cover image Mended Faith: A Life of Abuse, Pain and Redemption

Mended Faith: A Life of Abuse, Pain and Redemption

Cornelia Jude, with Chris Jones. Morgan James, $14.99 trade paper (129p) ISBN 978-1-68350-875-5

In this heartrending debut, blogger Jude chronicles the abuse she suffered as an adolescent, its destructive aftermath, and the power of faith and forgiveness in helping her to heal. Writing with journalist Jones, Jude gives an account of a decade in which her mother’s boyfriend abused her. The abuse began when she was 10. Two years later, Jude began using drugs, alcohol, self-harm, promiscuity, and suicide attempts to try to alleviate the pain of her secret trauma, as well as to survive her volatile family life. Jude’s adulthood continued to be filled with dysfunctional relationships (including two unhappy marriages), but she eventually found her way to God through a local church. By praying for her abuser, Jude learned that forgiveness was the key to her own healing. Each chapter includes a brief scriptural passage that relates to the author’s life. Jude helpfully encourages fellow survivors to tell their stories, even if others refuse to believe them or try to silence them. This affecting memoir will move any reader and will be of particular help to survivors of abuse looking for hope and healing. (Sept.)