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Aching Heart
Nursing sister Hannah Dervain's orderly life is turned upside down when her annual check-up reveals she has cancer. Now Hannah has to fight for her health and to heal her relationship with her estranged daughter, Savanna, who is in jail.
Hannah’s bombshell tugs at her daughter’s heartstrings. Overturning Savanna's ban on visiting her in prison is the easy part. Their past disappointments, hurts and pain rear up once more. They are tougher to tackle as Savanna confronts challenges of her own.
Her daughter’s latest ill-conceived scheme threatens the progress they are making. Can Hannah find the courage to take a stand and be the mother she longs to be?
Hannah’s bombshell tugs at her daughter’s heartstrings. Overturning Savanna's ban on visiting her in prison is the easy part. Their past disappointments, hurts and pain rear up once more. They are tougher to tackle as Savanna confronts challenges of her own.
Her daughter’s latest ill-conceived scheme threatens the progress they are making. Can Hannah find the courage to take a stand and be the mother she longs to be?
ebook
First published January 31, 2019
10 people want to read
About the author
Vida Li Sik
36 books86 followersVida Li Sik is a wife, mother, award-winning journalist and multi-genre author. She grew up in a small town, Nigel, in sunny South Africa, and now lives with her family in Johannesburg, the City of Gold. She has no pets and has yet to find a weird and wonderful hobby. In the meantime, she loves to write about people, real ones and imagined.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
December 1, 2022
This excellent story kept this reader turning the pages to find out what happened next. The raw emotions, the hope and despair were written beautifully for the reader to feel them in their very being.
The female prison setting was an interesting and riveting part of the story.
The writer alludes to swearing but does not spell it out thankfully.
Thoroughly recommend this book as the soul searching on many levels makes for an absorbing read!
Received this for free but for some unknown reason it had got lost in my TBR (To Be Read) pile and what treasure I found! Hope to read the second book called Lonely Heart to find out what happens next in Savanna’s life.
The female prison setting was an interesting and riveting part of the story.
The writer alludes to swearing but does not spell it out thankfully.
Thoroughly recommend this book as the soul searching on many levels makes for an absorbing read!
Received this for free but for some unknown reason it had got lost in my TBR (To Be Read) pile and what treasure I found! Hope to read the second book called Lonely Heart to find out what happens next in Savanna’s life.
February 3, 2019
She loves her life in order as it helps her cold but it leaves little time to grieve for what she has lost. Then she learns she has cancer and she knows she needs to rebuild bridges with her daughter who is in prison. The journey will not be easy but can they finally be mother and daughter in a way they should have always been
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 30, 2019
Beautiful Story!
This is a beautifully written story about addiction, love and loss. It will take you on an emotional rollercoaster ride with many ups and downs. The story will hit home with a lot of readers as many of us have been in this situation or something similar. The author also adds little twists and turns throughout that will keep you captivated until the end.
I can't wait to read more from this author.
This is a beautifully written story about addiction, love and loss. It will take you on an emotional rollercoaster ride with many ups and downs. The story will hit home with a lot of readers as many of us have been in this situation or something similar. The author also adds little twists and turns throughout that will keep you captivated until the end.
I can't wait to read more from this author.
May 18, 2019
Not my usual read, this story was a beta-reading for me. Set in Johannesburg, the mother-daughter relationship drew me in, along with the harsh setting and choices. Truly moving and heart-lifting! I’m looking forward to reading more of this series.
October 30, 2019
This is the first book I have read by this author and omg what a powerful heartfelt story it was amazing I cried at the end it was such a good book
October 23, 2019
This was a story about a difficult journey between a mother & a daughter...full of choices, rebuilding/repairing relationships and healing. Although this isn't my typical type of read I truly enjoyed the story and the beautiful and moving words.
***I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review***
***I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review***
October 30, 2019
This is a beautifully written story it deals with alcohol addiction and cancer also family in prison.It's such an emotional rollercoaster ride to healing and love.Hannah is a nurse but as soon as she gets home she starts drinking.it's her crutch rather than deal with all her emotional baggage.Her daughter Savannah is in prison an she hasn't seen her in three years .As Hannah is diagnosed with cervical cancer she stops drinking knowing it won't help with Chemo and radiation treatments.Will Hannah and her daughter ever patch things up?Will she be able to get her son an daughter to forgive each other?There are so many twists and turns to this story will keep you riveted until the very last page.I love the way this amazing author brings the characters to life before your eyes and you can feel their emotions and their pain.I can hardly wait to see what's next by this multi talented author.
January 31, 2019
This is the 1st book I've read written by Vida Li Sik; she has done an great job at writing a good book; I will definitely be reading more of her books.
The story line caught my attention at the very beginning and kept me interested throughout the entire book.
I loved the chemistry between the characters.
I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.
The story line caught my attention at the very beginning and kept me interested throughout the entire book.
I loved the chemistry between the characters.
I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.
September 10, 2024
‘We all cope in different ways’
The temporary comfort of substance use, violence, releasing hormones, wasting money, etc. tends to cause more problems afterwards than what we had prior to indulging in those self-destructive behaviors.
This heart-wrenching tale of parental neglect & sibling resentment takes readers on a journey of accountability, hope, and recovery.
Even grown-up adults need to grow up sometimes. Accusations, bitterness, entitlement, and so many other things are obstacles to healing ourselves and therefore hinder our healing broken relationships.
Example:
It’s one thing to tell people how their behavior hurt you; it’s quite another to use guilt as a manipulative tool. Savannah pulls that stuff just like my younger brother did when he was in prison in order to get whatever he wanted. It wasn’t until after she finally started setting & enforcing boundaries that they were able to relate to each other as people rather than as mere means to an end. No spoilers, so not gonna say what happens with Hannah and her daughter.
The author also incorporates both envy & jealousy and shows how they can bring about someone’s downfall.
Some really cool phrasing:
‘Her face carried the scars of one bullied into institutionalized submission.’
‘[Her fingers] closed over the vodka that lured her back to worship at the altar of her misery.’
May we all look inward for areas of improvement then share our authentic selves with those about whom we care.
‘Lonely Heart’ continues this family saga with Savanna’s story…
The temporary comfort of substance use, violence, releasing hormones, wasting money, etc. tends to cause more problems afterwards than what we had prior to indulging in those self-destructive behaviors.
This heart-wrenching tale of parental neglect & sibling resentment takes readers on a journey of accountability, hope, and recovery.
Even grown-up adults need to grow up sometimes. Accusations, bitterness, entitlement, and so many other things are obstacles to healing ourselves and therefore hinder our healing broken relationships.
Example:
It’s one thing to tell people how their behavior hurt you; it’s quite another to use guilt as a manipulative tool. Savannah pulls that stuff just like my younger brother did when he was in prison in order to get whatever he wanted. It wasn’t until after she finally started setting & enforcing boundaries that they were able to relate to each other as people rather than as mere means to an end. No spoilers, so not gonna say what happens with Hannah and her daughter.
The author also incorporates both envy & jealousy and shows how they can bring about someone’s downfall.
Some really cool phrasing:
‘Her face carried the scars of one bullied into institutionalized submission.’
‘[Her fingers] closed over the vodka that lured her back to worship at the altar of her misery.’
May we all look inward for areas of improvement then share our authentic selves with those about whom we care.
‘Lonely Heart’ continues this family saga with Savanna’s story…
February 12, 2025
This book can be read independently of its prequel, which supplies the reader with some background as to the possible reasons defining Savanna’s personality.
Ms Li Sik writes this engrossing story from the alternating viewpoints of Hannah and Savanna as they slowly and precariously re-define their mother-daughter bond during short visits. It is a narrative illustrating Hannah’s emotional growth as she finally listens carefully to both her adult children and reflects on her early motherhood.
Savanna, a toddler in the prequel “Giving Hearts”, is an adult serving a prison sentence for a crime that is not clarified until later in the book. She is an embittered woman, estranged from her mom, Hannah, who uses alcohol to cope with the recent heartbreaks in her life.
Neither woman is fully aware of the difficulties the other faces: Hannah, coping with her career as a nurse, her personal health and her desire to mend her relationships with her children; and Savanna, struggling daily with the challenges she encounters in Freetown Prison for Women in Johannesburg, and the desperation she feels to escape her circumstances.
The emotions in this book are portrayed realistically and in a manner that readers can relate to. I am sharing my opinion after reading this book as a review copy for the author.
Ms Li Sik writes this engrossing story from the alternating viewpoints of Hannah and Savanna as they slowly and precariously re-define their mother-daughter bond during short visits. It is a narrative illustrating Hannah’s emotional growth as she finally listens carefully to both her adult children and reflects on her early motherhood.
Savanna, a toddler in the prequel “Giving Hearts”, is an adult serving a prison sentence for a crime that is not clarified until later in the book. She is an embittered woman, estranged from her mom, Hannah, who uses alcohol to cope with the recent heartbreaks in her life.
Neither woman is fully aware of the difficulties the other faces: Hannah, coping with her career as a nurse, her personal health and her desire to mend her relationships with her children; and Savanna, struggling daily with the challenges she encounters in Freetown Prison for Women in Johannesburg, and the desperation she feels to escape her circumstances.
The emotions in this book are portrayed realistically and in a manner that readers can relate to. I am sharing my opinion after reading this book as a review copy for the author.
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September 8, 2021A mother-daughter story of hope, forgiveness, and the bond of love
The love of a mother for her child endures even if you don't approve of their life choices. Hannah made mistakes in her own life and tried hard to make up for them as she raised her daughter Savanna.
But, sometimes, our best intentions create blind spots in how we conduct our relationships, and this is the case for Hannah who has to deal with the consequences of the decisions she made.
Moreover, she has pick up the pieces of her relationship with Savanna while dealing with the biggest health challenge of her life. Talk about a double whammy!
I've always wondered why we seldom hear of women escaping from prisons, especially when you read Savanna's experience.
This is a story about forgiveness—of yourself and others—and of hope that it's never too late to make the right choices.
It will appeal to those who love reading about women who battles with themselves and their environment, and who emerge more resilient and stronger on the other side.
The love of a mother for her child endures even if you don't approve of their life choices. Hannah made mistakes in her own life and tried hard to make up for them as she raised her daughter Savanna.
But, sometimes, our best intentions create blind spots in how we conduct our relationships, and this is the case for Hannah who has to deal with the consequences of the decisions she made.
Moreover, she has pick up the pieces of her relationship with Savanna while dealing with the biggest health challenge of her life. Talk about a double whammy!
I've always wondered why we seldom hear of women escaping from prisons, especially when you read Savanna's experience.
This is a story about forgiveness—of yourself and others—and of hope that it's never too late to make the right choices.
It will appeal to those who love reading about women who battles with themselves and their environment, and who emerge more resilient and stronger on the other side.
August 6, 2021
A touching story of an estranged mother and daughter. This highlighted how detrimental it can be to give your child everything they want while failing to enforce the safety net of the discipline that they need. The bullying and prejudices that occurred in the women's prison were shocking. I would like to imagine that they were exaggerated, but fear that they were not. Thankfully the story did take a turn toward healing and ended with a glimmer of hope for a relationship with better communication and acceptance of responsibility for personal choices and outcomes.
November 24, 2025
Such a deep story between a mother and daughter. Hannah is diagnosed with cancer and wants to reconnect with her daughter, Savannah, who is in prison. They have so much hurt and struggles. This story takes you through the ups and downs and healing that these two go through. It is a beautiful story.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews