AprilLove

They meet at a certain city bench; Angie, a runaway
and a prostitute, and Sam Trailer, fresh out of prison
for murdering his own father. But Sam is a kind,
caring man, and only wants to share his Friday night
sandwiches with Angie, so he pays her to sit on the
bench and eat with him. At first, Angie is wary and
close-mouthed, but it is a relief to skip sex for
this man, and she's starved, so she shows up week
after week.

Just when she's relaxing more and opening up a tiny
bit, Sam surprises her and Angie withdraws again.

The Bible he gave her really set her off. However,
she read it and phoned the number Sam gave her on a
slip of paper.

Readers with a Christian mind set will say, "This
book is weird!" It is not your conventional Christian
novel at all. Readers with a secular frame of reference
may also call it strange. Both types, if open-minded
enough to continue, will see it as earthy, and a very
blunt, honest look at the true life of a survivor
of sexual abuse. It does not cover up the pain and
torment abused individuals go through, nor those who
find themselves in dysfunctional families. However,
it is described so vividly you will wince too.

Angie and Sam almost seem to take turns being weak
and strong for each other. At first it seems like Sam
is always the strong one for Angie, but the tables
do turn. Very life-like! It is obvious that the author
has experienced many of these abuses and recovery
stages. She makes the reader experience them too.

But that is April Love's whole point. She has
fictionalized some of the things she has suffered
herself in the hope of helping non-victims understand
such pain, and helping abuse survivors and victims
like herself realize that there is a way out. They do
not have to continue in this rut of suffering.

The author's bio reveals that she is a survivor of
childhood abuse, and was kidnapped and raped as a
young woman. Presently she counsels and helps at a
Crisis Center for Women's Ministries, her husband
Steve has become handicapped and unable to work, and
she homeschools their three children. On top of all
that, April is available to speak on this subject
whenever invited. I marvel at her courage to do all
this!

In "Secrets of a City Bench," Love has Angie
and Sam marry and go through stages of depression,
sickness, and trauma. Some friends and family
members step in to help, and they do learn to pray
for divine help as well, but there are stretches where
I felt like crying out, "Doesn't this cloud of sorrow
ever lift?" Another author might have shortened those,
to speed along the action, but Love must have done
this on purpose to help the victims get a sense of
identification, and non-victims a strong dose of being
in their skin.

Not to spoil the ending, I'll just say that things do
take a happier turn in the end, and by the epilogue
(which I think should have been worked into the final
chapter), I'm inclined to believe things are going
to continue much smoother for Angie and Sam.

Actually, if we are realists, we'll know that a
history of sexual and physical abuse is not over
just because a home and job are secure. A sequel
would reveal continuing struggles. But hopefully, as
the Bible promises, also continuing maturity and
victory.

I have another reason for appreciating this novel.
My own, "Ruthe's Secret Roses," comes at hurting
people from the point of view of a shy country girl
with a passion to help the hurting, without having
experienced the pain and hardship they go through.
She is just brimming over with the love of Christ
because she has found Him to be her Best Friend in
her loneliness. The people of April's book are the
kind my heroine, Ruthe, gravitates towards.

This causes me to wonder if the readers that like
my novel will not also really get into April's book,
and the other way around as well; that those who
identify and find themselves mirrored in Angie's
terrors and angst, (or for that matter, Sam's
outbursts), will discover a caring friend in Ruthe
when they read, "Ruthe's Secret Roses."

I'm very curious to discover if my theory is so. If
you read both books, would let me know how you
compare them?

If you have experienced abuse, please know that
others have gone through similar events and there
are people who care and would help you. Reach
out for it! If you are not sure - read this book.

If you have not been wounded like this, but would
like to understand so you can offer help and loving
care, you too, need to read this book!

Love's first book is a vivid, intimate diary type
with few literary tricks. The talent is there. Watch
for subsequent books to give her a strong name in
the publishing world. Incidentally, it was
interesting to see how a journalling marathon became
a method to help Angie work through some issues
that were stalling her life.

Ruth Marlene Friesen makes friends wherever she goes! Just like her heroine, Ruthe, in Ruthe's Secret Roses. Be one of of her rare and precious roses. Subscribe to RoseBouquet for more!

Home Guest Book Message Board Links/Resources Contact Info Gift of the Morning Author Bio (GM)	Secrets of a City Bench By April Love
Buy/Browse Book (GM) Reviews (GM) Secrets of a City Bench Author Bio (SCB)	Interviews: On-line interview with Linda Dominique Grosvenor BellaOnline Reviews:
Buy/Browse Book (SCB) REVIEWS (SCB) Free Bookmark	Donna Stemler, Coordinator for Training Resources, The Center for Women's Ministries, Inc. Secrets of a City Bench gave me incredible enlightenment into what goes on in the mind of one who has suffered the scourge of childhood sexual abuse, as well as other forms of emotional woundedness. I was absolutely drawn into the lives of these two young people in a way that I could feel their pain and share their joys. I could not put it down. To boot, it has a good ending, and a Christian perspective. In my work as a lay counselor, I have found that Secrets of a City Bench gave me insights far beyond what the text books and training could offer. Reova Meredith, Ed.D Executive Director Center for Women's Ministries, Inc. The book "Secrets of a City Bench" unveils in candid language the physical, emotional and social trauma that survivors of sexual abuse experience. The author not only vividly pictures each experience, protrays emotions involved, but continues by depicting the process of healing; thereby giving hope for emotional wholeness.
	Ruth Marlene Friesen, Author of "Ruthe's Secret Roses" They meet at a certain city bench; Angie, a runaway and a prostitute, and Sam Trailer, fresh out of prison for murdering his own father. But Sam is a kind, caring man, and only wants to share his Friday night sandwiches with Angie, so he pays her to sit on the bench and eat with him. At first, Angie is wary and close-mouthed, but it is a relief to skip sex for this man, and she's starved, so she shows up week after week. Just when she's relaxing more and opening up a tiny bit, Sam surprises her and Angie withdraws again. The Bible he gave her really set her off. However, she read it and phoned the number Sam gave her on a slip of paper. Readers with a Christian mind set will say, "This book is weird!" It is not your conventional Christian novel at all. Readers with a secular frame of reference may also call it strange. Both types, if open-minded enough to continue, will see it as earthy, and a very blunt, honest look at the true life of a survivor of sexual abuse. It does not cover up the pain and torment abused individuals go through, nor those who find themselves in dysfunctional families. However, it is described so vividly you will wince too. Angie and Sam almost seem to take turns being weak and strong for each other. At first it seems like Sam is always the strong one for Angie, but the tables do turn. Very life-like! It is obvious that the author has experienced many of these abuses and recovery stages. She makes the reader experience them too. But that is April Love's whole point. She has fictionalized some of the things she has suffered herself in the hope of helping non-victims understand such pain, and helping abuse survivors and victims like herself realize that there is a way out. They do not have to continue in this rut of suffering. The author's bio reveals that she is a survivor of childhood abuse, and was kidnapped and raped as a young woman. Presently she counsels and helps at a Crisis Center for Women's Ministries, her husband Steve has become handicapped and unable to work, and she homeschools their three children. On top of all that, April is available to speak on this subject whenever invited. I marvel at her courage to do all this! In "Secrets of a City Bench," Love has Angie and Sam marry and go through stages of depression, sickness, and trauma. Some friends and family members step in to help, and they do learn to pray for divine help as well, but there are stretches where I felt like crying out, "Doesn't this cloud of sorrow ever lift?" Another author might have shortened those, to speed along the action, but Love must have done this on purpose to help the victims get a sense of identification, and non-victims a strong dose of being in their skin. Not to spoil the ending, I'll just say that things do take a happier turn in the end, and by the epilogue (which I think should have been worked into the final chapter), I'm inclined to believe things are going to continue much smoother for Angie and Sam. Actually, if we are realists, we'll know that a history of sexual and physical abuse is not over just because a home and job are secure. A sequel would reveal continuing struggles. But hopefully, as the Bible promises, also continuing maturity and victory. I have another reason for appreciating this novel. My own, "Ruthe's Secret Roses," comes at hurting people from the point of view of a shy country girl with a passion to help the hurting, without having experienced the pain and hardship they go through. She is just brimming over with the love of Christ because she has found Him to be her Best Friend in her loneliness. The people of April's book are the kind my heroine, Ruthe, gravitates towards. This causes me to wonder if the readers that like my novel will not also really get into April's book, and the other way around as well; that those who identify and find themselves mirrored in Angie's terrors and angst, (or for that matter, Sam's outbursts), will discover a caring friend in Ruthe when they read, "Ruthe's Secret Roses." I'm very curious to discover if my theory is so. If you read both books, would let me know how you compare them? If you have experienced abuse, please know that others have gone through similar events and there are people who care and would help you. Reach out for it! If you are not sure - read this book. If you have not been wounded like this, but would like to understand so you can offer help and loving care, you too, need to read this book! Love's first book is a vivid, intimate diary type with few literary tricks. The talent is there. Watch for subsequent books to give her a strong name in the publishing world. Incidentally, it was interesting to see how a journalling marathon became a method to help Angie work through some issues that were stalling her life. Ruth Marlene Friesen makes friends wherever she goes! Just like her heroine, Ruthe, in Ruthe's Secret Roses. Be one of of her rare and precious roses. Subscribe to RoseBouquet for more! Ruthe's Secret Roses Ruthes-SecretRoses.com Ruthes-SecretRoses.com/RoseBouquet
	Irene Paxton, Ph.D. Review on AllBookstores.com Toni Review on AllBookstores.com queentrashy Review on Amazon.com Nix Review on Amazon.com
	Unless the LORD had been my help, my soul had almost dwelt in silence. Psalm 94:17

	Copyright 2002