The Doll in McCallaway's Store tells the story of two gifted writers (Annabelle McNealy and Jacob Kikkert) and their families. Jacob is young and poor, aspiring but unread, and Annabelle is older and also unread, but by choice. The two live separate and different lives, but share a similar style and passion for their writing. More importantly, they share a common set of values based on their faith in a Heavenly Father who loves and intercedes in the lives of His children. The sudden and senseless death of a cherished loved one initiates for one a trial of that faith, for the other its confirmation; and for both a series of events that align their lives and bring their faith together through the prayer of Jacob's daughter, Molly, and the porcelain doll she wants for Christmas. The novel is two tales that become one, a tale of love lost and recovered, an affirmation of family and Christian values, and a testament to those who believe--or who desire to believe--that there is a divine hand in chance and circumstance. (Word count - 75,374)

The Doll in McCallaway's Store

Literature & Fiction

Krogh, Kevin

Contemporary

Hermitage Books

The Willow Switch continues the story of the Kikkert family that began with The Doll in McCallaway's Store. The story is told by young Joseph Lawson and takes place mostly on Joseph's great grandfather's farm, which his mother, Valerie, has inherited. Joseph clings to the memory of past summer vacations on the farm learning baseball and other things about life from his beloved Grandpa Joe. But with his grandfather now gone, Joseph's father, Karl, takes out the frustration of his failures by abusing both his wife and son. It is in what was once Joseph's favorite place to be with his grandfather that Karl introduces his son to the willow switch as a form of brutal punishment. Unknown to his mother, Joseph is taken to the tool shed and beaten severely for even the slightest infraction. When Valerie learns of this abuse, it becomes the last straw in a long series of events that have destroyed her marriage, and she files for divorce. Joseph remains bitter toward his mother, fighting against the love that she has always shown him. He is angry with her for putting up with her abusive husband for so long, and angry with himself for not being more like Mark Harrison, one of his peers at school. When his mother meets and falls in love with Jacob Kikkert, Joseph is not sure that he can welcome another man into his and his mother's life, even though he is delighted at the thought of Molly Kikkert, Jacob's spirited and wise-beyond-her-years daughter, becoming his kid sister. Valerie and Jacob's courtship becomes a three family affair as the Harrison family, led by its matriarch, Grandma Annabelle (Annabelle McNealy), becomes involved. After Jacob and Valerie are married, Joseph is sure his worst fears are about to be realized when his new stepfather gives him his knife and tells him to go cut a willow switch and meet him in the tool shed. He soon learns, however, that Jacob Kikkert has an entirely new purpose for this and the many other willow switches that follow as Joseph journeys through adolescence. (Word count - 58,639)

The Willow Switch

Genre Fiction

Because He Makes Her Cry (Kikkert/Harrison trilogy)

Kevin Krogh

The Pigpen

Bubion - The Story of an Alpujarran Village

Tracy, Michael

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