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The Last Seven Pages: Two Days to Live. What Would You Write? A Memoir of Hope

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When a ventilator prevented her from speaking during her final hours, Jennifer started writing. After her death, her husband turns to those pages to tell her story of courage and faith.

James had just walked through the door after a day’s work when Jennifer told him the news that changed everything: it was cancer. In the following two years they would lose their sense of normalcy and their dreams for the future. But along the way, they would gain something even greater than their loss.

Told through the eyes of a grieving husband is this true story of a young woman’s fight for her life. Jennifer’s final words, penned by hand when a ventilator prevented her from speaking, provide a powerful backdrop to this journey of faith and hope.

A memoir that also offers a practical pathway for those struggling with loss, The Last Seven Pages is a testimony of a God who is present in our darkest moments, and who turned a devastating illness into a life-changing promise.

158 pages, Paperback

First published April 7, 2014

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About the author

James Pinnick

1 book54 followers
James Pinnick is an inspirational speaker and author.

James is the author of the book The Last Seven Pages: Two Days To Live. What Would You Write? A Memoir of Hope.

James travels the world sharing his testimony of finding faith and hope while coping with loss.

He resides in Gilbert, Arizona. USA

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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
Profile Image for Sarah "Pippy".
123 reviews
November 14, 2014
I received The Last Seven Pages: Two Days to Live. What Would You Write? A Memoir of Hope for free through Goodreads First Reads.

Where do I start with this book, the obvious place is the title. I thought this was going to be a different type of book purely from the title, as it suggests "The last seven pages Two days to live. What would you write?"

I was expecting to read a memoir of someone’s thoughts for their last two days on earth, however this was not the case. We start with Jennifer’s failed battle with stomach cancer and James reminiscing over their life together. Jennifer requests via simple signs she would like a pen and paper and thus begins her writing. We only get to see a few questions or answers she writes to James or visitors, yet it is mentioned that she is writing as constantly as she can whilst hooked up to various machines to help keep her alive. We never see these last seven pages, it's possible they are simply too personal for James to share with us, which would be understandable. Or it is the possibility that they do not exist and that the words written were simply Jennifer’s questions and answers to what was going on around her at the time. We shall never know.

This book is not about Jennifer it is about James and his sudden desire to believe in a higher power because Jennifer has cancer, a montage to God and having faith.

Jennifer sounds like a lovely lady, who would have been a pleasure to know even despite the religious aspect. I was, horrified at their experienced with a Doctor who had all the bedside manner of a cold hearted killer, no compassion whatsoever. No one should ever be made to feel like they did especially when you are needing information regarding the best way forward to fight a losing battle. I also was taken aback when James declared he started to go dating a mere 3 months after Jennifer passed, however I guess we are all different and this obviously was the right time for James.

My overriding feeling though is, it was sad, it was sad that a young good lady was taken from this world by a devastating diseases, but I do not believe it is "all part of Gods plan" I believe it is Mother Nature playing a vital role in population control, She does not discriminate she does not care who is taken and who is left behind she is simply trying to place controls on a plague that is ravaging the planet.

This book is not for me, but I am sure it will bring comfort to some and if this helps them carry on with their life then job done and for that I will take my cap off to James.
Profile Image for Grampy.
869 reviews48 followers
July 21, 2016
Reviewed by Lee Ashford for Readers' Favorite.

“The Last Seven Pages” by James Pinnick is an incredible true story of a young man’s journey of faith as he watches helplessly, while his wife loses her battle with cancer. This is not a “woe is me, why did this happen to me” kind of story. Quite to the contrary, James Pinnick lays bare his soul, sharing his innermost thoughts and emotions, while giving God the glory and credit for never leaving his – or his wife’s – side throughout the ordeal.

His wife, Jennifer, was a loving, caring woman who knew from her teenage years that she wanted to be a nurse, and care for people when she finished college. She was the girl in High School who was always bringing cookies to school to share with people (ironically, my own wife did the same thing, which perhaps was partly the reason I felt so close to James).

Even throughout her trials of pain, loss, and finally the realization that she wouldn’t be leaving the hospital alive, Jennifer remained a stabilizing influence on James and all of her friends and co-workers. Even her final words, written because she could no longer speak, were words professing her certainty that she was ready to soon see Jesus.

“The Last Seven Pages” wrung more tears from my eyes than I believe I have ever before cried. This story is so breathtakingly poignant yet uplifting, that the reader’s emotions run the gamut from weeping so much that reading further is not possible through the blurred vision, to utter joy as James shares his faith and his certainty that he WILL see Jennifer again one day. While it is probably not possible to read “The Last Seven Pages” without sharing in James’ grief, it is just as unlikely you will read it without celebrating James’ confidence in God to provide for all his needs.

James has indeed risen above his personal grief, all the while treasuring his fond memories of Jennifer, while focusing on being a blessing to others whenever and wherever the occasion arises. Anybody who desires to see what God can do in one’s life MUST read this story. Above all, if you have recently lost a loved one, or are in the midst of losing a loved one to cancer or any other terminal illness, reading James’ story about Jennifer will give you peace and a hope beyond understanding.
Profile Image for WriteKnight.
79 reviews3 followers
May 26, 2014
3.0 of 5 stars – A Personable Story With Some Moving Life Lessons.
(I'm excited to have won this as a Goodreads First Read – so thanks, James!)

The Last Seven Pages is a touching memoir that can be appreciated perhaps more by religious readers but also non-religious readers who are looking for introspective stories of dealing with grief. The story is so personable I felt like a college classmate was sharing a story with me.

I love memoirs, and felt that this one started well. But after that I was wanting more than just the sentimental and biblical connection of the story in order to draw me in more. I was searching for connections that were more universal and outside the scope of religion.

I look forward to following James Pinnick’s development as an author. I think he has a voice a lot of people will appreciate and I’m interested to see how it matures.
1 review
January 21, 2015
A moving story told by James about his wife Jennifer and her last days battling stomach cancer. It was a little strange to be reading about a nurse dying since I just started nursing school, but I was encouraged by her faith.
Part 1 Is the last seven pages Jennifer wrote told in story form.
Part 2 is how to deal with grief, and recommendations from the author. I believe these pages will be useful to me, as I work at a hospital too.
You will laugh and cry with this book- but best of all- be given hope!

I received The Last Seven Pages: Two Days to Live. What Would You Write? A Memoir of Hope for free through Goodreads First Reads.
69 reviews2 followers
May 28, 2015
James Pinnick's book is a beautiful story about his love for his young wife, their life together and her last days here on earth, the promises he made to her, how she led him to the Lord, and the life he has subsequently chosen to live blessing and serving others. The details of Jennifer's illness and her last seven pages aren't what makes this such a good book. Reading about her unwavering faith and James' testimony is what makes it worth a read. The last part of the book includes James' personal advice on dealing with grief. Disclosure: I received this book in a Goodreads giveaway, but that in no way affects my review.
8 reviews
May 6, 2014
I watched one of my best friends go through a year of ovarian cancer treatments with her mother. It was hard to understand what she was going through and hearing the doctor visit stories her mother had to endure. The hardest part was watching my friend go through the cycle of grief. This book gives a little more understanding of what happens behind closed doors and the moments of weakness that a person goes through. My friend lost her mom to ovarian cancer and she is still going through the grieving process. I love this book it made me laugh and cry.
Profile Image for MJ.
196 reviews39 followers
July 20, 2015
Beautifully written and heartbreaking. This book is a testimony to finding God's love in the most difficult days. Part one of this boo was pretty much a five (5) star book in my opinion. I loved the accounts of their final days together. Part two (2) was less personal and more of a "How to" on Christian living and the stages of grief. While I appreciate the lessons, the second half felt condescending in places. I wish that there would have been far more than seven (7) pages in the first half and far less in the second. I would recommend this book to anyone who is questioning their faith.
Profile Image for Meagan | The Chapter House.
2,041 reviews49 followers
May 28, 2014
Moving story, very well written and engaging. I truly felt like I was in the hospital with both James and Jennifer as she went through her final stages of cancer. Gives great insight into the pain of losing a spouse and life afterward. Though I'm not married, I appreciated the second portion of the book talking about the various stages of grief and suggestions of how to process and walk through those times.
Profile Image for Eric.
2 reviews1 follower
May 24, 2014
James Pinnick has written one extraordinary book. James has succeeded in writing one of the most profound, captivating, inspirational Christian books that I have read to date. His story which revolves around his wife Jennifer far exceeded my expectations. I can honestly say that reading this book has enriched my relationship with God.
1 review1 follower
June 22, 2014
A very beautiful and heart wrenching story. Makes you really think what will you do in your final moments of life. Thanks for sharing your story James!
Profile Image for Traceylee.
604 reviews5 followers
February 13, 2015
Why

The first half of the book was about his wife battling cancer. The second part teaches him how to deal with the death and move on in life with the help of the lord
Profile Image for Joy.
128 reviews7 followers
May 2, 2016
A book filled with hope for someone going through a loss. Definitely not what I was expecting out of the book but still a good reminder about how short life is and how grief impacts us.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews

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