This book is gritty, honest and personal. It is sometimes crushing but also heartwarming. The author has brought forth the minutest of details from her early life, bringing us face to face with daily life in poverty in the Philippines, the suffering but also the rich nuances of a complex culture. It is brave and inspiring.
Born in the Philippines in the 1960s, Xulli is the first child of many. By the time she is four, she is taking care of three other siblings with both her mother and father working. In the beginning things were difficult but not desperate. But then life turns exceedingly ugly when her father begins binging on gin, spending nearly every penny he earns on his addiction and leaving his family on the brink of starvation on a daily basis.
The alcohol makes her abusive father mean. And very violent. At first, his anger is mostly directed at her mother, but after a particularly nasty beating, she flees for her life, leaving the children with him. Her father then turns his attention to Xulli and her siblings. Cruelly, he tries to teach the youngest ones that they don’t need their mother or milk by putting hot peppers on the nipples of their bottles.
With her mother missing, Xulli must find a way to protect her siblings from their father and provide for their needs. Eventually her mother returns and the abusive cycle continues. Plagued by death, loss, and periods of starvation, Xulli struggles to provide for her siblings, when she is just a child herself.
Even through many horrible experiences and extraordinary challenges, her spirit shines, never giving up hope. Demonstrating an extraordinary resiliency to survive against all odds, Xulli inspires us as she finds the courage to succeed in her own life.
A note from the author:
“I have written this book to raise awareness of the wide spread domestic violence and
child abuse that is so prevalent in the Filipino culture. All too often children in the Philippines are robbed of their basic human rights to an education because they have to become parents to their siblings or have been sold for money.
Through my writing and work, it is my passionate goal to help stop domestic violence and child abuse by educating the very young as well as adults about the effects of physical, emotional, and mental abuse, and show those in need how and where to seek help.”
Victoria Mulato
Note: When you order a copy of Sister Moon of the Philippines, a percentage of the proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated to organizations that are working to preventing child abuse.
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Inspired to Pray: The Art of Seeking God
Every page inspires you to pray. I often read a section as part of my daily God time, it transforms your thinking about prayer out the ordinary in the extraordinary, out of the mundane into intimacy, and out of doubt into faith. What more could you ask for from a book on prayer. Written by the author of “experience”, He really lives the life of prayer.
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Slaying Your Giants: How to Have Massive Faith
Another beautiful work by pastor houge. It deeply moved me as I realized the mistakes I was making in my faith. True faith he teaches isn’t trusting that God will do something, but believing He will when the Holy Spirit has spoken it. If God hasn’t confirmed it then why should I believed it? God’s word is all that matters.
Slaying Your Giants is a book that will change your life. It will teach you everything you need to know to have that mountain moving, giant tackling faith that God has always wanted from you.
But prepare yourself for a total life makeover. Because radical faith creates radical changes.
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Colonial Courtships (Romancing America)
Overall this was an excellent collection of novellas, about how three brothers found brides in the most unexpected ways and had to learn to lean on God’s understanding an not their own. A most enjoyable read!
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Seagrass Pier (The Hope Beach Series Book 3)
I highly recommend this book. I know I will definitely be reading more by Colleen Coble!!A
In a secluded corner of Hope Beach, one woman must decipher a stranger’s memories . . . before they cost her everything.
Elin Summerall was one of the lucky ones. Not only did she get a heart transplant, but the donor was a perfect fit. A miraculously perfect fit.
But when Elin begins having violent flashbacks—and vivid dreams of being strangled—she realizes that she has been the recipient of more than just a new heart . . . Elin is remembering her donor’s murder.
Her strange affliction has attracted some unwanted attention: from the press, from the authorities . . . and from the killer himself. Now, living alone with her young daughter and aging mother, Elin is being stalked—by a man she’s only met in her nightmares.
The police are dubious of her story, but one off-duty FBI agent agrees to help her: Agent Marc Everton.
Now, in a remote cottage on Hope Island, Elin and Marc must probe the secrets buried in her borrowed heart. And there’s no time to waste. One man is desperate to silence her—before she remembers too much.
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Bluegrass Bachelors (Romancing America)
I’m giving Bluegrass Bachelor’s 4 out of 5 stars. I’d recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a light, clean romance.
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Cedar Creek Seasons (Romancing America)
What a thoroughly delightful series! I loved the small town setting, and the varying ages of the characters add an unexpected charm. The writing is exquisite with just the right amount of romance, drama, and a healthy dose of humor. Eileen Key, Becky Melby, Rachael Phillips, and Cynthia Ruchti perfectly captured the charm of small town America. The Cedar Creek Seasons series makes me want to read more from the wonderful authors.
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