More Than Everything

by Vanessa G. Foster

More Than Everything is a gripping memoir of resilience and liberation. The author's compelling story takes us on a frantic journey (from Texas to Alaska) as she is forced to flee from the FBI after her husband's drug lab is raided. After a series of misguided decisions, they find themselves stranded and destitute in the far north. Will they be saved by Moses, a kind-hearted man with a cattle ranch looking for seasonal help, or will the law catch up with them thousands of miles from home? This is the true story of how an everyday miracle gives a desperate young woman the strength and courage to face her fears and do the right thing.

230 pages, Paperback

First published February 21, 2013

Reviews

[Adrienne LaCava · Rating 4 out of 5]

This memoir is engaging and Ms. Foster captures the eighties! Her story is a harsh illustration of the toll that decade’s excesses took on those coming of age in it. Vanessa’s parents consider her an adult after high school and nudge her out of the house, like many parents did back then. She soon falls for a cool player and marries him before she has any idea of who she is. Naïve romantic notions and misplaced trust gets her in all kinds of scrapes, and frankly, I’m expecting her to stand up for herself way before it finally happens. She obviously lived to tell the tale and I was glad to know that during certain scenes. In terms of book style, this wasn’t an easy read for me: the paperback version is single-spaced; and the first person point-of-view, plus no quotation marks, took getting used to. But I had no problem turning pages, so that comment is for the publisher; it has nothing to do with story merit. I wonder if Ms. Foster will go on to write fiction, now that her memoir is shared. She has a knack for clever phrasing and word use!

[Erin Garcia Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

After my first Toastmasters meeting, the dude that invited me introduced me to his friend Vanessa. She told me that she heard that I am learning to love reading again so she gave me (and my two travel colleagues) an individualized signed copy of her book. I was ecstatic.

I finally got a chance to read and finish Vanessa's book. Gee, it was a page turner!

There were so many times where I likened Vanessa's experience in Alaska, surviving off the generosity of strangers to the current bus life I'm living. There are some days that you eat a hot meal made by someone you just met and it makes you emotional. When I get a hot shower, sometimes I cry.

I really enjoyed this book. I love books that are given to me! They mean so much more than any random book.

I talked to my girlfriend about this story and I told her that I was thankful that she and I love and respect each other and that we don't have to know what an abusive relationship is like. The feeling of being trapped is the scariest feeling of all.

Thanks, Vanessa, for sharing your story. Keep thriving!

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

My mom and I met Vanessa at a writer's week-long academy in Canyon, Texas. I bought her book, along with several other academy participant's books, thinking I'd get to it as soon as I could. That was 2016. I'd kind of forgotten about it sitting on a shelf until my mom told me she'd recently read it and couldn't put it down. It piqued my interest so I found it buried amongst the many books I've not had time to read. Wow! What a ride! Sweet, pretty, quiet, polite Vanessa!! This was her life?! Holy Moly!! This was one heck of a gripping story. The only reason I'm not giving it five stars is because it jumped around so much. I was so confused on dates and locations because it goes backwards and forwards so often. All in all, it's a great book! I'm so glad my friend survived this ordeal and is here to tell about it. This could've gone another way so many times.

[Lisa Elders · Rating 5 out of 5]

One rainy Sunday afternoon, I sat down to read this book, just one of the great reads I picked up at the North Texas Book Fair. I didn't put it down until I was finished.This book was genuinely raw with emotion and deeply authentic. Vanessa's true story drew me in from the beginning and never let me go. The story is sensational, and, yet, it is a story that I, and many other women who have been in seemingly hopeless situations, can relate to. In this book, we find a story of hope and resilience, of finding ourselves in spite of our mistakes, and of learning to love and live despite being beaten down by a heartless and unforgiving world. A must read!

[Jill Hirsch · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a true story written by indie author Vanessa Foster. The writing is beautiful and textured; Vanessa paints a picture with every word. A remarkable story from a talented writer-you will love it!

[Cami Connell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy breezy read. Nice break from the nonfiction I was reading. Her story is amazing, but it needs proofreading and she plays around with the sequence of events, and I think it can be a little confusing. I also wanted to hear some insights from the author about certain topics, but didn’t get them. Lastly, I feel she tiptoed around the domestic abuse she suffered, always dodging the subject. Not sure why she did this, but it was annoying. Overall, fun read

[Linda Simmons · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in two nights about six months ago. I kept silently saying "why don't you get out? Just leave."
The author lets the reader see how it is easy to get caught up in a situation and a relationship that grows darker with each passing day. But in the end she saved herself -- through her own courage and tenacity.

[Haven Gordon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book in a goodreads giveaway and found this book to be a truly remarkable read. I would recommend this book to anyone.

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the story and the characters I just had a hard time with this writing style.

FTC disclosure: I received this book free from Goodreads hoping I would review it.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gripping memoir of resilience, forgiveness and finding beauty in the toughest situations.