Mark and Vivienne Morana

River Never Smooth, Reclaiming Power After Abuse is a compelling, nail-biting, anxiety building, on-the-edge-of-your-seat reader. The fact that this is non-fiction makes it more compelling even alarming. It is one where anger, frustration and forgiveness all intertwine. It is one of those books that one does not want to read, but in the same breath, cannot put down. The emotional ups and downs are, to say the least, nerve-racking. However, here is a young lady who has used adversities as stepping stones; she has also used what she was taught – Proverbs 22:6 – “Train up a child in the way (s)he should go, and when he is old, (s)he will not depart from it” – she prayed. That was one of the things she relied on heavily. She knew prayer moves the hand of God, and although she did not use it as often as she could, somewhere from the recesses of her mind, it was brought to the forefront. Although one has to forgive, one does not have to stick around for another dose of abuse.

The facts are there. Abuse affects both men and women. One abusive relationship affects not just those immediately involved, but those within their sphere of influence, children, of course, siblings, parents, in-laws, coworkers, neighbors, friends, church groups, etc. It also takes a toll on the emotional, physical, financial and most of all spiritual aspects of one’s life. Angelique, the young lady with “an interesting personality”, overcame abuse and lived to write about it. A story that brings awareness to the most innocent minds.