Tears in a Bottle

by Sylvia Bambola

Becky Taylor, a young woman burdened by great expectations, is lying on a cold recovery table in an abortion clinic when she hears a man's voice, then gunshots. She holds her breath and lies perfectly still behind the curtain. When the gunman is finished, Becky is the only one left alive in the clinic. This act brings together two strangers who both seek answers to life's most wrenching questions, mainly: Are God's love and mercy big enough for every sin? The answer transforms multiple lives.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Fiction

320 pages, Paperback

First published October 13, 2001

About the author

Sylvia Bambola was born in Romania but lived her early years in Germany, a Germany still reeling from the devastation of World War II. At age seven she relocated with her adopted military family and saw the Statue of Liberty and America for the first time. But the memory of those years in Germany lingered and was the inspiration behind her novel, Refiner’s Fire, which won a Silver Angel Award, and was a Christy Finalist.

Life as an “army brat” gave her the opportunity to live in several states, including Hawaii. Then came nursing school in New York after which she married and began a family. Raising two children and being the wife of a business executive made for a busy life. So did working in marketing for a telecommunications company, then a medical software company.

Her first novel, A Vessel of Honor, written under the pen name of Margaret Miller, garnered a Small Press Editor’s Choice Award and was seriously considered for production as a television movie.

Bambola is the author of six published novels, lives in sunny Florida and has two grown children. She’s been a guest speaker at Women’s Aglow and various church functions, is a Bible study teacher at her church, and is learning to play the guitar.

Reviews

[Gina · Rating 1 out of 5]

Terribly disappointing. It sounded like a very interesting premise. But it was, to me, nothing more than anti-abortion propaganda from beginnning to end. To top it off, it sounded like it was written by a thirteen-year-old kid. If there was a way to give it negative stars, I would do it.

[Rebecca Fisher · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this book randomly by looking in the inspirational section of the library. This book was focused on Abortion and the decision a young woman's parents make for her when they find out she is pregnant her senior year of high school. Both sides of the abortion issue were addressed, but never was the option of adoption mentioned.

My heart breaks for the young, single girls who seek the help of Maggie, a post-abortion counselor. Maggie shows how healing can be found if you turn your burdens over to Jesus Christ. She constantly has prayers in her heart for the heart broken woman, knowing personally how recovering from an abortion feels.

On the other end of the spectrum, you have the greedy, dispicable Doctors who have turned an abortion clinic into a money-making clinic. They time how long the abortions take and how they can sell body parts to companies willing to pay top dollar, all in the name of research.

Being vehemently opposed to abortion, this book was troubling due to not showing other options for young girls who get pregnant. It shows how everyone suffers when a baby is aborted, the mom, relationships, and even the doctors who perform the procedures. A fast read, but leaves me feeling "ick."

[Nikki Schoenbeck · Rating 1 out of 5]

Another awful “Christian” book. One of the top worst books I’ve ever read. The ending was stupid. Was the main character suddenly supposed to have a magical realization that God does in fact love her because he keeps her “tears in a bottle” or some crap like that?
Getting people to be pro life isn’t about spewing some anti abortion propaganda. It’s about showing compassion and grace to these women along with showing the truth about abortion in love.
The doctor in this book should’ve gone to jail and the awful parents should’ve been charged with child abuse or neglect.
This poor girl desperately needed therapy and a shoulder to cry on but instead all she got was essentially “awww that sucks but hey at least God loves you right?” Like what?!

[Diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tears in a bottle / Sylvia Bambola

Maggie works in a counselling service which provides a support group for women who need support after having abortions. Becky, a young teenager, is one of those women who is experiencing difficulty coping with the trauma. A doctor owns a number of abortion clinics. When an attack is made on one of his clinics, he has to return to performing the abortions himself. A traumatic event creates suspense and has a strong effect on the abortion clinic. The book explores the effect of abortions on the female patients, the doctors, and the other personnel. This book is Christian fiction.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book offers readers a window into the pain that people affected by abortion experience: women who get an abortion, the doctor, the abortion clinic staff, family members of women, family members of the doctor.

[Linda · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked this book up at a book sale and thought it sounded interesting. I am pro-choice but I liked the book until I got about half way through. As others have stated, it sounded like the author was just spewing her opinions on abortion. As I was reading, some of the info on abortion and the clinics sounded a little far fetched but I was SURE, and hopeful, at the end there would be sources of information cited. But, no, there was not. So this made me think it was just what the author made up to get people to be pro-life. I did like the story line about Maggie and the center she ran, but also hoped there would be some source citing at the end. Very, very disappointing and I would not consider it Christian nor would I recommend it to anyone.

[Dana Feenstra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I thought it was a great fast pasted read that showed many good Christian values. I loved that this book was written in a way that did not show Christians judging or looking down at all those who were involved in the abortion clinics or that Christians were better than them. I think this so often can be misconstrued in the real world. The other thing that I really enjoyed about this book was that it showed there was hope for those women who have had an abortion. Sylvia Bambola cleared showed in her writing that God gives grace and mercy to all people, no matter their past, it just may take us a while to see it.

[Selah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really appreciated the themes in this book, and the obvious amount of well-done research put into it! The character development wasn't tremendous, though, and I disagree with a few things the authoress says. Overall it was pretty good. :)

[Amy Barrett · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't care for this book. I feel like it was very one sided and had a hidden agenda. I didn't expect it to be so religious and completely one sided towards abortion. If you are a pro lifer definitely a good read for you. Felt like some of it was overly dramatic. Just not my cup of tea.

[Glenda Bixler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best novel I've read on aspects of Abortion

https://gabixlerreviews-bookreadershe...

[Karine · Rating 1 out of 5]

I started reading this book without knowing the premise or the author. Then I thought it must of been satire. Unfortunately, it wasn’t satire but awful pro life propaganda. Disappointing read.

[Mom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. Could not stop reading it.

[Adair · Rating 3 out of 5]

different if I had read the back might not have read the book as have never thought one way or another about abortions I'm just not sure where I am going to put it in the library

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Tears In A Bottle" by Sylvia Bambola is an honest look at abortion and the people affected by it. It not only deals with the young girl having the abortion but the parents and even the people who own the clinic and the ones who are against the clinics. It also has a little bit of mystery, not for the readers but for the characters in the story. It is a story of forgiveness and healing. It is a lot of stories in one.

"Tears In A Bottle" kept me involved in the story from the first chapter as I really had no idea what the story was about as I really liked the other two novels that I had read by Sylvia Bambola that I went on a hunt to find all of her books and got everyone of them either through Amazon or the library and wanted to read them all. I loved this story and am glad that I didn't know the story line because if I had it might have clouded my mind and I might not have been so involved in the story!

I really think the descriptions in the book shows that Sylvia Bambola has done research for this book and that is why the story is more believeable.

All I can say is "Tears In A Bottle" is a great read and the characters will stay with the reader for a long time!

This is definitely a five star book!

[Dyana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a Christian book about abortion. The main focus is on Becky Taylor, the decision her parents make for her as a pregnant High School senior, and the devastating effects on her and her family from that decision. Maggie is a post-abortion counselor who facilitates Project Rachael along with a bible study at her Life Center. Thor Emerson is head of several abortion clinics and shows the greedy despicable money-making aspect of abortion. Beware - this book is very graphic. The flyleaf reads "while the story and characters in this novel are fictitious, the facts concerning abortion and abortion clinics are very real...the abortion industry in America today is not an effectively regulated industry and is protected on almost every front...the American people are being deceived and have a false picture of what abortion is and what the industry is all about." My main criticisms are that other alternatives are not mentioned, and there is no closure on Becky and how counseling did or did not help her.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent book. I liked it enough to read through it two different times. The subject matter was very difficult, but the author did an outstanding job in presenting this story. There were some things regarding actions taken in the clinics that have since the publishing of this book been investigated in real life. Although, I think this author was writing these things as 'possibilities', it has indeed been proven that it could really happen. I would highly recommend this book.

[Shan Gogh; · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book will make you realize how abortion had gone normal. But then, Miss Sylvia used the best biblical quotes and inspired the readers. This book will help the teenage moms to realize the worth of their kiddos.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a powerful story! Even though the writing wasn't amazing, the story definitely needs to be told. It reminds anyone affected by abortion that God offers forgiveness, love and hope!

Warning: graphic description of abortion and violence.

[Mary · Rating 2 out of 5]

Tackles the abortion/pro-life issue, with a bit of faith included.
easy read

[Nicole · Rating 2 out of 5]

read it cause I just happened to inherit it from somewhere. It was ok, but a bit graphic and I didn't agree with a lot of it. Wouldn't recommend it.

[Desiree · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was good, but hard to read at times (pretty graphic in describing what happens during an abortion). Anyone considering an abortion should read this.

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book! Definitely a heartbreaking challenge to read through!

[Candice · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good book with great characters, but it never tells what happened to the girl, it ends up being about the woman????

[Toni Hooker · Rating 5 out of 5]

BEST book I've ever read!

[Sherbil · Rating 2 out of 5]

Heartbreaking, emotional book, and very graphic descriptions.

[Layla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually liked it, despite the ending. Loved just about every character expect Canon and some other but overall it was a good book.

[Beth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Want to know what post-abortion stress syndrome feels like? Read this book.

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very hear wrenching and realistic. This book is very well written.