Friday, February 15, 2019

Leaving Darkness


About the Book



Title: Leaving Darkness  
Author: Greg Schaffer  
Genre: Christian Fiction  
Release date: October 31, 2018
  
Long-haul truck driver Lowell Ferguson is on the brink of suicide. He is haunted by the guilt of a horrible secret from his senior year of high school. Therapy and antidepressants aren’t able to lift him out of depression. At twenty-eight years old, he believes his life has dissolved into a meaningless annoyance. Only the strong bond with his lone friend—a Chihuahua named Rufus—keeps him from choosing death. But when Lowell learns Rufus may have cancer, he fears there will be no reason left to live if his beloved dog dies.
While awaiting the diagnosis, he comes across a flier for a Christian support group promising hope and freedom. A skeptic and an apatheist, he nonetheless reluctantly decides to join the group. Through this joining, he finds what he has been yearning for—a path toward leaving the darkness of depression. This first step provides Lowell the courage to do what he must to escape his guilt and finally confront his past.

My Thoughts:  Suicide and depression are not topics that everyone wants to hear about.  But this is a novel about overcoming with the help of Christian friends and most importantly,  God.   The author has given the reader hope that one can "leave the darkness" of depression and open the door for God to come in.   

This is a novel that deals with forgiveness; not just asking forgiveness for our wrongs, but forgiving ourselves and letting the past go.  It is a story of not to set your treasures here on earth.  

The author has done an excellent job showing us the importance of family, relationships, and truth.

I enjoyed this novel, one that has so many truths in it.  It is wonderful that the author gives hope to those in need with the groups that are out there to help them and making them aware in this novel.  

This is an enjoyable read for anyone.

⭐⭐⭐⭐


Click here to purchase your copy.

About the Author



Greg Schaffer participated in a small Christian-based group ministry in 2011 and became a facilitator with the ministry to help others find their direction toward a purposeful life. His firsthand experiences of lives transformed through such healing groups led him to write Leaving Darkness, hoping the tale of transformation through God’s grace may encourage those lost in their own darkness to reach out for help. The author of two previous novels, Greg lives in Franklin, Tennessee, with his wife and three rescue dogs.

Guest Post from Greg

As first a group participant and then a volunteer for Restore Small Groups for many years, I’ve seen firsthand the healing power of small group ministries. Many want to change but don’t know how. Leaving Darkness tells the fictional story of one lost in depression to the point of contemplating suicide who happens upon such a Christian-based ministry. Although he is reluctant at first, he gives the process a chance, and through it leaves his darkness, finds his faith, and becomes the person God meant for him to be. I was called to write this story in hope that someone with similar struggles may read Leaving Darkness and realize that there is a way out of the darkness when everything else has failed.

Blog Stops

Godly Book Reviews, February 16
Bukwurmzzz, February 18
Power of Words, February 19 (Spotlight)
Maureen’s Musings, February 21
Bibliophile Reviews, February 23
Janices book reviewsFebruary 24
Carpe Diem, February 25
Texas Book-aholic, February 26
Just the Write Escape, February 28
Bigreadersite, March 1
Artistic Nobody, March 1 (Spotlight)

Giveaway


Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link the below to enter.




 I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own. I am  disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

10 comments:

  1. I appreciate you taking the time to give us a great book description and giveaway as well. Thank you so much!

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    1. Thank you! I wanted the description to convey the hope that the story presents.

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  2. It's great that mental health topics are starting to be discussed in Christian fiction. So many people need to know it's okay to get help!

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    1. Definitely! The results I've seen from the Christian-based small group I've been involved in for several years is so encouraging. Lives are literally changed - all they need to do is ask for help and realize no one is an island - no one is alone.

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  3. Sounds like an interesting read. Having strong ties to people with depression, it would be interesting to read a book dealing with the topic. (especially from a man's point of view)

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    1. I hope you find the novel both enjoyable and fulfilling. Some parts were difficult for me to create, as I found myself experiencing Lowell's pain and loneliness as I was writing.

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  4. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    1. I removed it because it was meant as a reply to Aimee S :)

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  5. This sounds like a good book and I like the cover!

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  6. Wonderful review, Mary-Ann. Leaving the Darkness sounds like a must read! Thank you for sharing.

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