Earning Eternity

by Josi S. Kilpack

He had a love of life that she found invigorating. He was handsome, charming, kind, and a returned missionary from a good family. When Robb Larksley proposed to Kim, she saw in him everything she wanted. Eight years later, when Robb is inactive, unemployed, and drifting away, Kim finds her life crumbling around her. She must find strength before she and her son are buried in the debris of the broken world she once called "home".

Genres: Lds Fiction, Lds, Romance, Christian Fiction

304 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2000

About the author

I wrote my first book while on bed rest with my third child in 1998 and haven't stopped. My most recent books have been Historical Romance through the Proper Romance line with Shadow Mountain Publishing.

I currently live in Willard, Utah with my husband, and children.

Reviews

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very emotionally gripping book. Deals with temple covenants, divorce, children, learning to lean on others and moving on. When Kim got married in the temple to Robb, she planned on it being forever and took her covenants very seriously. After 8 years and many trials, she struggles to make a life lasting decision to get a divorse. Robb has left her and their 7 year old son, Jackson once again for his own selfish desires. He has been breaking word of wisdom guidelines and also his temple covenants by not being faithful. Kim knew about the word of wisdom problem for the last 6 years and was advised by her leaders to stick with it and be a support to her husband and maybe he would come around, but after years of supporting her small family while Robb stayed at home and partied, she had had enough. His arrest for attempted murder was the clincher. He was also caught with a prostitute. She starts the process the divorce after much prayer and meeting with her Bishop and is met with resistance by Robb. She was worried about what the divorce would do to her forever family with Jackson, but over time she knows that Jackson will still be hers if she does what is right. He still wants to control her and the situation and begs for her to reconsider. Kim has become strong in her resolve to make a better life for herself and her son. She is on a payment plan to pay off their debt, she went back to school and then got a good job and moved in with her parents to rent out her house, went back to church and started putting Jackson's needs first all in the effort to put her life in order. She usually is a quiet person never letting voice her problems and concerns, but through his situation she learns to open up and allow her family and friends to support her. While this turmoil is all happening, she meets her friend and coworkers brother, Allan, who is a psychiatrist, and a divorcee. Through his caring actions she is drawn to him and they become friends, but she must put her emotions and feelings aside because she is still married. They set a distant date for a real date when the divorce is finalized. Robb continues to persist in slowing down the process and when he finds that Allen is in the picture with his wife and son, he takes action and hires someone to "scare her into reconsidering." The hiree had another idea and goes for keeps. He runs Kim and Jackson off the road. Kim has minor injuries, but Jackson has sustained brain damage and is in a coma. He never recovers. Kim goes through all of the phases of emotions, but finally determines that it is Jackson's time to go and releases him. She then works through the loss. Robb gives her the divorce, but Allen has been her support through it all. She wants to get married, but ALlen brings back the reason to wait and let her adjust and find who she is again. Allen's ex comes back into the pic and she is pregnant by her husband, but since he has left she wants to give Allen the chance to be her family again. Allen debates about it causing tension with him and Kim, but ultimately chooses Kim and a fresh start. When finally their wedding day comes...Jackson is present. They have the start of their family a year later with Lexie coming to them.

[Mommywest · Rating 5 out of 5]

I believe this is Josi Kilpack's first novel. Having read two of her more recent novels (Sheep's Clothing and Unsung Lullaby) and having loved them, I wanted to read more of her books.

Kim Larksley finds herself a single mother after what she thought would be the perfect marriage crumbles. As she builds a new life for herself and her son, she finds her faith tested again and again as her husband's choices create turmoil of all kinds. The author truly knows how to create characters that you care about, and a story that is never predictable. Readers of her more recent story, Unsung Lullaby, will find that the characters in this book are also in that one, and it was fun to learn what shaped them into the people they were. I will say that a few situations in the book made me somewhat uncomfortable. I am not sure if this is because I am hypersensitive or neurotic, but I also felt the Spirit while reading this book, too.

There were a few times the story sounded like a gospel doctrine manual (not necessarily a bad thing), and I got distracted quite a bit by the lazy editing (bad spelling and punctuation, mostly), but, overall, I really liked this book. I like learning about situations other than my own so I can understand people better, and I'm always glad to read something that confirms or strengthens my faith. The overall message--that life is never what we think it will be, and that we can come through our challenges with our faith intact and strengthened, as well as that the Lord's plan for us is the best one and we can learn to trust Him and reap the blessings--shines through.

[Josi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my very first novel. I love the story, but the editing makes me cringe a little. As for feedback, that's what most of the readers say as well.

[Ellen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I started this book but it did not draw me in like Josi Kilpack’s other books have done. I found myself skimming through long paragraphs. Maybe it was too familiar as the storyline was something I could relate to. But I didn’t like the whole idea of “earning” eternity. Maybe someday I’ll come back to it but for now I’m ready to plow my way through it.

[SchatzyT · Rating 2 out of 5]

A story of overcoming divorce and learning to trust again. It was ok, a little drawn out, but pretty good.

[Maree · Rating 4 out of 5]

I LOVED the plot and the characters. It's an EXCELLENT first novel--and I've read lots of those! Believable characters, realistic dialogue. But the proof-reader and editors should be SHOT for all of the typos. I found myself going through the book with a red pencil (yes, a teacher), intending to send the book back to the author with the errors I found. I didn't do it, and read it again. Hopefully subsequent printings will be cleaned up. GREAT job for a first book. I really enjoyed it!

[Deana Jennings · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cried my heart out! Loved it! Josi Kilpack is better than Anita Stansfield.

I read this book because the librarian knew I liked Josi Kilpack, and she had three of Josi's books that needed to be put in chronological order. She asked me to read them for her. I have two more to read, but I'm sure this one is the first because it was her first book.

I've also read "To Have or to Hold" and "Surrounded by Strangers".

[Mary Hickman · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was like a Mormon soap opera, the drama sucked me in. I thought the plot was really interesting but the writing style was so weird. The point of view would change from paragraph to paragraph. Also, the title is doctrinally incorrect. You cannot earn heaven, it is only by grace that we are saved. Other than the glaring editing mistakes and the title I thought it was a good story. Reading it will help you appreciate your life since the main character has it so rough.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A case study of going through the decision of divorce from the standpoint of an LDS woman who was married in the temple. When is it right to stop working to make a go of the marriage? How can she know she is doing the right thing? How to get over the hurt and anger? What is an eternal marriage like? Really well done. (Romance too!)

[Heather]

The first book of Josi's that I ever read. Great plot, gripping read, sweet romance. After her husband abandons her, the main character gets a divorce and falls in love again, all the while learning that Eternity isn't something you automatically receive in the temple when you're sealed, but rather something that has to be earned day by day.

Loved this male character!

[Pam Engman · Rating 1 out of 5]

I could not make it through this book. It was so sad and depressing from the first page. I have liked Josi's writing in the past but just coulnd't do it. I skimmed to the middle of the book but when I read a little section and about the negatives with her husband I just didnt want to read any more. Hopefully it got better

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I cried through this whole book. A couple gets married in the temple. His thinking is that if he marries a good little mormon girl then he can do what he wants and she'll never leave him because she'd feel too guilty because of her religious views. She finds out how strong she is and he finds out the consequences of his severe actions.

[Tammi Velasquez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I enjoyed the book, I thought there were numerous situations that the couple should NOT have put themselves in. Going on out of town trips, staying overnight in the same house, etc. Those are things that are not right, but they were rationalized away. I did not like that.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't believe I love her books as much as I do. I hate books that make me sad, but hers (although they have VERY sad things in them) are so full of hope and new beginnings that I can't help myself! I love the way her characters learn and grow and always figure out their strength in the end:)

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was impressed the author had this character stay faithfull to her temple wedding covenants. It makes you realize how important they are. The book is about her divorce and about the person she meets while waiting for the divorce to be final.

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really makes you think about how your actions affect other people. It really touched me because I have a 6 year old boy and the boy in the book is 7. I'm not going to lie. I cried. It's a very touching book.

[Ellen Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story took several turns I didn't see coming at all! I enjoyed the romance in it. I was also glad her characters weren't perfect! They were tempted to make bad choices and made mistakes. The romance between Kim and Allan was great. I really enjoyed this book.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I've read by Josi Kilpack, and I really enjoyed it. There were unexpected twists to the story and I like the main characters - especially Allen. My only hesitation in recommending it is that they justify totally inappropriate actions.

[Nadine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kim married a man whom she thought would be the ideal husband and father only to have her life fall apart a few short years later. Now she must learn about standing up for herself,repentance, forgiveness and the love of the Savior. a really good read -- have tissues ready!

[Trenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as the other books I read by Josie Kilpac, but it was pretty good. Definately a tear jerker!

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would read this again. I loved how it played with your emotions and realize in the end you have eternity.

[Kjirsta · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a good book and yes Kilpack is an LDS author. She has other books too that are good but this is one of my favorites of hers.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story, pretty well written especially for a first try. It reminds me to keep life in perspective and not worry about the little things.

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story was good. The editing was poor. That was really distracting to me but I enjoyed the storyline.

[Lynette · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you need a good story and a good cry, this is it.