As I finished the last couple of pages of “In Broken Places,” I wanted to cry. Not tears of sorrow, tears of joy! The book is a brilliant gift that brings its readers an understanding of how the Lord is in the heart of all His people. He meets us in our “woundedness, our brokenness, our daughterness, our betrayedness and our uncertain hopefulness.”
Michele Phoenix has an astonishing gift that truly is from the Lord! She speaks of being a Survivor, and it is evident in her characters. She brings them to life, and holds nothing back as the characters evolve in the story line.
Shelby and brother Trey grow up in an abusive home. Their father is a tyrant, yet their mother allows his behavior to continue until one day he takes it just too far. She throws him out and begins to mend the broken family. Only Shelby and Trey do not trust anymore, having developed their own coping skills, none of which is healthy!
Scarred and broken Shelby and Trey begin to figure life out as adults. In addition, just when Shelby feels she has reached some semblance of balance, wham…she receives the shock of her life. Her father has pasted and she is declared sole legal guardian of her father’s youngest child. Her past wounds from abuse fracture and expose her fragile “inner child” hence she struggles with the likelihood that she may not be a good mother figure.
Trey finds peace after a heartbreaking event, by means of trying to commit suicide. His recovery finds him longing to live the life he feels he finally deserves, hence opens a small French café.
Trey and Shelby bond even further as the story unfolds and begin to rely on one another like never before! Shelby has decided to choose a path that includes her half-sister, Shayla, moves to Germany to teach English at Black Forest Academy thus setting into motion a quest. She must learn to not only be a caring guardian, but also conquer the hurdles of a new country.
Can Shelby’s “inner child” be mended on this new quest? Will she discover that she is deserving of a life full of hopes and dreams? You will have to read this wonderful story to find out!!
Thank you Michele for allowing me to review your masterpiece... so I could write an honest review, this book was given to me by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
Rev. Lorrie J. Sims
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