My Review
I’ve been looking forward to the second story in Angela D. Meyer’s Applewood Hill series, and this book did not disappoint.
Where Healing Starts doesn’t give easy answers in its portrayal of the fallen world in which we live. This includes the fact that many sins have far-reaching consequences. Although the father of the now adult Hannigan siblings repented of his abusive behaviour while his children were young, his conversion didn’t erase the evil he’d done. His children bear the twisted legacy of that abuse, carrying devastating wounds that push the vicious cycle on.
Joanna shows this through her self-destructive behavior. My heart ached for her as she lurched from one bad choice to another. But Where Healing Starts also shows the power of God’s grace. His love and healing are real, and we see that through the way he patiently draws Joanna towards himself.
There’s a twist I didn’t expect at the end, but it fits in with the themes of this book. I look forward to reading the next story and finding out what happens to the characters.
If you like realistic fiction dealing with flawed characters finding redemption, this is a story for you.
About When Healing Starts
Title: Where Healing Starts – Applewood Hill Book 2
Author: Angela D. Meyer
Genre: Christian Fiction, Women’s Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Family Drama
Release Date: May 11, 2022
Blurb:
Joanna and Blake Hannigan grew up in an angry home and made an all-for-one pact—them against the world—in order to survive. Now that pact may keep them from what they each long for.
While doing community service for shoplifting, Joanna’s walls begin to come down. She wonders if she does have something of value inside of her. But, still full of bitterness, she can’t get off the path to self-destruction.
Will a near death experience put her on the road to redemption?
Blake refuses to accept the consequences for putting his brother-in-law in the hospital. He runs from the law and does the unthinkable.
In the face of impending disaster, will Blake’s choices lead to healing?
Unless the siblings realize their pact can’t save them, they may not find the One who can.
About Angela D. Meyer
Angela D. Meyer writes fiction that showcases God’s ability to redeem and restore the brokenness in our lives. Now that her two children are grown, she spends her life writing instead of homeschooling, stays active at church, and is plotting what to do with the rest of her life. She enjoys sunrises and sunsets, hanging out with friends, a good laugh, and reading. Someday, she would love to vacation by the ocean.
Learn more about Angela’s books on her website. Sign up for her newsletter to be among the first to hear about her new book releases.
Interview with Angela D. Meyer (Part 2)
As part of Mosaic Collection’s Novel Way blog tour for Where Healing Starts, I’m delighted to share part two of an interview with Angela D. Meyer. Part 1 is available on Daysong Reflections.
What was the hardest thing about writing the book?
Researching. In order to create the character of Joanna, I interviewed someone who had been through some similar background issues. Although their lives looked nothing alike in the walking out of grace and redemption, the feelings and emotions I did my best to borrow from her and her family
What motivated you to write on this topic?
When I was a young adult, the early years of being out of the house and on my own, I had numerous conversations with my sisters about why we did life the way we did. We each had similar upbringing, yet each of us turned out so different. What from our childhood influenced certain behaviors and choices?
This morphed into the idea of the Hannigan family. How their upbringing influenced who they became as adults and how they worked past those dysfunctional influences to find God and His grace for redemption.
Note: This is not in any way a retelling of my family.
Did you plan out the entirety of this story, or did it evolve as you were writing it?
The idea for the Applewood Hill Series came as a whole, the general direction for each of the Hannigan siblings’ lives, their struggles and their overcoming. The details have worked themselves out as I write. The characters often surprised me with the direction they took the story.
Do you plan on writing a sequel to this story?
Yes! The third book in the series, Where Joy Starts, will be released in December of this year. Where Joy Starts will continue the story of the Hannigan siblings and God’s redemption in the middle of their family’s pain.
What do you want readers to take away from your book?
That God can and does redeem anything that we are willing to give to Him.
Connect with Angela
- Website: https://www.angeladmeyer.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angeladmeyer/ (@angeladmeyer)
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAngelaDMeyer
- Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7200148.Angela_D_Meyer
- BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/angela-d-meyer
- Newsletter Subscription Link: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/5f496ba074a46d0026e73898
Your Chance to Win!
As part of this book’s launch, Angela is giving away a $25 Amazon gift card via Rafflecopter. You can enter here.
Additional Blog Stops
The launch and giveaway fun doesn’t end here! Check out the other stops in Angela’s blog tour.
May 11 – Daysong Reflections Author Interview, Part 1
May 11 – Milla Holt – Author Interview, Part 2 (This post)
May 12 – Stories of Hope – Book Trailer
May 12 – Johnnie Alexander – Excerpt, Part 1
May 13 – Cardinal Bluff Reviews – Excerpt, Part 2
May 13 – Library Lady’s Kid Lit – Character Interview with Joanna Hannigan
May 14 – Brenda S. Anderson – Character Interview with Blake Hannigan
May 15 – Texas Book-aholic – Setting Inspiration
May 16 – Ravenz Reviewz – Deleted Scene, Part 1
May 17 – Batya’s Bits – Deleted Scene, Part 2