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A Life Unplanned
While the characters are fictionalized, this is the story of the author’s mother’s life. She had a secret that she took with her to her grave, a secret her children would eventually find out and love her more than they thought possible. It was 1939, and Kate Limric had met the love of her life. He was her first love and would be her only love for the rest of her life. But life doesn’t always work out the way we plan, and that couldn’t have been more true for Kate. She would face many difficulties, love deeply and fiercely, sometimes with much amusement and laughter, sometimes with tears, but her loving and caring for her family would always shine through, even in death.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
244 pages, Paperback
First published May 12, 2014
32 people are currently reading
95 people want to read
About the author
Patty Seitz
6 books21 followersI was a medical transcriptionist for 37 years, having taught MT the last 13 years. Now I find myself turning to writing! My debut novel, A Life Unplanned, was published in May 2014. I have since completed two more novels and always working on a new project. I love to hike, read, bake--I collect cookbooks on top of novels. I have authored many articles related to MT, wrote a newsletter for my professional association at the local level, and also wrote a textbook for MT students and graduates titled The Practical MT. I am married to my college sweetheart and live in Las Vegas with my husband. We recently lost our rescued Lab, Remy, and miss her terribly. We know another pup will rescue us soon!
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
December 17, 2014
It is so different to rate a book that you know is real! Based on true stories and true lives. This book was amazing, Patty did an amazing job. But the main character Kate, was incredible. She was loving, loyal, kind hearted. She was beautiful form the inside out. I feel it was an honor to read her story..
I was heartbroken with some of the :Thing: that happened..How could anyone walk away from this women... but I feel she lived an incredible life..
Such a great book.
I was heartbroken with some of the :Thing: that happened..How could anyone walk away from this women... but I feel she lived an incredible life..
Such a great book.
January 14, 2015
A Life Unplanned is a beautiful tribute to the life of an extraordinary woman. We don't often appreciate what our mothers sacrificed for us and Patty's reminiscing and recollections are a good reminder. This book made me cry. This is a true story which made the author's words real and all the more painful - especially if you've also lost someone that you love. Patty gives words to the pain that we feel and shows us how we can rise above it. Losing a mother is so painful, but we shouldn't dwell only on the loss. Instead, we should celebrate and be thankful for the brief and wonderful moments that we shared with the ones we love.
The memories linger, and there we can visit those we loved and lost. Thank you for writing this book.
The memories linger, and there we can visit those we loved and lost. Thank you for writing this book.
January 23, 2015
What a beautifully written book. I understand this book is a based on the life of the Author’s mother and you can feel how true that is in the sincerity of the writing. There were several times I chuckled during this story and lots and lots of tears shed. This book touched me deeply. The majority of the story is about Kate as a young woman growing up in the thirties and forties. While reading this it reminded me so much of stories my mother used to tell of her life growing up in the forties and fifties. I always found those stories fascinating and always wished she would write a book about them. This author gave that gift to me with writing her own mother’s story. What an inspirational woman and example of true class and courage. Extremely well done.
December 29, 2014
This story will make you laugh, frustrated, angry and cry! It was an emotional roller coaster I'll never forget!
December 21, 2014
A very moving book which touches your heart.
Well written, and many people can and will relate to it.
I would recommend this book to family oriented people.
Well written, and many people can and will relate to it.
I would recommend this book to family oriented people.
March 20, 2015
A Life Unplanned is a story set in the 1940’s and based upon the author’s own mother June Limric Farr. In the book she is Kate; an independent woman who becomes pregnant out of wedlock. While her own family supports her decision to have the baby she is not easily accepted by Robert Farr’s family as they consider her below their station. The young couple decide to elope and get married in Kentucky. Patty Seitz shares moments in the life of the married couple as they confront all kinds of difficult scenarios, financial and otherwise. Will Robert prove to be the man she initially loved or will their love bring even greater challenges to contend with.
There are also heart-warming moments and snippets from Kate’s life before her marriage to Robert, her family might not have been rich but they were rich in love. Through Kate we get to know about the everyday life of people living during the 1940’s, we also find that beneath the strength and the fierce independence Kate was also a quirky and vulnerable woman who had her share of fears and phobias. Her handwritten notes at the end of the book are real tear jerkers, even in death she thought of her family, hoping that her pain might absolve all her sins so that “no guilt of mine affect a relative or friend….” Patty Seitz’s book is a tribute to mothers who fight all odds to bring up their children, without any hope of expectations or rewards in return. In Kate’s case she got her well deserved reward from her daughter in this gem of a book.
There are also heart-warming moments and snippets from Kate’s life before her marriage to Robert, her family might not have been rich but they were rich in love. Through Kate we get to know about the everyday life of people living during the 1940’s, we also find that beneath the strength and the fierce independence Kate was also a quirky and vulnerable woman who had her share of fears and phobias. Her handwritten notes at the end of the book are real tear jerkers, even in death she thought of her family, hoping that her pain might absolve all her sins so that “no guilt of mine affect a relative or friend….” Patty Seitz’s book is a tribute to mothers who fight all odds to bring up their children, without any hope of expectations or rewards in return. In Kate’s case she got her well deserved reward from her daughter in this gem of a book.
January 1, 2015
Tears of joy and sadness
This book about the authors mother is heart warming and emotional. It had me trying to read through tears and blubbering to my husband for reassurance. The story follows Kate from her teenage years through to her death in her 70's. Like most people's lives there are highs and lows and secrets and confessions. The author has highlighted all these events beautifully and chosen the aspects to focus on carefully. I felt that the characters became like my family and made the book easily relatable. I found myself feeling disappointed in some of the characters and wanting them to make different choices. That's the problem when a story is about real people, you can't control them like characters in a book. Having said that I still loved the people in the book and I loved the book itself and I can't recommend it highly enough.
This book about the authors mother is heart warming and emotional. It had me trying to read through tears and blubbering to my husband for reassurance. The story follows Kate from her teenage years through to her death in her 70's. Like most people's lives there are highs and lows and secrets and confessions. The author has highlighted all these events beautifully and chosen the aspects to focus on carefully. I felt that the characters became like my family and made the book easily relatable. I found myself feeling disappointed in some of the characters and wanting them to make different choices. That's the problem when a story is about real people, you can't control them like characters in a book. Having said that I still loved the people in the book and I loved the book itself and I can't recommend it highly enough.
January 15, 2015
RATING: 4.5 STARS
This book left me with a lot to think about in terms of how I felt. A story based on her mother's life, from the daughter's perspective.
It takes some guts to write your first novel on something as close and personal to you as your mother. You see a strong family bond, unending loyalty, and unwavering strength. Qualities that are quick to hide at the smallest infraction in today's society. Kate was a strong woman that worked through every scenario thrown at her, that would bring anyone else to their knees.
If you are wanting a story to connect with, that will make you laugh, make you cry, and make you feel right to the core, then pick this one up.
Keri
This book left me with a lot to think about in terms of how I felt. A story based on her mother's life, from the daughter's perspective.
It takes some guts to write your first novel on something as close and personal to you as your mother. You see a strong family bond, unending loyalty, and unwavering strength. Qualities that are quick to hide at the smallest infraction in today's society. Kate was a strong woman that worked through every scenario thrown at her, that would bring anyone else to their knees.
If you are wanting a story to connect with, that will make you laugh, make you cry, and make you feel right to the core, then pick this one up.
Keri
January 23, 2015
This is an endearing story. The author's love and commitment for her mother is unquestionable. It's great that Seitz wrote a novel about her mother and lets readers inside her life, vulnerabilities and all. Highly recommended :)
January 2, 2015
Fantastic book, made me laugh, made me cry. Great characters and story. Would recommend this to everyone.
January 3, 2015
Great book about family. Well written
March 5, 2015
This is a touching fictional story based on the life of the author’s mother. A woman who had her share of challenges, heartaches, losses and grief and managed, through her resilience and loving nature, to bounce back and overcome them.
It could be everyone’s story. We all have to face the vicissitudes of life and very few of us, I suspect, live our lives free of family trauma, complicated relationships and conflict.
However, not all of us find the inner strength, the loving kindness and true forgiveness that Kate displayed in facing these challenges. Admirable traits that brought her peace of mind and ensured she was much loved and respected by her family, friends and acquaintances.
This book is very easy to read, written in a clear and straightforward style. It came straight from the heart of the author with boundless love and affection.
It could be everyone’s story. We all have to face the vicissitudes of life and very few of us, I suspect, live our lives free of family trauma, complicated relationships and conflict.
However, not all of us find the inner strength, the loving kindness and true forgiveness that Kate displayed in facing these challenges. Admirable traits that brought her peace of mind and ensured she was much loved and respected by her family, friends and acquaintances.
This book is very easy to read, written in a clear and straightforward style. It came straight from the heart of the author with boundless love and affection.
March 28, 2015
I found this a very readable and engaging story. America in the nineteen-forties and fifties, when much of the story takes place, was well evoked for me, and I found it a compelling read - had to keep turning those pages to find out what would happen next! A lovingly told account with a lot of warmth.
December 1, 2018
AWESOME!!
I couldn't put it down. Had to keep reading to find out more about what happens next. I can read this book over and over.
I couldn't put it down. Had to keep reading to find out more about what happens next. I can read this book over and over.
February 7, 2016
I didn't love this book. It was just okay for me, possibly because I read it right after reading A Life Well Loved by the same author. The vast majority of this story was covered in that book, though this had more detail. I found myself skimming portions just to get through it. Of note is that this is based on the lives of real people with the main character being the author's mother. While there isn't anything specifically wrong with this book, I much preferred A Life Well Loved over this one.
February 5, 2016
I struggled to get into this book. When I hit the halfway mark, I was glad I stuck with it. A deeply personal story that had me wiping tears away at the end. What a beautiful tribute to a wonderful woman.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews