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Evangelia VanPatten
Author
A Quest to Discover the Essence of Faith

Adult; Memoir; (Market)

“In ‘The Quest to find the essence of faith,’ a gripping memoir, the author courageously unveils the tumultuous journey of her life, navigating through the darkest storms to ultimately find solace and redemption. Struggling with a husband ensnared by addiction and infidelity, she grapples with the heart-wrenching pain of infertility and contemplates the unthinkable. Amidst the shadows, a glimmer of light emerges as she discovers unexpected allies who provide unwavering support. Nature becomes a sanctuary, a conduit to a higher power, and she begins to forge a profound connection with God. The turning point arrives with the miraculous gift of a child, defying the odds and breathing new life into her shattered world. However, the challenges persist as divorce and the loss of a beloved father cast their shadows. Yet, through the wreckage, the author unveils the purpose behind the trials, finding strength and understanding in the divine plan. The narrative unfolds as a testament to resilience, unwavering faith, and the transformative power of hope. In the end, ‘The Quest’ is a poignant exploration of the human spirit’s capacity to endure, survive, and emerge stronger. The author invites readers into her journey of pain, loss, and ultimately, redemption, leaving them inspired to confront their own tribulations with renewed faith and a profound belief in the miracles that can emerge from the darkest corners of life.”
Reviews
In this touching memoir debut, VanPatten shares her journey to connecting to God, understanding the meaning of having faith, and the trials and tribulations that shaped her relationship with a higher power. Growing up in the Greek Orthodox Church, she was always exposed to God, the Virgin Mary, and the Bible, but VanPatten transparently recounts how, as she faced life’s challenges, she grew into it all more deeply and personally, learning to trust in the presence and will of God all around her through connections with nature, those she loves, and everyday experiences. Through dealing with her husband's depression and addiction, her father's diagnosis with prostate cancer, and her struggles with conceiving a child, VanPatten recounts always turning to prayer and her faith to get her through the darkest days of her life.

VanPatten holds nothing back in this raw and honest account of her lifelong relationship with God. "Faith is trusting that no matter what happens in life for good or for bad, God will provide," she writes. Through such emotive storytelling, she delves into the ways her faith and belief in God pulled her through hard times, including the end of a marriage and the enduring of loss. She is passionate in her conviction that there is a purpose behind the many ups and downs one faces, even though that purpose may not be clear in the moment. That certainty, though, is hard-won, and VanPatten touchingly explores how even a believer can face doubts.

Through inspirational prose and a constant positive outlook even when frankly describing dark moments, VanPatten’s story shines a light in the darkness of doubt and despair and highlights how the struggle can aid in making believers stronger than they thought possible. Centering on familial relationships, life milestones, and spiritual connections, A Quest to Discover the Essence of Faith is a testament to finding blessings and hope in each new day and circumstance.

Takeaway: An inspirational memoir about exploring one's faith and understanding God's will

Comparable Titles: Becka L. Jones's Meant To Be, Anna Gazmarian’s Devout.

Production grades
Cover: B
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: B
Marketing copy: A

Amazon

After reading “A Quest to Discover the Essence of Faith”, I found myself more interested in evaluating my own life events and their outcomes. Evangelia provides inspirational events in her life that helped her understand their purpose and meaning. This book is easy to absorb both the story content and the thoughtful lessons within. My emotions were evoked with several of her heart felt memory descriptions and her interpretive spiritual explanations. She references the quote “faith is believing in things when common sense tells you not to” from the Miracle on 34th Street which I always thought was a good definition of faith. Evangelia helps us consider the possibility of a higher being providing us help and guidance toward the meaning of our lives. Her story about almost being in a head on highway collision brought back my memories of a similar situation and the feelings I had at that time. My emotions were stimulated when Evangelia describes her final visit with her father in the hospital before his passing as I was again taken back to my personal experiences of losing loved ones. She does finish her book with uplifting summaries of her life and renewed spiritual faith. I highly recommend this book to anyone who has experienced something that was hard to justify and wants to believe there is more to life than we currently know.

Amazon

The author writes a very personal and inspiring memoir about some of very difficult obstacles that she encountered and how faith influenced how she met these challenges. It was well written and includes situations that are relatable.

Amazon

The author opens up and shares about her journey of faith. Many of us have similar stories, however, this author's account, is well written and easy to relate to. I recommend this book to anyone who may be struggling with their own journey of faith, as it offers hope for a better future. There is light at the end of the tunnel!

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