Three Shoeboxes by Steven Manchester

Three Shoeboxes by Steven Manchester
Publisher: The Story Plant
Genre: Contemporary, Inspirational
Length: Full length (274 pages)
Heat Level: Sweet
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

Mac Anderson holds life in the palm of his hand. He has a beautiful wife, three loving children, a comfortable home, and a successful career. Everything is perfect―or so it seems. Tragically, Mac is destined to learn that any sense of security can quickly prove false. Because an invisible enemy called Post Traumatic Stress Disorder has invaded Mac’s fragile mind and it is about to drop 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, he loses everything―most importantly his family.

One shoebox might store an old pair of sneakers. Two shoeboxes might contain a lifetime of photographs. But in Three Shoeboxes, a father’s undying love may be just enough to make things right again.

Kamagra click for source generic viagra buy has gained popularity worldwide for the treatment of erectile dysfunction is instant performer. Kamagra tablets should only be taken generic cialis online appalachianmagazine.com under a doctor’s supervision. This is a much more common issue, which affects a man’s overall health and his viagra 100mg pfizer relationship. Today IPC is an accredited standards developing organization with ANSI, the American National Standards Institute and has branches in North America, best online viagra Europe, India and China. I’m not even sure where to begin this review. I’m in awe of this story. There are so many moments where my emotions were engaged in a very real way. I was invested in its outcome. I read the blurb but the meaning behind the shoeboxes didn’t come across so I had no idea what to expect. The sheer power from the revelation moved me so much I got a serious case of the sniffles. Trust me when I say it’s a good thing. A very good thing.

Mr. Manchester is a genius in creating Mac. I can see why Jen loved him so much. I can believe that his family is as wonderful as it is. And when things start to change, it was done so slowly and with insidious perfection that I found myself unable to put the book down. What in the world is happening to Mac? Why is he acting in such a profoundly erratic manner? I had to know. I had to understand.

The book was mostly told in Mac’s point of view but Jen’s side is told too. What is happening to the hero had a major impact on me because I was in his head. What I saw was not like the man I first met. If I was confused, it was even more poignant listening in on Jen’s internal dialogue. The confusion, the hurt, the pain – it’s all relatable and understandable. There were a lot of powerful scenes of introspection but no cure or hint as to the cause of Mac’s crisis.

The love between Mac and Jen is palpable and wonderful to witness. Their passion, though definitely behind closed doors, might at times have sounded like it might be able to fall into the sensual category, but I found it sweet, true and romantic. In light of all that, what happens to the two of them later is all the more heartbreaking because I got to meet them when they were the best of themselves.

The main theme, though hard won, was hope. There were also scenes of fervent prayers and the most commanding and potent of them all came from his kids; the youngest especially. Kids have simple needs and yet those uncomplicated prayers tap into the heart of very complex human necessities and desires – Unconditional Love. Forgiveness. Family. Three Shoeboxes is chockful of teachable moments that, in all honesty, came at a time I needed to read them. I was going through a rough patch when I read this book and at first I was depressed. But I kept on reading. Why? Because of Mac. His love for his family gave him a strength I respected. A goal I could relate to and I had a strong desire to see him persevere. Mac is a true hero. He’s not a stereotypical one-dimensional creation – he’s real. What he faced, felt, suffered, fought through and for, were all part of a very human and flawed human being and I could relate when he came to his pivotal moment. Does he give up? I would have understood that choice because I FELT it. When he looked at himself in the mirror, really looked, I teared up. How many people, every day, face that same moment in time?

Three Shoeboxes is a well-written, beautiful story. It’s not a light topic, that’s for sure. What it is, is inspirational – in prayer, in faith and in hope, and the joy of rediscovering the basics and what truly matters in life. The openness of emotion can be a freeing experience and I think Mac found his freedom and the author shared it with readers. Sure, Faust had something to do with it, absolutely, but that’s because the inner light in Mac was strong to begin with. Faust had something to work with. Mac had just lost his way and he needed the right person in his life to steer him back. He was blessed with a few good friends too. Truly, this novel is like emotional lasagna – many layers and mixed flavors, but when devoured together is fulfilling, satisfying and an experience to be grateful for.

Three Shoeboxes is a must read. It just is.