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How to Mend a Broken Star
(previously published as Sewing for the Insane)
Star Hewitt has a secret. She wants it tucked aside with other remnants of her childhood, but some secrets refuse to be forgotten.
When her brother returns from the War another secret is added to the Hewitt household. James battles an unseen enemy, one who inflicts wounds on the entire family.
One dark day in 1947, their secrets collide. Star finds herself behind the barred windows of Westfield Estate Hospital. Revealing the truth will set her free, and means betraying James. As the opportunity to protect him slips away, her options become clear. And unthinkable.
Loyalty ties Star to a reality of her own making, but the knot securing her there is slipping. When she falls, will anyone remain to mend the broken pieces?
Star Hewitt has a secret. She wants it tucked aside with other remnants of her childhood, but some secrets refuse to be forgotten.
When her brother returns from the War another secret is added to the Hewitt household. James battles an unseen enemy, one who inflicts wounds on the entire family.
One dark day in 1947, their secrets collide. Star finds herself behind the barred windows of Westfield Estate Hospital. Revealing the truth will set her free, and means betraying James. As the opportunity to protect him slips away, her options become clear. And unthinkable.
Loyalty ties Star to a reality of her own making, but the knot securing her there is slipping. When she falls, will anyone remain to mend the broken pieces?
- GenresFiction
Paperback
First published January 1, 2016
18 people are currently reading
57 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
October 1, 2017
Great book!
July 29, 2020
This was a hard book for me to read. I wasn't entirely sure I wanted to read it once I got started, mainly because the subject matter isn't exactly cheery. I'm glad I read it though. It showed how God helped the various characters get through and overcome some. very hard times.
April 21, 2022
Awesome Novel
Where do I start? A deep, heartwrenching, soul tugging story. I cried with Star/Esther, I felt her hurt & fears, I felt elated when Bugs/Daniel light shone - I was at Westerfield with them all as the author crafted the story.
It was fill with fears, pain, loneliness, anger, joy, hope, love and all our other God-given emotions. It reminded me that God is here because I am - it's that simple
Where do I start? A deep, heartwrenching, soul tugging story. I cried with Star/Esther, I felt her hurt & fears, I felt elated when Bugs/Daniel light shone - I was at Westerfield with them all as the author crafted the story.
It was fill with fears, pain, loneliness, anger, joy, hope, love and all our other God-given emotions. It reminded me that God is here because I am - it's that simple
December 29, 2020
Star..all right
I really enjoyed this story. As a former clinician, I found it very informative and true to life experiences. The only criticism is that the hospital gave Anchor another job instead of firing him or reporting him. I guess that was then, this is now. Reminded me of the priests. Just send them somewhere else...but the book was very hard to put down.
I really enjoyed this story. As a former clinician, I found it very informative and true to life experiences. The only criticism is that the hospital gave Anchor another job instead of firing him or reporting him. I guess that was then, this is now. Reminded me of the priests. Just send them somewhere else...but the book was very hard to put down.
October 18, 2017
Moving
This book really captured and held my attention. While many of the treatment options have changed, the complexities of the mind have not.
This book really captured and held my attention. While many of the treatment options have changed, the complexities of the mind have not.
December 24, 2018
Couldn’t put this book down once I started it!
October 3, 2016
This book is a breath of fresh air in a market saturated with much of the same. Rachel's unique voice brings Star and her patchwork quilt of secondary characters to life.
Placed in a world she fears, Star wrestles against the pressing thought that perhaps she does belong. Each of us must fight the darkness in our own minds and find the One true light Who never changes. This story walks the fragile line between darkness and light, between truth and lies, and challenges the reader to consider just how far they would go to save someone they love.
Rachel seasons her tale with levity, making the heavier elements of the story easier to get through. This is not a "light" read in the sense that it will make you think and confronts issues that may make some readers uncomfortable. Having said that, I highly recommend "Sewing for the Insane" if you are looking for a story with substance that will stick with you long after you finish the final page.
Super proud of Rachel and looking forward to what's next!
Recommended for fans of "A Heart Deceived" by Michelle Griep
Placed in a world she fears, Star wrestles against the pressing thought that perhaps she does belong. Each of us must fight the darkness in our own minds and find the One true light Who never changes. This story walks the fragile line between darkness and light, between truth and lies, and challenges the reader to consider just how far they would go to save someone they love.
Rachel seasons her tale with levity, making the heavier elements of the story easier to get through. This is not a "light" read in the sense that it will make you think and confronts issues that may make some readers uncomfortable. Having said that, I highly recommend "Sewing for the Insane" if you are looking for a story with substance that will stick with you long after you finish the final page.
Super proud of Rachel and looking forward to what's next!
Recommended for fans of "A Heart Deceived" by Michelle Griep
April 23, 2016
Such a good book unlike any other.
I've just finished reading this wonderful and obviously well researched book. Considering the subject to say I enjoyed it might be a bit far fetched but it was truly one of the best books I've read in a while and one I wouldn't hesitate to recommend. On top of the good writing style the story line was completely believable including the friend Betsy as I had one just like her myself!!
I've just finished reading this wonderful and obviously well researched book. Considering the subject to say I enjoyed it might be a bit far fetched but it was truly one of the best books I've read in a while and one I wouldn't hesitate to recommend. On top of the good writing style the story line was completely believable including the friend Betsy as I had one just like her myself!!
January 23, 2017
Excellent book! The writing style and themes reminded me of an Ann Tatlock book. A young girl trying to make sense of her world while dealing with a brother who has returned from war with "combat fatigue" (what we now call PTSD).
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews