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Courageously Broken: A memoir of overcoming adversity and conquering the battle scars of life
Everyone has a story to tell and scars that don't heal
A young idealistic teen leaves a small town and abusive father behind to join the Navy in a refreshingly down to earth memoir of one woman's journey to self discovery. She embraces life with passion and courage, from training and partying with Navy SEALs to skydiving and joining the police force, but when tragic events while serving her country lead to years of nightmares, depression and PTSD, she must learn to navigate life through the heartache and tears until the laughter and love return.
A young idealistic teen leaves a small town and abusive father behind to join the Navy in a refreshingly down to earth memoir of one woman's journey to self discovery. She embraces life with passion and courage, from training and partying with Navy SEALs to skydiving and joining the police force, but when tragic events while serving her country lead to years of nightmares, depression and PTSD, she must learn to navigate life through the heartache and tears until the laughter and love return.
277 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 15, 2020
17 people are currently reading
22 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
September 17, 2020
As a retired Naval Officer and retired Police Officer I connected with the author. She wipes the mist of time from her eyes and allows the reader into an up close and personal life story. From a challenging upbringing with a family member with mental illness to a woman’s viewpoint as a Sailor in the U.S. Navy she lays it all on the line. Early on in the Navy she experienced a life-changing traumatic event at her first command. Afterwards she was given orders to a forward-based SEAL Unit where she found her stride, becoming an integral part of the unique and high-speed life of SEAL operators. She was expected to be the best at her job and she more than exceeded that challenge. There are pranks, party stories and even a missing Budweiser balloon that she might or might not have been involved in. CWO3, U.S. Navy (ret)
November 12, 2020
A phenomenal reading experience. D. A. Michaels has a way with words that will draw you in from the very beginning. This book is thought provoking, gritty, and real. Beautifully written!
March 31, 2022
Reading D.A. Michael's book, make sure you bring a tissue is all I can say. I heard about her book and started following her before I read it, so I had a little insight into her life before knowing her back story.
When I picked up the book, I had no idea what I was about to get into, but when I did, honestly, I was even more in awe than I was by watching how she was a selfless person.
D.A started in life having a lot of odds against her, but you will find out is that this woman is the epitome of a fighter. I don't mean she throws down in a bar; no, she has a mental toughness that you can't teach someone. They are born with it and utilize it to become kinder than you can ever imagine.
At the beginning of D.A.'s book, I started with tears in my eyes and a heart full of rage, wanting to hurt the ones who hurt her, but by the time I hit the middle, my heart was full of pride in who she was becoming.
D.A. had the honor of working with our nation's elite forces and didn't just sit on her thumbs. No, she dug in and wanted to learn the down and dirty of what they did on their missions.
I found comedy in the most unusual places of her story and appreciated her viewpoints so much.
There were times when I thought the story was ending, yet it continued, and I never realized I was so intrigued with wanting to see where it was taking me that I looked up, and it was well past my bedtime.
I am thankful for D.A.'s service inside and outside of the military in keeping us all safe from the things that go bump in the night, and I am saddened that she had to go through what she did; however, I think it makes her uniquely kind and amazingly courageous beyond anyone I have ever known. This is a must-read and one you want on your shelf to read more than once to remind us that the human spirit is capable of so much.
When I picked up the book, I had no idea what I was about to get into, but when I did, honestly, I was even more in awe than I was by watching how she was a selfless person.
D.A started in life having a lot of odds against her, but you will find out is that this woman is the epitome of a fighter. I don't mean she throws down in a bar; no, she has a mental toughness that you can't teach someone. They are born with it and utilize it to become kinder than you can ever imagine.
At the beginning of D.A.'s book, I started with tears in my eyes and a heart full of rage, wanting to hurt the ones who hurt her, but by the time I hit the middle, my heart was full of pride in who she was becoming.
D.A. had the honor of working with our nation's elite forces and didn't just sit on her thumbs. No, she dug in and wanted to learn the down and dirty of what they did on their missions.
I found comedy in the most unusual places of her story and appreciated her viewpoints so much.
There were times when I thought the story was ending, yet it continued, and I never realized I was so intrigued with wanting to see where it was taking me that I looked up, and it was well past my bedtime.
I am thankful for D.A.'s service inside and outside of the military in keeping us all safe from the things that go bump in the night, and I am saddened that she had to go through what she did; however, I think it makes her uniquely kind and amazingly courageous beyond anyone I have ever known. This is a must-read and one you want on your shelf to read more than once to remind us that the human spirit is capable of so much.
February 7, 2021
It must have taken tremendous courage to tell this story. The author tells her story as though she is telling you as her friend. She describes a life filled with tragedy and triumph along with laughter.
A must read for anyone who has experienced trauma or struggles as it gives hope that things can and will get better as long as they don't quit.
Great read!!
A must read for anyone who has experienced trauma or struggles as it gives hope that things can and will get better as long as they don't quit.
Great read!!
October 22, 2021
I love and have lived- the emotional journey this young lady took, tore at my heartstrings. The unspoken shame that she bared and came through- should give any of us who have been on the receiving end of sexual abuse- Hope that we too can come through it and find our feet again.
February 27, 2021
Wow
An honest story. Enjoyed every page. Best of luck to her. Hoping she will have a great life from here on out.
An honest story. Enjoyed every page. Best of luck to her. Hoping she will have a great life from here on out.
July 30, 2021
Many members in my family were in the Air Force,Army and Navy as well as Law Enforcement. D.A. Michaels really hit home of what my family really went through. It opened my eyes. Great read.
October 21, 2021
This book was phenomenal. I couldn’t put it down. As a female in law enforcement she expressed everything I have been feeling and thinking for years!! A great read!
November 25, 2020
A phenomenal read. A real world account of the struggles so many go through. I can seriously relate to this book. The struggles of veterans and first responders is real. I highly recommend this for anyone interested in PTSD or the struggles of those with it. It flows well too.
June 18, 2021
Perspectives.
I liked the premise of this message and found the story to be interesting. I thought the end was the most poignant part of this read. I'm glad to know others are there and we are not alone in our struggles. Lovely message.
I liked the premise of this message and found the story to be interesting. I thought the end was the most poignant part of this read. I'm glad to know others are there and we are not alone in our struggles. Lovely message.
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November 13, 2020Looking for a new good read?! Look no further!! As a military veteran, my brothers and sisters in arms have some great stories that we don’t usually share unless we are in the company of other veterans. Even then, it’s questionable. Without giving away, this book is a memoir about a youth that joined the military for reasons that so many other veterans also join for. Then the amazing duty stations/tours that came along with it as well as a career in Public Service following. But it also includes stigmas that so many don’t believe is real or don’t want to accept.
This book isn’t a good read for “just us veterans”. This enlightens so much that also happens in the civilian world that keeps getting pushed to the side. So, I encourage anyone and everyone to read it. It’s not to sway opinions about politics, current events, etc but, in my eyes, to open the eyes of others and not hear it from some sugar-coated documentary.
This book isn’t a good read for “just us veterans”. This enlightens so much that also happens in the civilian world that keeps getting pushed to the side. So, I encourage anyone and everyone to read it. It’s not to sway opinions about politics, current events, etc but, in my eyes, to open the eyes of others and not hear it from some sugar-coated documentary.
November 13, 2020
This book will bring you from laughter to tears. It shows the struggles a woman would face serving. I loved reading it, and as a MST survivor it made me feel I wasn't the only facing trauma from service and getting help afterwards. The title is perfect. A truly must read.
October 27, 2020
Terrible writing. It’s like the author was born without the ability to understand the written language. Devoid of emotion. Pure garbage. Excellent toilet paper.
November 13, 2020
WARNING.... you will not want to put this book down! This is a very funny yet eye-opening story. The author had me on the edge with every turn of each page. I truly enjoyed reading this book!
November 14, 2020
This book is so we'll written. This young girl describes her experience with such intensity. I admire her courage and I thank her for her service. She is a true Patriot
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews