Blog Archives
Don’t Disappoint Daddy: A Story of Abuse, Abortion and Acceptance in the Beloved
This memoir is a raw and unflinching account of childhood trauma, faith, survival, and eventual healing. It follows Elisha through her early years in a military household, where her father’s tyranny casts long shadows over every corner of life. Woven through beatings, verbal degradation, emotional confusion, and heartbreaking loneliness, the story also reveals slivers of hope through her bond with her mother, her growing relationship with God, and the slow, painful process of understanding her own worth.
Elisha’s writing is sharp, honest, and often devastating in its simplicity. She doesn’t try to dress up pain or smooth over the ugly parts. Her memories come to life with vivid emotional detail, pulling you into the child’s perspective. It’s not just a story, it’s an experience. Her use of humor, especially in moments of horror or confusion, is disarming. At times, I caught myself laughing through tears. The book doesn’t try to follow a clean arc or perfect structure, and that’s part of what makes it feel so real. It’s fragmented the way trauma is, and deeply reflective without being preachy.
I found myself angry. A lot. Angry for the child who was never protected. Angry at a society and a church that turned its head from abuse while preaching virtue. But I also felt proud. Watching her grow through those memories, learning to play piano, lead a choir, explore her voice, and find healing, was incredibly moving. Elisha doesn’t write from a place of self-pity. She writes from a place of survival, of transformation. There’s a quiet power in her words. She’s not begging for sympathy. She’s sharing so no one else feels alone.
This book is not for the faint-hearted. But if you’ve ever struggled with a difficult parent, spiritual confusion, or the long road of self-forgiveness, this memoir will speak to you. I’d recommend it for survivors, for adult children of abusive parents, for anyone working through religious trauma, and especially for those who feel like their story might be too ugly to tell. It’s not. Elisha proves that there is strength in telling the truth.
Pages: 143 | ASIN : B0D276HND1
The Edge of Now
The Edge of Now is a raw and heartfelt travel memoir by Thom Barrett that weaves together the physical landscapes of South America and Antarctica with the internal terrain of a man living with stage IV cancer. It chronicles Barrett’s journey through Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, and beyond, all while confronting his own mortality, redefining resilience, and wrestling with the question of how to live fully when time is uncertain. The book is structured around a physical expedition and a spiritual one, framed by his ARC Cycle—Awaken, Release, Change—and grounded in mindfulness, vulnerability, and deep reflection.
Reading this book was like sitting across from someone who’s been to the brink and come back with stories that matter. Barrett’s writing is lucid and personal, unflinching in its honesty. He doesn’t sugarcoat the toll illness has taken on his body, or the creeping doubts and insecurities that threaten to erode his sense of self. But his words are never maudlin. Instead, they carry a weight that feels earned. The balance between travel writing and personal introspection is beautifully done. Descriptions of thundering waterfalls or Antarctic silence fold seamlessly into thoughts on impermanence, love, and what it means to have enough. I found myself lingering on certain passages, not because they were complex, but because they hit so close to home.
What moved me most was the way Barrett writes about acceptance, not as some passive surrender, but as an act of courage. He challenges the reader to rethink what strength looks like. It’s not climbing the hardest peak, but knowing when to ask for help. It’s not pushing through at all costs, but listening when your body says stop. This hit me hard. His decision to value quality of life over extending it at all costs is presented not as defeat, but as deeply human. He writes like someone who’s let go of pretending and is inviting you to do the same. There’s a peace in that, and it’s contagious.
The Edge of Now isn’t just a book about dying. It’s a guide to living—not later, not when things are easier, but now, in all its messy, breathtaking glory. I’d recommend this to anyone who’s ever felt stuck, scared, or just unsure of how to keep going. It’s especially for caregivers, patients, and wanderers, anyone straddling the line between holding on and letting go. Barrett’s journey is personal, but his insights are universal. This book doesn’t just ask you to read—it asks you to feel, reflect, and maybe even change.
Pages: 291 | ASIN : B0F3367892
The Tennis Champion Who Escaped the Nazis
Felice Hardy’s The Tennis Champion Who Escaped the Nazis is a deeply personal and emotionally charged biography of her grandmother, Liesl Herbst, who went from being Austria’s national tennis champion in the 1930s to a Jewish refugee fleeing Nazi persecution. The book is part historical investigation, part memoir, and part tribute, tracing Liesl’s life from her privileged upbringing in Moravia through the horrors of World War II and eventually to her quiet resilience in post-war Britain. What sets it apart is the way it weaves together family history, European politics, sport, and trauma, without ever losing its heart.
Reading this book felt like rummaging through an old trunk in an attic and finding not just letters and photos but whole lives. Hardy’s prose is warm and immediate, but the subject matter cuts deep. The opening chapter alone, describing Kristallnacht from the viewpoint of her grandfather David, is as vivid and harrowing as any historical account I’ve read. I could feel my stomach clench reading about a doctor being humiliated and urinated on in the streets of Vienna, and later seeing Liesl’s cousin Emil beaten and carted away. Hardy doesn’t soften the truth; she hands it to you raw, but wrapped in compassion.
I was especially struck by Liesl’s emotional restraint. Despite witnessing and experiencing so much loss, she managed to carry herself with grace, never speaking much about the past. In one powerful scene, Hardy recalls asking her grandmother about her family, only to see her flinch and change the subject. The silence spoke louder than any confession. Yet Liesl wasn’t just a survivor; she was also a star. Her tennis career, glossed over in most other narratives, takes center stage in chapters like “Tennis Champion,” where she goes from the clay courts of Europe to playing at Wimbledon. I found myself cheering her on, not just in matches, but in life.
What makes this book resonate most is Hardy’s own journey of discovery. Her transformation from someone hiding her Jewish roots to someone reclaiming them with pride is its own compelling arc. She brings an honesty to her process, admitting she didn’t ask questions when she could have, or that she felt ashamed at times to even mention her family’s past. These raw confessions gave the book its emotional core. Her visits to Vienna, Krnov, and Bratislava read like ghost hunts, piecing together a broken mirror, shard by shard.
By the end, I felt like I knew Liesl, but also like I knew Felice. The Tennis Champion Who Escaped the Nazis is more than just a Holocaust biography. It’s for anyone grappling with identity, silence, and inherited memory. I’d recommend this to readers of historical nonfiction, lovers of family sagas, and especially those curious about the forgotten women of sport. It broke my heart, and it patched it up again.
Pages: 321 | ASIN : B0BYQSDVXG
Pieces Falling: Navigating 9/11 with Faith, Family, and the FDNY
Pieces Falling is a deeply personal and faith-filled memoir that traces the journey of Ann Van Hine following the tragic loss of her husband, Bruce, a New York City firefighter who perished in the September 11 attacks. The book isn’t just a recounting of that infamous day, it’s a layered narrative that stitches together memories of love, family life, and an unshakeable faith in God. From the first chapter, “Blessed,” where Bruce speaks those words just two days before his death, to the final reflections in “The Story Continues,” Van Hine invites readers into her home, her heartbreak, and ultimately, her healing.
Reading Pieces Falling was like sitting across from a friend at a kitchen table, sipping tea, hearing her speak with unwavering honesty. Van Hine’s writing doesn’t hide behind polished prose. It breathes. She doesn’t dramatize the trauma of 9/11, yet somehow, she makes it more human than any headline ever could. The chapter “My Free Day” captures the eerie calm of a normal morning unraveling into history. Her voice, clear and vulnerable, recounts everything from feeding the dog to hearing the second tower fall, all while praying Bruce would somehow come home. It’s raw and achingly intimate.
Ann doesn’t write as a victim. She writes as a mother trying to keep dinner on the table, as a widow asking God hard questions, as a woman trying to explain to her daughters why their dad isn’t coming back. Her scene describing the family gathered in her bed on the night of the attack, making tea, trying to sleep, left me with tears in my eyes. But she never stays in sadness for too long. There’s humor. There’s humility. There’s joy in the ordinary. And I appreciated that balance more than I can say.
Faith pulses through this book. Not in a preachy way, but as a lifeline. Verses scribbled in the margins of her Bible. Dreams that felt like whispers from God. I don’t think I’ve ever read a book that handled faith and grief with such a real-world tenderness. It made me reflect on my own ideas of control, surrender, and what it means to hope when there’s no guarantee.
Pieces Falling isn’t just for people who lived through 9/11 or who know what it’s like to lose someone in uniform. This book is for anyone who’s ever had their life turned upside down and wondered how to stand again. It’s for the faithful and the questioning, the broken and the rebuilding. I would recommend it without hesitation to readers of memoir, especially those interested in stories of resilience, grief, motherhood, and quiet strength. Ann’s story is heartbreaking, yes. But it’s also comforting. Because in all the brokenness, she reminds us that light still finds its way through the cracks.
Pages: 238 | ASIN : B09B7VVYKX
By His Grace: My Story of Survival, Escape and Triumph
Becoming an advocate for child sex abuse prevention demands a rare depth of empathy, one not everyone possesses. Yet, for those who have survived the unthinkable, that understanding runs deeper than words can capture. This is especially true for Katy Sudano, the author of this powerful and deeply personal memoir. Having endured repeated abuse, she embarked on a tumultuous journey both physically and emotionally, fleeing one nightmare only to encounter new challenges along the way. At times, she questioned whether life held any meaning at all. But everything changed when she became a mother. In that moment, she discovered an unshakable strength, one rooted in faith, resilience, and an unwavering belief in a higher power.
By His Grace: My Story of Survival, Escape, and Triumph is not for the faint of heart. Co-written with Ginger Green, Sudano’s memoir is a raw and unfiltered account of survival against impossible odds. At times, it reads like a real-life episode of Law & Order: SVU, a haunting narrative so intense that it could easily be mistaken for fiction. Yet, the harrowing experiences it recounts are largely true, with only minor details altered. The sheer scope of Sudano’s suffering is staggering, making it all the more remarkable that she emerged with her sanity and her spirit intact.
The book shifts between harrowing memories of abuse and moments of profound healing, weaving a narrative that is both gripping and deeply introspective. The transitions feel seamless, a testament to Sudano’s storytelling ability. Despite the pain inflicted upon her by multiple individuals, she forged a steadfast connection with a divine presence—one she credits with giving her the strength to endure and ultimately triumph. Her unwavering faith serves as the bedrock of her survival, allowing her to navigate a path that would have shattered many others.
This is not an easy read, but its urgency and emotional gravity are undeniable. Readers who steel themselves for the journey will find a story that is nothing short of extraordinary. Sudano’s resilience is both personal and universal, a testament to the unbreakable nature of the human spirit. By His Grace is more than a memoir; it is a declaration of survival, courage, and hope, a story that lingers long after the final page is turned.
Pages: 306 | ASIN : B0DV79Z91W
The Big C² – stories from the chronic side of cancer
Cancer is a pervasive reality in society, a shadow that has accompanied humanity throughout its history. It evokes profound fear, yet not all forms of cancer carry the inevitability they once did. Many types can now be treated or managed, offering paths to survival. Nevertheless, the moment a doctor utters the word “cancer,” it marks a turning point. Life as you know it shifts, often irrevocably. Ruth Fein’s The Big C²: Stories from the Chronic Side of Cancer delves into this pivotal experience, offering a powerful anthology of essays, interviews, and reflections.
This collection presents the voices of individuals living with cancer, weaving their personal journeys into a poignant tapestry of resilience, fear, and transformation. Contributions come not only from patients but also from family members and medical professionals, creating a multifaceted exploration of the disease’s impact. Together, these narratives form a living diary, documenting the raw, unfiltered emotions and insights of those touched by cancer.
The book does not shy away from the harsh realities of a cancer diagnosis. Many entries confront the darkest corners of human experience, capturing moments of despair and uncertainty. Yet, within these pages also lies a deep sense of hope. Contributors reveal an indomitable strength of spirit, their voices resonating with vitality even as their bodies endure relentless challenges.
What stands out most to me in Fein’s compilation is its testament to the necessity of unwavering support for those facing cancer. These stories emphasize that battling this illness often becomes a defining struggle, reshaping identities and lives. Even for those who survive, the journey still leaves a mark, a truth this collection conveys with stark clarity.
The Big C² celebrates courage and underscores the importance of community, compassion, and connection in confronting life’s most formidable adversities. Fein’s work is a moving reminder of the strength that endures even in the face of the unimaginable.
Pages: 136 | ASIN : B0DLPG63B9
The Truth
Ghost – A Story of Survival is a gripping and haunting true story of trauma, resilience, and the sheer power of the human spirit. How hard was it to put this story out in the world for people to read?
Difficult, it was a mental exercise I had to go through every time. I wrote a chapter to invest myself enough to apply authenticity but not go so deep down the rabbit hole that I couldn’t get out again. It was a fine balance that I made. Like an athlete, warming up for a marathon. I wrote in a way that I spoke in the present tense. Then I went to the past and back to the present again as a reminder that these events have already happened.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
In my life, I was met with disbelief, reputations I had not earned, and mental illness that was not there. My family talks a lot and so I was tired of being called the liar and having false memories. I knew I wasn’t going to get restitution and that nobody was going to be held accountable. So I put it in print out into the world so the people can see corruption within our ministry, cover-ups by my family, and the three young girls who suffered for it.
How did you decide what to include and leave out in your memoir?
I left out people’s names, places, and times. But anyone who knows me who reads this book will know what I’m talking about.
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your story?
I hope for change if it’s not already implemented. It needs to be within our ministry for family and children. I also wanted the truth out there. Instead of always fighting a reputation I had not earned. My family, to this day, continues to try to sabotage my life. I could not allow that anymore, so I put it all on paper. Everything I am is in that first book. There will be two more to follow.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Amazon
This is story of nightmares. A story of fear, a story of despair and a story of survival.
A story of three young girls with one left to tell the tale.
The grit and pluck of one against the odds.
From the desperation, fear, and abuse at home, to the uncertain forest arms and back to the fire again.
Burgeoning courage couples with paralytic fear at odds with one another, she navigates blindly and any wrong could mean death.
Turn the page and join the journey…
Serenity and Freedom
Baby Darlin’ is an illustrated memoir that explores your life that has been shaped by addiction, abuse, and generational trauma. Why was this an important book for you to write?
It is important for me to tell my story to help other survivors by unveiling the shame and secrets and giving them hope. Writing it in first person allowed me to really identify with the pain from the trauma and work through it and in the end feeling an ultimate sense of serenity and freedom.
What was the most challenging part of writing your memoir and what was the most rewarding?
The rape scene in the chapter “Oleander” was the most challenging to relive for the sake of explaining disassociating from my body. I had to take a lot of gentleness breaks.
The most rewarding part of my book to write was the last chapter, “The Seaglass Story.” It’s a light-hearted, humorous piece. In recovery, I struggled with identifying with a higher power who I could trust. I questioned If I let go of my addiction would it be there to relieve the obsession, and guide me. Find out in “The Seaglass Story.”
How has writing your memoir impacted or changed your life?
It has changed my life by giving me a sense of freedom and self-love. It has opened the door to allow readers to share their experience with me which has been the most gratifying experience.
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your story?
I would like the reader to find their voice, speak their truth, and squash their shame.
Author Links: GoodReads | Instagram | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Most of them are dead.
Silence is broken and the secret unearthed.
Surviving the Cajun Curse, her mentally ill momma calls her, Baby Darlin’. Pig calls her Brillo and takes away her innocence by using her to escape his own twisted mind. Her cousin Willy, calls her Snaggle but she doesn’t care, she thinks they will marry someday. Her Papa, a recovered alcoholic, her hero. Her Grandma, the ever present Shamer, is a dark shadow to remind her of her worth. Her drug & love addiction takes her through a series of abusive love stories and finally she proudly escapes into the loving arms of a higher power.
This illustrated memoir brutally rips off the bandaid and exposes the stigma around child sexual abuse, with compassion and insight through the eyes of a brave little girl, Baby Darlin’.
LITERARY TITAN 