Where Healing Starts

by Angela D. Meyer

Joanna and Blake Hannigan grew up in an angry home and made an all-for-one pact – them against the world – in order to survive. Now that pact may keep them from what they each long for.

While doing community service for shoplifting, Joanna’s walls begin to come down. She wonders if she does have something of value inside of her, but still full of bitterness, she can’t get off the path to self-destruction. Will a near death experience put her on the road to redemption?

Blake refuses to accept the consequences for putting his brother-in-law in the hospital. He runs from the law and does the unthinkable. In the face of impending disaster, will Blake’s choices lead to healing?

Unless the siblings realize their pact can’t save them, they may not find the One who can.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Family Drama, Contemporary

257 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 11, 2022

About the author

Angela D. Meyer writes fiction that showcases God’s ability to redeem and restore the brokenness in our lives. She is the author of This Side of Yesterday, The Jukebox Cafe which is included in Hope is Born: A Mosaic Christmas Anthology, and the Applewood Hill series. Angela currently lives in NE with her husband. They have two children, both of whom they homeschooled and graduated. Angela enjoys sunrises and sunsets, the ocean when she gets a chance to visit, and hopes to ride in a hot air balloon someday.

Reviews

[Melody · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I simply loved this book!
Joanna's transformation is captivating and almost brought me to tears. I enjoyed getting to know the complex and realistic family of characters the author created. And the faith-based message in this story is encouraging and beautiful: None of us is good enough for God's love, but we don't need to be, because God is good enough. I loved how God's voice guided the characters in their journey.
I read trough this book very fast. I simply could not put it down. I had to know what would happen to these characters whom I came to care for so much.

I was disappointed when I found out that this was the sequel to Where Hope Starts, which I haven't read. Especially since Blake's story seems to have started in book 1. But the fact that this is book 2 in a series is also good news because it means I have one more book to read about this family. :D
I can only imagine how much more I would have enjoyed the book if I had read Where Hope Starts first.

I can't wait to read book 1 and book 3 (I'm suspecting we'll be seeing a lot more of Albert in book 3). ;)

I would definitely recommend this book to all Christian fiction readers. I would suggest reading the books in the right order though.

[Jennifer Hallmark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Where Healing Starts by Angela D. Meyer is a good illustration of how love and forgiveness can turn a life around. Her characters go through difficult times and don't always make the right decisions but God doesn't give up on them. The writing and descriptions are well-done. I recommend this book...

[Deana Dick · Rating 5 out of 5]

If there was ever a character that had a chip on her shoulder it would be Joanna. Wow does she have a bad attitude. No matter what people said to her, she took it the wrong way. When they tried to help her she refused because she thought they were doing it out of pity. I can’t believe how irritated she made me. I wanted to march up to her and tell her she needed an attitude adjustment. Then in a split second, I found myself remembering a young girl who was not loved by her parents and never felt wanted. That girl was me. No wonder I didn’t like Joanna . She was me when I was younger. Never giving anyone a chance to care and always looking for a way to stay to myself. Oh Joanna I know how you feel. The one lost sheep that God wants to help. The author gives us a glimpse of what it is like to wander alone and allowing pride to keep us from asking for help. Her life is a jumbled mess when she seeks out companionship from strangers and finds herself barely hanging onto reality.

Blake is in on the road to disaster as he tries to win his wife back, stay one step ahead of the law and break ties with his sister Joanna. They have a very close brother and sister bond but it is slowly turning into a mess. Blake lives on the edge and has this troubled past that he can’t shake. I found it interesting that he couldn’t understand why his wife didn’t want him around anymore. After awhile you have to turn them over to God. The author delivers an excellent portrayal of the prodigal son in Blake. As he gets in deeper trouble, will he will finally surrender his life to God and repair his relationship with his father? There is a brief encounter Blake has with a stranger that I loved. This person not only gave him a place to stay but shows compassion when Blake needed it most. A seed has been planted, now let’s watch it grow.

This story is an emotional journey to redemption, forgiveness and hearts that are changed. Both Blake and Joanna find themselves as low as they can go as they struggle with rejection. Many of us have felt that inner voice telling us that no one loves us. If only we would get our eyes on God and allow Him to show us unconditional love. I love the way the author showed us through trials that there is always hope. I enjoyed this book and highly recommend it to everyone who needs to heal their broken heart.

I received a copy of this book through the Novel Way Blog Tours with The Mosaic Collection and all thoughts are my own.

[Milla Holt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been looking forward to the second story in Angela D. Meyer’s Applewood Hill series, and this book did not disappoint.

Where Healing Starts doesn’t give easy answers in its portrayal of the fallen world in which we live. This includes the fact that many sins have far-reaching consequences. Although the father of the now adult Hannigan siblings repented of his abusive behaviour while his children were young, his conversion didn’t erase the evil he’d done. His children bear the twisted legacy of that abuse, carrying devastating wounds that push the vicious cycle on.

Joanna shows this through her self-destructive behavior. My heart ached for her as she lurched from one bad choice to another. But Where Healing Starts also shows the power of God’s grace. His love and healing are real, and we see that through the way he patiently draws Joanna towards himself.

There’s a twist I didn’t expect at the end, but it fits in with the themes of this book. I look forward to reading the next story and finding out what happens to the characters.

If you like realistic fiction dealing with flawed characters finding redemption, this is a story for you.

[Linda Palmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book that encompassing a wide range of emotions. And characters so real that you feel their pain or joy. I loved this story! And it is one of the best contemporary Christian books I’ve read this year!

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book deals with what can happen when bitterness takes root. Joanna Hannigan feels she has no hope, and each time she is faced with confrontation she runs. The choices she makes are unwise and harmful to her and her other siblings. She is set on a path of destruction. Her brother, Blake, has his own set of problems suffering from PTSD from his time serving in the Marines. During times when Joanna struggles she hears a still small voice not understanding that trusting God is where healing starts. How low will she go before she realizes that she needs to trust God and ask for and accept forgiveness? Will Blake finally face the fact that he needs help and stop running? You will feel the pain Joanna and Blake go through. This is a story with relatable characters who will pull at your heart-strings.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Where Healing Starts is a highly emotional story about the grown children from a dysfunctional family background. Each of them have dealt with the past in their own way but sister Joanna and brother Blake have allowed anger and bitterness to rule their lives. Poor choices have created even more problems for them both and unless major changes are made, their lives could end up a disaster.

I will admit that there were times I really wanted to just shake Joanna and ask what her problem was. I could see how God was working in her through the unconditional love shown by a couple she encountered but it was still difficult to watch her continue to make bad decisions.

The plot moves along at a fairly steady pace and the characters are well rounded and realistic. It is emotionally difficult to read at times but well worth the effort. The story is an excellent example of the Lord’s patience with us and the power of forgiveness.

I voluntarily reviewed a digital copy of this book provided by The Novel Way Blog Tours with The Mosaic Collection . A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

The theme of the books in the Mosaic Collection is Family by His Design. In Where Healing Starts, Angela Meyer explores this theme within a very dysfunctional family. Joanna struggles with substance abuse and feelings of rejection and not being good enough. Her family was not without its issues growing up. She hasn’t learned to forgive and she hasn’t turned to Christ although many in her family have.
Where Healing Starts is the second book in Meyer’s Applewood Hill series. I love the growth of the characters in the book, the evidence that God can save from the darkest corners, and that forgiveness is possible. I eagerly anticipate reading where Meyer takes the Hannigan family in future books in the series.
Where Healing Starts is an adult contemporary fiction. If I were to place it in a K-12 Christian school library, I would probably label it high school only due to some of the adult situations in the story.
I received a complimentary copy of Where Healing Starts. This is my honest review.

[Brenda S Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another heart-wrenching read from Angela D. Meyer. She doesn't hold back on reality as she examines the effects of abuse following generations. BUT, she also shows how God can break through the hurt and begin the healing process. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the Applewood Hill series.

[JudyAnn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A close look at families, this second book in the Applewood Hill series features Johanna Hannigan as she struggles to find her footing in the family and in the world.

This faith-based series is not totally flinch free because it is raw about life and people. Not religious fluff as the characters seek to find their faith connections. Some of them try their level best to avoid that connection before 'seeing the light.'

I received a copy of Where Healing Starts from The Mosaic Collection Books. I'm honored to be part of a blog tour for release date. I was not required to leave a review anywhere.

[David Franklin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grace in action

The author definitely gets to the nitty gritty of life and how God can redeem each of us. I love how she portrays God constantly reaching out to us with precious words to our hearts.

[Brook Settle · Rating 4 out of 5]

comforting read

i enjoyed the ongoing saga of a family 'working out its knots'. Nice read, easy, not flippant toward people's pain journeys