It took New Providence resident Kim Mowery less than two days to write "The Crownless King," the first book in her Christian children's series "The Pilgrimage of Jacki and Gerri." Its origins, however, date back more than 80 years.

Mowery, who grew up in Parkesburg and and attended Octorara schools, was 14 years old when she learned that she had twin aunts who died in childhood. Her grandmother, Sarah June, never spoke about the girls, so when she died when Mowery was 19, any information she could have shared died with her.

After she married and had three sons, Mowery experienced her own child loss. In 2005, her daughter, whom she named Sarah June, developed a cancerous brain tumor at 16 months and died two-and-a-half years later. Mowery realized that she could relate to the first Sarah June.

In 2014, Mowery set out to learn more about the twins. She found their burial site in Ohio and through cemetery records discovered that the girls had been born prematurely on Jan. 23, 1940. Jacqueline Ann was stillborn, and Geraldine Doris lived 48 hours. Mowery was struck by the dates. Her daughter, Sarah June, had died on Jan. 24.

"There is no such thing as coincidence, only divine intervention," said Mowery.

For years, Mowery had wanted to write a book about her grandmother's life as a way to bring her back to Earth and allow her to grieve the loss of her twins. Instead, she felt a nudge from the Holy Spirit to focus on the children. The Pilgrimage series features their imagined adventures in heaven and provides a way for youngsters to personally connect with Jesus Christ and biblical principles.

The books are illustrated by local artist Anna Kelsey and are available in paperback and hardcover wherever books are sold. Mowery also donated a copy to Quarryville Library, from which it may be borrowed by patrons.

"I never thought in a million years that I'd write kids' books," Mowery commented. "My grandmother always wanted to be a writer, but she used to say the 1930s and '40s weren't the time for women authors. All these years later, her dreams are coming true (through me)."

Mowery wants her books to encourage readers and to give them hope. "This Earth isn't our home," she explained. "People need to look beyond what's here on this Earth because it's going to be gone one day."

For more information about Mowery and "The Crownless King," readers may visit http://www.authorkimberlymowery.com.