Healing from Trauma

The Space Between Words by Michele Phoenix

Jessica has lived through a terrible terrorist attack on Paris. Though her world is shattered, her friend Patrick encourages her to continue with the trip they have planned through France.  While exploring the countryside, she discovers an antique box containing the pages of a Huguenot girl’s diary.  The pages create a desire for Jessica to discover more about the girl’s story and the persecution that drove her from France.  As Jessica learns Adeline’s story of persecution, she moves towards her own healing.

This book introduced me to a part of history that I knew nothing about.  It gave me a new respect for those who have been persecuted for their faith.   It also exposed me to the pain that victims of trauma experience.

After the attack, Jessica’s relationship with Patrick left me very confused, but that may be what the author intended.  Other than that part, the story unfolded very smoothly and kept me wanting to know more about both Jessica and Adeline.

Despite beginning on a very dark note, the book offered hope.  The way that Jessica’s character grew and developed showed me that she would heal from her attack. Despite their setbacks, all the characters grew and came to accept and find the best in their lives.

This is the second of Michele Phoenix’s books that I have read.  She writes about wounded characters in need of healing.  Her writing conveys their emotions clearly and powerfully. Her heart for those who suffer is evident.  In their pain, she offers them hope.  Many readers will be able to empathize with her characters and perhaps  find a measure of healing for themselves.

I enjoyed this book and think others will, too, especially those who can understand what Jessica experienced.  I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion.  

  

New Series by Angela Hunt

Egypt’s Sister by Angela Hunt

Chava lived a charmed life as the daughter of Cleopatra’s royal tutor.  She grew up in the palace and the princess was her best friend.  Even though she was Jewish and Cleopatra was Egyptian, Chava expected her life in the royal palace to continue unchanged.  But after Cleopatra’s coronation, the politics and intrigue of power change the queen and she betrays Chava and sentences her to a life of slavery.  Chava believes she will see Cleopatra again, but will it be too late?

Angela Hunt is one of my favorite authors.  I can count on enjoying her novels.  This was no exception.  However, Egypt’s Sister took me much longer to reach the “can’t put it down” stage because of the detailed historical foundation that needed to be laid.  Once that was done, I was caught up in the devastating changes that Chava experienced.

Although laying the historical background made for a slow beginning, the information that the author included about the culture and life in Alexandria and Rome made a fascinating background for the story.  I loved learning more about that particular time in history.  The author’s research was meticulous and it showed.

As always, Hunt’s characters were interesting and life-like. Cleopatra, one of history’s most infamous women, was especially fascinating.  Her motivation to remain in control of Egypt made sense in light of her actions

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The prevailing theme of Egypt’s Sister was one of hope.  Despite Chava’s devastating circumstances, she persisted in believing God.  Even through suffering and in the midst of a pagan culture, Chava proved God’s faithfulness.

Readers who enjoy historical fiction will enjoy this book.  I received a free copy for my honest review.       

Riveting Historical Fiction by Lisa Wingate

Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate

This book is a fictionalized account of a family of siblings who were torn apart by a real adoption scandal in the 1940’s and 1950’s.  Ril and her siblings were taken from their houseboat home when their mother went to the hospital to deliver twins.  In the hospital, her mother was told that her babies were stillborn.  Her husband unwittingly signed away all the children, thinking he was signing a paper to waive the costs for his wife’s hospital bill.

 The woman behind this terrible account was Georgia Tann, who was the head of the Tennessee Children’s Home.  Tann had helpers watching for vulnerable children who she had kidnapped and then delivered to shady boarding homes where they were kept until they were adopted out to couples who could afford the exorbitant adoption fees.

Ril’s name is changed to May and she has the good fortune to be adopted by a well to do couple who have also adopted her younger sister.  Flash forward to the present when May is placed in a retirement home and meets rising lawyer Avery Stafford when she makes a political trip with her politician father. Through a set of circumstances, Avery and May become acquainted and pieces of their lost pasts begin to come together.

Lisa Wingate paints a painful picture of the reality of many of Georgia Tann’s adoptees.  She layers a story from the present day against the past.  Readers are kept in the dark as to the present-day identities of the siblings as the story unfolds.  This well-paced story keeps readers wanting more.  Wingate’s story-telling skills are excellent.  Her characters are fascinating and well-drawn.  This is an excellent read.  I received a free copy from the publisher for my honest review.