baby he left behind. But though she’s determined to let her now-grown son live his own life, she’s distraught when he enlists in the Canadian military as a sniper.
Pushed beyond the brink of sanity when she receives news that her only child has been killed in action, Geneva rages against a cruel universe. And the once confident and independent woman doesn’t know where to turn as her mind becomes encircled by darkness.
Can she pass through this storm of grief without being swept away?
Devotion & Loss is the heart-wrenching second book in the Their Hearts’ Desires women’s fiction series. If you like characters bound by duty, lyrical prose, and sweeping tales of honor, then you’ll adore Marlene F. Cheng’s timeless romance.
Buy Devotion & Loss to mourn lost dreams today!
310 pages, Paperback
Published January 31, 2023
About the author
Marlene F. Cheng
18 books24 followersMy Bio
I ran barefoot on the Canadian prairies in the dust that settled after the 2nd World War. That makes me an octogenarian, an oldie.
Thrust from the infinity of wheat fields into the warp of the Rockies, Selkirk and Purcell mountains, the light that defined a frightful, but interesting, high school life challenged me.
Our neighbors were all Italian, migrants to Canadian mining towns. With his Welsh-born farmers’ busyness, my father found strange their art of dolce far niente that is, the sweetness of doing nothing. They practiced it, “Come in. Come in. Sit down. Taste my homemade vino.” My father adapted.
And the flames of railway trestles burning and women parading nude colored life. Doukhobors (a sect that had fled persecution in Russia) settled in the Kootenays. They protested having to send their children to public schools.
Wearing a babushka and twirling spaghetti, not only did I survive those years, but I thrived.
Vancouver, the “big city,” where I discovered traffic lights and city buses, claimed me for medical lab training, and I worked the night shift in the blood bank to put myself through university.
I’ve worked in cancer research, taught at tech schools, become a registered massage therapist, taken up energy schooling in NY., married and raised two kids, and, at 73, published my first book A Many Layered Skirt, a biography about a young Chinese girl trying to keep one frightening step ahead of the soldiers, during the Japanese occupation.
My husband, of 56 years, was Chinese. Our mixed marriage was intriguing, and happiness was ours. Interests in people, cultures and places took us around the world. Many of those adventures find their way into my writing. He passed away, throwing my life into chaos. Now, I’ve picked up the pen, again. I have four books in the Love is Forever Series. Temptation and Surrender: A Secret Love Child Romance Novel; The Fallen Sniper Tears: A Sniper Romance Novel; A Mystical Embrace: A Mystical Romance Novel and The Madam's Friend: A Novel about Flawed, Textured, Vulnerable Soulmates.
https://marlenecheng.com
https://authorcentral.amazon.com/auth...
I ran barefoot on the Canadian prairies in the dust that settled after the 2nd World War. That makes me an octogenarian, an oldie.
Thrust from the infinity of wheat fields into the warp of the Rockies, Selkirk and Purcell mountains, the light that defined a frightful, but interesting, high school life challenged me.
Our neighbors were all Italian, migrants to Canadian mining towns. With his Welsh-born farmers’ busyness, my father found strange their art of dolce far niente that is, the sweetness of doing nothing. They practiced it, “Come in. Come in. Sit down. Taste my homemade vino.” My father adapted.
And the flames of railway trestles burning and women parading nude colored life. Doukhobors (a sect that had fled persecution in Russia) settled in the Kootenays. They protested having to send their children to public schools.
Wearing a babushka and twirling spaghetti, not only did I survive those years, but I thrived.
Vancouver, the “big city,” where I discovered traffic lights and city buses, claimed me for medical lab training, and I worked the night shift in the blood bank to put myself through university.
I’ve worked in cancer research, taught at tech schools, become a registered massage therapist, taken up energy schooling in NY., married and raised two kids, and, at 73, published my first book A Many Layered Skirt, a biography about a young Chinese girl trying to keep one frightening step ahead of the soldiers, during the Japanese occupation.
My husband, of 56 years, was Chinese. Our mixed marriage was intriguing, and happiness was ours. Interests in people, cultures and places took us around the world. Many of those adventures find their way into my writing. He passed away, throwing my life into chaos. Now, I’ve picked up the pen, again. I have four books in the Love is Forever Series. Temptation and Surrender: A Secret Love Child Romance Novel; The Fallen Sniper Tears: A Sniper Romance Novel; A Mystical Embrace: A Mystical Romance Novel and The Madam's Friend: A Novel about Flawed, Textured, Vulnerable Soulmates.
https://marlenecheng.com
https://authorcentral.amazon.com/auth...
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
June 12, 2023
A ten-hour redeye flight from Canada to Santiago, Chile serves as the backdrop for much of Marlene Faye Cheng's memoir "Devotion & Loss".
As we all know, your mind definitely wanders on along haul flight. The author uses her rich imagination to reinvent what is being said on an in-flight pay-per-view documentaries other passengers are watching. These lucid stories are based largely on the experiences of Raven, a soldier who served in Africa and the Middle East and Tree and Oriole, who lived in a refugee camp in Kenya before immigrating to Canada.
Following the flight, the author briefly recounts her time spent in South America, return home and life after this trip, intertwining her own experiences with those of the protagonists of the stories she imagined while on her bucket list vacation.
The author's ability to meander from one story to the next is seamless and her writing style is effective. My only small criticism, if I had to make one, would be that I would have so enjoyed to hear more of the author's own story. The glimpses into her character revealed a self-depracating but entirely relatable person with a wry sense of humour that made me cackle at times. Her inner dialogue about her seat mate on the plane was a wonderful example of this.
Overall, I think this was very well done and I really enjoyed it!
As we all know, your mind definitely wanders on along haul flight. The author uses her rich imagination to reinvent what is being said on an in-flight pay-per-view documentaries other passengers are watching. These lucid stories are based largely on the experiences of Raven, a soldier who served in Africa and the Middle East and Tree and Oriole, who lived in a refugee camp in Kenya before immigrating to Canada.
Following the flight, the author briefly recounts her time spent in South America, return home and life after this trip, intertwining her own experiences with those of the protagonists of the stories she imagined while on her bucket list vacation.
The author's ability to meander from one story to the next is seamless and her writing style is effective. My only small criticism, if I had to make one, would be that I would have so enjoyed to hear more of the author's own story. The glimpses into her character revealed a self-depracating but entirely relatable person with a wry sense of humour that made me cackle at times. Her inner dialogue about her seat mate on the plane was a wonderful example of this.
Overall, I think this was very well done and I really enjoyed it!
August 10, 2023
Devotion & Loss by Marlene F. Cheng is a deeply moving and meticulously researched novel that takes readers on a poignant journey of resilience and the indomitable human spirit. With its compelling characters, lyrical prose, and sweeping tale of honor, this book deserves a resounding five-star rating.
Geneva Olsson, the protagonist, is a woman yearning to reshape her destiny. After enduring the heartache of losing her soulmate to another woman overseas, she finds solace in caring for the child he left behind. However, when her son enlists in the Canadian military as a sniper, Geneva is consumed by worry and fear. The devastating news of her son's death in action pushes her to the brink of sanity, enveloping her in a suffocating darkness.
Cheng's masterful storytelling skillfully captures the raw emotions of grief and despair, immersing readers in Geneva's tumultuous journey as she navigates through the storm of loss. The author's meticulous research is evident throughout the narrative, as she delves into the intricate details of military life and the emotional toll it takes on both soldiers and their families. Cheng's attention to detail adds an unparalleled authenticity to the story, allowing readers to deeply connect with the characters' experiences.
The prose in Devotion & Loss is beautifully lyrical, elevating the reading experience and immersing readers in the rich tapestry of the story. Cheng's descriptive prowess brings the settings to life, from the depths of Geneva's pain to the landscapes that mirror her emotional journey. The author's meticulous research shines through in the vivid portrayal of military operations and the intricate dynamics of the characters' relationships.
Cheng's dedication to research and attention to detail not only enhances the authenticity of the narrative but also adds depth and richness to the story. The meticulous exploration of themes such as duty, honor, and resilience showcases the author's commitment to crafting a compelling and thought-provoking reading experience.
In conclusion, Devotion & Loss by Marlene F. Cheng is a truly exceptional novel that deserves a resounding five-star rating. Its compelling characters, lyrical prose, and sweeping tale of resilience make for an unforgettable reading experience. Cheng's meticulous research and attention to detail bring authenticity and depth to the story, allowing readers to immerse themselves fully in the emotional journey of the characters. This book is a testament to the power of love and the indomitable spirit of the human heart, leaving a lasting impression on its readers.
Geneva Olsson, the protagonist, is a woman yearning to reshape her destiny. After enduring the heartache of losing her soulmate to another woman overseas, she finds solace in caring for the child he left behind. However, when her son enlists in the Canadian military as a sniper, Geneva is consumed by worry and fear. The devastating news of her son's death in action pushes her to the brink of sanity, enveloping her in a suffocating darkness.
Cheng's masterful storytelling skillfully captures the raw emotions of grief and despair, immersing readers in Geneva's tumultuous journey as she navigates through the storm of loss. The author's meticulous research is evident throughout the narrative, as she delves into the intricate details of military life and the emotional toll it takes on both soldiers and their families. Cheng's attention to detail adds an unparalleled authenticity to the story, allowing readers to deeply connect with the characters' experiences.
The prose in Devotion & Loss is beautifully lyrical, elevating the reading experience and immersing readers in the rich tapestry of the story. Cheng's descriptive prowess brings the settings to life, from the depths of Geneva's pain to the landscapes that mirror her emotional journey. The author's meticulous research shines through in the vivid portrayal of military operations and the intricate dynamics of the characters' relationships.
Cheng's dedication to research and attention to detail not only enhances the authenticity of the narrative but also adds depth and richness to the story. The meticulous exploration of themes such as duty, honor, and resilience showcases the author's commitment to crafting a compelling and thought-provoking reading experience.
In conclusion, Devotion & Loss by Marlene F. Cheng is a truly exceptional novel that deserves a resounding five-star rating. Its compelling characters, lyrical prose, and sweeping tale of resilience make for an unforgettable reading experience. Cheng's meticulous research and attention to detail bring authenticity and depth to the story, allowing readers to immerse themselves fully in the emotional journey of the characters. This book is a testament to the power of love and the indomitable spirit of the human heart, leaving a lasting impression on its readers.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews