I Can't Date a Man Who Loves Another Woman
Book Giveaway: The Wife in the Next Life
Goodreads is giving away 100 ebook (Kindle) copies of The Wife in the Next Life. Enter the giveaway below or click here.
Goodreads Book Giveaway
The Wife in the Next Life
by Abel Keogh
Giveaway ends January 31, 2023.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.
Can a Widower's Second Marriage be Better than His First Marriage?
How often is a widower's second marriage just as good or better than his first marriage? The answer that might surprise you.
The Untold Backstory of The Grinch
He went shopping for food
Because grinches eat too
But opening plastic bags
Proved too hard to do.
"Blast it!" he yelled
And stormed out of the store
"From now on I'll steal Christmas
today and evermore!"
What Should be Done with the Late Wife's Christmas Stocking?
What's should widows and widowers do with their late spouse's Christmas stocking if they're dating someone? What if there are minor children at home? Relationship coach and widower expert Abel Keogh has the answer.
Now Available: The Wife in the Next Life
Now available wherever books are sold.
3 Things Widows and Widowers Can Do to Make the Holidays Less Painful
The holidays can be a gut-wrenching time for widows and widowers. Relationship coach and widower expert Abel Keogh shares 3 things you can do to make the holidays and other special occasions more bearable.
Excerpt: The Wife in the Next Life
Chapter 1
Julianna
When my fiancé, Abel, called me on the way to our wedding, I didn’t hear the phone ring. I was mesmerized by the Bountiful Temple, a large, white granite building nestled in the foothills above Bountiful, Utah, a leafy, affluent suburb ten miles north of Salt Lake City. It felt surreal that I was going to be married in this beautiful building. Since I was a teenager, I had dreamed of marrying my future husband in this sacred setting, and in a few hours, that wish would become a reality.
At some point, I noticed a muffled ringtone emanating from the bowels of my small duffel bag. I reached inside and dug through the makeup, hairspray, gum, and other essentials before finding it.
“Who’s calling?” my mom asked, turning to look at me from the front passenger seat.
“It’s Abel.”
My heart skipped a beat. Why is he calling? I checked my watch. We’d planned to meet at the temple in fifteen minutes. Did something happen? Is he having second thoughts? Worry and concern flitted about my innards like an overactive hummingbird.
“Are you going to answer it?” Mom asked, stalling my runaway thoughts.
Suddenly, I realized the minivan was quiet. The excited chatter from my three sisters in the back row had died down. My dad glanced at me in the rearview mirror, a questioning expression on his face. I answered the phone before it went to voicemail and steeled myself for bad news.
“Hey, sweetie. Where you at?” Abel said. His voice was happy and excited. I let out a breath and felt the tension in my body lessen.
“We’re about to exit the freeway.”
“Do you still want to get married?”
“I’m still planning on it if you are,” I said, the uneasy feeling returning.
“That’s great because I can’t wait to be your husband,” Abel said. “I’m leaving our place now. I’ll see you soon.”
Our place was a cramped, one-bedroom mother-in-law apartment four miles south of the temple. In the background, I heard a car door slam, followed by the vroom of an engine humming to life.
“I love you most times eternity,” Abel said.
“I love you most times eternity too,” I said, repeating our signature catchphrase. After we hung up, I exhaled in a deep sigh, somehow expelling all of the tension and anxiety packed into the previous thirty seconds.
“What did Abel want?” my mom said.
“He asked if I still want to tie the knot.”
“Well, do you?” my dad said, a big smile on his face.
“Of course, I do,” I said.
Laughter from my parents and sisters filled the minivan. I was too nervous to join in. Instead, I leaned forward to get a better view of the temple. In the morning light, its white façade stood in stark contrast to the brown, barren mountain.
I was excited to marry in the temple because Abel and I would be sealed in an eternal bond. That meant our marriage wouldn’t end when we died, but would continue throughout the next life. Though an eternal marriage was the realization of a lifelong dream, there was one twist I hadn't planned on—my relationship with Abel might include his late wife, Krista, who had died fifteen months earlier. All morning I had pushed aside any thought of Krista, focusing instead on Abel and the new life we were creating together. But as we drew closer to the temple, concerns bubbled to the surface. Would Abel feel less excited being married the second time around? Would memories of Krista hang over his head as we promised to remain faithful to each other?
As I stepped out of the van, I spotted Abel walking across the parking lot toward the doors. When our eyes met, a smile stretched across his face as he hurried toward me. He greeted me with a kiss, then took my duffel so I could carry my wedding dress.
“You look gorgeous,” he said.
“Thanks,” I said, feeling the heat rise to my cheeks.
“You ready to do this?”
The bird-like feeling in my stomach returned, but instead of being accompanied by worry, it was combined with sweet anticipation. I’m about to get married! I pushed thoughts of Krista firmly from my mind.
“Yes,” I said, taking his hand in mine. “I can’t wait.”
Should You Attend Holiday Events Hosted by the Late Wife's Family?
Often widowers will want to attend holiday events hosted by the late wife's family. Should you attend or politely decline? This video has your answer.