Grace Interlaced

by Virginia Heslinga

On Mother's Day Sunday, twelve-year-old Virginia had two little brothers. On Monday, she had one.

Twelve-year-old Virginia is the babysitter on Monday night while her parents go to help in a campaign plan to raise money for the Red Cross.. Big sisters often become babysitters at a young age. Virginia knew she was supposed to ensure the safety of her three charges, her two younger brothers and their pastor's toddler son. She watches a fire destroy her house, hears the gathering crowd's wild speculations, sees the firefighters' efforts, and wonders when her parents will return.

Virginia feels the consequences of having rescued only two of the three little children. She wishes she had died in the struggle to get them out. She clings to hope for all of them to be rescued and prays to a God she thought loved little children. The fire causes Virginia to disconnect from emotions, lose trust in crucial relationships, and build a protective wall around her heart. Only God and repeated interventions can break through grief, guilt, anger, blame, and fears.

Audible Audio

Published May 14, 2024

About the author

I have written educational articles based on best teaching strategies, curricula for churches schools, and college classes, and done presentations at conferences national and international on cross-cultural communication and teaching. In eight different years, I trained teachers of English in remote areas of China. A series based on a common first question in northern China for a visitor is, Did You Eat? The first book in the series, China Sweet and Sour is out in 2025 spring. The second book China Spicy and Salty will be out in Nov. 2025.

I am on FB as Author Virginia Heslinga and also on a Business page, time2create.info and an individual page Virginia Heslinga.

Grace Interlaced, presents a memoir of a fire that happened at night in a house where a 12-year-old babysitter (me) took care of 3 boys, 8, 7, and 2. We might all have died. 3 survived.
My historical novel, Wounded Dove, reveals the turn of the century, 19th to 20th struggles of a young family from Denmark who settled in Worcester, MA. The polio epidemic of the early 1900s hit their family hard. Overcoming is a way of life, but even when life seems to even out and offer safety, heartbreaks and a predator require courageous action.
The Did You Eat series first book, China Sweet and Sour: 2004, invited readers to journey with an American teacher who is unhappy in job changes, angry at God, and looking for a constructive outlet, the wilder the better so she signs up to teach in a remote area of China. Beyond the Great Wall are stories of missteps, laughter, and transformation.
Virginia Heslinga serves as an Associate professor of Humanities for Anna Maria College of Paxton, Massachusetts in their online programs. She has worked for more than four decades teaching students, ranging from pre-school to grad school, alternative schools to home schools, from Appalachia to Inner Mongolia, Monterrey to Istanbul, face-to-face, hybrid, and online, ASL to ESOL, research, and creative writing. She has also mentored teachers around the United States and globe.

Reviews

[Alice Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sharp, unsettling look at a young girl crushed by a single moment that reshapes her entire world. The story captures Virginia’s guilt and emotional withdrawal with clarity, avoiding melodrama and focusing instead on the slow, difficult work of rebuilding trust and facing trauma. The spiritual thread is handled with restraint, showing how repeated nudges toward grace cut through the walls she builds. Brief but weighty, it’s a grounded portrait of grief, responsibility, and the long path back to hope.

[Susan Davenport · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful memoir of tragedy, consequences, reactions to grief and ultimately healing and forgiveness. Healing can be a life long journey as can forgiveness of self and others. In our current quick-fix mindset, society fails to give credit to or even try to work on long term solutions. I think the reader will find the depth of experience and emotions that can be found in such an approach.

[Jonathan William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grace Interlaced was such an emotional and powerful read. The story felt incredibly real, and I could truly feel Virginia’s pain, guilt, and struggle throughout the book. The author did a beautiful job showing how trauma can affect a young heart while also weaving in hope, healing, and faith in such a meaningful way. I found myself deeply connected to the characters and couldn’t stop thinking about the story after finishing it. This book is heartfelt, inspiring, and definitely worth reading.

[James Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grace Interlaced is one of those books that stays with you long after you've finished reading. Virginia's journey through grief, guilt, and healing felt incredibly genuine. I appreciated that the author didn't rush her emotional recovery but allowed readers to experience every difficult step alongside her. The Christian themes were woven beautifully into the story, offering hope without taking away from the reality of pain. A heartfelt and inspiring read.

[Zoe Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the very first chapters, I was emotionally invested in Virginia's story. The author portrays grief, guilt, and healing with honesty while reminding readers that grace can reach even the most broken places. The pacing, character development, and faith-centered message all worked together beautifully. This is an encouraging novel that I would gladly recommend to anyone who enjoys emotionally rich Christian fiction.

[Pattiann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honest, inspiring, and encouraging look at trauma, loss, grief, spirituality, and thoughtful living written by a woman of strong faith. Beautiful in so many ways and although I am fortunate to know the author a bit this felt like a gift and I’m so appreciative of her sharing her life’s story and journey with us. A great read as well as a great resource.

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story grabbed me from the very first line. The author captures Virginia’s pain and guilt so vividly that you feel like you’re standing beside her watching the fire. It’s heartbreaking but also full of hope, showing how God’s grace can heal even the deepest wounds. A powerful and emotional read.

[Hannah Kane · Rating 5 out of 5]

The strongest part of this novel is Virginia herself. Her emotional struggles, fears, and gradual healing made her feel like a real person rather than simply a fictional character. I found myself rooting for her throughout the story. The author handles trauma with compassion while showing that healing often comes one small step at a time. This was an uplifting and memorable read.

[Laura Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I appreciated how naturally faith was incorporated into the story. Instead of offering quick solutions, the novel demonstrates how God's grace works patiently through life's deepest wounds. The emotional moments felt sincere, and Virginia's journey reminded me that healing is rarely immediate but always possible. A touching Christian novel with an encouraging message.

[Avery Quinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book offers much more than a dramatic beginning. The emotional consequences of the fire are explored with honesty and depth, making the story feel authentic from beginning to end. The pacing allows readers to understand Virginia's struggles while celebrating each small victory she experiences. I found it both moving and encouraging.

[Daniel Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grace Interlaced is a beautiful reminder that even the deepest emotional scars don't have to define a person's future. Virginia's journey toward forgiveness and trust was inspiring without feeling unrealistic. The author's compassionate writing style made it easy to connect with the characters and their experiences. Highly recommended for readers who enjoy meaningful Christian fiction.

[Sarah Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

The characters in this book are wonderfully developed. Each relationship contributes to Virginia's personal growth, making her emotional transformation feel earned rather than convenient. I especially appreciated the emphasis on forgiveness, grace, and learning to trust again. The story is emotional, thoughtful, and ultimately very uplifting.

[Emily Carter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a powerful Christian novel that balances emotional realism with spiritual encouragement. Virginia's struggles never felt exaggerated, and her journey reminded me that healing often happens through patience, faith, and the support of others. The message of grace is woven throughout the story in a meaningful and inspiring way.

[Jessica Reynolds · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book because it focused on the emotional impact of tragedy instead of simply the event itself. The author's writing is compassionate and reflective, encouraging readers to consider themes of forgiveness, resilience, and hope. Virginia's journey is one that many readers will remember long after finishing the final chapter.

[Megan Foster · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel explores survivor's guilt and emotional trauma with remarkable sensitivity. Virginia's reactions felt believable, and I admired how the author allowed her healing to unfold naturally instead of resolving everything too quickly. The spiritual message complemented the story perfectly and left me feeling hopeful by the final chapter.

[Mary Slack · Rating 5 out of 5]

This memoir, written by a woman of deep faith, will pull you in on the first page. The author has lived an interesting life, influenced by a childhood trauma. Her story of living through the trauma, finding peace and forgiveness is inspiring and uplifting.

[Greg Bulkley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a great read. It is a powerful story of tragedy, suffering, healing and forgiveness that is an example to everyone that is dealing with extremely tough circumstances. It is inspiring to see how ones faith in God can overcome even the most difficult of circumstance. Great Job!

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed following Virginia's story...right to the last sentence. I couldn't put it down. This is a wonderful book of grief and healing and God's faithfulness in our lives.

[W.D. Wolfe · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing personal story of loss, grief, grace, and forgiveness.

[Lori Gregoire · Rating 5 out of 5]

What this woman went through and how she survived it definitely shows God’s work and compassion.

[Colleen Menz · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully written book that shows how tragedy can shape the person you become! Virginia Heslinga is one of the most creative and caring teacher you could ever meet.