Space

by Emily Sue Harvey

Emily Sue Harvey's work touches readers in profound ways. Coffee Time Romance called Song of Renewal, "a must-read book for anyone doing a little soul searching." Of Flavors, Black Diamond's Book Reviews said, "I loved everything about this book! This is just an all around excellent book that is sure to bring memories back from times when life was a lot more simple." And, in speaking of Homefires, The Book Tree said, "Emily Sue Harvey has now become a new favorite author for me after reading this book." Now, in Space, Emily Sue delivers us a deeply moving story of a family on the brink. Dan and Deede Stowe have worked for years, planning and saving for their idyllic retirement years. Just when they finally are about to realize their dream, their adult, recovering drug-addict daughter, Faith, moves back in with them and everything changes. Their "miracle child," complete with druggie baggage, upsets the tranquil balance of the Stowe's existence. Private romantic moments evaporate. Faith's endless needs intrude hour by hour, devouring both their finances, their emotions, and most crucially, their space. In turn, Faith finds herself bereft of everything she cherished most, her health, her marriage, her child, her family, her reputation and, most of all, a space to call her own. Amid chaotic challenges, all three battle to find peace with each other, a harmony that doggedly eludes them. For the sake of family solidarity, each is forced to sacrifice elemental components of self, until desperation turns them one against the other. Will love be enough to turn the tide? Is it strong enough to warm again hearts grown cold? Space is a vivid, candid, and life-affirming story from a masterful storyteller of the heart.

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

260 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 13, 2011

About the author

Emily Sue Harvey’s writing to make a difference. Her upbeat stories have appeared in dozens of anthologies including “Chicken Soup for the Soul,” “Chocolate for Women,” “From Eulogy to Joy,” “A Father’s Embrace,” “True Story,” “Compassionate Friends Magazine,” and “Woman’s World.” Emily Sue served as president of Southeastern Writers Association in 2008-2009. Her first novel, Song of Renewal, published by Story Plant, was released in the spring of 2009.

Reviews

[LuAnn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book that will definitely grip your heart. Here is a happily married couple who are looking forward to the golden years. They’ve spent years planning for it and everything seems to be going according to that plan until their grown daughter returns home – complete with a number of issues revolving around her drug addictions. Between her lies and stealing from them, as well as the court and rehabilitation costs, the couple watches their life savings begin to disappear. It’s a horrible situation any family could, unfortunately, find themselves in.

Emily Sue Harvey delivers the story with such finesse and understanding. She relates the pain and agony the characters must deal with in a way that takes you right into their hearts. You feel their anger, their frustrations and their sadness as they try to fix what’s gone wrong in their lives.

I’ve been a fan of Emily’s writing for quite a while now. I took part in the Pump Up Your Book Homefires blog tour in June (you can find that review here). And I’ve also read her novella Flavors, so I’m looking forward to her newest novel Unto These Hills when it hits the stands.

Emily certainly has a way of pulling the reader right onto the pages of her stories, often not an easy thing to do for an author. She also shows how a little hope and trusting in God to see you through difficult situations can be an immense help in times of need.

[Cheryl Masciarelli]

SPACE by Emily Sue Harvey
Published by The Story Plant
ISBN 9781611880199
At the request of The Story Plant, Spread The Word Initiative, an ARC EPub Edition was sent via NetGalley, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.

Synopsis (borrowed from NetGalley): Emily Sue delivers us a deeply moving story of a family on the brink. Dan and Deede Stowe have worked for years, planning and saving for their idyllic retirement years. Just when they finally are about to realize their dream, their adult, recovering drug-addict daughter, Faith, moves back in with them and everything changes. Their “miracle child,” complete with druggie baggage, upsets the tranquil balance of the Stowes's existence. Private romantic moments evaporate. Faith’s endless needs intrude hour by hour, devouring their finances, their emotions, and most crucially, their space. In turn, Faith finds herself bereft of everything she cherished most: her health, her marriage, her child, her family, her reputation and, most of all, a space to call her own.

Amid chaotic challenges, all three battle to find peace with each other, a harmony that doggedly eludes them. For the sake of family solidarity, each is forced to sacrifice elemental components of self, until desperation turns them one against the other. Will love be enough to turn the tide? Is it strong enough to warm again hearts grown cold?

My Thoughts and Opinion: I enjoy reading novels where there are relationship dynamics as the core of the story. The characters in this book came to life through the words of the author, Emily Sue Harvey, and there were quite a few interwoven personalities within both the immediate and extended family of the Stowes. I was also interested, after reading the synopsis, of the premise of what happens behind closed doors when a family member is overtaken by drugs, which is so prevalent in today's society and the fracture of a family these drugs cause.

Here is where I am torn and confused about this book, which I honestly don't quite understand. And this is my opinion and my opinion only. The book held my attention throughout. However, I felt there was so much missing in the story. It wasn't until almost the end of the novel when the reader finds out what drug Faith is using. It doesn't describe the reality of true drug addiction, in my opinion. But it focused more on her nicotine addiction. I understood the underlying message of "needing one's space" and as the synopsis states but I felt that some issues that would have made it more realistic were glossed over. Examples like the loss of her parental rights were not touched upon until almost the end of the book.

Because it did hold my attention but it also left me disappointed as far as the overall story line, I find myself having much difficulty rating it.

[Books to the Sky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Check out more reviews at www.bookstothesky.com

Originally, I had this book rated as a 3. But the more I thought about it, the more opinions and thoughts I had about this book and I decided to bump it up to a 4. This book is full of religious undertones but it wasn't preachy, which was awesome.

Deede and her husband Dan struggle to have a child for years. They miraculously conceive Faith (after many failed fertility treatments). They never have any other children.

Because they wanted a child so badly, they completely dote on Faith. This isn't to say that they necessarily spoil her, but she's their only child and want her to have the world. Faith is an extremely complex character who definitely has her own mind about things.

In my opinion, she's a complete bitch, even as a teenager, and her mother starts to wonder what direction Faith's life will take her. Faith has a child at a young age and, after leaving her husband, completely turns over to drugs. She loses her child and ends up moving back home with her parents.

Dan and Deede end up going almost completely broke trying to pay for Faith's mishaps. Rehab, child support, lawyers fees, and so much more, they are at their wit's end.

I guess this was at the point where I started to wonder when they were going to boot their beloved daughter out the door. I mean, seriously, Faith takes them for granted and they just keep giving.

But then I thought, I don't know what I would do if the only child I could ever have (that was a struggle to have) needed me and I turned them away. And this is exactly the struggle Dan and Deede face. While they are angry with their daughter, they can't seem to completely turn her away. They love her too much.

I will pause here and say that I've watched a lot of Intervention on t.v. I know that the counselors and people all say that in order for drug addicts to completely straighten their lives out they need a huge dose of reality by not being enabled (a place to live, money, etc).

But on the flip side, Emily Sue Harvey brought to light a different way of trying to rehabilitate a drug addict. Through love and trust and family. As much as they wanted to turn her away, I completely understood why they didn't, why they couldn't.

And this is what kept me up late at night thinking about this book and the family.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Space is set in the southern states of USA. It depicts a couple, deeply in-love, who are torn apart – both in themselves and from each other – by their daughter. The novel opens with a touching scene of family unity, underpinned by Deede’s awareness of her daughter’s absence. The contrast between the unity and the following panic concerning their daughter’s well-being when they learn she has overdosed sets up the tone for the rest of the novel.

Through the spiritual voice of Deede, Emily Sue Harvey candidly exposes what it is like to live with a drug addict. Each tiny victory is blown out by catastrophic failure and Deede’s hopeless optimism begins to wear thin. The reader is dragged along on an emotional roller-coaster; the tracks being Faith’s road through drug addiction and the cart is the tenuous family solidarity that creaks and groans with each new obstacle. Any moment it will derail sending the Stowe/Eagle clan to destruction.

The tight-knit family from the prologue struggles to hold it together. Gradually, one by one, they turn their back on Faith. Her name is ironic. No one has faith in her yet it, and support is what she needs to find her way back to the tracks. Dan Stowe reacts with vigorous discipline and Deede with the more softly, softly approach. Whether either of them has it in them to turn their daughter around is irrelevant. It is the emotional drama which gives this novel its charm.

The characterisation in this novel is the key to its power. Each character is fully realised and has distinct relationships with others. The conflicts that arise out of family solidarity and logic cast the reader into a see-saw as to who to sympathise with. As relationships become strained or sometimes strengthened as the novel progresses the drama and impact escalates.

Recovering from drug addiction is hard, and even harder to write about. Harvey unflinchingly goes into insightful detail on the experience from both mother and daughter perspectives. The plot itself is harrowing at times but incredibly real and true to life. Love still shines through the text despite the desperate situations proving Noni’s comment:

“With all its sham, drugery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.”

[Laurel-Rain · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story of family and the adversities that can either weaken or strengthen the bonds, "Space" brings the reader right into the thick of things with the very first chapter. Enjoying a celebration and looking forward to their “golden years,” Dan and Deede Stowe are blindsided by a call that announces their daughter Faith’s drug overdose.

Then we are catapulted back in time to their lives in the beginning of their marriage. Looking ahead with hope to creating a family, they are disappointed over and over again, until finally their miracle child Faith is born.

What happens to unleash the monster of addiction in the lovely child they raised? When did the first seeds of destruction plant themselves in her life and theirs?

Family members form a circle of love and support, but as the battle wages on, with the back and forward progress of addiction, some pull back. At times, Deede and Dan feel as if they’re on the battlefield alone.

I was caught up in the tug and pull of this family story and how it reminded me of many struggles in my own family over the years, as well as the struggles of families with whom I worked in my professional life as a social worker. There is nothing more devious and conniving than addiction, with its stranglehold on the life of the addict and all those around her. It is definitely a family disease, and by the time the battle finally plays out, it leaves wounded souls in its wake.

After many struggles, this family arrived at a happy resolution. In some ways, I thought that the change from battling addict to peaceful acceptance was almost too smooth when it finally happened. I wanted to see more of Faith’s gradual behavioral changes as she moved toward acceptance. There were some journal entries that hinted at the beginnings of insight and acceptance and paved the way for change. Perhaps a single defining moment turned things around for her. That was not clear for me in the story. However, I enjoyed the characters, the journey, and the dramatic depiction of the struggle. Four stars.

[Lisa B. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book Overview:
Dan and Deede Stowe have worked for years, planning and saving for their idyllic retirement years. Just when they finally are about to realize their dream, their adult, recovering drug-addict daughter, Faith, moves back in with them and everything changes. Their “miracle child”, complete with druggie baggage, upsets the tranquil balance of the Stowe’s existence.
Amid chaotic challenges, all three battle to find peace with each other, a harmony that doggedly eludes them. For the sake of family solidarity, each is forced to sacrifice elemental components of self, until desperation turns them one against the other. Will love be enough to turn the tide? Is it strong enough to warm again hearts grown cold?
My Thoughts:
I do think this book was a good depiction of what living with an addict can do to a family. The writing seemed somewhat disjointed. I was often confused as to where the story was in outlining Faith’s long road to recovery. It did occur to me that a family in this circumstance probably feels confused and disjointed, so from that perspective, maybe the book was right on.
I recently asked someone why is tough love such a hard concept to apply? Why do we sometimes allow repeated bad behavior? The response to this question was – because we usually think this will be THE TIME that if I help, that person will make a turn around. This will be THE TIME it will work. One more TIME, and then I’ll stop.
Such was the case for Dan and Deede Stowe. Good, bad or otherwise – they never gave up on Faith. Unconditional love versus tough love – which would you choose?
Thanks you to Netgalley and The Story Plant Publishing for allowing me to read the ARC.
You can see this review, along with others on my blog:
http://bookaholique.blogspot.com/

[Louise Graham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Space is written by Emily Sue Harvey and published by Story Plant.

Married for over 35 years, Deede and Dan Stowe are a typical American couple who whilst not rich have been able to put a little by for their retirement. All their early married life Deede and Dan tried so desperately for a child of their own. Just as they were about to look into Adoption options, their miracle child, Faith is born.

Their world is turned upside down twenty something years later when Faith has to move back in and they have to support her whilst she tries to recover from being a drug-addict. Their once comfortable and very romantic setting is smashed apart. Faith requires constant care and supervision. The trust is soon broken between the family and their love for each other is really stretched to the limit as well as the purse strings.

Can one couple help their daughter change her path and get her back on track? Do they have enough in reserve to survive this chapter of their lives? Is love enough to save this family?

Emily Sue has written a very moving novel around a deeply troubled story line for this family. She touches beautifully on the emotion of each person as well as the wider family around them.

There is a lovely bond between the Mother and daughter even when things are at their lowest and you really feel the pain for Deede when all she is trying to do is help Faith but also understand how her darling husbands feels.

Not knowing much about the drug world, I found that this was not a problem as Emily Sue really explains the paths, the experiences and the effect these drugs can have not just on the person taking them but everyone around.

I truly thought-provoking story and extremely well written.

[Alyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am confused on how I should feel about this book. I took a journey with the Stowe family through an amazing labyrinth of twist and turns, and I felt the emotions that went on in the family. I was worried reading this that it may bring up some tough memories of mine, but since the point of view wasn't the same as mine, it gave me insight rather then sorrow. The point of view was that of the mother and how she handled her daughter recovering from drug abuse and how she also viewed her husband's own way to handle the situation. I really gained a new perspective on what a mother would go through with a child recovering. It also shows that to help someone from drugs it takes more then a mom and dad, you need extended family to help them through. Priss, the mother's sister, is one of my favorite characters and how she was always there for the family. She did not judge or turn away she stayed strongly by the families side.

I felt depressed during the hard times, and thought why am I reading this, I like to feel good. I even felt the glimmers of hope that would give encouragement to keep trying, which in turn kept me going. I also wanted to see if all the struggle really was worth it in the end. I loved the reference to a bald eagles life, in its forties it has to choose a painful choice if it wants to live longer. The book's title is also a great reference to the book, there really isn't a better title for it. Space is a big theme in this book. I can honestly say that I am glad I chose to read this book and gain some more insight on such a hard subject that has left some damage in my own life.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Space
Emily Sue Harvey
Published by The Story Plant

Dan and Deede were made for each other. Love at first site, longevity of marriage, and depth of understanding of each other’s character. Perfection? They have been unable to conceive a child. Years of heartache trying to conceive a child to be told finally that it was impossible. Miracle baby Faith is born within a year later.

Jump ahead, Faith is 19, married and given birth to her own daughter. Faith gets caught up in the world of prescription drugs and addictions. Spirals out of control, gets divorced, loses her daughter, moves in with Mom and Dad, and continues to spiral deeper into despair.

Space is about the unconditional love between parents and children. Manipulation, drug abuse, control issues all lead the parents to enable the child because of their love. The need for space in their own retirement years causes a rift between Dan and Deede. What can they do to be there unconditionally for their miracle Faith, but also restore their own marriage?

A look into the inner emotions and conflicts that attack a once healthy family , now disabled with the evil of drug abuse. Emily Sue Harvey goes to the core of family relationships and the struggle to find the balance between doing what is needed and what is desired. A great look at how drugs can impact not only the nuclear family, but extends into extending family and relationships. She describes well the feelings and emotions had by all of her characters in a situation that could become relevant to every American family today.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Space" by Emily Sue Harvey was a heartwarming family drama story. It follows the trials of a family dealing with their "miracle child's" addiction to perscription and other illegal drugs. Told from the point of view of Deede, a loving, patient mother, this story brings to light how an addiction effects more than just one person, it effects a whole family. Deede's struggle between love and care for her daughter and pushing her to get better will strike a chord with anyone who has ever wondered, "Is this really best for my child?"

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Space is not a book I would pick up on my own but it was a very interesting read. This work of fiction, told in first person, is a very convincing account of dealing with drug addiction. In fact, it is so convincingly told, that I found myself getting sucked into the story, believing it was true. I needed to remind myself that it’s fiction. The ending is well-told and the reader never has a clue whether it will be a tragedy or not. A solid read. Just keep telling yourself, it’s only a book.

[Tanja · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engrossing

Emily Sue Harvey did more than develope characters. She created people. People I could relate to, people I might know. The story was so engrossing that I often forgot that I was reading fiction.

Dan and Deede Stout prayed for a child. After years of trying they were blessed with a daughter. The perfect daughter. Until she was introduced to drugs.

Space takes you on the journey that Dan and Deede take to save their daughter. It's a wonderful story and a must read for anyone who believes in the power of faith.

[Dani Moore · Rating 3 out of 5]

A moving story, tough to read, of how a family coped or didn't cope with the descent into drugs and all that goes with them. Faith, the miracle child, ached for, yearned for, turns her back on all that she has been raised to believe and lies, steals, from her parents and her family. She even loses her own child. We see how her mother tries to find a way to pull her out of her private hell. If you have ever had a friend or family member lost to drugs, this will be hard to read, but valuable in that it gives you a glimpse into the mind of an addict, and a peek at a way out.

[Heather Siani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Space was a wonderful read. The subject matter was handled in a great way. I especially enjoyed towards the end when the readers were opened up to Faith's side of things and her perspective. I found myself frustrated at times reading the story because I wanted the parents to use "tough love" but I understood them not wanting to give up. Thank you Emily Sue Harvey for an inspirational read.

Note: I was given this book by the publisher to review but the opinions are strictly my own.

[Wulfwyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story opens with Faith as an adult with a failed marriage, a child and a devastating drug habit, returning home to live. Dan and Deede are ready to live out their dream retirement. This now becomes impossible. Keeping Faith out of jail and clean is costing them everything. This is a truly honest,vivid look at the cost of drug addiction and family. This could have been a very depressing book. Instead, while being heart wrenching, it is very inspiring. * A full review is on my blog.

[Old_airman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful tale of a dysfunctional family told by the mother of an addicted daughter. It may be a story of the daughter, but mother, father, aunts and cousins all have their share of problems causing the daughter deeper into the darkness. Their faith in each other and in God in times brings hope and healing.

[Martin Maenza · Rating 3 out of 5]

For my review please visit my blog: Martin's View: Space.