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Evolving From the Storm
Dr. Iris Wright’s Evolving From the Storm is a personal reflection on injustice, survival, faith, and the slow, deliberate work of healing. Beginning with the author’s experience as an eighteen-year-old mother accused of harming her daughter, the book traces the long aftermath of that rupture: the loss of custody, the collapse of trust, the years spent functioning rather than truly living, and the eventual awakening that led Wright toward forgiveness, self-love, purpose, and advocacy through the Injustice Movement. Part memoir, part devotional guide, and part reflective workbook, it asks readers to examine the wounds they may have closed but never fully healed.
What moved me most was the emotional honesty of Wright’s central idea: that survival can look deceptively like healing. Her distinction between a closed wound and a healed wound gives the book its strongest thread, and it’s one I found both plainspoken and powerful. When she writes about building walls after betrayal, or about realizing that those same walls kept her trapped inside her own pain, the book feels intimate. I also appreciated the tenderness with which she handles anger. She doesn’t condemn it, but she doesn’t romanticize it either. Her “mirror moment,” where she begins to take responsibility for her healing without taking blame for what happened to her, is one of the book’s most resonant passages.
The writing is direct, rhythmic, and prayerful, often shaped by repetition and short lines that give the prose the feeling of testimony spoken aloud. At times, that simplicity is its strength; the book doesn’t hide behind ornament or theory. It speaks plainly to women who are tired, guarded, grieving, or quietly carrying more than anyone knows. I was especially struck by the chapter on restored love, where Wright admits that she once told her now husband she never wanted marriage, then later found herself proposing from a place of peace rather than fear. That moment gives the book warmth and vulnerability. I occasionally wished for more scene-level detail and narrative texture, especially around the legal ordeal and the long years of rebuilding. The ideas are heartfelt and accessible, but the most compelling sections are the ones where Wright lets the lived moment breathe.
I found Evolving From the Storm sincere, faith-filled, and emotionally generous. It’s a healing companion written by someone who wants her pain to become useful in the lives of others. Its greatest value lies in its invitation to stop mistaking endurance for wholeness, and to believe that peace can be practiced, protected, and chosen. I would recommend this book to readers, especially women of faith, who are working through betrayal, injustice, family separation, emotional guardedness, or the difficult passage from survival into purpose.
Pages: 92 | ASIN : B0GXXBL4CS
Foundation of My Healing
Unleashing the Power Within is a short, heartfelt collection of inspirational poems that moves through self-worth, recovery, faith, gratitude, nature, and personal renewal. Did you write these pieces as you were going through those moments, or after gaining distance from them?
For Unleashing the Power Within, I began writing these pieces in 2023, after my first book, Inspiring Book of Poems, Dreams and Stories, was published. While many of the experiences come from a past shaped by a toxic upbringing, the writing itself was very much alive in the present moment.
I was reflecting on current emotions, ongoing growth, and the lessons I had carried forward. In that sense, the poems were written from both a place of healing and awareness—looking back, while still living and feeling deeply in the now.
More than anything, this book became a way for me to continue my story, not just for myself, but to empower others who may be walking a similar path.
Faith plays a central role in the later emotional arc of the book. How did your spiritual perspective shape the way you approached recovery?
I have always trusted in God, even in the middle of chaos. Growing up without knowing my father and experiencing abuse from my stepfather led me to realize that the only father I could truly rely on was God.
That understanding became the foundation of my healing. Believing that God had a plan for my life gave me hope, even in the hardest moments. It reminded me that my story wasn’t over and that I wasn’t alone in what I was facing.
My faith shaped the way I approached recovery by helping me hold on, trust the process, and believe that freedom, healing, and purpose were still possible for me.
Your nature imagery—cedar trees, ocean, birds—brings a quieter energy to the collection. What draws you to those images?
Nature has always been a place where I feel deeply connected—both to my surroundings and to myself. When I’m outside, whether I’m hiking or simply sitting still, I take in what I see, feel, and hear, and that often becomes part of my writing.
I love the smell of fresh cedar, the sound of wind chimes, and watching birds, especially the golden finches that visit my yard. I have a bird feeder and bird bath, and those quiet moments—like seeing them in the rain—stay with me. They inspire both reflection and peace.
My poem about the Gulf of Mexico came from a very personal experience. It was my first time standing on the sand in Florida, looking out at the ocean and taking in something so vast and beautiful. That moment stayed with me in a powerful way.
Growing up in a more sheltered environment gave me a deeper appreciation for the world around me. Even as a child, I loved being outside whenever I could. Now, I notice everything more intentionally. Nature gives me space to reflect, to feel, and to breathe—and that quieter energy naturally finds its way into my poetry.
This book often feels like it’s speaking directly to someone who is struggling. Who did you imagine you were writing for?
I was writing to myself, and to anyone who has gone through or is still going through what I’ve experienced. Many of these poems came from moments where I needed comfort, encouragement, and a reminder that I could keep going.
At the same time, I was thinking about others who might be struggling in similar ways—people who feel unseen, overwhelmed, or unsure of their worth. I wanted the words to feel personal, like they were speaking directly to them.
If someone reads my work and feels even a little less alone, a little more understood, or finds the strength to keep moving forward, then I’ve written it for them too.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Unleashing The Power Within: A Journey of Self-Discovery Through Poetry is a deeply personal, faith-filled collection for the moments that change you. The ones that shake you, stretch you, and slowly rebuild you.
These pieces give voice to what often goes unspoken. The silent battles. The long nights. The strength it takes to keep going when everything feels heavy.
Rooted in themes of healing, faith, and transformation, this collection gently guides you toward rediscovering your inner strength and purpose.
Inside this collection, you will find:
Strength through pain and personal struggle
Healing through faith and reflection
The courage to set healthy boundaries
Clarity in uncertain seasons
The confidence that has always been within you
Healing is not always a straight path. It can feel slow. Messy. Uncertain. But even then, something inside you is still shifting. Little by little, you do not just survive what broke you; you begin to live again.
If this speaks to your heart, this may be exactly what you need right now.
Pennies from Heaven for Kevin
Pennies from Heaven for Kevin by Kevin Hyde is an emotionally raw memoir that chronicles the author’s decades-long battle with addiction, the personal losses that shaped his life, and his spiritual journey toward redemption. From growing up in a turbulent environment to grappling with the death of his son Kyle, Hyde lays bare his experiences with alcoholism, drug addiction, incarceration, and his ultimate attempts to rebuild his life.
Hyde’s writing is incredibly candid. The pain and chaos of his experiences come through in his vivid storytelling, particularly in moments such as his recollection of his son’s death. The weight of this loss permeates the book, and Hyde’s raw depiction of his emotional unraveling afterward is heart-wrenching. This vulnerability is what makes the memoir so compelling. He isn’t just telling us about his hardships; he’s pulling us into them, sharing both the mistakes and the growth that followed. The author’s writing feels methodical and factual, but this style adds clarity to his story. Hyde spends a lot of time detailing his misdeeds and struggles, and at times, it feels like the story gets bogged down in those moments. The recounting of his criminal activities starts to blend together, leaving little room to explore the internal transformation happening beneath the surface. However, these sections also reflect the exhausting nature of addiction—the relentless cycle of self-destruction and attempts at redemption. It’s chaotic, just like the life he describes, which gives the reader a sense of the toll it took on him. His belief in signs from heaven, like the pennies that appear at key moments, brings an element of hope and faith to the narrative. It’s a beautiful reminder that even in the darkest times, there can be a connection to something greater, whether it’s God, loved ones, or a sense of purpose.
This memoir will resonate with readers who are interested in stories of personal transformation and recovery. It’s not an easy read, the content is heavy, and Hyde’s honesty about his failures can be overwhelming. However, for anyone who has struggled with addiction, loss, or finding faith amidst hardship, Pennies from Heaven for Kevin offers a brutally honest look at what it means to rebuild your life one penny at a time. I would recommend it to readers who are open to exploring the messy, complicated reality of addiction and recovery with a hopeful, spiritual twist.
Pages: 70 | ASIN : B0DC4RKRMJ
Self Love: Journal your Journey. The challenge is to be yourself in a world that is trying to make you like everyone else.
Self Love, by Natalie Bears, is an insightful guide on creating the life you desire through the power of self-love. Bears explains the scope of self-love and how it can transform your life by exploring essential topics like gratitude, routines, and mindset. Each chapter includes a journal section, providing readers with the opportunity to reflect and engage deeply with the material.
The book delves into the relationship between self-love and respect, as well as self-love and emotions. Bears reinforces her concepts with thought-provoking quotes from thought leaders and famous personalities, adding depth and resonance to her messages. One of the most compelling themes of the book is the impact of others’ opinions. Bears discusses how external views affect our self-perception and why this can be detrimental to our well-being. She further explores the importance of positive self-talk, emphasizing how the way we communicate with ourselves is crucial for maintaining a healthy mindset.
Self Love offers valuable insights. I would love to have seen the inclusion of real-life case studies or additional information on the psychology behind self-love. While the content occasionally revisits similar themes, this repetition helps reinforce key messages. Bears’ uplifting ideas and positive approach make the book a worthwhile read.
Self Love is an excellent choice for anyone looking to explore self-love without getting bogged down by technical information. It’s particularly suited for readers who appreciate Natalie Bears’ unique perspective on self-improvement.
Pages: 83 | ASIN : B0D5FS2Y15
