LIGONIER VALLEY
WRITERS
About Karen Malena
With a vivid imagination, the lessons learned in childhood, and the love of a close, Italian family, Karen began writing heartfelt, inspirational fiction novels, one which closely follows many of the conversations she and her mother shared through the years: Reflections From my Mother’s Kitchen: A Journey of Healing and Hope.
Karen has been active mentoring young writers, speaking at local libraries, schools, and care facilities. She is a passionate advocate for the elderly. Her walk with God has given her the inspiration to blog about losing her parents and their family’s journey from grief to healing and other heartfelt, encouraging tales.
My mother told me that she’d had a secret name for me. She called me her ‘Shining Star.’ Like a blazing trail of light, I was always the one thing Mom could come back to. When she knew nothing else, she still knew me. She said I’d been like a beacon of hope to guide her home. It was a title that rooted my love deeply for my mom. I could see the patterns of her life now. It became clear that she’d never been weak. My mother had only wanted to be loved…Mom’s mental illness stigma made my early life anything but ordinary. But my father’s quiet courage helped to guide us through. Later, from strong businesswoman to Alzheimer’s, my mother would leave a legacy of lasting love, and Dad, one of incredible strength.
In the historic small-town of Ligonier, nestled in the Laurel Highlands, romance may be in bloom along with the spring wildflowers.McKenna O’Malley, a young housekeeper at a senior care facility, has always longed for love. Though she harbors a dark secret, she dreams about breaking free of the legacy of her father—a convict she’s never met--and the shrouded mystery surrounding her mother’s death.Tim McMillen struggles with his own demons. Plagued by alcohol, fueled by anger, he finds himself jobless, homeless and alone. When Tim and McKenna meet, they find one another as kindred spirits. But the challenges they face may threaten all chances for happiness and even push McKenna to the very brink of sanity. In the sequel to Love Woven in Time, we revisit Harry and Rose McMillen, whose love in their senior years is an inspiration to all who know them. But as Rose senses that her beloved is losing precious memories more rapidly, she begins to wonder how long they really have together before the ravages of time and age erase precious moments forever.Step into a quaint Pennsylvania town that will welcome you, warm your heart, and take you into a journey of longing, faith, and ultimately, lasting true love.
Rose Warner sits alone. An old baby doll she’s hidden most of her life is her only company, and crocheting, her only comfort as she ponders the strained relationship with the daughter she loves. Harry McMillen is losing precious memories. Once a charming ladies’ man, the ravages of time and health issues begin to plague him. The bond with his children is fragile, and an unforgiveable act of betrayal by his son threatens to pull their family apart. In the quaint town of Ligonier, Pennsylvania, Harry and Rose meet in their golden years. A warm friendship is forged and their lives become intertwined in ways even they won’t believe. But will Rose's secret from her teenage years, something so terrible she's never shaken it, tear their new found friendship apart? Will the sins of Harry’s past revisit him and shatter all hope for happiness?