Journey Toward Healing is a mystery story, a light romance and a book of inspiration with a Christian message. This powerful narrative reflects Benedicta’s journey, that of a strong single woman, challenged to become healthy again and assist her sister, Brie, to recover from a mental illness. At the same time, Benedicta must go up against an evil assailant bent on the destruction of the two sisters. Benedicta is the new director at Pinecroft House of Peace, a retreat center in Cincinnati Ohio in the late 80’s. She comes to Pinecroft with a long-standing depression, a conflicted faith-life, and a desire to begin her new-found ministry with energy and vitality. She possesses a creative spirit and soon makes a place for herself in her new surroundings. But Benedicta is plagued by misgivings. Her secret fear regarding her baby brother and just how he died so many years ago, is rekindled when her world is shattered by an evil force. Coming to face the foe and vanquish the darkness within is the task before her. As she works to lesson her depression, she finds herself called to bring light to her sister’s world. Benedicta gains trust through prayer and counseling, is given confidence in her blooming romance with Jude Forsythe, the lawyer for the archdiocese, and discovers, along with the tireless Inspector Herbert Benson Brown, ways to protect herself and find her sister after Brie is kidnapped by the perpetrator. You, the reader, may come to appreciate Benedicta’s new and growing faith-life, her power shown to stand in the gap, her acumen displayed to be the empty vessel to be filled with a song of hope, love and reverence. You will see her courage in the face of angst, be moved by her ability to go from suspicion to an attitude of trust and be inspired to work on your own plan for living a life of virtue, a life lived in freedom with a sense of well-being.You, the reader, may find clarity in your journey and receive a glimpse of a pathway to a deeper spiritual understanding. Hopefully, you will find your life enriched, your walk made firmer and more secure. You may see that there is a path for the healing of the person who suffers from an emotional illness. You, the mental health consumer, will come to admire Benedicta’s strong resilient character, her effort to trust and be a courageous woman when everything around her is falling apart. Or you could identify with Brie in her illness, her darkness. You may travel with her as her world is turned upside-down, when she is threatened by instability, when bullying enters her space or when despair closes in on her equilibrium. You may know first-hand just how difficult it is to remain steadfast in resolve and purpose when stricken and may appreciate Brie’s situation.And, no doubt you, the reader, will rejoice with both Benedicta and Brie in their restoration to fuller, more productive lives
