how do books help us The Warmest December
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. This book was beautifully written and well-detailedBy KaylaThis book was beautifully written and well-detailed. I felt like I was there watching this story unfold. I felt as though I was right there with Kenzie, experiencing her hurt, sadness and pain. This book has taught me alot about the power of forgiveness. I went from hating Hylo to feeling sorry for him, and through out the beginning and the middle of the book I didn't even think feeling sorry for him was possible because he was just so evil. Great book, couldn't even put it down and I might even read it a second time1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Must read!By priscilla ChambleeI could completely relate to this book. I was Kenzie. Not to the extremes her life took, but that. I have to admit at times I grew impatient with waiting for the next turn of events because of the extensive detail but that's what makes it classic McFadden!1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. It touched a nerve buried very, very deep...By Judge JBeautifully written, cuts to the bone like a winters' chill. Pleased it was not written in the typical slang-type prose you would expect. It made you realize immediately that the author was something special, that she had a gft and could deliver without degrading her story with cuss words. She made you feel Van Gogh's loneliness in a Starry, Starry Night and see an overexposed Michaelangelo on a Picasso downtrodden face. Unless you know me, you ask " how can you possibly know? ". I ask "how can I possibly not?" Even if you've not experienced this all too common tragedy of life events, it boils to the surface and you cannot ignore it. Ms. McFadden captures the tormented souls and lets us, unfortunately, understand the reasons, pitiful as that may sound. It scours us with shame until we are festering blisters that have to weep to heal. The scars remain but they lighten as time goes by. Never invisible, just reminders of who we are, where we came from, and who we are now- victims and survivors. The cycle will continue as seen in Kenzie's eyes as she looks at Malcolm. We ask why? Why not? Learned behavior? Genetic? Both? The author moves fluidly and effortlessly from past to present, a span of perhaps 25 years. She is always looking back and sideways while time passes her by to the future. We hope and pray when the tears finally come she finds relief. We breathe a sigh of relief also, only to gasp for fear of releasing too soon...the expected turmoil and sadness to follow. The ending was appropriate and a mutual peace was shared by both. For Hy-Lo, his hand on Kenzie's back. For Kenzie, his scarred feet from a mother who couldn't be. Kenzie felt his pain as well as the pain he inflicted on her, mentally and physically. Perpetual thoughts, whirring and whirring...like being on a virtual ride to hell. I found the novel fabulous and not tedious at all. I couldn't wait to go to bed and read. Priced too low. Well worth reading.