Beauty Beyond The Ashes: Choosing Hope After Crisis

Rating:
Summary: There Is A Tomorrow!
Review: I was truly honored when asked to give my humble review on this work. My heart ached as I picked up the book and gazed upon the cover picture of a family that continues on after being touched by hell itself.

Cheryl McGuinness is the widow of Lt Commander Tom McGuinness, Co-pilot of American Airlines Flight 11. The pain of the memory of that day seared through my mind as I prepared myself for what words I may find written from this woman's heart. I have to tell you from the onset that after reading her book, I have a deep love and respect for her.

Mrs. McGuinness shares with the reader the events that happened on September 11th and all that followed, but she doesn't stop there. Instead of dwelling on the deep grief and pain that she and her family suffered; she shares the sweet story of her life with her husband before the tragedy hit and the victory she is determined to have now.

In reading her words you find deep commitment to a loving God, deep commitment to a grieving family, deep commitment to a supportive nation and unfaltering faith in her God for a bright future, not only for her and her family, but for the country she loves. That is a lot to come out of such a traumatic event.

She unashamedly shares her faith in God and tells how she clung to Him in each and every circumstance that she has had to deal with. The author shares insights for the reader that may be hurting, to help them overcome their crisis and bring encouragement.
I could never put into words in a short review what is inside this book. I believe what impressed me more than anything was the fact that the author does not just dwell on her loss, although you are well aware of the pain she has suffered, but understands everyday that someone, somewhere is experiencing pain and heartache; and because of that, she opens her heart to them, reaching out to help heal their sorrows.
It is said, you cannot truly understand pain unless you have felt it. Mrs. McGuinness understands the pain and through her words sooths the soul.

This book is more than a story of September 11th, it is a hand reaching out to those who hurt and saying, there is hope for tomorrow and we must never lose sight of that.
A must read! Thank you Mrs. McGuinness for your faith in God and in the future.
Shirley Johnson/Senior Reviewer
Denise's Pieces
MidWest Book Review

Rating:
Summary: Beauty Beyond the Ashes
Review: Beauty Beyond the Ashes is a great book with a powerful message..."with God there is always a way through even the most difficult circumstances." There are so many wonderful principles in this book that will challenge you to depend more on God and less on yourself. I admire Cheryl for the way she has allowed God to use this tragedy to help others who have also been victims of violence.

This is a wonderful book to read. I was both inspired and encouraged, knowing that God's love is evident even in the most difficult of circumstances.

Rating:
Summary: deeply inspirational!
Review: Rebeccasreads highly recommends BEAUTY BEYOND THE ASHES as a profoundly moving personal journey of this woman's American Dream which curdled on 9/11 into a nightmare when her beloved husband, Former Lt. Commander Tom McGuinness, Co-pilot of American Airlines Flight 11, never came home.

Always a searching Christian, gladdened when Tom was called to Christ, Cheryl's spiritual life is transformed when she dedicates herself, now alone, to God's ministry knowing that that is exactly what Tom would have wanted. In that dedication, fraught with despair & succour, she experiences the trauma of sacrifice & the healing of forgiveness.

In addition to revealing her touching personal story, Cheryl McGuinness also shares twelve powerful Biblical principles that guide her through her loss & her life's journey. & as every life will contain sadness & loss, her suffering, devotion & surrender to God's love & purpose through Jesus Christ, is both inspirational & healing.

Rating:
Summary: Hope beyond Ashes
Review: This book was a great book for anyone to read. It not only tells a wonderful story about Cheryl's family and husband who was on Flight 11 during Sept.11, but it also gives hope to those people that may be lost or that may need assurance.

For all the shortcomings in my life I am reminded that I can pull through it with God's guidance. This is a wonderful book to renew your aching heart.