If you, or someone you know, has ever suffered abuse – especially sexual abuse – Not Marked: Finding Hope & Healing After Sexual Abuse should be next on your/their TBR (to be read) list.

Mary DeMuth tells all in this book. She suffered horrible abuse, including repeated sexual abuse, as a young girl. In this book she bravely tells her story, not for sympathy, not to glamourize anything, not to shock anyone, but to show God’s strength in her weakness and to encourage others that there IS healing after the incurred shame placed on one’s well-being.

Mary DeMuth and her husband, Patrick, narrated the audible version, each telling her story from their standpoint. Patrick met and married Mary long after it all happened, but he learned the hard and emotionally painful way how the abuse left her wounded, distrustful, and shamed. He watched her struggle to find a place of peace and healing for her life. He learned he had to find a way to gently support and encourage her in a loving way however he could, thereby growing in understanding and compassion himself.

This is a story of survival, a story of hope and healing, a story of learning to trust in the letting go.

If you like to be read to, I encourage you to purchase the audible version of Mary DeMuth‘s Not Marked: Finding Hope & Healing After Sexual Abuse because this book is well worth the listen. You may find it difficult to hear some parts (as I did) because of Mary’s vulnerability and honesty, but if you stay with it you will be glad you did.

NOTE: This book is not for young readers, but parents can use segments of it to warn and advise their children. It can be an opportunity to teach compassion for the many children who have a dark secret of shame, or to encourage one’s children to ask questions when they are unsure about something. ( )

NOT MARKED: FINDING HOPE AND HEALING AFTER SEXUAL ABUSE by Mary DeMuth is a Sexual Abuse/ Emotional Healing/ Personal Growth/ Marriage/ Christian Life, true to life story. A heart wrenching, raw, but honest account of this author's struggles with sexual abuse, her struggle for healing, inner peace and the courage she faced to write this book. Her husband, Patrick, also gives the reader insight into the turmoil and struggles as a loved one, he and the family face daily. What a powerful story that took not only courage, but faith to write such a vivid inspiration for all who have suffered with sexual abuse, their loved ones and the power to not be marked! I would highly recommend this title for counselors, care-givers, professionals who deal with sexual abuse, and Bible study groups. I would also recommend this title to any and all. If you know someone who has or are being sexually abused, please give them a copy of "Not Marked: Finding Hope and Healing After Sexual Abuse". They will surely appreciate the gesture. A powerful,complex book that is a great resource. Hope and freedom is just a heartbeat away and available! You can go from shame to joy! The power of healing,love and faith. Have tissues at the ready! Powerful!!

Thank you, Mary for giving me the opportunity in reading this powerful, gut-wrenching story!!

Received for an honest review from the author.

RATING: 4.5

HEAT RATING: NONE

REVIEWED BY: AprilR, courtesy of My Book Addiction and More ( )