Healing in the Hurting Places

by Karen F. Riley

Healing in the Hurting Places is a personal experience story and outreach for victims of childhood sexual abuse, and those who want to help them. It sensitively focuses on the healing journey—how to recognize symptoms of abuse and offer help. Victims often feel alone, they don’t know where to turn or may believe no one will understand. Author Karen Riley speaks to that place of pain and takes you on the healing journey that transformed her life.

“This is not about the tragic event, but about where to go now. I want them to know that they are not alone, and there is One who can heal their broken hearts,” writes the author.

Others who will benefit from this story of hope and healing: those affected by alcoholism, drug abuse, domestic, and other physical or verbal abuse—and those who are involved with them.

 

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7). 

Many victims share similar characteristics and traits as a result of abuse, which often manifest in the same behavior patterns—Healing in the Hurting Places is a springboard to empowerment and better understanding.

Genres: Nonfiction

224 pages, Paperback

First published August 16, 2011

About the author

Award-winning author of 4 books, inspirational speaker, owner of custom graphic & website design firm, childhood sexual abuse and cancer survivor, Joel 2:25-26

All book proceeds go to support the Healing in the Hurting Places non-profit for prevention, education and healing from childhood sexual abuse (www.healinginthehurtingplaces.org) whether purchased from Amazon, B&N, direct from me or the publishers.

Thanks for your support!

Reviews

[Sevinar]

NOTE: THIS REVIEW IS FROM MY BLOG WHERE I REVIEW THE FIRST 7500 WORDS:

Characters:
5/5
Of course, this is a memoir so all of the characters are real. In addition to being a memoir though, Healing in the Hurting Places (which will now be shortened to "HUR" for future reference just because) also serves almost as a self help book and definitely as a study and analysis of what abuse can do to somebody's life and mind. HUR's main character has faced the demons of abuse and has come out complete on the other side, having found the paths to healing that are available. (Though sometimes these paths are more like faerie rings or elusive magical mirrors). Karen shares with us her tale and travels through the dark murklands of the Void Lord and his mechanisms. Her purpose is to show other victims that they are not alone and that they can speak out about what happened to them and seek help from others. In addition, she hopes to show people who have not been abused what abuse can do, and help us help victims rather than making things worse. Even in the first 7500 words, I can already tell that HUR is definitely worth a read and everybody has something they can take from this novel. Karen psychoanalyzes herself for us and through the medium of this book, we can come to understand not only the world of somebody who has been abused, but the healing process a victim must go through to be free from the bonds of the many illnesses such circumstances create. Anybody remotely interested in psychology or understanding other people should give this novel a go.

Setting:
5/5
We are in the mind of a woman who has been abused very early in her life, who goes through the shoddy facades ad curtains that come before the true healing process, and has finally found salvation in the warmth of God. Now, just because she finds a safe spot with God does not mean that atheists and followers of other religions should throw this book out. Seriously, we all live on this earth and face the same problems together. You can recuperate from your wounds in a great number of ways.

Plot:
5/5
A lot of times, memoirs won't really have plots. But this one does. We know that Karen receives the tools necessary to begin recovering from the harm done to her, and to move on. So we know there is an ultimate goal, we know it is reached. The novel begins with our author telling us about her purpose in writing her experiences down and her hopes for what it will help people to realize. Then she goes into her story, explaining how she felt at various times, when she finally broke, when she began the epic quest to find a way to get better. This is an encouraging tale for the victims of abuse, any sort of abuse, because in the end illness is illness and that which affects our mind, our behavior and our fears can all be dealt with in similar ways. You don't have to have been sexually abused to appreciate this novel or gain something from it, and I can attest to that. I've been lucky enough in life to have never been sexually or physically abused, but I have faced other demons and I too have fought against them. I know what the process looks like and I can tell you that no matter what cretin scourge is eating away at your life, HUR will be able to at least give you some wisdom so you can better judge how to go about finding that holy grail of medicine. Karen's story is terrible, wonderful, sad and encouraging all at once. It takes great courage to write everything down and publish it so the whole would can read your own personal tales. HUR is a shield and a sword all in one, protecting us with the knowledge that we are not alone and that there are people who can relate to us and who would support us if we gave them a chance, but also providing the necessary weapons against the demons you face. A sword is just as well as a shield when it comes to fighting illness created by abuse of any sort. I would suggest everyone read HUR and suggest it to friends. You never know who suffers from abuse, because a lot of victims will hide it with a perfect facade, you never know who you can help and that's Karen's reason for putting this out there. This should be required reading. There are life lessons that transcend abuse in HUR, and I really do believe anybody, no matter what state of mind, would benefit by reading this novel.

Grammar/Spelling
4/5
There are some cases of tense slipping but in a memoir, this is common enough. You won't notice it, it just happens because the person telling the story is so busy telling the story that frame of time is trivial, and it is. There are a few cases of weird sentences and missing words. It really is all negligible. HUR is not about proper grammatical skills, it is about a real story from a real person, hoping to help other real people. Which is far more important than a silly tense issue here and there.

Punctuation:
5/5
Is perfect.

Structure:
5/5
All of the paragraphs and chapters transition nicely into each other and I found these 7500 words extremely easy to read. Some 7500 words take me a couple hours to read, some take me twenty minutes. This set is more the latter. It was easy to read because everything flowed so well. Karen tells us various stories from her life and explains how these exemplify the effects of abuse, and then she begins telling us how she eventually found a way to move on from the hurt.

Potential Beyond 7500 Words:
5/5
Go buy it. Get your friends to buy it. Get it approved by the schools, get it in libraries. Donate it to the salvation army. Sneak them in yard sales. Drop them at the waiting room. Leave them at bus stations. At airports. The mechanic's. The mall. If I wasn't so busy trying to push The Death Gate Cycle and Machiavelli's The Prince on people, I might push HUR. This book can save your life. Get it.

[Liz Terek]

In the wake of such tragedies as the Sandusky & “Priest” molestation cases, we’re left wondering who’s helping the victims. The predators have received their justice, but that doesn’t exactly heal the wounds left behind.
For those who’ve suffered & those who love them, it may be impossible to determine why these things have happened. Truly, life for the victims is changed forever. For Karen F. Riley, she chose a path that led her to Spiritual healing.
As our author tells of her circumstances, she dwells more on emotion than on the details. This shows the strength of her character. Transparent with all her inner struggles, she voices the uncomfortable memories.
By relying on her faith in God, she has overcome obstacles that have hindered others. Carefully, she examines her own secrets in order to give others the courage to examine theirs.
Loved ones can also find some refuge in this book. Gently, she encourages in both what to say and what not to say. There may be readers who will pick up on certain clues she gives, resulting in help for secret keepers in their lives.
Parents of victims, spouses of victims, & of course, victims themselves would be doing themselves a favor by reading this book. Surely, they’re bombarded by well-meaning folk with a variety of self-help materials. However, turning to Christ is the help the Karen needed.
Her story is a victorious one. While its topic is neither happy nor comfortable, we cannot pretend its horrors don’t exist. The fact that she wrote with such grace, honesty & desires to help others makes it so much more than a tragedy. Beauty from ashes is more appropriate.
How brave of her! One can only imagine the intestinal fortitude it took to put this story to print! But, on the other hand, imagine how many survivors will be strengthened & inspired.
Her bravery will carry her to literary success as she blesses others. Such courage deserves nothing less than a 5 of 5 star rating.

I received 1 eBook copy to write my review. No other compensation was provided. I was under no obligation to write a positive review.
Bible verses in the book are from the NIV translation & can be found via www.zondervan.com. More info on Karen F. Riley & her writing can be found via publishers at www.destinyimage.com

[Sheri]

Healing in the Hurting Places (Karen F. Riley)

This is a true story on how the Author (Karen F. Riley) overcame her childhood sexual abuse. It is original in many ways. Karen tells how she buried her inner feelings and how she lost her faith (in God). She also tells how she reconnected with God and has many helpful suggestions to those who have suffered abuse, not just sexual (abuse).

I highly recommend to all, those who are victims, know victims or just want to learn more on what it feels like to over come childhood sexual abuse. Karen also includes a web where people can donate to help victims and their families. This web is www.healingthehurtingplaces.org

[Karen Boyce]

Healing in the Hurting places is a must read for anyone who wants to understand human nature. It reaches into the wounded soul and applies a healing balm in the person of Jesus Christ. So many who have been abused in childhood blame themselves and carry the open wounds. This work teaches others to recognize the outward signs of an abused child or adult. It reveals the emotions and struggles of the victim and the ones who love the victim. It is all about healing and I highly recommend it. It is another wonderful book by Karen F. Riley!
Karen Kelly Boyce

[Carole Rae]

Like earlier stated I am reading this for the author and for CM for my honest review.

Wow....even though I never had to experience such horrid events, I can still find inspiration through this. In an odd way it helped me. It gave me some advice for the future when I fall into a fight of depression again. Bad things happen. People die and nothing goes your way and there is nothing you can do to stop it. However, with the right help you can find the light and continue with life. Yes, it's confession time. I do tend to find myself falling into bouts of depression. Not bad enough for me to need pills or for people to really notice. I'm good at hiding it behind my cool demeanor and happy-go-lucky facade. Usually it is events that set it off. Like the month of August was horrible for me. I cried nearly everyday, because every day something was beyond my control. I was fired unjustly, my beloved cat died, my cousin died, I had to rely on my parents for financial support due to the government being assholes, my cousin left the country to South Korea, I had a huge fight with Sarah (nearly ended our friendship), and other small little events. However, the meaning of this rant was to show that everyone has issues. Not everyone is raped or molested or abused...but everyone needs inspiration from time to time. I feel like this book can help others.

I know many people who were sexually abused as children. One is an ex-friend of mine. I had been friends with her for 4 years before the group shattered and fell apart. She went one way and I went the other. I remember when she told me about the abuse and I was shocked! She was the first person who told me details and whatnot of what happened to her (yes, I knew people who went through this, but I didn't know any details). I wish this book had been around during this, because she was an avid reader and I know she would have loved this book. Going through this event is a constant struggle. You never, EVER truly "get over it".

Anyways, sorry for the constant rants up there. This book may be intended for those that need help and inspiration about dealing with the abuse, but I find that this book helps others who have different demons to fight. I really loved the letters part of the book, where people sent the authors letters. I felt it added a lot to the story.

All-in-all, this was a pretty good book. I'm glad we read it and Karen F. Riley was so open with the reader. Sharing her experience really does help others. Life is a struggle and we all have our demons and I find that everyone needs inspiration and help from time to time and Karen F. Riley does that with this book. I would recommend this to those who need a boost, for those who did experience such horrid events, and for those that need a change in their literature. Out of five stars I grant this one 5 stars.

[Melissa]

Wow! What an amazing story of triumphing over such a tragic loss of innocence, her childhood and trust. After reading this book, I have a better understanding of the healing process that is necessary for this kind of pain. Karen Riley doesn't go into the specifics of her abuse as they are unnecessary and for which I am grateful. It was hard enough reading about how she struggled to just get through life with the anger and pain that she had buried so far deep down inside that she wasn't aware of it until it surfaced when she was an adult. I really admire her for continuing to move forward when some don't. I did not suffer through childhood sexual abuse, but I know from other experiences that I've had that it is one of those things you don't just "get over." You get through it. There are some incredible resources at the back of the book that you want to make sure you check out. She has a section of what to or not to say to a victim of sexual abuse and another section on organizations where someone could seek help, whether it is for sexual abuse, alcoholism, domestic violence, suicide prevention, etc.

I definitely recommend this book to anyone who has suffered through sexual abuse or if you know someone who does or did.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are my own and may differ from yours. This book tour is brought to you by Charisma Media.

[Cathie]

Quite a good help book as well as a personal telling of childhood sexual abuse. This is not a "down" book; it is a story of courage and a book of resources for anyone looking for knowledge, answers and happiness ~ yes, there can be happiness after much darkness if you're willing to take the scary journey past the hurt.

My only problem with this book was most of the resources (and rightly so, as the author is from the U.S.) are U.S. listings. But it does give a wonderful starting point to explore resources from your own country.

This is a journey to wellness book. I appreciated it from both a professional and personal perspective. I was very happy to see Spiritual help and health included in the total framework along with emotional and physical elements of healing. This book speaks to the survivor as well as those trying to help. I was touched by the author's honesty as one who knows what they are talking about. Living a happy, fulfilled life, both publically and privately, is truly a sign that the nightmare no longer has a hold on one's life but has moved to a respected place of experience and usefulness in helping others lead completely healed lives. Ms Riley is a wonderful example of that transformation.

[Ruth E. R.]

A dear friend of mine bought Karen's book when she was offering them one summer in Ocean Grove, NJ. Karen was another one of the facilitators at "Under the Umbrella" women's Bible study in summer 2011. My friend knew it was just the book for me, and bought it right there on the beach from Karen. I have since passed it on to 2 other survivors of sexual abuse, who appreciated it very much. So that is a total of four of us who have moved further along on our journeys, with the help of Karen and her message. She keeps the focus on Christ, and her path out of darkness and into the light. She does not dwell so much on the traumas she experienced. I enjoyed sitting on the beach reading it, even though it was Long Island Sound and not the REAL beach! :) It's a book I've intended to read again, once I finally got through passing it on to others! It is once again in my possession, and now reading it again will be bittersweet. I've learned that a couple of days ago, the author reached the end of her healing journey, and is no longer in pain, with no more sorrow for eternity. Even so, her message here will go on. Thank you, Karen!

[Julie Powell]

I was sent a copy of this book for review and see it as a message of faith in the face of horror.

This very personal story tackles an emotive subject - childhood sexual abuse - and found that the author's experiences to be an honest and forthright account, however, I could also see her strength, to not only by refuseing to be a victim, but also to want to reach out and help others who had suffered similar atrocities.

The basis for this book, I think, stems from faith, from which she draws this amazing strength, and I can only applaud that she was able to do this. Many victims of such crimes do not have such beliefs, and by reading this book, they just may find the help they need.

I am not a 'believer', however, I respect and appreciate others in their beliefs, and can really see that it certainly aided this author's road to recovery and beyond.

This must have been a difficult book to write and I can only celebrate its message, that conquering fear is the way forward, and though some my not choose her particular way, it comes from the heart and that can only be beautiful.

[Debra Benson]

"Healing in the Hurting Places" by Karen F. Riley is a book with a powerful story of how she dealt with sexual abuse from a young girl into adulthood. This book demonstrates a way for you to be set free with peace and joy through a relationship with Jesus. Anyone who has been abused sexually or who have had weight problems or who have been abused by an alcoholic or who have been hurt deeply and you want deliverance from the pain, guilt, shame, an anger this book is a must read.

The character of this story propelled the anger from the past to her present relationships because she couldn't control her emotions but desperately wanted a normal life. This story 'Healing in the Hurting Places" takes hurting people on a journey from bondage of the past incident that brought pain and distrust in people to steps that assure freedom, peace, and joy by letting go of self control by dwelling in the word of God and in the arms of Jesus.

By reading this book I have been shown how to deal with my own hurts of childhood and reminded that I can do all things through Christ Jesus.

[Rach]

Healing in the Hurting Places is about Karen’s real life experiences of being abused as a child. How she struggled with life because of this and carried a lot of anger and pain around which affect relationships, Losing her faith, burying her feelings and also how to recognise the signs of abuse.

I have not been abused but I think Karen is or will be an inspiration to a lot of abuse victims, She suggests ways to try to overcome what has happened. The book also suggests what things you should and shouldn’t say to an abuse victim.

I praise Karen for writing this book as I know it will help so many people whether they are victims themselves or people who know victims.

Being a non-fiction book about Karen’s own life, and basically joining her in her journey was sometimes very emotional and hard to read as I do have someone very close to me who was abused as a child. This has helped me be more aware too.

[Asha Pena]

When you start reading this book and it being a personal experience of sexually abused victim. You wonder how it will help you and how you can benefit from her experience to grow and move on from something that has happened in your own life.

When something tragic happens in your life and it is over whelming to handle, It is easy for your mind and body to "Shut Down " on you and not want to comprehend what just happened.

After reading this story about Karen, It is empowering to see that you Don't have to be a victim, you don't have to feel helpless but be empowered to be a survivor. Someone that can over come their problems and grow. This is a great book for anyone going through problems in their life and not sure where to turn too.

Thank you Karen for sharing your story and how you became a survivor.

[Danielle Sibarium]

In Healing in the Hurting Places karen F Riley opens up and delves into her darkest secrets. A victim of childhood sexual abuse, Karen tells how she buried the secrets of her childhood only for them to surface in an erruption of pain and anger as an adult. Karen talks about coming to terms with the actions others took against her, pounding her down, leaving her feeling alone and lost. karen describes how she went from outcast to success with the love and guidance of the Lord.

Karen also gives examples of what you should and should not say to victims as people often say the wrong things. This book is not only a must read for victims of sexual abuse, but for those who know or love someone who has been victimized.

[Jes Zec]

Healing in the Hurting Places is not a genre that I usually read but I enjoyed the book.
It was very insightful and significant especially in these times where most of us have come into contact with a person who has been physically, verbally or emotionally abused.
Karen was sexually abused in her childhood and this book is a moving story of her healing. The book is also about a girl who having been abused is also victimized in school.
The book is personal and yet it is something that readers can identify with. Beautiful and well chosen illustrations from the Scriptures, it shows the power of spiritual healing in Karen’s life.
Well written and powerful, it is a book that provides hope to people in similar circumstances.

[Simone]

I received a copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. This book was very insightful as Karen uses her life story as an example so the we can fully understand what victims of abuse are feeling and thinking, and the behavior patterns that are in fact warning signs that something has gone awry. I have to admit, this was a difficult read for me. Primarily because my symptoms/signs were identical to the author's. Unlike Karen, I am still struggling, but this novel has helped me understand myself a bit better and also gives me hope that someday I will have closure.

[Lara Polk]

If I could give this book more than 5 stars I would. It is amazing and the writer (Karen F. Riley) touched me so much from this book. This book is very good for those who have been hurt by abuse or those who know someone who has. I love how she took her pain and put it out there to help herself and others. It was so good. I can say it opened some memories I did not really want to remember but it gave me help to make it through those memories. This book has changed my life and it will yours. Thanks to Karen for such a good job.

[Georgiann Hennelly]

Healing in the hurting places paints a very vivid and pe rsonal picture ofKarens journey of healing from childhood sexual abuse.This is a book of healing and hope and how God can help us heal and begin our lives anew. I highly recommend everyone should read this book. It really touched my heart.I look forward to more books from this author Karen Riley

[Nanette]

Excellent. Highly recommend.