I am the first man to contribute to this blog — or to any blog, ever — but, hey, I am a secure male like Tug.

I just finished Shelter Me, just one week short of the one year mark (Aug 13th, 2009) of my wife Polly’s passing due to breast-to-brain cancer. While I would not have been able to read the book even a couple of months ago, let alone several months ago, reading it last week was an important additional piece in my continuing journey in grief and recovery. (Polly often read books of this genre, so I finally wanted a book like I thought she would read. Thank you for one I am sure she would have read and said to me, “This is a good book………”)

There are several parallels in my own situation and the book. Let me share a few:

One, Juliette, you never fall into cliches or myths regarding what it is like to have to walk through the death of a truly and deeply loved spouse. Like Janie’s Robby, Polly was my very best friend, my soulmate, and just an outstanding person, wife and mother. Like a theme in your book, she “got” me. And being “gotten” is one of life’s greatest gifts. ( We too had/have two children, although they are older and Polly was 51 when she passed away.) You respect grief, as a necesarry and profound expression of love, and neither view it as anything but a radical bomshell in one’s life, nor with the false idea that somehow “recovery” is getting completely over or totally leaving behind the person you were so bonded to.

Two, the theme of “grace” — if I can call it that here — is done so well in your book; the way that even in the midst of awful pain, loss and sadness, life ( and I believe, a loving God) keeps presenting us with “miracle” moments, even right in the middle of some of the worst experiences. Part of this, of course, comes through the people in our lives — some close, some not so close; some new on the scene, even strangers, but some familiar; some very mature, but some as weird as they come. Like in your book, much of this comes at the point of Robby’s death by way of Janie’s relatives and closer friends, and some of these people are just not up to the moment, while others totally surprize you in their capacity to get it. I too have seen how several people in my own life, whom I had hoped would be extremely understanding and supportive, just simply have faded away or been almost completely incapable of providing some “shelter” — for various reasons — while some others have seemingly just emerged out of nowhere, or have re-emerged unexpectedly, but intentionally, to be as helpful as they can.

Finally, I also am a pastor, though Protestant, and despite the fact that you didn’t shy away from the scandalous behavior of so many clergy, you also were able to present the reader with the GOOD examples — in Jake — as one who was/is thoroughly human, but also as one with a genuine and compelling faith in the midst of his struggles.

Thank you for a a fictitious story that none the less has the ring of the many true-to-life stories that abound among us, stories of love, goodness, hope and healing, all in the midst of sorrow and our human imperfections. And yes, there is a good “preacher” inside your novelist’s head, heart and spirit. Thank you.

One curious note: Unless I am mistaken — perhaps I missed it — there is no reference anywhere to Robby’s family. Intriguing, unless I missed it. Keep up the great work. Your efforts are connecting with real lives all around you though you will never meet the vast majority of them.

Pastor Bob Tice,
Buffalo, NY

In April, my family flew to Arizona to spend Easter week with my husband’s brother, his wife and son, Luke. As we entered the house, my sister in law showed me your book that she had framed, hanging in her home. She told me that our nephew was on the cover. Of course, I immediately recognized his distinctive haircut. I told her I would have to buy the book and have Luke sign it for me.
A few days later in Scottsdale mall, as I was searching for the book, my cell phone rang. It was my sister in Massachusetts telling me she had a recommendation for my book club.

I told her I was in the mall searching for “Shelter Me” because my nephew was on the cover. She told me that her book club had read it and she had met the author and my book club would love it. I thought it was quite a coincidence.

So, it is my choice for our August meeting. Plus,I have a great show and tell story to go along with my book choice.
One other little connection… about 5 years ago, when my sister in law was visiting us here in NY, she came to book club with me. So, they all will have met the mother of the boy on your cover and the sister of the photographer. And she is originally from MA.

I have just started the book and am loving it so far.
Maybe someday when I am visiting my sister, I will run into you at the bagel shop!

I have thoroughly enjoyed it.

I came to your website in hopes there might be other books. I have a friend whose has a birthday soon and had hoped to buy her an additional Julliette Fay book. Please email when the next novel is completed, I will become one of your best customers.

Thanks so much for the joy of reading “Shelter Me”

I, too, have read Marisa De Los Santos’ Belong to Me and Love Walked In (in that order) and was just as caught up in them as with your story.

Thank you for giving me this wonderful reading experience. I eagerly await your next novel.

Betty Korpisto
Okanagan Valley
British Columbia, Canada