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!