Book Review: "Keep Moving: Creating A Life After Loss;" Author: Holly Rose Holland; Publisher: Sapphire Seashore Press; 2021; (Paperback version)

9/11/2021

This is probably one of the most difficult reviews I have ever written. My tears revealed themselves more and more as each page was read. I literally stopped breathing at some points and I felt my heart crack and then shatter into multiple pieces and as I kept moving forward, reading to the end of the book, I felt as though all those shattered pieces of my heart were being gingerly sewn back together with a needle and thread and shaking hand.

The knowledge that this book is a factual rendition, made it so much more poignant for me. I cried and had to stop reading it a few times.

The book is meticulously written. It revolves around the true story of the author’s husband, Mike’s, heart wrenching experience with pancreatic cancer. Holly Rose Holland compartmentalizes her husband’s cancer journey from his pre-diagnosis, his cancer treatment, his death and the grieving family’s attempt to cope and move forward, bereft of a central figure in their family. As a reader, you witnessed this journey in full circle, keenly aware of the seriousness of receiving a high stage cancer diagnosis and the stressful, devastating, rippling effect it has on the cancer patient as well as caregivers, family and friends.

At the end of the book, the author also added some helpful charts for the reader to fill out when the time comes. It shows her giving nature in wanting to provide help to others who may feel lost in their own traumatic journey.

The book does break your heart. And yet, the author does her best to empower the reader, to give hope, to encourage the griever to embrace that to keep “moving forward” in your own life journey is not only permitted, but naturally essential to do so. I think that is something we all struggle with…how to move forward when your world is shattered, be it because of a death, a job loss, lifestyle change, chronic illness diagnosis or anything else that may devastate and disrupt your world. This is an excellent book to give anyone hope and strength to weather any of life’s perfect storms.

I recommend this soul-searching book. It is triggering and empowering at the same time. If you are personally experiencing your own trauma, I hope you are blessed with hope and the will to “keep moving” forward. Every moment is precious and counts.

Thank you, Holly Rose Holland, for this poignant book that it is clear to see, came straight from your heart.

Special Notes:

You can connect with Holly and learn more about her by visiting her website at: hollyroseholland.com.

I was not requested to do this review. I did it of my own volition, volunteering my views in an effort to bring the author and potential readers together.

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Book Reviewed: "Keep Moving: Creating A Life Afer Loss;" Author: Holly Rose Holland; Publisher: Sapphire Seashore Press; 2021

Book Blog Copyright (C) 2021 Mary-Lisa Russo

Author

You have stumbled into the writing world of Mary-Lisa Russo, an avid storyteller observing the universe around her and her humble place amongst the stars. “Excerpts From The Wandering Mind” is Mary-Lisa’s first collection of poems and she is currently working on her next book, a compilation of romantic poetry. She is a university graduate having majored in English Literature and continues to nurture her ongoing writing education at a local college and other educational avenues. She is a member of the Ontario Poetry Society and various writers’ groups. She enjoys reading and giving a voice to fellow authors.