I am so happy to share with you the latest book from Gwen Plano. I’ve included my review as well. Congratulations to Gwen!
Thank you, Jan, for letting me take over your blog today. I’m deeply grateful.
I have a special interest in the Near-Death Experience phenomenon. Since the 1980s, I’ve read original research of accounts, and I’ve also read numerous books by survivors. Though I’ve not experienced an NDE, I’ve had several inexplicable experiences of a loving presence at times of great duress.
For ten years, 2002 – 2012, I was an administrator at a college near Camp Pendleton in California. I worked directly with the Marine veterans and, to a lesser degree, veterans from the other branches of the military. I quickly discovered that almost all the Marines suffered PTSD and/or physical injuries from their service in Iraq or Afghanistan. I became their advocate and tried to provide a ‘safe’ place for the veterans to meet, hang out, and process. To this day, my experience with the veterans remains the highlight of my thirty years in Higher Education.
When I wrote The Soul Whisperer’s Decision, I sought to illuminate the struggles of those who have experienced extreme violence. And, as well, I tried to show the healing power of love. None of us can erase our past or another’s, but by our choices, we can carve a hopeful future for ourselves and others.
BLURB:
Sarah Jameson, a nurse at County Central Hospital, survives an accident that kills her two young children. While comatose, she travels into the heavenly realm where she visits with her precious little ones. She is given a choice – return to her husband, Jack, or remain with her children in their celestial home.
Jack was not in the fated automobile. Though he heard the crash and ran to help, there was nothing he could do. He suffers the loss of his children, fears the potential demise of his wife, and wonders about his own sanity. His struggle with PTSD from his military years has returned and at times, he cannot distinguish between the present and the past.
An accident tragically changed the lives of this young family, but out of sorrow emerges unexpected blessings.
MY REVIEW:
There is only one word that describes this recent novel from Gwen Plano—heart-wrenching. Sarah and Jack are happily married, with two beautiful children. The perfect American family. Sarah is an ER nurse and is no stranger to trauma.
But when a drunk driver slams into her, taking the lives of their two children and seriously injuring her, the trauma is more than either she or Jack can handle.
The loss and grief throw Jack back into an unforgiving episode of PTSD. He’s back in Afghanistan and unable to save the lives of children. The burden of guilt for all of it is too much.
Sarah floats between both worlds—living and dying. But she is given a choice and her love for Jack draws her back to living.
I won’t say what happens next, but I know of no other author who writes with such deep psychological insight and compassion as Gwen Plano. She drew me into the story and I suffered along with Jack and Sarah as they fight their way back. The struggle is astronomical, but faith is a powerful healer. There is a deep abiding lesson within the pages of this book. Never lose hope, and never lose your faith, as it will guide you through the most difficult times you can imagine. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a realistic story about tragedy and triumph. It is well-written and gripping.
PURCHASE LINKS
Amazon: https://bit.ly/488Ziay
Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/48aWmdu
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
I grew up in the great Southern California desert bordering Arizona and Mexico. I’m pretty certain I’ve climbed more sand dunes than Lawrence of Arabia. This desert habitat was a formative part of my life until I left for college.
I am now retired from a lengthy career in higher education, which spanned both East and West coasts and Japan. My husband and I live in the Prescott, AZ area, and when we’re not traveling, I enjoy writing and gardening.
LINKS:
BLOG: www.gwenplano.com
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/gmplano
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/GMPlano
AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Gwen-M.-Plano/author/B07D3BZ6TQ