A word from April...
I suffer from a debilitating chronic illness called Common Variable Immunodeficiency, wherein I don't make antibodies and can't fight off colds or infections. I've always wanted to write about the grieving process of adapting to that, but in a way that would connect to a wider population. I chose a rare eye disease (my immune disease is rare) that had the possibility to connect with readers on a personal level. I think most people have worried about or wondered about what it might be like to lose their sight. Then I poured out my own steps in the process into Amber's process (although the rest of her story is completely fictionalized). It was very cathartic and personal and still brings me to tears.
My review...
Amber thought her life was on track, until it throws
her a curveball. As an artist, the news that she is facing blindness is almost
too much for her to even fathom. Amber feels like her world is falling apart:
loss of a relationship, career, and her independence. Her best friend tries to
show Amber that while things have changed, hope is not lost, despite her
ex-boyfriend’s attempts to make her believe she can’t survive without him. Will
Amber be able to recognize that the plans God has in store for her may be
different but still wonderful and fulfilling? Or will she continue to feel that
God has abandoned her?
McGowan does a wonderful job of capturing the feelings
Amber is undergoing due to a recent medical diagnosis, since fears of the
unknown are certainly relatable, as are the flawed characters. The reader is
educated on macular degeneration, a little discussed diagnosis. Scenes are
detailed and easy to visualize. There are numerous heartfelt, as well as
humorous, scenes as the reader is taken along on an emotional ride with Amber. There
is strong character growth, and I particularly enjoyed the development of
Amber’s relationship with her mother. This book made me consider what would be
on my must-see bucket list. I look forward to reading more books by McGowan.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, but I wasn’t required to
leave a review. Opinions expressed are my own.
About April...
April McGowan loves to write inspirational fiction. She, her husband, and two teens live in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. April is an award-winning author and member of Oregon Christian Writers and American Christian Fiction Writers. When she's not writing, reading down her book list, homeschooling her son, chasing her kitten, Saoirse, or playing board games, you might find her at her drum kit, imagining she's on a world tour. Hey, it could happen.
Where you can find her online...
Website http://aprilmcgowan.
Twitter at http://twitter.com/#!/
Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/
Pinterest at https://www.pinterest.com/
