Kimberly Mowery of Intercourse, an author of biblically based children's books, recently released her third book, "Finding the Leader." The latest story is part of "The Pilgrimage of Jacki and Gerri" series, which is designed to honor Mowery's grandmother by retelling her personal history.

Each book in the series tells the story of Jacqueline Ann and Geraldine Doris, twin sisters that Mowery's grandmother, Sarah June, lost in 1940. After the girls' death, they were never spoken about again.

"I didn't know my grandmother had twins until I was 14 years old," said Mowery, who grew up in Parkesburg and attended Octorara schools.

In 2014, Mowery set out to learn more about the twins. She found their burial site in Ohio and through cemetery records learned that the girls had been born prematurely on Jan. 23, 1940. Jacqueline was stillborn, and Geraldine lived 48 hours.

After Mowery and her husband, Dennis, had three sons, they, too, lost their daughter, who was named Sarah June, in 2005 at the age of 16 months. Coincidentally, Sarah June Mowery died from a cancerous brain tumor on Jan. 24, close to the birthdate of the twins.

This led to Mowery's decision to write stories based on her grandmother's lost children. "After I lost my daughter, who was named after my grandmother, I realized what it was like to lose a child," Mowery recalled, "My original thought was to allow my grandmother to grieve (through the stories), so to speak. I could bring her back and rewrite her story and talk about her kids and not cover it up."

In what she calls a "divine download," Mowery wrote a total of five books in the "The Pilgrimage of Jacki and Gerri" series, including the current title as well as "The Crownless King" and "Billy's Eagle on a Rainbow Backpack." The remaining books will be published as the illustrations are completed by local artist Anna Kelsey. "God downloaded five books in five weeks in 2018," Mowery shared.

The stories in the series bring the twins back to life in heaven. In the latest book, Jacki and Gerri meet up with Michael, who is waiting for his friend Greg to arrive. "The stories are not about death or dying," noted Mowery. "It's about their adventures in heaven."

In addition to honoring her grandmother, the goal of the books is to introduce children to Jesus Christ and the Bible, including its many traditional stories such as those that revolve around Moses, Noah, creation and Christmas. "For kids to connect personally with Jesus is the goal of every Bible story," said Mowery. "Jesus is explaining (the stories) more on a personal level and what they mean to them."

Additionally, Mowery feels these books honor her grandmother in another way well. "My grandmother always wanted to be a writer, but it was not a time for aspiring women authors," Mowery said. "This is her, but the next generation. It's her story; these are her kids."

In the introduction of the new book, Mowery writes, "I know (my grandmother's) healed heart is totally in the midst of this project. I couldn't be more amazed at how God can take the tragic deaths of three little baby girls generations apart and turn it into a blessing for many. Now, when you read this book you can appreciate the girls even more."

Mowery said that after the Jacki and Gerri series is completed, she has thoughts in mind about additional books, including one to honor her late husband, who passed away in 2021.

For more information about Mowery and the books, visit http://www.authorkimberlymowery.com.