Connecting Hearts

by Val Brown, M.J. Walker

Miranda Martin is a nurse, burned out by the stress of hospital work and too many hopeless cases. Now she works for an online medical information hotline. She is still helping people, but from a safe distance. DJ is a reclusive poet who lives in England with her aunt, Sara. When Sara's health takes a turn for the worse, DJ begins a desperate search for information and hope. She finds much more than she expected when her search leads her to Randa Martin. In the shadow of Sara's debilitating illness, a friendship forms and two hearts connect.

Genres: Lesbian

304 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Val Brown would like to be able to tell you all about her adventurous life as an international jewel thief and the intriguing people who are enthralled by her every utterance, but that would be a second work of fiction in this book. The truth is that Val was raised in a military family. One mom, one dad, one sister, one brother. The family moved around a lot, as one expects of families in such situations. Val became a hit-and-run student, leaving the scene of the school after a year or so each time. However, her unique upbringing allowed her to see things wouldn't most people only dream of getting to see in their lives. Perhaps that beginning is why Val find people so fascinating. Val worked her way through a community college. It was just like a real college, but cheaper! She became a nurse many years ago and hasn't quit that day job yet. Writing was only a fantasy until she met online MJ Walker, an British poet, and started a writing partnership and friendship that has led to several published novels.

Reviews

[Loek Krancher · Rating 5 out of 5]

You are not alone! A love story like no other.

This was a devastating, intensely sad, inspiring and beautifully love story. I know, it sounds contradictory but this book has it all: frustration, anger, fear, sadness, death, life, courage, devotion, humor, happiness and a deep unconditional love. She fought this terrible disease with grace. It was heartbreaking to watch the declining strength, to watch how her ability to control her body was taken away. The despair that befalls DJ is an experience everyone hopes to escape. DJ needs help with the special care. She can't do it on her own and she needs someone to talk to. DJ finds the woman with whom she can release her thoughts and feelings. She offers not only help but much more than that. Together they discover what love really means, what true love can give. Both are dealing with their feelings in a different way. This was not easy, it was an emotional turmoil and it requires patience, trust and hope. DJ's emotional health is threatened because of what is going on around her. Her world felt like it was crumbling around her. This story is written from the heart. I went through this as if I was right there with them. It is profound and deeply moving. The description of the disease is not done in a clinical way but it is written with compassion and respect. It's a love story like no other and it will remain in my heart forever. Thank you Val Brown and MJ Walker for this powerful gem.

[Jaely · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m not going to regurgitate the summary to you all again. That would just be a waste of time. I want to say that Connecting Hearts was the story that first brought my attention to the Author MJ Walker, though I had known her by a slightly different name in the Fan Fiction world where I had first found this story and a number of others by her. MJ is an amazing author that taught me a lot about the art of the written word, not only through her writing, but through our personal conversations later after meeting her through emailed conversations. She has a profound understanding of the human condition and how to relate it in her writing so her readers can fully comprehend what she is trying to convey.

In the story Connecting Hearts and it’s sequel Family Connections she is able to covey very complex and often intimidating emotions in a way that keeps the reader going, even when the subject matter seems daunting to wade through. I did not see Connecting Hearts sequel in the list under the Author name of MJ Walker, but in case it’s no longer in publication, it had been at one point in time and you might be able to find a physical copy at some of the older used book stores and I know you can still find the original version of it on MJ’s Fan Fiction page if you go looking for it. It’s not quite going to be the same as the version physical one but it’s something until you can find the physical one. Good luck everyone! Please give all of MJ’s stories a try! She’s a great author!

[Arlene Lahtinen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Awful, what a waste of time! Will not bother reading this author again!

[Ulla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this story!

[Susanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

An intriguing and insightful story.....