Biographies and Memoirs

Biographies and Memoirs

Do the accounts of extraordinary peoples' lives inspire your own life?  Can the fortitude of individuals drive how you live your own life?  Our authors in the Biographies and Memoirs genre bring you the stories of people who have survived and grown through the most difficult of situations.  Their stories will move you to tears, to action, and to new levels in your own life. They will always do this for you on eBookHounds for free or for a discount.

 

Definition of the "Biographies and Memoirs Genre": Ebooks in both the Biographies and Memoirs genres focus on the life experiences of a single person.  Biographies are generally broader in the subject matters of a person's life experiences, while memoirs are more honed into the memories of that person.  However, there is very little difference between the two categories, which is why they are combined in a single genre. Ebooks in the Biographies and Memoirs genre also typically have a significant element of inspiration, as the stories which drove the writing of these ebooks are tremendously moving.

 

Examples of bestselling ebooks in the Biographies and Memoirs genre are Cheryl Strayed (Wild), Chris Kyle (American Sniper), Laura Hillenbrand (Unbroken), and Donna Mabry (Maude).

The Stowaway in First Class: A True Story of an Unforgettable Quest to Come to America

by Anthony DeSantis


A family’s legacy is forever changed in this true story of ransom notes, stowaways, and mobsters.

Paris, 1929. Gaetano “Guy” DeSantis is an Italian emigrant with a good life: a stable construction job, a comfortable place to live, and a blossoming relationship with a young waitress, Marie. But Guy dreams of making a future in America, alongside his cousin Frank who immigrated a few years earlier.

So when a mysterious stranger shows up at Guy’s door saying that Frank has paid for a boat ride across the Atlantic, how could Guy refuse? But there’s a catch—he must leave immediately, with no bags and no goodbyes.

With a heart of gold—and the suspense of a classic crime novel—this true story memorializes one man’s split-second decision to chart a new course for generations to come, proving that courage and honor do have the power to make a better life.
 
 
 
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Sim One: A Love and Then-What-Happens Story

by Tom Ahern


Simone sent me an email. The subject line: “Just read.”


Most of us spend our whole lives searching for the 
one. Some of us are lucky enough to find them, even for a moment. And some—like Simone and Tom—were lucky enough to find love, purchase a second home abroad, create a successful business, and build a life together for nearly four decades. But what happens after the love story?

Told through a series of notes and emails, Tom shares his raw, humorous, and heartfelt declarations on what it’s like living, loving, and losing the
one, Sim One, to a disease that no one talks about: cerebral amyloid angiopathy. Sim One is a love letter meets memoir that asks what does it mean to love—and keep loving—when faced with the possibility of losing it all?

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OPAL: Spirit of a Woman

by Kevin Heaton


ON THE DAY SHE WAS BORN, FATE HAD ALREADY DETERMINED HER DESTINY. 
A DESTINY FRAUGHT WITH ABANDONMENTWANT, SERVITUDE, AND REWARD.

SOLD INTO CHILDHOOD SLAVERY BY HER OWN FATHER - SHE REACHED DEEP INSIDE HER HEART AND FOUND A WELL OF STRENGTH, GRIT, FAITH, AND RAW PERSEVERANCE.

OPAL was a proud woman. Not in a haughty way - more like the way someone sets their jaw to stare down a vicious pack of "
Pit Bulls." She'd graduated from the "School of Hard Knocks," and acting self-assured was simply her way of forcing life's challenges to give up some of their ground.

Her eyes were set deeply into the granite-like constitution of her gaze. Not a cold-hearted stare, but translucent; like the serene look of a farm pond at dusk. And, although her shoulders were slightly bent from plain old fashioned hard work, it wasn't an arthritic stoop - more like the resolute position she'd assumed throughout her lifetime to guarantee her own survival.

But you see, this was still "The Great Depression," and the screen door her family was shivering and sweltering behind was that same old door attached to the same old "Sharecropper Shanty" they'd started out in. But for Opal, the decision to head to California during those difficult days or stay and 'tough things out' was what we call nowadays: ‘a no-brainer.’ Some refer to it as ‘frontier spirit,’ or ‘the will to go on.’ Whatever you choose to label it; in her case - those principles were simply the foundation on which she chose to live out her life. Then, after having whisked away all those "Dust Bowl" gales - 
She began to pay all that survivor's grit forward. Time after time through the years; into decades - she answered the call to serve others. Never mind their beliefs or their station in life, so long as the end result was to benefit those who were suffering the most.


“OPAL” is the story of Mary Opal Fetters/George; a courageous woman who lost her mother to childbirth at the tender age of seven, was sold into servitude by a father who no longer wanted her, and forced into child labor in another state for many years. In spite of all the odds stacked against her - she championed a legacy of grace.

 

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Her Deadly End: A gripping crime thriller with a twist (Tanya Stone FBI K9 Mystery Thrillers Book 1)

by Tikiri Herath


A serial killer is hiding in plain sight. No one is safe in this seaside town. Not even FBI Special Agent Tanya Stone and her K9, Max.

Paradise Cove is the perfect vacation getaway. So, FBI Agent Tanya Stone thinks...

Until a Porsche slams into the café where she and her detective friends are enjoying a morning coffee. To their horror, the driver shoots a man dead.

Then, she turns the gun on herself next.

The sheriff is quick to call it a case of extreme road rage, but Tanya realizes not all is well in this idyllic community.

The sinister secret behind this brutal crime lies buried deep in the nearby woods. But no one wants to see the truth.

With the help of her friends and her K9 partner, Max, Tanya becomes obsessed with unraveling the deadly mystery. But the more lies she exposes, the more dangerous it is to stay in town.

A killer is hiding in plain sight, watching her....

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Tales of Tara: Awakening to the Truth

by Tara Shen


A Riveting Memoir That Reads Like A Psychological Thriller

Tara’s life is unraveling. Divorcing her violent husband while caring for her dying mother, she’s forced to confront the horrors of her past—horrors her therapist suggests go far beyond what she remembers.

As Tara delves into repressed memories, she discovers that abuse by her grandfather was only the beginning. With the support of a caring therapist and survivor community, Tara unearths a long history of dark secrets, hidden family truths, and unimaginable betrayals.

While cleaning out her mother’s home, Tara finds disturbing clues—letters, photos, and other hidden evidence—that reveal the depths of her family’s secrets. Meanwhile, unsettling patterns emerge around the deaths of her childhood caregivers, leading her to suspect the influence of powerful people.

Through therapy, art, and spiritual retreats, Tara embarks on a transformative journey, connecting with the power within herself. She faces relentless harassment from her ex and the haunting mysteries of her past, but she’s determined to reclaim her life.

Tales of Tara is a spiritual self-help memoir of survival, courage, and the fierce will to uncover truth. In this gripping account, Tara shows us that healing is possible—even in the face of unimaginable darkness.

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Any Body Can Heal: A Memoir About Facing Down Trauma

by Sara Davidson

 

From survivor to psychotherapist—one woman’s path to triumphing over trauma by understanding how the brain’s brilliant protective mechanisms helped keep her alive. 

 

In this powerful and deeply personal work of nonfiction, survivor and psychotherapist Sara Davidson explores one of life’s devastating but all too pervasive realities—trauma, and its rippling aftereffects.

 

By her mid-thirties, Sara Davidson had fled a tsunami, fought off a knife-wielding thief and survived a horrific sexual assault by two masked gunmen who burst through her bedroom door in the middle of the night. As she was struggling to confront her own trauma, she was also helping her clients navigate theirs. At one point, she thought she had recovered. However, it was only after delving into the neuroscientific literature on trauma and discovering how her brain had protected her in her darkest hour that she found her way to true healing.

 

Thoughtful and brutally honest, Davidson’s memoir draws on her personal experience, professional training and the insights she gained through her investigations to paint a moving portrait of one woman’s winding path to self-acceptance, healing and reclaiming a joyful life.

 

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Honor, Courage, Commitment, And NavAdmin 190/21

by Billy Young-Wolf Blair


Author: Billy Osceola Young-Wolf Blair

Title: Honor, Courage, Commitment, and NavAdmin 190/21

 

What do honor, courage, and commitment mean to you and how do you think they shaped the person you are today?

Honor, Courage, and Commitment is a gripping memoir that tells the story of one man's journey of personal courage and conviction. As the only active duty member at his military station to refuse the mandatory vaccine mandate, he faced intense pressure from his superiors and peers. But he stood firm in his beliefs, even when it meant risking his career and reputation.

Through vivid and honest storytelling, the author takes us on a journey of self-discovery and self-realization. He describes the internal struggle he faced as he weighed his own beliefs against the expectations of his colleagues and the military hierarchy. He also shares the emotional toll that the experience took on his personal life, as he faced criticism and ostracism from those around him.

But “Honor, Courage, and Commitment” is more than just a personal story. It's also a powerful and timely exploration of the complex issues surrounding vaccine mandates and individual rights. The author delves into the scientific, ethical, and legal arguments for and against vaccine mandates, and offers a nuanced perspective on this contentious issue.

Ultimately, “Honor, Courage, and Commitment” is a call to action for anyone who cares about individual liberty and public health. It's a reminder that we all have a responsibility to stand up for our beliefs, even in the face of opposition. And it's a testament to the power of personal conviction and the human spirit.

Get a copy now!

 

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Wild (Oprah's Book Club 2.0 Digital Edition): From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail

by Cheryl Strayed


#1 NATIONAL BESTSELLER

At twenty-two, Cheryl Strayed thought she had lost everything. In the wake of her mother’s death, her family scattered and her own marriage was soon destroyed. Four years later, with nothing more to lose, she made the most impulsive decision of her life. With no experience or training, driven only by blind will, she would hike more than a thousand miles of the Pacific Crest Trail from the Mojave Desert through California and Oregon to Washington State—and she would do it alone. Told with suspense and style, sparkling with warmth and humor, Wild powerfully captures the terrors and pleasures of one young woman forging ahead against all odds on a journey that maddened, strengthened, and ultimately healed her.

Oprah's Book Club 2.0 selection: This special eBook edition of Cheryl Strayed’s national best seller, Wild, features exclusive content, including Oprah’s personal notes highlighted within the text, and a reading group guide. 

One of the Best Books of the Year: NPR, The Boston GlobeEntertainment Weekly, Vogue, St. Louis Dispatch 

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Killing the Alien: Finding the Light on a Cancer Journey

by Stephanie Lopuszynski


YOU HAVE CANCER

These three words could be the most terrifying you'll ever hear. The thought of having to confront cancer may take you to a very dark place in your mind. Dealing with doctor's appointments, testing, expenses, differing opinions, and unknown outcomes can be overwhelming.

If this seems familiar to you, then Killing the Alien: Finding the Light on a Cancer Journey is the book you've been searching for. More than just a personal account, the book offers valuable rest stops along the way. "Think This, Not That" sections explore negative thoughts about cancer, offering a fresh perspective. For those grappling with supporting a loved one, the "Say This, Not That" segments provide alternative approaches and empathetic support.

The journey is further punctuated with practical suggestions, addressing the tangible aspects of the cancer road. From hospital essentials to maintaining a sense of control in the midst of chaos, the author imparts wisdom on asking questions, preparing for the future, and approaching the next steps.

Wrapped in a narrative that is both realistic and at times humorous, "Killing the Alien" aims to guide readers from dark thoughts to light and from fear to hope. If you've ever faced the distressing reality of a cancer diagnosis, this book is your essential companion on the road to understanding, coping, and ultimately, healing. Grab your copy today!

 
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Influencing Death: Reframing Dying for Better Living

by Penny Hawkins Smith


A hospice nurse's unflinching look at life, death, and redemption.

Death is undeniable and unavoidable. We must accept it; there is no other choice. But coming to terms with our mortality can profoundly influence how we live-and how we die. Having been a hospice nurse for decades, Penny Hawkins Smith is an expert on death and dying. As a recovering alcoholic and former drug addict, she knows what it means to change course and become a meaningful contributor to society. Through her work with death, Penny found her purpose in life.

In Influencing Death, Penny brings transparency and levity to the grim topic of death while revealing truths about the reckless past that influenced her decision to become a hospice nurse. Using down-to-earth, compassionate storytelling, she transports readers into the room with dying people and their families, laying bare the raw and real human emotions and behaviors people have when life and death are hanging in the balance.

Weaving together dual narratives of death and life, Penny challenges us to see how embracing our own mortality-and the mortality of the people we love-can help us live more fully and approach the end of life with greater acceptance, grace, and peace.

 

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The Adopted Nurse: A Memoir Of Courage, Compassion, And Hope

by Lisa Astalos Chism DNP RN


A Journey of Healing, Courage, and Compassion Through the Eyes of an Adoptee

What happens when your search for belonging leads to both love and heartbreak?

In The Adopted Nurse: A Memoir of Courage, Compassion, and Hope, Dr. Lisa Astalos Chism, a devoted nurse and adoptee, weaves together her personal story of love, loss, and self-discovery. From growing up with loving adoptive parents to reuniting with her birth father through DNA technology, Dr. Chism shares the emotional highs and devastating lows of her search for identity.

In this book, you will:

  • Explore the complex emotions of gratitude and grief as an adoptee.
  • Understand healing through self-love, acceptance, and resilience in the face of trauma.
  • Discover the power of compassion—for yourself and others—as a tool for healing.
  • Learn about practical techniques for processing trauma and rejection.
  • Be inspired to find courage and confidence despite facing abandonment and loss.


The Adopted Nurse reveals the profound impact of adoption, trauma, and healing on both personal and professional levels.

 

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Anecdotes & Ambition: Fueling my Journey from El Salvador to the American Dream

by Jose Luis Gomez


Embark on a transformative journey from El Salvador to the American Dream with Jose Luis Mejia in "Anecdotes and Ambition." Discover the untold story of resilience and ambition that defies borders and inspires hearts.

In this gripping narrative, Jose shares the hard-won wisdom from a life of entrepreneurial grit and corporate leadership, spanning continents and cultures.He brings decades of experience, offering invaluable insights into navigating challenges and seizing opportunities in business and life.

In this book, you will:

  • Discover the Power of Adaptability: Turn life's challenges into opportunities for growth.
  • Learn Resilience: Navigate personal and professional setbacks with grace.
  • Embrace the Entrepreneurial Spirit: Recognize opportunities, take risks, and persevere through failure.
  • Cultivate Leadership: Learn what it takes to lead teams to success.
  • Balance Vision and Pragmatism: Master the art of pursuing dreams while staying grounded in reality.

This book illuminates the path from humble beginnings to achieving the American Dream through resilience, ambition, and practical wisdom. Discover how one man's determination can inspire you to overcome any obstacle and achieve your own dreams. Grab a copy now!

 

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The Prophets

by Robert Jr. Jones


Best Book of the Year

NPR • The Washington Post • Boston Globe• TIME • USA Today • Entertainment Weekly • Real Simple • Parade • Buzzfeed • Electric Literature • LitHub • BookRiot • PopSugar • Goop • Library Journal • BookBub • KCRW

• Finalist for the National Book Award
• One of the New York Times Notable Books of the Year
• One of the New York Times Best Historical Fiction of the Year
• Instant New York Times Bestseller 

A singular and stunning debut novel about the forbidden union between two enslaved young men on a Deep South plantation, the refuge they find in each other, and a betrayal that threatens their existence.

Isaiah was Samuel's and Samuel was Isaiah's. That was the way it was since the beginning, and the way it was to be until the end. In the barn they tended to the animals, but also to each other, transforming the hollowed-out shed into a place of human refuge, a source of intimacy and hope in a world ruled by vicious masters. But when an older man—a fellow slave—seeks to gain favor by preaching the master's gospel on the plantation, the enslaved begin to turn on their own. Isaiah and Samuel's love, which was once so simple, is seen as sinful and a clear danger to the plantation's harmony.

With a lyricism reminiscent of Toni Morrison, Robert Jones, Jr., fiercely summons the voices of slaver and enslaved alike, from Isaiah and Samuel to the calculating slave master to the long line of women that surround them, women who have carried the soul of the plantation on their shoulders. As tensions build and the weight of centuries—of ancestors and future generations to come—culminates in a climactic reckoning, 
The Prophets fearlessly reveals the pain and suffering of inheritance, but is also shot through with hope, beauty, and truth, portraying the enormous, heroic power of love.

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My Little Brother: a childhood memoir

by Maiko Serizawa


Have you ever lost someone so dear that their memory still shapes your life?

In My Little Brother, Maiko shares a poignant yet heartwarming journey through her early years with her beloved younger brother who passed away far too soon.

Through vivid recollections of their time together in a small community of a rural Japanese town, Maiko brings to life the joy and warmth of their shared childhood adventures. Her brother, despite his short life due to heart disease, left an indelible mark on everyone around him, especially his big sister.

My Little Brother is a touching memoir that celebrates the beauty of a brief but significant life and the enduring love that keeps memories alive. Join Maiko on a journey with her little brother, and rediscover the magic of childhood and the power of memory.

Get your copy of My Little Brother today!

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The Silent Christmas: A Jayne Sinclair Genealogical Mystery Novella

by M J Lee

 

In a time of war, they discovered peace.

When David Wright finds a label, a silver button and a lump of old leather in a chest in the attic, it opens up a window onto the true of joy of Christmas. 

Jayne Sinclair, genealogical investigator, has just a few days to unravel the mystery and discover the truth of what happened on December 25, 1914.

Why did her client’s great grandfather keep these objects hidden for so long? What did they mean to him? And will they help bring the joy of Christmas to a young boy stuck in hospital?

This is the fifth Jayne Sinclair Genealogical Mystery but it can be read and enjoyed as a stand alone novel.

 

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Let the Wildflowers Grow

by Brigitte M. Becker


Let the Wildflowers Grow: One Mother's Journey through Adoption, Attachment and Borderline Personality Disorder is a beautiful story of mother-daughter love that turns to anguish in the challenges of mental health. It follows the poignant narrative of Brigitte Becker, who along with her husband and son, open their heart and home to a bright, beautiful ten-year-old from Ukraine named Anna, embarking together on a journey of adjusting this cherished young girl to the United States.

As mother and daughter bond in shared adventures, the family grows closer. However, signs of attachment and borderline personality disorders emerge in Anna, thrusting Brigitte, like any mother in this situation, into uncharted territory.

As Anna grapples with the challenge of regulating her emotions amidst the escalating battle with mental illness, nonetheless she is steadfast in her resolve to assert herself as an independent human being. Meanwhile, Brigitte seeks out every medical means of help possible. Driven by a fear of abandonment, Anna faces unstable emotional states that erupt in risky behavior.

In the quiet moments of reflection, as she gazes out at the wildflowers dancing in the breeze, Brigitte’s heart aches with the weight of her responses and decisions. But amidst the sadness, there’s determination, a resolve to let things happen naturally, that they will work out over time. Will they? Do they?

This riveting, reads-like-a-novel memoir, is for you if you are a parent of a child with mental illness and are looking for resources, support, and understanding of the unique challenges for adoptees and their families. Through her candid yet heart-wrenching writing, Brigitte gives you a real-life look into a mother’s path towards happiness and healing—as her daughter looks ahead, striving for independence amidst an uncertain future.

 

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The Devil's Crossroads: Adventures and Musings Hitchhiking the Road of Life

by Alexis Brunet


Life is nothing but a series of crossroads that continuously present us with one single existential question—where to next?


The Devil’s Crossroads in Clarksdale, Mississippi, is known as the location of blues legend Robert Leroy Johnson’s bargain with the Devil, where Johnson sacrificed his soul to become the greatest bluesman the world has ever known. For Alexis Brunet, the famed crossroads became the source of inspiration for this literary work—a series of reflections on the many intersections that paved the way to where he stands today.

As mortal hitchhikers, these character-defining, life-altering crossroads remind us that we are in a permanent state of flux. Change is the only constant. At each junction, our human virtues and their alter egos battle for our attention and feed on our emotions, influencing our decisions in an eternal spectacle for the Divine. These choices shape us into who we are becoming. No one knows what it all means, but attendance is mandatory.

In 
The Devil’s Crossroads, Alexis explores his personal journey, considering it as unique as it is universal. He shares the many choices that have shaped him into the present-day musician, surfer, skateboarder, husband, father, and man he is today. He explores the idea that although our stories differ, they bring us together as we collectively try to give meaning to our existence while attempting to understand how and why we become who we are. To be human is to be a storyteller, and sharing our experiences forces us to reflect on the universal journey that defines our lives.

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The Three Kitties That Saved My Life

by Michael Meyer


"This is like drinking tea and honey on a cold day."

FINALIST for the 2014 RONE AWARD
A True Romance Memoir

Love was then.
Love is now.
Love is forever.

When tragedy struck, I thought for sure that my own life was at an end. I was wrong. This is the true story of how two stray rescue cats and a woman named Kitty, whom I finally met after a wild ride of internet dating, brought love, romance, and laughter back into my life.

If you love reading feel-good memoirs, then don't miss THE THREE KITTIES THAT SAVED MY LIFE, where "Mike Meyer pens a tender tale of love, loss, and renewal. The depth of emotion is palpable...The Three Kitties will tug at readers' heartstrings, as they ride through the emotional highs and lows of Mike Meyer's remarkable story." - InD'tale Magazine

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Grieving With Grace: Embracing Hope And Wisdom Through One Family's Journey Of Loss

by Maureen Wierman


In the chilling depths of loss, hope flickers like a fragile flame. "Grieving With Grace: Embracing Hope and Wisdom Through a Family's Journey of Loss" tenderly chronicles Maureen Wierman's poignant odyssey as she and her family navigate the profound grief of losing their young son, Matt, to a rare leukemia. This memoir not only illuminates the immediate impact on marriage, family dynamics, and faith but also unveils the enduring resilience and unexpected lessons born from sorrow. Through Matt's story, discover how hope persists and healing finds its quiet path, offering solace to those who have walked similar roads.

In this book, you will:

  • Find solace in the possibility of hope and joy's eventual return.
  • Understand grief as a lifelong journey, offering insight into its complex impact on relationships.
  • Discover the role of faith in resilience and healing.
  • Learn the importance of community and support in navigating grief.
  • Gain wisdom on honoring and remembering loved ones amidst loss.


"Grieving With Grace" is a testament to the human spirit's capacity to find grace amid heartache, resonating deeply with anyone touched by loss. Join Maureen Wierman as she opens her heart and shares a narrative of love, loss, and enduring hope.

 

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God Gave Me Diarrhea

by Rachel Young


An Unlikely and Not-So-Funny Path to Redemption

Does God call us to difficult paths in order to transform us?

When Ann said yes to bringing two young foster boys into her home, she had no idea what a long haul she was signing up for.

After two difficult pregnancies, Ann chooses to open her home to two foster boys who eventually became eligible for adoption. Raising them alongside her biological children, their paths become conjoined forever—riddled with constant behavior issues from one and health issues for the other.

Suddenly at age 27, the oldest son needs to return home after suffering a catastrophic brain injury. Ann becomes his caretaker and is faced with the hardest questions in her life.

She throws up desperate pleas, unsure if the God she has believed in her whole life will hear her. In the process, love changes everything, and she comes face to face with the younger prodigal son who swore her out of his life.

When all her life plans come suddenly to a halt, will God find her in the mire?

A journey rich in growth, truth, and forgiveness with a dab of humor, this compelling story will leave readers with a tear in their eye and hope in their heart.

 

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