That was then--: a novel - bk. #4

This Is Now Its Kims senior year and, while everyones looking forward to graduation, shes got so much going on she can barely make it through the day.

Natalie, pregnant with Benjamin OConners baby, believes its Gods will for them to marry, and Ben sees it as his Christian responsibility to do so.

Major red flag? He doesnt love her. Thensurprise! Kims birth mother in Korea sends her an intriguing letter, making Kim question her reluctance to get to know another mom. And what about Maya? Is God calling Kim and her father to open their hearts and home to Kims biracial cousin whose mother was just sentenced to five years in state prison?

Kim has been through so much already, but that was then Does she have enough faith for now?

Saturday, November 11 Ive talked to Nat twice this week.

But only on the phone. Both times she just glossed over what happened last weekend.

She told me everything was fine. But without any details. It was the kind of reassurance that isnt reassuring at all.

I know shes covering something up. That was then...Kim Peterson has had a lot going on the past few years: writing a teen advice column, finding a new faith, dating and breaking up for the first time, losing her mom to cancer...Kim has learned to turn it all over to God day by day, relying on Him like she never has before.

Now Kims best friend, Nat, is pregnant and soon to be married to Ben OConner, Caitlins younger brother.

Nat is starry-eyed, believing that once she and Ben are married, God will bless them and everything will work out because theyre doing the right thing.

Kims not so sure. Is marriage the only solution for two seventeen-year-olds with a baby on the way?

Why wont they consider adoption? Kim knows about that firsthandand is about to find out even more Readers guide included Story Behind the BookIn book four, Kims life is still shadowed by the loss of her mother, but her faith is deepening.

My best friend lost her mother to cancer in high school, and I was very involved in counseling, encouraging, and praying with my friend as she worked through her grief.

That experience helped me write Kims story from an insiders perspective.

Melody CarlsonFrom the Trade Paperback edition.