Unlocked

by Karen Kingsbury

  For those of you who are not familiar with Forever in Fiction, it is my way of involving you, the readers, in my stories, while raising money for charities. The winning bidder of a Forever in Fiction package has the right to have their name or the name of someone they love written into one of my novels. In this way they or their loved one will be forever in fiction. To date, Forever in Fiction has raised more than two hundred thousand dollars at charity auctions. Obviously, I am only able to donate a limited number of these each year. For that reason, I have set a fairly high minimum bid on this package so that the maximum funds are raised for charities. All money goes to the charity events.

  In Unlocked, I bring you a very special Forever in Fiction character. That character is precious little Kate McRae, a six-year-old Arizona girl who has battled brain cancer for more than a year. Kate is the blue-eyed, blonde-haired daughter of Aaron and Holly McRae—a young pastor and his wife. The McRae family has two other children —Olivia, seven, and Will, four. Life as this family knew it changed dramatically the summer day in 2009 when they noticed a tremor in Kate’s hand. A simple trip to the doctor led to a myriad of tests and the diagnosis that would rock any family. Kate had an aggressive form of brain cancer.

  Treatment for Kate has been both risky and uncertain. More than that, it is terribly expensive. Since Kate’s mother, Holly, is one of my reader friends, I decided to do something new with Forever in Fiction. I figured we could make Kate a character in one of my books as long as enough people would come alongside me and donate at least one hundred dollars to the Kate McRae Fund. In return, I would list the names of Kate’s special supporters here, in the acknowledgments of my book.

  We opened up a two-month window, and during that time my hopes were wildly exceeded by your tremendous generosity. Nothing can ease the pain of cancer for a family like the McRaes. But your financial help and your tireless prayers have made it possible to withstand the storm. As I write this, Kate has finished her chemotherapy treatments and a bone-marrow transplant, along with radiation, after more than a year of almost constant time at Phoenix Children’s Hospital. For now, her family, my family, and many of you must pray and wait and believe for God’s miraculous touch on her life. I’ve followed Kate along with you through her Caring Bridge site. Her mom has done a beautiful job detailing their very difficult and painful journey in a way that glorifies God at every turn.

  Kate is a vibrant, gregarious little girl who loves to sing along with Hannah Montana and run around the house with her siblings. She is crazy about her goldendoodle, Patrick, and SpongeBob Square Pants and jumping on her hospital bed when the chemo and medications don’t leave her flat on her back. “I’m a dangerous girl, Mommy,” she’s been known to say. And so she is. Never once has she considered anything but fighting the battle ahead of her. Even in the darkest times, her eyes provide anyone near her a window to a most precious soul.

  In Unlocked Kate will play the sweet-natured, always believing young cousin of Holden Harris. In the book, her fictitious parents are both stationed in Iraq, serving our country. During that time, she lives with Holden’s family and provides insight that can only come from a child like Kate. She is integral to Holden’s world and the innocence that lies inside him.

  I know Kate will be honored when she understands her place here in this special book, and I hope her family will always see a little bit of their precious Kate here in the pages of Unlocked, where she will remain Forever in Fiction.

  Now a special thanks to the many reader friends and friends of Kate McRae who helped put her Forever in Fiction. Each of the following people donated one hundred dollars or more to the medical costs incurred by the McRae family. These special friends of Kate’s include the following:

  Danielle Abraham Thomas and Olivia Bernards

  Sarah and Jennifer Ackley Madeline Biddle

  BailyApostol Melissa Bircher

  Tally Atkinson, In Memory of Anthony and Lori Bitts

  Marcy Knight Babcock Mike Bitzer

  Beth Backus Keith and Kathy Blum

  Brandon Scott Bailey Douglas and Lynn Bohlen

  Quint and Robin Barefoot Manny and Sunghee Bote

  John R. and Marilyn R Baxter Lynne Bottom

  Beau, Michelle, Dylan, and Jack Papa Brian and Grandma Shirlee

  Beecher Bouck

  Alison Behan Stephanie Bouck

  Cheri Beltramo Red and Margaret Boyles

  Marilena Benko Rebecca Brammer

  Rod Benson Kathleen Brockhaus

  Cheryl Bernai Thomas Brouster

  Robert Brown Mary Friesen

  Ava Nicole Buck Virginia Friesenhahn

  Parti Budinger Sarah Gadol

  Mikel Bullis Maxine Garon

  Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Burke Laura Garrison

  Kim Cain Peter and Patricia Garvy

  Logan and Tuesday Calderwood Jerry and Maria Gass

  Anthony and June Kim Castellano Samantha Gass

  Elizabeth Caven Alisha Lynn Gatchel

  Centennial Elementary PTO Drew Phineaus Gatchel

  Jerry Christopherson Melissa Geiger

  “Chuck” Fin Gold

  Jessie Collins Golden Stevedoring Co.

  Michael J Conte Carolyn Goldhaber.

  Sharleen Copp Larry Gott

  Kalli Corwin Mary Gray

  Robert J. and Lori A. Cramer Dara Griffin

  Denise Cruce Evelyn Grace Griffin

  Audree Davidson, In Memory Karen Hinton Guest, In Memory

  of Clint Davis of Jean Walker Hahn, In

  Shirley B. Delp Memory of Kenneth Walker

  Alexa DenHerder Hahn

  Matthew and Jenny Derr Sheilah Hanes

  Gwendolyn DeVaughn Kevin and Lorna Harberts

  Freida Marie Doebler Eddie Harlan

  Jessica Dunlap David Harnisch

  Kayla Scooby Dutra Clarice Hartel

  Cole and Caden Dykstra Libby Hedrick

  Steve and Julie Dykstra Pauline Hewitt

  Donna Efhan Lisa Brigman Hicks

  Nadine Evans Darrell and Verona Highsmith

  Lynn Fallon Michelle Hoffman

  Sherry Fishbeck Bryan and Emma Hollis

  Tammy Flora, In Memory of Teri Honaker

  Joseph Andrew Fox III Matt and Jenny Horn

  Daisy Marie Howard Kirk McConnell

  Colleen Howard Sharon McKinney

  Denise Huett Grandpa Tom and Grandma

  Steve and Maggie Hull Teresa McRae

  Steve Hulsman Olivia, Will, and Patrick McRae

  Jack Tucker Hunt Karen Melton

  Sherry Hunt Braden, Ethan, and Nolan Metz

  Sherry and Woody Hunt Deanna Miles

  DeAnn Issac Charles H. and Alma W Miller

  Jennifer Jacksits Kimberly Mitcham

  Chywan and Sonya Jackson Mobile Christian School 5th

  Jennifer Janzen Grade

  Brent Johnson Bobbie Jean Moore

  Marshella Johnson Whitney Morton

  Peggy Johnson Jeanne Mosley

  Jesi Jury Christine Munn

  Ryan Jeffrey Kees Dr. Charles and Karon Murray

  William and Linda Kelchner Reid and Aubrey Muscat

  Linda Kim Debi Neale

  Robert and Louise Krough Abby Horrell Neinast

  Ashlyn E. Kullen Anne Newborn

  Lynne Kullen Kirk and Joan Ney

  Victor LaBarbera Ginny Nixon

  Ann Larson Susan O’Farrell

  Barb Latt Cynthia Odum

  Sherry Lawson Taylor Ogle

  Grace Lee Abby Oldham

  Lindsay Lorraine Leavengood Charles D. Osborn

  Lenhoff Elisa Ostropolec

  Sarah Levine Jane Owens

  Angie Lien James and Tracy Patterson

  Pat Lucas Marcia Pecora

  Dolores Lyon Ryan and Lynelle Peugh

  Albert Mallekovic Phyllis Podhajsky

  Lori Marquette Stephanie Poteet

  AJ and Annabelle Price Leslie Styler

  Sandi (Carlson) Rasanen The Slocum Family
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br />   Linda Wirch Reed, In Memory James W. Thomas

  of Ramey Alana Reeves Bethany Thompson

  Lisa Reinholt Esther C. Thomson

  Joyce Reneman Mark, Michelle, and Marcos

  Ray Renner Tiderman

  Jody Ritchey Stacy Fisher Timmons

  Sharon Robbins Lynn Todd

  Keith and Janell Roorbach Michèle Trumble

  Sharon Rose Kylee Tudor

  Marjorie Schlecht Douglas and Julie Valentine

  Janet Scott Jeremiah and Jessica Van Dyke

  Kerry Ann Scott Vicki Vaughn

  Sharon Scott Jim and Donna Waggoner

  Jan Scott Gina Wallach, In Memory

  Great Grandma Betty Sell of Shawn Matthew Walsh

  Mike and Karen Shaw Tina Marie Warpool

  Tim and Amber Sheeley, Linda Kimberly Weber, In Memory

  Sheffield of Debbie Weeks

  Mary Shiple Merle and Barb Wickman

  Terry and Kriya Shortt Jodi Wierenga

  Jacki Simonds, In Memory Judith Wilcox

  of Rois Rosemary Skeates Elaine Wilson

  Mary Claire Sladko Nathan Wochner

  Jeff and Tammy Smith KimWolffis

  Pamela Smith Lisa Woodley

  Suzane Smith Melissa Woodruff

  Kristin Kay Smith Cindy Workman

  Kerry Smither. Lynda S. Young

  Tammy Souza-Fairley The Staff at CaringBridge

  Gerrie Springston The Staff at Women’s& Children’s

  Holland Stanley Unit at Thomasville Medical

  Alexis Stevenson Center

  *Forever in Fiction™ is a registered trademark owned by Karen Kingsbury.

  WHAT READERS ARE

  SAYING ABOUT KAREN

  KINGSBURY’S BOOKS

  Karen’s book Oceans Apart changed my life. She has an amazing gift of bringing a reader into her stories. I can only pray she never stops writing.

  Susan L.

  Everyone should have the opportunity to read or listen to a book by Karen Kingsbury. It should be in the Bill of Rights.

  Rachel S.

  I want to thank Karen Kingsbury for what she is doing with the power of her storytelling—touching hearts like mine and letting God use her to change the world for Him.

  Brittney N.

  Karen Kingsbury’s books are filled with the unshakable, remarkable, miraculous fact that God’s grace is greater than our suffering. There are no words for Ms. Kingsbury’s writing.

  Wendie K.

  Because I loaned these books to my mother, she BECAME a Christian! Thank you for a richer life here and in heaven!

  Jennifer E.

  When I read my first Karen Kingsbury book, I couldn’t stop. … I read thirteen more in one summer!

  Jamie B.

  I have never read anything so uplifting and entertaining. I’m shocked as I read each new release because it’s always better than the last one.

  Bonnie S.

  I am unable to put your books down, and I plan to read many more of them. What a wonderful spiritual message I find in each one!

  Rhonda T.

  I love the way Karen Kingsbury writes, and the topics she chooses to write about! Thank you so much for sharing your talent with us, your readers!

  Barbara S.

  My husband is equally hooked on your books. It is a family affair for us now! Can’t wait for the next one.

  Angie

  I can’t even begin to tell you what your books mean to me…. Thank you for your wonderful books and the way they touch my life again and again.

  Martje L.

  Every time our school buys your next new book, everybody goes crazy trying to read it first!

  Roxanne

  Recently I made an effort to find GOOD Christian writers, and I’ve hit the jackpot with Karen Kingsbury!

  Linda

  When Karen Kingsbury calls her books “Life-Changing Fiction™,” she’s merely telling the unvarnished truth. I’m still sorting through the changes in my life that have come from reading just a few of her books!

  Robert M.

  I must admit that I wish I was a much slower reader … or you were a much faster writer. Either way, I can’t seem to get enough of Karen Kingsbury’s books!

  Jillian B.

  I was offered $50 one time in the airport for the fourth book in the Redemption Series. The lady’s husband just couldn’t understand why I wasn’t interested in selling it. Through sharing Karen’s books with my friends, many have decided that contemporary Christian fiction is the next best thing to the Bible. Thank you so much, Karen. It is truly a God-thing that you write the way you do.

  Sue Ellen H.

  Karen Kingsbury’s books have made me see things in ways that I had never thought about before. I have to force myself to put them down and come up for air!

  Tabitha H.

  I have read many of Karen’s books and I cry with every one. I feel like I actually know the people in the story, and my heart goes out to all of them when something happens!

  Kathy N.

  Wow, what an amazing author Karen Kingsbury is! Her stories are so heart-wrenching… I can’t wait until the next book comes out…. Karen, please don’t ever lay your pen down.

  Nancy T.

  Karen Kingsbury’s words leap off the page…. I just finished a new series last night and once again she has touched me beyond compare!

  Kendra S.

  Other Life-Changing Fiction™ by Karen Kingsbury

  9/11 Series

  One Tuesday Morning

  Beyond Tuesday Morning

  Every Now and Then

  Lost Love Series

  Even Now

  Ever After

  Above the Line Series

  Above the Line: Take One

  Above the Line: Take Two

  Above the Line: Take Three

  Above the Line: Take Four

  Stand-Alone Titles

  Oceans Apart

  Between Sundays

  This Side of Heaven

  When Joy Came to Stay

  On Every Side

  Divine

  Like Dandelion Dust

  Where Yesterday Lives

  Shades of Blue

  Unlocked (Fall 2010)

  Redemption Series

  Redemption

  Remember

  Return

  Rejoice

  Reunion

  Firstborn Series

  Fame

  Forgiven

  Found

  Family

  Forever

  Sunrise Series

  Sunrise

  Summer

  Someday

  Sunset

  Red Glove Series

  Gideon’s Gift

  Maggie’s Miracle

  Sarah’s Song

  Hannah’s Hope

  Forever Faithful Series

  Waiting for Morning

  Moment of Weakness

  Halfway to Forever

  Women of Faith Fiction Series

  A Time to Dance

  A Time to Embrace

  Cody Gunner Series

  A Thousand Tomorrows

  Just Beyond the Clouds

  Children’s Titles

  Let Me Hold You Longer

  Let’s Go on a Mommy Date

  We Believe in Christmas

  Let’s Have a Daddy Day

  Miracle Collections

  A Treasury of Christmas Miracles

  A Treasury of Miracles for Women

  A Treasury of Miracles for Teens

  A Treasury of Miracles for Friends

  A Treasury of Adoption Miracles

  Gift Books

  Stay Close Little Girl

  Be Safe Little Boy

  Forever Young: Ten Gifts of Faith

  for the Graduate

  ABOVE THE LINE SERIES

  The Above the Line Series follows two dedicated Hollywood producers as they seek to transform the culture through the power of film.

  Availabl
e in stores and online!

  Every Now and Then

  Karen Kingsbury,

  New York Times Bestselling Author

  A wall went up around Alex Brady’s heart when his father, a New York firefighter, died in the Twin Towers. Turning his back on the only woman he ever loved, Alex shut out all the people who cared about him to concentrate on fighting crime. He and his trusty K9 partner, Bo, are determined to eliminate evil in the world and prevent tragedies like 9-11.

  Then the worst fire season in California’s history erupts, and Alex faces the ultimate challenge to protect the community he serves. An environmental terrorist group is targeting the plush Oak Canyon Estates. At the risk of losing his job, and his soul, Alex is determined to infiltrate the group and put an end to their corruption. Only the friendship of Clay and Jamie Michaels —and the love of a dedicated young woman —can help Alex drop the walls around his heart and move forward into the future God has for him.

  Available in stores and online!

  Between Sundays

  Karen Kingsbury,

  New York Times Bestselling Author

  Aaron Hill has it all —athletic good looks and the many privileges of a star quarterback. His Sundays are spent playing NFL football in front of a televised audience of millions. But Aaron’s about to receive an unexpected handoff, one that will give him a whole new view of his self-centered life.