Showing posts with label Memoir. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Memoir. Show all posts

Thursday, August 13, 2015

Book Review: Fractured Not Broken by Kelly Schaefer with Michelle Wiedenbenner

Fractured Not Broken
By Kelly Schaefer and Michelle Weidenbenner
Publisher: Kelly Schaefer LLC with R. Publishing LLC
Published: July 3, 2015
ASIN: B010Y0MB02

Amazon Synopsis:

AWARD-WINNING and BESTSELLING AUTHOR. 
Parts of this story appeared on ESPN and in ROSIE. 

Fractured Not Broken is a true story of loss, faith, and a rare love that only happens in nonfiction. 

In a sweeping narrative and heart-wrenching story, Kelly exposes the truth about what happened after a drunk driver rendered her a quadriplegic. She shares how she found her way back—through faith and pain, her community, her family, and the love of a man she’d prayed for. 

"This is a real life story of heroic virtue—especially of courage, humility, and generosity—a triumph of faith, hope and love. This story involves the very essence of the human spirit, family, and community. To know Kelly and her journey of miracles is to know that with God all things are possible." —Most Reverend Charles C. Thompson, Bishop of Evansville 

"This book has been a true encouragement to me. Thank you Kelly for sharing your story— the loss and the unexpected joy— so that each reader can be uplifted knowing there is a full, rich life available to those who lean in to our Lord Jesus." 
—Renee Bondi 
Award-Winning Singer and Songwriter 

"Life has its tragic moments of defeat, setbacks, and fracturing for everyone. Kelly's story proves, however, that individual momentum, personal progress, and genuine achievement can still be attained. Her courage and optimism are uplifting. Open these pages and experience the joy of ultimate victory." —Dr. Dennis E. Hensley, Author 
Jesus in All Four Seasons 

Book Links

My Thoughts:

 Fractured Not Broken is a story that will stick with you long after you finish reading it. It will put into perspective the setbacks that we incur in life. Rarely will one of us have one that changes the entire way we live.

All it took was one bad decision from one drunk driver to forever change the lives of a group of youth. This is the story of the trials, setbacks, defeats and above all triumphs of one young woman forever changed by the incident.

Kelly Craig’s faith in God is evident as she strives to sort out why He would allow such a terrible thing to happen to her, finally coming to see the blessings Jesus has given her because of the accident. I thought the writing of the story was well-handled, moving back and forth in time from before and after the accident.

I found her story inspiring to my own life as I suffer from debilitating constant chronic migraine headaches and reading about the blessings in her life that she never would have received had she not had the accident (ie. meeting her husband) helped me to look at the blessings in my life since my headaches became chronic. Thank you Kelly!

I marveled at the way it was possible to see God’s hand at work (when looking back) in bringing Kelly and Shawn together. What a beautiful God-ordained romance and relationship! Not that all was perfect; I am glad that Kelly wrote about their first fight. Not only was it humorous after the fact, it showed that they were a couple just like any other married couple.

Fractured Not Broken was difficult to put down once I picked it up for several reasons. The first reason was that this is a true story and I always find true stories to be particularly inspiring. Secondly, the writing done by the authors as well as the editing of this book was excellent. That made it a pleasure to read. I rated this memoir 5 stars out of 5.

Thank you to the publishers for providing this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. A positive opinion was not required. All thoughts are my own.

About the Author:

Kelly Schaefer
Kelly is a teacher, speaker, wife, Young Life volunteer and Skittles lover. She overcomes obstacles every day as a quadriplegic, but finds strength in her faith and community.

Author Links

Michelle Wiedenbenner
Michelle is a fulltime employee of God’s kingdom, writing and encouraging writers every day. She’s often a sucker for emotional stories, her sensitive side fueling the passion for her character’s plights, often giving her the ability to show readers the “other” side of the story.

She grew up in the burbs of Detroit with five brothers. No sisters. Each time her mom brought the boy bundle home from the hospital Michelle cried, certain her mom liked boys better than girls. But when her brothers pitched in with the cooking, cleaning, and babysitting—without drama, Michelle discovered having brothers wasn’t so bad. They even taught her how to take direct criticism without flinching, which comes in handy with book reviews.

Michelle is living her dream—writing every day and thanking God for the stories He puts in her path. When Michelle isn’t writing she’s winning ugly on the tennis court. She’s known as “Queen of the Rim Shots.” No joke. It’s ugly.

Author Links

Website   *  Goodreads  *  Twitter  *  Facebook

Monday, July 20, 2015

Fractured Not Broken Book Blast and Book Tour with Michelle Weidenbenner

Fractured Tour Banner

Fractured-KINDLE
A Real Life Story of Heroic Virtue

Parts of this memoir appeared on ESPN and in Rosie Warsaw, Indiana July 08, 2015 Award-winning and best-selling author, Michelle Weidenbenner, announces the release of Kelly Schaefer’s memoir,

Fractured Not Broken. Years ago, parts of Kelly’s story appeared on ESPN and in Rosie, but now Kelly reveals the rest of the story in her new book, Fractured Not Broken. Nineteen-year-old Kelly had it all—a healthy and athletic body, a star basketball-player boyfriend, and a fun college life with close friends. 

But everything changed when a drunk driver rendered her a quadriplegic. Kelly was left with arms and legs that couldn’t move. She couldn’t walk, write, feed herself or comb her hair. When she thought she couldn’t lose anything more—her boyfriend left her, unwilling to endure a life with a quad.

Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Book Review: God's Buried Children by Daniel Farcas

God's Buried Children
By Daniel Farcas
Publisher: Daniel Farcas
Published: July 31, 2014
ASIN: B00MBU7I66
Amazon Synopsis:

All earnings from God's Buried Children go to MyAmericanKids.com. This true story is the journal of an orphan child born in Romania in 1980's during Nicolae Ceauscu's communist regime, Daniel becomes a homeless child on Bucharest streets and in the city underground sewers after he runs away from the orphanage and lives through the 1989 Anticommunism Revolution. 
There are other stories tangled in the novel, an adopted child, a child reunited with his father and a child killing his father and grandfather who abandon him.

Book Links

Friday, June 26, 2015

Book Review: Mobility Matters: Stepping Out in Faith by Amy Bovaird

Mobility Matters: Stepping Out in Faith
By Amy Bovaird
Publisher: Amy Bovaird
Published: Oct. 3, 2014
ASIN: B00O5P9MGY

Amazon Synopsis:

 Adventurous international teacher, Amy Bovaird, is diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa, a hereditary eye disease that will blind her. In spite of that, she manages to continue teaching overseas. Then her father’s final illness brings her back home for good. There, friends and acquaintances begin to notice that she doesn’t always recognize them and sometimes stumbles…as if drunk! Insensitive students ridicule her in the classroom. Unwilling to accept that she is truly losing her eyesight, Amy resists when the Bureau of Blindness schedules a mobility specialist to begin training her to use a white cane.  How can she, an independent world traveler, use something that screams 'I am a blind person'?  Will her faith prove strong enough to allow her to move forward and accept herself as she is

Available for $0.99 from June 27 - June 30 on Amazon

Book Links

Thursday, January 29, 2015

Book Review: I Will Never Forget by Elaine Pereria


I Will Never Forget: A Daughter's Story of Her Mother's Arduous and Humorous Journey through Dementia
By Elaine Pereira
Publisher: JACE Woods Press
Published: Dec, 29, 2014
ISBN: 978-1936840762

Amazon Synopsis:

IT IS PAINFULLY DIFFICULT to watch loved ones decline as dementia ravages their mind, destroying memories, rational thinking, and judgment. In her touching memoir, I Will Never Forget, Elaine Pereira shares the heartbreaking and humorous story of her mother’s incredible journey through dementia. 

Pereira begins with entertaining glimpses into her own childhood and feisty teenage years, demonstrating her mother’s strength of character. Years later, as Betty Ward started to exhibit bizarre behaviors and paranoia, Pereira was mystified by her mom’s amazing ability to mask the truth. 

Not until a revealing incident over an innocuous drapery rod did Pereira recognize the extent of her mother’s Alzheimer’s. As their roles shifted and a new paradigm emerged, Pereira transformed into a caregiver, blindly navigating dementia’s unpredictable haze. 
But before Betty’s passing, she orchestrated a stunning rally to control her own destiny via a masterful, Houdini-like escape. 

I Will Never Forget is a powerful heartwarming story that helps others know that they are not alone in their journey. “Poignant, shocking, and honest … far more than just words on paper. If you or someone you know is living through the hell of dementia, you need this book!” –Ionia Martin, developer of Readful Things Reviews and Alzheimer’s caregiver.

Book Links

Friday, June 13, 2014

Book Review: Life-ology 101 When All Else Fails, Smile by Michael Soward

Life-ology 101: If All Else Fails, Smile
by Michael Soward
Publisher: Xlibris
Published: Sept 16, 2013
ASIN: B00FF40FHO

Amazon Synopsis:

Life is what it is, and sometimes the pain, the unusual twists and turns of it are unavoidable, though through its entirety one must always smile, for this is a great start of the healing process. Author Michael Soward has lived by these words, and in his new book, Life-ology 101, he shares his life journey with readers everywhere, giving them a brief written snapshot of his life from childhood to his arrival in New York City, and all the adversities he met and overcame along the way.

Life-ology101: If All Else Fails, Smile is an autobiographical chronicle of the life and times of Michael Soward, following his journey from his days as a teenager who came from a 

Thursday, May 29, 2014

Book Review: Blind Descent by Brian Dickinson

Blind Descent
By Brian Dickinson
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers
Published: May 1, 2014
ASIN: B00GWT8E10

Amazon Synopsis:

Alone and blind at 29,000 feet!

Former Navy rescue swimmer Brian Dickinson was roughly 1,000 feet from the summit of Mount Everest—also known as “the death zone”—when his Sherpa became ill and had to turn back, leaving Brian with a difficult decision: should he continue to push for the summit, or head back down the mountain? After carefully weighing the options, Brian decided to continue toward the summit—alone. Four hours later, Brian solo summited the highest peak in the world. But the 

Monday, March 17, 2014

Book Blast and Giveaway: The Predatory Lies of Anorexia

Title: The Predator Lies of Anorexia:  A Survivor’s Story

Genre: Memoir/Self Help

About The Book
Paperback: 196 pages
Publisher: Bettie Youngs Book Publishers (March 17, 2014)
ISBN-10: 1940784174
ISBN-13: 978-1940784175

About The Book

I want. I want you to want me. I want you to think I am the smartest, the thinnest, the most beautiful. I want you to want to be me. I want to be enviable. I want to be impervious. I want to need nothing. I want you to know that I am strong. I want to think I am better than everyone else. I want.

I’m willing to give up everything. I will give up mind and future. I will give up health, happiness 

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

The Prayer: A Love Story Blog Tour and Giveaway with Jacqueline von Zwehl

The Prayer: A Love Story
By Jacqueline von Zwehl
Publisher: Johann Press
Published: Oct. 21, 2013
ASIN: B00G8QTDKI

Amazon Synopsis:

Do You Believe in Miracles? 
Do You Believe in Eternal Love? 
Do You Believe in Answered Prayers? 

You Will 

The Prayer, A Love Story is the inspirational true story of one woman who discovers the secret to living a life filled with miracles, unconditional love, and answered prayers. 

The journey begins with a divine promise, continues with unforeseen life challenges, and eventually leads to Jerusalem. Inside the Old City, a prayer will unlock the key to a life of miracles. This journey is proof heaven is real and its gifts are available to you now. Whether you have stopped believing in God or not, God believes in you. 

The journey holds a promise for everyone. No matter how much darkness exists in your 

Thursday, November 7, 2013

Book Review Blog Tour and Giveaway: A Light in Dark Places by Jennifer Graves and Emily Clawson

light in dark tour

light in dark
A Light in Dark Places
By Jennifer Graves and Emily Clawson
Publisher: Jennifer Graves
Published: June 21, 2013
ISBN: 9781490426112

A Light in Dark Places In December, 2009, Susan Cox Powell was reported missing from her home in West Valley City, Utah. As law enforcement tried to piece together what had happened to Susan, her husband, Josh Powell, became the only person of interest in the case. For Jennifer Graves, Josh’s sister, the nightmare started long before Susan’s disappearance. From her experiences growing up in the Powell family to the terrifying moment when she first started to believe her brother was a killer, she relied on her faith to stay strong. She devoted herself to the safety of Susan’s boys, Charlie and Braden, whom she hoped to be able to raise as her own. When the boys were murdered by their father in February, 2012, Jennifer was more than devastated, but she had to believe there was a reason for it all—including the deaths of her beloved nephews. In A Light In Dark Places, Jennifer shares her struggles and her triumphs. In coming to terms with such tragedy she finally was able to embrace the truth that we all have the power to choose our own path—and there is always hope, no matter how dark things may seem.


Praise for A Light in Dark Places I just finished reading "A Light in Dark Places" By Jennifer Graves and Emily Gray Clawson. I was impressed with how well written the book was. The descriptions are such that I felt I was part of the story. I was grateful that the message was one of hope and peace in tragedy. The book does tell the tale of Susan Powell, her boys and their demise but doesn't dwell on it. It was nice to see inside the life experiences of someone so close to them and to see things from Jennifer's perspective 

Friday, September 20, 2013

Book Review: When God Intervenes





When God Intervenes 
By Dabney Hedegard
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers
Publishing Date: June 21, 2013
ISBN: 9781414376820




Amazon Synopsis:

“She’ll never make it through the night”

When Dabney Hedegard was six weeks pregnant, doctors discovered an eight-inch tumor embedded in her chest. She was diagnosed with cancer and opted to postpone treatment until further along in her pregnancy. This marked the beginning of a ten-year battle against cancer, cardiomyopathy, mitral valve prolapse, pulmonary embolism, acute pneumonia, kidney failure, respiratory failure, and heart failure. In each instance, Dabney was given less than a 30 percent chance of surviving, and twice doctors told her husband, “She’ll never make it through the night.” But each time the doctors had given up hope, God intervened, miraculously rescuing Dabney from death’s doorstep. Part medical drama, part account of divine intervention, Dabney’s extraordinary story is a fast-paced, emotional roller-coaster ride that will have you crying one moment and cheering the next. Dabney’s journey is an indisputable testament to the undeniable power of prayer.

My Thoughts:

This was an amazing book about an amazing journey. Imagine finding out when you are six weeks pregnant that you have an eight-inch tumour (Hodgekins lymphoma) inside your chest. You have to make a decision about whether to abort the child and begin treatment right away, or wait until the baby is born. In the meantime, the tumour could kill you. That was the choice given to Dabney Hedegard.

This book was a well-written chronicle of the ten-year long journey that God took Dabney on. She should have died 4 times. But God intervened and did what man could not do. He kept her alive. She has had so many miracles in her life, including each of her children. After the chemotherapy for the lymphoma, Dabney was found to be sterile from the damage of the medications. But she got pregnant again, and more than once (each time with the doctors declaring that it was not possible) – proving that God does intervene in our lives.

Her story is one of encouragement, faith, hope and healing. God’s hand in Dabney’s life is evident. It would be hard to argue His existence after reading this book. This is one of those books where the author is able to make you feel as though you are right there with alongside them. This is one of the best autobiographies I have ever read!

I give this book 5 stars! 

 Disclaimer: I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. A free product does not influence my review. All thoughts are my own.



Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Book Review: Day of the Elephants

Product DetailsDay of the Elephants
Ron Swager & Ed Chinn
Smith Publicity -- Reel Marketing Systems, LLCPub Date   Jul 10 2013
ISBN 9780615827773


Amazon Synopsis:

Try to imagine that you are an eight-year-old boy living a village life of peace, safety, and familial love. But, suddenly, you are caught in the explosion of death. In an instant, everything familiar is destroyed. You leave your childhood forever. For the next twenty years, you see the darkest possibilities of humanity. And then, you touch the majestic beauty and grace that triumph over the darkness. This is a story you won't forget.

My Thoughts:

The Day of the Elephants has nothing to do with the large animal with four legs and a trunk. The elephant is a metaphor for terrorists, whether they be those who bring about terror and death to a nation, or a more “civilized” form of terrorist – physical, financial, relational, vocational or other issue which attempts to devastate an individual. From the outset of the book Swager and Chinn make it clear that the story of Roland Deah is a parallel for each of us as we face our own issues that knock us down. As Roland never gave up, so we must never give up. Swager and Chinn use Scripture throughout the book to help illustrate their thoughts.

Swager and Chinn do a reasonable job of narrating Roland’s story, one of brutality and horror without going into too much detail. They tell of child soldiers as young as 3 years old and the horrific acts used to recruit them. They tell Roland’s story as he travels through Liberia, across the Cavalla River into the Ivory Coast to a makeshift refugee camp at Guiglo.

In the middle of Roland’s story, Swager takes a detour and tells of his heart attack. He compares this “elephant” to Roland’s “elephant”. He then carries on to the conclusion of Roland’s story telling how Roland came to live in in the United States.

I found this story to be very educational about what goes on in other countries. I can’t say that I “enjoyed” this book, as the topic is not “enjoyable”. It is a story that needs to be read because we need to know what happens elsewhere in our world so that we can do something about it.

I found that Swager’s telling of his heart attack as a parallel “elephant” was just not on the same level as Roland Deah’s experience. It was trivial by comparison. However, I understand why he included it. This book was intended to tell Roland’s story and to remind each of us that we can overcome whatever we have to face.

I gave this book 3 stars


Disclaimer: I received a free review copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts are my own.