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As this soccer mom,Celia Bennett, rushes to get out the door and to the soccer field with her eight year old son, Caleb, she becomes overwhelmed with the responsibilities for so many of the activities she has volunteered for. One of the mom's is not answering her phone and Celia is depending on her to be there. When Celia gets to the field very stressed out,Caleb starts complaining of a headache. So her husband tries to help by getting something for his sons headache. Celia wanders around and finally she finds her friend. As Caleb takes off in a run on the soccer field, Celia is sitting in the stands trying to control the anger she feels toward her friend. Then the unexpected happens. As Caleb was running to make a shot he falls face down to the ground,unconscious. He is transported by ambulance to the hospital. What they find is not good and Celia's whole life changes in a flash. Her only child has a brain tumor and her life becomes hospital stays, tests, chemo and a room at the Ronald McDonald's House with several families in similar situations. She does not seem to be able to handle this as well as some of the other parents. Mainly because she does not have faith in God or the power of prayer. So she seeks out information about alternation treatments only available in Mexico. But Caleb does have faith in God and the ones he discusses this with are his grandparents. He wants to know if God can really heal him.
This story is an eye opener. We know these things happen but many people want to stick their heads in the sand and don't want see it or hear about IT. IT meaning cancer.
The author must have a very sensitive heart to write such a heartfelt novel. I find it hard to express my feelings about this book. It makes my heart ache!
Prayer can ease the sorrow and pain of loved ones. Especially when we have faith in God.
I highly recommend this book.
Disclosure:
I was given a free copy of this book by the author for review. I was in no way compensated for this review. It is my own opinion.
When the author first wrote to me asking for a review I knew I was backlogged in my reviews. I went to her site and read the first chapter and knew I had to read the book. So, I wrote her back and requested it. I am so glad I did. This is a story of hope and forgiveness. It is a story that you will need to start, with a box of tissues. The emotional ride is so intense.
Like any mother, Celia Bennett would do anything for her child. When her child is diagnosed with a terminal brain tumor she seeks help from many sources. Through all of this her father who has been absent for many years re-marries her mom and now she has to deal with those old feelings. There are so many emotional things to relate to in this story.
My father and I had a few serious issues we had to deal with. When I decided as an adult I was going to take matters into my own hand to deal with the situation, he understood my feelings and waited and prayed, as did I. I am happy to say our relationship was restored and great up to the day he passed away. God is so good about helping us learn to forgive, and healing broken relationships.
I loved Caleb’s faith. He believed Jesus would heal him. I lost my first love to a rare form of blood cancer just a few months before we were to be married. I can remember my father’s quartet laying hands on him and anointing him with oil. I remember him claiming he would be healed. I also remember his death and how angry I was until a great friend pointed out that my fiancé had been right. He had the ultimate healing. Sometimes all we have left is our faith. There are so many lessons to be learned in this book. It is one I will re-read because I know each time I do, there will be something else to see. This is a book that you will need to sit and dedicate time to. You won’t want to put it down. I look forward to reading more by this wonderful author. I thank her publicly for taking a chance on me and asking me to review this book.
Reviewed by Maureen T. for Readers Favorite
Celia Bennet's day is so very full, being in charge of the event to raise money for her son's soccer team. Her 8 years old son Caleb is competing in the Shoot-Out. He is just about to make his shot, when he goes down, and a parent's worst nightmare is about to begin. She is riding in the ambulance and trying desperately to get in touch with her husband Jeff. When she arrives at the hospital Caleb is whisked away, and they wait for news. It is not good! They say it is a brain stem tumor, and are sending him to the Children's Hospital in Toronto. All the way to the hospital they want to believe the local hospital has made a mistake, it can't be true!
Out in the Western USA, California coast, Adele has met her ex-husband Alfie, and is riding in his tractor trailer. They are going down Rt 66, and stopping frequently so that Adele can take pictures to paint later. They spend the night in the desert with Alfie sleeping outside, and Adele in the cab of the truck. Alfie is awakened suddenly when Adele tells him she feels "something is wrong" and tries to get in touch with their daughter. That is the day their Grandson has collapsed.
You will find God working in all of their lives, with Celia being the lone holdout. I loved the innocence of Caleb, and the questions he asks his newly found Grandpa. Throughout the whole book you keep wondering if there will be a way to save this little boy. Will the chemo and radiation work, even though the Dr's say "No". Will the answers come from alternative medicine, such as offered in Mexico, or will, as we hope, the "Power of Prayer" be the answer?
Carey Jane Clark offers readers a heartwarming read, with a strong Christian message. Clark clearly demonstrates the power of prayer, the need to forgive and the sovereignty of God. I really enjoyed this read, and highly recommend it, but have a box of tissues handy!
taysydsmom
Posted December 10, 2011
After the Snow Falls is an impelling read.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel from the beginning, it grabbed by heart in the first chapter and found myself getting lost in it. I could see the story unfolding in my minds eye almost as if I was watching a movie. The characters became like friends and I rooted for Celia and for the storm that had taken over her life to come to an end ~ I laughed with her and cried with her.
Carey Jane Clark is an expressive, picturesque, dynamic author; who¿s writing draws her reader in from the first sentence.
You will love this story, the characters will stay with you long after the final chapter is read.
Overview
Desperate to save her son’s life, Celia pursues a cure through alternative medicine, but her quest ends in frustration and disappointment. Facing despair, hope walks in on the most unlikely set of legs, when ...