Shannon is out to save the world one caring act at a time. She’s stood by her best friend, Amber, through their whole lives especially when Amber lost her sight. She has an active outreach ministry to the homeless and disenfranchised. And she’s even let down her guard long enough to let a boyfriend, Justin, into her life.Her life has settled into a pleasing routine of teaching, freelance … freelance photography work, quiet dinners with Justin, and taking Amber on treks to find new subjects for her visionary paintings.
But when a man from her past shows up, her secure world crumbles into triggered PTSD episodes that threaten everything she relies on. Will she be able to overcome these old memories, or will her past crush any hopes she had for a future?
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McGowan shines in this poignant novel about second chances, love, and personal growth. She touches on some tough topics, the homeless community touching my heart more than anything here. Talk about accurately naming a book. McGowan not only shines the light on homelessness, but PTSD, depression, blindness, and absent parents. Oh my goodness, there is such much emotion between the pages here. Yes, you just might need your tissues.
Shannon had to grow so much in this story. Not only did she need to deal with her long last father, and what implications bringing him into her life would cause, she also needed to learn how to be on her own. Her dependency on Amber was a huge part of her life, and with the threat of Amber’s life changing, Shannon had to figure out how to survive without her crutch. All while dealing with her sort of boyfriend / maybe we should just be friends Justin. God bless him, he was so patient (well most of the time). He made a very good point early on in the book. He told Shannon that perhaps with Amber away, she would realize that other people want to love her and take care of her. Although I’m sure it felt like a punch in the gut at the time, it was exactly what Shannon needed to hear. She could live on her own. She could lean on others when times got tough. What an important lesson for her to learn!
McGowan continues to inspire me with her writing. Her beautiful stories are ones I could see myself reading over and over again! I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I first met Shannon in Hold the Light (2015) while she was diligently helping her best friend, Amber, learn how to navigate a newly-sightless world. I loved how strong, compassionate, and patient Shannon was towards her struggling friend, and I hoped at the time that McGowan would write a sequel so I could learn Shannon’s full story because I knew it would be worth reading. Two years later, and I can tell you it has 1000% been worth the wait. Shine the Light is an outstanding story.
As we live the life that God has blessed us with, we naturally gravitate towards certain people. Boyfriends/girlfriends who become our spouses, best friends from college, or new friends from work become our self-made communities. These are the men and/or women we choose to bond with and share our struggles and wins with. Our communities can be big or small, but they are always filled with those we know we can count on and be our true selves with. There is a moment in the novel when Shannon realizes that “[God weaves] people into each other’s lives to mirror His love and teach them to trust Him.” What truth! God is an awesome Father, and He knows His kids so well. He knows our strengths, weaknesses, skills, and shortcomings, and He places people into our lives who will help make us better people who can trust Him despite it all. When I think on my self-made community I can’t help but smile. God brought such amazing people into my life who applaud me when I can’t and hold me accountable when I won’t. Through these wonderful people, I can say that I have come to love and trust God in a deeper, more meaningful way because of their guidance and sound counsel over the years.
There is a secondary character in this novel named Josie who opens her heart to Shannon and helps Shannon realize just how important it is to not only trust our self-made communities but to trust God as well. Josie shares a very important story with Shannon where she makes the following comment: “I realized I’d been trying to be God for him. To protect him from life and the hardships he might face.” You might say God gently love tapped me at this point in the novel. You see, I had a plan. I was going to graduate college, find an excellent job, purchase a beautiful house, marry the man of my dreams, have four perfect babies, and live happily ever after. Everything went according to plan until it came to the children part. God had other plans for me. My baby-making parts are severely broken. My one attempt at having a baby ended with her coming three months early and both of us almost dying. Oh, and I was told I could NEVER have babies again. My heart broke, but I knew everything would be OK because I have Bella. But then fear took over. “Wait! I only have one kid. I have to protect her at all costs,” is what I wholeheartedly believed. Nothing bad could ever happen to her because losing Bella would be a loss I could never come back from. So I protected her from everything — germs, other kids, playground equipment, adults, etc. Two years after my daughter’s birth and I was an exhausted, insane, control freak who had lost sight of God completely. I realized, like Josie did, that I had to stop my ways or I was going to lose everything. Trying to be God for my daughter alienated me from my self-made community, broke my relationship with God, and hurt my daughter. I learned that I have to let God be God. Life works better when I do.
There is so much more to Shine the Light that I could discuss. This is a novel of exceptional depth. But I know that if I keep typing I will spoil the story. Instead, I will end by saying that April McGowan is a superb storyteller who is not afraid to tackle big, tough issues. It was an absolute blessing to read this story, and I cannot recommend it enough. Shine the Light is a journey you do not want to miss!
I received a review copy of this novel in eBook form from the author via Celebrate Lit. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.
April McGowan writes beautifully about difficult topics in such a real, gritty, raw, and heart-stirring way that you will be spellbound from chapter one till the end of the book. This book is the sequel to Hold the Light and the story will make more sense if you read that book first, since a few of the characters from the first story play major roles in this one. The author approaches difficult topics like homelessness, mental illness, and PTSD with care and love while underscoring the need of everyone to feel loved and accepted.
Shannon, a gifted photographer and teacher, continues to battle her past in foster care where she felt unwanted, unloved, and unworthy. Despite unconditional love from her fellow art teacher Justin, she can’t seem to break free from the clutches of darkness that her memories bring forth. Shannon has a long journey ahead of her that is rocky, filled with pitfalls and danger and uncertainty, but her spiritual journey toward freedom from fear and faith in her Savior is so tangible and real. I loved Justin and his steadfastness. He’s an unlikely hero from a first glance on the outside but his beautiful heart and soul make him an absolutely swoon-worthy one.
This is not light romance, though the romance between Shannon and Justin is sweet and tender. This book is about those difficult places in our hearts and lives that need God’s light and intervention and how much He wants us to reconcile, forgive, and love. This book is about reaching out to those who need us and staying true to them.
I received a copy of the book from WhiteFire Publishing via Celebrate Lit Tours and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.
The main theme of the book is the messy, ongoing process of forgiveness, but this book hits on so much more. It doesn’t shy away from real world issues: homelessness, mental illness and drug abuse.
April McGowan
I wish there were more stars I could give this book!
I am so deeply touched by April McGowan and this book. She has a beautifully tender way of bringing to light the pains of homelessness, mental illness, and those it touches.
This book is a sequel to her last book, Holding the Light and it is just as vividly worded and woven with stunning images as the first book.
This story deals with issues we all see around us but often overlook. I really love a quote she has in the book:
“Homelessness, mental illness, and hunger were too huge for any one person to fix – easier to look away and hope someone else would take care of it. Or blame those caught in the trap- be it of their own making or someone else’s.”
WOW! So true!
This book tells the story of Shannon, who is dealing with the pains of being raised in a dysfunctional family. She has PTSD episodes from her childhood because of the many horrific events which happened to her. Can she overcome her past and move on?
April McGowan captures our attention with wonderful characters, vivid images, and heart touching moments throughout the whole book.
I personally work with students who deal with mental illness and I am truly impressed by the honest and tender way this author portrays it in the book. I also live in the city this book is based in and we do have a big homeless issue. All a person needs to do is step out their door and they will be made aware of the need around here.
I highly recommend you pick this book up and read it. It will touch your soul in a deep way.
I was given this book by the publisher for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
LAST WEEK, I READ A BOOK ABOUT A PROTAGONIST WITH MENTAL ILLNESS FAR MORE SEVERE THAN WHAT I HAVE PERSONALLY EXPERIENCED.
And, like many of us, she is surrounded by others who struggle with their own mental challenges. Her dad is bipolar. Both parents were addicts. She spends her time working with the homeless, encountering the full spectrum of mental health conditions (roughly 1/4 of homeless living in shelters in the US suffer from serious mental illness). And Shannon herself deals with anxiety, depression, and PTSD on a regular basis.
Her story is about mental illness, but it’s also about forgiveness. It’s about figuring out healthy boundaries. It’s about the struggle to let people in. To be real with someone about what is happening in her life and in her head. I’ve been there. And these are things we all have to work through, mental illness or not.
I ENJOYED GETTING TO KNOW THE CHARACTERS IN THIS BOOK.
I’m glad the book was written, too, because I want to live in a world where people talk openly about this stuff. I do think the author may have tackled too many issues in one book. But I found myself wrestling with my own struggle of how to manage forgiveness and healthy boundaries at the same time. And even though that’s an ongoing process, that alone made Shine the Light worth the read. This book did “shine the light,” not just on a protagonist with mental illness, but on conditions for homeless, and even maybe on the state of our hearts.
I received a review copy of this book; all opinions are my own.
You are sure to see a bit of yourself in McGowan’s protagonist, Shannon. If you don’t, you’re not being honest. This raw, achingly authentic story transports the reader upon the fragile shoulders of abuse, addiction, mental illness, and homelessness. Shannon’s tale takes you into the dark places of humanity, the underbelly of any major city. This character has been skillfully wrought, wholly believable to the reader, making you shake your finger at her one minute and want to hug her the next. Shannon struggles with PTSD and unforgiveness from an unfair past, so watching God work in this young woman’s life was fully satisfying. The writing style is captivating, emotional, and the story’s immersion into a well-researched setting was an extra special treat. Another heart-gripping book from McGowan. I received a copy of this book from the publisher for an honest review.
Profound. Powerful. This is a memorable, fabulous novel! The characters are well-defined, likable, easy to engage with. It is an amazing testament of the love, grace, and healing of Jesus. Shannon’s story seems so real, it is as if the author lived these feelings, experiences, and health challenges. The author indeed shines the light of Christ on mental and physical health challenges, homelessness, addiction, and ultimately the One we can hope in. A reader doesn’t have to suffer in the same way the characters did to understand their feelings or need some of the spiritual lessons.
Amber and Shannon have been best friends since they met in foster care as children; both are artists. Amber lost her vision recently, and Shannon gladly gives time and love to help her friend adapt. Both ladies are Christians, having believed in Jesus since they were young. Shannon has not blamed the Lord for all the things she has endured. Her father, yes. Amber’s adoptive father who refused to adopt her at the same time, yes. God? Never.
Magic Stan, Queen Susie, and others like them are invisible. Most homeless folks are, especially if they are physically or mentally ill or addicted to drugs or booze. To Shannon, they are real people with real stories and needs. She and her friend Justin hand out plastic bags of necessities, water, and a donated paperback novel to homeless people, many who are regulars.
Only Amber knows a bit of Shannon’s past, including foster homes, rejection by her father, abuse and neglect, living on the street, and various kinds of mental illness and addictions. One day, completely by accident, Shannon sees the one man she hoped to never see again. Daniel. Her father, who had signed her over to the state when she was only ten. His substance abuse and untreated mental illness kept him from providing her basic needs and stole her childhood. Now here he is, broken and living on the street. She refuses to tell him who she is.
Justin wants to take their relationship to the next level. Shannon wants to only be friends, as she will never marry. She could never trust anyone that much. Amber is preparing for a trip to Boston with her fiancé. They are talking about finding an apartment there and moving. While trying to rescue teen girls from a man who wants to be their pimp, he attacks Shannon, smashes her precious camera, and tries to drag her away.
Flashbacks due to PTSD begin to steal time from and take over Shannon’s life. She has no one to confide in without Amber nearby; she has never discussed her past with Justin. When she finally realizes she is not safe to drive, she needs help – but can she, will she, trust anyone other than the Lord?
Shine the Light is a book I want to read more than once! I was lost in the story from the start, and there is so much (for me) to learn through the spiritual lessons shared. I continue to be amazed at how this author weaves beautiful, intense situations, conversations, and relationships while opening our eyes to the reality of challenges faced by others. Shannon seems so well put-together on the outside until PTSD flares up. She is a beautiful example of how we don’t know what someone else’s life is like, especially when wrestling with the past and what the future might bring. This is a novel that brings glory to God. I highly, highly recommend this incredible novel of life and light!
From a thankful heart: I received a copy of this from the publisher and NetGalley for an honest review.
Shine the light
The book deals with Shannon having PTSD episodes. I had to read close to know which was present time and when she was in the past. Actually when someone shows up from her past is what triggers the episodes. It is revealed early on who this person is but read the book to find out.
The best part of the book is how Shannon and Justin works with the homeless. But there is some danger in doing so.
Also Shannon best friend is mostly blind. Amber story is the book Hold the Light. I am going to have to read that book also. It does sound like a good one too.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher through Celebrate Lit. I was not required to write an positive review. This is my own opinion.
April’s love for people and Jesus shines through in the development and transparency of her characters. In this book she approaches the sensitive subjects of homelessness, mental illness, sex trafficking, and trust in God through tough situations with a sincerity for truth and justice. The Christian bonds throughout the book show how important it can be to have friendships that will support and grow you as a person of faith. I highly recommend this read! The story flows very well from beginning to end. I did receive an electronic copy from the publisher in advance for the purpose of reviewing, but I’d have given this book kudos without their kind gift. I just didn’t want to wait until the book was in my hands. . Don’t forget to check out her three other publications, as well. All worth a spot on my bookshelf to loan and re-read again. In fact, off I go to re-read Jasmine…
“Most people weren’t heartless to the plight of the downtrodden, but they felt helpless, so they didn’t help.”
Shine the Light by April McGowan is a powerful, emotional, and gripping story. A depth of raw realism runs through it, and it’s exquisitely written with great character depth. It focuses on relevant and timely themes not often found in Christian fiction, for which I am very thankful, as I often long for this type of story. I have not yet read the previous book, Hold the Light, which would have given a more in-depth reading experience, but this book definitely can stand alone.
On one level, Shine the Light is a well-written, engrossing story that captured my attention from the beginning and thoroughly entertained – but it’s so much more! This author doesn’t shy away from dealing with difficult issues that touch most of our lives or the life of someone we know in some way – abuse, homeliness, PTSD, mental illness. The title is so fitting, because this story beautifully shines the light not only on the individuals themselves, but the devastating effects on the things that we take for granted – livelihood, security of food and shelter, home, relationships with family and friends.
As in the first book, the friendship between Shannon and Amber is key. These two delightful young ladies are sisters of the heart, who always had and always will have each other’s backs. I was easily drawn to Justin, and while I understood her reasons for pushing him away, I yearned for Shannon to open herself up and simply trust. This is a great quote that captures that “something special” in their relationship … “Justin’s voice reverberated with gentleness. So much so it shocked her. In his deep aqua eyes, she saw a flash of warning mixed with a dare. And something else that scared her more than anything. Determination.”
Shine the Light is a story that will stay with you and just possibly change the way you think or interact with the homeless. I can identify with Shannon’s passion and hope to be more like her … “Homelessness overwhelmed her some days, but doing nothing was more abhorrent to her than doing something.”
Shine the Light reminds us that God is always with us through the most difficult of times and that the forgiveness He commands can often be a process. I loved this story of hope and grace, and look forward to many more stories from April McGowan. Highly recommended.
I received a copy of this book through Celebrate Lit. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
In Shine the Light April McGowan addresses some of the issues that affects everyone on one level or another. This gripping story of four friends who see life through their prospective they’ve developed throughout their lives. My heart broke as I saw them struggle because of other peoples choices.
April McGowan gifts readers with a satisfying sequel to Hold the Light. In this edition, Shannon and Justin work with the homeless, their own struggles with identity, forgiveness, relationships and forgiveness. The most difficult topic of family members’ mental health and subsequent abandonment are addressed with compassion and understanding. As a bonus, the continuing story of their friends is included.
I received a complimentary copy of the book without obligation. This review is my opinion.