Breaking Free

GIVEAWAY

SLATTERY, JENNIFER
BREAKING FREE

Any broken life can be redeemed for a plan and a purpose...

Women's ministry leader and Seattle housewife, Alice Goddard, and her successful graphic designer husband appear to have it all together. Then their credit and debit cards are denied, and Alice is launched into an investigation that only leads to the discovery of secrets. Meanwhile, her husband is trapped in a downward spiral of lies, shame and self-destruction. Can they break free from deception and turn to the only One who can save them? Full of depth, hear felt emotion, and humour, Breaking Free inspires readers to seek after God in the complexities of their own lives.

My Review:

Wow -- what an emotionally gripping story! You might just need the whole Kleenex box for this one. And definitely do some relaxation exercises now and again throughout the read. Clenching your jaw for hours on end can be detrimental to your teeth! I did my share of teeth grinding -- especially over Trent. Gah! He's lucky I didn't dive into the book and slap him upside the head a time or two or three...or basically in nearly every scene. LOL But I'm getting ahead of myself.

So, what do you do when your carefully constructed, squeaky clean Christian family starts imploding? Seek guidance from your pastor? Turn the weight of your burdens over to the Lord? Pray? Those are the pat answers, but not necessarily the most honest ones. Because we humans...especially of the Christian persuasion...have a hard time admitting to our brokenness. Keeping up appearances is imperative even when it risks the destruction of a family. And that's where Alice and Trent find themselves.

And yes, Trent is the catalyst for a lot of their issues but Alice has turned into his enabler in her desperate bid to keep their 'perfect couple' façade in place. I wanted to slap her silly sometimes too because she missed so many opportunities for healing and comfort. And when she finally acts, she acts alone, withdrawing from the only One who could make sense of the mess that has become her life.

Slattery takes her readers on an intense journey as we watch Alice (and Trent) navigate around all the obstacles strewn in their path. And their own internal demons are some of the toughest to conquer. The author surrounds them with a strong supporting cast of characters ready to lift them up or tear them down. A great study of the many faces we meet in real life. People who are quick to brush aside a cry for help because they don't want to face any unpleasantness. People who are quick to judge, eager to find fodder for gossip at the expense of others. People who doggedly hold onto a friendship even when the friend withdraws; waiting, praying, seeking for opportunities to support and serve. This book really made me think about the kind of friend I want to be.

And woven all through the intricate plot is the burning witness of the hope the Savior can bring to any situation. Astonishingly good. (she says clutching a wad of damp tissues.)

My thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with a copy of this book.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of  Breaking Free please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday April 17 2016. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!