Not Quite Healed: 40 Truths for Male Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse By Cecil Murphey and Gary Roe Book Review

My Review:

In Not Quite Healed, Cecil Murphey and Gary Roe has collaborated together to write a book to guide male readers and victims in healing from sexual abuse and molestation. Both Cecil and Gary are victims of sexual abuse so this book is from personal experience and their journey towards healing. The book covered forty life changing truths that will benefit and help victims to heal from the heartbreaking pain they have experienced. An important note for victims of sexual abuse is to understand is that they can’t get frustrated and think that they should be healed by now. The authors pointed out that healing is an extensive process and it takes time. Perpetrators are able to find children who are desperately seeking and needing love. They move into innocence children lives and prey on their emotions. They are the adults in authority and they strive for gaining the small child trust so they can use them for their own selfish pleasure. Some victims even struggle with same-sex attraction because of the sexual abuse they had to endure.

 

Cecil’s father was out of work for a few months and food was hard to come by. The pedophile took advantage of the opportunity to bribe Cecil with food. When Cecil was six, the perpetrator lured him into his room and fed him raspberry jam on saltine crackers while he sat on his lap. He told him that he was special and his words affirmed him. Cecil didn’t get held much as a child and craved to be held in someone’s arms and loved. He describe what soft skin he had and he kept brushing his hair. The perpetrator also abused some of his other five siblings. The flashbacks didn’t resurfaced until many years later. He also began remembering that a female relative also abused him. Both sexual abuse affected and changed his life. He struggled with feeling worthless and he like most victims he believed the lies that it was his fault.

 

Gary was also raped by a few pedophiles. He thought that if he succeed enough and he outperformed other children the sexual abuse would stop. This was one of his biggest lies that he believed. He made straight A’s and won medals and awards in swimming. He also ranked in the top ten in the nation for being an excellence swimmer. He was living for the approval of other people and he wanted to urgently please his perpetrators by overachieving. Years later, his counselor assisted in helping Gary to confront one of his pedophile. He did and the perpetrator openly said he didn’t abuse him.

 

The book shared a number of other people’s stories that people have shared on Cecil’s blog to reveal how pedophiles gained access to their victims and what they have went through. One of the heartbreaking accounts shared was how a pastor tied an innocence boy up and raped him to get the devil out of him. Another story disclosed was how a brother made his little brother view pornography magazines with him. The older brother insisted that he needed to show his little brother how people make love. Later he also suffered sexual abuse from other perpetrators.

 

I would recommend this superb book on how to handle healing from sexual abuse to any males who were abused. It is a magnificent resource for any survivors and it will instill with them 40 truths that they need to comprehend. This book could also benefit women who are wanting to understand how to help the male victims that they know. I haven’t personally experienced sexual abuse firsthand. I immensely thought that the lies presented in this book will help victims to recognize the lies their perpetrators have told them. Some of the lies were, “It felt good, so it couldn’t be abuse, my babysitter didn’t abuse me, boys can’t be victims, women don’t molest boys, he was nice and bought me things, so it wasn’t abuse, it’s my fault, I’ll never be a real man”, and many more. These lies will guide the readers into discovering what lies they have believed about the sexual abuse and their perpetrators. I also loved how the book included a whole list of the 40 truths and affirmations at the end of the book. Survivors would vastly benefit from declaring these truths aloud. If you know a male that has suffered from an act of sexual abuse, then please pick this book up for them!

Book Info:

Survivors of sexual abuse face a long road to recovery. With every bump and bruise and setback, they may wonder if total healing is even possible. In fact, the feeling that “I should be healed by now” is one that every survivor will have to deal with at some time. A survivor himself, Cecil Murphey writes, “I absolutely affirm that God can produce such a miracle. I don’t know of any, but I still think that it is possible.”

So how are survivors to overcome the challenges they are sure to face? Finding strength in community with other survivors is one key to recovery. In Not Quite Healed, two survivors join forces to share insight and encouragement on the issues that challenge them most. After a candid discussion about each issue, the authors provide a self-affirming statement that men can study, memorize, and recite on their darkest days—statements such as:
-Forgiveness is a difficult task for me, but it’s a simple thing for God.
-Accountability is the first step to livability.
-God wants to heal my pain to bring healing to others.

Whether men are struggling with relying on God, living behind a mask, dealing with flashbacks and recurring dreams, or learning to forgive, Cecil Murphey and Gary Roe offer hope and comfort for the ongoing journey of recovery from sexual abuse.

 

 

"I received this book free from the publisher from Kregel Publications book review bloggers program."

 

If you would like to purchase a copy of Not Quite Healed, check it on Amazon.com:

 

http://www.amazon.com/Not-Quite-Healed-Survivors-Childhood/dp/0825442702

I’m No Angel: From Victoria’s Secret Model to Role Model By Kylie Bisutti Book Review

 

I’m No Angel, Kylie Bisutti revealed the hidden clandestine of the modeling industry and being a Victoria’s Secret model winner. She described how she met and married her husband, Mike and the effect her marriage had on her career. The book disclosed how she left Victoria Secret and became a Proverbs 31 wife. She began modeling in Las Vegas at the age of fourteen and she quickly learned that sex sells and the industry knows that men are drawn to this. Throughout the years, she has witnessed mischievous individuals trying to entice young girls into human trafficking in Thailand, girls struggling with eating disorders, and being asked to dress immodesty. She has also seen hair designers cutting off models bangs, hair extensions being pulled out and taking out hair roots, hair burned by the flat irons, and models having to wear Saran Wrap. The hair designers and photographers are brutal and relentless in their pursue of obtaining a certain look for their photos. All for the price of beauty.

 

Kylie is very candid about her experiences with modeling and her painful past including her mistakes. She shared her personal struggle with fitting into the mold of the world and the high demand of beauty. At one of the photoshoots, she couldn’t find all of her clothing and she asked an intern where the rest of her outfits was located. The interned yelled across the studio and asked, “Hey, does anyone know where the rest of the big model’s clothes are?” (Page 105). She only weighed 115 pounds. Satan tempted her to check out the other model’s labels on their clothes and she noticed that most of the girls were a size 0 or a size 00. She realized that she was only a size 2 and she was considered a big model.

 

She also opened up about being a conversation she had with her agent and she couldn’t understand why she kept being asked to do test shoots. Her agent stated her harsh opinions of why she couldn’t go to Fashion Week castings. She declared that, “It’s because you are a fat pig right now. You are a cow, and I don’t want any of my clients to see this way! Your thighs are too big. Your butt is too big. You’re just… big!” (Page 106). Eventually, Kylie begin obsessing over her body image and the way she looked. She was determined to lose weight. Her agent told her over the holidays to lose two inches off your hips and two inches from your waist. She finally got down to 108 pounds and she began to get to do more photoshoots. Then she dealt with trying to maintain her current weight and be skinny.  

The book also included a thirty day “True Beauty Makeover” section at the end of the book. It had a scripture verse, a small story, two questions, and a true beauty tip for each day.  

I loved the transparency that Kylie displayed throughout the book. She exposed the hurtful comments that she has received and the past mistakes she couldn’t undo. I liked how she was honest about losing her virginity to a boy in high school and how she regretted that choice. He started by quoting movie lines from The Notebook and he asked her to take a drive with him and he even put on a love soundtrack that she made him. Then he processed to pressure her and said he wanted her to be his first, which later the rumors were he already was having sex with another girl. That guy was a baiter! I especially liked how she stated the warning signs and the red flags she should have seen from the guy.  She shared how she came to know Christ and how he forgave for her decision. This part of her story could vastly assist young girls in learning from the effects of making small compromises and the lines some guys will use on our girls.  

I would recommend this outstanding book to any young girls as well as older women who have low self-esteem and they are obsessing over their body image. Women with eating disorders would immensely benefit from the personal stories that Kylie Bisutti has experienced. Even men can benefit from reading this book and they can began to comprehend the extraordinary demands the industry is putting on our young girls and women in general. Her story was heartbreaking and very eye opening on the issues of striving to look like an image on a cover of a magazine or a TV screen. I’m a guy and her courageous story was inspiring and it made me recognize the importance of protecting my future daughters and instilling in them, the way God sees them. It also showed me how I’m supposed to treat my future wife. I also loved the encouraging story about how she met her husband and how she is trying to be a Proverbs 31 wife. This served as a great reminder to me that God is already working behind the scenes and is writing a love story between my future wife and me, even if I haven’t met her yet. This book is a wonderful encouragement to young girls and women on focusing on true beauty which comes from the inside! If you’re looking for a phenomenal gift to give to a young girl, then this book is the one to give! It has the potential to change their life and I’m praying it does! 

 

Tyndale House Publishers has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book.

If you would like to purchase a copy of I’m No Angel check it out on Amazon.com:

 

http://www.amazon.com/Im-No-Angel-Victorias-Secret/dp/1414383096

 

Check out the Book Trailer:

 

 

http://www.tyndale.com/x_products/videos.php?flv=I'mNoAngel_MainTrailer.flv

 

Meet Kylie Bisutti:

 

Kylie Bisutti is a former Victoria's Secret Runway Angel. At 19, she beat out 10,000 other girls to win a modeling contract with Victoria's Secret, but upon achieving her lifelong dream, she realized she could not reconcile her work with her Christian beliefs, so in December 2011, she quit modeling for Victoria's Secret and dedicated herself to being a role model for young girls - her message being the importance of dressing modestly, honoring your body, and that true beauty lies within.

Power in the Blood: Claiming Your Spiritual Inheritance By Sandie Freed Book Review

Power in the Blood, is a book written to guide readers into digging into the Word of God and understanding our royal inheritance. God has given Sandie Freed a vision and dream about assisting people in breaking strongholds in their lives. The second part of the vision was teaching people the power of their royal inheritance because they belong to Christ. The book will benefit readers into rejecting religious paradigms, teaching readers the many different names of God, and it will help you into crossing into your promise land.

 

The book discussed the importance of Abraham and how he trusted God in travelling into an unknown land. Abraham had to live by Faith and follow what he knew to be true. Abraham’s nephew, Lot picked to live in Sodom, which was a city filled with corrupt people who enjoyed openly sinning. Four kings apprehended Lot and his family and Abraham came to rescue them from the evil kings. Sandie Freed pointed out that Abraham crossed over into his destiny and he protected his bloodline. And when Jesus died on the cross for our sins, we are now in royal inheritance and in covenant with our Creator. I loved how Sandie Freed went into details concerning the four kings and she linked them back to evil spirits. For example, one of the kings was named, “The King of Nations (Goiim): Tidal”. This evil spirit name meant great fear and it consisted of causing believers to shrink back in fear whenever the enemy tried to attack.  

 

I would recommend this magnificent book to anyone who isn’t sure about the unlimited power of Jesus and what our royal inheritance entails of. I immensely cherished when Sandie Freed shared the concept of the sevenfold spirit which is presented in Isaiah. One of my favorite attributes of the sevenfold spirit was the second one, “The Spirit of Wisdom”. King Solomon asked God for divine wisdom from His loving Father. So God was impressed and gave him great wisdom. In today’s times, we could all use some more wisdom in fighting the schemes of the enemy. I can testify to having a loving mother who prayed for me to have wisdom beyond my years. And I’m beginning to see this prayer answered daily. This book has ton of scriptures and new ways of revealing the power of Christ’s bloodline. I have learned a lot of information that I haven’t heard of before. If you’re looking for a book, that will instill you with the tools in tapping into the power of being a child of the most high God, then this book is written just for you!

 

 

“I received this book free from the publisher through the Bethany House Publishers/ Chosen book review bloggers program.” 

 

If you would like to purchase a copy of Power in the Blood check it out on Amazon.com:

http://www.amazon.com/Power-Blood-Claiming-Spiritual-Inheritance/dp/0800795512

Adventures in Odyssey A.C.T.S. (A Call to Service) Blog Tour

Join Adventures in Odyssey this summer to discover how fun it can be to serve others!

Adventures in Odyssey, the beloved audio series from Focus on the Family, has encouraged kids toward a stronger faith for 25 years. Whit, Connie, Eugene, and the other loveable characters from Odyssey have shared countless adventures with kids across the world in the classic audio dramas, books, videos, and devotionals, fulfilling the AIO promise to help kids discover, imagine, and grow.

This summer, Adventures in Odyssey is joining with Christian bookstores across the country, inviting kids to participate in a Summer of Service. They’re promoting the biblical message, “When you serve, everybody wins,” encouraging kids to serve their families, their communities, and their world. Whether it’s baking cookies for an elderly neighbor or putting together a care package for missionaries overseas, kids will discover that serving can be a blast! 

How the A.C.T.S. (A Call to Service) challenge and contest works:

Kids who join A.C.T.S. can pick up a service log and collect fun character stickers for hours served at participating bookstores throughout the summer, or download a serving log online at whitsend.org.  At the end of the summer, kids can record and upload a short video telling how they serve and why they’d like to become an Adventures in Odyssey Ambassador.

A hundred winners will get the brand new AIO Album, and after online voting, two grand prize winners (one boy and one girl) will get to travel on an exciting Good-Goers Mission Based Adventure trip to another country with a parent!  The out-of-country destination will be announced on a live podcast May 22—hosted by AIO actors Katie Leigh (Connie) and Chris Anthony (Chris)—which you can watch at whitsend.org/acts. You don’t want to miss it!

                                                                                                            

Why serve?

Our culture puts an extravagant amount of energy into raising kids who will grow up to feel good about themselves. In schools, clubs, homes, and even at church, adults have made a decided effort to bolster children’s “self-esteem” –not by actually encouraging kids do something that’s worthwhile, but by simply telling them they are important and valuable.

At the turn of the century, researchers predicted that the next generation would respond to these efforts of raising self-esteem by being filled with optimism and civic duty. Unfortunately, recent research shows the opposite. Kids coming of age today are more self-centered, disrespectful of authority, and depressed than ever before.

In a very real way, then, the best path toward building selfless, confident children is to help and encourage them toward a growing and thriving faith in God. And that includes obedience to what God teaches—not because it makes kids feel good, although it often does—but because they’re following God’s instructions to love Him and serve others. That builds a faith they can count on and carry with them into adulthood—which is the greatest gift any parent can bestow on their child.

 

FREE Downloads from Tyndale House Publishers:

 

Tyndale House Publishers has also generously provided a free MP3 download of the AIO Service episode, “Business of Busyness” to remind parents and children the importance of priorities and scheduling. As parents, we have to follow the scripture verse, “Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.” Proverbs 22:6 NLT. We have to set aside time for God where He can speak to us, study and meditate on scriptures, and pray to our Heavenly Father. It’s critical to lead and encourage our family to help and serve others like Christ has done and has called us to do.

To download the free MP3 file, click here:

http://www.tyndale.com/blog/index.php/acts-a-call-to-serve/

 

And there is also a free PDF download of summer service ideas for kids available here:

http://www.tyndale.com/blog/index.php/acts-a-call-to-serve/

“I received a free copy of Adventures in Odyssey: Our Favorites Album from Tyndale House Publishers for participating in this blog tour.”

The Dog that Talked to God and The Cat that God Sent By Jim Kraus Blog Tour and Book Review

My Thoughts on The Dog that Talked to God:

 

 

 

The main character, Mary Fassler is an editor and writer. Her husband, Jacob and her son get into a terrible car accident and is tragically killed. She decided to adopt a dog named Rufus. She soon discovered that her dog can have conversations with her. Rufus begins to talk to her about her dating life and how it’s time to get back out there and try to find love again.

 

I would recommend this delightful book to anyone who is a dog lover or who enjoys pets. I have grew up with dogs my whole life and I immensely connected with this story. The book displayed the unconditionally love of a dog and how they truly are “man’s best friend”. I loved how the author wrote the character of Rufus to be like God. Mary unloaded all of her fears, stress, doubts, and her feelings by talking through them with the dog and the dog assisted her in working through her emotions. I could use a dog like this in my own personal dating life! The book contained a message of hope that things can turn around even after your world falls apart. If you’re looking for a book that will inspire you to keep believing that good things can still occur, then this book is for you!  

 

My Thoughts on The Cat that God Sent:

 

The main character, Jake Wilkerson is a young pastor who finds a stray cat with a torn in his paw. He takes the cat to the vet and meets the rude veterinarian, named Emma. Jake lets the veterinarian pick out a name for the cat and she named him Petey. She can’t stand Christians and she claims that they are all narrow-minded and judgmental. Jake decided to go on a number of dates with her. Then Jake meets Tassy who is a young runaway and she is needing help. Will Jake be able to change and lead Emma to Christ?

 

I would recommend this outstanding book to anyone who has a special fondness of cats and pets. I haven’t had any cats as pets but I have enjoyed playing with my grandparents cats. I loved the idea of having a cat on a mission that God has sent to complete His extraordinary purposes in their lives. The book covered a difficult topic that some believers struggle with, “Should believers date non-believers?” I immeasurably appreciated that this book was written for today’s times. This book will lead readers into believing that pets can vastly impact us and be a treasure sent from Heaven!

 

“I received the books for free from Litfuse Publicity Group/ Abingdon Press for this review”.

About The Cat That God Sent:  Meet Petey, your not-so-average cat-on a mission from God Disillusioned young pastor, Jake Wilkerson, has just arrived at his new assignment in the small rural church of Coudersport, Pennsylvania. Also new on the scene is Petey, a cat of unknown origins and breed-but of great perception. As Jake sets about doing the business of ministry, Petey's continued interference brings chaos to the community of curiously off and eccentric people-residents like the faith-avoiding veterinarian Sally Grainger and Tassy, a young runaway with a secret. An expert at hiding his fears, Jake wonders if all this-and the cat to boot-is more than he can handle. What is Petey's real "mission"? Perhaps something larger than Jake---or even Petey---can possibly know. Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/kuEWy More about The Dog That Talked to God: Be sure to check out Jim's The Dog That Talked to God which was nominated as an ECPA book of the Year (2013). Publishers Weekly said, "Judge this book by its cover... and be charmed." "The Dog That Talked to God is a moving and powerful read, inspirational long after the last page has been turned." - New York Journal of Books "Jim Kraus has written a funny, heartfelt novel in the tradition of Garth Stein and John Grogan. For a long time dogs have been man's best friend. It only made sense one would finally come along to save our souls."  - Rob Stennett author, Homemade Haunting and The Almost True Story Of Ryan Fisher "I loved this story. Quirky and unusual, this unique tale wove a spell around me and drew me in. It wasn't what I expected at all, and when I turned the last page, it left me wanting more."  - Ane Mulligan, senior editor Novel Rocket "Anyone who has loved a pet knows the sense of connection, of deep familiarity and acceptance, and even of a possible spiritual awareness. In The Dog That Talked to God, Jim Kraus offers a hard-to-put down story of Rufus, a miniature schnauzer who make a giant difference... Kraus has created an enjoyable and often hilarious read. Highly recommended." - Congregational Libraries Today MORE ABOUT THE BOOK: Recently widowed Mary Fassler buys a Miniature Schnauzer, Rufus, and her world is turned sideways in the midst of her grief. It seems that Rufus speaks. And not just to her. He also talks to God. When Rufus begins sharing advice that could result in major changes, Mary gets the feeling the pooch might not be steering her in the right direction. Or, is she just afraid to take the leap and discover something she desperately needs? Only Rufus...and God...knows. Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/kuEZH Meet Jim:   Jim Kraus grew up in Western Pennsylvania and has spent the last twenty years as a vice president of a major Christian publishing house. He has written more than twenty books and novels, including the best-selling The Dog That Talked to God. He and his family live outside of Chicago with a sweet miniature Schnauzer and an ill-tempered Siberian cat named (of course) Petey. www.jimkraus.com Read what others are saying: http://litfusegroup.com/author/jkraus

The Christian Parenting Handbook: 50 Heart-Based Strategies for All the Stages of Your Child’s Life: By Dr. Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller, RN, BSN Book Review

 

In The Christian Parenting Handbook, Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller has written an excellence resource to guide parents in the different stages of their children lives. The book focused on teaching and applying fifty heart principles that are Biblical based. Some of the chapters are: Consistency is Overrated, Build Internal Motivation, Consequences Aren’t the Only Answer, Envision a Positive Future, Teamwork….Individual at Their Best, It Takes Two to Argue, but Only One to Stop, Discipline Kid Separately for Siblings Conflict, To Spank or Not to Spank, The Value of Grandparents, and much more.

 

Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller pointed out that when if we only use internal motivation to much. It only makes our children do what their supposed to in order to obtain a reward. For example, “If you get your homework done, you can do out and play.” “If you clean your room, you can watch a video.” (Page 5). This approach teaches children to ask themselves, “What do I gain by doing what is required of me?” As parents, we have to remember that we have to think long term and lead our children until mature caring adults. They also specified that, “rewards shouldn’t be abandoned, but should instead be used to encourage the heart. Use them sparingly, because rewards often lose their effectiveness over time, requiring that you increase the reward to get the same result.” (Page 8). We have to teach our children that doing what is right and required is worth it.

 

Another wonderful life changing parenting tact included in the book was not always punishing your child by throwing out a consequence for a wrong behavior. When a child acts out, it’s imperative to let the child re-practice doing the right thing where they are learn the correct way. This teaches children how they are expected to behave and how they are required to speak to their parents and others. I personally believe this one would greatly impact families and children if parents would be intentional about having children re-practice and learn from their negative responses and actions.

 

When the opportunity to review and promote The Christian Parenting Handbook, I gladly wanted to be a member of the Launch Team. I will admit that the principles presented in this book I haven’t experienced firsthand. I’m 23 years old and I’m not married or a parent yet (hopefully, I will be both one day). This means that I’m not in the main target audience of this book. I ultimately read this book where I could learn from other parents who have been where I one day will be. I firmly believe that learning from other parent’s victories and struggles immensely helps other parents to become better fathers and mothers. I know reading a book is only the first step and the real challenge comes in the everyday life of raising children. This book taught me a lot of information and parenting strategies that I didn’t know. And I’m positive the authors have written something that will benefit you in your parenting, as well.

 

One of the chapters that influenced me was, “Identify Character Qualities to Address Problems”. The authors suggested that parents write down the bad behaviors they see their child committing and what occurred. Afterwards, parents need to write down the character qualities that their children are missing or not displaying. Then, it’s vital to focus on the positive qualities, you are wanting to see in your child. Ex: “compassion, determination, obedience, honor, attentiveness, patience, gracefulness, and self-discipline” (Page 15-16). The author also stated that parents need to affirm and express thankfulness when their child demonstrated great character qualities. This point will guide parents in making sure they are bringing up a child in the way and desires of the Lord.

 

Another chapter that I loved was, “Teach Kids to be Solvers Instead of Whiners”. This one talked about the dreadful whines and complains from our kids. I know adults who still haven’t learnt this lesson. I know when I have kids this is something most parents at some point might have to deal with. The authors described that it’s imperative to impart in our kids that if they want a drink, or a snack, or help finding something that they must not demand it in a whiny voice. One method would be by using the word please followed by their request. Eventually, you want to teach children to be less depend on you and more capable of being responsible. By teaching children to be proactive in finding a solution to their current predicament, this helps children to learn that complaining won’t benefit them in getting their way.

 

I would recommend this magnificent life changing Christian parenting handbook to any expecting parents, parents, people hoping to one day be parents, and even grandparents. By reading this book, it revealed me a lot of areas that I have very little clue on how to be an effective parent. While I was reading the book, I even wrote down critical notes and points to remind myself on how to be a better father to my future children. I also plan on rereading this book with my future wife whenever we’re expecting our first child. And I’m sure we will be rereading it again at times when we’re unsure of what to do in our parenting. This isn’t a book to be read just one time. The reader should read it multiple times to gain the knowledge and to enact the suggestions discussed. This book has the impact and potential to change homes and your children’s hearts. If you’re looking for a brilliant book on parenting, then this one is the one you need to get and apply to your life!

 

“I received an advance PDF file of this book for free from the authors, Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller for this review”.

 

 

 

 

To purchase a copy of the book, check it below:

 

http://www.biblicalparenting.org/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=543&idaffiliate=64

 

 

Darkness Before Dawn By Ace Collins Book Review

 

Darkness Before Dawn contains a phenomenal plot about the effects of drunk driving and having Faith when life spins out of control. Meg Richard’s is a nurse at a local hospital committed to helping sick people. One night, her life falls apart and everything completely changes. Her husband, Steve Richards was on his way back home when his vehicle was struck, and he was killed by a young drunk driver. The police found out that a high school star athlete, James Thomas was behind the wheel. He was injured in the crash but only received minor injuries. James is also a judge’s son and he believed that he would be let off the hook for the crime because of his father’s position and because he got hurt. He felt no guilty for causing the death of another human being. Meg is relentless in making sure that James pays for the death of her husband. And to add more drama to the story, on the same night her husband is killed, she discovers that she is pregnant with their first child. Like anyone who has lost a loved one, she begins to blame God for not preventing the deadly crash. She is torn about keeping the baby or having an abortion. Will she end up having the baby? Will James be convicted of the crime? Can Meg find a way to trust in God again?

 

I would recommend this wonderful book to anyone who enjoys reading plotlines about real life issues. I believed that this book was written to fit in today’s times. This book covered the effects of drunk driving, grief from losing someone you love, young people not realizing the impact their actions have on others, pregnancy and deciding whether to keep the baby or have an abortion, and trusting God when things go wrong. I immensely connected with the dilemmas that Meg faced and I felt for her when she lost her husband and she was expecting a baby. Losing a spouse is beyond unimaginable and it’s one of the hardest things people have to experience. And being a single parent now because of a drunk driver would damage anyone. I understood the grief and anger Meg held towards James. I also hated how James didn’t feel much remorse for driving drunk and killing someone. We need to teach our children to have empathy and to make wise decisions. I loved the details Ace Collins included to depicted and shape the story into an exciting plot! If you’re looking for a new exhilarating book to read, then this one is one worth reading! Hopefully this book will cause readers to think twice before getting behind the wheel drunk. If you’re thinking about having an abortion, this book will influence you into thinking otherwise. Always remember that our behaviors and actions doesn’t just affect us, they affect the whole world!

 

“I received this book for free from Litfuse Publicity Group/ Abingdon Press for this review”.

 

Book Info:

About Darkness Before Dawn: Will grief push Meg over the edge? On the same night she discovers she is pregnant, twenty-eight-year-old nurse Meg Richards's husband is killed in an auto accident caused by a drunken teen. James Thomas comes from one of the most influential families in the community. He's a star athlete and glamour boy at the local high school. But the accident he caused will change his life---and Meg's future---forever. Angered by her senseless loss and facing life as a single mother, Meg blames God for what has happened and considers a decision that could change her life even further. Enraged by the brutal trial and the court's decision, Meg starts down a frightening path of retribution. When the opportunity for revenge comes unexpectedly, will Meg follow through? Or will the remnants of her faith lead her in a different direction?   Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/jZlsf Meet Ace:       Bestselling author Ace Collins has written more than 60 books including novels "Swope's Ridge" and "Words of the Father," as well as the nonfiction "Stories Behind the Best-Loved Songs of Christmas"; and "Lassie: A Dog's Life". His books have become movies and network television specials. Ace Collins has sold more than 1.5 million books during his career and makes his home in Arkadelphia, Arkansas.    Learn more about Ace at: http://AceCollins.com

Read what others had to say: 

http://litfusegroup.com/author/ACollins