Helpful Score: 2
This was a book about horrific events that happened to a family but in my opinion the book was 39 pages too long. The last 17 pages of the original book were a sermon and totally turned me off. I understand and appreciate that the author's faith and the faith of her parents is what helped her cope with the things she endured but it was too over the top preachy for me. The added chapter is 22 pages to tell her experience of being on the Dr Phil show. It could have been shortened significantly and I would still have gotten the message of how she felt about being on the show. I did not need several paragraphs about why her and her husband did not fly together on the same flight. A couple of sentences would have been sufficient.
I waited on the wish list a very long time to get this book and was left somewhat disappointed in the actual telling of the author's life story.
I waited on the wish list a very long time to get this book and was left somewhat disappointed in the actual telling of the author's life story.
Helpful Score: 2
This book carries a powerful message of grace and forgiveness. I disagree with the reviewer who found it disturbing that the pastor's situation was portrayed as God's will. Who are we to say what was or wasn't God's will for this man? That such a personal calling. It's when you live God's Word at that exact moment in life when every human impulse tells you to do the exact opposite that God can use that to reach a soul. That was the case in this book. This family paid the ultimate price but I know another man who paid the ultimate price for the redemption of others. If you've been wronged by others, you will gain a good spiritual perspective from this example.
Helpful Score: 2
The author, sometimes to a fault, paints an incredibly rosy picture of her slain parents. This is more of a memoir of this horrific, traumatic experience for her. However, sometimes she's so mushy about her parents that it takes away from the story. I wish she would refer to her parents with their names, Robert and Ramona, versus Daddy and Momma. She also uses so many similies and metaphors that it is distracting. But it is worth a read and truly is a tremendous story of forgiveness.
Additionally, this is a story that you have to remind yourself really happened. It's amazing the cruelty that exists in this world. The worst monsters in literature are usually non-fiction.
Additionally, this is a story that you have to remind yourself really happened. It's amazing the cruelty that exists in this world. The worst monsters in literature are usually non-fiction.
Helpful Score: 1
I actually do not know where to start on a review for this book. This is a true story unfortunately.
It takes place in North Carolina where i have just moved to and it makes me feel unsafe that this could of gone on so long in this beautiful state.
It was an awsome read..very sad.. very sickening..but awsome. Well written..i was never bored.
The author tells a story of a vicious and evil man who lived across the street from her family. Her parents who were loving and forgiving and her life with her brother, raised while under seige from this monster who sat in pew #7 of her fathers church, a church he did not really belong to but wanted to control.
It tells the story of forgiveness way beyond many of our capasities and love in the highest degree.
A read not to be missed, not preachy at all for those of you who may bypass this because of that. If you read just one true read this year make it this one, you won't be sorry.
It takes place in North Carolina where i have just moved to and it makes me feel unsafe that this could of gone on so long in this beautiful state.
It was an awsome read..very sad.. very sickening..but awsome. Well written..i was never bored.
The author tells a story of a vicious and evil man who lived across the street from her family. Her parents who were loving and forgiving and her life with her brother, raised while under seige from this monster who sat in pew #7 of her fathers church, a church he did not really belong to but wanted to control.
It tells the story of forgiveness way beyond many of our capasities and love in the highest degree.
A read not to be missed, not preachy at all for those of you who may bypass this because of that. If you read just one true read this year make it this one, you won't be sorry.
Helpful Score: 1
I was drawn to read this book because of the title and the fact that it was a true story. However, while it was very disturbing to read about the horrible violence this family endured over too many years; it was also entrancing to read about the faith they llived by. The Nichols family lived the biblical life of forgiveness, faith, and loving thy neighbor (literally!).
