I Was given a copy of this book for review. I was not paid to write this review. All opinions are my own.
Christine Soule’s life was a jumbled pile of broken pieces. Her father was married seven times; her mother four times. Between her parents’ divorce when she was 5 years old and the day she allowed the power and presence of God into her heart, she watched her sister have an affair with her adoptive father; met 15 siblings she never knew at her biological father’s funeral; turned to drugs and alcohol; got pregnant at 17; had twins less than two years later; and became a victim of human trafficking. She had to break the cycle for the sake of her children. With nowhere else to turn, she dropped to her knees and prayed. And that’s when everything changed.
Broken and Beautiful is Soule’s inspirational story of how God took the pieces of her broken, astonishingly dysfunctional life and transformed it all into a breathtaking mosaic of joy and purpose.
“The places where you feel hopeless are exactly what He wants to redeem and fill with beauty, dignity and strength. He has a plan for your pain. A wonderful intention for your failures. A purpose for your hardest, darkest stories,” Soule writes. Told with honesty and surprising touches of humor, Soule shares her journey from drug-addicted stripper to exuberant Jesus lover with a passion for helping others embrace God’s love. Broken and Beautiful is a raw, authentic story of hope, from a place of experience.
Author Christine Soule lives with the love of her life, Mitch Soule, in Seattle. They have five kids and two wonderful grandchildren (and counting). She is the founder and CEO of Providence Heights (www.providenceheights.org), a nonprofit created to house women and children in need and to provide counseling, education and jobs.
I just started reading and with all the Christmas festivities going on I did not get to finish yet. So I cannot give a complete review, but the pages I was able to read were filled with so much. There was several pages I had to reread a few times, because there was just so much there. A few times I just wanted to reach out and give Christine a huge hug. I even had tears in my eyes a few time. She is just so real and just really puts herself out there.
So she didn't waste anytime, in the first few pages she left me with quite the impression. I feel like I'm sitting down with a friend and having a conversation. I don't feel like I'm being preached at, or like someone is trying to prove how awesome they are. I truly feel like I'm connecting with Christine with each and every page I read! I don't want to give to much away, but the story about the broken cup left me astonished. I honestly had an "oh my" moment. I wasn't even 10 minutes into the book!! Christine had me examining myself. And I came out thinking 'how many times have I tried to fix my brokenness and made it uglier, when God could take it and make me better for it. Could use it to make me beautiful-er" She talks about this in interview question #2 as well.
Christine, to my delight, agreed to answer so questions! I hope you guys enjoy her answers as much as I have. I feel like I have gotten to know Christine and I truly feel God's love shines though her. Get ready folks because I teared up!
1) Please tell us a bit about your book and why everyone should be purchasing it right now :)!!
2) Writing your life story had to take a lot of courage! What inspired you to share your story? What do you hope your readers will benefit from it?
3) Could you please share with my readers some of the struggles your book talks about?