Audio Book Review: Natalie's Journey Back to Love by E. Jean Beres

I think this sweet story would be a good choice for anyone who has suffered a loss and is struggling to feel the emotions of love and joy again.
"Natalie's Journey Back to Love"
by E. Jean Beres (MindWings Audio)
Read By: Laural Merlington

(This data refers to the Kindle version.}
• File Size: 202 KB
• Print Length: 37 pages
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: Mind Wings Audio (November 18, 2011)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.

Genre: Christian Romance
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: November 18, 2011
When Natalie’s daughter and son-in-law were killed in a car accident, she inherited their house and the responsibility for their four children. She lost her husband two years earlier, and now feels overwhelmed. She’s bitter and feels forsaken. Pastor Richard Gill, helps her to cope. Through a growing closeness with Richard, Natalie discovers God’s love for her.

Review:
Natalie is bitter with God as she lost her husband two years before and now loses her daughter and son-in-law in a car accident. She has moved in with her four grandchildren and is struggling with her own grief as she tries to find energy and patience to deal with the children.  The oldest daughter, Angela, is 15 and wearing strange clothes as a means of establishing her independence through her pain.  Natalie learns she has a boy-friend pushing her for sex and other friends encouraging her to smoke.

Mark has a boa constrictor for a pet that escapes from his cage. Other than having to chase down the snake, Mark seems quiet, calm and responsible to do his homework, but he can still be a sullen young boy. Young five year old Lily is saddened by the loss of her parents but has the ability to say wise things that help to comfort Natalie. And three year old toddler Sam, sweet and warm, doesn’t fully understand what has happened but is the first to reach out and give hugs.

Natalie’s teenage sweetheart, Richard, has become the Pastor of the local church. He steadily encourages Natalie to re-connect with God and put her trust in him.  He asks Natalie, “What do you do with love? Give it away and God will pour more into you.”

This story is quite lovely. Natalie’s bitterness steams from her loss and stress at handling a whole new family. The children are appropriately portrayed for their ages. It is beautiful to see the growth in the whole family. Even Angela begins to change in attire and attitude. When Natalie notices Angela replies: “You’re showing me the way Grandma.”


Audio Notes: I really enjoyed the narration. Ms. Merlington does an excellent job of capturing the different voices, even those of the children. Her reading enhances the emotional sorrows and joys of the story. This Audio provides a full, beautiful story in under an hour listening enjoyment.

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Lily comforts Natalie (from the mouths of babes):

“But God is helping us. He knows what we are going through.”

I received this title for Review from MindWings Audio through AudioBook Jukebox.