Welcome to Rise & Shine
By Sandra D. Bricker
Meet Shannon her Aunt Mary, Aunt Lora and Aunt Lonna
Shannon
2005: Imagine a chance to slip away from the office, phones and busyness of life. Take a journey across the deep blue sea to Bega Lagoon, Fiji. The sand sparkles, there is a warm breeze and as the palm trees sway to the sound of soft music Not only has Shannon arrived in secluded paradise she has married her beloved Edmund. This is where Shannon finds herself in August of 2005 starting her honeymoon. As Rise and Shine starts they are enjoying breakfast, having enjoyed magical massages and now are preparing to go diving. But a tragic accident would forever change the course of their lives.
Today: “Once upon a time, in a charming land called Austin, an exquisite princess with fire-red hair slipped into a deep sleep. Her prince held vigil at her side, hoping and praying that she would one day open her beautiful emerald eyes again . . . “
Shannon Malone wakes up from a coma after almost ten years. Shannon knows she is coma survivor and a widow but she is so much more. She doesn’t remember much about whom she was but with time she slowly begins to discover and remember things about her life. As Shannon struggles to learn this new world, a world with many changes she discovers still loves old TV shows. Hart to Hart, The Dick Van Dyke Show, The Andy Griffith Show, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, My Fair Lady, Funny Girl, and Friends are still favorites but she has also developed a new love for Castle. Shannon knows she loves to read. In fact she still enjoys Emma by Jane Austin and the biography about Abraham Lincoln, Lincoln’s Battle with God. Her mother had passed down her love for books with books like Jane Eyre, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Anne of Green Gables, Little Women, Pride and Prejudice. And of course her Doctor Seuss collection, Cat in the Hat . . . One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish . . . and even all these years later Green Eggs and Ham could still make her heart sing.
She enjoys pizza and burgers but has a new love for cooking gourmet food. She learned to make spinach fandango, salmon with ginger glaze, chili rellenos casserole and corn salsa. So she’d developed a new appreciation for interesting cuisine and a taste for strong coffee. She loves old recipes like the one passed down from Grandma Malone for small cheese and egg omelets baked into muffin tins, served warm with blueberry compote and tender, flaky biscuits.
Just like any princess she loves the color purple. Shannon and Aunt Mary talk about as a little girl how she loved purple and had to have a purple room and for her fifth or sixth birthday she had to have a purple tiara because purple was a royal color and every princess should be surrounded in purple. She knows she was a graphic designer but is not sure where it was she worked or if that was something she would go back too.
Shannon knows she used to like water but since the accident she has a fear of water. She also knows she had a strong faith in God at one time. And now has a deep desire to make God her everything once again.
And they Lived Happily Ever After
“She opened the book and flipped to the last page, just to make sure the snoozing princess actually had a happy ending. Spotting the magic words, happily ever after, she sighed. “Well, that’s a relief, at least.”
Aunt Mary, Aunt Lora, and Aunt Lonna
Shannon has three good fairies. They are her three aunts who have made her well-being and care their main concern, especially her favorite aunt, Aunt Mary. She has loved and given Shannon a happy home. Aunt Mary has been actively involved in her care all those years, always believing Shannon would wake. She continued to help care for Shannon through her recovery, allowing her to cry, laugh and support her. Aunt Mary even cares for her when she returns home and into the big bad world. She joins Shannon on her first wild ride in a car as she relearns to drive. Prepares her house for her and makes her a cross stitch of her favorite scripture, Jeremiah 29:11 “ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Quote: “Aunt Mary?” she blurted, and an unexpected wave of relief washed over her. She remembered this woman. Pushing herself upright, she took a closer look. “Aunt Mary, you look terrible! Are you sick?” Mary chuckled and touched her turkey neck. “No, dearie. I’m not sick. I’ve just aged since the last time you saw me.”
Then she has the twins, Aunt Lora, who is tiny and round with jet-black hair with a face that looks like she’s been sucking on something really sour. Aunt Lonna looks more like Aunt Mary, only tiny and round like Lora. When she smiles, her eyes disappear into straight slits across her face.
Quote: “Your other aunties live in Phoenix now,” Mary explained as she toddled about the bed tucking in the corners of Shannon’s clean bed sheet. “They’ll come as soon as they can and stay at my house for awhile.” “Lora and Lonna,” she piped up triumphantly. “Yes! They both squealed like children on Christmas morning when they heard the news. We’re so happy to have you back with us, Shannie.”
You need to read this great book to see if Dr Daniel’s kiss wakes Shannon and if they find their happily ever after. You will find inspiration, romance, quirky characters and amusement around every corner. I love Sandra D. Bricker books, they are always so light hearted and fun. She takes a serious situation and puts a positive light on it. I think I fall a little more in love with her books the more I read. In fact I have never found one that I did not like because I have found all of them fantastic. I give this book a high five, great job. It is well written with characters that are enthusiastic, inspiring and full of life. I highly recommend this book to anyone searching for a compelling Christian book that is entertaining and gives hope to the readers with stories of faith. You can find Sandra D. Bricker on FaceBook. Check out her many incredible books, there is one or more sure to please you.
