Inspired by true events, Indivisible is a story of love, service, and finding each other all over again. Darren and Heather Turner share a passion for serving God, family, and country. When Darren is deployed to Iraq as an army chaplain, Heather vows to serve military families back home as she cares for the couple’s three young children. Darren knows he’s overseas to support the troops in their … troops in their suffering as their chaplain. What he doesn’t know is how he will get through his own dark moments. And as communication from Darren dwindles, Heather wonders what is happening in her husband’s heart. Meanwhile, she’s growing weary in the day-to-day life of a military base–each child’s milestone Darren will never see, each month waiting for orders, each late-night knock on the door.
When Darren returns, he is no longer the husband Heather once knew. She is no longer the woman Darren wed. And so it’s at home that the Turners face their biggest battle: to save their marriage.
Based on the screen play by David Evans, Indivisible is a tribute to the beauty of serving our country, the courage of choosing love in the darkness, and the power of a God who never gives up hope.
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Another 8 star book. Since my husband served in the military, I was pulled into this book. When the husband/chaplin went through what he did while serving, and returned home a different person, I was heartbroken. As they worked things out, and he finally realized that he had to face his demons, the story changed, and my heart was happy.
This book opened my eyes about the horrors of Iraq, Afghanistan, etc. and why soldiers have such a hard time adjusting to being back home. I will be praying for the soldiers and for more believing chaplains. Thank you sooo much for writing this book!
Most of us live our comfortable lives in our wonderful free country. There are those men and women who are willing to lay their lives on the line to keep us free and to help regular citizens in other countries try to live a live free from fear. This book is the story of Army Chaplain Darren and his family. Darren is sent on a 15-month deployment to Iraq. There he sees such horrors that when he returns and is suffering from the memories his marriage to his wonderful wife Heather is put to the test. This is an inspirational story of the power of God’s grace and healing. Don’t miss it!
Thank you for what I’m sure is a real look at the struggle our military families go through after a deployment.
Touching
I received a copy of this book from The Fiction Guild, I was not required to give a favorable review. This was a beautiful and touching story about how both a soldier/Chaplain and his family dealt with his 15 months stationed overseas in one of the busiest and scariest places to be station. See both sides of the story told how hard it is even for the strongest of relationships with both family and God the struggles are there and trying to transition back into civilian life and normal everyday is even harder for both partners in a relationship. I recommend this wonderful book to anyone wants a beautiful story that will make you cry, rejoice and pray everyday for the men & women in the service.
“I’m flying back home a wounded man. I didn’t lose a limb and I didn’t lose my life. I have no scars anyone can see. But I carry bags and bags of hurt and sorrow.”
Darren Turner’s calling to the military was for a specific purpose; to serve God and country as an army chaplain. He left behind a beautiful wife and three young children for an eighteen month deployment in Afghanistan. Confident that he was in the center of God’s will, the weight of responsibility for those coming on and off the battlefield was a duty that he gratefully embraced; until he came home.
Heather Turner laments, “God, is he ever going to show back up?”
A moving story; depicting the realities of war, not only on foreign fronts, but on the home fronts that they leave behind. It is also a story filled with hope, for the mighty armor of God is a powerful piece of equipment.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. The opinions stated above are entirely my own.
This was a wonderful novelization of the true story of Darren and Heather Turner!
I haven’t seen the movie but it must be as emotional and inspiring as the book. I look forward to watching it. But I always like to read the book first.
This is an intense and emotional story about Darren’s deployment to Iraq as a military chaplain, and Heather managing her day to day life with her three kids and helping other military families. It shows their struggles and how they survive through very dark times, both during Darren’s deployment and then after his returning home, scarred and changed. Both of them are not the same after what they’ve been through and they need to understand what is going on in each other’s mind and heart.
I loved how realistic it was. It shows lives of christian people who are not perfect, are flawed, and struggle as anybody else. That’s what being a Christian is. God doesn’t take away the suffering but He gives you the strength to overcome anything that He allows to come your way.
This is a story of real love, mercy, forgiveness and compassion. I loved it and my heart ached and rooted for this couple.
I loved the characters, and there’s a lot of message to learn behind them. It’s inspiring and uplifting but not preachy.
I liked the second half much better than the first part. I shed some tears, both of sorrow and happiness.
I highly recommend this book! A worthy read!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Just WOW! Only after finishing the book, did I realize this is based on a true story. Amazing story! First, I want to thank Darren and Heather Turner for sharing their story with us. What an eye opener for me to the military life of both the one serving and the family back at home.
Darren left his family to serve overseas as an army chaplain. His wife, serves the wives left, like herself at home. She is quick to console the wife who has just learned of her husband’s death, to help in any way she can, while taking care of her and Darren’s three children and the home. Heather has an outlet, photography, which she loves.
Darren sees and experiences the unthinkable overseas and his faith is sorely tested. He returns home, finally, but a man very different than the one who left fifteen months earlier. He is now very angry and withdrawn from his family. He is experiencing flashbacks and nightmares that he isn’t able to share with his wife. Heather is scared and confused, as she doesn’t understand what is going on with her husband.
They find their marriage in serious trouble.
This book is full of God and faith, which I appreciate. I sincerely enjoyed their story and cried many times throughout it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Indivisible by Travis Thrasher
Starts with a woman Heather and she’s talking about the first day she met her husband and he’s right there with her but not there at all, he has PTSD.
Story goes back in time to the war Darren is listening to a radio broakcast from the president about the war overseas. Darren is a chaplain and is being trained with infantry unit and to head to Iraq soon.
Love hearing of th eimagination the children have while unpacking to their new house.
Army men birthday candles-priceless! Love charity work she does, photo taking, gathering things for soldiers Christmas stockings, and care packages.
What I really like is you hear how Heather is coping on the home front and helping other in the group to survive and you also hear how he’s on in Bagdad helping others with their issues.
Love how Darren uses religion and God to help get his point across to those fighting the war with PTSD and he makes head way with them…
Feared something terrible would happen on one of their missions…
Received this review copy from Thomas Nelson–FICTION via Netgalley and this is my honest opinion.
#Indivisible #NetGalley
INDIVISIBLE. by Travis Thrasher
We meet Darren as a news broadcast is on, the reality of where he might be sent in a war zone, was more than a possibility. Dedicating one life to Christ, with the question of “how am I to serve Him.” Married and with children, they both talked about options in the church ministery.He as a chaplain and for her to minister to the military wives. Giving us glimpse of the reality of being home and abroad, and being apart. An honest look at how they faced it, was well portrayed by the author. A look one might say that is behind the scenes.
Given ARC by Net Galley and.Thomas Nelson for my voluntary review and honest opinion Ellen Oceanside
Based on a true story, Indivisible, by Travis Thrasher, tells of a minister and his wife that find themselves following God’s call on their lives to become a chaplain in the Army. A call that takes them into the trials of war both in Iraq and on the home front.
This story truly sheds a small light on what our soldiers and their families face, both while they are deployed and after they return. Told with such depth and detail, the author did an incredible job of telling this story, I literally did not want to put it down. I loved the faith that was put into this story. The hope when it seemed all hope was lost.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit and Netgalley. I was not required to give a positive review. This is my honest opinion of this book.
Soon after picking this book up I felt like I was in the actual war zone, but also back home and having the horrible duty of going and being with someone who had just lost their loved one.
Yes, this book shows you the side of war you probably don’t want to know, we put faces to those who give the utmost, both away and at home.
With God centered lives you would think that this journey would be easier, but the horrible reality of war, and some of the most devout can doubt their faith, but without faith how do you find your way back.
This is a book that is based on a true story, and knowing that we come to see the toll war takes on our military.
Come and walk in this couple’s shoes, they might get a bit tight, but it is an experience with a journey of faith.
I received this book through Celebrate Lit, and was not required to give a positive review.
Indivisible
Darren just wanted to serve the Lord, he decided to do that by joining the Military. He gets send to Iraq soon after joining. He found it a lot harder than he thought would be. War is a hard that to deal with and it especially would be if you are actually there in the mist of it.
Heather is his wife, she is trying to take care of things at home while Darren is away. With children to care for and not hearing from her husband or very short calls starts to take a toll on her. I really admired Heather and how strong she was and so supportive.
The book was so inspiring, I definitely recommend the book. This is my first book by Travis Thrasher and I look forward to reading more of his books.
I received an complementary copy of the book from the publisher through Celebrate Lit. I was not required to write an positive review. This is my own opinion.
I learned a lot of things about serving our country after reading this book. Every day men and women are shipped out to other countries to protect us from those who want to destroy our freedom. The news is full of reports of wars being fought and the loss of life in the aftermath. The book made me take a deeper look at what these men and women face on a daily basis.
I can’t imagine what it would be like to know at any minute enemy fire or bombs could take my life. It can really do emotional damage living in that environment for months at a time. I never thought of a chaplain being there on the ground with the troops. After reading this book, I understand more clearly how vital that position is. I liked how the author let us walk along beside Darren as he shares the love of Jesus with the troops. He became very close to some and I’m sure there were times he wasn’t sure if they were listening to him. The burden seemed overwhelming at times at Darren prayed with them and let them share their frustrations. War is not easy. It can tear you from the in side out. The scars people can’t see are sometimes the most damaging. I liked reading how Darren missed his family, but at one point he seemed to distance himself from them. His duties in the service became more important and he lost his way .
Heather was someone I admired a lot. Being left with three children is hard, but add to that the worry of not knowing if your husband is coming home safely wears on you. I thought she took on a lot of responsibilities and perhaps put to much on herself. Maybe she felt she needed to do her part at home as the Chaplain’s wife. She held wives hands as they received devastating news, became their confidant when they needed someone to talk to and devoted her time to sending care packages overseas to the troops.
I can see how their marriage was hanging on by a thread and liked how the author took us through their journey back to each other. Darren’s journal was a window into his soul for me. He felt that he needed to be strong for everyone, but in that journal he exposed his hurts, doubts and fears. I enjoyed the story and found it to be intense at times as well as hopeful. I will be looking forward to seeing the movie when it is released.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
After seeing the trailer for the upcoming Indivisible movie, I was super excited to see that I had been approved for an ARC of this book. Knowing that the story of Darren and Heather Turner is in fact based off of the Turner family’s true life experience only made me enjoy this book more. I really enjoyed the way this book was broken into three parts of pre-deployment, deployment, and reintegration. It really helped the pacing and progression of both the story and the characters. The difficult emotions of loss, homesickness, and maintaining faith throughout the cruelties of war were eloquently written. Thrasher has written a truly inspiring story about life, love, and trusting God’s plan even if it isn’t what you imagined.
I voluntarily received an ARC of this book in exchange for and honest review.
Indivisible by Travis Thrasher is a poignant novel, inspired by true events, about one family’s battle to follow God’s leading. After much prayer and soul searching, Darren and Heather Turner feel that Darren’s joining the Army as a chaplain is what God is calling them to do next with their lives. As Darren serves in Iraq, Heather tends the home fires and helps other Army wives adjust to the military way of life. Darren takes his commitment to “his” soldiers very seriously. But dealing with death and destruction every day takes a toll even on a man with Darren’s faith. He knows God doesn’t aske us to understand Him, just to follow Him. When his deployment is over the new challenge is to readjust to civilian life. He must deal with what he saw in Iraq and what he left there. Plus protect his family from ever having to know of the evil in our world. This story deals with the frustrations of trying to fit back in, the feelings of isolation, depression, anxiety, anger and most of all the guilt. Guilt for making it home when so many others didn’t and for not being there for all the family mile-stones. We hear about the challenges that face our country’s heroes when they come home after a deployment but this story gives plunges you right into the middle of it all. After reading this I have a better understanding and sympathy for what they all go thru. My conclusion is that we need to pray for our heroes, the defenders of our freedom. It’s the least we can do for them as they put their lives on the line for us.
I received this book from Celebrate Lit in exchange for my honest review.
As a military wife whose husband was serving at the time of the attacks on 9/11 that led to war on terror, I knew I wanted to read this book. It definitely did not disappoint. I could definitely relate to Heather and the struggles she was going on as the one left behind. Even though my husband never personally deployed, he had a lot of people from his unit deploy with other units. I find it difficult to imagine what servicemembers serving during that time had to go through.
Living on a military installation for a while provided me with an appreciation for the family living on post. It provides a ready-made community such as the one Heather experienced. Fear rears its ugly head any time my husband is gone and a knock comes on the door.
Having served as part of the Family Readiness Groups (FRG) of the units we have been part of, I recognize the important function it serves. So I was glad to find it included in the book. I appreciated how at Darren and Heather struggle to adapt to the new normal once Darren actually returns.
Having lived on a military installation, I know the struggles for marriages are real and the portrayal in the book is excellent. I definitely recommend you check out this book for yourself. I know I definitely plan on watching the movie as well.
This is an incredible look at military deployments.
The openness and honest emotion that pours out in the way that both Darren and Heather share their experiences is marvelous. I felt like I was right there with each. I saw each situation and felt their raw emotion throughout the book. Darren kept a journal while in Iraq and talked about the fact that he didn’t think he would ever share it. I’m very glad that now they have decided that the time is right to share their story.
This wonderful book gave me fantastic insights into what it was like for my son when he deployed to Iraq. He never talked about it much but now I feel that I understand it better.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Celebrate Lit. I have chosen to write this review to express my personal opinion.
Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion – which I’ve done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*
This novel is divided into three parts: 1. Predeployment 2007
2. Deployment
3. Reintegration 2008
Darren Turner spends 15 months in Iraq as an army chaplain. This leaves his wife Heather at home to take care of their three children but also to help the army wives whose husbands are also in Iraq. Even though they both feel called by God, neither realizes the hardships they will face. Darren gives glimpses of what the soldiers are having to go through. Such eye-opening detail is given that is hard to comprehend. But Heather faces fear of her husband not coming home and jumps every time she hears the doorbell ring. But she also spends time with the wives that lose their husbands in the war. She struggles being a single mom, responsible for all the details of their children’s lives.
The big hardship is when Darren comes home totally changed by his experiences and will not share any details with his wife. The whole family is upended. No meaningful communication to the point they find themselves separating.
Travel for a brief time with a family that experiences what so many other deployed soldiers with family at home experience.
One example given in the story really stuck with me. Jesus also served a deployment when he left Heaven and came to earth. Many soldiers have died to keep us free but Jesus gave his life so that ALL could be free.
This novel is based on the motion picture by David G. Evans and is inspired by true events. I’m looking forward to seeing the movie now that I have read the book.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Celebrate Lit, but I was not required to write a review.
“A heart should never stay in place. A soul should never grow stagnant.”
This book is a novelization of the movie Indivisible which is being released on October 26, 2018. Now that I have read the novelization, I must go see the movie when it comes out. Will it be as incredible as the novelization is? Even if the movie is only half as incredible, it will still be excellent.
The movie and book are based on real life military chaplain Darren and his time on tour and his re-entry. It is well-written and powerfully moving. It’s told mostly from Darren and Heather’s (his wife) perspective in third person narrative. Their raw emotions – faith, doubt, fear, anger, guilt, grief – are so real and tangible. Their admirable yet fragile faith is so relatable and heart-wrenching as are their final revelations into God’s redemption and unending, incredible, ridiculous grace. Insight into Darren’s spirit as a man, a father, a husband, and a follower of Christ answering His calling is eye-opening and revealing. The vulnerability and trust needed to rebuild a marriage from ground up totally confirmed what I need to remember to keep my own marriage alive and well. The beauty of brotherhood and fellowship Darren has with other brothers-in-arms and brothers-in-Christ reminded me that we all need the help of fellow believers.
This novelization epitomizes the powerful message of the cross and what His grace and redemption really mean.
I received a copy of the book from Thomas Nelson via Celebrate Lit Tours and NetGalley and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.