Title: A Return
to Meadow Wood
By: Sam Rawlins
ISBN#978-1942451423
A CBM Book Review
10.0 out of 10.0
stars
Sam Rawlins takes
readers on an emotional and healing journey in his deeply moving and
inspirational novel, A Return to Meadow Wood. As a Vietnam Vet suffering
from PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), the main character, Jack Holden,
becomes keenly aware of his dire state of mind during a long bus ride across
country. Facing ending his life and fighting off suicidal tendencies, divine
intervention takes place in the form of man named “Doc.” Finding himself at a
crossroads in his life, as one who survived the ravages of war, Jack takes a
leap of faith and accepts Doc’s gracious invitation to help. The book unfolds
as Jack begins an adventure of self-realization and discovery that lead him to
finding love and faith in God. His experience is one that ushers in a profound
spiritual experience that changes his life in a positive and fulfilling
direction.
Engaging, and a
page-turner, Rawlins develops his characters from the beginning. Jack faces
intense emotional damage that penetrates his thoughts and sleep. Finding
himself fractured internally, Jack deals with troubling memory loss and a
feeling of hopelessness. Fear also overwhelms Jack and he hears a voice, one
that wants him to end his life. His unsettled negative emotions turn into a
deep spiral of suicidal thoughts on his bus ride through the country, as guilt
and an overwhelming sense of being torn internally plague his mind. In the
midst of this, Jack beholds nature’s fury in the way of a deadly tornado as he
comes to grips with issues of death and life, loss and heartache.
Within this Jack
finds new hope and the presence of God in this untouched small town. The book
draws you in with accurate descriptions of scenery, his travels and an accurate
depiction of the Vietnam Era, namely the siege of Hue and the Tet offensive in
1968. Beautifully written, this novel reveals God’s awesome power to bring
peace to the soul at the deepest levels. This book relates that with God’s
help, you can have hope again after loss and trauma, and that new life is
available through Christ.
A fantastic read and inspirational Novel to our Men in Service,
especially to those soldiers that suffer from the trauma of war, depression and
PTSD.
A Return to Meadow Wood is available at Amazon, in Kindle Edition and at Barnes and Noble. Be sure to visit the author at Sam Rawlins.