Every life has a story. Human nature looks for meaning in all circumstances. Our journeys seldom unfold smoothly, but amidst turmoil and tragedy, mind-numbing boredom or maddening frustration, the mind weaves a narrative that tries to make sense of it all.

Kathleen Stauffer's previous novels have shown how God molds the lifelong spiritual journeys of those who seek him. In this, her sixth book, she zooms in for a closer look at the nitty-gritty of life.

Summoned includes a novelette and six short stories, each of which portrays a unique individual facing unexpected challenges. Despite the sometimes dark subject matter, the characters are painted with such loving details and their stories are so well-surrounded with the context of an eternal viewpoint that the general effect is one of hope. Each protagonist in this book of stories is an affirmation that our stories, too, may be a part of a far-reaching narrative and that our lives can be part of something bigger and beyond our imaginations.