If you are ready to be broken open and really explore your life and its meaning with clear eyes, this memoir can serve as soul food and a guidebook.

And if you have experienced a hard knock - what the author calls a spiritual death - these tend to propel us through life lessons and growth.

The book is also a well-told tale of growing up in San Antonio, Texas, in the 60s and 70s. Motorcycles, Native American traditions, RV travel, and lifelong learning. A fascinating life we’ll-lived, told in a series of highly readable, lively tales

Numbers, as Lou points out, do have a very finite way of helping us understand things or situations in a way that we may not recognize without them. I loved your descriptions of your travels and the people you loved dearly (Daddy, Mama, Roger, Kelly, Jim and the other Recovery group sponsors, and others)! At first, I thought the second half of the book about your experiences in learning about the American Indian cultures could have been a separate book that focused more on them and how your life changed, but, as I kept reading, I realized that both halves of the book needed to be together to tell the full story. I loved reading about your experiences in learning about the Indian cultures. Overall, I absolutely love your story. I think you set the example for actively learning and applying what you learn from recovery. More people need to learn from your experience because there is no easy way out. True recovery never ends; instead, it evolves into new beginnings and ends and (as you said at the end of the book) ‘befores’ and ‘afters’.

“Betty Lou’s book is very emotional and educational and I loved reading it, especially her Daddy’s stories of the war. Many Americans do not understand the sacrifices men like her father made for the rest of us. The chapter about her recovery and working the 12 Steps taught me to concentrate on improving myself instead of focusing on everyone else’s faults. Her book is family-oriented and applies to people of all ages past childhood and I recommend it highly to everyone.”

“The chapter, The River, sets the tone for this book. Betty Lou’s courage to tell her unvarnished truth is admirable and inspiring."

“What a ride! Lou’s story is mankind’s story of dysfunction and self-inflicted wounds, of trying again and again to get it right but failing. I wrestled with Lou’s recurring bad choices, even exclaiming out loud, No! Don’t do it! I cried with you, Lou, and cheered you on. This book shows all of us there is a better way and Lou found it.”

“I’m not a big reader, but this book grabbed me and kept me reading.”

“Author Lou Guckian’s book Heart Knocks is her incredible life journey. She shares her story of her family growing up in Texas. Also discusses the dysfunction unhealthy relationships mental illness & traumas she’s endured. We all can relate in one way or another. The lessons learned & her spiritual journey is a must read!”

“Well written. This book was actually written very well. A few accounts of things that were embellished but this book gave me a lot of insight into this writer's mind and gave a huge amount of understanding as to where this writer was coming from. Always knew you were a good writer...”

“Wonderful book. Wonderful story of no matter what happens in your life, God is always with you.”

““Were I still in private psychotherapy practice, Lou’s book would be required reading for my clients. It is insightful, honest and directive as well as spiritually and emotionally challenging. Betty Lou is a genius with words. She obviously knows the English language and how to put it together to tell a strong story.”

“Well done. I don't like memoirs, but Guckian's writing kept me intrigued. I am not excited by religious revelations, but Guckian presented her revelations with humility and grace. I, too, come from family dysfunction, so much of her story was also my story. I congratulate Lou Guckian for being able to hang on to my interests. We'll done!”