Touching, heart wrenching, and uplifting!
352928
This was an absolutely amazing book, I loved every word and have read it over probably 5 times in the past 3 years. Sylvia Stewart did an amazing job portraying the mind of a preteen/teen girl, I loved how she described the culture in Kondi's hometown, it all felt so real and true and really made me feel like part of the story, like I was in Africa in her situation. I can't wait to read the sequal! It was definitely one of those can't-put-down books, I kept on making myself read only a few chapters each day just so it would last longer! Not just for younger girls either, I think almost anybody could enjoy this! Very touching, funny but very real and portrays her type of situation very well. Thank you for the amazing book and amazing characters :)
2094584
A Seed of Hope For a Journey Through Grief is a riveting, heartfelt story that will resonant immediately with anyone that has experienced the loss of a loved one. We walk with Lynn on her extraordinary quest from an adolescent girl questioning her Mommas God until she becomes a grandmother and finds acceptance.  All the while holding a tenacious grip on her faith and the unconditional love of family.  Rich with real-life and wisdom, this is a poignant story of strength and faith as her Momma's God becomes her own.
3617856
From the dedication at the beginning of the book until the acknowledgements at the back, I was completely captivated by this story.  It has taken me a few days to try and get my thoughts together in order to write this review.  The Hard Truth About Sunshine is one of those special books that has touched my heart and soul.  After reading the synopsis, I knew that this book was going to be emotional, heartbreaking, and that it had the potential to take me places that would be dark and slightly uncomfortable.  It was all of these things, but it was also so much more.  This is a heartfelt journey between four unlikely people who are each struggling with their own issues, demons, and uncertain futures.

The Hard Truth About Sunshine is the coming together of a foursome of who, under normal circumstances, would never associate with each other.  They met in a peer group setting for people who suffer from traumatic stress and depression, each of them there for their own reasons.  Christopher would rather be anywhere but in that group environment.  Hes only there to avoid jail time for assaulting someone.  Barb is there because her dark past has given her a death wish.  Jillian, the eternal optimist, attends because shes slowly going blind.  Connor is a seventeen year old who has terminal cancer.

The book is told from Christopher Barlows point of view.  Hes a former Marine who was severely injured during his tour in Afghanistan, resulting in his leg being amputated.  But Christopher lost more than just his leg.  Hes lost all hope that he will ever be able to have a good and normal life.  Hes given up on the idea of love.  Hes bitter, hateful, self-centered, lonely, and miserable.  Hes unable to see past his own pain to see anyone elses problems or suffering.

When a cross country trip is suggested so that Connor can cross items off of his bucket list, well, Christopher isn't really onboard with the whole idea.  He doesnt really want to spend any more time with these people than he has to, but when hes told that his participation would end his mandate with the group, well, the idea just got a little bit sweeter.

I loved that this book was told from Christophers perspective.  His jaded, tell-it-like-it-is sarcastic nature added to the story.  It often added the much needed humor too.  He may not have been the kindest person to be leading this band of troubled people, but this was just as much about his journey as it was theirs.  This road trip was filled with adventures, new experiences, high jinks, freedom, and living.  With every mile that was traveled, every bucket list item that was accomplished, Christophers attitude was slowly changing, his walls were starting to crumble.  The group was beginning to feel more comfortable with each other, having fun, revealing secrets about themselves, and discovering some hard truths.

This book is extremely emotional, but don't be fooled, its also filled with plenty of heartwarming moments, humor, and scenes that will make you smile.  There is also a romance that develops during the cross country trip.  I wouldnt classify this book solely as a romance, its so much more than that, but the romantic element did add a whole new level to the story.

With every page read, I could visualize this whole story playing out.  I could see this book making a phenomenal movie.  The Hard Truth About Sunshine hit all of the marks for me.  It made me feel the whole gamut of emotions.  When I pick out a book to read, I want to feel the story in every fiber of my being, and this book did that.  From beginning to end I was engaged in this story, and I could have easily stayed with these characters for another three hundred pages.  I am so glad that I embarked on this unforgettable journey with this incredible cast of characters.
3431438
Very few of us are privileged to share the close bond reflected in this touching story. I cried while reading this endearing account of saying goodbye to a best friend and the loving perspective of those who have passed before us having to let go of those still in this world as we know it. I highly recommend this book!
2873195
This is a very touching and moving story of a boy's growth and development into manhood while dealing with an estranged relationship with his father, sexual abuse as a child, depression and anxiety throughout his teens and early adult life and heartbreak on multiple occasions. It chronicles a journey in which the main character seeks love, acceptance, and internal peace as well as his struggle to find where he fits into the grand scheme of life. While reading this story I was taken on an emotional roller coaster and continually asking myself how this has not made its way into reading lists for high school students. Anyone of any age, gender, race, or economic background can find parts of themselves in the main character and feel the growth in him. This story breaks down walls and barriers and opens ones mind and eyes to different cultures and different perspectives of life and events that shape and influence one's life. Readers may even find themselves moved to tears as the main character, after battling some very traumatic events ends up gaining self-acceptace, love, and overall happiness. A great read definitely recommend this to everyone of all walks of life. I give it a ten out of ten!
1172749
I don't dish out 5 star reviews easily, but this book really touched me. Such a beautiful story, and to know that it's a true story makes it even better. I highly recommend this book!
643189
It was hard for me to put this book down once I started reading it, and I'm still thinking about Brenna's beautiful story.

Courtney Westlake shares her journey as the mother of a daughter born with a life threatening skin diagnosis. This story is heartfelt, beautiful, sometimes crushing, but ultimately, full of joy and hope. Westlake interlaces her own experience along with other's stories of trial and triumph. Brenna, though initially different, is as beautiful, happy, playful and wonderful as every child, and you will feel your spirit lift as you read this family's account.  I loved reading this book, and I know that I will return to its pages again and again.

This would be a wonderful gift for yourself or a friend. Highly recommended. Bring a tissue and leave with an open heart.
2751937
This is one of the deepest, most emotionally touching books I have read.  It is about real life issues and situations, which we all deal with, but this book really shows us the way of life!  Thank you for writing such an aw-inspiring book! I truly enjoyed sharing the sadness, as well as the happiness and recovery with your family! You and your family are truly amazing.
4318522
I knew what I was getting into before starting this book from the synopsis, but the feels got to me, and this book made me weep! This was such a heartfelt story, not only about the loving relationship between human, and dog, but with family dynamics and relationships. I was smiling 95% of this book, and then crying the other 5%. There are also many life lessons that are taught by the author, and I am always happy to read a book that can make me think, and open my eyes to how I live my life. I would recommend this book to any dog lover, or just anyone who loves animals, but once again, be warned you will cry if you are a ball of emotional mess, like myself.
4807300
This book was not what I expected, but in a good way! A heartwarming story of love, loss, friendship, family, and starting over. Highly recommended!
3069172
I just finished reading "Just Hit Send: A Journey to Freedom" and I have to say I was touched beyond words... Jody's story is one of strength, courage, love, healing and joy.  Her relationships in the past that helped her become all she is today hit home for me.  I was able to relate to so much of her story and the painful relationships that had her closing off her heart to the possibility of ever being in a loving, tender, and healthy relationship again.  This book is so real and inspiring... filled with moments of laughter and tears!  It is a beautiful message Jody tells us that  "every experience along the way happens for us, not to us".  I can't wait to read it again and again!!
1844919
I sit here at my computer after reading this book into the early morning hours and I ask myself how to put into words a summary of the faith, hope, and love the Santorums shared in this touching story of their daughter Bella. Bella's story is so much more than a heart wrenching tale of a precious child with life threatening challenges. It is the story of hope through faith triumphing in the face of impossible odds all carried in the arms of unmeasured love.

This is the story of defining and then acting upon what is truly important in life. Of realizing that life is a gift of God and it is our sacred duty as individuals and as a society to cherish and nourish that gift.

In reading about the Santorum's triumphs and tragedies it really shows that when love is present the struggles in life only make us stronger. From the introduction to the last chapter, this books is the story of love. Love as their daughter Elizabeth described in the introduction as "agape" love, that love done "in service of another, without expectation of a reward".

I especially appreciated how this story was built around the great love chapter of the Bible, 1 Corinthians 13.  Each chapter of this book in some way developed the wonderful truths found there.

This coming May 13 the Santorums will be celebrating Bella's 7th birthday. Their past seven years of loving service for their daughter reminds me of an another Biblical story of service. In Genesis 29 it tells of Jacob's seven years of service for Rachel the daughter of Laban. The Bible describes it this way:

Genesis 29:20 And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her.

The word love here in Gen. 29 is the Hebrew ahabah and this is the first occurrence of the word in the Bible.  I think it only fitting to mention that in ancient Hebrew each letter was assigned a numerical value. The word ahabah in Hebrew is equal to 13.

Thank you Rick and Karen for sharing this story with us, I was blessed by it. As a home school family of 7 your testimony was especially poignant to us. Please give our love to Bella.

  And now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
 1 Corinthians 13:13
4220736
This story really touched my heart, the title alone shows that all a little girl ever wanted was to be loved by her father, and so did her siblings, but instead they received just the opposite! This story is very open and honest about abuse in every way- physical, mental, emotional, and even the abuse of alcohol which contributes to abusing others. When children are abused they developed their own addictive habits food, sex, obsessive behaviors, and the likes. Sometimes in an effort to escape a brutal past, a child when they become an adults may seek to change their name, move to a new place, and do anything to separate themselves from what reminded them of what happened in their past. Poor Wanda, Ronny, and Penny truly suffered abuse, but Wanda realized the most important thing was not being called "Princess" but being treated like one. What mattered was how God felt about her and not how she was treated by her father. This book was good. It was an emotional rollercoaster that cruised into a smooth landing.
2721139
Such a beautiful story - one of the best books I've picked up this year! You'll find yourself connecting with aspects of all the women -- emotional & uplifting! Celeste did a wonderful job reminding me that forgiveness and love wins above everything else in this world. Read and share with your friends to remind them of what they mean in your life!
3886218
Randy Lewis delivers a powerfully moving story that is uplifting, and inspires, page-after-page. This breath-taking, heartwarming story is about how a father not only devoted his undivided attention to his autistic son as he filled his heart with unconditional love, but also how he found the courage and strength to make the world a better place to live in for people with disabilities.

This incredible story is filled with compassion not only for one child with a disability, but for all people with disabilities, who deserve to be treated with the same respect as everyone else. This title drew me in immediately for 2 reasons. One, I spent several years in the healthcare profession, caring for people of all ages with disabilities. Most important, I spent 36 years, devoting undivided attention to my own child, a severe disability since birth. I dedicated countless years, attempting to speak out in schools, working closely with medical professionals, and teachers. In addition, I created groups and joined organizations to create workshops, and activities to help provide better opportunities.

As the author highlighted in this exhilarating story, we are their voice and their chance to make dreams come true, and not only have I seen remarkable progress for opportunities, but have witnessed changes for the better in several people I've known with disabilities. It takes dedication, devotion, and unconditional love everyday. But it can be done, and produce positive results. Inspiring, uplifting, and heartwarming. Highly recommended to parents, teachers, and child-care providers!
2572458
I started reading this book and could not put it down! It is so hard to describe the feelings you endure while reading this beautiful, yet painstaking journey of this young couple's love story! It is quite evident of the great love they feel for each other and their constant faith and belief in God. Throughout their incredible battles they never waivered in their love for each other and their unending faith...while continuing to praise Him! It is a remarkable love story that EVERYONE must read; full of ups and downs, highs and lows, and plenty of smiles and tears! This book is full of encouragement, love, loss, grief and faith that will change your life!
(In fact, I have ordered 4 copies for each of my girls to read... having experienced lots of grief and disappointments in our own lives!!!!)
2621064
I couldn't put this book down. I could vividly picture the scenes and the characters and the situations they went through. I was deeply touched and moved to tears, but in a cathartic way that makes you want to hug your loved ones and cherish them even more. Highly recommended!