"Book Reviews"
Thank you for writing and sending your book, "The Devil's Playground," sharing your relationship with your husband.
As I read the story of your ordeal, I was reminded of a quotation from Dorthy Thompson, the famous American journalist who was a refugee from Nazi. She wrote,"Courage, it would seem, is nothing less than the power to overcome danger, misfortune, fear, injustice, while continuing to affirm inwardly that life with all its sorrows is good; that everything is meaningful, even if in a sense beyond our understanding; and that there is always tomorrow." The steely resolve and rentless optimism embodied in that passage inspire me and make me believe that out of a long darkness we can emerge in a brighter, better day.
Keep fighting, Dutchess, and keep carrying on, and keep hoping. Those are the things we can do, and if we do them, we will not be disappointed.
Thank you so much for your support, and I wish you continued courage and strength in the future.---SENATOR-PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA.
Let me start by saying that you are a true blessing to this world and I felt that this book was written with parts of my life in it. I respect and admire your faith in the Lord. You remind me of a lady that was in my life for over 30 years. She ended up becoming my wife for 19 years until she went home to the Lord. She also had to deal with a madman, but no matter what I did, she stood by my side. Not only did you both travel the same road of pain, but also, you both had this great love for the Lord. You brought her back into my life in your book and I have been doing a lot of soul searching to try to understand why she stayed with me. Your writing of Chapter 23, had me reliving my days with her. But thoughout this book you made me understand what she went through. I thought I understood but I had no idea until I read your story. I relived my life through your eyes and words. I want to thank you very much for your honesty in this book. God Bless. ---FERNANDO HARRIS - INMATE FRIEND
The Devil's Playground is a powerful testimony and an account of what love and committment is all about. It will serve as an inspiration for many folks that may be dealing with a loved one, companion, or friend who is incarcerated. This story reminds us all that even though a person may be behind bars serving time, they are still a human being and in most cases, they still have feelings and yearn to be loved and are strengthened by having a caring supporter on the outside that is committed to supporting them, regardless of the length of time associated with the commitment.---RON BRASHEAR-AUTHOR
Thank you for sharing your story with the world. All of us have stories to tell but using your story to bring change because Christ has brought a change in you, has eternal value beyond what we can imagine. I pray that God will use this tool to bring hope to many. Your testimony is "for such a time as this."---SKIP BALL-AUTHOR
Oh my goodness, what a beautiful (and sometimes surprising) and inspired and God-breathed life story you are sharing! I am sure that every person who reads your book will find strength and comfort in God's awesome transforming power. Your frankness and willingness to be completely transparent about the good and the bad (and the BEST) will be used by God! Your book is amazing and hard to put words to my reactions, after reading so much about the prison system and the perversion and deceit that goes on.
God had a wonderful plan through all this and the fact that we grow closer to the Lord in the valleys of our life is so true-and was so true in your case. I'm so very greatful for Chris's change of heart. You must have down right exhausted yourself physically, emotionally and financially with the round trips to the prisons that he was in. I feel so bad for the abuse that you went through but the rainbow did appear on the other side. You can feel the true change in Chris through his writing. You might say that Chris was "A tough nut to crack"-and only God could do that! I so admire your wisdom and patience in listening to what God had promised you.---CONNIE SMITH