MONDAY MUSINGS

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Mylissa's Reviews and Book Thoughts.

Books that help you get through the rough and ugly parts of life – I’m with You by Taylor Dean

Today I found out the teacher of my youngest lost her baby. She was quite early on in her pregnancy, and unfortunately miscarried. Eight and a half years ago I lost a baby, and it changed me. At first I was on autopilot trying to keep myself together. I never imagined I could feel such grief and loss, and it took me a whole while to feel like I was me again.

I remember I was not so far along, so not many friends knew I was pregnant. When eventually I started telling people (I was literally balling all the time), I got many reactions. I had many sympathetic people asking me how I was holding up, lots of hugs and a few visits, and then someone telling me maybe it was God’s way of telling me I had enough with 2 healthy children, and I was not meant to be a mother of more children. That stung! I was constantly struggling to accept this loss, and move on. I kept seeing all the women around me get pregnant, and there I was left without a baby.

What finally helped me gain perspective, was talking to women who had gone through similar experiences. They knew what I was facing, and they knew the emotions I was facing. It helped me immensely, and I slowly found myself moving forward and finding happiness again. I was one of the lucky ones to be blessed with a successful pregnancy 11 months after my miscarriage. We named our precious son Seth, to always remember the miracle he is, and the loss he helped us move beyond.

                                            

After hearing the news of my daughter’s teacher today, I couldn’t shake this feeling of compassion for her, and all the women in the world that face this loss. Each story is unique, but the loss we have shared ties us together, and helps us understand each other in a way no one who hasn’t faced this particular trial can.

When going through the rough and ugly in life, there are certain lifelines that pull us through it all. For me a book can be just that lifeline. When I read I’m with You, it hit home really hard. Chloe’s story is different to mine, but her emotions, inner turmoil, devastation, were all identical to mine. This book helped me put the last of my struggles with this trial aside, and find the peace I so desperately needed, craved. If you have ever suffered any kind of loss, pain, desperation, this is the book you need to read.

                                                                

Can three little words irrevocably change your life?

When the doctors inform Chloe Brennan that her pregnancy is “incompatible with life,” her subsequent choices will change her path forever.

She becomes one of the quiet, unsung heroes of this world, incredibly strong, yet somehow wrongly looked upon as damaged.

Three people will pierce Chloe’s existence: her husband, a stranger, and a precious baby.

One will say goodbye, one will say hello, and one will say both at the same time.

I’m With You is a novel about selfless love and the sacredness of life.

Please note: While this book is a romance novel, it also deals with the sensitive issue of baby loss grief.

The emotions are real, and sometimes dark.

If you are sensitive to this issue, this may not be the book for you.

Review

I have read all of Taylor’s books, and each book is amazingly great in it’s own way! My favorite has always been For Nick, but after reading this one, I may have to review my opinion.

I’m with you follows the story of Chloe who at the beginning of the story is being left by her husband Mark. Not long after he leaves a stranger comes pounding on the door. He turns out to be the husband of the woman Mark ran of with. This man, Jack, soon becomes friends with Chloe.

I don’t want to give away to much of the storyline, but let me tell you it is such a great read! The heartache Chloe goes through is so touching. I have gone through a similar loss, and I could relate to the way Chloe felt, the feelings she describes, Taylor hits it spot on! It is a difficult subject, but it is brought with such care, compassion and feeling, any reader reading this will be moved. After reading the book (I finished it in 1 day straight) I had to take time to process all of what I read and the feelings it evoked in me, as it hit so close to home.

This book is a real emotional rollercoaster, with really high highs, and very low lows. It is a book that will leave an impression on you for quite some time after you finish reading it. Taylor has such great talent, and her work just amazes me time and again. This story was based on a personal experience of her daughter who lost a child due to this syndrome. I cannot imagine the strength it must have taken to pen down this story and bring it to us as readers. As always, Taylor takes a hard situation and brings it to us in a way we as readers can relate, leaving us forever changed in the process. I look forward to more!

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on I'm With You, Mylissa. It means so very much to me.

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Another exciting thing that happened this week is an author friend included two of my books in her top faves for 2015. How cool is that?!
Check out the post here: Joy in the Moments.
Thanks, Charissa!!

1. The Evolution of Thomas Hall by Kieth Merrill
2. These is My Words & Sarah’s Quilt by Nancy Turner
3. Horstberg Saga by Elizabeth D. Michaels
4. Met and read all of new author-Jennifer Peel’s books…House Divided, Professional Boundaries, The Girl in Seat 24B, Other Side of the Wall, Trouble in Loveland, Jessie Belle,
5. The Husband Maker series Karey White
6. An Unfortunate Fairy Tale Series by Chanda Hahn
7. Maze Runner by James Dashner
8. Rules in Rome A.L.Sowards
9. Song of David by Amy Harmon
10. Girl of Mine by Taylor Dean & her new one due out this summer—Chasing Fireflies (I beta-read this, so it’s not in my count, but it’s seriously A.M.A.Z.I.N.G! I can’t wait for you to read it. Probably one of my favorites she’s written so far.

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In closing, I'd like to give a little shout out to a legend.

This past week brought the news of pop icon David Bowie's death.

We have always called Labyrinth our family movie and considered ourselves David Bowie fans.
I know, we're such nerds. But we were so excited to get these t-shirts!

You're forever in our hearts, Goblin King.