Hope prevails in ‘A New Promise’

by Jennie McGhan
A new book written by a new author from Federal Way, A New Promise, delivers on its title.
Julie Eller’s first book focuses on a family in crisis. Set in the Wenatchee area, the Parnell family is suffering through the loss, but not the death, of the mother and wife of the family.
Rachel Parnell is suffering in the late stages of Huntington’s Disease. She is confined to a nursing home and is on life support because her husband has not yet come to terms with her wishes left with him four years ago. The Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order and her request to "…Let me go, Scott," have haunted him throughout the years.
Meanwhile, the couple’s children are suffering. Tyler is in a state of anger and rebellion against his father and life. He is afraid that his mother may have passed on the gene for Huntington’s Disease to his little sister, Tawnya, and himself.
Tawnya is growing up under her father’s nose and he hasn’t realized she is in desperate need of dental work and some of the care that accompanies puberty.
The family is falling apart and Rachel’s sister, Celeste, decides it is time to help her brother-in-law and the family to cope with their needs. She is a successful accountant in Seattle, who finds she loves her brother-in-law as more than a friend through her interaction with the family.
The fact that Rachel is still alive becomes an issue and a struggle for Scott and Celeste because neither of them wishes to dishonor the marriage, however Scott is faced with financial burdens and the time has come to finally honor Rachel’s wishes.
Scott struggles with the need to inform his mother-in-law and children regarding the DNR and his desire to hold on to Rachel, while facing his increasing feelings toward Celeste.
The family has a lot of obstacles to overcome, however there is A New Promise that will be granted.
This book is a journey of heartache and hope. It addresses the needs of those struggling with questions in the midst of a loved one’s illness and the very real helplessness those left behind can feel.
I strongly recommend the purchase of this book, published by Tate Publishing and available by pre-order through Barnes and Noble. A New Promise is set for release Sept. 11.