This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.
Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite
Joy Michelle Austin’s Half Agony, Half Hope follows Rick Wentworth after his engagement to Anne Elliot ends and a message apparently from Anne draws him back to the Elliot estate. The woman waiting is Louisa, Anne’s identical twin, who drugs Rick before imprisoning him in a cellar prepared for captivity. Years pass under Louisa’s rules as she uses coercion against his body before turning Scripture into another weapon. When their premature daughter Lily is left in the cellar, Rick builds a childhood for her from Bible stories and whatever books Louisa permits. His faith remains the one part of him she cannot fully claim, though Lily’s questions about why God has not sent help become harder to answer. Rick must keep his daughter alive long enough to find one chance beyond the locked door.
Joy Michelle Austin’s Half Agony, Half Hope is dark Christian literary fiction, and Austin gives Rick a faith that remains part of his life even when prayer has brought no rescue. The best part is Rick. I love how his fatherhood becomes a ministry, especially when Lily asks why God has not stopped Louisa and he gives her Daniel in the lions’ den. The 1 Corinthians 13 scene is horrifying because Austin shows how religious language can be twisted by an abuser. Pastor Eddie’s counseling is beautifully handled because Scripture later returns to Rick in a room where he can ask questions. Darcy is my absolute favorite supporting character, and his hospital cafeteria conversation with Rick has the awkward honesty of lifelong friendship. Well written and spiritually honest, readers who enjoy Christian literary fiction will adore this.
