NCLA Review -Forgiving a murderer is so remarkable that it usually makes the paper. Reader reactions to the forgiver vary from “You must be crazy!” to “I could never do that.” Though Christ commanded his followers to forgive regardless of the offense, un-forgiveness seems to be the common default option, particularly if the offense is major. Annette Stanwick was spiritually mature enough to obey that command, and to realize that the forgiveness she offered to her brother’s show more murderers would free and heal her whether or not it affected them. “Mystery and miracle” well describes her experience. Yet she wrote the book not just to set an example, but to lead others through the complex and difficult act of forgiving. As she tells her story, Stanwick pauses to pose questions that help the reader relate to the insights she gained, and move them step by step toward the healing that can be theirs. The emotional pain she endured screams from the pages, but so does the joy that overflows when the gift of forgiveness truly fills her heart. An excellent book for church and public libraries. Rating: 4 —DKW 212p, paper, Heart Message 2007, 978-0-9783545-0-3, $18.95 [234.4] show less

Jul 7, 2009