A 2016 Illumination Book Award Winner!
"Jessica Roemischer's new book, In Duet with God: The Story of a Lifelong Friendship will touch your heart, as it has touched mine. In Duet with God is a book you can never 'finish.' Jessica's wisdom, faith and love become part of our own lives, and the door she opens for each reader is a gift we will cherish, always." Frances Hesselbein, President and CEO of The Frances Hesselbein Leadership Institute, recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and one of the United States' greatest leaders
"In Duet with God--Jessica Roemischer's account of her beloved Flora--is a WONDERFUL story WONDERFULLY TOLD! I have a residual smile as I write this. I believe that anyone who reads this book will have a residual smile, too! The view from which Jessica sees and shares life is a huge spiritual blessing. I thank God for this Good Lady!"
Vincent Wright, Brandergist
"In Duet with God--Jessica Roemischer's account of her beloved Flora--is a WONDERFUL story WONDERFULLY TOLD! I have a residual smile as I write this. I believe that anyone who reads this book will have a residual smile, too! The view from which Jessica sees and shares life is a huge spiritual blessing. I thank God for this Good Lady!"
Vincent Wright, Brandergist
Read Excerpts from
In Duet with God: The Story of a Lifelong Friendship
"Fire and Rain"
In the earliest moments of my gestation, I heard music. My mother played the piano and she practiced often. When she was pregnant, the vibrations of her favorite melodies—by Bach, Schubert, and Brahms—made their way to my developing cells. I was born a pianist.... |
"Mozart's Melody"
One evening, watching a movie called “Elvira Madigan,” I became enchanted by the most beautiful melody. I was thirteen at the time. The movie was poignant and sad, its soundtrack gentle. When I heard Mozart’s music, it was like hearing a song from heaven. I had to play it.... |
"Flora's Secret Garden"
"In Duet with God" is about an unusual woman named, "Flora." She came into my life when I was eight. It took me forty-five years to realize just how remarkable she was, and is. This chapter from the book describes her... |
Forward to In Duet with God by Yasuhiko Kimura -
"There are pieces of music and literature that mightily move us by the sheer force of genius and virtuoso, and there are others, even fewer, that deeply touch us by the pure power of love and humanity. The former move us by the extraordinary expressing its extraordinariness; the latter touch us by the revelation of the extraordinary in the ordinary and of the magnificent in the mundane.
Jessica Roemischer has that rare gift with which she touches our heart through her music and writing. She gently and generously lets us enter her inner temple where we find our own inner sanctuary. She touches our heart by letting us touch hers. In music and writing she is always in duet with her co-players, her audience, and her readers. This is the way she creates, plays, and writes in duet with God.
In Duet with God is at once an autobiographical sketch and a fairy tale that profoundly yet lightly touches our heart. Through the unfolding stories of her relationships with her friend Flora, her mother, her father, and their animals and birds, she reveals that with all of our humanity we are homo sanctus—sacred beings. In Duet with God is a true gem to be enjoyed and cherished in duet with Jessica and her unique genius for lovingly touching your heart." Yasuhiko Kimura, Philosopher and Founder, Vision-in-Action
More Praise for In Duet with God:
"In Duet with God really doesn't fit any of the usual genres, even spiritual autobiography, so it is hard to characterize. I would call it religious art. And it reads like a children's book - very simple sentences and dialogue throughout, as well as short and simple chapters. In that way, it's.like the classic children's story, The Little Prince. Of course, like The Little Prince, this book's simplicity is also profound." Jim Marion, Founder and Director, Institute for Spiritual Awareness in Washington, D.C., author of Putting on the Mind of Christ: The Inner Work of Christian Spirituality
"My heart ached as I read of the pain in the lives of Jessica Roemischer and Flora, the subject of Jessica’s beautiful book. I was astonished that both could allow such deep pain to shape them into the beautiful women they grew to be. One feels that the relationship between the author and ‘her saint’ is a sacred bond—an eternal love. Amazing grace!“ Sister M. Theresa Bowman, Congregation of Divine Providence
"'In Duet with God' is a heartfelt memoir. Jessica Roemischer invites you to be an honored guest inside her life. She uses the gift of friendship and family to guide the journey, stopping at various places to highlight a lesson learned or a revelation, big and sometimes small. Clearly these notable experiences fueled the unexpected twists and turns that have enriched her life. Reading her book comes with a surprise: Her storytelling, by design, works to inspire you to reflect on your own life and its stories, waiting to be remembered and perhaps revealed. What makes her memoir unique is 'the duet' she embraces in life, the thoughtful blending of her still-unfolding story of faith and contribution, together with the beauty of the music she creates and generously shares with the world." Debbe Kennedy, author of Putting Our Differences to Work, Axiom Business Book Award Winner, founder, president and CEO of Global Dialogue Center, Leadership Solutions Companies
"Friends and I read the first 'printing' of In Duet with God, and re-read it, and then read it again. One thing it is NOT is a preachy, dogmatic book. It is about a spiritual journey, and there is a big difference. This is the story of love and nurturing and how that opened a mind and heart. In Duet with God is a keeper!" Sylvia Shea Lapinski, Chesterfield, MA
"To say In Duet with God is wonderful, heartwarming, spiritually uplifting and beautiful is true, and yet it would be leaving so much more unexpressed. I couldn't put it down! You powerfully conveyed the story of grief and sadness of the past, transformed into an awakening to the tender beauty of a deep awareness of the most powerful Truth - that if you live Love, your heart remains open to “All Creatures, Great and Small”. Instead of anger and hurt, we find forgiveness and love; instead of worry and anxiety, we find joy and peace. Thank you for bringing your beautiful story to Life!" Barbara Beach, Transformation Coach, Elgin, South Carolina
"Despite the spiritual nature of In Duet with God, all members of an “ism”--a religion or, indeed, ANYTHING by which one defines one's self--will recognize the universal nature of the unfolding relationship between the author and her beloved friend, Flora. In so doing Christian, Jew, Muslim and Atheist will, at least fleetingly, see what makes them one." Tampa, FL
"I read your book in one night. I couldn't put it down. Resolutely wonderful. Sad in the beginning but it turns out to be the most wonderful experience. Flora is a saint. I love how she loves life even despite what she's been through herself. She has been sent from God himself to guide you." MH, Westport, CT
"There are pieces of music and literature that mightily move us by the sheer force of genius and virtuoso, and there are others, even fewer, that deeply touch us by the pure power of love and humanity. The former move us by the extraordinary expressing its extraordinariness; the latter touch us by the revelation of the extraordinary in the ordinary and of the magnificent in the mundane.
Jessica Roemischer has that rare gift with which she touches our heart through her music and writing. She gently and generously lets us enter her inner temple where we find our own inner sanctuary. She touches our heart by letting us touch hers. In music and writing she is always in duet with her co-players, her audience, and her readers. This is the way she creates, plays, and writes in duet with God.
In Duet with God is at once an autobiographical sketch and a fairy tale that profoundly yet lightly touches our heart. Through the unfolding stories of her relationships with her friend Flora, her mother, her father, and their animals and birds, she reveals that with all of our humanity we are homo sanctus—sacred beings. In Duet with God is a true gem to be enjoyed and cherished in duet with Jessica and her unique genius for lovingly touching your heart." Yasuhiko Kimura, Philosopher and Founder, Vision-in-Action
More Praise for In Duet with God:
"In Duet with God really doesn't fit any of the usual genres, even spiritual autobiography, so it is hard to characterize. I would call it religious art. And it reads like a children's book - very simple sentences and dialogue throughout, as well as short and simple chapters. In that way, it's.like the classic children's story, The Little Prince. Of course, like The Little Prince, this book's simplicity is also profound." Jim Marion, Founder and Director, Institute for Spiritual Awareness in Washington, D.C., author of Putting on the Mind of Christ: The Inner Work of Christian Spirituality
"My heart ached as I read of the pain in the lives of Jessica Roemischer and Flora, the subject of Jessica’s beautiful book. I was astonished that both could allow such deep pain to shape them into the beautiful women they grew to be. One feels that the relationship between the author and ‘her saint’ is a sacred bond—an eternal love. Amazing grace!“ Sister M. Theresa Bowman, Congregation of Divine Providence
"'In Duet with God' is a heartfelt memoir. Jessica Roemischer invites you to be an honored guest inside her life. She uses the gift of friendship and family to guide the journey, stopping at various places to highlight a lesson learned or a revelation, big and sometimes small. Clearly these notable experiences fueled the unexpected twists and turns that have enriched her life. Reading her book comes with a surprise: Her storytelling, by design, works to inspire you to reflect on your own life and its stories, waiting to be remembered and perhaps revealed. What makes her memoir unique is 'the duet' she embraces in life, the thoughtful blending of her still-unfolding story of faith and contribution, together with the beauty of the music she creates and generously shares with the world." Debbe Kennedy, author of Putting Our Differences to Work, Axiom Business Book Award Winner, founder, president and CEO of Global Dialogue Center, Leadership Solutions Companies
"Friends and I read the first 'printing' of In Duet with God, and re-read it, and then read it again. One thing it is NOT is a preachy, dogmatic book. It is about a spiritual journey, and there is a big difference. This is the story of love and nurturing and how that opened a mind and heart. In Duet with God is a keeper!" Sylvia Shea Lapinski, Chesterfield, MA
"To say In Duet with God is wonderful, heartwarming, spiritually uplifting and beautiful is true, and yet it would be leaving so much more unexpressed. I couldn't put it down! You powerfully conveyed the story of grief and sadness of the past, transformed into an awakening to the tender beauty of a deep awareness of the most powerful Truth - that if you live Love, your heart remains open to “All Creatures, Great and Small”. Instead of anger and hurt, we find forgiveness and love; instead of worry and anxiety, we find joy and peace. Thank you for bringing your beautiful story to Life!" Barbara Beach, Transformation Coach, Elgin, South Carolina
"Despite the spiritual nature of In Duet with God, all members of an “ism”--a religion or, indeed, ANYTHING by which one defines one's self--will recognize the universal nature of the unfolding relationship between the author and her beloved friend, Flora. In so doing Christian, Jew, Muslim and Atheist will, at least fleetingly, see what makes them one." Tampa, FL
"I read your book in one night. I couldn't put it down. Resolutely wonderful. Sad in the beginning but it turns out to be the most wonderful experience. Flora is a saint. I love how she loves life even despite what she's been through herself. She has been sent from God himself to guide you." MH, Westport, CT
