Room for Two by Abel Keogh

Room for Two
by Abel Keogh

General/Romance
224 pages, softcover
Target Reader: Adult LDS

Cedar Fort
978-1599550626
Release Date: August 1, 2007



From the publisher:

"Sweetie, I'm home." I tried to put as much kindness into my voice as possible. I didn't want to have another argument - at least not right away.

Silence.

"Sweetheart?"

A gunshot echoed from our bedroom, followed by the sound of a bullet casing skipping along a wall.

Everything slowed down.

***

When a life is destroyed, when guilt says you played a role in its destruction, how do you face the days ahead?

Twenty-six-year-old Abel Keogh chooses to ignore the promptings he receives concerning his wife's mental illness, and now he feels he is to blame for her choices. If only he had listened . . .

At some point in our lives, each of us face devastating afflictions and must eventually cope with loss. Regardless of how it happens, the outcome is still the same—we are left isolated, alone, wondering what we could have done differently, and where we can turn for peace.

This is Abel's story in his own words. His search for peace and the miracle that follows is proof that love and hope can endure, despite the struggles and tragedies that shape each of our lives.

Read Chapter 1.

When I was asked to review Room for Two by Abel Keogh, I had no idea what it was about. I just knew it had a pretty cover. When it arrived and I read the back liner, I was a little sorry I'd agreed to do the review so quickly. I have to be in a certain mood to read this type of book—and I wasn't in the mood. I didn't want to read something sad. I didn't want serious. I wanted to read the stack of fun fantasy sitting on my dresser. But I'd agreed to do it, so. . .

I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked this book. The first chapter is the hardest because it deals with the actual suicide of Abel's wife. There's also a very sad part about his daughter, Hope. But the rest of the book, although it deals with the difficulty of going on after you've lost a spouse, was very positive and uplifting.

Abel Keogh is a captivating writer. I felt like I was right there with him as he struggled to come to terms with his wife's suicide and learned to deal with the grief and guilt. I ran beside him as he learned to heal and to love again. When I finished the book, I felt really good about it. I felt uplifted.

We all have difficult times in our lives, and I think we help each other by sharing our stories and our struggles, our strength and hope and recovery. I'm glad I read this book and I recommend it to anyone who loves someone who is in the middle of a struggle with depression or loss.

I think the message of the book can be summed up with this statement: "Personal and spiritual development doesn't come when life is good and unchallenging. It's the hard times—the ones when we are forced to wake up every day and put one foot in front of the other—where the real growth occurs." (p 208)


Plot:

Characters:

Ending:

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Content Ratings

Language:

Violence: Abel's wife commits suicide and there is some description of the scene.

Drugs/Alcohol:

Immorality: Some readers might be a little uncomfortable with the level of physical contact and description, but there is no immoral behavior.

Values/Themes: Learning to deal with grief and guilt.

Age Appropriate: Definitely for adults.

Writing Mechanics:

*Received a review copy.


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