Friday, March 27, 2015

Strong Women/ "Fear" by Jettie Parrish/"We Have Your Husband" by Jayne Valseca



Recently, I was sent the book "Fear" by Jettie Parrish, which I won in a giveaway from Diana from her blog, Nana Diana Takes A Break.  The book arrived in excellent condition and because it came to me during a very hectic week, it made me even happier to receive it.  Since Jettie Parrish signed it for me, the book is that much more special to me.  I have a real fondness for books signed by their authors.

"Fear" is the story of Donna, a woman in an abusive relationship.  Her husband, Hawk, is a real jerk and not only abuses his wife physically but mentally as well.  Because it reads somewhat like a screenplay, I can just picture it as a movie! I really am the worst person to do a book review, I don't want to tell you what happens!  I will say that everything works out in a way that is pleasing to me and the ending reminds me  of a book of fiction that I really enjoyed: "Shell Seekers" by Rosamunde Pilcher!   So, I think that if Angelina Jolie comes knocking at your door, Jettie Parrish...just say YES!

 After I read this book, I also watched a fascinating episode of Dateline on TV.   It was about an American woman, Jayne Valseca,  who married a man from Mexico and they lived in Mexico along with their three children. They were very happy there, starting a creative school for children.  Their lives were forever changed when her husband was kidnapped,  kept as a prisoner and tortured for several months.  He was finally returned after the ransom was paid but he had lost half of his body weight. (He had also been shot twice and had been kept in a small box with very little food and water.)  The woman, Jayne Valseca, was such a beautiful, strong woman that I was just amazed at her courage and resilience.  Sadly, at the end of the episode, it was revealed that she had died of cancer since the show had been filmed.  There is a very nice piece written by one of the show's producers and you may read it at the following: remembering Jayne.

It might seem strange to link these two stories together: a small book of fiction and a true story of a courageous woman who survived the kidnapping of her husband, but to me, they both show examples of strong women.  Jayne Valseca wrote a book about her experiences, and that is a book that is now on my list to read.  
"We Have Your Husband" is the title and I have the link for you here.

I had a prayer written by Phillips Brooks on my blog recently.   I think I can have it here again.



O God:
Give me strength to live another day;
Let me not turn coward before its difficulties or prove recreant to its duties;
Let me not lose faith in other people;
Keep me sweet and sound of heart, in spite of ingratitude, treachery, or meanness;
Preserve me from minding little stings or giving them;
Help me to keep my heart clean, and to live so honestly and fearlessly that no outward failure can dishearten me or take away the joy of conscious integrity;
Open wide the eyes of my soul that I may see good in all things;
Grant me this day some new vision of thy truth;
Inspire me with the spirit of joy and gladness;
and make me the cup of strength to suffering souls;
in the name of the strong Deliverer, our only Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.



Hey! If you are a woman reading this, you want to know another example of a strong woman?
Go look in a mirror!  Stay strong, everyone.  That goes for all you MEN too!

20 comments:

  1. Every day I'm so sad at the events that happen all over the world. It's enough to make you truly lose faith in man kind...except for my strong faith in God...he will make it all good one day. I too am amazed at the strength of women with challenges. My Mom has always been my hero and I'm glad she's still with us to inspire me to grow old with grace and courage.

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    1. I know just what you mean, I can hardly watch the news these days. We have to keep the faith! "To grow old with grace and courage", that is a lovely thing. x

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  2. It pleases me to hear of women with that magnificent inner strength. I adored my father and loved my father-in-law dearly. But I admired my mother and mother-in-law who were both strong women.

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    1. I really admire people who are strong and I try to make sure that they are very close to me at all times!

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  3. Abusive relationships are always about more than "just" the physical part, aren't they. It is terrible that there are so many men, women and children who suffer daily on the hands of those who should be those who care most about them.
    Both books sound as if they can really touch the reader. The first one, although it is a work of fiction, is probably just as true in many ways than the second one, which makes it all the more poignant.

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    1. Meike, you are so good at book reviews! I hope you can see how I linked these two books together. Sometimes, I see things in a certain pattern that others don't see or understand. It's hard for me to think of some of the cruelties in this world but then, I am amazed at those who are able to triumph over evil.

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  4. It's difficult for me to read books about abusive relationships, it brings up so much in me that i can hardly keep reading.

    Lovely prayer, i especially like the part about not minding the little stings or giving them.

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    1. I know, I am the same, I can read and watch shows about them, but it hurts my heart.
      I am glad you like the prayer, it has always been in the little Episcopal booklet, "Forward Day by Day". The man who wrote it, Phillips Brooks, was an Episcopal priest who also wrote the lyrics for "O Little Town of Bethlehem".

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  5. Thanks for the review, Kay. It sounds like an interesting read. Sadly, there are so many in that type of situation. I think we have to raise our children well, so they can have healthy relationships. In my family, the women are quite strong. And I've worked hard to instill that in my own daughters.

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    1. Hey Martha!
      You might remember that I am a terrible book reviewer! Oh well!
      I do agree with you, we must teach our children love AND respect.
      Hey! You are Canadian, you should give lessons! :-)

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  6. Good reviews. If I'm a strong woman it's because my husband helps me to be one.

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    1. Me and you both, honey! I am a bit of wimp myself, I have to surround myself with strong people. Still, at least I am smart enough to know this and to do it!

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  7. I was brought up by and with strong women so I can admire and understand the book. However the The older I get the more I despair about man's inhumanity to man.

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    1. I know just what you mean, Graham...I really do. Sometimes, it depresses me so much. I have to search for those glimmers of hope that show me that there is still goodness in the world.

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  8. Thanks for sharing! I love the cherry blossoms in your previous post too! Wow!

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    1. Yes! We are so lucky to have such beautiful cherry trees! And my husband takes good photos, don't you think?

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  9. I'm afraid I'm only strong when I've got my husband behind me holding me up. My daughter though stands on her own feet and tackles the world.

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    1. Once again, Kay, we have more in common than just having the same name! You might tell from my blog how much I depend on my husband. Still, we are smart ladies to have such smart husbands, right? :-)
      Your daughter and granddaughter AND Mother are all strong ladies!! And I bet you are stronger than you think. xx

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  10. Very well said, but it isn't always easy to stay strong is it! xx

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    1. It's not easy for me but I like to think that I can encourage others to do so. I am a bit of a bossy boots at times! xx

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