Joshua

Author: M.D. Meyer

Publisher: Word Alive Press

ISBN#: 978-1770693562

List price: $18.97 (amazon.ca)

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars (Rating System)

# of pages: 176

Review by Karen deBlieck

Joshua, written by Canadian award winning author M.D. Meyer, is the third book in a series that chronicles the healing journey of seven young people in the fictional First Nations community of Rabbit Lake.

Read ”Lewis” review, the second book in the series by M.D. Meyer

When Joshua’s older brother shows up on his doorstep his first instinct is to turn him away, as the memory of former abuse threatens to overwhelm him. Bryan is dying from AIDS and is looking for a home for his daughter, Cynarra. Joshua must decide if he will accept – or reject – them both. The book deals with the third step in the abused healing journey which is to “stop blaming yourself for a crime you did not commit.”

From the first page Meyer sweeps us up in this heart wrenching tale of abuse and redemption. The characters and their emotions are very believable. I did think there should be more rough spots in the new relationship between Joshua and Cynarra, but Meyer’s well-crafted prose still delivered me to a satisfying conclusion. The back of the book includes a list of resources and group discussions questions for victims of abuse.

This was a powerful read that had me near tears. I highly recommend this book. You can check out M.D. Meyer and her other publications at http://www.dorenemeyer.com/

Karen deBlieck is a mother, teacher, and an aspiring writer of YA fiction. She lives in Brantford, Ontario with her husband and four children.  Her current work in progress involves dragons and shape shifters.