THREE SHOEBOXES by Steven Manchester
Published by: Fiction Studio Books
Publication Date: June 12, 2018
ASIN: B07BN465JD
Review Copy from: Author
Edition: eARC
My Rating: 5
Synopsis (via Author)
Mac Anderson holds life in the palm of his hand. He has a beautiful wife, three loving children, a comfortable home and successful career. Everything is perfect—or so it seems. Tragically, Mac is destined to learn that any sense of security can quickly prove false. After a horrific auto accident, an invisible enemy called Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (P.T.S.D.) invades Mac’s fragile mind and drops him to his knees. He does all he can to conceal his inner-chaos, but to no avail. Left to contend with ignorance, an insensitive justice system and the struggles of an invisible disease, his family is taken from him.
One shoebox might store an old pair of sneakers. Two shoeboxes could contain a lifetime of photographs. But in Three Shoeboxes, a father’s undying love may be just enough to make things right again.
My Thoughts
He has done it again! Steven Manchester, as I have said in the past, is the master storyteller in matters of the heart. But this time, he raised the bar even higher.
THREE SHOEBOXES is a raw and emotional read, of a family that is dealing with P.T.S.D, depression, anxiety and severe panic attacks, and how it not only affects the person afflicted but those that love and care for him. A realistic look at the struggle and the power to overcome.
Mac Anderson, husband and father of 3, starts having intense episodes of anxiety but not sure why. These episodes begin to increase not only in severity but also in frequency until they are totally consuming him. As he turns inward, he starts to self-medicate, which results in angry outbursts, alienating his wife and children and jeopardizing his job. And to the lowest point of being arrested for domestic assault.
A story that will have you so frustrated with Mac one minute and rooting for him the next. A somber realism of the effects of mental illness that still holds a stigma today.
What’s in those THREE SHOEBOXES? You will have to read this exceptional novel to find out. But a warning, have the tissues close by.
An intense and compelling read of a serious disease and the triumph of faith, will, determination and love.
Having read many of Steven Manchester’s books, I truly believe his writing is like a fine wine. It only gets better with age.
Steven Manchester brings home the Gold, Silver and Bronze medals for THREE SHOEBOXES.
I can’t stress enough what an extraordinary and powerful book this is!!!!!! Highly recommend!!!!
Check out my reviews on his previous books:
TWELVE MONTHS, GOODNIGHT, BRIAN, THE ROCKIN’ CHAIR, PRESSED PENNIES, ASHES, and THE THURSDAY NIGHT CLUB
Pre-publication endorsements:
“Compelling and emotional, Three Shoeboxes takes readers on a heart-wrenching journey through some of life’s toughest challenges, always with the ever-present sense of the transforming power of love and hope. Three Shoeboxes is Steven Manchester at his finest.”
– Carla Neggers, NYT & USA Today Bestselling Author, Harbor Island and Echo Lake
“Raw, moving and brutally honest—Steven Manchester takes you on an emotional rollercoaster. Grab your tissues for this heart-wrenching story—better yet, grab a box full!”
– Tanya Anne Crosby, NYT & USA Today Bestselling Author, The Girl Who Stayed
“Three Shoeboxes is a compassionate, accessible portrait of a vitally important topic, PTSD, how it affects the sufferer and the family—and how to find hope and healing.”
– Jenna Blum, NYT & International Bestselling Author, Those Who Save Us and Storm Chasers
“Three Shoeboxes is terrific writing. Manchester’s protagonist’s life becomes nightmarish, his rage palpable, and his ultimate redemption breathtaking. It was enough to bring this reader to tears.”
– John Lansing, #1 Bestselling Author, The Devil’s Necktie
Purchase Links: Amazon 🔗 | Goodreads 🔗
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This sounds good and I love it when a character frustrates you then you feel sympathy for them . Great review!
Cindy:
It truly was an exceptional read, as are all his other books.