What a poignant story of the redemptive and healing power of love Avalon has composed
592514
Breck and Ari are two perfectly matched damaged souls trying to survive his deployment and her battle with an autoimmune disease. As each tries to spare the other the impact of their respective struggles--his PTSD and her symptoms, the couple discover they are stronger when they rely on each other.  What a poignant story of the redemptive and healing power of love Avalon has composed.
60772
FiveStars
Wow! This book is so beautifully crafted and so full of love and hope it is awe-inspiring. When I first started reading I thought it was going to be a poignant love story, how wrong I was. The main character's portrayed traits both of great courage and human vulnerability. They supported each other whenever the other needed, with love, encouragement and consolation. The supporting characters each played a pivotal role in this well researched emotional novel.

Although I was brought to tears with this impassioned novel they were tears of respect, hope and reflection of what true love can achieve.

A very positive and beautifully told story about love, commitment and respect not just between two people but also between, friends, family,life and death.

I can thoroughly recommend this superbly written and heart-stirring novel.
I was given this in return for an honest review by Inked Rainbow Reads.
Chris
276038
Patrick Roland is a gifted and talented writer who captures two things perfectly in these pages: the misery and torment of addiction and the beauty and freedom of recovery. If you're struggling with mental illness, addiction or grief, read this book. It is a beautiful example of the transformative power of love and the human spirit. What a great read :)
2634371
Tamsin's voice is one of courage, grace, compassion and truth as she speaks hope over a new generation of people, young and old, alike who have anchored their identify in Christ alone. This beautiful work is a storyteller's dream as her narratives envelop you then provide poignant truth and examples of resilient courage in the face of various trials. Unlike any faith infused book I've read previously, this one moved me to tears, brought joy to broken places of my soul, and created opportunities for healing and restoration in incredible ways. Please, please order your copy today!
1895273
A beautiful story told and written to move any heart.  The terrible losses experienced in this remote location gave me renewed faith and hope, not only in the strength of love for a child, but of strength of love between a man and a woman. Each had their own reasons for being in this beautiful and  remote place.  M. L. Stedman, the author, wrote this from a very deep understanding of a man living his values where his word was his bond with the living and the dead.
3815804
This was a beautifully written romance.  I also felt that it showcased the power of music, as it is used for healing and remembering.  Thank you for a glorious story about forgiveness and embracing the gift of life!
3121862
From the West Mesa of Albuquerque comes a story of redemption and transformation. The story unfolds with the taste of lightning on my lips, and my heart touched by the main characters struggle to become more whole. Though the plot is fiction, the healing is real, both ours and the characters. I loved the relationship between the two main characters, their love, their communication and ultimately redemption for both of them. What a treat to read!
2842362
I couldn't put this book down...Although the messages of the book - the suffering of love, forgiveness, hope - are timeless and universal, the telling is poignant and new.  Through the words, the story, the witness the author shares, the Holy Spirit speaks to the reader, writing a letter of love and comfort to the human heart and whispering, "All will be well..."
Beautiful and inspiring!!
3246319
Katie Ganshert paints vivid portraits of women in pain, suffering from loss and longing but in the throes of glorious healing.  If that sounds a bit complex, then I captured the essence of the complication that is a Katie Ganshert novel.

 Her word choices are so crisp and alive that the reader experiences every drop of emotion right along with the characters.  If abandonment, expect to feel lost and alone.  If abused, expect to feel pain and confusion.  And, as with Carmen, you'll walk through the valley of infertility and feel every drop, whether you've given birth or still struggle.

 The beauty comes in the powerful resolution to the suffering.  Each page is another step on an exquisite journey of discovery, healing, and redemption.  In "The Art of Losing Yourself" you'll witness healing of multiple relationships, while one or two remain in the process.  As Carmen makes peace with Gracie, you'll be tempted to pick up the phone and call your own sibling(s).

 The power comes in the telling of the story.  The reader cannot turn the final page and not understand in a visceral level the struggle of infertility, or of abuse, or of neglect.  Each novel is a journey, with captivating scenery along the way.

 Katie writes with power, and her stories linger long after the final page turns.  Her characters become long lasting friends that you'll recall from time to time, and you'll wonder how Carmen is doing and how Gracie's grades are.  You might even be tempted to pick up the phone and to give her a call...

 ...until you realize she only lives in your imagination.

 My thanks to my friends at Waterbrook Press for my complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.  I love Katie's gift of story, and I highly recommend "The Art of Losing Yourself".
335341
B A Austin has gifted us with a behind the scenes tour of her life and journey to womanhood in the 1960s south. The keen insight and quiet strength with which she navigated her way through segregation, addiction, and seemingly endless lossto find her path to healing and hope is exhilarating. Bethany Anns story reminds us that unconditional love in its purist form knows no prejudice, racial or otherwise.
Eloquently written, every word is a precious gem. Her tender vulnerability and courageous dignity is awe inspiring. I could not put this book down!
1137696
The last three hours of my life have been spent going through Audrey Lee's The Keeper of the Story Workbook.

I am happy to report that I found the process to be surprisingly powerful.  Before even completing the first 5 minute writing prompt, I found myself engulfed in a flood of tears that needed to be released.  I thought I knew where "my" story was going, but the magical quality of Lee's protocol and process, accessed something deep inside and released a number of emotions that needed to surface.

Perhaps the best part was rewriting my story the way I would like for it to have been.  It was akin to a rewiring in my brain and a resetting of my heart where no one ever again could shame me, or blame me, or guilt me; where I stood in my own power and authenticity; where I gave the best of myself to myself as well as to others; where I lived my truth, and loved to my fullest; where compassion and nurturing were automatic gifts of my soul enabling me to reach into the tender hearts of my children and nurture their every need; where outward appearance meant nothing and the opinions of others were none of my business.

On page seven she really got my attention and melted the reserve I didn't know I was feeling; not so much a reserve of not trusting, but more of curiosity about the  Keeper of the Story--a puzzlement as to what this really meant.  Audrey writes:

And you know, we all have that little child within us. Some call it our Inner Child; some call it our Authentic Self; some call it our Higher Self. But whatever you choose to call it, there is a part of you and me that is totally connected to our Source, our God, our Spirit, our world and our universe. I am going to refer to this essential part of our being as "the keeper of our story."

I was reeled in by the resonance of "the keeper of our story" being our Divine Source, by whatever name we choose to use.  I have such a testimony of that connection.

In the coming weeks and months, I'm anxious to see if I am able to maintain the power that I feel from the "workshop" with Audrey Lee as laid out in The Keeper of the Story Workbook.  If not, I know where to go to be renewed.
4581162
Polly tells her story with vulnerability, truth and strength.  That would be enough to make it a heart wrenching read of brokenness and healing  , but she also encourages her readers to turn heir own stories of brokenness into healing  through the One God who sought her out, found her, and  restored her to life and love.  I am a counselor, and I recommend this book to some of my clients.  It never  fails to affect their lives.
2920841
Wounded Grace is part of the Hearts Haven Easter collection, in which a startling and unexpected occurrence saddens many faithful visitors to the Haven. But Tanya Stowe manages to reach around and beyond that central shock, and build yet another truly heart-rending set of circumstances between the hero and heroine. When their past threatens their future, only God and His wonderful messengers can create the kind of miracle that will bring renewal and refreshing into the hearts of two people whove suffered far too long. Stowe is a master storyteller with a keen awareness of and empathy for humanity with all its faults and foibles. A beautiful tale, beautifully written.
1314050
Written in the style of a romance novel, Carol Booth's narrative left me hanging at the end of each chapter, compelled to keep reading to the end. The story poignantly illustrates not only the pain experienced by an abused child, but also the dysfunctional family framework which allowed the abuse to continue and forced the child to suffer silently for so many long years. Woven into the mix is a faith birthed in childhood which enabled her to survive as the abuse occurred, to find an outlet for her emotions through a poetic and musical gift, and ultimately to forgive and move forward as a healthy adult. I would recommend this book as an encouragement to anyone who has experienced any form of abuse. It is a celebration of God's love and His peace in the midst of life's storms. Well done!
3634638
This is an evocative and moving book about love, courage, loss, longing and the power of continued connection between mother and son. With a whole new realm of connection possibilities to consider, it beckons the mind and heart to stretch wide open.  Its an emotional, often mysterious, heart crushing AND heart lifting account of a young life extraordinarily well-lived and the loving and energetic bond that continues still between Melody and Dev.  This story is an intimate and emotional journey that invites the reader to sit still and contemplate whats possible. Bring a box of tissue and also prepare to smile through your tears as the power of love does its magic.
2676966
This book is a powerful tale of a family's survival through personal pain. McFadden's writing style is both lyrical and poetic. I was transported back in time while reading this novel. I especially loved how the novel comes full circle and how it provided healing for certain family members. McFadden dissected the story in such a way that questions did not remain unanswered for long. A tragic story in many ways but it also has a redeeming quality. McFadden provides a necessary voice in modern literature.
2168649
This was such a journey! It definitely has some Christian elements, the background is a revival preacher and his family, with his son telling the story and growing up. There are Christian elements, and aspects to this story. That being said, it is a magical, beautiful, lyrical story of choices, love, family, and the muse in each of us. The gifts that each of us have. Loving music as I do, the way the guitars and the vocals play such an important part of this is so incredibly beautiful. I only wish it came with a soundtrack, but as always a great book will play the soundtrack in your mind as you read. Truly a story of love, family, hardship, loss, forgiveness, and healing that make this a book for the ages. The words wove themselves into my heart and mind. I will definitely be rereading this to savor the pictures and lyrical moments that were created in this novel. Just beautiful. I was glad when someone recommended Charles Martin to me as an author, and now I am just grateful to have fallen under his spell again for this beautiful moment.