Lurma Swinney

Forgotten Memories

What would you do if you awakened one morning not remembering who you were? That is what happened to famous artist, Valencia (Vinny) Perkins. She had a great life with a wonderful husband, a supportive friend, and a caring family, but she woke up one morning not remembering any of it. Not only was Vinny frustrated with not remembering her life, but she also had to contend with who and why someone was desperately trying to kill her. 

Forgotten Memories will appeal to mystery buffs everywhere, as they travel on a bumpy ride with Vinny on her journey to remember the unknown while danger is lurking on every side, as she tries to continue her life with her scheduled art show. Vinny doesn’t know what she witnessed before her almost fatal accident that took her memories away, but she knows that she must regain an ounce of recognition before someone succeeds in killing her.

Forgotten Memories is a mysterious story of hope and triumph with mind bobbling, twists and turns of a woman running out of time to remember her past to save her life in the present.

Carla David was a mother of three, living a dream life with Brandon, the man of her dreams. Until one day, without either forewarning or expectation, he tells her that he doesn’t want to be married anymore. To say Carla was either shocked or bewildered would be a drastic understatement, because she had neither education nor gainful employment and is in dire fear of what to do next. Carla soon learns that Brandon had been harboring a secret, which jolts her into reality that she is a single mom, and she does not have time to wallow in pity, but pick herself up, step up to the plate, and take care of her children. What Carla does will not only inspire single moms everywhere, but it will encourage them as well, as they witness her transformation growing from a weak, self-pity married woman to a strong, vibrant single mom who will put herself in harms way to protect her children at any cost.

Not everything is peachy with the ministers and preachers of the St. John Fellowship Community Church. Beyond the sermons and the hymns, they are stuck in illicit affairs, spiritual crises, and lies. Sister Lucy Davis, one of the ministers, sings like an angel but her heart cries out with guilt and discontent, as she struggles to reassess her faith and to find her way out of dead-end relationships. Unknown to Lucy, her misadventures are pushing her into danger. At one point, Lucy scans the mess in her life, wondering what the heck happened to that church-going woman who was always ready to extend a helping hand.

Lucy Davis’ latest boyfriend is none other than Reverend Clyde Mitchell, a charismatic leader who finds pleasure in the beds of all women except his wife’s. Rev. Mitchell’s son Kip, a handsome detective, struggles to be faithful to the ideals of his religion but covets Lucy. Minister Samantha Marsh further complicates matters by plotting to ensnare Kip. 

The members of St. John Fellowship Community Church teeter on the edge of self-destruction, looking for an opening of hope, but falling into the traps of their weaknesses and delusions. Lurma Swinney successfully weaves a tale of ambivalence concerning faith, religion, wrath, envy, and love with characters who stumble through the complexities of their deceptions. 

Sister Lucy depicts church leaders in their fallible lives, their chaotic entanglements, and their struggles with temptations. The novel opens with a mystery that would lead to a “spiritual conclusion.”