No comments about Journey into Personhood (Singular Lives : the Iowa Series in North American Autobiography).

1 comments about Invisible Illnesses and Disabilities.

1. The earlier edition of this book was written under (I presume) Sharon Smith Merrit's maiden name. There are several excellent reviews for this book under this same title; author Sharon Smith

No comments about 12 Years: The Long Road Back.

4 comments about Calvary's Child: The Life of Amanda Carol Hooker.

1. Like Carol, I am a member of the High Point University Class of 1998. Carol was one of the most kind, honest, and intelligent people I've ever met. I now attend East Carolina University School of Medicine, and seldom a day passes without a thought about Carol; she wanted the opportunity to train here, but cancer took her away before she could come. This book gave me new insight into Carol's early years, revealing much I did not know. This book, like Carol, is truly remarkable.



2. I read this book in one day, through a few tears, as well as laughter. This is a very, very touching book which should be read by everyone who has a child! It is very heart-wrenching to know how bad cancer hurts the whole family. I definitely give this book 5 stars!



3. I am a personal friend of the Hookers. I was with Carol at different times in her life. She was one of the strongest christian I have every know. This is an encouragering book for you to hold on and trust in Jesus Christ.



4. Amanda Hooker was full of promise; the perfect child when she became ill. This book chonicles her fight for life and her parents' struggle to help her survive, and finally to go through the loss of their adored daughter to the demon cancer. The author emphasizes her positive attitude and how hard they all fought. There is detail about the treatment that she received, and the fact that the family relied on God to get them through one of life's most difficult experiences. Sharing their experience was no doubt helpful to the parents of this talented young person who was full of promise, yet taken in her prime.

No comments about In The Shadow of His Cross: The Cliff Jacobs Story.

4 comments about The Fire Within.

1. Before I read this, I always thought that I was all alone that there was no one else just like me out in the world. Now I know different. Its nice to know that just because I have something going on in my head that is different than most people, it isn't something to be ashamed of.
   This book showed me that. I may not be very old and haven't been through everything that the writer has but she showed me that you can overcome alot of problems in life just taking things one step at a time. I thank her for that. Its a really good book an easy to read one too. Thanks again.



2. "...Like a ghost in the night and a stalker by daylight, its shadow captures my soul. Surrounded by heartache and pain it withers within. Empty feelings persist as the mind starts to wander-to places unknown. It's a feeling like no other. Air inflates the mind, making it impossible to think or speak. Like an explosion, the body falls prey to special demons waiting to pounce on their victim. Many do not understand these feelings. I know all too well for that is the fire that rages within me every hour of every day. I never know when it will taunt me in its own bizarre way or when it well release its venom through my veins. I think everyone has their own special demons or creatures within them. However, many do not have a name for them. Mine is epilepsy..."
   
   As a young girl, JoAnne Thornton-Ben Dchiche began journaling as a way to express the pain, the fear and the frustration of dealing with what she describes as her demons.
   
   As an infant, JoAnne survived meningitis and although she was on seizure medication for a year, it appeared that the meningitis left her with no negative after-effects so she was taken off the medication. The youngest of six children, JoAnne appeared to be normal, happy little girl. She was known as the `drama queen' of the family, so when she would attempt to describe her nightmares or blackouts, her family would often brush her off and tell her to stop pretending she was another soap opera character. Since what JoAnne was experiencing were petit mal seizures, no one noticed that there was a problem. When she tried to talk to a school nurse, she was told to stop faking sickness in an attempt to get out of school. Nobody believed her. So she started writing.
   
   It was not until she was working a full-time summer job and looking forward to entering college in the fall that her family began to notice bizarre physical changes and behaviors. Her voice and mannerisms would change; she would spill things or throw objects and not remember. What was happening is that the seizures were changing and increasing in intensity. Her body language finally proved what she had been trying verbalize all along: she needed help.
   
   The Fire Within is a compilation of JoAnne's journey into and through the fire that rages within her. Her story follows her life's ups and downs, twists and turns. At times painful to read as she describes her childhood and her first marriage, her sense of humor, her love of family and her ability to forgive comes through.
   
   It took great courage and commitment to produce this book. JoAnne's hope is that by sharing her story the general public will have a greater understanding of epilepsy and maybe a hope that adults (and school nurses) will learn to listen a little harder when a child is desperately trying to tell them something.



3. The Fire Within touches on the heartstrings of anyone who has epilepsy or knows anyone with the illness. It tells the true story of the young authors lifelong battle. Through times when it was believed she cried wolf until the seizures overpowered her and people had to believe. It shows her struggle in relationships, and with employment. Ultimatly, her struggle to find happiness again with the pain that she was fighting inside silently. Read the book its a fabulous find!



4. I think The Fire Within is a great book. It talks about someones fight with epilepsy. I understand that because I have it too. She talks to the reader like she is sitting next to you and I think thats cool. Its sad at times, but also shows how much she can get through with the love of her family. Her poetry is great too! Great book!

No comments about Joy in My Heart: My Journey from Hopelessness to Happiness.

No comments about Vengeance is Mine Saith the Lord (I Will Do the Paying Back).

No comments about Back Trip.

No comments about From Seven to Heaven: A True Cancer Survivor Story.