Battered Hope

by Carol Graham

Gang raped and left for dead, loss of a child, husband falsely imprisoned, and a cancer diagnosis could have driven Carol into victim mode ....but instead, she became a victor with a determination to succeed. You will identify with Carol on many emotional terrains of love, loss, suffering, pain, heartbreak, and ultimately renewal. This is her gripping true story.

Genres: Nonfiction

254 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 22, 2013

About the author

Gang raped and left for dead, loss of a child, husband falsely imprisoned, and a cancer diagnosis could have driven Carol into victim mode ....but instead, she became a victor with a determination to succeed. You will identify with Carol on many emotional terrains of love, loss, suffering, pain, heartbreak, and ultimately renewal. This is her gripping true story.

Reviews

[Traci Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whatever you’ve got going on, you can overcome! That’s the unbelievably empowering theme of this book. The author bravely—and humbly—references numerous trials in her life, including the following: the deaths of loved ones, trusting the wrong people, chronic illness, and multiple car accidents.

Initially, I was hesitant to read this story because I knew it was a no-holds-barred memoir of the writer’s complicated life. I figured it would hit too close to home for me due to the trauma in my life. However, Ms. Graham's message is not “Woe is me; there is no hope!” Her theme is closer to the biblical “This too shall pass.”

The author doesn’t leave us in the dark. This is the story of believing in that one pinprick of light amid the acres of shadows. It’s a tale of faith against the odds and step-by-step living. Some of Carol’s trials were brought about by her own poor decisions while others were not. However, the underlying theme remains the same: trust God.

I highly recommend the book for that message alone! We all need such reminders to boost our faith!

[Marie Abanga · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is one more of those which got me hooked for the next 24 hours. I could only give it the max of 5 stars although Carol and co deserve more! Wow, what Determination - what Discipline - what Dedication - What Faith? I thought I had a thriller to my life but l must admit this memoir is one of the most thrilling I have come across. From numerous health hazards and you name the rest, from being dubbed and abused and being tossed by both man and the law? Indeed, only a woman of faith like Carol will lean in and along with her family and numerous faithful dogs. Carol's faith could be ours too; faith in whatever sure but faith in something even our own selves l believe is a sure and safe way to live on!

[Kathleen Pooler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Battered Hope is a perfect title for this story of triumph over multiple and unrelenting obstacles faced by a woman and her husband. I am not going to summarize the plot as that is found in the synopsis. Rather, I want to focus this review on my response as a reader. At first glance, the onslaught of misfortunate seemed unbelievable except for the author’s ability to present her story in an honest, vivid way, even adding humor at times to provide some relief from the tension. She does not sugarcoat her experiences or her responses to them nor does she blame others for the chaos in her life. I found that refreshing as a reader and it helped me to trust her and root for her as the narrator of this story.

Her ability to build tension and keep her story moving forward is a credit to her tenacious spirit and strong faith as well as to her storytelling skills. I actually read this memoir twice because it felt overwhelming that despite enduring so much for so long, she was still able to share the lessons of her trials so effectively. I wanted to give this story a second chance because I sensed an underlying strength and resilience in her character that made me want to understand both her and her story’s main message more clearly.

So many people will relate to this story. We all have burdens and challenges in our lives, many of which we do overcome. To take that extra step, as Carol has, to share the rawness and pain and to show at so many junctures how her faith in God pulled her through gives us all the gift of hope. For non-Christians, she does not preach, but rather she shows through her faith how her hope for a better life was nourished.

I recommend this memoir without reservation to anyone who has encountered life’s challenges and needs to find a source of hope that their life will be better too.

[Charisse Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

In God We Trust

I would say this couple was very naive when it came to trusting people. But their are those who always seem to see the good in others so that's what I guess is what happened. After being burned once or twice you would have thought this couple would have learned their lesson, but they didn't. Throughout the hard times and struggling they continued to rely on God to make a way and not loose faith. Now that can be hard for anyone going through a storm but imagine dealing with a tsunami. If you're doubting God's love for you or your faith is wavering this book is a great find. This lady never gives up; loss of a child, debt, financial loss, barren, abandoned ,prison, marriage problems,car accidents, health issues, and cancer. Talk about having hope and not quitting. The journey was a very very hard one I must say myself. Only a strong person can endure what this woman took on as well as her husband. God is amazing so He can do all things. He provided for this family. They were never homeless, hungry or without. We must learn to thank God while we're going through bad times also. He'll see you through. Amen

[Deana Dick · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the beginning pages my adrenaline was high as I began to read an unforgettable story of pain, loss, hurt, deceit, faith , trust, forgiveness and survival. I thought about Job in the bible. It seemed like the more he went through , the more he lost and the more his faith grew. That statement can be said for Carol and her husband. As you read her story you may wonder how could they survive all they had to endure? The simple answer is their faith and trust in God.

She talked about her first husband Joe who she thought would be the perfect husband. The further into her marriage she got, the more she saw what kind of person Joe really was. The horrible mind games, and other unspeakable acts he did to Carol broke my heart. How can someone you think loves you do such demeaning things to you? Being in a controlling relationship is difficult and hard to get away from. What if your spouse forbid you to go to your mother's funeral? I could feel the despair Carol was having as she decided that she had to get out of her marriage. Will she be safe once she is divorced from him?

When Carol met her new husband Paul, she thought everything was going to be good now. But life has a way of changing things . They both had fathers that were pastors and they shared a strong belief in God. Trusting someone can be difficult at times. They became partners with someone in the diamond business. I can't imagine the pain they felt when they realized their partner had swindled them. How do you go on when you have lost everything?

I especially liked the part about Paul hearing from God speaking words that protected him from harm. Do we dismiss God when He speaks to us? As I got deeper into the story I realized just how true it is that "God will never leave you nor forsake you." There is a great lesson about forgiveness throughout the book. What would it feel like to go to your pastor and ask for forgiveness , and their response is, "We don't forgive you?" That hit home for me as I have experienced that very thing. When we ask to be forgiven and the person chooses not to, then that is on them. It took me awhile to understand that but it was a painful but needed lesson for me.

The book is filled with many trials that could make any of us give up, but I loved Carol and Paul's unwavering faith. Though at times hopelessness could sneak in, they overcame every obstacle . Sometimes I wondered how much more could they endure? It is a powerful book that encourages each of us to never give up, hold strong to your faith and trust that God has a destiny for you.

"You must be an extraordinary purpose for your lives and someday you will understand. I know you will help a lot of people who will draw strength from your experiences. You, too, will be stronger for having survived and it will help you as you go through life."

I received a copy of this book from The BookClub Network for an honest review.

[Shirley McLain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiration and Faith

I've never been big on reading memoirs. The ones I have read tended to be rather dry and boring but I certainly was surprised. This book is a real page Turner. It holds your attention from beginning to the end. It's a book of faith and determination. Carol shows you what real faith is and what can happen if you have it. Don't miss the opportunity to read this wonderful book.

[Marnie Grundman · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I read through the pages of Battered Hope I found myself living in Carol’s moments…her highs, her lows and every minute in between. I was awestruck by her constant, unfaltering faith. I so admire her ability to keep her heart open and to trust when most would have certainly become cynical. It’s a rare person who can face so much adversity and still come out on the other side not just a loving and kind human being, but also one who wishes to (and does) continue to do good in world.

[Trinitee Mitchell-Dunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. A truely incredidible story. I could not put the book down once I started reading. I went threw a range of emotions as I read. Carol has a wonderful way to tell this story of faith, determination and preserverance.

[Toni Montgomery · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most compelling books I've read. A very inspiring story.

[Eileen Hagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

If there was ever a book written to illustrate triumph over adversity this is it! This amazing autobiography is delivered in a very matter of fact way, studiously avoiding the temptation to sensationalise some of the more dramatic and painful parts of the author's life. Mrs Graham takes us on the rollercoaster ride that has been her life with a confident optimism and faith that barely wavers. Despite endless hurts, knock backs, betrayals, she has persisted cheerfully through life, and is an inspiration to never give up - ever. For the Christian reader it epitomises "through many dangers, toils and snares" and the sustaining love of God. For the secular person it provides example after example of an indomitable human spirit which has overcome a relentless battle. There were times when I struggled to put this book down but felt compelled to from sheer exhaustion, so powerful is the descriptive delivery. Despite all, this book is inspirational to anyone going through a bad time! I can thoroughly recommend thIs uplifting and riveting read.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carol Graham’s memoir, “Battered Hope” was a mind-boggling, faith-inspiring journey through the lives of a family beset by just about every kind of trial imaginable: sicknesses, injuries through accidents, betrayals by close friends (business failures as a result, not once but several times)…so many heartaches and disasters of every kind that most people would have given up. But Carol and her husband, Paul, never gave up; they believed God would see them through it all. And He did! Reading their story really brought home to me how faithful God is when we put our trust fully in Him. I encourage you to buy this wonderful book, especially if you’re going through hard times, and see if your mustard seed faith isn’t inspired to take root and become a sturdy oak that will carry you, like Carol and her family, into all the goodness God has for you.

[Kevin Madden · Rating 2 out of 5]

Falls Flat

The book is written in sincere voice and holds some interest, but the author’s testimony about God falls flat with the intense focus on all that went wrong in her life (that was primarily caused by her and her husband’s inability to learn from constant mistakes and apply Biblical wisdom to their situations). The quick wrap-up at the end with assurances about God’s help through their misery seemed trite. The author’s book, Pray the Answer, is much better; however, I’m now questioning the validity of that book after reading this one, when the principles of that book weren’t used in the author’s life. Very disappointing.

[Sandy McKenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carol and her husband have been on an amazing roller-coaster journey throughout their lives. Others would have given up long ago after receiving so many hard knocks, but their faith and determination kept them going, no matter what.
I couldn't put this down, and found myself with my mouth agape and shaking my head on so many occasions.
Carol is one very "gritty" lady, and regardless of the disasters in her life, she bounces back every time.

[Heidi McLaughlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once I delved into BATTERED HOPE by Carol Graham I could not put it down. Often my jaw dropped with unbelief how so many tragic events could occur in one person’s lifetime. Yet tucked inside disappointment, betrayal, abuse and disasters of all kinds, Carol witnessed God’s miracles time and time again. Her resilience gripped me. Her hope in God for better times ahead always sustained me. The words that encapsulate the book are these: “There was a lot I did not understand and probably never would. But I also knew that He cared for me, loved me and would never leave me.” This is a book you will not want to start late at night because you’ll be up until 3:00 a.m. But it’s a must read because it’s a book of Hope. Of a God’s whose love for us is real and how He is involved in every detail of our life.

[Milena · Rating 1 out of 5]

Its description sounded interesting but unfortunately it appeared this book did not suit my taste. It’s a sort of motivational memoir aimed at showing that any bad things that happen in your life can be overcome. For me the novel was like an enumeration of all the tragedies that the narrator and her family suffered with a conclusion that without God’s help they would have been unbearable. Maybe because I’m not a religious person I did not buy the moral and the whole purpose of this book. I guess there are a lot of people who have taste in such Job’s stories and may even find it consoling if they could not cope with their lives before. Fortunately I’m not among them and for me this book was just deadly dull.

[Sonnetta · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so profound. Once you start  you have to finish. Carol's life is a testimony to the faithfulness of God. Readers get a chance to see how God does work things out for the  good  of those who love  him. Anyone who is going through hard times will find encouragement and hope in reading about the events in her life that shaped her. You will walk away  knowing that you are not alone and you can always choose  to follow Jesus' example. I am so glad to received this book from Bookfun.org  in exchange for an honest review. This review will be posted on Amazon , Goodreads, and Barnes and Nobles etc.

[Cheri Swalwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Battered Hope by Carol Graham was a great memoir. Written in an easy to read flow, I enjoyed learning about her life and that of her family. Her faith in God shines through despite the adversity she experienced throughout. She speaks of hope despite the obstacles and chooses to trust God over and over.

"I was given the book by Book Fun (The Book Club Network) and here is my honest review."

[Vickie Jameson]

Battered Hope by Carol Graham is an uplifting testament of strength in the face of continued adversity. The author shares, in stark detail, a series of mistakes and poor choices that should have led to a life of despair and defeat. Instead, these life experiences developed in her a tenacity that will inspire the reader to rise above their circumstances, no matter how dire they may seem. Many people would have given up trying to find some light at the end of a seemingly endless tunnel of devastating consequences, but this author did not. I found myself asking why, after all the hurt that had been caused by other people in their lives, would Carol and her husband still trust people. She is a better person than I in that respect.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author through The Book Club Network, Inc., in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not required to leave a positive review.