• Home
  • About
  • Our Authors
  • Workshops
  • Testimonials
  • Photo Gallery
  • Register with PayPal
  • April 22, 2018

Brooks Goldmann Publishing

The Author's Partner - publishing consultation

  • Our Books
    • Bounce Back
    • Three Husbands and a Thousand Boyfriends
    • Gifts of Sisterhood
  • Publishing Services
  • Book Reviews
  • Interviews
  • Scottsdale Society of Women Writers
You are here: Home / Archives for accidental pilgrim

Accidental Pilgrim – from mammogram to miracle

February 21, 2015 by patricia

BOOK REVIEW              Accidental Pilgrim from mammogram to miracle     

Author:           Erin O’Brien    accidentalpilgrim7@gmail.com

Book Reviewer:          Patricia L. Brooks, author and publishing consultant

Erin O’Brien’s heartwarming, provocative and uplifting experience will capture your heart and challenge you to take a look at your own faith.  You will be enticed to read on.

The Accidental Pilgrim is more than a story about a woman’s battle with breast cancer and coming back to her faith.  It is a story of hope, and the willingness to sign on for the challenge of her life.  Erin reminds us we are all going to die and to live in faith and God’s grace while we are alive.

When O’Brien hears the news she reacts as anyone would – this happens to other people.  And despite a fierce fight against it and a stance on taking the lead in her cancer journey, she feels overwhelmed as things progress.  She makes life changing decisions in a small amount of time while feeling helpless to do so when life begins to take on its own persona. She realizes how preoccupied she has been with a safe life and that she does not know an authentic connection with the space she inhabits.

O’Brien writes engagingly about the human spirit when faced with a life threatening illness.  In this highly introspective tale she deeply examines the meaning and complexities of her faith alongside her battle with stage 4 cancer.  Her mind is a playground and at times her take on things is amusing, and certainly refreshing.

She addresses hard questions such as how will my body changes change me?  How will my spiritual life take me toward new life?  How will I refresh myself with God to grow stronger?

O’Brien’s healing in the spirit proves to be a meaningful milestone as she begins the New Year after her endless dark days of treatment.  She begins to recognize how we are like flashes of light until we learn to stop and tough the light.

This powerful book takes us from mammogram to miracle as the sub-title suggests.  It is the story of a woman knocked down by cancer playfully and courageously getting up after chemotherapy, radiation and surgery to a spiritual transformation and open to a miracle.

O’Brien’s prose has a spare, clean elegance that is precise, but can, at times, leave the reader wanting more.  Her love of life is infectious.  She does not offer any explanations beyond her faith and personal convictions.  She prods us along to accept death and life as part of our journey.  You might be frustrated with her casualness, but don’t be; her heart is beautiful.

She shares the lessons she learned about life and herself.  She’s open to possibility – both in battle with life threatening cancer and a return to her faith.  She does not sanitize things for us by minimizing cancer or illuminating faith.  She does not baby-proof anything and takes things head-on.  I challenge you with this memoir.

Respectfully submitted,

Patricia L. Brooks, author, publishing consultant

www.brooksgoldmannpublishing.comAccidental Pilgrim Cover Small

Filed Under: Blogroll, Book Reviews, PUBLISHING PICKS Tagged With: accidental pilgrim, books, breast cancer, brooks goldmann publishing company, Catholic Church, erin o'brien, memoirs, Patricia L. Brooks, SCOTTSDALE SOCIETY OF WOMEN WRITERS

Register for Events

Register for seminars, speakers, and other events securely through my PayPal link.

CUT-OFF – Friday Noon APRIL 20th  – THANK YOU

SCOTTSDALE SOCIETY OF WOMEN WRITERS

Event Date:  APRIL 25, 2018 – SSWW monthly dinner/speaker meeting

Speaker:  PAULA CULLISON, travel writer, photographer and president/founder of the Arizona Women’s Partnership , Inc

Location:  Starfire Golf Club, 11500 North Hayden Road, Scottsdale, AZ

 


Please enter the security code:
security code
Security Code:
Please enter the captcha verification code.

Submit

Follow Patricia Online

About Us

Publishing Services

BROOKS GOLDMANN PUBLISHING COMPANY, LLC the author’s partner The author’s answer to guidance and consultation in an independent publishing “partnership”…… Consultation, Coaching, Idea generation, Production, Publishing, Sales and Marketing expertise at your disposal in a win/win relationship…… Answers at various levels and related fees to meet your needs on your timeline…… LEVEL ONE … Read more

Scottsdale Society of Women Writers
Scottsdale Society of Women Writers

AZ Authors Assn
Arizona Authors Association

Willamette Writers
Willamette Writers

Phoenix Writers Club
Phoenix Writers Club



Good Reads
Good Reads

Recent Posts

  • Scottsdale Society of Women Writers Welcomes Paula Cullison, Travel Writer
  • SSWW Welcomes Award-winning Author Sharon Skinner to Speak
  • SSWW Welcomes Valerie Foster, Award-winning Author/Memoirist/Educator
  • Hidden Ones by Marcia Fine
  • Scottsdale Society of Women Writers Welcomes Sarah McLean, Author, McLean Institute, Sedona, AZ
  • ONCE UPON A TIME THERE WAS A LOST, GAY LITTLE BOY

Archives

Contact Info

Brooks Goldmann
Publishing Company, LLC
7970 E Camelback Rd, #710
Scottsdale, AZ 85251

480-250-5556

Contact:
Patricia L. Brooks, MAOM
Earl L. Goldmann

info [at] brooksgoldmannpublishing [dot] com

Categories

Copyright © 2018 · Lifestyle Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in