Winter Days and Coral Roses: My Time with Faisal

by LaJuana Hale

After a divorce and some dating misses, LaJuana finds an immediate connection with Faisal. Though they are from different cultures, races and religions, she’s intensely drawn to his passion for life. On their second date he shares he has stage 4 cancer but he’s not done living. He asks to continue seeing her. She sees the risk ahead but feels drawn to him and says yes. The relationship intensifies as he begins to weaken, and she struggles with her decision, as every moment that brings them closer is paired with the heartache of knowing it won’t last. Though the miracle that they both hope for doesn’t come, she finds the joy of her time with him far outweighs the pain of his loss. His “live life to the fullest” approach teaches her that death doesn’t have to be feared, and every new day with those you love should be cherished.

211 pages, Paperback

Published October 26, 2020

About the author

LaJuana Hale was a writer and journalist for the first decade of her career. The past 22 years she used her experience to teach creative writing, English and journalism to high school students. Now she is ready to reenter the writing world, starting with the recent release of her first memoir, Winter Days and Coral Roses. She has other projects in the works as well.

Though most of her time is spent working with words, she also loves cooking, getting out in nature either in her garden or on the walking trails around her home or with her grandchildren.

Reviews

[Kathy Toews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book, it was funny and sad and very moving. Can't wait for more from this author!

[Mary Allegretta · Rating 5 out of 5]

I should preface this by saying that I had the opportunity to meet and work with the author when the both of us were selected to participate in the 2013 Reynolds High School Journalism Institute at the University of Nevada at Reno. This was an incredible two-week fellowship opportunity where teachers of journalism from all corners of the globe engaged in an unforgettable immersive learning experience. In it, we learned that everyone has a story... and it’s often up to the savvy journalist to help bring the story to light. I didn’t know about LaJuana Hale’s story then, and after reading the epilogue at the end of the book, I can understand the great deal of internal conflict she faced in deciding to tell about it. This is a deeply personal and moving account of love and loss, our relationships with one another, and our relationship with God. Reading this, in the author’s straightforward, feelings-filled prose, made me feel as if I was sitting next to her in a coffee shop, listening intently and trying to hold back tears. It’s a sad story, but it’s a bittersweet sadness that demands the rare kind of introspection that only a gifted storyteller can put into words. The author’s story has the potential to bring comfort to those who are grieving the loss of a partner, and it validates the truth that the meaning and importance of a loving relationship has little to do with its length.

[Marisa Charpentier · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautifully told story about love, faith and loss. It’s the kind of memoir you read to learn about someone else but come away from having learned something about yourself, too. LaJuana bravely tackles taboo subjects we so often shy away from discussing — death and end-of-life care — an encouraging comfort in a time of such large-scale loss. Her honesty is admirable: yes, it is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all, she says, but has she always felt this way? Certainly not. In the end, though, “to really live, you will need to get off the sidelines and into the game. Risk getting hurt. Pain, joy, love, and loss sometimes are all jumbled together in a giant, glorious mess.”

[Nancy McGinnis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the true story of LaJuana and Faisal, their relationship, love, and connection woven together for a purpose even if it was only for a short time. I enjoyed this book so very much. The author’s perspective and reflections filled the pages with raw emotion as well as humor. Her balance of emotions helps readers to better understand the inevitable heartache as well as the blessings, growth, and change that come along with accepting such a commitment. I enjoyed reading the emails that transpired between the two as well as the author’s openness about her own upbringing and life events. I am looking forward to reading more from this author.

[McKenna Cowley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautiful story. I honestly haven’t read through an entire book this quickly in a long time. What an amazing reminder to cherish those around you. Reading this book comes with laughing, crying, and an intense urge to call those who you care about. It takes bravery to share a story this raw and personal, but I am glad to have read it.

[Reader · Rating 1 out of 5]

Absolute drivel that reads as if it’s a middle schoolers first fanfic.

[Lori Herbst · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my second time to read this book, and I was equally affected by it on the reread. It's an emotional, gut-wrenching, life-affirming tale that is remarkably well-crafted and engagingly told. The book combines moments of deep pain, light humor, and always, always an abiding love, faith, and humanity. I'm better for having read it. Highly recommend!