New Release....AWARD-WINNING and BESTSELLING AUTHOR
Parts of this memoir appeared on ESPN and in Rosie.
Fractured Not Broken is a true story of loss, faith, and a rare love that only happens in nonfiction.
In a sweeping and heart-wrenching narrative, Kelly exposes the truth about what happened after a drunk driver rendered her a quadriplegic. She shares how she found her way back—through faith and pain, her community, her family, and the love of a man she’d prayed for.
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"This book has been a true encouragement to me. Thank you Kelly for sharing your story— the loss and the unexpected joy— so that each reader can be uplifted knowing there is a full, rich life available to those who lean in to our Lord Jesus." —Renee Bondi Award-Winning Singer and Songwriter
"Life has its tragic moments of defeat, setbacks, and fracturing for everyone. Kelly's story proves, however, that individual momentum, personal progress, and genuine achievement can still be attained. Her courage and optimism are uplifting. Open these pages and experience the joy of ultimate victory." —Dr. Dennis E. Hensley, Author Jesus in All Four Seasons
"This is a real life story of heroic virtue—especially of courage, humility, and generosity—a triumph of faith, hope and love. This story involves the very essence of the human spirit, family, and community. To know Kelly and her journey of miracles is to know that with God all things are possible." —Most Reverend Charles C. Thompson Bishop of Evansville
I was initially reluctant to join this book tour. I felt like Fractured Not Broken was too far from my intended genre, Contemporary Romance, to read and review on this blog. Boy was I wrong! This may not be a Contemporary Romance fiction book - but it's more. It's a real life love story! But I warn you, this book needs to come with a tissue warning - like a whole box full of tissues warning. I cried through most of this book - sad tears, angry tears, happy tears - all of them. And not a gentle little tear running down my face, but ugly eyes running, nose running, sinuses clogged, eyes puffy kind of crying. I read the book straight through - long into the night - because I just couldn't stop! It was that emotional, that compelling, can't put it down kind of reading!
My Review:
I was initially reluctant to join this book tour. I felt like Fractured Not Broken was too far from my intended genre, Contemporary Romance, to read and review on this blog. Boy was I wrong! This may not be a Contemporary Romance fiction book - but it's more. It's a real life love story! But I warn you, this book needs to come with a tissue warning - like a whole box full of tissues warning. I cried through most of this book - sad tears, angry tears, happy tears - all of them. And not a gentle little tear running down my face, but ugly eyes running, nose running, sinuses clogged, eyes puffy kind of crying. I read the book straight through - long into the night - because I just couldn't stop! It was that emotional, that compelling, can't put it down kind of reading!
The book follows Kelly's journey from just before the accident pictured below changed her life. We get to know her as an older teen, a girl in her twenties struggling with educational and career decisions, and a career woman who meets and marries the love of her life. And do not get me wrong - this man IS the love of her life, and she is his. I love how Shawn's viewpoint is included, over a period of years, during which God seems to be continuing to place Kelly on his heart. I love how the book describes how Shawn and Kelly's relationship progresses, and how Shawn is deliberate in his questioning about how making Kelly a permanent part of his life will impact his life and his future. Shawn and Kelly's faith is a prominent part of this book and it's so refreshing to see people who live their faith boldly and openly. But, it's also realistic and showing that their perfect love story is still real - I laughed when the author describes the story of their first fight as a married couple - about peanuts in the grocery store!
A lot of the book talks about Kelly's struggles with the adjustment to being a quadriplegic, both her emotional and physical struggles. It opens the readers eyes to the realities of how a quadriplegic lives and how even the simple things in life are often taken for granted that Kelly has to deal with differently. I can't imagine how she felt during those days but it's clear she became an inspiration to others - because that's how Shawn found her! And, as you see, I keep coming back to Shawn and Kelly's love story because it is such an inspirational part of the story. Just as Kelly, over time, sees herself as more than just her disability, through the words on the page, the reader sees Kelly as a person, a teacher, a motivational speaker, a wife, a daughter, a sister and not a disability. At times in the book, it easy to forget Kelly is a quadriplegic.
A lot of the book talks about Kelly's struggles with the adjustment to being a quadriplegic, both her emotional and physical struggles. It opens the readers eyes to the realities of how a quadriplegic lives and how even the simple things in life are often taken for granted that Kelly has to deal with differently. I can't imagine how she felt during those days but it's clear she became an inspiration to others - because that's how Shawn found her! And, as you see, I keep coming back to Shawn and Kelly's love story because it is such an inspirational part of the story. Just as Kelly, over time, sees herself as more than just her disability, through the words on the page, the reader sees Kelly as a person, a teacher, a motivational speaker, a wife, a daughter, a sister and not a disability. At times in the book, it easy to forget Kelly is a quadriplegic.
It was a bit difficult at times to keep up with the change from first person (Kelly's words) to third person (when we see and hear the experiences of others in her family), but it didn't take away from the emotional impact that this book. This is an inspirational book that will make the reader want to be a better person, a better servant of God, and to find a marriage as inspirational and loving as clearly Shawn and Kelly's marriage is. I mean, look at the photo on the cover of the book - that's true happiness and love and you read about it all in this book.
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| Fractured Accident Scene |
Kelly SchaeferKelly is a true heroine, finding God as she battles with a life as a quadriplegic. Overcoming obstacles every day, she's a speaker, teacher, and Skittles lover. Michelle, Kelly's aunt, is an award-winning and bestselling author who penned Kelly's memoir to bring others hope. She writes stories that move her, and this one is close to her heart.
Find the author on the following pages...
Time for celebrations
Michelle Weidenbenner
Michelle is a fulltime employee of God’s kingdom, writing and encouraging writers every day. She’s often a sucker for emotional stories, her sensitive side fueling the passion for her character’s plights, often giving her the ability to show readers the “other” side of the story.
She grew up in the burbs of Detroit with five brothers. No sisters. Each time her mom brought the boy bundle home from the hospital Michelle cried, certain her mom liked boys better than girls. But when her brothers pitched in with the cooking, cleaning, and babysitting—without drama, Michelle discovered having brothers wasn’t so bad. They even taught her how to take direct criticism without flinching, which comes in handy with book reviews.
Michelle is living her dream—writing every day and thanking God for the stories He puts in her path. When Michelle isn’t writing she’s winning ugly on the tennis court. She’s known as “Queen of the Rim Shots.” No joke. It’s ugly.
Find the author on the following pages.....
She grew up in the burbs of Detroit with five brothers. No sisters. Each time her mom brought the boy bundle home from the hospital Michelle cried, certain her mom liked boys better than girls. But when her brothers pitched in with the cooking, cleaning, and babysitting—without drama, Michelle discovered having brothers wasn’t so bad. They even taught her how to take direct criticism without flinching, which comes in handy with book reviews.
Michelle is living her dream—writing every day and thanking God for the stories He puts in her path. When Michelle isn’t writing she’s winning ugly on the tennis court. She’s known as “Queen of the Rim Shots.” No joke. It’s ugly.
Find the author on the following pages.....
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I received this book to review through Beck Valley Books Book Tours, all the opinions above are 100% my own.
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I would be exactly the same reading this, sounds like a book everyone could read and take inspiration from.
ReplyDeleteI was just like you--sobbing throughout the entire thing, then laughing through my tears. I went through loads of Kleenex, and I rarely cry. This book is so beautiful, heartbreaking, breathtaking, and amazing--I *highly* recommend it to everyone!!
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