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Sullivan Crisp #1
Healing Stones
With one flash of a camera, Demi's private life becomes public news. She doesn't know it yet, but her healing has just begun.
Christian college professor Demitria Costanas had vowed to end her affair with a colleague. But she gives into temptation one last time...and a lurking photographer captures her weakness for all to see. Quite literally, she's the woman caught in adultery. And almost everyone--herself included--has a stone to throw.
Enter Sullivan Crisp, a decidedly unorthodox psychologist with his own baggage. He's well-known for his quirky sense of humor and incorporation of "game show" theology into his counseling sessions. And yet there's something more he offers...hope for a fresh start.
Reluctantly the two of them begin an uplifting, uneven journey filled with healing and grace. By turns funny and touching, this story explores the ways humans hurt each other and deceive themselves. And it shows the endlessly creative means God uses to turn stones of accusation and shame into works of beauty that lead us onto the path of healing.
An auspicious debut for a candid yet tender series about pain, healing, and God's invitation for second chances.
Christian college professor Demitria Costanas had vowed to end her affair with a colleague. But she gives into temptation one last time...and a lurking photographer captures her weakness for all to see. Quite literally, she's the woman caught in adultery. And almost everyone--herself included--has a stone to throw.
Enter Sullivan Crisp, a decidedly unorthodox psychologist with his own baggage. He's well-known for his quirky sense of humor and incorporation of "game show" theology into his counseling sessions. And yet there's something more he offers...hope for a fresh start.
Reluctantly the two of them begin an uplifting, uneven journey filled with healing and grace. By turns funny and touching, this story explores the ways humans hurt each other and deceive themselves. And it shows the endlessly creative means God uses to turn stones of accusation and shame into works of beauty that lead us onto the path of healing.
An auspicious debut for a candid yet tender series about pain, healing, and God's invitation for second chances.
391 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
About the author
Nancy N. Rue
223 books293 followersNancy Rue is the author of over 100 books for adults and teens, including the Christy Award-winning The Reluctant Prophet, Unexpected Dismounts and Healing Waters (with Steve Arterburn), which was the 2009 Women of Faith Novel of the Year. She travels extensively—at times on the back of a Harley—speaking to and teaching groups of women of all ages. Nancy lives on a lake in Tennessee with her Harley-ridin’ husband, Jim, and their two yellow Labs (without whom writing would be difficult).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 168 reviews
January 15, 2018
I have now read 2 of this trilogy(?) and plan to read the third. I have a bit to say here and much of it will be true of both the books I've (so far) read.
I do intend to read the third.
First this book deals with some good, interesting and valuable topics. Christians who read this (these) will have their mind shifted into gear (if they allow it) concerning the story we are dropped into here.
So what's that story? A Christian woman (our protagonist though the trilogy is about Sullivan (Sully) Crisp) is and has been for the past five months (before the book opens) caught up in an extra-martial affair. She is wracked with guilt but also caught in a strong even "enslaving" passion. She is on her way (as the book opens) for one last meeting with her lover intent on breaking things off and trying to save her marriage. BUT during the meeting she is "overwhelmed" and falls into her lover's arms, only to have flashes of light tell her that they are being photographed. She breaks away knocking over a candle as she does, and runs into the night pulling her clothes together and throwing her "under-things" into the water.
Her life falls apart when these photos go to her husband and certain members of the board of the Christian college where she teaches.
There are ideas discussed and "lived out" in the book that I'd like to have the chance to discuss with others who have read the book...or even the writers.
I can recommend this book (and the next, though we'll deal with it separately).
Now that was the molasses, now let me give you the "small amount" of sulfur.
Not to be sexist but this (these) will I believe appeal more to women than to men. As I read them I remembered a complaint we used to hear a few years ago (and still hear sometimes) that in books, movie, TV women were "objectified". Well in these books men are largely objectified. Other than Dr. Crisp there isn't really a decent man in the entire book (and in the next this is even more so). The male characters aren't deep, as a matter of fact they are pretty much cookie cutter stereotypes. There are several fully formed women and Dr. Crisp is taking shape, but the males are just manikins or simple automatons used to fill in a part.
Be ready for that.
If you read this simply as a novel ignoring all the Christian angles (and even insights) then it is very much what I suppose would be called a "woman's read".
Yes I know, there are women who prefer action oriented books and there are men who like romances...but these aren't actually the commonality. I'm really not trying to be sexist, just informative.
BUT as I said for men or women who are looking for good discussions on Christian topics then I can recommend it. Just suck it up guys and try not to be any of the creeps depicted in the books, LOL.
By the way, my usual admonition, don't get your theology from novels...but you can get insights from them.
I do intend to read the third.
First this book deals with some good, interesting and valuable topics. Christians who read this (these) will have their mind shifted into gear (if they allow it) concerning the story we are dropped into here.
So what's that story? A Christian woman (our protagonist though the trilogy is about Sullivan (Sully) Crisp) is and has been for the past five months (before the book opens) caught up in an extra-martial affair. She is wracked with guilt but also caught in a strong even "enslaving" passion. She is on her way (as the book opens) for one last meeting with her lover intent on breaking things off and trying to save her marriage. BUT during the meeting she is "overwhelmed" and falls into her lover's arms, only to have flashes of light tell her that they are being photographed. She breaks away knocking over a candle as she does, and runs into the night pulling her clothes together and throwing her "under-things" into the water.
Her life falls apart when these photos go to her husband and certain members of the board of the Christian college where she teaches.
There are ideas discussed and "lived out" in the book that I'd like to have the chance to discuss with others who have read the book...or even the writers.
I can recommend this book (and the next, though we'll deal with it separately).
Now that was the molasses, now let me give you the "small amount" of sulfur.
Not to be sexist but this (these) will I believe appeal more to women than to men. As I read them I remembered a complaint we used to hear a few years ago (and still hear sometimes) that in books, movie, TV women were "objectified". Well in these books men are largely objectified. Other than Dr. Crisp there isn't really a decent man in the entire book (and in the next this is even more so). The male characters aren't deep, as a matter of fact they are pretty much cookie cutter stereotypes. There are several fully formed women and Dr. Crisp is taking shape, but the males are just manikins or simple automatons used to fill in a part.
Be ready for that.
If you read this simply as a novel ignoring all the Christian angles (and even insights) then it is very much what I suppose would be called a "woman's read".
Yes I know, there are women who prefer action oriented books and there are men who like romances...but these aren't actually the commonality. I'm really not trying to be sexist, just informative.
BUT as I said for men or women who are looking for good discussions on Christian topics then I can recommend it. Just suck it up guys and try not to be any of the creeps depicted in the books, LOL.
By the way, my usual admonition, don't get your theology from novels...but you can get insights from them.
August 1, 2013
What do you do when you're at the lowest of the low points, suffering the most painful thing you could imagine, losing the most precious things you have, and know that it's because YOU made the biggest mistake of your life??
And then what happens when you have to go on? Because life doesn't just end there...
And you have to live with yourself? When no one else will?
Healing Stones tells the story of a woman caught in adultery... (yikes) ...and her path to healing.
There were so many things I loved about this.
First, I tried to read without thinking I would end up loving the book just because I love a lot of what the co-author (Stephen Arterburn) has already done.
That was taken care of when I just fell in love with the book itself. It was so well written (Great job Nancy Rue too!) and the issues in it so sensitively handled that I didn't have any of the terrible effects of not-so-great christian writing befall me. (For me that would be apathy, cynicism, frustration, that all-too-well-known feeling of 'Yeah, Right'(insert eye-roll here), or sometimes simply gagging up the spoon that I feel being shoved down my throat.) I think we could all agree that there are lots of books out there in the "christian lifestyle/culture" genre --I think I made that up-- that are good examples of what it's NOT like to live out a life of faith in the real world.
Second, I didn't really realize it was a mystery because the authors didn't try to do that whole sneaky "I'm going to fool the reader" thing that you always get when you read mysteries.
You see, I'm the kind of girl who never EVER tries to guess to figure out who did it. For two reasons: I'm so aware of the twist thing that always happens and I know at some point someone is going to try to fool me... And I don't want to give anyone that satisfaction so I just don't. AND because I like to be genuinely surprised when the detective (or whoever) figures it out at the same time I do.
For one of the first times I found myself being sneaky with the book and 'guessing' at the end result and I was right! It was a good feeling. A free feeling. An "I don't have to protect myself from the sneaky author" kind of feeling. And interesting, because I don't usually get to feel that way.
The biggest deal with this book, though, is what it teaches. That God is good, that suffering is real, that the pain that mistakes bring you is part of the path to healing, that grace and forgiveness is life-changing and earth-shatteringly fundamental to the Christian life.
And that's not JUST for yourself or JUST for others. :)
It's a good one. Definitely 5 stars for book content and great writing. I feel like it's a book of life wisdom, and something I'll re-read one day.
And then what happens when you have to go on? Because life doesn't just end there...
And you have to live with yourself? When no one else will?
Healing Stones tells the story of a woman caught in adultery... (yikes) ...and her path to healing.
There were so many things I loved about this.
First, I tried to read without thinking I would end up loving the book just because I love a lot of what the co-author (Stephen Arterburn) has already done.
That was taken care of when I just fell in love with the book itself. It was so well written (Great job Nancy Rue too!) and the issues in it so sensitively handled that I didn't have any of the terrible effects of not-so-great christian writing befall me. (For me that would be apathy, cynicism, frustration, that all-too-well-known feeling of 'Yeah, Right'(insert eye-roll here), or sometimes simply gagging up the spoon that I feel being shoved down my throat.) I think we could all agree that there are lots of books out there in the "christian lifestyle/culture" genre --I think I made that up-- that are good examples of what it's NOT like to live out a life of faith in the real world.
Second, I didn't really realize it was a mystery because the authors didn't try to do that whole sneaky "I'm going to fool the reader" thing that you always get when you read mysteries.
You see, I'm the kind of girl who never EVER tries to guess to figure out who did it. For two reasons: I'm so aware of the twist thing that always happens and I know at some point someone is going to try to fool me... And I don't want to give anyone that satisfaction so I just don't. AND because I like to be genuinely surprised when the detective (or whoever) figures it out at the same time I do.
For one of the first times I found myself being sneaky with the book and 'guessing' at the end result and I was right! It was a good feeling. A free feeling. An "I don't have to protect myself from the sneaky author" kind of feeling. And interesting, because I don't usually get to feel that way.
The biggest deal with this book, though, is what it teaches. That God is good, that suffering is real, that the pain that mistakes bring you is part of the path to healing, that grace and forgiveness is life-changing and earth-shatteringly fundamental to the Christian life.
And that's not JUST for yourself or JUST for others. :)
It's a good one. Definitely 5 stars for book content and great writing. I feel like it's a book of life wisdom, and something I'll re-read one day.
March 4, 2008
An absolutely fantastic book. Poignant, biblically meaningful. Woman caught in adultery and its effect on her family and career.
February 14, 2008
ABOUT THE BOOK
With one flash of a camera, Demi's private life becomes public news. She doesn't know it yet, but her healing has just begun.
Christian college professor Demitria Costanas had vowed to end her affair with a colleague. But she gives into temptation one last time...and a lurking photographer captures her weakness for all to see. Quite literally, she's the woman caught in adultery. And almost everyone--herself included--has a stone to throw.
Enter Sullivan Crisp, a decidedly unorthodox psychologist with his own baggage. He's well-known for his quirky sense of humor and incorporation of "game show" theology into his counseling sessions. And yet there's something more he offers...hope for a fresh start.
Reluctantly the two of them begin an uplifting, uneven journey filled with healing and grace. By turns funny and touching, this story explores the ways humans hurt each other and deceive themselves. And it shows the endlessly creative means God uses to turn stones of accusation and shame into works of beauty that lead us onto the path of healing.
An auspicious debut for a candid yet tender series about pain, healing, and God's invitation for second chances.
My review:
I'd never heard of this book before it landed in my mailbox, but I've loved every book I've read that was written by Nancy Rue because she usually writes pretty edgy stuff. I started reading this novel for the blog tour and I was not disappointed. I literally couldn't put it down. It captivated me from the first page! I stayed up late at night reading it and took it with me to read every chance I got. The characters were rich and the emotions were real. The story within the story, about the therapist Dr. Sullivan Crisp, was impressively heartbreaking and emotionally moving. I was totally caught up in the emotion and the trauma in the characters' lives. I cried several times. And the ending was so powerful it left me speechless.
The authors did a fantastic job at torturing their characters, but better than that, they did an incredible job of showing you the healing that took place in their lives. That is not easy to do, not like creating the pain is, anyway. You--the reader--see the benefits of not running from the pain and of learning to understand yourself and your own heart so you can truly be vulnerable and love others. Forgiveness is a strong theme in this book. So is spiritual pharisee-ism and judgmental attitudes and the pain they cause. I gained so much insight into my own life through the spiritual struggles of the characters that I can't recommend this novel highly enough. I loved it!
Healing Stones was published by Thomas Nelson and was released January 1, 2008.
With one flash of a camera, Demi's private life becomes public news. She doesn't know it yet, but her healing has just begun.
Christian college professor Demitria Costanas had vowed to end her affair with a colleague. But she gives into temptation one last time...and a lurking photographer captures her weakness for all to see. Quite literally, she's the woman caught in adultery. And almost everyone--herself included--has a stone to throw.
Enter Sullivan Crisp, a decidedly unorthodox psychologist with his own baggage. He's well-known for his quirky sense of humor and incorporation of "game show" theology into his counseling sessions. And yet there's something more he offers...hope for a fresh start.
Reluctantly the two of them begin an uplifting, uneven journey filled with healing and grace. By turns funny and touching, this story explores the ways humans hurt each other and deceive themselves. And it shows the endlessly creative means God uses to turn stones of accusation and shame into works of beauty that lead us onto the path of healing.
An auspicious debut for a candid yet tender series about pain, healing, and God's invitation for second chances.
My review:
I'd never heard of this book before it landed in my mailbox, but I've loved every book I've read that was written by Nancy Rue because she usually writes pretty edgy stuff. I started reading this novel for the blog tour and I was not disappointed. I literally couldn't put it down. It captivated me from the first page! I stayed up late at night reading it and took it with me to read every chance I got. The characters were rich and the emotions were real. The story within the story, about the therapist Dr. Sullivan Crisp, was impressively heartbreaking and emotionally moving. I was totally caught up in the emotion and the trauma in the characters' lives. I cried several times. And the ending was so powerful it left me speechless.
The authors did a fantastic job at torturing their characters, but better than that, they did an incredible job of showing you the healing that took place in their lives. That is not easy to do, not like creating the pain is, anyway. You--the reader--see the benefits of not running from the pain and of learning to understand yourself and your own heart so you can truly be vulnerable and love others. Forgiveness is a strong theme in this book. So is spiritual pharisee-ism and judgmental attitudes and the pain they cause. I gained so much insight into my own life through the spiritual struggles of the characters that I can't recommend this novel highly enough. I loved it!
Healing Stones was published by Thomas Nelson and was released January 1, 2008.
October 10, 2022
CG pick for Oct 2022.
I am off to discuss this book @ Jason’s Deli with group .. have read chapters 1-8. Good book so far.
P101 of 388 @ 1040. Finis 10/10 early am.
Sullivan Crisp novel one. Page 54 has my favorite sentence and paragraph of the book.
I hope to read more in this series.
Strong story and good book discussion on subject of forgiveness.
I am off to discuss this book @ Jason’s Deli with group .. have read chapters 1-8. Good book so far.
P101 of 388 @ 1040. Finis 10/10 early am.
Sullivan Crisp novel one. Page 54 has my favorite sentence and paragraph of the book.
I hope to read more in this series.
Strong story and good book discussion on subject of forgiveness.
July 28, 2019
Demitria is involved in an extra-marital affair with another professor at the Christian college where they teach. On the night she goes to break off the affair, they are caught on camera in a very passionate moment. The pictures end up in the hands of the president and of a major donor of the college as well as with Demi's husband.
Understandably this leads to her resignation from the college and the collapse of her marriage. She begins seeing a counselor who is dealing with his own pain. His is kind of a second story going on, totally unrelated to and unknown by Demi.
The story is mostly realistic. It takes us into a deeper level of exploring why she would throw away everything for this affair. What is happening in her family that caused this distance between herself and her husband? Perhaps more importantly, what is happening within herself that has contributed to the problems? Can any of these problems be resolved? Is there any way to achieve forgiveness and restoration when relationships are broken? Who is really qualified to throw the first stone?
There were a few things I didn't like. The ding-ding-ding business in therapy was annoying. I got a little tired of some of the character's nick names. And perhaps most annoying was that even though the book seemed realistic, at the end the bad guys were all disposed of a little too neatly. I wavered between giving the book a three or a four. The fact that I stayed awake way past my bedtime every night just to read a few pages more made me give the book a four-star rating.
Understandably this leads to her resignation from the college and the collapse of her marriage. She begins seeing a counselor who is dealing with his own pain. His is kind of a second story going on, totally unrelated to and unknown by Demi.
The story is mostly realistic. It takes us into a deeper level of exploring why she would throw away everything for this affair. What is happening in her family that caused this distance between herself and her husband? Perhaps more importantly, what is happening within herself that has contributed to the problems? Can any of these problems be resolved? Is there any way to achieve forgiveness and restoration when relationships are broken? Who is really qualified to throw the first stone?
There were a few things I didn't like. The ding-ding-ding business in therapy was annoying. I got a little tired of some of the character's nick names. And perhaps most annoying was that even though the book seemed realistic, at the end the bad guys were all disposed of a little too neatly. I wavered between giving the book a three or a four. The fact that I stayed awake way past my bedtime every night just to read a few pages more made me give the book a four-star rating.
July 2, 2026
Final Verdict:
Remove from church library.
1. Everybody is evil. Wife cheats and goes to therapy to learn how to manipulatively blame everyone else. Husband - before the affair - gives wife the silent treatment, never talks or listens to her, neglects her and kids, and did not have sex with her for YEARS before she caved into an affair - afterwards, he made her think he was going to hit her twice (but never actually does) and makes 13 year old daughter think he's going to hit her but doesn't - neglects children, starving his daughter, and he allows the evil brother to treat her like a "slave." The 15 year old brother is sadistic against his sister, lying about his mother to his dad to keep them fighting, was abusive towards his girlfriend, and impregnated a girl, called the girl he impregnated a slut, and abandoned her, then she turned out to be his adopted half-sister. Yiiiiiiiiikes.
A kind woman takes Cheating Wife in, then turns psychotically cruel and completely rejects her pregnant college age daughter.
Truly evil people being evil to each other.
2. At the end, in order to get her happy ending, the firefighter husband (she cheated on) saved her from a fire, getting burned with 3rd degree burns on 40% of his body, requiring skin grafts and amputated fingers from the burns. We think he'll only take her back because of the burns, then it turns out he was going to take her back after hearing her give a speech!?! So why burn him so horrendously? He'll be disabled and in chronic pain for life. The rest of his life will be a living nightmare, and he will be a nightmare to live with. And for what? For nothing.
3. Political violence. Evil conservatives do a violent riot against "bleeding heart" liberals - physically beating poor little innocent leftists up. Screaming hate, spittle, attempted murder.
4. At the end, she cheated and blamed him - so he shouldn't have taken her back. He had emotionally and sexually abandoned her years ago, and put her in fear of physical abuse, and he neglected their daughter to the point of abuse. Her new adopted daughter's secret abusive boyfriend is her son, which makes them step-sibling parents, and the 15 year old son is also abusing her (the mom) and his sister, her daughter. Conclusion: a complex web of abuse, from multiple angles. Truly horrendous book.
Play-by-play:
Lady cheats on her husband, feels bad, and decides to call it off.
They're caught on camera.
Cheating lady loses her job at a Christian college, her lover disappeared in a fire, and her firefighter husband with PTSD from 9/11 is debating divorce (as he should).
There's an exchange I don't understand.
Cheating lady's ex-coworker asks his Retired Psychologist friend to counsel her.
Retired psychologist says Nah.
Ex-coworker says: "She has a 13 year old daughter. For what it's worth."
Uh?!? Huh?
"I don't know if I'll make my yearly trip to Mecca," said a Christian.
Huh?
I assume they're using that as a figure of speech?
The evil bad guy complains about: "Liberals!"
"Just because I was an unfaithful wife doesn't mean I'm not a good mother."
Yes, it does.
Thankfully, her husband said: "Oh, you're a great mother. Only... great mothers don't lie to their kids to sneak off to sleep with somebody who isn't their father."
"For Pete's sake!" She hung up on him.
Apparently, after 9/11, he went into a depression so deep, he didn't talk to her or listen - just ignored her - and he had refused for years to have sex with her.
The dad got demoted to Night Shift and grounded his 13 year old daughter from her phone, so she is home with just her brother and no phone in case of emergency.
The dad grounds the 13 year old daughter for playing a "whore" - an emotionally unstable teenage girl - in a school play. Grounds her "until she's, like, 16."
So...
The "good" dad grounds his twelve year old daughter for four years for being in a school theatre production?
The 13 year old girl loses tons of weight and nobody cares, her clothing has a deep stench, oily hair and nobody cares.
Cheating-lady's husband and brother lie and say that the 13 year old does NOT want her to be there at her theatre play, then tell the 13 year old she refused to come.
"He's evil in his soul," the 13 year old says to her mother. "He's taken over the whole house. I have to do laundry and clean the bathrooms."
"What does your dad say about all this?"
"I don't know - I never see him."
"You don't have to answer to your brother."
"Then who do I answer to?"
The "good" professor says: "I can't blame people for being afraid. We're living in chaos. I was making progress there. The students were speaking up about their concerns over the war in Iraq, environmental injustice, the sickness of our economic standards. They were waking up to the fact we can't cling to the myth of American Innocence anymore. That we have to be self-critical and look at our systems and the assumptions that shaped our values."
He grew still and reverent, looking at his mentor, listening to his wisdom.
"I don't want my students to be blinded a toxic faith that sees anyone as being outside God's concern - that justifies violence, sexism, racism, and greed."
"She (the 13 year old daughter) said I aught to listen to you (cheater wife) because this isn't all your fault." Husband said. "I told her to Get Out. I meant to get out of the room, but she left the house an hour ago. I thought she'd come back."
"Boys come back. Girls wait to be found."
"You don't believe a thing I say anymore!"
"Why should I?" Asked the husband.
"Is dad going to hit me?"
"He hit you?"
"No, he did not. He didn't even raise his hand, but I felt like he would."
Twice before, the cheating wife thought the husband would hit her, but he didn't even raise a hand, so I feel like that's Husband slander.
"Christofer has turned into Hitler. I want to live with mom."
***In order to get her husband back, she tells him everything HE did wrong.***
Wife said to husband: "When you were upset about something, you brooded. You closed yourself off and stewed - often for the entire day. It drove me crazy. I got the same feeling of dread that came over me when mom gave me the silent treatment. I took it from her because I had no choice, but I couldn't take it from you. I cried, I pleaded, I slammed cabinet doors - all the things I never dared to do with my mother."
Wife says to husband: "After 9/11, I didn't know how to help you. You wouldn't let me find a way, and that cut me to the core of who I think I'm supposed to be."
Husband ONLY agrees to take wife back if:
1. She stays home and never gets a job again (she met her lover at work)
2. She isn't allowed to be mad at their 15 year old son for constantly disrespecting her, and the dad and son are in charge of the house - not her.
She declines his offer.
"I'm never getting involved with men," the 13 year old daughter says towards the end of the book.
"Not anytime soon, anyway!"
"I mean never. Dad and Christopher treat you like dirt, and you don't deserve it. Audrey's boyfriend is a total jerk and she's the best person ever. I don't even want to go there."
"They aren't all like that."
Yeah.
Not all men.
But all (but two of) the men in this book!
Trigger warning: man burns himself to death in suicide
Remove from church library.
1. Everybody is evil. Wife cheats and goes to therapy to learn how to manipulatively blame everyone else. Husband - before the affair - gives wife the silent treatment, never talks or listens to her, neglects her and kids, and did not have sex with her for YEARS before she caved into an affair - afterwards, he made her think he was going to hit her twice (but never actually does) and makes 13 year old daughter think he's going to hit her but doesn't - neglects children, starving his daughter, and he allows the evil brother to treat her like a "slave." The 15 year old brother is sadistic against his sister, lying about his mother to his dad to keep them fighting, was abusive towards his girlfriend, and impregnated a girl, called the girl he impregnated a slut, and abandoned her, then she turned out to be his adopted half-sister. Yiiiiiiiiikes.
A kind woman takes Cheating Wife in, then turns psychotically cruel and completely rejects her pregnant college age daughter.
Truly evil people being evil to each other.
2. At the end, in order to get her happy ending, the firefighter husband (she cheated on) saved her from a fire, getting burned with 3rd degree burns on 40% of his body, requiring skin grafts and amputated fingers from the burns. We think he'll only take her back because of the burns, then it turns out he was going to take her back after hearing her give a speech!?! So why burn him so horrendously? He'll be disabled and in chronic pain for life. The rest of his life will be a living nightmare, and he will be a nightmare to live with. And for what? For nothing.
3. Political violence. Evil conservatives do a violent riot against "bleeding heart" liberals - physically beating poor little innocent leftists up. Screaming hate, spittle, attempted murder.
4. At the end, she cheated and blamed him - so he shouldn't have taken her back. He had emotionally and sexually abandoned her years ago, and put her in fear of physical abuse, and he neglected their daughter to the point of abuse. Her new adopted daughter's secret abusive boyfriend is her son, which makes them step-sibling parents, and the 15 year old son is also abusing her (the mom) and his sister, her daughter. Conclusion: a complex web of abuse, from multiple angles. Truly horrendous book.
Play-by-play:
Lady cheats on her husband, feels bad, and decides to call it off.
They're caught on camera.
Cheating lady loses her job at a Christian college, her lover disappeared in a fire, and her firefighter husband with PTSD from 9/11 is debating divorce (as he should).
There's an exchange I don't understand.
Cheating lady's ex-coworker asks his Retired Psychologist friend to counsel her.
Retired psychologist says Nah.
Ex-coworker says: "She has a 13 year old daughter. For what it's worth."
Uh?!? Huh?
"I don't know if I'll make my yearly trip to Mecca," said a Christian.
Huh?
I assume they're using that as a figure of speech?
The evil bad guy complains about: "Liberals!"
"Just because I was an unfaithful wife doesn't mean I'm not a good mother."
Yes, it does.
Thankfully, her husband said: "Oh, you're a great mother. Only... great mothers don't lie to their kids to sneak off to sleep with somebody who isn't their father."
"For Pete's sake!" She hung up on him.
Apparently, after 9/11, he went into a depression so deep, he didn't talk to her or listen - just ignored her - and he had refused for years to have sex with her.
The dad got demoted to Night Shift and grounded his 13 year old daughter from her phone, so she is home with just her brother and no phone in case of emergency.
The dad grounds the 13 year old daughter for playing a "whore" - an emotionally unstable teenage girl - in a school play. Grounds her "until she's, like, 16."
So...
The "good" dad grounds his twelve year old daughter for four years for being in a school theatre production?
The 13 year old girl loses tons of weight and nobody cares, her clothing has a deep stench, oily hair and nobody cares.
Cheating-lady's husband and brother lie and say that the 13 year old does NOT want her to be there at her theatre play, then tell the 13 year old she refused to come.
"He's evil in his soul," the 13 year old says to her mother. "He's taken over the whole house. I have to do laundry and clean the bathrooms."
"What does your dad say about all this?"
"I don't know - I never see him."
"You don't have to answer to your brother."
"Then who do I answer to?"
The "good" professor says: "I can't blame people for being afraid. We're living in chaos. I was making progress there. The students were speaking up about their concerns over the war in Iraq, environmental injustice, the sickness of our economic standards. They were waking up to the fact we can't cling to the myth of American Innocence anymore. That we have to be self-critical and look at our systems and the assumptions that shaped our values."
He grew still and reverent, looking at his mentor, listening to his wisdom.
"I don't want my students to be blinded a toxic faith that sees anyone as being outside God's concern - that justifies violence, sexism, racism, and greed."
"She (the 13 year old daughter) said I aught to listen to you (cheater wife) because this isn't all your fault." Husband said. "I told her to Get Out. I meant to get out of the room, but she left the house an hour ago. I thought she'd come back."
"Boys come back. Girls wait to be found."
"You don't believe a thing I say anymore!"
"Why should I?" Asked the husband.
"Is dad going to hit me?"
"He hit you?"
"No, he did not. He didn't even raise his hand, but I felt like he would."
Twice before, the cheating wife thought the husband would hit her, but he didn't even raise a hand, so I feel like that's Husband slander.
"Christofer has turned into Hitler. I want to live with mom."
***In order to get her husband back, she tells him everything HE did wrong.***
Wife said to husband: "When you were upset about something, you brooded. You closed yourself off and stewed - often for the entire day. It drove me crazy. I got the same feeling of dread that came over me when mom gave me the silent treatment. I took it from her because I had no choice, but I couldn't take it from you. I cried, I pleaded, I slammed cabinet doors - all the things I never dared to do with my mother."
Wife says to husband: "After 9/11, I didn't know how to help you. You wouldn't let me find a way, and that cut me to the core of who I think I'm supposed to be."
Husband ONLY agrees to take wife back if:
1. She stays home and never gets a job again (she met her lover at work)
2. She isn't allowed to be mad at their 15 year old son for constantly disrespecting her, and the dad and son are in charge of the house - not her.
She declines his offer.
"I'm never getting involved with men," the 13 year old daughter says towards the end of the book.
"Not anytime soon, anyway!"
"I mean never. Dad and Christopher treat you like dirt, and you don't deserve it. Audrey's boyfriend is a total jerk and she's the best person ever. I don't even want to go there."
"They aren't all like that."
Yeah.
Not all men.
But all (but two of) the men in this book!
Trigger warning: man burns himself to death in suicide
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 1, 2008
Excellent book... I'm hoping it will be the beginning of a fantastic series. Honest, hopeful, beautifully written... a woman caught in adultery who loses her job, family, home, self-respect, and gains a new understanding of Jesus, who changes everything, who heals and redeems in ways she didn't dream possible. Shows the importance of wise Christian counselling (perceiving our truth in the light of God's truth) versus the danger of uneducated Christian counselling (as in pray harder, have more faith and everything will be magically healed)... with a bit of mystery thrown in... the dangers of legalism and the beauty and mystery of grace... wonderful, inspiring novel!
August 1, 2017
I couldn't put this book down. This is the kind of Christian fiction I love, real people dealing with real issues in the light of God's mercy and grace. Struggling with who they are in Him and how to live out their lives, broken, mended, forgiven.
The book had almost too many issues, but the story still held together. The characters were real, the writing was fast-paced. There was a lot of discovery going on, making the book a mystery as well as spiritually fulfilling.
I wish I could give this book five stars but I there was one character that was too over the top. I'm going to read the other books in this series, though. I want to follow Sullivan Crisp on his own journey of healing.
January 7, 2015
Totally engrossing novel that made me want to go deeper in my own story with a mentor/counselor. A few quibbles that keep this from five stars: 1) so many plot lines made it hard to follow, 2) Zach being such a heinous character made Demi seem like she was in the hands of a criminal mastermind, 3) fire ending was a bit too convenient both for a suicidal Zach and reconciling Rich and Demi. That said, the book left me without greater compassion for myself and others crippled by shame.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 21, 2008
I think that author(s) have jumped into the conflict a little too quickly and nothing really developed. The plot dragged on for the rest of the book, and nothing substantial happened until the very end.
July 26, 2016
thought provoking. I want to read other books by this author.
May 24, 2017
Not a bad story but I really got annoyed at the repeated use of the phrase "Holy Crow".
January 25, 2025
Be warned: this book is a three-Kleenex special. Seeing Demi's downfall absolutely broke my heart. I identify with her on many levels, so reading Healing Stones hit pretty close to home. However, that only made me support Demi more. I wanted to be sure she was okay--and she is. Her travails don't get resolved quickly or prettily, but Nancy Rue and Stephen Arteburn craft a beautiful, realistic, and redemptive story around them.
Perhaps the best part of that story is what Demi learns about herself and God. She has reasons for her affair but refreshingly, she doesn't try to excuse it. If anything, she condemns herself as harshly as the legalistic people in her workplace and personal life always have. Through Sullivan Crisp, daughter Jayne, and a great secondary cast, Demi learns to put the stones down and fall on God's mercy--which, praise Him, He has plenty of!
As noted, I love the secondary cast. Sullivan is, of course, a favorite, with his "game show psychology" and sanguine personality that hides a deep, intelligent, and hurting soul. I wish he were real; I wanted a session with him. When authors make you wish their characters were real, you know you've got a winner. The same is true for Jayne, Mikki, and several others. One of those characters is also the impetus for a plot twist that literally made me fall back on my bed and yell, "HOLY CROW!"
Finally, the spiritual thread here is beautifully done. Nancy and Stephen tackle legalism head-on, which more Christians need to do. They also draw clear lines between healthy doubt and questions, like the ones Demi's students ask, and unhealthy unbelief. They don't bash, condemn, or preach, but they do paint unforgettable portraits of what it means to be human and why we all need God so desperately, even if we think we're righteous. Lord have mercy on me, and on us.
Some reviewers have accused Healing Stones of being wordy. Maybe I'm biased as a writer, but I love Nancy and Stephen's unique descriptions and the cadence of their writing. Reading Healing Stones left me wanting more. It's been years since I delved into it, but writing this review, I'm eager to again. If you haven't read it yet, snap it up!
Perhaps the best part of that story is what Demi learns about herself and God. She has reasons for her affair but refreshingly, she doesn't try to excuse it. If anything, she condemns herself as harshly as the legalistic people in her workplace and personal life always have. Through Sullivan Crisp, daughter Jayne, and a great secondary cast, Demi learns to put the stones down and fall on God's mercy--which, praise Him, He has plenty of!
As noted, I love the secondary cast. Sullivan is, of course, a favorite, with his "game show psychology" and sanguine personality that hides a deep, intelligent, and hurting soul. I wish he were real; I wanted a session with him. When authors make you wish their characters were real, you know you've got a winner. The same is true for Jayne, Mikki, and several others. One of those characters is also the impetus for a plot twist that literally made me fall back on my bed and yell, "HOLY CROW!"
Finally, the spiritual thread here is beautifully done. Nancy and Stephen tackle legalism head-on, which more Christians need to do. They also draw clear lines between healthy doubt and questions, like the ones Demi's students ask, and unhealthy unbelief. They don't bash, condemn, or preach, but they do paint unforgettable portraits of what it means to be human and why we all need God so desperately, even if we think we're righteous. Lord have mercy on me, and on us.
Some reviewers have accused Healing Stones of being wordy. Maybe I'm biased as a writer, but I love Nancy and Stephen's unique descriptions and the cadence of their writing. Reading Healing Stones left me wanting more. It's been years since I delved into it, but writing this review, I'm eager to again. If you haven't read it yet, snap it up!
April 3, 2023
Two part review: 1st, the style of writing was mildly irksome at various points. I found it to be presumptuous and arrogant, even the name Sullivan Crisp seems overreaching and unnecessary. Now, that probably sounds harsh and unreasonable so I note that that's simply my opinion on some of the writing choices used.
2nd and more importantly, this was a wonderful story. You immediately are thrown into their world and don't need any unnecessary fluff or background. The author does a wonderful job of explaining what you need to know and I never found myself lacking and information. There were reviews that readers had seriously contemplated their spiritual life during this book. I cannot say that was the case for me, but I can say that this story rings true for myself and for others. Most everyone can relate to the situation this family is going through and the deep emotional trauma that our choices have on others. It provides an in depth look at the way most of the world views "Christianity". It is a stark reminder of the lives we are called to live, the places where we must examine our own motives and evaluate our hearts towards self and others. I will absolutely be diving into the other Sullivan Crisp novels and recommend that you find time to do the same. I feel like this novel doesn't have to be read by a Christian to be appreciated as it has value for anyone willing to look at the world with an open mind.
2nd and more importantly, this was a wonderful story. You immediately are thrown into their world and don't need any unnecessary fluff or background. The author does a wonderful job of explaining what you need to know and I never found myself lacking and information. There were reviews that readers had seriously contemplated their spiritual life during this book. I cannot say that was the case for me, but I can say that this story rings true for myself and for others. Most everyone can relate to the situation this family is going through and the deep emotional trauma that our choices have on others. It provides an in depth look at the way most of the world views "Christianity". It is a stark reminder of the lives we are called to live, the places where we must examine our own motives and evaluate our hearts towards self and others. I will absolutely be diving into the other Sullivan Crisp novels and recommend that you find time to do the same. I feel like this novel doesn't have to be read by a Christian to be appreciated as it has value for anyone willing to look at the world with an open mind.
February 11, 2018
This book was difficult to read, not because it was poorly written (it wasn’t), but because most of it was very real. A great book showing us how we blame ourselves, don’t communicate well in many instances, judgement, and what forgiveness not only means, but what it takes to forgive both others and ourselves. The drawback for me was how the end mostly tied up everything with a pretty little bow; that was not particularly a realistic portrayal of what most likely would happen if this were a true to life situation imo.
December 31, 2018
My rating could have been a four star. I wavered and chose three as explained below.
As a Christian I firmly believe in forgiveness. This book is ALL about that subject. I felt the story was well-written for the most part, however, there were times when the reader is privy to the inner thoughts of a character and those sections tended to be a bit murky, which slowed down the flow of the story. That is why I didn't give the book a rating of four stars. Maybe it deserved four stars because I couldn't put the book down because I cared about the main character.
As a Christian I firmly believe in forgiveness. This book is ALL about that subject. I felt the story was well-written for the most part, however, there were times when the reader is privy to the inner thoughts of a character and those sections tended to be a bit murky, which slowed down the flow of the story. That is why I didn't give the book a rating of four stars. Maybe it deserved four stars because I couldn't put the book down because I cared about the main character.
October 1, 2018
I listened to the audio version of the 2nd book (Healing Waters) before reading Healing Stones. I disliked the reader so much that I wouldn’t have recommended it to anyone. But, out of curiosity, (to see if it was the reader or the story itself), I decided to read book 1. And I enjoyed it quite a lot. If you like to watch characters engage in spiritual struggles with life events and poor choices, you’ll love it.
March 3, 2022
I think this might be my favourite book of March. Actually,this book really taught me some things. Forgiveness leads to healing. No one,ever,had a perfect life,so that s why you need to forgive yourself,forgive others,and then,forgive what someone did to you. If you keep it all in yourself...you won't live. Also,cry. Cry if you need to. You don't need approval to cry,and you are not a weak person if you cry. I only know that the people need to cry sometimes.
Love!❤
Love!❤
April 30, 2018
Can infidelity ever bring about good in a marriage? can the spouse who was unfaithful ever forgive themselves? Struggling through infidelity Demetrea must face what she has fone to her husbwnd anf children as well as the Christian college she teaches at.
August 8, 2018
a few twists and turns.. the 'inside' remarks would be great in a room face to face, but hard to pick up in the context of the read... i.e. a person's own name for someone. Great read though and liked the climax ending. Well done.. Onto book 2 !
November 17, 2020
If you are a follower of Jesus, this wonderful book will overwhelm you as it did me, with hope & the love of God.
Whatever we may have done, He forgives us - such a simple sentence-the forgiving ourselves may take longer.
Whatever we may have done, He forgives us - such a simple sentence-the forgiving ourselves may take longer.
July 4, 2022
Loved this book with the exception of the deus ex machina. So much richness in terms of spiritual direction and the messiness of life! It’s a good one for thinking through how, if we take God’s forgiveness to heart, shame no longer has a hold over our lives.
April 3, 2024
Lots of raw, real emotions in this that is how I feel we, as humans, could respond and react to all the horrible challenges/issues (sins!!) we face. All of the dynamics within the relationships were very realistic and make you think what choices you would make.
November 1, 2017
It was an interesting story filled with Christians with frailties. I wanted to know how things worked out but in the end I felt the solutions were too pat.
June 27, 2018
Rue & Arterburn do a wonderful job of intertwining emotional health and story beautifully. Love the character building, suspense elements, and story line. Great read. Reading it again now!
October 20, 2018
Nancy Rue and Stephen Arterburn are an excellent team. Their stories contain so much wisdom that the reader feels as if he/she has just benefited from a personal counseling session.
November 18, 2018
An inspiring story of redemption. I enjoyed the debunking of religion and really inspiring to have a true transformation in Christ and loving all in his name, flaws in all, including ourselves.
June 27, 2020
Very well written! A great story about confessing our sin, God’s forgiveness, and forgiving ourselves.
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