Hi Beth, Thank you for sharing your story. There are so many who can relate to it, having dealt with a family memeber who suffered with addiction, I am one of those people. I think the great message of your book is teaching others that we can't change the addicted..only God can. All we can do is love them and look at ourselves, our response to that person and our walk with God. Your love for your son is quite evident, as is your love for God. I liked how you talked about idols. Dealing with addiction can become so consuming that that person can easily become the focus of your life, thus an idol. The Lord always comes first as your book clearly directs. Best wishes for your son's sobriety and his new life in Christ. Many blessings to you, a mom with a godly servant's heart. Many stars!! Lyn Ventura "With All My Mind"

It becomes immediately apparent how much you care for the well-being of your son through your writing. The fact that you are not content with placing the blame for his actions entirely on him definitely help in showing that, but almost every word here in the first chapter reads as from someone who can't get their mind off of their kid. As a new father, I can definitely sympathize. . . although I really hope my three year old isn't getting into quite the same trouble. The connection to the prodigal son is an important one, if not in understanding your son's actions, to understanding where you were as a parent at this point in time. You were willing to bring the kid back into your loving arms, no questions asked, just to have him back and to love him. Fattened calf was always ready on the table, I'm sure. This is heartbreaking, but I feel that I'll need to read more. I'm adding you to my watchlist. High stars!

Many readers will connect with this sad but meaningful story. It speaks for our time. Well done for courageous writing. Lara A RELATIVE INVASION

What a heartbreaking and warming story. I have a three year-old and it terrifies me how easy this can happen to our children. Much love Cx

Beth, Now I know why you didn't like the idea of babies (innocents) in Hell. This is a moving story, but difficult for me to read. You can probably figure out why. I have given you high stars. Congratulations on telling a story with heart. Mark

Beth, Thank you for the candid picture of your process. It is amazing how resilient we all are. Donald Life Discovery

Hey, I like how you didn't say as a part of rebelling he let hsi hair grow to a certain length. It's so annoying when ppl say guys with ear to shoulder length hair have it that length to be rebellious or when they say that's long hair. Especially wiwhen they call hair from above ears to earlobe length long or hair from upper to mid neck long. not all guys have long hair to be rebellious anyway. I think your first chapter should be a Prelude, then go on about his life, unless this is a work of fiction. "i didn't see it coming" reminded me of POD's "Youth of the Nation". Please check out my book about a school shooting called "The Show is On". It's the second book in my series, so you can choose to read or not to read "Crowded" first. "Crowded" is published on Kindle. I have the link in my profile description. Thanks.

Beth, What heartfelt writing - pouring out your soul to God for your son. We need more books like this. Thanks for sharing that. I think this will be a great book targeted nonfiction for the Christian market but one thing you said about praying and God will answer your prayers. I do believe God answers prayers, but not all. And we don't know why, we just have to trust his will and reasons for not answering some prayers. A friend just died, and we were all praying she would live. Another guy I know prayed when he was ten that God would let his grandmother live, and she died. He became an atheist. I think that non-believers and believers would have a problem with that, so perhaps you could address that in your book. I'd like to see you broaden that subject and go deeper as to why God doesn't answer all with an affirmative. Thanks for your loving spirit. I'm starring you high. If you get a chance please read Shakespeare's Pink Cadillac which has a POV from 2 teens. Since you were mom of a boy, you should have some insight. Thanks! Kady

Beth, Finished chapter two - pig pen should be with an "e" Whoah, you're going through alot, will keep reading! ~Kady Colter

Hi Beth, On first chapter, will keep reading but making this note before I forget. ~Kady Colter Shakespeare's Pink Cadillac First paragraph: Cap David Jeremiah's book title

Thank-you Beth for sharing your story. Word for word I lived the same thing with my youngest son. The greatest thing that can come out of this dark time is our testimonies of coming through it. Obviously you can see why I had an interest to read the whole story, and also, because I have been a Christian for many years, I appreciated and understood all the scripture content. But my suggestion to you would be to give the whole story first before so much content of scripture and commentary. It was easy to get lost out of the story in the beginning because there was so much scripture to wade through. You don't want to lose the non-christian reader who picked up the book for the story's sake, because they will put it down. Let people who identify with your story get caught up in your story first, then let them get hungry for an answer as they read. At the end, while you are sharing the triump of coming through it, interweave the neccesarry scripture and then draw them back to the different time zones that the scripture relate to. As they become fully convinced you have an answer they don't have, they will be anxious to read on. Finish the book with the heavy scritures and commentary material. At that point your reader will absorb the message and the point you are really trying to get across. I like Non-fiction, Christian stories, that's what first attracted me to your book. I also have uploaded a Non-fiction, Christian story you may enjoy, it's titled "The Chair" Please check it out and give me comment. Stay Blessed!

Hello Beth- book- i never saw it coming- After reading all six chapters posted, i feel oh so sad for this trying life you had, how heart-breaking it must be to have a son on drugs and a prison record also because of the same drug addiction-- On brighter book, your faith in God shines through your writing, and hopefully its catching for other readers. for it;s target market , Christian non-fiction-there is a big market out there and it should do well, i found the readings from the bible very informative- tom bye book- from hugs to kisses- i think you might like chapters- 16-18-19-23-in mine- please glance and comment and star- thanks Beth

Wow, Beth, that was some roller coaster ride. My own mother struggled for many years with a drug-addicted son and could have benefitted from a book such as yours. I like that you note how addictive marijuana is today. Many parents assume weed is the same as it was in the Seventies or Eighties. It's not the same. It's as much as twenty times more powerful!! And you also note his use of prescription drugs--also more common today than we adults remember. Many kids make a fortune selling their Adderall. The only thing I have to say is that we'd like to see more. What stories can you give us about your son before the drugs? And during? And after? You tell us about what happened, which is effective--but even more effective would be a scene where we hear his words and yours in return. These scenes would bring the reader into your home and into your despair in a way that this narration cannot. Best wishes to you!! ~AudreyB Forgiveness Fits

Beth, I liked the honest and simple approach that you have taken to writing. I do feel that the volume of biblical references is too heavy, but there might be others who like this. If you're a bible reader, you're more likely to be interested in these references, but also less likely to need them. If you're the opposite, you are more likely to be put off by all these references (me!). I think that you have a story that could stand up on its own. You do also make reference to God throughout your story, so everyone will know the point you are making. Why not let the religious angle be less prominant, more subtle - you might win more people over. Best regards Warrick

Beth, Your writing is honest and straightforward. This is an easy to swallow book, which it needs to be. Most people who will pick this up will be looking for some hope and a light at the end of the tunnel. And your book does exactly that, right away in chapter two. My friend calls them glory bumps, but most people call them goose bumps - that’s what I got when I read the Holy Spirit worked in your son’s life to change it! I am so, so very happy He did. J Beth, I love that you give practical ways to deal with the “storm” - prayer, fasting, praise, giving… This is so very helpful, especially to those who are in the “middle of it” right now. They need the truthful answers fast! Thanks too for sharing your struggle and insight as you rode that emotional rollercoaster - Enabling, denial, realization, humiliation, depression and fear, shock, anger, and finally surrender. The scripture references give your book backbone and the foundation on which you make your truthful claims. I can so relate to the James passages you shared in chapter one. When I was a freshman in college, my dad died and then two years later, my mom was diagnosed with cancer and then I found myself having to break off a marriage engagement. This all happened when I moved away to a strange city where I didn’t know a single soul. God became my best friend and I memorized every word of James chapter one. I can still quote it today, twenty-five years later. The heroine in my book memorizes it too! Without a doubt, your openness and humility is what will sell this book, and of course, your writing ability… Because you have made yourself fully vulnerable, your witness is entirely believable. May God bless the good thing you are doing. Beth. Six stars! And a promised backing (I just put some new books on my shelf this morning, so I’m going to let them ride there for a few days) Sincerely, Dianna Lanser Nothing But The Blood