For Gavin McKinley, the lead pastor of a growing congregation in southern Mississippi, life could not get any better. His hard work and long years of sacrifice have finally paid off. That is, until his wife, Gillian, becomes pregnant with their third child against Gavin's wishes. Things take an unexpected turn when Gillian decides to keep the baby, knowing that she is defying her husband's express command.

In the meantime, Gavin is exposed for having an illicit affair and is asked to step down from the pulpit after twenty years in ministry. Gavin sees his world crumbling, and the loss of control terrifies him. In a frantic attempt to take matters into his own hands, Gavin unwittingly involves a young man from his congregation. In a twist of fate that turns deadly, their lives are changed in the blink of an eye.

Can Gavin McKinley find forgiveness for his sins? Will Gillian hold true to her faith, even when all seems lost? Could God possibly take a terrible situation and make it right?

Throughout And the Widow Wore Red, it is clear that the choices we make are often life altering, and not always for the better. We are reminded that God's grace is sufficient and His mercy is everlasting. God is exalted in this tale of love gone awry, of faith tested beyond endurance, and of forgiveness extended when least expected.

In the fall of 1930, Sheldon Henry's life is in turmoil once again. After barely escaping with his life from an illegal rum running operation in Canada, he marries his second wife, Eliza. As she struggles with a life threatening illness, Sheldon fears that he may be left to raise his four young daughters alone. A poor business decision also forces him to mortgage the family farm, putting his family in jeopardy just as the Great Depression gains momentum. Thomasina, a beautiful young Irish woman, is also facing an uncertain future. Her husband of one month abandons her, and while waiting on the divorce to be finalized she is forced to take on the role of a housekeeper for which she is ill prepared. In addition to the disgrace and pain of abandonment, she also struggles with feelings toward her new employer. Desperate times lead to desperate measures, and Sheldon Henry and Thomasina are unprepared for what lies ahead. While each of them is determined to see that the family is taken care of, it becomes difficult to find common ground. For Sheldon Henry Stottz, it seems that pain and turmoil are determined to haunt his life. With his faith stretched to its limit, he finds himself desperately reaching out to God for wisdom and direction. How much tragedy can one man endure without completely losing hope? Can a woman whose life has been shattered learn to trust God? Can a man and woman from completely different backgrounds find love and forgiveness in a broken world?

In one earth shattering moment, Sheldon Henry Stottz's near perfect life is changed forever. The influenza epidemic of 1918 had already taken many lives, but now it had resulted in the untimely death of his wife, Lila and their newborn, Rose. In what seemed like a single breath, the people Sheldon Henry loved the most where gone, and his rock-solid faith shaken to the core. Why was God letting this happen? What had he done to deserve such agony, such utter pain? "I've always been faithful." he thought, "I have always believed."Just when he thought things could not get worse, they did. At the graveside service of his beloved family, Sheldon Henry is suddenly arrested on suspicion of being a German spy. "This can't be happening." he thought, "Not here. Not now."Still in shock over the deaths of his beloved family, he is ripped away and immediately transported to a military prison for questioning."Why God?" "What have I done to deserve this?" "Is this a test?" "Is there something you are trying to teach me?" "Have I done something wrong?" "Tell me, Father, please tell me."In the days that follow, Sheldon Henry is tested to the limits of his personal and spiritual endurance. His confusion over what has happened, and the isolation of prison, only amplify his unbearable sense of loss. He dreams of Lila. Her voice. Her tender touch. She is always on his mind even though he knows she is gone forever.Shortly after his release from prison, Sheldon stumbles upon a young woman in tears. She's deeply broken, and while trying to offer some comfort, Sheldon suddenly realizes that God has spared him for a purpose; a purpose he would perhaps soon understand.AuthorsLynette Chambers & Janice Lee