A story of struggle, suffering, sadness, and tragedy.
595482
Being from the town of Burnsville, I grew up hearing the story of Frankie and Johnny.  I am familiar with all the locations and knew many stories of the poverty and desperate struggles of the mountaineers during the Civil War.
This is a tale of survival, determination, and perseverance against fearsome obstacles and experiences.  The life
For Nancy was never easy. It was unfair, cruel, demanding in every pysical and
4724782
This story is not difficult to read. It is difficult to have experienced. Losing those close to us requires us to give up who we depend on while at the same time demanding more of us. I identified with so much put forth in this short story. Some of it hurt me. Some provided comfort.
4755882
This the story of surviving a dysfunctional family, and finding some of the answers. Lisa is bringing into her marriage the results of living in a broken family, and trying to function with all the members. In trying to help her manic depressive brother, she unlocks doors that in turn provide more questions. In trying to appease her difficult mother, she disrupts her marriage to a man who truly loves her. The writer weaves poetry into the story, a comfort and a torture. She finally realizes life is a conundrum, and thing are not always as they seem on the surface.
480600
A tough but touching read dealing with loss, grief and regret. Conor is visited by a monster who wants to tell him three stories but at the end of it Conor has to tell the monster one truth. You get a glimpse of Conor's home life and his problems at school. A small read but heavy-hitting and worth the short time it will take you to complete.
2624385
This story was long and painful.  Liz wrote in such concrete terms that I was drawn into (at least felt like it) her world.  I felt fear, anger, disappointment, and sadness, deep sadness.
As Liz took control, and situations changed, not always the way she wanted, she met them head-on.  Her accomplishments Inspired me.
2589736
A simple story of life and it's struggle. The ending was not what I expected. I wished for a lot more.
1397692
This was a well written story of a women's struggle to face her life after the personal trauma of 9/11.  As I read this book, I felt the main characters pain and struggle to deal with her PTSD symptoms while raising a son and being married to a man she loved.
3998802
A sad, thought provoking, profound and compelling portrait of a family whose lives are colored by a mixed race marriage and unfulfilled dreams.  The events of the story are told through the perceptions of the parents and children living in small town America during the mid 1950s and 60s.  The writing is hauntingly beautiful and simple, but the story is incredibly disturbing.  This was an emotionally difficult read.
4883252
This is a poem of grief and its lessons, a bloody, troubling epic where the heroes are arrogant and the villains brave, and vice versa. In light of history, the relationship of the Islamic Spaniards and Christian French is troubling and thought-provoking, even as the poetry sings. The story is compressed, and much happens between each line; the characters are more complex than an initial reading might suggest. Read it aloud. The assonance on the hard stress at the end of each line is marvelous, but when reading aloud you'll also pick up interior rhymes and a rhythm that hurtles along much as the French charge on their mighty steeds into the Spanish swords.
4135375
This book tells one of Canada's most tragic tales that brought about the near-extinction of a people through ethnic and religious intolerance, the Expulsion of the Acadians. This is the story of that episode through the eyes of the second eldest daughter of a large family. It is a heartbreaking story of loss and shameful, needless relocation of a people who were not wanted where they came from nor where they were sent. Hated either because they were French or Catholic, or both, the story brings to mind that world issues of today are no different than the ones of the past. A well-written, fast-paced story even though one knows ultimately how it will end due to the title, if one isn't familiar with the history. The book has a heavy atmosphere; I felt sad for the most part with the loss and death, and the ending only gives a bittersweet dose of happiness. The historical details are presented well through the emotional story and I'd say this would make a good introduction to the topic, especially with the historical notes included at the back of the book. I thought I didn't know this author, but taking a look at her backlist of titles, I realize I have read one other of her historical fictions a very long time ago. An emotional entry in the series.
1036333
A well developed story that highlights a difficult time in our history, while weaving a tale of love and loss.
1213581
A beautifully  written story that takes the reader to emotional heighs and lows.
Really a series of events that, sadly,  tells the story of bad things happening to good people.
Well worth the read.
1001231
This lengthy novel is at once a story of family, of immigrant striving, of the impact of illness and grief, and a story of the last half of the American 20th century. Lead character Eileen Leary succeeds in overcoming her family of origins failings by getting a good education, by setting goals, and by not falling prey to the perils of alcohol abuse in her Irish family. She marries Ed, a man with potential but perhaps not as eager to advance as Eileen is. She has a son Connell and a successful career as a nurse and administrator, yet Eds unwillingness to advance in his career or his living situation is a source of frustration to her. Minor oddities in his behavior allow the reader to be aware of his declining mental health long before Eileen is aware of it. His succumbing to Alzheimers disease brings an end to Eileens striving but not to her love for him. Connell, typically for a teen, fails to deal with his fathers decline until is is far too late. The characters are realistic and admirable, but the reader has, almost from the start, a sense of impending doom.
2422532
"Stars in the Grass" was one of those books that is somewhat difficult to read but you don't want to put it down until you find out how it ends. It is the story of a family who loses their young son and brother to a tragic accident. The story is told through the voice of nine-year-old Abby as she experiences the aftermath of the tragedy and the toll it takes on their family for the next year. It is a sad story with very little hope until near the end.

This book deals with how hard times affect even those with strong faith, causing them to question God. It also reveals that that simple faith can be restored by the faithful God who walks with us through those difficult days.
864522
"Of Stillness And Storm" by Michele Phoenix was a hard book to read. There is much loss and despair in this book, but also a hint of hope and love that goes beyond the failures of men. This book is about relationships. This book is told in the first person voice of Lauren.

Lauren, Sam and Ryan are a family of three living in Nepal. While Sam brings Gods word to remote villages, Lauren and Sam struggle to survive the power outages, unrest, pollution and more while in Kathmandu.

If you like heart-wrenching stories, then you may just like this one. I will say that while it was tough to read and I did enjoy it this book isn't for everyone.

*Disclaimer*
I received a copy of this book free to review. I was not financially compensated in any way. The opinions expressed are my own and are based on my observations while reading this book.
4626206
Have your box of tissues ready.  This is a sad story of one young boy who needs a liver transplant and the problems and obstacles both he and his parents face.  When nine year Ethan is diagnosed, his mother Delanie is overwhelmed and is soon also dealing with a distracted husband, a mound of bills, overbearing mother-in-law and more.  She does have a tight knit group of friends whom she can lay her burden on. But as time is dwindling, one wonders if Ethan will survive?  Like I mentioned, this one is a tearjerker and emotional.  As the reader, I can feel her pain and frustrations with doctors and social workers.  I received an ARC from the author and do recommend this book.
3467997
I was fascinated by the tragic story of Sister Surrendered. Why was this poor soul set on the path to destruction at every turn? The inconsistency of the medical profession that was supposed to aid in her healing only brought her pain and suffering. The story clearly illustrated that the bond between the sisters was deep and abiding.