The Missing Piece

Gold Medal Winner
Reader's Favorite International Book Award for Christian Romance 



"Fresh dialogue, realistic characters, a powerful message. McCormick does a great job creating her characters and portraying the struggles they endure," The Romance Readers Connection. 

How does a man pick up the pieces when his world crashes around him? Misplaced priorities shattered his marriage. Problems almost crushed him. Love motivated him to mend the damage, once he found all the pieces. 

After only a few months of marriage, Lorraine left Dylan on a wintry night after he'd spent one too many nights out with the guys. Unable to cope with the loss, Dylan escapes the painful feelings by drinking them away. This decision costs him a year-and-a-half of his life after he stops in a little mountain town and ends up in the local jail. When he's released, he returns home in search of a job to get his life—and his wife back. 

The Missing Piece is not only a love story about a man who loves a woman, but is also a love story about a merciful God who loves mankind, even when he falls. The novel is an emotionally-charged journey of hope and redemption with a touch of spunk, a hint of humor, and a few twists along the way. 


The Missing Piece is set in the midst of beautiful 
Chautauqua County

Although The Missing Piece is a work of fiction, the setting is an actual location in Fredonia, New York. Some of the business names have been changed for story sake, yet they represent the types of establishments found there. To the person who has never visited Western New York, some of the locations may seem contrary to one another: "How can so much variety be in one place?" One minute you may find yourself in the quaint little village of Fredonia then less than an hour away the bustling cities of Jamestown, Buffalo, or Erie, PA.
                 
 
    
Chautauqua is noted for its beauty and tourism with its Institution catering to some of the most prominent people of our day, including many famous speakers, performing artists, and presidents. The sparkling Chautauqua Lake region is also a favorite of boaters, muskellunge fishermen and water skiers. Panama Rocks, rolling hills, grassy meadows, and secluded woodlands intersperse the area. Snow skiing, tobogganing and snowmobiling are favorite winter pastimes. Creeks and streams ribbon their way through the county much to the delight of local fishermen and wading children. The Chautauqua Gorge is hiked, trails are biked and the entire county is very well liked.

City slickers mingle with country folks in a place where past and present meet. Chautauqua County, a place of history and sometimes mystery, where homes built before the Civil War lend an air of intrigue to the architect and curiosity to the history buff. The first farmer's grange originated in Fredonia, as did the roots of the Women's Christian Temperance Union. Many homes still possess evidence of a not so friendly era with Underground Railroad stations hidden within their walls. Contemporary architecture and art abound on the Fredonia State University campus. And even the nearby Forest Hill Cemetery, in all of its autumn splendor is so beautiful that I used the setting in The Missing Piece.

Wildlife roam freely in the countryside. If you look carefully while driving through the winding hills, you may catch a glimpse of deer, turkey, raccoon, opossum or even a bear on occasion.

All of the senses are delighted in autumn when the leaves change to a gorgeous array of red, orange, and gold, as Canadian geese honk overhead on their way to the Dunkirk Harbor. The cool evening breeze is just right for snuggling under a thick quilt in front of a crackling fire. Apples, tomatoes and squash abound at roadside stands where farmers show their trust with their "pay and take" policy. The smell of Concord grapes fill the air, especially near Westfield where Welch's once prepared their juices, jellies and jams, a village also noted for Abraham Lincoln's stop to see Grace Biddell to thank her for her letter suggesting that he grow a beard.

In less than a two hour drive you can see the Allegheny Mountains, Rock City (Olean), Niagara Falls, Old Fort Niagara (Youngstown), or an Amish village, depending on which direction you take. The mountains and Falls need no further mention as they are icons in themselves, but visiting the Amish country is like taking a step back in time. Unpainted "plain" homes and horse drawn buggies are the normal way of life for these bearded men and capped women who take pride in their furniture, cheese and quilt making.

Ah, yes! If you want to relax, if you want to see beauty, if you want a taste of heaven, come to Chautauqua County.



Readers' Responses


"I found your wonderful book and have read it twice already, and I’m ready to read it again for the third time." ~ Margaret

"I just finished reading your book. It was absolutely wonderful! I loved it! It was not only a beautiful love story between a man and a woman, but also the beautiful love story between man and God. I also gave your book as a gift to a friend of mine, and she loved it too. God has surely blessed you with a wonderful talent to write and the ability to spread the word of Christ through your gift."  ~ Lisa

"I loved your book! This is a book that I will reread, and I am recommending it to my friends. You expressed the emotions so beautifully! The way you wove the salvation message and how God worked in the character's lives was very moving! It brings hope to what appears a hopeless situation and even though it is fiction, the message can be applied to our lives. Keep up the good work! I am looking forward to your next book. May the Lord bless you as you use the talents He has given you to minister to the lives of others."   ~ Ruth 


"I just finished reading your book. What a great story. I have been ill, and it gave me a sense that God is still there for me. Thanks for great writing. I will be looking forward to reading more of your great books. I am going to try to purchase the book for my library. It is my favorite." ~ Patricia

"I have so many pleasant memories from the luncheon when you were our speaker. I had purchased your book THE MISSING PIECE and enjoyed it thoroughly!! Dylan was a dream come true!! I am anxious to get my copy back to reread and be delighted once more!!"  ~ Hazel

"I loved your book! You did such a wonderful job portraying Dylan's struggle. I could relate to him and  feel what he was going through, because I have felt that way too." ~ Sharon 

"I couldn't put it down!  I stayed up all night reading your  book until 6 AM." ~ Samantha


"I picked up your book yesterday morning at 10:00 and put it down at 9:30 PM! I loved it! It grabbed my attention right from the start and I didn't want to stop reading it until I was finished with the entire book. You did a wonderful job!"  ~ Sharon G.
"Fiction at it's best! This is a literary example (even in the fictional world) that we all make mistakes. Strong characters and believable scenes keep the short novel moving along. Excellent!" ~ Anonymous

"I read your book and enjoyed it very much. It was a great story and the characters really pulled me in. Once I started reading it, I didn't want to stop."  ~ Cindy

"I just finished reading your book and what a blessing! You are truly blessed by God with writing abilities."  ~ Marion 


"Your book is excellent! I read half of it one night and then got right up and finished it the next day."  ~ Sharon F.


"I loved your book! I didn't want it to end!" ~ Ann


"I loved Dylan! You have to write a sequel!" ~ Judy


"You did a superb job! Just excellent! I laughed. I cried. I loved how you got inside the person and walked through the setting. You didn't just tell, you were there...I finished it in one day." ~ Janet


"I stayed up until 3 A.M. reading and then got up at 5:30 to finish the book before work."  ~ Mary


"When I wasn't reading your book, I kept thinking about it and couldn't wait to get back to it." ~ Jean


"Your book is excellent! I really enjoyed reading it." ~ Jackie


"The story gripped me. I couldn't stop reading it." ~ Deb


"I read your book in one afternoon!"  ~ Wilma


"Ooohh, it was sooo good!" ~ Rita


"I loved your book! You've got a future, babe!" ~ Bea


"I loved Dylan! Oh, I love my husband, but I really loooove Dylan." ~ Debbie



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