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Song of the Brokenhearted
Ava has a loving family, a beautiful house, and a solid faith. Suddenly, her ideal life will be completely broken . . . in the best of ways.
Ava’s life is full of great things. Her daughter is getting married to just the right guy, her husband’s company has kept them financially successful for years, her son is thriving as a high-school football player, and the ministry she started is keeping her busy as she reaches out to those with “broken hearts.”
Then it all falls apart. Ava’s safe world becomes unanchored, and she is forced to face the childhood she’s run away from her entire life. Just as she’s trying to sift through the pieces, the doorbell rings and Ava is confronted with the surprise of her life.
Ava must set out on a journey that takes her back home. Along the way, she encounters God in new and unexpected ways. She sees she's been hiding her brokenness behind good deeds and the comforts of a safe life. Learning what it means to lose it all is just the start of Ava’s journey—as is the new song God is writing on her heart.
Ava’s life is full of great things. Her daughter is getting married to just the right guy, her husband’s company has kept them financially successful for years, her son is thriving as a high-school football player, and the ministry she started is keeping her busy as she reaches out to those with “broken hearts.”
Then it all falls apart. Ava’s safe world becomes unanchored, and she is forced to face the childhood she’s run away from her entire life. Just as she’s trying to sift through the pieces, the doorbell rings and Ava is confronted with the surprise of her life.
Ava must set out on a journey that takes her back home. Along the way, she encounters God in new and unexpected ways. She sees she's been hiding her brokenness behind good deeds and the comforts of a safe life. Learning what it means to lose it all is just the start of Ava’s journey—as is the new song God is writing on her heart.
320 pages, Paperback
First published August 21, 2012
35 people are currently reading
403 people want to read
About the author
Sheila Walsh
253 books591 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Sheila Walsh (05-07-1956) is a powerful communicator, Bible teacher, and best-selling author with more than 4 million books sold. A featured speaker with Women of Faith®, Sheila has reached more than 3.5 million women by artistically combining honesty, vulnerability, and humor with God's Word.
Author of the best-selling memoir Honestly and the Gold Medallion nominee for The Heartache No One Sees, Sheila's most recent release, The Shelter of God's Promises, has also been turned into a DVD curriculum and in-depth Bible study. The Gigi, God's Little Princess book and video series has won the National Retailer's Choice Award twice and is the most popular Christian brand for young girls in the United States.
Sheila co-hosted The 700 Club and her own show Heart to Heart with Sheila Walsh. She is currently completing her Masters in Theology.
Twitter @SheilaWalsh, facebook.com/#!/sheilawalshconnects
Sheila Walsh (05-07-1956) is a powerful communicator, Bible teacher, and best-selling author with more than 4 million books sold. A featured speaker with Women of Faith®, Sheila has reached more than 3.5 million women by artistically combining honesty, vulnerability, and humor with God's Word.
Author of the best-selling memoir Honestly and the Gold Medallion nominee for The Heartache No One Sees, Sheila's most recent release, The Shelter of God's Promises, has also been turned into a DVD curriculum and in-depth Bible study. The Gigi, God's Little Princess book and video series has won the National Retailer's Choice Award twice and is the most popular Christian brand for young girls in the United States.
Sheila co-hosted The 700 Club and her own show Heart to Heart with Sheila Walsh. She is currently completing her Masters in Theology.
Twitter @SheilaWalsh, facebook.com/#!/sheilawalshconnects
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
October 6, 2025
This book actually made me cry. It was such a sweet story of redemption!
October 5, 2012
Ava has a good family life, she teaches Bible study and she’s part of a ministry that helps hurting people. Because of her childhood, Ava has lived most of her days preparing for bad news. When her life begins to fall apart will her faith in God waver or grow stronger? And will she be able to do the one difficult thing she believes God wants her to do?
I really need to start with this: Ava had some EVIL family members – they were judgmental, condemning, legalistic, confused, controlling people who claimed to know God when they really didn’t know Him at all. As I read parts of this book, all I could do was keep shaking my head. I don’t blame Ava for leaving her hometown and never looking back. This book’s synopsis states that ‘Ava must set out on a journey that takes her back home’, but I didn’t really think it was necessary for her to subject herself to those who treated her so badly when she was growing up. There was a reason she felt she needed to go back, though. Still, I thought something else could have been worked out.
The main thoughts I was left with after I read this story: Sometimes Christians speak for God when they really need to keep their opinions to themselves. And sometimes Christians blame Satan for problems they brought on themselves – choices have consequences, take responsibility.
Even though characters had their issues, there was something about this book that felt so cozy. My plan was to read half, watch television shows I had recorded, and then finish reading. It turned out that television had to wait, because I had a hard time putting this book down. I wanted to know what was going on with Dane, I felt for Bethany and Sienna was interesting. Anything that had to do with Broken Hearts Ministry was sad, though, but I did admire these women who cared so much about other people’s pain that they put their own comforts aside.
I really need to start with this: Ava had some EVIL family members – they were judgmental, condemning, legalistic, confused, controlling people who claimed to know God when they really didn’t know Him at all. As I read parts of this book, all I could do was keep shaking my head. I don’t blame Ava for leaving her hometown and never looking back. This book’s synopsis states that ‘Ava must set out on a journey that takes her back home’, but I didn’t really think it was necessary for her to subject herself to those who treated her so badly when she was growing up. There was a reason she felt she needed to go back, though. Still, I thought something else could have been worked out.
The main thoughts I was left with after I read this story: Sometimes Christians speak for God when they really need to keep their opinions to themselves. And sometimes Christians blame Satan for problems they brought on themselves – choices have consequences, take responsibility.
Even though characters had their issues, there was something about this book that felt so cozy. My plan was to read half, watch television shows I had recorded, and then finish reading. It turned out that television had to wait, because I had a hard time putting this book down. I wanted to know what was going on with Dane, I felt for Bethany and Sienna was interesting. Anything that had to do with Broken Hearts Ministry was sad, though, but I did admire these women who cared so much about other people’s pain that they put their own comforts aside.
May 19, 2013
Yes, to anything by Sheila Walsh! I grew up listening to her tapes over and over, and over! So as an adult, a book. Yes yes yes!!!
This book could speak to each woman, I hope everyone passes it on. We all have broken hearts. Will we be moldable? Ava has it all, or so it seems. She helps those WITH broken hearts, but still has a safe life.
But God doesn't want us to stay in the shadows or safety. We can grow when we allow ourselves to be broken and moldable, as Ava will learn. I love what I read once about this book, let God write a new song on your heart!
What an amazing way to put it. Beautiful, takes my breath away! So read this book. Recommend it to everyone. Read it in a book club. You won't be sorry!
This book could speak to each woman, I hope everyone passes it on. We all have broken hearts. Will we be moldable? Ava has it all, or so it seems. She helps those WITH broken hearts, but still has a safe life.
But God doesn't want us to stay in the shadows or safety. We can grow when we allow ourselves to be broken and moldable, as Ava will learn. I love what I read once about this book, let God write a new song on your heart!
What an amazing way to put it. Beautiful, takes my breath away! So read this book. Recommend it to everyone. Read it in a book club. You won't be sorry!
October 31, 2012
Ava has it all - a comfortable life, two wonderful kids, a husband with a great job until one day it all falls apart. In her brokenness, Ava finds what she has really been looking for all of her life as well as the relationship with her dad and her heavenly Father that she had been missing all along.
I liked the storyline and the characters in this novel very much. It really points out what Jesus said that we must lose our life to really gain life eternal.
I liked the storyline and the characters in this novel very much. It really points out what Jesus said that we must lose our life to really gain life eternal.
April 28, 2018
This was the story I needed, when I needed it.
May 22, 2019
This book is about Ava Kent. She lives a perfectly normal and blessed life. Ava is a mother of two. A daughter who is in college and is engaged to be married to a guy everybody loves, and a son in high school who is a star football player. Her husband has a thriving business that affords them to live handsomely in a good neighborhood. She kept a busy schedule leading a ministry that helps and comfort people who are suffering and broken hearted.
All of a sudden things changed. Her husband is getting too busy at work, long hours and seems distracted. Her daughter called off the engagement, her son made a decision that could potentially ruin his future. Just when you are thinking what else could go wrong to this woman, she receives a gift on her doorsteps. Which would bring her back to her past. A life she has been trying to forget.
A good book about forgiveness, about faith in God, hope, love and family. The last part of the book includes questions for book clubs to discuss and reflect on.
I got this book free from "booksneeze" in exchange for an honest review.
All of a sudden things changed. Her husband is getting too busy at work, long hours and seems distracted. Her daughter called off the engagement, her son made a decision that could potentially ruin his future. Just when you are thinking what else could go wrong to this woman, she receives a gift on her doorsteps. Which would bring her back to her past. A life she has been trying to forget.
A good book about forgiveness, about faith in God, hope, love and family. The last part of the book includes questions for book clubs to discuss and reflect on.
I got this book free from "booksneeze" in exchange for an honest review.
March 11, 2018
3.5 stars. a compelling story from author Sheila Walsh, Song of the Brokenhearted deals with a family that has it all: wealth, children, position, security and what appears to be the perfect marriage. But then, things start to fall apart like so many stones tumbling off a bridge. Husband Dane is being evasive, holding Ava at arm's length, always on the phone, missing out on important family events. Sienna cancels her engagement to a man that Dane and Ava loved more than she did. and son jason is acting out. When it all falls aprt, will Ava learn to reconnect with the God of her childhood? Can their shifting world be fixed?
August 18, 2025
3.5 A sweet story about a family that has everything, until circumstances change. The mother in this story had a hard scrabble upbringing that she works hard to forget. She also has a great family with a hard working husband, a son and a daughter.
This is a Christian author who seems to be exploring how to be a compassionate person within and outside the church. The main character has a ministry within the church that helps people in crisis. She knows she is lucky to have a good situation at home and has compassion and empathy for those who are in hard times.
The writing is a bit simplistic but plain language can be a good thing when you are hoping to reach people. It was a good story.
This is a Christian author who seems to be exploring how to be a compassionate person within and outside the church. The main character has a ministry within the church that helps people in crisis. She knows she is lucky to have a good situation at home and has compassion and empathy for those who are in hard times.
The writing is a bit simplistic but plain language can be a good thing when you are hoping to reach people. It was a good story.
February 10, 2021
This was such an amazing book! I was drawn to the characters, and a couple times, thought I had something or someone "figured out". However, the authors chose to throw in surprises! This would truly make a great start to a series of books, and quite possibly, if they kept to the storyline, an amazing movie!
January 13, 2019
I'm not usually into Christian lit and somehow ended up getting this from the library because I was interested in Sheila Walsh's books. I thought I'd read a chapter or so and ... I couldn't put this down! It's in no way fluffy...
May 15, 2023
Was Her World Crashing Around Her?
After running away from her past, she finds her perfect life isn't perfect after all. A story of a woman of faith that finds her way to a better place after confronting her demons of old.
After running away from her past, she finds her perfect life isn't perfect after all. A story of a woman of faith that finds her way to a better place after confronting her demons of old.
February 26, 2024
very good story
Kept my attention from beginning to end. It’s a “clean” story fit for any Christian. I would have liked more of what happened with her father after her visit though.
Kept my attention from beginning to end. It’s a “clean” story fit for any Christian. I would have liked more of what happened with her father after her visit though.
December 17, 2018
OMG! Well worth it
Deep!
Deep!
March 2, 2019
God always has a way of getting your attention. This book was well written and deals with real issues many people face. I enjoyed this book.
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March 22, 2017Story of Ava and her family who seem to have it all (and they do count their blessings) but things start to unravel. The journey makes them see how to rely on God even more and be as an infant trusting in his care.
August 7, 2012
Song of the Brokenhearted by Sheila Walsh and Cindy Martinusen Coloma is the story of living the faith when everything in life seems to fall apart. Ava in her late forties is married to a wonderful man and has two wonderful children. Her daughter is getting married to a great guy. Her son is a fantastic football player. Her husband has a strong profitable company. As Ava’s world starts to crumble she has to determine if her faith is a fair-weather faith or the kind that will stand through fear and uncertainty. Meanwhile Ava is having her ministry work and personal life questioned by a “friend” from church. She also has a troubled past that she hasn’t quite reconciled with her life as a suburban housewife. Will Ava lose her faith? Will she get angry at those who question her life? Will she face her past? Maybe, but you will have to read it to find out.
I really like this book by Walsh and Matinusen Coloma. It was intriguing and interesting in the way that the book was written. The authors draw out Ava’s past and cause you to really wonder what it is that has her so haunted. I really like the way that Ava deals with all that happens to her personally her faith is really explored along with what it really means. Her relationship with her best friend, Kayanne, was wonderful to me as it reminded me of my relationships with some of my besties. Overall this book was a good read. I started it Friday night and was finished by Saturday afternoon. At 304 pages its not a quick read, but it definitely drew me into the story. I will say that had it not taken so long to find out what was so rough in Ava’s past, I probably wouldn’t have been so interested. Overall though, I really do recommend this book next time you are looking for a novel to read.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. 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.”
I really like this book by Walsh and Matinusen Coloma. It was intriguing and interesting in the way that the book was written. The authors draw out Ava’s past and cause you to really wonder what it is that has her so haunted. I really like the way that Ava deals with all that happens to her personally her faith is really explored along with what it really means. Her relationship with her best friend, Kayanne, was wonderful to me as it reminded me of my relationships with some of my besties. Overall this book was a good read. I started it Friday night and was finished by Saturday afternoon. At 304 pages its not a quick read, but it definitely drew me into the story. I will say that had it not taken so long to find out what was so rough in Ava’s past, I probably wouldn’t have been so interested. Overall though, I really do recommend this book next time you are looking for a novel to read.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. 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.”
August 6, 2012
After taking months to read through my last booksneeze book 360° Leadership, it took me all of 2 days to read the next one! After reading Sweet Sanctuary in May, I know that I will love any of Sheila Walsh and Cindy Martinusen Coloma's books so when I saw this was up for review, I grabbed it!
Ava is a typical American mom, living in Texas, with a successful businessman husband who completely shelters her from anything to do with the business. With a daughter about to get married, and a son who's a starter on the football team, Ava's life couldn't get any better.
And then, Ava's life starts to fall apart in every area. Even having been the leader of a caring ministry to those in trouble, Ava, finds it hard to cope with all the issues coming up all at once and all the platitudes she offered to others don't seem to work in her life. And then... (you will have to read the book to find out!!!)
I love fiction that has a purpose - to make you look at your life and think through issues and things that need to be dealt with. And this book does not disappoint. Just as Ava has to go back to her past to be able to deal with the things that are happening in her present, it is a reminder to all of us that we are only able to move forward if we have dealt with the issues of the past.
There are many good lessons that are woven throughout this book, and the main one that I will take away is how God's grace is enough to carry us through any trial. He is the one we need to turn to, no matter what is happening. It is always good to be reminded of that!
If you like great Christian Fiction with a message, then this is definitely the book for you!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. 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.”
Ava is a typical American mom, living in Texas, with a successful businessman husband who completely shelters her from anything to do with the business. With a daughter about to get married, and a son who's a starter on the football team, Ava's life couldn't get any better.
And then, Ava's life starts to fall apart in every area. Even having been the leader of a caring ministry to those in trouble, Ava, finds it hard to cope with all the issues coming up all at once and all the platitudes she offered to others don't seem to work in her life. And then... (you will have to read the book to find out!!!)
I love fiction that has a purpose - to make you look at your life and think through issues and things that need to be dealt with. And this book does not disappoint. Just as Ava has to go back to her past to be able to deal with the things that are happening in her present, it is a reminder to all of us that we are only able to move forward if we have dealt with the issues of the past.
There are many good lessons that are woven throughout this book, and the main one that I will take away is how God's grace is enough to carry us through any trial. He is the one we need to turn to, no matter what is happening. It is always good to be reminded of that!
If you like great Christian Fiction with a message, then this is definitely the book for you!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. 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.”
September 28, 2012
Song of the Brokenhearted is about Ava and her well put together life. She has her ministry with the church that occupies what little time that isn't taken up with her family. She's planning the wedding of her daughter, dealing with the increasing work load her husband seems to have and the new football season for her son. Then like the click of a light switch her well constructed life seems to fall apart. She's constantly brought out of the present with reminders of a past she'd like to forget. Then with the ringing of her doorbell she's set on a path to go visit the past she'd like to forget.
I was quickly drawn into wanting to know more about Ava, we were given little snippets of her life before everything seemed to turn golden for her. It was nice to see that even if you have everything God can work something great through you even if He slowly allows those things you came to rely on to slip away. To make you stronger or to even learn things about yourself that you may not have seen. I loved how Ava handled how things came at her.
I would highly recommend it for anyone who has had a troubled past, and who may be going through a rough time. It was a great uplifting christian based read.
I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com http://BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. 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 http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/wa... : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
I was quickly drawn into wanting to know more about Ava, we were given little snippets of her life before everything seemed to turn golden for her. It was nice to see that even if you have everything God can work something great through you even if He slowly allows those things you came to rely on to slip away. To make you stronger or to even learn things about yourself that you may not have seen. I loved how Ava handled how things came at her.
I would highly recommend it for anyone who has had a troubled past, and who may be going through a rough time. It was a great uplifting christian based read.
I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com http://BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. 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 http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/wa... : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
August 6, 2012
Ava has come a long way from her hurtful childhood in Sheila Walsh and Cindy Coloma’s latest book Song of the Brokenhearted. Now the perfect image of someone who has it all together, Ava runs the Broken Hearts Ministry out of her Dallas church with compassion and smooth efficiency.
But no sooner are we clued in to her student daughter Sienna’s impending wedding, her high school son Jason’s prowess at football, and husband Dane’s successful business when things begin to fall apart in an almost Job-like way.
By the end of the story Ava is at the point of herself needing help from Broken Hearts as she faces the broken pieces of her life and, worse, feels compelled to revisit her painful past even though she has to do it in the old VW van and without a credit card in sight.
The setting and day-to-day activities of this middle-aged urbanite and her family felt believable and easy to relate to. The symbolism of the willow tree, though a nice touch, seemed a little belaboured and heavy-handed to me though. I did enjoy the description of Ava’s impulsive road trip through Texas near the book’s end. Meeting her quirky family was a delight for me, even though it gave her no pleasure.
The way Ava’s past came back to haunt her is a lesson to us all that we ignore a painful past at our peril. On the other hand, the story illustrates that there are treasures to be mined even from hurt and God, in His surprising way, can turn old torments into healings and a new start.
(I received this book as a gift from the publisher for the purpose of writing a review.)
But no sooner are we clued in to her student daughter Sienna’s impending wedding, her high school son Jason’s prowess at football, and husband Dane’s successful business when things begin to fall apart in an almost Job-like way.
By the end of the story Ava is at the point of herself needing help from Broken Hearts as she faces the broken pieces of her life and, worse, feels compelled to revisit her painful past even though she has to do it in the old VW van and without a credit card in sight.
The setting and day-to-day activities of this middle-aged urbanite and her family felt believable and easy to relate to. The symbolism of the willow tree, though a nice touch, seemed a little belaboured and heavy-handed to me though. I did enjoy the description of Ava’s impulsive road trip through Texas near the book’s end. Meeting her quirky family was a delight for me, even though it gave her no pleasure.
The way Ava’s past came back to haunt her is a lesson to us all that we ignore a painful past at our peril. On the other hand, the story illustrates that there are treasures to be mined even from hurt and God, in His surprising way, can turn old torments into healings and a new start.
(I received this book as a gift from the publisher for the purpose of writing a review.)
August 19, 2012
Ava has risen above the poverty of her youth and her dysfunctional family. Now, in her late 40's, she has a wonderful family, a picture-perfect home, and a few secrets in her closet. In Song of the Brokenhearted by Sheila Walsh and Cindy Martinusen Coloma, Ava enjoys a life filled with high school football games, her daughter's upcoming wedding, and a ministry to people in crisis - those with broken hearts.
She is terrific stepping in and helping people in need, but what happens when Ava is the person in crisis? When her husband begins working long hours and disappearing in the night, she assumes an affair. What she learns is that her husband's company is being investigated and all of their assets are frozen. Her life now includes no more maids... no more yard men, and no more shopping sprees.
Can their marriage survive this change in financial status? As Ava's life crumbles around her, an unexpected gift is left on her front porch. With this gift, she realizes she still needs to face her past and share it with her family. Will she allow God to write a new song on her heart?
Song of the Brokenhearted is a wonderful book. I was pulled into Ava's life story from page 1! If you know of Sheila Walsh's financial story, you will find some of her own struggles on the pages of this book. How does it feel to learn that your husband has withheld financial woes from you?
My rating: A
I received a complimentary copy of this e-book from Thomas Nelson's BookSneeze program for my honest review.
She is terrific stepping in and helping people in need, but what happens when Ava is the person in crisis? When her husband begins working long hours and disappearing in the night, she assumes an affair. What she learns is that her husband's company is being investigated and all of their assets are frozen. Her life now includes no more maids... no more yard men, and no more shopping sprees.
Can their marriage survive this change in financial status? As Ava's life crumbles around her, an unexpected gift is left on her front porch. With this gift, she realizes she still needs to face her past and share it with her family. Will she allow God to write a new song on her heart?
Song of the Brokenhearted is a wonderful book. I was pulled into Ava's life story from page 1! If you know of Sheila Walsh's financial story, you will find some of her own struggles on the pages of this book. How does it feel to learn that your husband has withheld financial woes from you?
My rating: A
I received a complimentary copy of this e-book from Thomas Nelson's BookSneeze program for my honest review.
November 29, 2012
This novel comes at a time when lives are being crushed by the recession, uncertainities in the world around us from natural causes such as earthquakes and hurricanes and broken families and lives, bringing a ray of bright sunshine to an otherwise dark world. Although my family is not dysfunctional no family is perfect, and even though we may be grounded in our faith, I don not believe that any one of us can say we have never had a difference of opinion with someone in the congregation.
As I read this, I examined my own thoughts and opinions, my perceptions of happenings and stories heard about.
There is a saying that you can not go back home, but Ava showed that it is possible. And I was inspired by her attitude to the things that happened when she was a child, from the death of her mother, to the growing up years in her Grandmother's house. As I witnessed through the story her maturity from the time she left her family at the age of 17 years to this return, how she faced the circumstances that were happening to her own family, her son, daughter and husband and the choices she and they made, I felt like my choices were not as extreme, and that with God all things are possible.
We can all glean some nugget from this truly thought provoking novel, and I will not hesitate to give it my endorsement.
I received this ebook free from Thomas Nelson Publishers through their Booksneeze program in exchange for an honest review. A positive critique was not required, and the opinions stated are my own!
As I read this, I examined my own thoughts and opinions, my perceptions of happenings and stories heard about.
There is a saying that you can not go back home, but Ava showed that it is possible. And I was inspired by her attitude to the things that happened when she was a child, from the death of her mother, to the growing up years in her Grandmother's house. As I witnessed through the story her maturity from the time she left her family at the age of 17 years to this return, how she faced the circumstances that were happening to her own family, her son, daughter and husband and the choices she and they made, I felt like my choices were not as extreme, and that with God all things are possible.
We can all glean some nugget from this truly thought provoking novel, and I will not hesitate to give it my endorsement.
I received this ebook free from Thomas Nelson Publishers through their Booksneeze program in exchange for an honest review. A positive critique was not required, and the opinions stated are my own!
July 29, 2014
This was such a good book that I started and finished it in one day. The main character Ava was starting to wonder if her husband was cheating on her. He had a ton of excuses for missing things with the family and went to work at odd hours. Her life seemed perfect on the outside. Her daughter was soon to be married to a guy the whole family loved. The son was a football player and doing well in school. Ava was running a bible study and started a volunteer group that helped anyone in need or struggling. She first noticed her son and thought that he was just upset that the father was too busy. Then she found out her daughter had called off the wedding. Then her husband tells her not use any credit cards and that his business is under an investigation. She opens the door one morning and finds a baby on the porch. She ends up back in her home town, seeing her brother and her father as well as the whole side of her family she has tried to forget exist. It was a great story about how you may not have had the best childhood but you can change and make a better life for yourself. Ava was able to break out of her life and start fresh. I loved the part with her father and even though he was in jail he still believed in God. He had a few things wrong and had done bad things, but never blamed God for his sins.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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October 26, 2017This is a very easy and tidy read. Sometimes I wonder if I grew up in a different generation than these authors or maybe they are trying to change behavior patterns because the parent's reactions to their kid's misdoings are lack. Maybe, through church, trust is easy to have. If my parents ever found out I smoked weed in high school (and I am pleading the 5th on that topic), they would have kicked my ass. I wish I were the daughter of Ava Kent.
The weeping willow tree was the perfect analogy to Ava's life cycles.
Not a lot was said about Ava's childhood but from what was written gives the reader the ability to imagine the worst. Too much of the book was dedicated to setting up the main characters and the story line. It was not until the last 75 pages did I really get interested in the book. And when Ava and Bethany spoke...tears.
Until next time, take life one page at a time!
The weeping willow tree was the perfect analogy to Ava's life cycles.
Not a lot was said about Ava's childhood but from what was written gives the reader the ability to imagine the worst. Too much of the book was dedicated to setting up the main characters and the story line. It was not until the last 75 pages did I really get interested in the book. And when Ava and Bethany spoke...tears.
Until next time, take life one page at a time!
September 2, 2015
stay at home mom doing work for the church, daughter in college planning a wedding to a boy her parents approve of. the younger son in football gets caught with drugs in his system and is suspended. the husband who kept working overtime lost his job when the company went under. the daughter canceled the wedding and wants to go overseas to other countries to work with the poor for year with her parents funding the trip. they no longer have money and the moms relative left their baby on her doorstep to raise. she has nothing to do with any of her relatives.
she went to return the baby, but saw the living conditions and decided to keep it. she visited her father in prison as she found out he had cancer
would have liked the book to go a little further to see what happened later, but it was good
she went to return the baby, but saw the living conditions and decided to keep it. she visited her father in prison as she found out he had cancer
would have liked the book to go a little further to see what happened later, but it was good
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 18, 2012
Ava has a great family, a caring ministry to those who are hurting. Then her life starts to fall apart. She is guilty of giving things other than God first place in her life. The story is about getting off track and God bringing her back.
A wonderful tale of a woman's journey through those things life can throw at us. We follow her through the depths of despair, experience heartache, and temptaion. The authors have tackled some tough issues and did a beautiful job!
Well written, good characters, you won't want to stop until you finish it. 5 out of 5 stars!
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
A wonderful tale of a woman's journey through those things life can throw at us. We follow her through the depths of despair, experience heartache, and temptaion. The authors have tackled some tough issues and did a beautiful job!
Well written, good characters, you won't want to stop until you finish it. 5 out of 5 stars!
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
December 2, 2016
Song of the Brokenhearted was a pleasing read. I liked the characters & felt "their pain" so to speak. There was good exploration into relationships within a family, as well as friendships.
Nicely written, I felt the strongest point was that it could have been, but was NOT predictable. I fully expected one outcome at a certain point, but got a different turn. Since I love to solve mysteries, I appreciated the good plotting of the story. There were several twists I did not expect & that upped its grade in my book.
Nicely written, I felt the strongest point was that it could have been, but was NOT predictable. I fully expected one outcome at a certain point, but got a different turn. Since I love to solve mysteries, I appreciated the good plotting of the story. There were several twists I did not expect & that upped its grade in my book.
January 15, 2013
Shelia Walsh is a better writter of ficion than non-fiction. This is the story of a woman from a dysfunctional family who marries well and creates a pleasnt life. She leads a ministy that cares for others that are brokenhearted because of tragedy in their lives. In the mist of her ministry to others her own life is falling apart.
October 15, 2012
4.5 stars. A powerful and heartfelt novel that I highly recommend to anyone who has ever faced difficult times. To read my review in its entirety, please click HERE.
March 22, 2016
I found this book by Sheila Walsh encouraging and inspiring. When life gets you down or it looks impossible to go forward, remember God is in control and that He has a plan that is so much better than we the ones can conceive. Real and recommended by me.
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