About the Book

Book: Second Chances

Author: Shirley Quiring Mozena

Genre: Family and relationships/Death, Grief, Bereavement

Release Date: September, 2012

When Shirley and Bill set out on a dream trip in the beautiful northwest wilderness to celebrate their 40th anniversary, what develops is a nightmare that has no end. Mysterious pangs turn into a vicious virus that makes its way into Bill’s body. Shirley finds comfort through her Savior during the six months of Bill’s illness—an illness which eventually takes his life.

After a time, Shirley’s heart aches for companionship. Little does she know that living a few miles from her home, a widower mourns the loss of his wife of 32 years. They meet and fall hopelessly in love, and their love takes them on a two-year journey of joy and adventure until once again overwhelming heartbreak rocks Shirley’s world. This is a story of faith and courage to strengthen your own soul.

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About the Author

Shirley Quiring Mozena is an outdoors woman, musician, amateur chef, and former elementary music teacher and librarian. She has survived the hardest test of her faith and now works with others grieving the loss of loved ones.

More from Shirley

They told me there was no hope. How could that be? I’d already lost one husband. Would I have to lose another? We’d had so little time!

Four years earlier—nearly to the day—my high school sweetheart and father of my two children had died. We’d gone through so many struggles. Our marriage was nearly broken. Through courage in facing our faults and selfishness, our marriage was restored. And then, after a six month battle with a terrible virus, my husband died.

I’d never dreamed I’d love again, but it happened. Six months after our first date, we were married. It seemed like we were still on our honeymoon when the next tragedy happened. Just like that, he was gone.

And then I knew the story needed to be told. For myself. For my children. For anyone who wanted to know. It’s a story of second chances in a restored marriage. In love. In hope for the future and God’s sustaining love and comfort. A story to strengthen your own soul.

Interview with Shirley Quiring Mozena

When and how did you decide to be a writer?

I always dreamed I’d write a book, but raising my children and teaching elementary music at a local Christian school kept me busy. There were some dramatic things that happened after the death of my first husband. 1) the school I taught at for 15 years closed and I had to find a job in the public sector. It was amazing how God worked in my life to find the job I eventually found. Later, I met and married my second husband who after 17 months, died very suddenly of a brain aneurysm. It was devastating because I thought we’d have more time. I decided I needed to tell my story of love and loss and that’s how the book came into being. I was in my sixties when I published my first book and now, writing is my first love.

Five words to describe my book:

Love/Redemption/Hope/Second Chance/Romance

Which author has most influenced your own writing?

Francine Rivers, my all-time favorite author.

What is your work schedule when you are writing?

You’d think since I am retired, I’d have plenty of time, but it doesn’t seem to work that way. When I am really focusing, I try to schedule two hours a day of writing, research, and marketing. Sometimes I devote more time, but it’s difficult. I’m married, have a blended family of 20 grandchildren, some of whom live locally, as well as eight kids. Usually, I will write, then my hubby and I have happy hour where we re-group for the evening and I’ll read what I’ve written. I’m really blessed with my husband, who is willing and enjoys listening and giving input to my writing!

Do you have a favorite or special place to write?

I have a beautiful office I work in. I look out onto the front yard and see goings on when I’m thinking. I’m surrounded by a mini library, and photos of my family. I also have a reminder on the wall that says: “Love suffers long and is kind. Love does not envy. Love does not parade itself. Love is not puffed up, does not seek its own, is not provoked thinks no evil, does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things endures all things.” A good reminder!