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Finding Strength
Finding Strength
“Just one more thing before I go, know that I am proud of you. I’ll be waiting in the wings when our time to reunite comes.”
Life is full of surprises. Sometimes those surprises are wonderful and sometimes they are horrific. Raising her beautiful daughter, Lindsey, on her own with the unending support of her best friend and her husband, Anna was happy.
Until one night…she wasn’t.
Tragedy struck, tipping Anna’s world into a downward spiral of despair. Her world turns dark and bleak and she sinks further into depression. Her friends try to pull her from her pit of misery, but it’s Jacob Caulder that saves her, bringing her back into the light.
Life is good again, although memories still haunt her. The one missing link to her existence is no longer there, but Jacob helps her along the way, giving her back something she’s lost.
They say we are never given more than we can overcome.
Once again, life rips Anna’s world apart, leaving behind shattered remains. Guilt and shame plague her and it seems impossible for her to crawl out of the deep hole she finds herself in once more. But she has no choice. There is someone else that needs her to be strong.
At the darkest time of her life, Zak walks in and becomes the savior that she needs. Finding her strength, she overcomes the heartbreak of her past and learns to blossom again.
Will life find another way to bring Anna to her knees and keep her there once and for all? Or has fate deemed she’s given up enough already?
Life is full of surprises. Sometimes those surprises are wonderful and sometimes they are horrific. Raising her beautiful daughter, Lindsey, on her own with the unending support of her best friend and her husband, Anna was happy.
Until one night…she wasn’t.
Tragedy struck, tipping Anna’s world into a downward spiral of despair. Her world turns dark and bleak and she sinks further into depression. Her friends try to pull her from her pit of misery, but it’s Jacob Caulder that saves her, bringing her back into the light.
Life is good again, although memories still haunt her. The one missing link to her existence is no longer there, but Jacob helps her along the way, giving her back something she’s lost.
They say we are never given more than we can overcome.
Once again, life rips Anna’s world apart, leaving behind shattered remains. Guilt and shame plague her and it seems impossible for her to crawl out of the deep hole she finds herself in once more. But she has no choice. There is someone else that needs her to be strong.
At the darkest time of her life, Zak walks in and becomes the savior that she needs. Finding her strength, she overcomes the heartbreak of her past and learns to blossom again.
Will life find another way to bring Anna to her knees and keep her there once and for all? Or has fate deemed she’s given up enough already?
Unknown Binding
First published October 11, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
October 30, 2015
This is one of the most difficult reviews I have ever done.. & I am still not sure what to say.. It has been a bit since I finished this book & just idk.. You best have tissues!! and not just a few or even a half of a box, you will need a fresh supply, because Ms. Michelle holds onto you and keeps you in touch with your emotional side & does not let you go until the long after the last sentence.. If you love ugly cry reads, then this one is definitely for you!!
February 24, 2016
This book is WONDERFUL. Grab your tissues! This book took me on an emotional roller coaster, but it is truly inspiring. The author did a wonderful job of detailing the emotions and the entire story in general. As I was reading, I could picture the characters and what was going on in that exact moment. This book will really make you look at your life and realize that no one is promised tomorrow, and you need to live every day like it's your last.
October 16, 2015
How can one person stare into the face of death and dance with grief so many times in one lifetime? There's more to this story than death and loss, of course. There's a thin thread of steel left when your world is torn away. Underneath there is a final understanding of love, life's purpose, and the true things left at the end. Take a chance on this story and definitely get your tissue box.
October 9, 2015
"You have been the joy of my life, and you have brought me so much happiness. I wanted to leave you with something that will always remind you of me. When you think you are forgetting me, read the words on the pages. When you feel alone, you'll find me within the bindings. I'll always be with you, wherever you go in life, I'll be there....."
Anna is about to face the hardest thing that is ever going to happen to her. There is no way to make it ok and she's never going to be the same. This book had me crying just a few pages in. After a tragic accident Anna has the love and support of people who try to help her live again. The thing is can she find a way to live again? She asked herself the same questions a mother in this position asks. What could I have done differently? As if it will change the outcome. This story is about finding her way through the maze and the wake of destruction. It's not all tears and grief. There is a love story and a story about life and happiness mingled in. It's about life, sweet and funny and sad. Its about where you get your strength from and is not always in the places you expect.
You will dive right into Anna's life with her friends Amy and Shane. Jacob is set to become a new love from the moment she meets him.. You just fall into the story right away. The author captured the reality of tragedy very strongly. A very emotional story. Well worth reading. If you know what it's like to love and to have lost it's a comfort to have this story surround you. It is also a bridge to understanding someone you perhaps know that has been through this. There are times you want to reach into this book and give Anna a hug. This book shows what a real friend is like. We should all be so lucky to have an Amy in our lives. This book is about what its like to be a mother, a wife, a friend, a sister. Its about what happens when we lose the very things that give us a reason to live.
This isn't just a story about losing something. It's the story of survival and how to go on. For some of us that is everything. The story goes back and forth over time and how Anna came to be where she is now. Wonderful look at how people affected her life. Even though it was heart wrenching I loved this story. Well written. Extremely well versed as to the pain in this reality. Kind of like you know the truth when you read it. The story flowed and stopped and started again. The way life does. Well written characters that you will keep in your heart and remember. It will give new meaning to you about where your strength comes from during the hard times. During life.
I may have used a lot of personal statements here rather than story line detail. I don't want to give it away because I want you to buy this book and read it. What its going to offer you is going to be more than any words I can put here. Writing this review was a bit harder than usual for me. Such an emotional story. I probably crossed the line from a professional review into a more personal review because honestly this book is that. Personal.
Thank you to Shevawn Michelle for the ARC and for touching me in a way that most writers only hope that they can.
Anna is about to face the hardest thing that is ever going to happen to her. There is no way to make it ok and she's never going to be the same. This book had me crying just a few pages in. After a tragic accident Anna has the love and support of people who try to help her live again. The thing is can she find a way to live again? She asked herself the same questions a mother in this position asks. What could I have done differently? As if it will change the outcome. This story is about finding her way through the maze and the wake of destruction. It's not all tears and grief. There is a love story and a story about life and happiness mingled in. It's about life, sweet and funny and sad. Its about where you get your strength from and is not always in the places you expect.
You will dive right into Anna's life with her friends Amy and Shane. Jacob is set to become a new love from the moment she meets him.. You just fall into the story right away. The author captured the reality of tragedy very strongly. A very emotional story. Well worth reading. If you know what it's like to love and to have lost it's a comfort to have this story surround you. It is also a bridge to understanding someone you perhaps know that has been through this. There are times you want to reach into this book and give Anna a hug. This book shows what a real friend is like. We should all be so lucky to have an Amy in our lives. This book is about what its like to be a mother, a wife, a friend, a sister. Its about what happens when we lose the very things that give us a reason to live.
This isn't just a story about losing something. It's the story of survival and how to go on. For some of us that is everything. The story goes back and forth over time and how Anna came to be where she is now. Wonderful look at how people affected her life. Even though it was heart wrenching I loved this story. Well written. Extremely well versed as to the pain in this reality. Kind of like you know the truth when you read it. The story flowed and stopped and started again. The way life does. Well written characters that you will keep in your heart and remember. It will give new meaning to you about where your strength comes from during the hard times. During life.
I may have used a lot of personal statements here rather than story line detail. I don't want to give it away because I want you to buy this book and read it. What its going to offer you is going to be more than any words I can put here. Writing this review was a bit harder than usual for me. Such an emotional story. I probably crossed the line from a professional review into a more personal review because honestly this book is that. Personal.
Thank you to Shevawn Michelle for the ARC and for touching me in a way that most writers only hope that they can.
November 9, 2015
This is a contemporary romance with tragedy. This is a stand alone, but I would love to know what happens next for Braxton, he has been through so much. This is a book full of emotions, have a tissue box ready. I recommend this for mature readers, there is sexual content but it is not graphic. Is there a limit to the anguish one's heart can handle? I would guess it would all depend on the person. The author captures the rawness of grief so well that at some points of the story I even felt Anna's pain. She described it in a way for those whom have never experienced grief could understand. I know the pain and was still mesmerized by the accurate descriptions.
Even though death takes from us, the world does not stop turning, life continues. Anna knows this all to well. Life is hard at times and all she can do is to try. Anna has a great support system that she pulls most of her strength from. But there comes a point when she has to stand alone. Is she ready... yes, but she will stumble along the way. Grief doesn't discriminate, it chooses blindly. All Anna can do is chose to move forward, not allow her grief to completely consume her. Memories need to be made, bonds need to be strengthened, we are never promised tomorrow, so Anna lives for today.
favorite passages.
"We must find our inner strength and grab onto it, no matter what form it comes from."
"My soul turned black with pain and has left me with nothing but a huge gaping hole."<3
"The warmth from his hand, as if searching for a way to my heart."
"Anna, you look breathtaking," Shane says, Amy nods her head in agreement to the point she looks like one of those bobble head dolls."
"It's only because you are my center of gravity."
"I know they will take care of each other, but I am human, and I am selfish." <3
"I scream to the heavens why until my voice is completely gone." <3
"Then again you can't really break something that was already broken."<3
"I'll be waiting in the wings when our time to reunite comes."<3
Even though death takes from us, the world does not stop turning, life continues. Anna knows this all to well. Life is hard at times and all she can do is to try. Anna has a great support system that she pulls most of her strength from. But there comes a point when she has to stand alone. Is she ready... yes, but she will stumble along the way. Grief doesn't discriminate, it chooses blindly. All Anna can do is chose to move forward, not allow her grief to completely consume her. Memories need to be made, bonds need to be strengthened, we are never promised tomorrow, so Anna lives for today.
favorite passages.
"We must find our inner strength and grab onto it, no matter what form it comes from."
"My soul turned black with pain and has left me with nothing but a huge gaping hole."<3
"The warmth from his hand, as if searching for a way to my heart."
"Anna, you look breathtaking," Shane says, Amy nods her head in agreement to the point she looks like one of those bobble head dolls."
"It's only because you are my center of gravity."
"I know they will take care of each other, but I am human, and I am selfish." <3
"I scream to the heavens why until my voice is completely gone." <3
"Then again you can't really break something that was already broken."<3
"I'll be waiting in the wings when our time to reunite comes."<3
August 29, 2015
My life has never been easy, per se. Sure, I have had some happy times, but more times than not, it seems life was out to get me. To take me down paths no one should ever have to face. From the time I was twenty-nine, life took a turn for the worse and all I wanted was to get off of the ride. I have gone from being on the highest mountain, to being in the deepest, darkest abyss. A place I wish on no one.
If there is one thing I have learned, it’s that life isn’t always fair. It’s what we choose to do with the hand that we have been dealt. How we learn to overcome or not, to move forward or to stay behind. One thing I know for sure, we must learn to overcome, survive, and to live and love. We must find our inner strength and grab onto it, no matter what form it comes in.
But I have also learned, that even then, sometimes it’s just not enough. And no one knows that better than I do. My name is Anna, and this is my story.
If there is one thing I have learned, it’s that life isn’t always fair. It’s what we choose to do with the hand that we have been dealt. How we learn to overcome or not, to move forward or to stay behind. One thing I know for sure, we must learn to overcome, survive, and to live and love. We must find our inner strength and grab onto it, no matter what form it comes in.
But I have also learned, that even then, sometimes it’s just not enough. And no one knows that better than I do. My name is Anna, and this is my story.
October 16, 2015
Wow...the feels. What a great emotional ride Finding Strength was. From start to finish, this book had me glued to my Kindle.
After a tragic accident, Anna must find the strength to overcome and grow from her experience.
This was a very unique story and I loved that about it. Yes, it is a love story, but it is so much more. You get to be there though all the emotions of Anna trying to move on. You are right there alongside her and her friends through this time.
I don't want to write too much, because it is so hard to not give away anything. I will say that this is a book that everyone should read. The struggles and strength this book show is amazing.
Thank you Shevawn for writing such an amazing book!
After a tragic accident, Anna must find the strength to overcome and grow from her experience.
This was a very unique story and I loved that about it. Yes, it is a love story, but it is so much more. You get to be there though all the emotions of Anna trying to move on. You are right there alongside her and her friends through this time.
I don't want to write too much, because it is so hard to not give away anything. I will say that this is a book that everyone should read. The struggles and strength this book show is amazing.
Thank you Shevawn for writing such an amazing book!
December 22, 2015
Finding Strength is my first ever 5 star read! My heart hurts with both sadness and love. This story really is ...such an inspiration! Anna is beyond any character I have ever read about. Her strength and love for her friend-made family is the kind of love everyone should strive for. Thank you Shevawn Michelle!
October 3, 2015
This is one of the most emotional stories that I have read in a very long time. 10 stars and about the same in boxes of tissues. Full review coming soon.
March 18, 2016
Ugliest. Cry. EVER.
It all begins in Chapter 1 when the main character Anna experiences a tragic loss. However, on the same day she meets Jacob, who becomes her rock and helps her find the strength to carry on and live.
“Live for her, Anna. Live for you.” His gaze turns pleading, his eyes burning into mine, searching my soul. “Live for me.”
Jacob, along with Anna’s best friends Amy and Shane, pick up the pieces that is Anna’s broken heart. Anna finds love with Jacob and the two have baby Braxton. As Anna begins what seems like her happily ever after, a second tragedy strikes. Once again Anna must find the strength to carry on and live.
Shevawn Michelle takes the reader on an emotional trip making this book hard to read through the tears.
There is no where to hide, no way to escape the torture that feels like a thousand knives ripping me apart. I do the only thing I can, I close my eyes and hold on to my little man while the tears flow freely from my eyes.”
This story is written as if Anna is remembering her life but at the same time you get the feeling that Anna is waiting for the final tragedy.
It’s in these final moments, I realize just how important every single thing that every happens to you, good or bad, is in your life. We are all on a path, we all have choices. Those choices eventually lead us to the place we are intended to be, no matter how much we fight it, or try to deny it. We can try and change our course, but in the end, we still end up exactly where we are meant to be.”
Shevawn Michelle gives us hope throughout this story. Encouraging everyone to dig deep in themselves and find the strength to live.
“If there is one thing I have learned, I know this for sure now, life goes on, whether you want it to or not. There’s no stopping the hands of time and there are no do overs. There are other lyrics memories that you carry with you and the rest is up to you.”
I struggled with just how stars to give this book. 1 star? Just because I cried and cried. My heart broke for Anna. But really that’s no reason for only 1 star. I didn’t hate this book just my own tears. 5 stars for exactly the same reasoning, my feelings. Thank you Shevawn Michelle for an emotional, heart breaking, inspiring story.
It all begins in Chapter 1 when the main character Anna experiences a tragic loss. However, on the same day she meets Jacob, who becomes her rock and helps her find the strength to carry on and live.
“Live for her, Anna. Live for you.” His gaze turns pleading, his eyes burning into mine, searching my soul. “Live for me.”
Jacob, along with Anna’s best friends Amy and Shane, pick up the pieces that is Anna’s broken heart. Anna finds love with Jacob and the two have baby Braxton. As Anna begins what seems like her happily ever after, a second tragedy strikes. Once again Anna must find the strength to carry on and live.
Shevawn Michelle takes the reader on an emotional trip making this book hard to read through the tears.
There is no where to hide, no way to escape the torture that feels like a thousand knives ripping me apart. I do the only thing I can, I close my eyes and hold on to my little man while the tears flow freely from my eyes.”
This story is written as if Anna is remembering her life but at the same time you get the feeling that Anna is waiting for the final tragedy.
It’s in these final moments, I realize just how important every single thing that every happens to you, good or bad, is in your life. We are all on a path, we all have choices. Those choices eventually lead us to the place we are intended to be, no matter how much we fight it, or try to deny it. We can try and change our course, but in the end, we still end up exactly where we are meant to be.”
Shevawn Michelle gives us hope throughout this story. Encouraging everyone to dig deep in themselves and find the strength to live.
“If there is one thing I have learned, I know this for sure now, life goes on, whether you want it to or not. There’s no stopping the hands of time and there are no do overs. There are other lyrics memories that you carry with you and the rest is up to you.”
I struggled with just how stars to give this book. 1 star? Just because I cried and cried. My heart broke for Anna. But really that’s no reason for only 1 star. I didn’t hate this book just my own tears. 5 stars for exactly the same reasoning, my feelings. Thank you Shevawn Michelle for an emotional, heart breaking, inspiring story.
October 30, 2015
Wow just WOW I really loved this book. It had me crying right away from the beginning and many more times until the end. So grab some tissues and dive on in. With so many sweet moments of love and courage I truly felt for the main girl Anna. I'm so impressed by her continuous strength and perseverance and found myself rooting for her to finally catch a break.Although I can't even imagine the deep amount of pain she had to endure thanks to this author and her amazing details, I really did feel Anna's pain and sadness. For example, after suffering a loss, Anna says "Every breath was a little less resistant to find its way to my lungs" and that quote really got me. This is exactly what grief feels like.
Anna suffers a very painful loss and is immediately deeply depressed and barely surviving. Lucky for her she has the best friends anyone could ask for. They feel and see her daily pain and lend her so much support it is beautiful and heartwarming. Just as she is seeming stronger and much less depressed life decides to again throw her a curve ball once again crushing her spirits. Will Anna be able to stay strong and keep moving forward? Can her amazing friends and family be her rock once again; will that be enough to pull her out of the dark place in her mind?
This is the second book I've read by this author and I'm hooked on her writing style. She writes smoothly, sweetly, and uses the perfect amount of details. She writes books that are full of deep emotions causing us readers to feel deeply and often. To me this is a sign of an excellent writer.
I received an arc of this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
Anna suffers a very painful loss and is immediately deeply depressed and barely surviving. Lucky for her she has the best friends anyone could ask for. They feel and see her daily pain and lend her so much support it is beautiful and heartwarming. Just as she is seeming stronger and much less depressed life decides to again throw her a curve ball once again crushing her spirits. Will Anna be able to stay strong and keep moving forward? Can her amazing friends and family be her rock once again; will that be enough to pull her out of the dark place in her mind?
This is the second book I've read by this author and I'm hooked on her writing style. She writes smoothly, sweetly, and uses the perfect amount of details. She writes books that are full of deep emotions causing us readers to feel deeply and often. To me this is a sign of an excellent writer.
I received an arc of this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
February 7, 2017
Book: Finding Strength (Finding Strength)
Author: Shevawn Michelle
Publication Date: 3/8/2016
Reviewed by: Tammy Payne-Book Nook Nuts
My Rating: 4 Stars
New to me author.
Let me start with the good:
This book literally had me in tears by the end. I honestly it is one long emotional roller coaster but so enjoyable to read. Anna goes through hell then sees some light only to be pulled right back into the dark. She thank goodness has the love of family and friends. This book’s title says it all. Finding Strength.
The not so good:
The book has serious I won't say editing as many editors don't both to proof a book. This book however needs a great proofreader to give the author all the missing words that are abundant in the book. I truly wanted to give this book 5 stars as just the story-line itself deserves that but there are so many errors I feel I honestly cannot. But this 4 star is a strong 4 star. As I would still highly recommend this book for those who want a true tug on your heart, make you ugly cry book.
I purchased this book from Amazon.
Finding Strength
Author: Shevawn Michelle
Publication Date: 3/8/2016
Reviewed by: Tammy Payne-Book Nook Nuts
My Rating: 4 Stars
New to me author.
Let me start with the good:
This book literally had me in tears by the end. I honestly it is one long emotional roller coaster but so enjoyable to read. Anna goes through hell then sees some light only to be pulled right back into the dark. She thank goodness has the love of family and friends. This book’s title says it all. Finding Strength.
The not so good:
The book has serious I won't say editing as many editors don't both to proof a book. This book however needs a great proofreader to give the author all the missing words that are abundant in the book. I truly wanted to give this book 5 stars as just the story-line itself deserves that but there are so many errors I feel I honestly cannot. But this 4 star is a strong 4 star. As I would still highly recommend this book for those who want a true tug on your heart, make you ugly cry book.
I purchased this book from Amazon.
Finding Strength
May 19, 2017
Aptly named, Finding Strength is a story of heartache, loss and moving on. I was immediately drawn in to Anna's very emotional and gut-wrenching story. The narration was beautifully performed and really made the story come alive.
I loved Finding Strength and it shows us just how resilient the human spirit is. I would highly recommend this but make sure that you have plenty of tissues on hand.
I was voluntarily provided this review copy audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator. This review is my honest opinion.
I loved Finding Strength and it shows us just how resilient the human spirit is. I would highly recommend this but make sure that you have plenty of tissues on hand.
I was voluntarily provided this review copy audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator. This review is my honest opinion.
June 17, 2017
Finding Strength indeed!
A story of heartache...
The narrator captured every emotion.
You have to find the strenght to endure and move on. Very inspiring story.
Your light will shine!
I was voluntarily provided this review copy audiobook
at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator.
A story of heartache...
The narrator captured every emotion.
You have to find the strenght to endure and move on. Very inspiring story.
Your light will shine!
I was voluntarily provided this review copy audiobook
at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator.
November 2, 2017
Oh where to begin. This book is unbelievably heart wrenchingly good. It is most defiantly a tear jerker, so make sure you have a box or two kleenex's with you. Anna goes thru so much between heart ache from loss of life of a child, to finding love like no other. To losing yet again another love in her life. In the end we find that even when you think you have your happily ever after it can all come crumbling down in a blink of an eye. There are not enough stars for this book. The writer did an outstanding job.
November 21, 2021
When tragedy strikes, you can only overcome it by finding your inner strength and not allowing yourself to bow to the depression that can easily fill up your life.
This book is wonderful. It's a wonderful story, a wonderful cry, and a roller coaster of emotions. Have your tissue box ready. You will need most, if not all of the box.
Congratulations, Ms. Michelle on a novel that everyone needs to read.
One downside.....there are many editing errors. You could definitely use a better proofreader.
This book is wonderful. It's a wonderful story, a wonderful cry, and a roller coaster of emotions. Have your tissue box ready. You will need most, if not all of the box.
Congratulations, Ms. Michelle on a novel that everyone needs to read.
One downside.....there are many editing errors. You could definitely use a better proofreader.
January 19, 2017
omg this book is a must read ! it made me cry so heartbreaking! its about a young woman who loses her two year old daughter to a drowning than she loses her husband to a prison fight, she learns to cope after years finds a new love only to push him away! he fights for her love. its so sad and heartbreaking . need plenty of tissue! thanks for giving me a chance to read this book!
Want to read
October 29, 2020🎁 FREE on Amazon today (10/29/2020)! 🎁
Read
August 1, 2021DNF 45%
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Boring and depressive. It's a lot of misfortune and tragedies that happen to our heroine.
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Boring and depressive. It's a lot of misfortune and tragedies that happen to our heroine.
October 17, 2015
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When I first started reading this book I almost put it down. Before you stop reading, there was a very good reason I almost put it down. It wasn’t necessarily a bad reason when it comes to the authors’ writing. In fact her writing was miraculous. At the beginning of the book, the main characters’ two year old daughter died by drowning in a pool. I am a mother of 4 with a 5th being my step-daughter. I worry about these things all the time. There is no way you can know where your child is at at all times. You know where they’re supposed to be at all times, but you never know where they actually are 100% of the time. Toddlers are sneaky, and it doesn’t surprise me that she would be fascinated with the pool. What I would have expected though would have been a bit more baby proofing by the adults. The toddler should not have been able to get to the pool if she did get outside, but she shouldn’t have been able to get outside without anyone knowing.
This small piece of info out of the way, I continued reading. I continued reading because I wanted to know how she dealt with it. I know that I could not deal with the loss of a child. Those that have lost a child, I praise you because I could not continue. You are stronger than me because I would be lost, miserable, and probably not even resemble a human anymore.
This book was very heartfelt. I felt myself being ripped apart on the inside wondering if Anna was going to make it through one obstacle or another. Just when I thought she was making it through these horrible events pretty well, something else happened. She was definitely dealt a terrible hand at life, but thanks to her best friends she kept on going no matter how much she didn’t want to.
The author made me feel like I could connect with all of the characters. Made me wonder if I was in this persons place what I would do. I probably wouldn’t have made it as far as she did through the first traumatic event. I was rooting for the guys when she thought that she couldn’t love again after loss. I could imagine how she felt because of the authors words. People say that you can never truly say “I know how you feel” unless you have had it happen to you, well this book makes it feel like it is happening to you or your best friend. Depending on how you want to look at it. As if you’re the main character or her best friend.
I am so happy that Anna took those chances. When I found out about Anna’s illness I was broken. I have always feared this about myself. What if I don’t even get to see my children reach adulthood? It terrifies me. I never show it though because as mother’s we are supposed to be tough. We put on this front as if nothing worries us, but in reality everything worries us when it comes to our children.
When Anna was finally unable to fight her battles anymore, her son Braxton was 10. My son is 10, so this was definitely something that hit home for me. Especially since I have health problems myself. I hope that it’s not as bad as Anna’s problems, but it’s still scary to think about it. I cried through the entire last two chapters. While reading I was exhausted from having a two day nuclear stress test and the lack of sleep that this had on my body, but I couldn’t put it down. I had to know that Braxton was ok. I had to know that Zak was ok.
I love that the author wrote that Anna was buried next to her daughter and second husband. I love that Zak never tried to take the place of her second husband because he knew that Jacob would always hold a place in Anna’s heart. In the end her heart was big enough for all of them, no matter how damaged it was. I recommend this book to anyone who loves to read heart wrenching stories about the trials and tribulations of a mother. This would make an epic lifetime movie! I loved it. Five stars all day.
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¤ º° ¤`•.¸.•´ ¤ °ºMy Review for Finding Strength by Shevawn MichelleMy Review for Finding Strength by Shevawn Michelle(¯`•.•´¯) (¯`•.•´¯)
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When I first started reading this book I almost put it down. Before you stop reading, there was a very good reason I almost put it down. It wasn’t necessarily a bad reason when it comes to the authors’ writing. In fact her writing was miraculous. At the beginning of the book, the main characters’ two year old daughter died by drowning in a pool. I am a mother of 4 with a 5th being my step-daughter. I worry about these things all the time. There is no way you can know where your child is at at all times. You know where they’re supposed to be at all times, but you never know where they actually are 100% of the time. Toddlers are sneaky, and it doesn’t surprise me that she would be fascinated with the pool. What I would have expected though would have been a bit more baby proofing by the adults. The toddler should not have been able to get to the pool if she did get outside, but she shouldn’t have been able to get outside without anyone knowing.
This small piece of info out of the way, I continued reading. I continued reading because I wanted to know how she dealt with it. I know that I could not deal with the loss of a child. Those that have lost a child, I praise you because I could not continue. You are stronger than me because I would be lost, miserable, and probably not even resemble a human anymore.
This book was very heartfelt. I felt myself being ripped apart on the inside wondering if Anna was going to make it through one obstacle or another. Just when I thought she was making it through these horrible events pretty well, something else happened. She was definitely dealt a terrible hand at life, but thanks to her best friends she kept on going no matter how much she didn’t want to.
The author made me feel like I could connect with all of the characters. Made me wonder if I was in this persons place what I would do. I probably wouldn’t have made it as far as she did through the first traumatic event. I was rooting for the guys when she thought that she couldn’t love again after loss. I could imagine how she felt because of the authors words. People say that you can never truly say “I know how you feel” unless you have had it happen to you, well this book makes it feel like it is happening to you or your best friend. Depending on how you want to look at it. As if you’re the main character or her best friend.
I am so happy that Anna took those chances. When I found out about Anna’s illness I was broken. I have always feared this about myself. What if I don’t even get to see my children reach adulthood? It terrifies me. I never show it though because as mother’s we are supposed to be tough. We put on this front as if nothing worries us, but in reality everything worries us when it comes to our children.
When Anna was finally unable to fight her battles anymore, her son Braxton was 10. My son is 10, so this was definitely something that hit home for me. Especially since I have health problems myself. I hope that it’s not as bad as Anna’s problems, but it’s still scary to think about it. I cried through the entire last two chapters. While reading I was exhausted from having a two day nuclear stress test and the lack of sleep that this had on my body, but I couldn’t put it down. I had to know that Braxton was ok. I had to know that Zak was ok.
I love that the author wrote that Anna was buried next to her daughter and second husband. I love that Zak never tried to take the place of her second husband because he knew that Jacob would always hold a place in Anna’s heart. In the end her heart was big enough for all of them, no matter how damaged it was. I recommend this book to anyone who loves to read heart wrenching stories about the trials and tribulations of a mother. This would make an epic lifetime movie! I loved it. Five stars all day.
March 12, 2016
Finding Strength. This has the be the most emotional, heart wrenching book I have ever read, yet it's also inspirational. I don't know that any review I can write could do this book justice.
I cried, at least 5 times while reading, and I mean ugly cry, by the end of the book my eyes were red and swollen and I felt like I had lost someone I loved.
That's the sign of great story to me. An author who can make you feel. Feel everything that's going on within the story, that makes the characters seem so real that you mourn for their losses and are cheering them on in your head, like you can help them make it through their situation.
In this book it's more than one loss. And each and every heart break made me cry like a baby. And every time Anna was knocked down, watching her struggle to get back on her feet was tortuous but also inspiring, I stopped more than once and wondered could I ever be that strong when faced with what she was?
This is truly a story of love and loss, of grief and the ability to find the strength to soldier on. But it's also a story of friends who have your back no matter what. People who won't let you give up, friends who would walk through fire for you and make sure they pulled you through.
At the heart it's a story of love and strength, the ability to love enough to know that you can't give up.
Really, no words of mine can describe how truly special this story is. You will need tissues, possible the entire box, and though I cried at the end and wanted to yell at the author, the true meaning behind the story was always in the back of my mind reminding me that the loss is not the what this book is about, it's how you soldier on while never forgetting what you've been through or those that you've lost.
I cried, at least 5 times while reading, and I mean ugly cry, by the end of the book my eyes were red and swollen and I felt like I had lost someone I loved.
That's the sign of great story to me. An author who can make you feel. Feel everything that's going on within the story, that makes the characters seem so real that you mourn for their losses and are cheering them on in your head, like you can help them make it through their situation.
In this book it's more than one loss. And each and every heart break made me cry like a baby. And every time Anna was knocked down, watching her struggle to get back on her feet was tortuous but also inspiring, I stopped more than once and wondered could I ever be that strong when faced with what she was?
This is truly a story of love and loss, of grief and the ability to find the strength to soldier on. But it's also a story of friends who have your back no matter what. People who won't let you give up, friends who would walk through fire for you and make sure they pulled you through.
At the heart it's a story of love and strength, the ability to love enough to know that you can't give up.
Really, no words of mine can describe how truly special this story is. You will need tissues, possible the entire box, and though I cried at the end and wanted to yell at the author, the true meaning behind the story was always in the back of my mind reminding me that the loss is not the what this book is about, it's how you soldier on while never forgetting what you've been through or those that you've lost.
October 22, 2015
A very emotional read about a woman who goes through so much pain, and almost loses hope, only to find that not everything is lost. This is a story of what you do to survive, of holding on to life when you have wonderful people around you trying to keep you afloat.
Anna feels like her life is over after facing a huge tragedy. She is devastated and it takes the love of her friends and family to drag her out of the dark abyss she finds herself in. It is the love of one special person that brings her back to life and allows her to find happiness…only to lose it once tragedy strikes again. This time, Anna feels completely destroyed.
This book will take you between the past and present, showing you the journey that Anna had taken to get to where she is now. You will walk in her shoes and experience the ups and downs in her life and the way people helped shape her life.
It is an extremely touching story which will require many tissues to help while reading. The story is realistic with a nice flow and pace. The characters are wonderful and Amy, as Anna’s best friend, is just fantastic. I don’t want to give anything more away, so I will stop here, but I honestly recommend this book!
Anna feels like her life is over after facing a huge tragedy. She is devastated and it takes the love of her friends and family to drag her out of the dark abyss she finds herself in. It is the love of one special person that brings her back to life and allows her to find happiness…only to lose it once tragedy strikes again. This time, Anna feels completely destroyed.
This book will take you between the past and present, showing you the journey that Anna had taken to get to where she is now. You will walk in her shoes and experience the ups and downs in her life and the way people helped shape her life.
It is an extremely touching story which will require many tissues to help while reading. The story is realistic with a nice flow and pace. The characters are wonderful and Amy, as Anna’s best friend, is just fantastic. I don’t want to give anything more away, so I will stop here, but I honestly recommend this book!
November 9, 2015
3.5 Stars
Finding Strength is a very emotional book dealing with a lot of loss and Anna's journey of coping with those losses.
I had a hard time connecting with Anna and her grief. Could quite possibly just be me, but I struggled to remain focused. I wanted to feel more connected to Anna and her situation but couldn't quite get there.
If something could go wrong in her life, it did. She has a few spots of light in her life but they never seem to last for long.
I read some other reviews where they truly connected to this story so I won't warn you off of it, you may very well love this book. It just wasn't for me.
I received a copy for an honest review.
Reviewed for Jo&IsaLoveBooks
http://joandisalovebooks.com/
http://joandisalovebooks.blogspot.co.uk/
Finding Strength is a very emotional book dealing with a lot of loss and Anna's journey of coping with those losses.
I had a hard time connecting with Anna and her grief. Could quite possibly just be me, but I struggled to remain focused. I wanted to feel more connected to Anna and her situation but couldn't quite get there.
If something could go wrong in her life, it did. She has a few spots of light in her life but they never seem to last for long.
I read some other reviews where they truly connected to this story so I won't warn you off of it, you may very well love this book. It just wasn't for me.
I received a copy for an honest review.
Reviewed for Jo&IsaLoveBooks
http://joandisalovebooks.com/
http://joandisalovebooks.blogspot.co.uk/
November 19, 2015
Whew, How do I write this with out giving any thing away? Finding Strength is an excellent title for this particular story. When life throws you the most devastating curve balls, you must dig deep to find the strength to carry on and live life to it's fullest. We never know what the next day brings, we don't know what the future holds. Love and cherish those close to you as if Today is the last day on this earth. Never let them doubt the love you have. That is what this story brings to the surface. Have a box of tissues handy, you will cry through out this book. Excellent Job Shevawn, I have a huge book hang over. :)
October 16, 2015
More than 5 stars....Love is bittersweet.
This is one of the best stories I have ever read. It's a story that hits home to me and I'm sure to many readers out there. Love and life can be bittersweet, true strength isn't measured in pounds, it's measured in what one goes through, endures. Make sure you have tissues nearby for the full book!!!
Anna's life is going great until a tragedy rips her world apart. The loss of her little girl. As time goes by and she starts seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, she is hit again.
This is one of the best stories I have ever read. It's a story that hits home to me and I'm sure to many readers out there. Love and life can be bittersweet, true strength isn't measured in pounds, it's measured in what one goes through, endures. Make sure you have tissues nearby for the full book!!!
Anna's life is going great until a tragedy rips her world apart. The loss of her little girl. As time goes by and she starts seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, she is hit again.
June 20, 2017
I was gifted a copy of this book for an honest review.
5 stars all the way!!!!
This book had me ugly crying after 2 chapters!!
If you are looking for a serious ugly cry read this is the book to read!! I highly recommend it.
This book is about a woman named Anna and all the things in here life. The good, the bad, & and the ugly. She found strength in thoughts that loved her. she was able to find love after it was ripped away from her.
I want to thank the author for writing some an amazing master piece. Can't wait to read more from her!!!
5 stars all the way!!!!
This book had me ugly crying after 2 chapters!!
If you are looking for a serious ugly cry read this is the book to read!! I highly recommend it.
This book is about a woman named Anna and all the things in here life. The good, the bad, & and the ugly. She found strength in thoughts that loved her. she was able to find love after it was ripped away from her.
I want to thank the author for writing some an amazing master piece. Can't wait to read more from her!!!
March 7, 2016
I absolutely love Finding strength . Once I started reading finding Strength is was bowling my eyes out. Finding strength is far best in have read so far. Let me just say once I started reading finding strength is was hooked. I couldn't put it down. I definitely recommend that everyone should read it. Once you start reading it you won't want to stop. You will definitely be needed to get your tissue ready. This book is an emotional book. I love how Shevawn Michelle wrote finding strength. I can't wait to read more from her.
March 8, 2016
This book gutted me- seriously.
Finding Strength is an emotional story about Anna and the sadness that comes her way. Despite it all she has amazing friends by her side and they are truly a God send.
I'm not a fan of spoilers- but let me say, this story is a contemporary romance with much sadness, love, amazing friendships, fantastic men, inspiration and hope!
If you're a lover of emotional tear jerkers this book is right for you! Make sure you have a box of tissues handy!!
5 emotional stars from me!
Finding Strength is an emotional story about Anna and the sadness that comes her way. Despite it all she has amazing friends by her side and they are truly a God send.
I'm not a fan of spoilers- but let me say, this story is a contemporary romance with much sadness, love, amazing friendships, fantastic men, inspiration and hope!
If you're a lover of emotional tear jerkers this book is right for you! Make sure you have a box of tissues handy!!
5 emotional stars from me!
April 14, 2016
From the first page you are brought into Anna's world that is filled with love, laughther, unconditional friendship and heart wrenching tradagey. With tears in my eyes, I read about a woman who's strengths came from somewhere so deep inside and from friends who never gave up on her. A story where even in your darkest hours, with love and friends you will find your light. That sometimes you can have your forever love not once but sometimes twice. I fell in love with this book and you will too! Just have those tissues ready.
March 19, 2016
VERY HEARTBREAKING BOOK! This is one of the best books I've read in a while! I was in tears in the first chapter, from the terrible tragedy Anna goes through! I don't see how she kept moving forward with all she has to face! Poor little Braxton goes through so much too! Shevawn did such an amazing job on this book! I literally cried throughout the whole read! Absolutely love it!
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