Dearly Beloved

     "Dearly Beloved" are words that precede many sacred gatherings in the church. In the same way, Henry Breuner opens his heart to Emily Campbell in 1896 in Chicago. She is a city girl, just finishing high school. He is a middler at McCormick Seminary, twenty-three, from southern Indiana. They are first generation Americans, meeting at the threshold of a challenging century.
     From their disparate backgrounds they forge a ministry in small Presbyterian churches in Illinois, Idaho, Utah and Indiana. Historic events influence their courageous and committed journey, from 1897 to 1959, through war times and depression, in women's suffrage and racial unrest. After Henry's death, Emily finds in his writings that she was always his "dearly beloved" so she can carry on their ministry to young people and reach her own goals in faith.
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My Will Be Done

     For ninety-six years, Bertha Ross MacLean's determination to succeed affects three generations. In spite of her controlling schemes, her husband succeeds in the corporate world and her three offspring lead good lives and find happiness. Bertha broods over her discontent. She paints china, carves walnut tables, makes quilts and needlepoint pictures. She never gives up trying to "get even" with the world for her difficult childhood.
     There are some threatening moments, loving scenes and tender humor. Set near Chicago from 1902 through 1973, the book brings history to life. Readers may recognize some of their relatives and the human emotions that agitate families. The psychological effects of Bertha's life provide a contrast between people who live for others and one who lives for herself.
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The Legacy of K Don Fry, Supermarketer

K. Don Fry was a leader in the growth of the food industry in the West. His personal reflections and values are an inspiring legacy, an American story of success. He credits his loving family for joy in his life.
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Remnants: Ready for New Life

Daisy MacDuff invites old friends, remnants of widowhood, spinsterhood or divorce, to join her in a new life in Scottsdale's newest retirement village. One laughs at her; another is afraid to leave Boston; two are reluctant but want more information; and four agree to try it. Together they adjust successfully in spite of serious problems for two of them. Their life stories reflect their attitudes about their past lives, but they move from self-centered lives into caring about each other. They become volunteers in the community. They recover their sense of humor and curiosity. They find the benefits of living in community, challenging readers to think ahead about their own plans.
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Kiki Swanson

Kiki Swanson grew up happily in Wheaton, Illinois, playing the piano, working in the library and close to her church. Near-by Chicago offered museums and concerts to enrich her growing-up years. The daughter of teachers, she graduated from Smith College and became a high school English and journalism teacher in the suburbs.

Her love of writing was set aside to marry and raise three sons. Once the boys were in school, she wrote children's stories and magazine articles. At the Risk of Sounding Like Your Mother was written about those years.

The family first moved to Scottsdale in 1959 and then was transferred to the Chicago area for four years. They returned to Scottsdale in 1969, as business owners and active volunteers in community and church. A Master's Degree from San Francisco Theological Seminary equipped Kiki for leadership in the national Presbyterian Church as a consultant in mission and capital fund-raising.

She has just retired from a senior adult ministry called Prime Time to return to writing. She draws heavily on insights into members of her own family and middle western roots. Her interest in genealogy has added firsthand information to her research of early twentieth century living habits to produce My Will Be Done and Dearly Beloved.

Kiki's current book is Remnants: Ready for New Life, growing out of true stories of seniors who seek a new way of life in a retirement community. In addition to portraying a likable group of friends, the story illustrates many of the questions and doubts seniors have about selling their homes or moving to a new town. She writes with firsthand experience on the subject from eleven years of sharing the lives of active seniors. Her writing shows her love of people and her understanding of the challenges of the second half of life.

Another, exciting writing project is The Legacy of K. Don Fry, Supermarketer, available last year in 120 Fry's Food Stores in AZ. She also talks about a return to the early twentieth century to follow the life of Phoebe, Emily's best friend in Dearly Beloved. Her energy continues to produce good stories!