Unfinished

by Pat Bertram

Amanda Ray thought she'd grow old with her pastor husband David, but death had other plans. During David's long illness and his withdrawal from her, Amanda found solace in the virtual arms of Sam Priestly, a college professor she met at an online support group for cancer patient caregivers. Amanda thought that when their spouses were gone, she and Sam would find comfort in each other's arms for real, but though David succumbed to the cancer that riddled his body, Sam's wife, Vivian, survives. Vivian had been in the process of divorcing Sam when she fell ill, and after the diagnosis, Sam agreed to stay with her until the end. Since Sam plans to continue honoring his vow, Amanda feels doubly bereft, as if she is mourning two men.

Rocked by grief she could never have imagined, confused by her love for Sam and his desire for her to move near him, at odds with her only daughter, Amanda struggles to find a new focus for her suddenly unfinished life. As if that weren't enough to contend with, while clearing out the parsonage for the next residents, Amanda discovers a gun among her devout husband's belongings. Later, while following his wishes to burn his effects, she finds a photo of an unknown girl that resembles their daughter.

Having dedicated her life to David and his vocation, this evidence that her husband kept secrets from her devastates Amanda. If she doesn't know who he was, how can she know who she is? Accompanied by grief and endless tears, Amanda sets out to discover answers to the many mysteries of her life: the truth of her husband, the enigmatic powers of love and loss, and the necessity of living in the face of death.

142 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 11, 2017

About the author

Pat Bertram is the author of the suspense novels MADAME ZEEZEE'S NIGHTMARE, UNFINISHED, LIGHT BRINGER, DAUGHTER AM I, MORE DEATHS THAN ONE, and A SPARK OF HEAVENLY FIRE. Bertram is also the author of GRIEF: THE GREAT YEARNING, “an exquisite book, wrenching to read, and at the same time full of profound truths.”

Reviews

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many things are left unfinished when a life is cut short, even if the ending is long and slow, well-predicted, and sensibly prepared-for. Words are left unsaid, secrets left untold. And relationships tremble in the wind of passage. Platitudes offer neither comfort nor wisdom, and grief is a full-time job.

Pat Bertram’s Unfinished invites readers into that grief, while adding layers of mysteries, hints of betrayals, and conversations beautifully recorded of honest recognition. “One of the ironies of grief is that… when people should be looking out for you, you have to… make allowances for their discomfort,” says one character, while others tell Amanda she should pick herself up.

Unfinished is a beautiful combination of intriguing fiction and informative wisdom, leading readers along the path of grief, through byways of longing and guilt. Faith is respectfully recognized and recorded, but never a call for commitment—it’s what others believe, including Amanda’s husband David, but it’s not part of her life.

The story tells of David’s illness, the temptations of drugs to kill physical pain and the internet for mental and emotional hurts, and the aching need for human interaction. It’s a story of betrayals past and future, secret and open, and of a woman slowly coming to terms with life on her own. Mystery perfectly balances grief, the plot moves forward decisively even while Amanda digs into the past, and the dialog is convincing and wisely thought-provoking.

Good fiction with wise lessons, pleasing humor and wounded depths, Unfinished is a book you'll keep to reread when it's unfinished.

Disclosure: I was given a copy and I offer my honest review.

[Sue Olson · Rating 1 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a review and I thought I would enjoy it based on the description on the cover. But......on many levels it just didn’t fit for me. This is a story of a woman who lost her husband to cancer. She loved him very much and much of the story is describing her deep pain as she goes through the grieving process. At the risk of sounding insensitive, I felt bogged down in her grief and found it very depressing to read.
Also, I found it very hard to believe that a woman who loved her husband so much would have a cyber affair starting while her husband was dying.
The cyber affair with Sam was cumbersome to read during their online discussions and did not come to a satisfying conclusion.
Last, but not least, there were many missing words, typos, and mistakes in the writing.
Perhaps this self-help book disguised as fiction would appeal to someone who has lost their spouse. The feelings of grief were raw and painful and most likely very real.