The Fire Inside

by Michelle Bellon

Aiden, a doting husband and father, had the perfect life. A job he loved, a beautiful son, and a loving wife. In an instant, everything is taken from him and Aiden believes his life is over. Falling into a deep depression, Aiden all but gives up on his job, his friends, and himself. But when a mysterious force grants him the power to heal those around him, Aiden is forced to pull himself out of his misery in favor of the greater good. When he meets Ryan, a hardened, pessimistic teenager living on the streets, and Norma, a woman whose marriage is crumbling around her, Aiden acknowledges that maybe life still has a purpose, and this ability to heal may be more powerful than he ever imagined.

186 pages, Paperback

First published June 16, 2015

About the author

Michelle Bellon currently lives in the Pacific Northwest with her fiance and four children. She earned her Associates degree in Nursing and fills her free time with her love for writing. She has published three novels.

Reviews

[Heidi Lynn’s BookReviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

First, I want to thank Michelle Bellon for providing me with this book so I may bring you this review.

The Fire Inside is the second book that I have read by Michelle Bellon and I can honestly say she is becoming one of my favorite authors. Each of her books I have read grabbed me and pulled me so hard into the book and would not let go of my heart strings nor my attention until the end of the book. This book was eye opening, emotional, beautiful, had a lot of life lessons in it, and made you think.

Warning this is a book you may want to keep your tissues on hand for. I know I shed some tears at places.

One thing I could feel when I was reading this book was that how passionate Michelle was about each of the characters. She is an incredibly gifted writer who you can tell has an amazing heart of gold. Each of these characters played such an important role in the storyline. Each one she made sure you got to feel that connection with. The one character that was my favorite and that I connected with the most was Aiden. My heart ached for him so much in the beginning. He lost two people he loved so much!!

This book touched on so many difficult subjects that Aiden had to face like death of loved ones, mourning the loss, trying to live without them, depression, etc. Michelle really dug deep with this character and got brought out all the stops with the emotions. I have to give kudos to her graphic artist.

This cover was incredible and blew me away. It was so powerful just like this book was. Each cover Michelle has been good but this one was phenomenal!!

This is a genre she needs write more books in. She has mega talent in this genre! I could see this being an original film on Netflix.

[Sandra Jeffs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unexpected, heart-warming, and uplifting. This story opens the doors to unusual possibilities.

[Gayle Pace · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book about three very different people who have had losses in different ways. Is there a possibility of healing and recovering from the grief? First we have Aiden. He is living in a world that has been completely destroyed when his lovely wife and 2 1/2 year old son are in a car accident and die. Can he go on any longer without them? What a way to start off the book. You as the reader, wonder what in the world Aiden will do? As Aiden's world is falling apart very fast, we have Ryan who had a mother who was totally void of emotion. She therefore gave no emotion to Ryan.Ryan's mother had so many problems, which is no wonder considering her mother retreated to Vegas and forgot to come back. That left Ryan's mother alone, trying to keep from everyone, even her high school what is truly going on. On top of that, she has bills to pay. Last but not least we have Norma. She has an empty place in her heart because she desires to have children. She has been married for five years and has no children. She so wants them. Isn't there enough love or emotion there with either one of them? This is a sad at times, but heart warming as Aiden's tragedy took a turn and he began helping people who were sick and dying. The past can be hard to conquer. You've lost you trust, your ability to love and you don't know what to do next. This is a story of everyone's heart and the strongest emotion that can be, LOVE. The difficulty is tapping into that emotion when our lives are falling apart. Some people are never able to do this. Others turn their lives around and find the love to forgive and help others. They bridge that gap between such sorrow and such love. We all have THE FIRE INSIDE US. For some of us, it's strong and fierce in the face of reality, that can be harsh. For others it's just a spark that sometimes can be built into a fire and sometimes the spark fades out. Read this book and follow these three characters through devastation, desire, the harshness of reality and all their emotions. Find out what becomes of each of them. Will they all find THE FIRE INSIDE?

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author, Michelle Bellon and PUYB for my unbiased review. No other compensation took place.

[toreadanovel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Firstly the cover for this book is beautiful. It’s what made me pick the novel on Netgalley, to be honest. I liked the sound of description as well, but I just didn’t find the novel that attention-grabbing. I don’t know how others have found this book, but for me it was just adequate. I didn’t love it and I didn’t hate it, hence the 3* rating. I feel like it will be a book that I will be able to quickly forget, unfortunately. The plot was nice but there didn’t really seem to be anything particularly exciting about it. Perhaps this is because I’m an atheist, so the more spiritual parts of this novel didn’t affect me as they would someone else who follows a religion, but as to whether that’s right or not I’m uncertain.

For me there was one rather large loophole in the novel, again probably linking to my religious beliefs rather than anything else. Outside of a higher power granting Aiden’s his ability to heal, there doesn’t really appear to be any explanation as to why he suddenly woke with this newfound power. This irked me as I rather like learning all of the different ways that things begin, like causes of zombie apocalypses, for example, or the way in which a superhero (or villain) received their power. Not having an explanation for this bothered me a lot at the beginning of this novel, although it wasn’t that big a deal as the book continued and I got absorbed in the rest of the plot.

One of the best things about this novel for me was the sense of belonging and love that came with it. I’m not sure how the characters would fair in the world that I’m familiar with, but it was really… Uplifting, the way that Aiden chose to help both Ryan and Norma to find a reason to keep fighting. It was beautiful the way that Bellon interwove their lives and she managed to do it so delicately, by plucking one string at a time rather than tying them together in one brisk jerk. It worked well I though and was incredibly believable.

Don’t get me wrong, I did enjoy this book. It was a pleasant read for a sunny day, but after I finished the last page, I didn’t feel like I gained anything from this novel. It was just a nice read and that was it.

I received this in return for an honest review from Netgalley and Booktrope Editions. Thank you for this opportunity.

[Diane Coto · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even punks don’t bother Aiden’s home. He has become highly respected; he has become the ‘healer’. He had been very much in love with his young wife and son. When the police came to his office, he expected anything but what he was about to hear – “I’m so sorry to have to be the one to deliver this news, but … there was an accident … a car accident, this morning. Sir, your wife and son did not survive the accident. I’m so sorry.” Aiden immediately went into denial. It had to be wrong. He went through the motions of the funeral. Then, he became a hermit.

He was so close to killing himself, he actually had the gun in his mouth. A mouse distracted him. They came with the increased garbage in his home. He shot the mouse; watched as it was dying; turned extremely remorseful; then watched as it recuperated. What just happened? Can it be duplicated? At long last, he finally went outside and gathered a cat that had a severe limp. Within his home, he duplicated the remorseful feelings without the guilt he felt for the mouse. When he turned the cat loose, it was healed.

I’m not quite sure how Aiden received his gift. From how the story is written, he was rather surprised himself. The story begins with Aiden, but there are two other lives we follow. Norma’s marriage is sinking fast. They looked forward to having children, but she was not able to conceive. Now, they don’t even feel like they know each other anymore. There’s also Ryan, a teen girl, whose mother left her in Chicago when she went to Vegas to get married. They send Ryan money – enough to keep the apartment going and little else. She finds herself pulled into a life of thievery. The beginning is hard emotionally because we see all three characters at their lowest level. Their lives intertwine as the story progresses forward. Although somewhat predictable, it’s a wonderful feel-good story about humanity. Teens could read it as there is no inappropriate acts or language. Rating: 3.5 out of 5.

[books are love · Rating 4 out of 5]

What was amazing about this book is the capacity of Aiden to love and and have compassion for others after all he went through. He loses everything goes into despair and still comes out with a gift to help others and compassion.

This book shows the power of the human spirit and out capacity to love and help others. Aiden is special in that respect. Even without the power to heal wounds he is able to help others heal through his compassion for others. Him and Jessie have a amazing spirit.

ryan has been left alone and feels unloved. To make up for that she hardens her heart. Jessie and Aiden work on thawing her heart.

This story has four lives that intersect. Jessie and Aiden help Ryan in ways to have her see that she is worthy of love and compassion. Norma and Ryan help each other see that they are worth love and help each other with the pain and heartache others have given them. It is through Aiden that they find each other Ryan and Norma. Aiden is special in so many ways.

This book is uplifting and sad at the same time. Uplifting in it shows us how if when broken and in despair how one can still be compassionate and loving. Sad because of what each character goes through to find their way.

The writing is beautiful in its descriptions and ability to hold ones attention and the characters have you feel everything they are. You truly are p ut in their shoes. A wonderful story of the human spirit and it’s capacity to love and help others as we see the journey of Aiden and how he helps and heals others in body, spirit and soul. A book that uplifted and had me see how wonderful hope ,love and compassion for others can be.

[Nina Schluntz · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of those stories I would call a predictable read. You follow three main characters, whose lives are not connected. It’s fairly obvious from the start that the plot is focused on the lives of these three strangers becoming connected and most likely saving each other. All three are damaged in their own ways and it’s easy to see how the pieces will interlock to give everyone a happily ever after.

The story does reach some fairly dark points, the characters each reach lows in their lives, which must be touched on to come full circle and bring them back to a balanced—and hopefully happy—life.

If you enjoy dramas, the prime time television kind, then this would be a good book for you. It goes dark, but not so dark that teenagers couldn’t read it. There’s no cussing, sex, or anything inappropriate or graphic. I’d say there are some good life lessons and morals being taught in the storyline as well. Almost to a—force it down your throat—degree, but not quite. I lost the believability of the characters and atmosphere a few times cause things are pretty exaggerated. For example; a 17 year old boy who turns down sex? *blink blink* where do these exist? A husband who leaves his depressed wife, never cheats on her, and comes back to reconcile with her? I guess those things can happen… But man, the men in this book are like the nicest people ever.

Anyway, it is a nice read. So if you enjoy a drama where you know it’ll end happy, you’ll meet some nice people, then pick up “the fire inside”.

[Dixie Goode · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book from the author after she had seen some of my other reviews. I told her at the start that if I don't like a book, and feel it is it a good fit for me, I won't finish it. That said, she sent me her book anyway and told me to just be honest. I honestly enjoyed her book very much and finished it the day after the attacks in Paris, when I looked up from the last page and wished I could share some of her magic with the rest of the world. We could all use some if this healing and heat now.

In this story, there are three main points of view and the story switches between them. They are distinct enough that it is fairly easy to know who you are reading about at any given point. This story begins with a sadness in the lives of all three characters, Aiden, who has lost his wife and toddler son; and Norma who has been trying so feverishly to have a baby, that she has lost touch with why she fell in love with her husband in the first place; and my personal favorite is tough and angry and scared and at only 15, has been abandoned by her mother and is raising herself. Aiden tries to kill himself and fails, instead he shoots a mouse and then revives it and finds himself blessed with or cursed with a touch of divine healing power. The people who really need him seem to be led to his door and the three story lines weave together is a sweet but not quite predictable manner. This is a sweet, hopeful story when all is settled, but there are moments of painful reality too. Nice job.

[Boundless Book Reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was provide a copy of The Fire Inside in exchange for an honest review.
This story follows three people.

Aiden is lost and distraught, after a tragic loss. So he confined himself in part of the house and never wanted to leave.

Norma, a woman who desperately wants a child but focusing on just that, she's lost a part of her life.

Ryan, is a young girl, who is alone. Her mom leaves her by herself. While she goes and has fun somewhere else.

Aiden figures out that he's able to heal. He has various times where he's visited by his wife. Explaining to him what's happening. Can you imagine if you found out one day you could heal? This brings him out of the basement he's lived in and in many ways, taught him how to live again.

"I've been to a place where pain was so great, that all I could do to survive it, was shut myself off from the rest of the world."

I normally, don't really care for different character points of view. Two is just my limit. I think it can become a little confusing. But the differences in characters and how they came together I found interesting

They all came together when they needed each other, they needed to heal in some way. Overall, it was a good story....Lissa

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[Jennifer Clausen-greene · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this unique book.I have never read anything from this author before, so I was not really sure what to expect. Honestly, I looked at the cover, the title and the little excerpt and thought it sounded and looked fascinating so I thought I would give it a try. First off the story is told by the three different and unique main characters, alternating between their first person accounts in each chapter. This book has so many different elements running through it from dealing with trauma, suicidal ideations, depression, healing, feelings of abandonment and the damage that comes from tragedies. What really set this book apart though were the underlying tones of hope, healing, love, forgiveness, sacrifice and redemption from the characters.Although at times the plot was predictable, it did not take away from the story line and the characters. I personally enjoyed this book. It was a quick read, but one that filled your spirit with a bit more optimism in the human race.

[Icy_Space_Cobwebs Join the Penguin Resistance! · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review: THE FIRE INSIDE by Michelle Bellon

Three individuals, varying in circumstances and the nature of their losses, become interwoven in the hope of healing.

Young Ryan, raised by an emotionally absent [not distant, absent--checked out of "life"] mother, struggles to keep bills current and hide from her high school the true nature of her circumstances: she has been living alone since Mother dearest ran off to Vegas-and stayed.

Norma is desperate for children, so much so that her continued childllessness has emotionally deep-frozen her marriage of five years. Is her husband's love on hold--or permanently dissipated? Is hers??

Aiden's contentment is shattered, his world upended, when his vibrant, vivacious wife, and their son, only two-and-a-half, are killed in a head-on collision. Is life without them even possible?

[Carla J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Different Kind Of Wnderful

Few books touch me the way this one did. Believable characters so well developed, you expect them to walk through the door.
Ryan was only fifteen when her self centered mother left her high and dry. Claiming she would only be gone a few days, Ryan knew she had been abandoned.
Aiden experienced a debilitating loss that catapulted him into a year long black depression resulting in a spiritual awakening and a gift of healing.
Norma, forced to give up on a dream so precious the denial of which left a psychic scar, that threatened to destroy her as sure as it destroyed her marriage.
These three unlikely people are brought together or a far greater purpose, a higher purpose of learning to let go, forgive, and allow love inside despite hurts, pain and loss.
This is a tale of incredible hope. Well worth the five stars.

[Sage Adderley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Author Michelle Bellon has taken three completely different characters and interwoven them together in a moving plot. This book starts off fierce with the death of Aiden's wife and son in a car accident. We watch his character experience a downward spiral and pretty much give up on life. In the meantime, readers meet abandoned teen girl, Ryan, and frazzled Norma who is desperate to get pregnant.

I absolutely love how Aiden's trauma and depression led him to tap into healing energies which allowed him to transform the lives of sick and dying people. This is where the story brings the characters together. It's a story about forgiveness, rebuilding, and trusting even when your past experiences say otherwise.

[Tequila · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is a really sweet book with a nice ending.

This isn't the greatest book I read nor is it the worst. For me the book felt kind of slow and the ending a bit rushed. I didn't really connect with any of the characters and felt they were a bit flat. I feel like there was just so much more that could have been told about the characters that was left out. I feel this might have been a better story if there was more to it. I do like the plot, but sometimes it felt like the story would focus too much on one person and I did find myself wondering when other characters would be mentioned. Overall, it is a quick and uplifting read.

[Lissa Rice]

(3) I received a copy in exchange for an honest review. Review will be up on Boundless Book Reviews in July**

[J.J. Lair · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book with a solid story. The beginning set up seems calm but then the story becomes a punch to the stomach. These likeable characters and their lives are torn apart. Poor Norma. I thought Ryan’s story would be darker, but it really went to the edge of darkness and came back. All the stories reached a close edge, but pulled back.
The events and conflicts in the second half of the book are different from the first half. There are still falls for the characters.
I was glued to this book. The writing was solid and believable. The story flowed and didn’t slow.