"cradle my heart" by kim ketola

About the book (provided by Litfuse): Abortion continues to be a hot topic in politics, women’s rights, and medical practice. But for the eight to ten million American Christian women who have had one, abortion is a spiritual issue as well, raising questions of life and death, heaven and hell, grief and loss.

Writing from her own experience, Kim Ketola sheds light on one of the darkest and most neglected personal issues of our time: the widespread need for healing and spiritual recovery after abortion. “After abortion brought the worst trouble into my life I had ever known,” writes Ketola, “I just couldn’t see my way free to believe in God’s love.”

With a compassionate heart, Ketola offers ten true stories of healing promise from the Bible to help women answer the most common spiritual torments they face: Is abortion a sin? Does God hate me? Where can I turn in my shame and distress? How could I ever tell anyone the truth? And more. 

Inspired by Romans 6:4—“just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life"—this is a definitive resource to help women see themselves and God anew and—finally—to find spiritual healing.

My take: The abortion debate in America is heavily politicized, yet amid the cries for "reproductive rights" and picketers holding posters of aborted babies outside of clinics, we often forget about the people most affected by abortion—the women who have had one. In her book Cradle My Heart, Kim Ketola addresses those women, showing the forgiveness and hope found only in Christ.

To these women, Ketola speaks the truth—that they chose (or in some cases were forced) to end the life of their child—in love, and she encourages them to be honest with themselves and God about that fact, grieve the loss of their child, and accept God's forgiveness. She writes from a place of understanding, and her own story is woven throughout the pages of this book. (The part where she writes about naming her child drove me to tears). But she always comes back to Scripture, as she digs into what God says about sin, death, truth, mercy, and forgiveness. Each chapter ends with specific verses to meditate on, a prayer, and action steps women can take as they move through the grieving and healing process.

Cradle My Heart is an excellent book for post-abortive women, but also for those who have never dealt firsthand with abortion. Reading Ketola's book gave me insight into the lives of and compassion for women who have had an abortion, and I highly recommend it to you. 5 stars.

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Live Webcast Event: In coordination with the launch of their fall releases, Kregel will be hosting a live webcast event on September 20 at 8 PM EDT featuring authors Kim Ketola (Cradle My Heart), Teske Drake (Hope for Today, Promises for Tomorrow), and Dawn Scott Jones (When a Woman You Love Was Abused). The webcast will allow women to come together to share their struggles and fears in order to move toward healing and hope. Women will able to support one another and discuss shared experiences in a non-threatening, open and loving environment.

Cat Hoort of Kregel says, ""We are seeking to provide safe means for Christian women to be vulnerable with each other, to seek help and guidance from authors and counselors, and to find encouragement from those who have shared similar experiences.

Our hope is that the Women Redeemed webcast will become a forum for hurting women as well as for those who can help. Kim, Teske, and Dawn are all survivors and their stories will surely inspire and equip other women to move toward healing and hope." To register for the event, just click here.

About the author: Kim Ketola is a sought-after writer and motivational speaker with the Ruth Graham and Friends conference. After thirty years in the broadcasting industry, she founded a nonprofit organization through which she presents professionally accredited conferences to equip counselors and help individuals recover from the emotional and spiritual wounds of abortion. Kim lives in Atlanta, Georgia. Visit her website: www.cradlemyheart.org.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

"the choice" by robert whitlow

About the book (back cover copy): One young woman. Two very different roads. The choice will change everything.

Even as a pregnant, unwed teen in 1974, Sandy Lincoln wanted to do the right thing. But when an ageless woman approached her in a convenience store with a mysterious prophecy and a warning, doing the right thing became even more unclear. She made the best choice she could . . . and has lived with the consequences.

More than thirty years later, a pregnant teen has come into her life, and Sandy’s long-ago decision has come back to haunt her. The stakes rise quickly, leaving Sandy with split seconds to choose once more. But will her choice bring life . . . or death?

My take: Wow. I did not expect this book to have such an emotional impact on me! From the beginning, I was completely absorbed in the story—to the point where I was oblivious to everything else around me as I read. Because of my crazy back-to-school schedule, I had to read the book in bits and pieces ... and I found myself thinking about it when I wasn't reading it. I don't normally talk about the books I'm reading before I finish them unless someone asks, but I couldn't help sharing Sandy's story with anyone who would listen. And when I finally finished the book, my arms were covered in goosebumps and my eyes were filled with tears. It truly was the perfect ending to a powerful story.

Whitlow has written some amazing characters, like Sandy, her aunt Linda, and her lawyer Jeremy. I especially thought that Sandy's reactions to her circumstances seemed realistic (not always smart, but definitely realistic), and I wanted to jump into the story to tell her what I thought she should do.

This book shows the abortion debate in a different light as it goes beyond the choice itself and shows the aftermath of the decision. While I have always considered myself pro-life, The Choice helped me see past the politicized pro-life/pro-choice debate and consider the women who face the pain of unplanned pregnancy while also strengthening my belief in the importance of choosing life. I absolutely loved The Choice and will definitely be looking for Robert Whitlow's other books. 4-1/2 stars.

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About the author: Robert Whitlow is the best-selling author of legal novels set in the South and winner of the prestigious Christy Award for Contemporary Fiction. A Furman University graduate, Whitlow received his J.D. with honors from the University of Georgia School of Law where he served on the staff of the Georgia Law Review. A practicing attorney, Whitlow and his wife, Kathy, have four children. They make their home in North Carolina.

For more about Robert and his other books, visit www.robertwhitlow.com.

About the giveaway: Win a Nook Color from Robert Whitlow in The Choice Giveaway. RSVP for 8/28 Facebook Party.
 
Celebrate with Robert by entering to win a Nook Color with GlowLight!

See what folks are saying about The Choice!

One "choice" winner will receive:

• A Nook Color with GlowLight
• A four book Robert Whitlow library (winner's choice)

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on August 27th. Winner will be announced at the "The Choice" Author Chat Facebook Party on 8/28. Meet Robert, get a sneak peek of his next book, try your hand at a trivia contest, and more. There will also be gift certificates, books and a Book Club Prize Pack to be won (10 copies for your book club or small group.)!

So grab your copy of The Choice and join Robert on the evening of the August 27th for a chance to connect with Robert and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book - don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 28th!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."