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Fragments of Light
An impossible decision in the chaos of D-Day. Ripples that cascade seventy-five years into the present. And two lives transformed by the tenuous resolve to reach out of the darkness toward fragments of light.
Cancer stole everything from Ceelie—her peace of mind, her self-image, perhaps even her twenty-three-year marriage to her college sweetheart, Nate. Without the support of Darlene, her quirky elderly friend, she may not have been able to endure so much loss.
So when Darlene’s prognosis turns dire, Ceelie can’t refuse her seemingly impossible request—to find a WWII paratrooper named Cal, the father who disappeared when Darlene was an infant, leaving a lifetime of desolation in his wake.
The search that begins in the farmlands of Missouri eventually leads Ceelie to a small town in Normandy, where she uncovers the harrowing tale of the hero who dropped off-target into occupied France.
Alternating between Cal’s D-Day rescue by two young French sisters and Ceelie’s present-day journey through trial and heartbreak, Fragments of Light poses a timeless question: When life becomes unbearable, will you press toward the light or let the darkness win?
Praise for Fragments of Light
“With depth of emotion and vivid images of a war-torn WWII world, Fragments of Light nails down the achingly real in a character’s journey, tackling both raw and poignant moments from a practiced pen. Michele Phoenix shines a spotlight on God’s chasm-crossing persistence to rebuild the shattered places of our lives—and the people He uses to do it—no matter how much time has passed between brokenness and the quest for healing. Readers will root for Ceelie and Nate long after they’ve turned the last page!” —Kristy Cambron, bestselling author of The Butterfly and the Violin and the Lost Castle novels
“Michèle Phoenix skillfully explores the strength and resiliency of the human spirit but also its heartbreaking limits. Brimming with expertly researched wartime details, Fragments of Light abounds with poignancy and insight.” —Susan Meissner, bestselling author of The Last Year of the War
“Ceelie’s anguish and hope, Darlene’s spunk and pain, and Cal’s courage and conviction—all of it combines to create a story as beautiful as it is heartbreaking. In short, I loved this book!” —Lauren Denton, USA TODAY bestselling author of The Hideaway and The Summer House
“A compelling story across time of love, loss, and what happens when tragedy strikes." —Katherine Reay, bestselling author of Dear Mr. Knightley and The Printed Letter Bookshop
“An immersive and unforgettable treatise on the power of love in all of its manifestations." —Rachel McMillon, author of The London Restoration
“It’s not often a story moves me as Fragments of Light has. With a rare and honest voice, Michèle Phoenix weaves a story of heroes from yesteryear and also those from your neighborhood—each with hearts of valor—as they endure the fight of their lives." —Elizabeth Byler Younts, Carol Award–winning author of The Solace of Water
Cancer stole everything from Ceelie—her peace of mind, her self-image, perhaps even her twenty-three-year marriage to her college sweetheart, Nate. Without the support of Darlene, her quirky elderly friend, she may not have been able to endure so much loss.
So when Darlene’s prognosis turns dire, Ceelie can’t refuse her seemingly impossible request—to find a WWII paratrooper named Cal, the father who disappeared when Darlene was an infant, leaving a lifetime of desolation in his wake.
The search that begins in the farmlands of Missouri eventually leads Ceelie to a small town in Normandy, where she uncovers the harrowing tale of the hero who dropped off-target into occupied France.
Alternating between Cal’s D-Day rescue by two young French sisters and Ceelie’s present-day journey through trial and heartbreak, Fragments of Light poses a timeless question: When life becomes unbearable, will you press toward the light or let the darkness win?
Praise for Fragments of Light
“With depth of emotion and vivid images of a war-torn WWII world, Fragments of Light nails down the achingly real in a character’s journey, tackling both raw and poignant moments from a practiced pen. Michele Phoenix shines a spotlight on God’s chasm-crossing persistence to rebuild the shattered places of our lives—and the people He uses to do it—no matter how much time has passed between brokenness and the quest for healing. Readers will root for Ceelie and Nate long after they’ve turned the last page!” —Kristy Cambron, bestselling author of The Butterfly and the Violin and the Lost Castle novels
“Michèle Phoenix skillfully explores the strength and resiliency of the human spirit but also its heartbreaking limits. Brimming with expertly researched wartime details, Fragments of Light abounds with poignancy and insight.” —Susan Meissner, bestselling author of The Last Year of the War
“Ceelie’s anguish and hope, Darlene’s spunk and pain, and Cal’s courage and conviction—all of it combines to create a story as beautiful as it is heartbreaking. In short, I loved this book!” —Lauren Denton, USA TODAY bestselling author of The Hideaway and The Summer House
“A compelling story across time of love, loss, and what happens when tragedy strikes." —Katherine Reay, bestselling author of Dear Mr. Knightley and The Printed Letter Bookshop
“An immersive and unforgettable treatise on the power of love in all of its manifestations." —Rachel McMillon, author of The London Restoration
“It’s not often a story moves me as Fragments of Light has. With a rare and honest voice, Michèle Phoenix weaves a story of heroes from yesteryear and also those from your neighborhood—each with hearts of valor—as they endure the fight of their lives." —Elizabeth Byler Younts, Carol Award–winning author of The Solace of Water
352 pages, Paperback
First published July 14, 2020
113 people are currently reading
3135 people want to read
About the author
Michèle Phoenix
8 books286 followersRaised in France by a Canadian father and an American mother, Michèle is a mentor, writer, and speaker with a heart for Missionaries’ Kids. She taught for twenty years at Black Forest Academy (Germany) before launching her own ministry advocating for MKs and TCKs in 2011. She now travels globally to teach on topics related to this unique people group, consults with international families and organizations, writes articles about TCK joys and challenges for her blog, and hosts the Pondering Purple podcast. Michèle has written five traditionally published novels, as well as Flecks of Gold, a reflection on God and suffering that stems from her journeys through cancer. It is available only through her website.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 155 reviews
October 23, 2020
Fragments of Light by Michele Phoenix is a story within a story and the two take place seventy-five years apart. Ceelie and Nate have been married over twenty years when she is diagnosed with breast cancer. Soon all aspects of her life as she knew it fall apart. If not for her friendship with fellow patient Darleen, she would not have survived her ordeal. But unfortunately Darleen’s condition becomes terminal and it’s now Ceelie’s turn to help her old friend. Darleen grew up fatherless because she and her mother had been abandoned when she was an infant. In the little time she has, Darleen wants to find out about her father. It will be up to Ceelie to discover what became of this elusive man. Now for the other story. Seventy-five years ago, a paratrooper crash-landed in Normandy on D-Day and was helped to safety by two young French sisters. Now you need to read this book to discover how these stories came to be linked. This slow-moving and passionate relationship fiction is one of the best books I have read this year. I look forward to reading more books by Michele Phoenix. Thank you to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 27, 2020
Favorite Quotes:
Every year—every year—I tell myself that it’s just a routine check… and that millions of women go through this without anything bad coming of it, but still … I sit in this room that’s clearly designed for optimism and calm, and it’s all I can do not to write an obituary in my mind.
Truly good men are as rare as rocking horse poo
“He’s not much of a talker, but he sure looks out for people.” A sad sort of envy hummed somewhere in the back of my mind. “You’re a very fortunate woman,” I said. “I know that now.” She laughed. “Didn’t always, mind you. But all these years later, when the frustrating stuff has settled into normal, it’s easier to see the treasure in the trash.”
“Pulled a Casper.” When I looked at her in confusion, she added, “Ghosted you. But not in a friendly way.”
When I was little and things would frustrate me, she’d tell me to give time the time it needs.
My Review:
This was an intensely emotive and heartrending tale that intertwined two narrations until they slowly and thoughtfully merged near the conclusion. The writing was staggeringly insightful and bruised my heart but I fell right into the shifting sands and curiously evocative and compelling nuances of both timelines, one a harrowing period in history and life-altering experiences for a young GI during WWII, and the other a distressing and devastating turn of events for a cancer survivor in modern times. Connected by a gossamer-thin thread being the vibrantly colorful and spirited character of Darlene, who was the relative of one and friend to the other, and who happened to be my favorite above all others. She was a colorful and spry little septuagenarian dynamo and what I aspire to be at any age.
Terrible things happened to good people in both soul-stirring narratives and I was engaged in their tale and as eager as the characters to unravel several maddening dead-end mysteries as well as the complicated connubial questions and issues in the current timeline. Their issues were often painfully raw, keenly plotted, and shrewdly paced while keeping the curiosity primed. Michele Phoenix is an agile and deft storyteller.
Every year—every year—I tell myself that it’s just a routine check… and that millions of women go through this without anything bad coming of it, but still … I sit in this room that’s clearly designed for optimism and calm, and it’s all I can do not to write an obituary in my mind.
Truly good men are as rare as rocking horse poo
“He’s not much of a talker, but he sure looks out for people.” A sad sort of envy hummed somewhere in the back of my mind. “You’re a very fortunate woman,” I said. “I know that now.” She laughed. “Didn’t always, mind you. But all these years later, when the frustrating stuff has settled into normal, it’s easier to see the treasure in the trash.”
“Pulled a Casper.” When I looked at her in confusion, she added, “Ghosted you. But not in a friendly way.”
When I was little and things would frustrate me, she’d tell me to give time the time it needs.
My Review:
This was an intensely emotive and heartrending tale that intertwined two narrations until they slowly and thoughtfully merged near the conclusion. The writing was staggeringly insightful and bruised my heart but I fell right into the shifting sands and curiously evocative and compelling nuances of both timelines, one a harrowing period in history and life-altering experiences for a young GI during WWII, and the other a distressing and devastating turn of events for a cancer survivor in modern times. Connected by a gossamer-thin thread being the vibrantly colorful and spirited character of Darlene, who was the relative of one and friend to the other, and who happened to be my favorite above all others. She was a colorful and spry little septuagenarian dynamo and what I aspire to be at any age.
Terrible things happened to good people in both soul-stirring narratives and I was engaged in their tale and as eager as the characters to unravel several maddening dead-end mysteries as well as the complicated connubial questions and issues in the current timeline. Their issues were often painfully raw, keenly plotted, and shrewdly paced while keeping the curiosity primed. Michele Phoenix is an agile and deft storyteller.
May 23, 2020
I chose Fragments of Light because I was intrigued by the synopsis. How could an MIA soldier bring closure to a lifetime of heartache, who was Ceelie, and what had cancer stolen from her?
Typically, I enjoy the historical portions of split-time novels the most, but I didn't feel the same bias as I read this story. While I thought Nate's pronouncement on the day Ceelie rang the bell to signal the end of her cancer treatments was egregious, I held out hope that their twenty-three-year marriage would endure the storm. The other aspect of the modern-day storyline that I loved was the friendship between Darlene and Ceelie. Every woman needs a gnome collecting, purple car driving, cotton-candy haired older woman to tell it to her straight! As for the historical timeline, readers who enjoy an unfolding mystery rife with history will not be disappointed.
In order to fully appreciate this story, you have to be willing to wade through some deep emotional waters before you can pass safely to the other side. This is especially true if you know someone who is fighting cancer. Can anyone say their life has been unaffected by cancer? Even if the diagnosis was not your own, you've likely prayed or cared for someone who has undergone treatment. Perhaps you've even lost someone dear to you, as have I. The prevalence of cancer, as well as the toll it takes on families and friends, will drive the experiences these characters endure home for many readers. Understanding that Phoenix is a three-time cancer survivor herself will further illuminate how she was able to convey their hopes and fears in such a palpable way.
The book's themes of regret, resentment, and forgiveness—leading to restoration— make it well worth your investment of time. I've read 56 books so far this year and Fragments of Light distinguishes itself a standout title! It earns a "2020 Book Club Top Pick" from me.
I received this book from the publisher through the NetGalley review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Typically, I enjoy the historical portions of split-time novels the most, but I didn't feel the same bias as I read this story. While I thought Nate's pronouncement on the day Ceelie rang the bell to signal the end of her cancer treatments was egregious, I held out hope that their twenty-three-year marriage would endure the storm. The other aspect of the modern-day storyline that I loved was the friendship between Darlene and Ceelie. Every woman needs a gnome collecting, purple car driving, cotton-candy haired older woman to tell it to her straight! As for the historical timeline, readers who enjoy an unfolding mystery rife with history will not be disappointed.
In order to fully appreciate this story, you have to be willing to wade through some deep emotional waters before you can pass safely to the other side. This is especially true if you know someone who is fighting cancer. Can anyone say their life has been unaffected by cancer? Even if the diagnosis was not your own, you've likely prayed or cared for someone who has undergone treatment. Perhaps you've even lost someone dear to you, as have I. The prevalence of cancer, as well as the toll it takes on families and friends, will drive the experiences these characters endure home for many readers. Understanding that Phoenix is a three-time cancer survivor herself will further illuminate how she was able to convey their hopes and fears in such a palpable way.
The book's themes of regret, resentment, and forgiveness—leading to restoration— make it well worth your investment of time. I've read 56 books so far this year and Fragments of Light distinguishes itself a standout title! It earns a "2020 Book Club Top Pick" from me.
I received this book from the publisher through the NetGalley review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
July 12, 2020
Fragments of Light provides a stark look at going through cancer treatments and surviving war. The two time periods...1944 and current day are woven together beautifully. I adored secondary characters Darlene with her witty humor and Lise with her optimistic look at life.
August 2, 2020
Two momentous battles are fought in this enlightening new novel: one against the big "C" (Cancer) and the other against the Nazis on the historic "D" Day in Normandy. I was enthralled by the parallels that could be seen between the present fight of Ceelie and Darlene against breast cancer and the struggles experienced by the veterans. I needed my tissues and also found myself reflecting on my own marriage and the cancer fight that my husband is still recovering from. I was also blessed by the highlighting of Psalm 37:8 in Darlene's Bible. On the same day I read that scene I had been meditating on that very same Psalm in my quiet time. A perfect summer read for June when we are all remembering the Battle of Normandy. This one will remain in your heart after finishing that last page. Great for fans of Rachel Hauck and Susan Meissner.
Click on this link to see the author reveal why she chose to highlight Psalm 37:8 in her novel:
https://www.familyfiction.com/michele...
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for a DRC.
Click on this link to see the author reveal why she chose to highlight Psalm 37:8 in her novel:
https://www.familyfiction.com/michele...
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for a DRC.
August 5, 2020
Fragments of Light by Michèle Phoenix is a story of pain, abandonment, and guilt – but also of hope and light. The historical research is well done, the modern-day exploration of Normandy highlights the D-day tourist sites, and Cal’s dilemmas echo the stories of far too many veterans. With beauty and depth, the writing brings Ceelie’s emotions to life and shows the importance of making the difficult decision to choose forgiveness over resentment. A lovely story that will stay with you. Highly recommended.
August 2, 2020
Fragments of Light unfolded layer by layer to reveal a story of heartbreak, resentment, courage and choosing to start over again. It was polished writing with little details effortlessly put in and packed with emotional intensity. I eagerly reached for the next page in anticipation of finding out what exactly happened in France all those years ago.
Ceelie has been married for over twenty years when she finds out she has breast cancer. As she fights the disease she faces turmoil over her insecurities and her marriage, with her world turning upside down when the one person she leans on the most breaks her heart. Her friend Darlene helps carry Ceelie through the hardest time of her life, and when Darlene’s failing health prompts her to find out why her WWII veteran father (Cal) abandoned her all those years ago, Ceelie agrees to help her. On the journey to bring a decades-old secret to light, Ceelie discovers that she has a choice to make on how she will live life moving forward.
The story alternates between Cal’s parachute drop into France on D-Day, where he meets two young sisters, and Ceelie’s present day story. I enjoyed reading both timelines, but liked the modern day part just a little more. By the end of the story I came away with a renewed appreciation for our WWII fighters and how not one of them could have survived unscathed. We owe a lot to them!
There were a lot of serious moments but there also funny lines, most of them coming from Darlene. I loved her zest for life and her humour was something else. However, it was clear that despite her lively personality she was consumed by bitterness and anger at her father. Ceelie had her and Darlene’s father’s example as she made decisions, and I found it interesting how stories in two different time periods had their own parallels.
I also loved the character growth. My opinions on certain people changed as I read their stories. Sometimes I felt frustrated or annoyed at a character’s actions, but I guess that shows that the story really came to life!
Overall, I loved this book. I really liked the theme of us having a choice between forgiveness and bitterness, and the epilogue was a fantastic conclusion to the story. 4.5 stars!
* I received an advanced reader copy from the publisher, but later purchased my own copy of the book. This is my honest opinion.
Ceelie has been married for over twenty years when she finds out she has breast cancer. As she fights the disease she faces turmoil over her insecurities and her marriage, with her world turning upside down when the one person she leans on the most breaks her heart. Her friend Darlene helps carry Ceelie through the hardest time of her life, and when Darlene’s failing health prompts her to find out why her WWII veteran father (Cal) abandoned her all those years ago, Ceelie agrees to help her. On the journey to bring a decades-old secret to light, Ceelie discovers that she has a choice to make on how she will live life moving forward.
The story alternates between Cal’s parachute drop into France on D-Day, where he meets two young sisters, and Ceelie’s present day story. I enjoyed reading both timelines, but liked the modern day part just a little more. By the end of the story I came away with a renewed appreciation for our WWII fighters and how not one of them could have survived unscathed. We owe a lot to them!
There were a lot of serious moments but there also funny lines, most of them coming from Darlene. I loved her zest for life and her humour was something else. However, it was clear that despite her lively personality she was consumed by bitterness and anger at her father. Ceelie had her and Darlene’s father’s example as she made decisions, and I found it interesting how stories in two different time periods had their own parallels.
I also loved the character growth. My opinions on certain people changed as I read their stories. Sometimes I felt frustrated or annoyed at a character’s actions, but I guess that shows that the story really came to life!
Overall, I loved this book. I really liked the theme of us having a choice between forgiveness and bitterness, and the epilogue was a fantastic conclusion to the story. 4.5 stars!
* I received an advanced reader copy from the publisher, but later purchased my own copy of the book. This is my honest opinion.
July 15, 2020
This dual timeline story is connected by one character, Cal a World War II Army paratrooper. The contemporary time line features two women of widely different ages who are both fighting cancer, Ceelie, a young married woman, and Darlene, an older lady, with whom Ceelie becomes close friends. The historic time line focuses on Cal who is being airlifted into France shortly before D-Day. The connection is that Cal is Darlene's father whom she hasn't seen since she was just a baby when he completely disappears from her and her mom's life. As Darlene's cancer strikes again, she has one poignant request. She wants Ceelie to help her discover what happened to Cal.
This story is so full of depth, pain, anguish, hope, love, heartache and forgiveness. The emotional gamut at times can be draining, yet it is well worth it to come out on the other side at the end. Both time lines will pull at your heartstrings. The contemporary line as both Ceelie and Darlene battle their cancers, and the repercussions that each must handle wrench your emotions especially if you or someone else has had cancer. But the strength of both these ladies was amazing and then throw in Darlene's witty wisdom gems that kept both of them going when times got tough. The historical time line was so well researched and made me feel like I was right there in the middle of the chateau with Cal, Sabine, and Lise as they watched their lives swirl out of control.
This book bounced to the top of my 2020 favorites list. This was my first Michele Phoenix' read, but it definitely will not be my last.
**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated for this review.
This story is so full of depth, pain, anguish, hope, love, heartache and forgiveness. The emotional gamut at times can be draining, yet it is well worth it to come out on the other side at the end. Both time lines will pull at your heartstrings. The contemporary line as both Ceelie and Darlene battle their cancers, and the repercussions that each must handle wrench your emotions especially if you or someone else has had cancer. But the strength of both these ladies was amazing and then throw in Darlene's witty wisdom gems that kept both of them going when times got tough. The historical time line was so well researched and made me feel like I was right there in the middle of the chateau with Cal, Sabine, and Lise as they watched their lives swirl out of control.
This book bounced to the top of my 2020 favorites list. This was my first Michele Phoenix' read, but it definitely will not be my last.
**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated for this review.
December 14, 2020
Fragments of Lights was a beautiful way of reminding us that life can and will get tough but we need to be reminded of letting in the light. I have always enjoyed anything Michele Phoenix has written and Fragments of Light was no different. I liked the evolution of Ceelie and Nate's relationship, it was real and something that I think is relatable. The story of Darlene and her father Cal and finding out why he disappeared, and where he ended up was something that took me by surprise, but it was very believable.
July 14, 2020
“‘History’s stains illuminate the future,’” Or, as I see it, our tragedies shed light on the path ahead, urging us to learn from them. Make us better people. What kind of legacy will we leave? This story is about bravery — confrontation with the enemy. This enemy has many faces: cancer, war, a betrayal or a loss. Michele Phoenix’s latest, a time-slip novel based on a true event in WW2, reveals all four as she weaves past events with present circumstances of best friends bonded by a cancer diagnosis. They each deal with betrayal and resentment of their own - one, a father lost in the past, the other, a spouse who wants out. ”The opposite of courage isn't fear — it's resentment.” the author points out. With riveting scenes and moving dialogue and characterization, the author has brought this era to light with its many shades of emotion.
Read
March 16, 2020Endorsement:
An immersive and unforgettable treatise on the power of love in all of its manifestations. The past and present blur in this exceptionally researched portrait of humanity in the midst of turmoil and great divide. Deeply personal and beautifully humane, Phoenix once again asserts her power as one of the most moving and lyrical voices in inspirational fiction.
An immersive and unforgettable treatise on the power of love in all of its manifestations. The past and present blur in this exceptionally researched portrait of humanity in the midst of turmoil and great divide. Deeply personal and beautifully humane, Phoenix once again asserts her power as one of the most moving and lyrical voices in inspirational fiction.
April 10, 2020
I was blown away by the depth of emotion and insightfulness of the author has she shared Ceelie and Darlene’s battle with Cancer and also the way she portrays care-giving. in this novel Her friend tells Ceelie,“Everyone reacts to situations differently and that includes caregiving. It’s a hard job that can ruin relationships and your life if you let it.”
The story opens with Ceelie and her husband Nate preparing for yet another storm, in a long list of storms they’ve weathered in 22 years of marriage. Now they were facing cancer. The author quickly has readers care for this couple and their sweet love relationship as they prepare for reconstruction surgery.
Ceelie lays it all out for Nate in what to expect. Nate replies ,”……”I’ve gone to your appointments with you, I’ve watched the videos, I’ve read the articles….I know what’s coming. I know it’s going to be hard – really hard”
They had two weeks before everything happened and life as they’d known it would end. Nate wants them to think about “other” things. ..He’s prepared a special time for them. He looks are her and says, “shut up and dance with me.” Great moments like these that make you smile. (Love that song)
But nothing could have prepared them for the unexpected turn following surgery. Her best friend Darlene has a surprise of her own and seeks Ceelie’s help in completing a mission impossible. They were two broken women. Could they be put back together enough to complete Darlene’s mission? (which was the other story line in this novel) Could they get on with living life, not just surviving it and love again? Were there guarantees the people they loved won’t ever hurt them again? “NO”. Darlene tells her friend. “Forgiveness is difficult. It takes courage and a willingness to be hurt again.” Both Darlene and Ceelie come to this conclusion as they face life, love and Darlene’s personal mystery to uncover.
I enjoy time slip stories and this one is no exception. The author masterfully weaves two story lines in a remarkable way creating a mystery I wanted solved for everyone’s sake. These characters needed answers to their questions (and so did I!) Darlene tells her friend, “The opposite of brave is resentment.” From great tragedy comes hope.”
Her friend discusses their meltdown moment in caregiving with Ceelie,” Loving can be just as brutal as it is beautiful. Tears blurred their vision as they shared…”It was fear. It was weakness. It was battle fatigue. It was panic…It was cancer. But it wasn’t me.” Both were trying to make sense out of the caregiver’s actions.
There are so many thought provoking treasures to find in this heartwarming, story that choked me up a time or two. (keep a tissue handy – there are also happy tears) This was a book I’m still thinking about and I read it over a month ago. It would work well for your book club pick. The author includes discussion questions to help create an engaging time at your meeting. This is the first novel I’ve read by this author it won’t be the last.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”
Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins! www.bookfun.org
The Book Club Network blog www.psalm516.blogspot.com
The story opens with Ceelie and her husband Nate preparing for yet another storm, in a long list of storms they’ve weathered in 22 years of marriage. Now they were facing cancer. The author quickly has readers care for this couple and their sweet love relationship as they prepare for reconstruction surgery.
Ceelie lays it all out for Nate in what to expect. Nate replies ,”……”I’ve gone to your appointments with you, I’ve watched the videos, I’ve read the articles….I know what’s coming. I know it’s going to be hard – really hard”
They had two weeks before everything happened and life as they’d known it would end. Nate wants them to think about “other” things. ..He’s prepared a special time for them. He looks are her and says, “shut up and dance with me.” Great moments like these that make you smile. (Love that song)
But nothing could have prepared them for the unexpected turn following surgery. Her best friend Darlene has a surprise of her own and seeks Ceelie’s help in completing a mission impossible. They were two broken women. Could they be put back together enough to complete Darlene’s mission? (which was the other story line in this novel) Could they get on with living life, not just surviving it and love again? Were there guarantees the people they loved won’t ever hurt them again? “NO”. Darlene tells her friend. “Forgiveness is difficult. It takes courage and a willingness to be hurt again.” Both Darlene and Ceelie come to this conclusion as they face life, love and Darlene’s personal mystery to uncover.
I enjoy time slip stories and this one is no exception. The author masterfully weaves two story lines in a remarkable way creating a mystery I wanted solved for everyone’s sake. These characters needed answers to their questions (and so did I!) Darlene tells her friend, “The opposite of brave is resentment.” From great tragedy comes hope.”
Her friend discusses their meltdown moment in caregiving with Ceelie,” Loving can be just as brutal as it is beautiful. Tears blurred their vision as they shared…”It was fear. It was weakness. It was battle fatigue. It was panic…It was cancer. But it wasn’t me.” Both were trying to make sense out of the caregiver’s actions.
There are so many thought provoking treasures to find in this heartwarming, story that choked me up a time or two. (keep a tissue handy – there are also happy tears) This was a book I’m still thinking about and I read it over a month ago. It would work well for your book club pick. The author includes discussion questions to help create an engaging time at your meeting. This is the first novel I’ve read by this author it won’t be the last.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”
Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins! www.bookfun.org
The Book Club Network blog www.psalm516.blogspot.com
July 24, 2020
I had heard of Michele Phoenix for years from my friend, Marilyn, but had never had the chance to read her books. The new book came while house sitting for Marilyn and she encouraged me to open the package and read it. So glad I did. Kept me page turning to the end. What a great story and the weaving of the two stories together was so well done.
July 14, 2020
Fantastic read! A story of hope, friendship & healing!
A perfect book club read with a lot to discuss!
I was so sad when it was over as the characters had become dear friends to me!
A perfect book club read with a lot to discuss!
I was so sad when it was over as the characters had become dear friends to me!
July 28, 2020
This is a novel told in two time periods and it's a story of regret, redemption and ultimate acceptance during both time periods.
Current timeline: Ceelie has been undergoing treatment for breast cancer. After she rings the bell that shows she's cancer free, her husband of over 24 years tells her that he wants out of their marriage. He had helped her throughout the cancer but could no longer cope with what their lives had become. Ceelie's friend Darlene - who she met at the hospital during treatment - helped her through the loss of her husband. When Darlene find out that her cancer has returned, she asks Ceelie to help her find out about her father, Cal, who had deserted her when she was very young. She had huge resentment about her father but decided that now was the time to find out about him and try to understand why he left the family. Trying to find out what happened to Cal, takes Ceelie to Missouri and ultimately Normandy, France. While Ceelie works to find out more about Cal, the memory of her husband leaving after such a long marriage, continues to affect her life.
1944 timeline: Cal is in the Army and parachutes to France to help the advance forces before D-Day. Due to the weather, he ends up off target and stuck in a tree. When he drops out the tree, he injuries himself. Two sisters, 14 year old Sabine and her younger sister Lise, find him and take him back to their castle. They need to be very careful because the Germans who had used the castle as a headquarters are still in the area and along with the sisters, many of the town's families have come to the castle for safety. What happens during the few days at the castle, set Cal's life on a completely different past.
This book has brave and wounded women that you won't soon forget. It's a story of love and friendship and asks the question ' When life becomes unbearable, will you press toward the light or let the darkness win?'
Current timeline: Ceelie has been undergoing treatment for breast cancer. After she rings the bell that shows she's cancer free, her husband of over 24 years tells her that he wants out of their marriage. He had helped her throughout the cancer but could no longer cope with what their lives had become. Ceelie's friend Darlene - who she met at the hospital during treatment - helped her through the loss of her husband. When Darlene find out that her cancer has returned, she asks Ceelie to help her find out about her father, Cal, who had deserted her when she was very young. She had huge resentment about her father but decided that now was the time to find out about him and try to understand why he left the family. Trying to find out what happened to Cal, takes Ceelie to Missouri and ultimately Normandy, France. While Ceelie works to find out more about Cal, the memory of her husband leaving after such a long marriage, continues to affect her life.
1944 timeline: Cal is in the Army and parachutes to France to help the advance forces before D-Day. Due to the weather, he ends up off target and stuck in a tree. When he drops out the tree, he injuries himself. Two sisters, 14 year old Sabine and her younger sister Lise, find him and take him back to their castle. They need to be very careful because the Germans who had used the castle as a headquarters are still in the area and along with the sisters, many of the town's families have come to the castle for safety. What happens during the few days at the castle, set Cal's life on a completely different past.
This book has brave and wounded women that you won't soon forget. It's a story of love and friendship and asks the question ' When life becomes unbearable, will you press toward the light or let the darkness win?'
August 9, 2020
Fragments of Light starts in France on D-Day, then moves to Winfield, Illinois, in the present day. The past story is crammed into the hours and days of the D-Day landings, while the present story is Ceelie’s story as she recovers from breast cancer … and the devastation of her husband’s desertion.
Ceelie befriends Darlene, another cancer survivor, and the two of them undertake a journey into Darlene’s past, trying to find what happened to her father. Cal was a World War II soldier who went to war, came home, then disappeared. Why? She has nothing more than a few letters and an old photo. But Ceelie gets caught up in the journey, and in finding if there can be good hidden in the bad.
Most of the dual timeline novels I’ve read move between the past and present throughout the novel.
Fragments of Light is different, in that it moves exclusively to the present timeline at about the halfway point. As with all good dual timeline stories, there is no obvious or immediate connection between the past and present stories. That’s only revealed as the story progresses, and it certainly packs a punch when we make the connection. There’s even more of a punch when past and present meet.
I was impressed by Michele Phoenix’s earlier novel, The Space Between Words, and was equally impressed by Fragments of Light. It’s a powerful story of love, redemption, and forgiveness as the characters in the present discover and learn from the past. There’s a lesson there …
Recommended for fans of Christian fiction with a deeper message from authors such as Elizabeth Musser, Susie Finkbeiner, Catherine West, or Christine Dillon. Thanks to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.
Ceelie befriends Darlene, another cancer survivor, and the two of them undertake a journey into Darlene’s past, trying to find what happened to her father. Cal was a World War II soldier who went to war, came home, then disappeared. Why? She has nothing more than a few letters and an old photo. But Ceelie gets caught up in the journey, and in finding if there can be good hidden in the bad.
Most of the dual timeline novels I’ve read move between the past and present throughout the novel.
Fragments of Light is different, in that it moves exclusively to the present timeline at about the halfway point. As with all good dual timeline stories, there is no obvious or immediate connection between the past and present stories. That’s only revealed as the story progresses, and it certainly packs a punch when we make the connection. There’s even more of a punch when past and present meet.
I was impressed by Michele Phoenix’s earlier novel, The Space Between Words, and was equally impressed by Fragments of Light. It’s a powerful story of love, redemption, and forgiveness as the characters in the present discover and learn from the past. There’s a lesson there …
Recommended for fans of Christian fiction with a deeper message from authors such as Elizabeth Musser, Susie Finkbeiner, Catherine West, or Christine Dillon. Thanks to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.
July 4, 2020
The author as gifted us with a story that will have you page turning for answers. I felt as if I was ducking from the flack being shot at the paratroopers, and gingerly walking on floors that are about to collapse, and all the while searching for answers.
We are mainly with two woman both fighting the Big "C". and a beautiful friendship evolves between these two.
Because of this friendship we journey from present day to "D" in France, and back again. Keep turning the pages as answers to come, maybe not how you want them, but this is a fact of war.
A read that will linger, and full of emotions from one range to another, but mainly "Love".
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Thomas Nelson, and was not required to give a positive review.
We are mainly with two woman both fighting the Big "C". and a beautiful friendship evolves between these two.
Because of this friendship we journey from present day to "D" in France, and back again. Keep turning the pages as answers to come, maybe not how you want them, but this is a fact of war.
A read that will linger, and full of emotions from one range to another, but mainly "Love".
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Thomas Nelson, and was not required to give a positive review.
August 18, 2020
4.5 stars - A beautifully tragic, yet uplifting tale. We have so much we can and should learn from those wh0 went before us. "Let history's stains illuminate the future". This is a story of guilt and resentment - and bravery, honor, and commitment. All the trappings of human flaws and failings. Life came full circle in this story. What happened 75+ years ago has a lasting and profound impact and touches our lives still in so many ways. I just feel nostalgic and warm and awestruck after finishing this. There are lessons to be learned, and I just need to sit for a bit and absorb them all.
Oh yeah, I would be remiss if I did not include that I found the writing to be phenomenal!!
Oh yeah, I would be remiss if I did not include that I found the writing to be phenomenal!!
August 17, 2020
Michele Phoenix does it again in Fragments of Light. With prose that takes your breath away, she expertly navigates two time periods while exploring themes of loss, love, forgiveness, regret, and redemption.
July 14, 2020
This is an unpublished draft. "I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."
I received a free electronic ARC of this novel from Netgalley, Michele Phoenix, and Thoms Nelson-Women's Fiction. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me. I have read this novel of my own volition, and this review reflects my honest opinion of this work. I am pleased to recommend this author to friends and family. Michele Phoenix writes a tight, intriguing story with personable protagonists and she paints a background you can close your eyes and envision. I have added her to my must-read-authors list.
This story takes place in Winfield, Illinois, USA, and Aubry-en-Douve, France, and follows two timelines - in June of 1944, and in the present day. This author chose different fonts for each timeline, which added a great deal of clarity to the tale. Our primary protagonists in the present day are Cecelia Donovan, undergoing breast cancer surgeries and chemo, with her husband of 24 years, Nate. And you are gonna love Darlene Egerton, two-time cancer survivor, the older lady who helps Cece work through her travails and keeps her focused on survival. Even after Darlene is diagnosed with her third bout with cancer, now inoperable, metastasized in her lungs, bones, and possibly also in her brain she is there for Cece. And it is through Darlene that we are tied into the past, onto Utah Beach in northern France just in time for D-Day.
Our French connection is with two orphaned sisters, Sabine who is about 14, and Lise, about 8 years old. The girls are able to help an American paratrooper who is injured and lost when his jump time is unavoidably delayed. They bring him to their home, a small, very old, a bit derelict castle just off of Utah Beach, where many people from the surrounding areas are staying, also seeking sanctuary in a world at war. The soldier, Callum Ian McElway, is a married American GI who would like to get this war over with so he can go home and meet his new daughter.
And then we have D-Day. None of the Allied objectives were met in the beginning. Allied casualties on day 1 were about 10,000. German casualties were estimated from between 4,000 and 9.000. Between the weather and bad luck, it was several days before allied troops held the five Normandy beaches and could begin their move inland to free France from German control. A lot can happen in just a few days. Lives - worlds can rise or fail. Can, and do.
pub date July 14, 2020
Thomas Nelson - Women's Fiction
Reviewed on July 11, 2020, at Goodreads and Netgalley. Reviewed on July 14, 2020, at Amazon, Barnes&Noble, BookBub, Kobo, and GooglePlay.
I received a free electronic ARC of this novel from Netgalley, Michele Phoenix, and Thoms Nelson-Women's Fiction. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me. I have read this novel of my own volition, and this review reflects my honest opinion of this work. I am pleased to recommend this author to friends and family. Michele Phoenix writes a tight, intriguing story with personable protagonists and she paints a background you can close your eyes and envision. I have added her to my must-read-authors list.
This story takes place in Winfield, Illinois, USA, and Aubry-en-Douve, France, and follows two timelines - in June of 1944, and in the present day. This author chose different fonts for each timeline, which added a great deal of clarity to the tale. Our primary protagonists in the present day are Cecelia Donovan, undergoing breast cancer surgeries and chemo, with her husband of 24 years, Nate. And you are gonna love Darlene Egerton, two-time cancer survivor, the older lady who helps Cece work through her travails and keeps her focused on survival. Even after Darlene is diagnosed with her third bout with cancer, now inoperable, metastasized in her lungs, bones, and possibly also in her brain she is there for Cece. And it is through Darlene that we are tied into the past, onto Utah Beach in northern France just in time for D-Day.
Our French connection is with two orphaned sisters, Sabine who is about 14, and Lise, about 8 years old. The girls are able to help an American paratrooper who is injured and lost when his jump time is unavoidably delayed. They bring him to their home, a small, very old, a bit derelict castle just off of Utah Beach, where many people from the surrounding areas are staying, also seeking sanctuary in a world at war. The soldier, Callum Ian McElway, is a married American GI who would like to get this war over with so he can go home and meet his new daughter.
And then we have D-Day. None of the Allied objectives were met in the beginning. Allied casualties on day 1 were about 10,000. German casualties were estimated from between 4,000 and 9.000. Between the weather and bad luck, it was several days before allied troops held the five Normandy beaches and could begin their move inland to free France from German control. A lot can happen in just a few days. Lives - worlds can rise or fail. Can, and do.
pub date July 14, 2020
Thomas Nelson - Women's Fiction
Reviewed on July 11, 2020, at Goodreads and Netgalley. Reviewed on July 14, 2020, at Amazon, Barnes&Noble, BookBub, Kobo, and GooglePlay.
July 14, 2020
The first chapter of "Fragments of Light" caught me unprepared and I was hooked from that point on. As a survivor of breast cancer, the memories of the twelve years since my day-long surgery came flooding back to me. I had not known this would be the beginning of a reading experience that kept me looking for the book whenever I had a spare minute, even thinking about it while at work and trying to figure out what was coming next. Ceelie's battle with breast cancer pulled me into the story and did not let me go. The author wrote in a way that you felt you were right there. The writing was clean and clear and smoothly took this reader along for the ride from start to finish.
The mystery of what happens in personal relationships and what happens to us under great stress were the pull that this book had on me. The battle that Ceelie fought as she recovered and the young man fighting a war against Germany kept me wondering if I would have made the same choices. And in Cal McCallum's decision to change the world he felt he had made (alongside Ceelie's parallel choices) kept me thinking about how vital family relationships are to people and how one decision can affect other people's present AND future.
Ceelie's friend Darlene and cancer buddy was the daughter of Cal McCallum and the decisions he made caused her pain and she needed answers. Darlene was always the one pulling Ceelie forward in her recovery but her pain at the loss of her father was the impetus for the two to travel a great distance to try to find answers. In a whirl of circumstances beyond everyone's imagining, the search came full circle in the small French town where it had started. I don't want to give anything away, but I will just say that you should read this book...and be ready to have it appear in your hands at every spare minute! I enjoyed all of it! The amazing kind of people who gave their lives during this war (and even after the war) to stop the horror of the Holocaust and world domination are few and far between in our time...I wonder if anyone now could make (or even think of) the choice that this young father chose. I still find myself mulling over his choices and how he came to make them.
I was an early reader, thanks to Thomas Nelson Publishers. All opinions are my own.
Fragments of Light
The mystery of what happens in personal relationships and what happens to us under great stress were the pull that this book had on me. The battle that Ceelie fought as she recovered and the young man fighting a war against Germany kept me wondering if I would have made the same choices. And in Cal McCallum's decision to change the world he felt he had made (alongside Ceelie's parallel choices) kept me thinking about how vital family relationships are to people and how one decision can affect other people's present AND future.
Ceelie's friend Darlene and cancer buddy was the daughter of Cal McCallum and the decisions he made caused her pain and she needed answers. Darlene was always the one pulling Ceelie forward in her recovery but her pain at the loss of her father was the impetus for the two to travel a great distance to try to find answers. In a whirl of circumstances beyond everyone's imagining, the search came full circle in the small French town where it had started. I don't want to give anything away, but I will just say that you should read this book...and be ready to have it appear in your hands at every spare minute! I enjoyed all of it! The amazing kind of people who gave their lives during this war (and even after the war) to stop the horror of the Holocaust and world domination are few and far between in our time...I wonder if anyone now could make (or even think of) the choice that this young father chose. I still find myself mulling over his choices and how he came to make them.
I was an early reader, thanks to Thomas Nelson Publishers. All opinions are my own.
Fragments of Light
June 11, 2020
I've been a fan of Michele Phoenix's books since I read the amazing, heart-stopping book, The Space Between Words, so I was delighted to read her latest, Fragments of Light.
Although I finished reading it weeks ago, it has taken me this long to digest the book, ponder it, and allow the story to resonate. I suppose it touched me particularly because of how close Cancer has come to my friends and lately a close family member. Living through Ceelie's experiences was both hard and rewarding. Bittersweet and yet, enlightening, giving me a new empathy and appreciation for how much the support of others means to those fighting the disease. Also, all the complex emotions that are involved, both in those fighting Cancer and in their caregivers. The same can be said for Cal's story. Phoenix has shed light on the horrors of war and duty in a way that touched me deeply. I hope you fall in love with Darlene as I did. She's awesome, spunky, and wounded.
This book was well written, sensitive, and thought-provoking and in places, hilarious, and it has stayed with me weeks after I finished the last chapter. Well worth the read.
I read an ARC through Netgalley, my opinion is my own
Although I finished reading it weeks ago, it has taken me this long to digest the book, ponder it, and allow the story to resonate. I suppose it touched me particularly because of how close Cancer has come to my friends and lately a close family member. Living through Ceelie's experiences was both hard and rewarding. Bittersweet and yet, enlightening, giving me a new empathy and appreciation for how much the support of others means to those fighting the disease. Also, all the complex emotions that are involved, both in those fighting Cancer and in their caregivers. The same can be said for Cal's story. Phoenix has shed light on the horrors of war and duty in a way that touched me deeply. I hope you fall in love with Darlene as I did. She's awesome, spunky, and wounded.
This book was well written, sensitive, and thought-provoking and in places, hilarious, and it has stayed with me weeks after I finished the last chapter. Well worth the read.
I read an ARC through Netgalley, my opinion is my own
June 9, 2020
I'm not crying, you're crying.
This beautiful work of historical fiction by Michele Phoenix goes between present day America and World War II, D-Day in Normandy. It tells the story of Cal McElway, an American soldier, and Cecilia, 'Ceelie,' Donovan, a journalist who has just won her battle with cancer, both warriors in their own right. Their stories intertwine beautifully, with common themes of love, loss and heartache.
I would imagine this would be an especially emotional read for anyone who has been personally affected by cancer, either themselves or a loved one. Not only does Cecilia endure it, but she also has a dear friend who goes through it, and the link to Cal is through this friends' journey for closure.
I did a bit of research on the author and she is a three time cancer survivor, so the eloquence with which she writes about these characters' journies is understandable and realistic.
This is a must read for anyone who enjoys historical fiction, I highly recommend it.
Thank you to Thomas Nelson Fiction and NetGalley for the ARC.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
This beautiful work of historical fiction by Michele Phoenix goes between present day America and World War II, D-Day in Normandy. It tells the story of Cal McElway, an American soldier, and Cecilia, 'Ceelie,' Donovan, a journalist who has just won her battle with cancer, both warriors in their own right. Their stories intertwine beautifully, with common themes of love, loss and heartache.
I would imagine this would be an especially emotional read for anyone who has been personally affected by cancer, either themselves or a loved one. Not only does Cecilia endure it, but she also has a dear friend who goes through it, and the link to Cal is through this friends' journey for closure.
I did a bit of research on the author and she is a three time cancer survivor, so the eloquence with which she writes about these characters' journies is understandable and realistic.
This is a must read for anyone who enjoys historical fiction, I highly recommend it.
Thank you to Thomas Nelson Fiction and NetGalley for the ARC.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
July 14, 2020
With all that is going on the world today I needed a little fiction in my life and Michéle Phoenix delivered. This historical fiction tale of love, illness, pain, loss, war, just keeps coming and even when the hours on my clock got later; I. Couldn't. Put. It. Down. I was fully invested in the lives of Darlene and Cecelia as they battle through mental, physical and emotional wars together and separately. This was my first time reading Michéle's writing and her way of intercepting a story engaged me from the first to last chapter and beyond. I enjoyed her style of writing and how chapters would switch narrators and time-frames. I received an ARC from Thomas Nelson and these are my own thoughts and opinions.
July 12, 2020
So many emotions and feelings are felt throughout this whole book! The reader will laugh, cry and even, dare I say, almost feel hatred and resentment towards some of the characters. However, they are all so real and could be any one of us!
The way Michele Phoenix takes the reader back in history and yet makes it relevant to today, is mesmerizing!
A beautiful work! Thank you, Michele, for sharing your amazing talent with us all once again!
I was an early reader, thanks to Thomas Nelson. All opinions are my own.
The way Michele Phoenix takes the reader back in history and yet makes it relevant to today, is mesmerizing!
A beautiful work! Thank you, Michele, for sharing your amazing talent with us all once again!
I was an early reader, thanks to Thomas Nelson. All opinions are my own.
August 2, 2020
If you are looking for a great women's fiction book to read, Fragments of Light by Michele Phoenix fits the bill. Especially for those of you that love books without romance, this is one that you will not want to miss.
A story of forgiveness and restoration along with heartache of loss. It does have death in it, mentions of cancer and talk of divorce as well, but in the end, you see the strength of forgiveness, while still addressing the wrong.
I truly found this book to carry me into another place, hints of history throughout, but mostly set in modern day.
A story of forgiveness and restoration along with heartache of loss. It does have death in it, mentions of cancer and talk of divorce as well, but in the end, you see the strength of forgiveness, while still addressing the wrong.
I truly found this book to carry me into another place, hints of history throughout, but mostly set in modern day.
July 15, 2020
This is a well written book that hooks you on the first page and doesn't let go. It is full of emotions and will keep you turning the pages to see what happens next. This is an outstanding book that you don't want to miss! Thank you Thomas Nelson--FICTION via NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
November 9, 2020
What a beautiful heartrending story!
This novel is such a hard and wonderful emotional and physical journey. I laughed and cried. I’ll be thinking about that ending for a long time. A beautiful portrait of how even a life so broken and bruised can find hope and new life again. Highly recommend this novel!
This novel is such a hard and wonderful emotional and physical journey. I laughed and cried. I’ll be thinking about that ending for a long time. A beautiful portrait of how even a life so broken and bruised can find hope and new life again. Highly recommend this novel!
September 2, 2021
Wow. RTC.
June 11, 2020
When I finished Fragments of Light by Michele Phoenix, I was a little leary about writing a review because I was afraid I would not give the book It’s due. Michele Phoenix has crafted a beautiful story of love and friendship, loss and redemption that spanned the beaches of Normany in 1944 to Kinley, MO to Geneva, IL.
Cecelia (Ceelie) Donovan’s life was turned upside down with her cancer diagnosis. Through her surgery, treatments and reconstruction surgery her husband Nate was by her side until he decided that he couldn't handle the stress anymore. When he walked out, Ceelie’s life would have completely fallen apart had it not been for her dear friend and fellow cancer survivor Darlene Egerton. Darlene with her strength, witty sarcasm and crazy pink tipped hair saw her through the tough times giving her a reason to believe she still had a future and a life to live. But just as Ceelie starts to readjust to a new but different life, Darlene gets the devastating news her cancer has returned and the prognosis is not good. Darlene’s news and a now contrite spouse who wants a second chance, are more than Ceelie can bear. When it becomes obvious that Darlene’s days are numbered, she asks Ceelie for a favor. Find out why her father abandoned her and her mother after the war. Darlene’s father, Cal McElway, a highly decorated hero during WWII and part of Operation Overlord, came back after discharge and walked out a few months later never to return. For years Darlene harbored deep seated resentment for a father she never knew. Now she wants answers and prays the reporter in Ceelie can give her the answers she so desperately needs.
As Darlene takes a turn Ceelie reluctantly reaches out to Nate to assist her in her quest for answers. Nate, desperate to redeem himself, takes her up on her offer to return to the beaches of Normandy where it all began for Darlene’s father Cal, to find the truth about his departure and in finding the truth, a way back to their future.
I absolutely loved this story. Historical fiction at it’s finest. You will need a tissue when you read this as Michele Phoenix’s characters are so realistic and written with such raw emotion. There were times I felt like I was actually present watching everything play out. Other times I felt like I was eavesdropping on private conversations. It was that good. I shed more than a few tears too and I'm sure you will too. As far as a favorite character, that would be hard to say. Every role that was played was unique in their own way and even Nate redeemed himself at the end. All in all Fragments of Light is a beautiful piece of historical fiction that any reader would love to pick up and find it difficult to put down.
I want to thank NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for an ARC of Fragments of Light by Michele Phoenix. “Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own”!
Cecelia (Ceelie) Donovan’s life was turned upside down with her cancer diagnosis. Through her surgery, treatments and reconstruction surgery her husband Nate was by her side until he decided that he couldn't handle the stress anymore. When he walked out, Ceelie’s life would have completely fallen apart had it not been for her dear friend and fellow cancer survivor Darlene Egerton. Darlene with her strength, witty sarcasm and crazy pink tipped hair saw her through the tough times giving her a reason to believe she still had a future and a life to live. But just as Ceelie starts to readjust to a new but different life, Darlene gets the devastating news her cancer has returned and the prognosis is not good. Darlene’s news and a now contrite spouse who wants a second chance, are more than Ceelie can bear. When it becomes obvious that Darlene’s days are numbered, she asks Ceelie for a favor. Find out why her father abandoned her and her mother after the war. Darlene’s father, Cal McElway, a highly decorated hero during WWII and part of Operation Overlord, came back after discharge and walked out a few months later never to return. For years Darlene harbored deep seated resentment for a father she never knew. Now she wants answers and prays the reporter in Ceelie can give her the answers she so desperately needs.
As Darlene takes a turn Ceelie reluctantly reaches out to Nate to assist her in her quest for answers. Nate, desperate to redeem himself, takes her up on her offer to return to the beaches of Normandy where it all began for Darlene’s father Cal, to find the truth about his departure and in finding the truth, a way back to their future.
I absolutely loved this story. Historical fiction at it’s finest. You will need a tissue when you read this as Michele Phoenix’s characters are so realistic and written with such raw emotion. There were times I felt like I was actually present watching everything play out. Other times I felt like I was eavesdropping on private conversations. It was that good. I shed more than a few tears too and I'm sure you will too. As far as a favorite character, that would be hard to say. Every role that was played was unique in their own way and even Nate redeemed himself at the end. All in all Fragments of Light is a beautiful piece of historical fiction that any reader would love to pick up and find it difficult to put down.
I want to thank NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for an ARC of Fragments of Light by Michele Phoenix. “Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own”!
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