Courage in Patience: A Story of Hope for Those Who Have Endured Abuse by Beth Fehlbaum

It's a great story first, and a story about abuse second.by BNobleReader

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December 12, 2009: When I first got this book, I was swamped with school and suffering a bit from depression so I put off reading it for a week. Big mistake.

When I finished reading it, I realized Beth Fehlbaum had written a book that not only contained great lessons in healing for abuse survivors, but also one that educated others about what victims of abuse go through. Beth's writing really made Ashley and the other characters three dimensional, and didn't resort to making any one person all good or all bad (although you really come to despise Ashley's mother Cheryl and her step dad Charlie, especially if you're an abuse survivor).

For instance, we see one of the minor characters Dub, step out of his racist stepfather's shadow and start on his way to becoming a good man. This brings up another great point about the book - it's more than a book about abuse. Like the back cover of the book says, this story is "[a] touching story focused on the themes of abuse, social injustice, racism, peer pressure, bullying, parental responsibility, fear, forgiveness, love, acceptance and hope, which will inspire the millions of abuse victims in America, young and old alike."

The ending of the story isn't a Hollywood ending, but it is a hopeful one. Beth's writing kept me engaged, so much so that I read half the book in an afternoon. If you've ever suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder because of abuse, you'll really feel the pits in your stomach as you read what Ashley's family puts her through. But even though Beth Fehlbaum stays real, she never gets graphic in her portrayal of what's going on. It's a tricky balancing act, but one that she pulls off marvelously. Buy this book, you won't regret it. It is definitely original, and a refreshing addition to anyone's bookshelf.

An Eye Openerby HeatherR

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July 18, 2009: First off, this book is a great read. It was hard to read at first because she was telling about what Ashley was going through. When the healing began with Ashley, is when everything changed. I cried, laughed, got really angry and sat on pins and needles at times when reading this book. It talks about loving people where they are at. Not hiding from the truth, but facing truth even when we are so fearful. Anyone who has been sexually abused or even if a person hasn't, should read this book. People need to know that this happens and what the victims face or have faced. This book covers every issue that kids face, not just sexual abuse.

I am the type of reader that the author has to have my attention pretty much at the beginning of the book and Beth Fehlbaum had mine from the beginning all the way to the end. I couldn't wait to finish it and find out what happened. Beth is a very talented writer! Thank you for writing this book!