A child whose silence holds the truth captive. An artist whose work speaks the agony of her past. When drawn together, will they let the truth set them free?Ten-year old Kaylee Wren doesn’t speak. Not since her drug-addled mother walked away, leaving her in a remote cabin nestled in the towering redwoods, in the care of a man who is as dangerous as he is evil. With silence her only refuge, Kaylee … silence her only refuge, Kaylee collects words she might never speak from the only memento her mother left behind: a dictionary.
Sierra Daw is thirty-four, an artist, and alone. She has allowed the shame of her past to silence her present hopes and chooses to bury her pain by trying to control her circumstances. But on the twelfth anniversary of her daughter’s death, Sierra’s control begins to crumble as the God of her childhood woos her back to Himself.
Will Kaylee and Sierra let the truth set them free?
Ginny L. Yttrup is an award-winning author. Words won the Christy award for best first novel.
Buy Words today to follow Kaylee and Sierra on their journey to freedom.
“First-time novelist Yttrup writes a riveting, emotionally charged story about a 10-year-old sexual abuse victim, Kaylee Wren, who has literally lost her voice in the aftermath of ongoing trauma. Kaylee, living with her mom’s abusive boyfriend after her mother abandons her, turns to the world of words for her comfort and sanity. Smart as a whip, Kaylee sounds out words in her mind and links words and phrases far beyond comprehension for her age as she puzzles out hour-by-hour survival. Enter the 30-ish Sierra Dawn, a grief-stricken artist whose own infant daughter died 12 years earlier. When these two meet, there is a supernatural connection. Rescuing Kaylee from her tormenter is only the first step to freedom for both of these characters, as they walk toward wholeness. Yttrup’s story is particularly powerful as it in part mirrors her own painful past. Page by page, word by word, this talented author proves the adage ‘Write what you know.’” Publishers Weekly
Words – second edition – updated February, 2018.
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I am very glad I discovered this book and this author. I look forward to reading more of Ginny Yttrup’s stories. Words opened my heart with a concoction of emotions. Anger for the horrible abuse of a little girl, but then love for her spirit and love for the heart of the one who rescued “little one.” Also, compassion for both as they plowed through their intertwined healing process. Ginny wrote about a dark subject in a wonderful, word-driven, creative way.
Loved this book, even though it broke my heart at times.
It was moving, and very hard to read at times, because of what Kaylee went through. So glad there was a good ending!
Words by Ginny L. Yttrup
Story I feel is about two in one. One is following Kaylee who is a child and being raised by a man. There is a lot of abuse and I love how this story meets the other story: Sierra.
She’s a woman who has lost a child and bonds with the girl and fears for her life when she finds she is not where she should be. They converse with each other but not by words.
Love how her actions are able to save Kaylee and they bond further and are so relaxed with one another.
Love how her mother is there for her and how she doubts she can continue with progress she has made with Kaylee.
Super love the words Kaylee finds, the ones running through her head to avoid what is really going on with her and how it makes the days go by. She just wants her mother to come back to her.
Like hearing of the plans of Kaylee’s mother but she gets sidetracked….such struggles in her life.
Glad to hear Katheryn’s side to the story-hadn’t expected it would be included.
Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.
This was an amazing book and Gods love grace and forgiveness through a abused girl and the woman who saved her.
A difficult subject written well. Lots to think about. Love some of the conclusions that the main adult character comes to. I found the first person present point of view hard to adjust to. Loved the words part.
Will be reading more from this author.
Excellent book, I didn’t want to put it down. Scary subject, but she addressed it so well, the patience of Sierra in helping this girl. Very well written. And it had a great ending.
This book was extremely thought provoking! The circumstances of the story very tragic, but shows the redemption of Jesus Christ for both main characters. The author’s use of God’s word and Christ’s teaching’s is wonderful.
This was about a difficult subject and was sometimes hard to continue reading. But I felt that the author handled it sensitively and with so much grace. I found this book to encourage my Christian walk with the Lord, because it gave a beautiful, clear picture of God’s grace even for our worst failures.
I loved this book….
This is the first book I have read by this author, and I really enjoyed it. The storyline was good and the characters had great depth. It is difficult to read about abuse of children, but this story was heartwarming and rewarding. I highly recommend!
It was a great read & I recommend it for anybody. A must read.
This was a great story of two people being redeemed. It is very hard to review without giving the story away. However, this story, though, poignant, was also, action-packed. And, unfortunately, in today’s world, and the way that children are treated, it was very real-life. I also, very much loved, the faith, the sharing of God and His Great Providence and Mercy in our lives. Will read this author again and again.
Excellent read.
Beautifully written. There was such depth to the characters and the internal dialogue both poignant, innocent, humorous and heartbreaking all at the same time.
One of best books ever!! Written from the heart.
This is truly a great book. The subject matter is very deep but you won’t regret reading it. I could hardly put it down. Very well written and worth reading
One of the most compelling books I’ve read in a long time
This writer is amazing. She just took me right into the setting and there I stayed til it was finished.
A great book I had trouble putting down. Hard not to get emotionally involved! Always hope there will be a sequel for books I enjoy!