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Women of Prayer #2
Forever Blessed
Laney watched her life disappear in the rear view mirror. If only her memories would disappear as well…
She was two hours west of town when the lights in the big two-story brick house came on. She couldn’t possibly hear the shouting and cursing, yet her insides were knotted and her stomach churned. If he caught her, he would kill her. Of that she was certain.
Forever Blessed is the story of a young mother who is on the run from an abusive husband with her three children in tow. Does Laney find safety from a controlling manipulating spouse? Does Paul track her down and make her pay for her disobedience? Where does God fit into all this?
For fiction, Darlene Shortridge writes real stories for real people… In Forever Blessed, Ms. Shortridge carves a gripping and heartfelt tale about spousal abuse with stark conflicts and turbulent emotions, while entwining the tale with the Lord's eye-opening truth! Forever Blessed is about faith, triumph over trauma, a veil lifted from an unspeakable subject, and learning to rely on God’s sustaining strength. I look forward to book three of The Women of Prayer series!
-Kathy Goodhew, author of A Vision Beyond Abuse and The Hidden Ones fantasy series
She was two hours west of town when the lights in the big two-story brick house came on. She couldn’t possibly hear the shouting and cursing, yet her insides were knotted and her stomach churned. If he caught her, he would kill her. Of that she was certain.
Forever Blessed is the story of a young mother who is on the run from an abusive husband with her three children in tow. Does Laney find safety from a controlling manipulating spouse? Does Paul track her down and make her pay for her disobedience? Where does God fit into all this?
For fiction, Darlene Shortridge writes real stories for real people… In Forever Blessed, Ms. Shortridge carves a gripping and heartfelt tale about spousal abuse with stark conflicts and turbulent emotions, while entwining the tale with the Lord's eye-opening truth! Forever Blessed is about faith, triumph over trauma, a veil lifted from an unspeakable subject, and learning to rely on God’s sustaining strength. I look forward to book three of The Women of Prayer series!
-Kathy Goodhew, author of A Vision Beyond Abuse and The Hidden Ones fantasy series
292 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 27, 2012
47 people are currently reading
323 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
September 10, 2012
This was a great story! Very emotional, sad, uplifting all in one. The mistakes though were numerous! When the book started the kids were 2,5, and 8. In the span of 5 years that the story took place, one child was in college and one in high school. That drove me crazy. Another mistake was 'table clothes' instead of tablecloths. This mistake was more than once. 'None the less' instead of 'nonetheless.' An incident in the beginning with one character was 'remembered' by a totally different character later in the book. Again, the story itself was great.
October 29, 2018
Needed This...
While not all abusive husbands use their fists and feet the pain and mental/emotional scars still run deep and last for many years. Thank you for a book that has helped...
While not all abusive husbands use their fists and feet the pain and mental/emotional scars still run deep and last for many years. Thank you for a book that has helped...
December 16, 2022
wesome
This is an awesome book. I loved it from the very beginning. I recommend it to everyone who reads. Awesome.
This is an awesome book. I loved it from the very beginning. I recommend it to everyone who reads. Awesome.
April 29, 2016
SUMMARY: Laney watched her life disappear in the rear view mirror. If only her memories would disappear as well…
She was two hours west of town when the lights in the big two-story brick house came on. She couldn’t possibly hear the shouting and cursing, yet her insides were knotted and her stomach churned. If he caught her, he would kill her. Of that she was certain.
Forever Blessed is the story of a young mother who is on the run from an abusive husband with her three children in tow. Does Laney find safety from a controlling manipulating spouse? Does Paul track her down and make her pay for her disobedience? Where does God fit into all this?
REVIEW: Book 2 in the Women of Prayer series deals with the real life horror of domestic abuse. Well written and complex, Shortridge kept my attention from start to finish as we followed Laney's life after escaping with her 3 children from domestic abuse. I loved the way she used her faith thread to show how God walks with us through even the most horrific circumstances and gives us the strength we need to move through them and beyond them.
There are some graphic descriptions in the book of domestic abuse but this is part of domestic abuse. The book would not have held the power it did without this true portrayal. I loved how Laney at the end holds her head high and doesn't cover up the signs of the abuse she took for the last time. I also admired her response at the end that showed true forgiveness and love for her abuser even though she would never allow it again. I am sure that she only was able to do that through her faith in God.
The group of prayer ladies was incredible and such strong prayer warriors. I loved the secondary characters: Sheila, Keisha and Ella as well as Pastor Jessi, Pastor Mark and Austin. Each of them had a role to play that helped Laney grow in faith and strength. Ella was my favorite!
Shortridge's books deal with realistic, gritty issues and she handles them with compassion and faith.
FAVORITE QUOTES: (Too many to list them all.)
"Some things may end, but as long as we believe and have faith, there is a new day to wake up to."
'He (God) want us to remain faithful to him through our trials and our tests and when we obtain the blessing that is coming, we will count everything we have gone through as worth it."
"I challenge each of you to go out and love someone. Love someone who you think is unlovable. Show them the love of Christ and change their lives forever."
She was two hours west of town when the lights in the big two-story brick house came on. She couldn’t possibly hear the shouting and cursing, yet her insides were knotted and her stomach churned. If he caught her, he would kill her. Of that she was certain.
Forever Blessed is the story of a young mother who is on the run from an abusive husband with her three children in tow. Does Laney find safety from a controlling manipulating spouse? Does Paul track her down and make her pay for her disobedience? Where does God fit into all this?
REVIEW: Book 2 in the Women of Prayer series deals with the real life horror of domestic abuse. Well written and complex, Shortridge kept my attention from start to finish as we followed Laney's life after escaping with her 3 children from domestic abuse. I loved the way she used her faith thread to show how God walks with us through even the most horrific circumstances and gives us the strength we need to move through them and beyond them.
There are some graphic descriptions in the book of domestic abuse but this is part of domestic abuse. The book would not have held the power it did without this true portrayal. I loved how Laney at the end holds her head high and doesn't cover up the signs of the abuse she took for the last time. I also admired her response at the end that showed true forgiveness and love for her abuser even though she would never allow it again. I am sure that she only was able to do that through her faith in God.
The group of prayer ladies was incredible and such strong prayer warriors. I loved the secondary characters: Sheila, Keisha and Ella as well as Pastor Jessi, Pastor Mark and Austin. Each of them had a role to play that helped Laney grow in faith and strength. Ella was my favorite!
Shortridge's books deal with realistic, gritty issues and she handles them with compassion and faith.
FAVORITE QUOTES: (Too many to list them all.)
"Some things may end, but as long as we believe and have faith, there is a new day to wake up to."
'He (God) want us to remain faithful to him through our trials and our tests and when we obtain the blessing that is coming, we will count everything we have gone through as worth it."
"I challenge each of you to go out and love someone. Love someone who you think is unlovable. Show them the love of Christ and change their lives forever."
July 16, 2013
The plot was both too simplistic (too obvious and "wrapping up" ) and too complex (mainly with Paul). The attempt to add an undercurrent of fear through Paul's actions just annoyed me. Even the ending felt... off, somehow.
I actually started reading the first book in this series, but deleted it from my Kindle when I got about a third of the way through because the plot was too obvious. I'd hoped this would be different. There were some good parts, especially where Sheila and the other women were sharing their own stories, but the inelegance of the writing just dragged it back down again. Worth a read, if you want some understanding of the cycle of domestic violence, but not a great - or even a good - book.
I actually started reading the first book in this series, but deleted it from my Kindle when I got about a third of the way through because the plot was too obvious. I'd hoped this would be different. There were some good parts, especially where Sheila and the other women were sharing their own stories, but the inelegance of the writing just dragged it back down again. Worth a read, if you want some understanding of the cycle of domestic violence, but not a great - or even a good - book.
September 14, 2012
Although there were some plot line inconsistencies in the book (i.e, ages of the kids, opening instance is recalled by different characters happening to them later), they didn't distract from the story. The story's main theme concerns domestic violence. I'm not sure if someone who had experienced domestic violence would find this book helpful, but I thought it was a good way to begin talking about a subject that is not talked about often. I appreciated the way the characters dealt with the verses they read in the Bible and how they came to understand that the Bible in no way condones domestic violence.
September 23, 2012
This is a great book club read particularly for women of faith. It is the story of an abused woman who flees her abusive husband and finds a new life in a small supportive community. Her journey first begins in a safe house. We meet other women of similar experience and learn their stories. The book is filled with scripture and how these women and the people in their lives interpret the Word. For those who work with or counsel women it is an insightful book which talks about the emotions of the women and children in this well written story. the pace is occasionally slow because the narrative is so detailed but it is a story full of hope, faith, revelation and forgiveness.
December 24, 2012
I enjoyed reading this book. There were several inconsistencies , as other readers pointed out. Ella has a memory of an incident with her husband. I had to go back to the beginning of he book, and it was something that happened to Laney. At one point the author refers to both of Laney's girls as Joy. Joy was older and the baby was Meredith. Also, the day after Christmas the kids were back in school? It's very hard to find Christian fiction that is enjoyable and believable. Most is of the "little House on the Prairie" variety. I enjoyed the book before this one written by the same author . I will probably read more books in this series .
January 11, 2016
Great book...couldn't put it down
The author writes in such a descriptive way that keeps me engrossed in the story. Thee story line was easy to follow. This is a great book for anyone who is in or knows of someone in an abusive situation.
My only con is about a third of the way from the beginning to the end, I started noticing words missing or duplicated in sentences which is annoying because I have to stop and re-read the sentence to figure put what they meant. I wish publishers of ebooks were as careful with proofreading as they are with print books.
The author writes in such a descriptive way that keeps me engrossed in the story. Thee story line was easy to follow. This is a great book for anyone who is in or knows of someone in an abusive situation.
My only con is about a third of the way from the beginning to the end, I started noticing words missing or duplicated in sentences which is annoying because I have to stop and re-read the sentence to figure put what they meant. I wish publishers of ebooks were as careful with proofreading as they are with print books.
October 12, 2012
I read this book in one setting. I just couldn't pull myself away. It's the story of one woman escaping domestic violence and finding a support group of women who had all been touched by violence, finding people who cared, understood, and weren't anxious to judge. If you are ever a victim of domestic violence, you'll be looking for the people in this book--I pray you find them. You won't know how the story will end until the last page. Great Read.
January 24, 2013
This is the second Darlene Shortridge novel I've read and have thoroughly enjoyed her writing style. The characters in both books are very relatable and their life stories are intriguing, drama filled and entwined together well. 'Forever Blessed' is thought provoking and full of memorable life lessons.
April 13, 2014
Another difficult subject tackled in this series. Merry and her band of Prayer Warriors were involved once again, and I do love their involvement in Shortridge's books. I did feel that a few of the characters were rushed, or not enough time was given to flesh the characters out, mainly Sheila and another or two, but I still enjoyed the book.
July 14, 2015
Good book
There was quite a few mistakes grammar wise. Words omitted or put in the wrong spot. The story premise however was awesome. The story stuck with you until the end and left you guessing when he was going to strike. I recommend this highly even with the grammatical difficulties.
There was quite a few mistakes grammar wise. Words omitted or put in the wrong spot. The story premise however was awesome. The story stuck with you until the end and left you guessing when he was going to strike. I recommend this highly even with the grammatical difficulties.
December 23, 2012
This book was way too long! Sometimes the narrative and dialog seemed to be unimportant to the plot. It is a very sensitive book and discussed the difficulties of spousal abuse and how difficult life is for so many women.
July 31, 2015
This book takes you through a woman learning to break from an abusive relationship to find hope. A lot of times we don't know whose hurting until we reach out for help and you find out you are not alone. There are so many people going through abuse of all kinds. I thoroughly enjoyed this story.
September 16, 2012
beautiful book that really makes you think. The characters are easy to like and very realistic.
March 7, 2013
I loved the storyline of this book but there were details that confused me.
This was a story of abuse, relationships with god and others, healing, life.
This was a story of abuse, relationships with god and others, healing, life.
January 20, 2013
A wonderful story of forgiveness and healing.
July 18, 2013
Another Great book in The Woman of Prayer series, I love the discussion part of the book in the back, really makes you re-evaluate your faith
January 28, 2014
Loved it!
February 23, 2014
I really enjoyed this book - am looking forward to reading more of her books. She is a new author o me.
April 29, 2016
This is not a feel-good, happily-ever-after story, but it an inspiring and encouraging one. Faith and the love and support of others helped Laney stay strong in the face of horrific experiences.
August 23, 2016
Beautiful story of survival, forgiveness, most importantly, how seeking our Lord and savior and developing a relationship with him, can transform ones life.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews