About the Book

Book: Broken Together

Authors: Brenda S. Anderson & Sarah S Anderson

Genre: Christian Women’s Fiction

Release date: December 1, 2021

How do you persevere when you have no more will to fight?

Jennifer and Chad Taylor had dreamed of opening a coffee and cocoa shop since before they said, “I do.” When Chad is sent to prison for murder despite claiming innocence, that dream—along with their family—is shattered.

After years of fighting for Chad’s release, Jennifer finally breaks free from her shame, anger, and hopelessness, and forges ahead with the dream the two of them once shared. With the help of their college-aged twins, she begins to move forward.

Without Chad.

When their lawyer arrives with news of evidence that may prove Chad’s innocence, a strange mixture of emotions overtakes her. Does she want Chad to return home? He isn’t the same man he once was, and she certainly isn’t the same woman. She’s worked hard to piece the remnants of their family back together, and his coming home could fracture the family once again.

It all comes down to one question. She loves her husband enough to fight for his release from prison, but does she love him enough to fight for their marriage?

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My Thoughts:

Wow, this was a very different read for me. I don't believe I have read a story quite like this one before. This is about a married couple, Chad and Jennifer Taylor who have twins, a boy and a girl, and their share of problems. Especially since Chad is in prison for a murder he did not commit. When we begin this story, it has has been about six and a half years, and their lives look nothing like they had imagined they would.

The author did a really good job on showing both sides of the relationship. The fact that Jennifer was in a way stuck, her husband was not dead, nor did they have a normal marital relationship. She and her children were judged right along with him by so called friends and even family. They were in a type of prison as well. And when Jennifer decides to give up her teaching job, move out of her parent's home, and to open a coffee shop, she feels like she is moving on without Chad.

Chad is trying to survive in prison and keep out of trouble so that he can have his case looked at again. He is not like the other prisoners as he is actually innocent. But his time in prison has changed him and he is dealing with quite a few demons that will affect him and his marriage quite possibly for the rest of his life.

Then there is the twins, Jason and Chloe. They are adults now, but they did miss having a dad during their teenage years. They also are dealing with the aftermath of all that happened and some of their choices are not what their parents had hoped for.

This was a riveting and a heartbreaking story of a family that is what the title says, broken together and yet the author shows that even in all of this that faith can be strong. I enjoyed seeing the ways in which this family grew out of all they had been through. Theirs was not an easy road, but their family was worth piecing back together. I have not read about a married couple who were separated due to a wrongful conviction, and I cannot even imagine what that would be like to go through.

I was provided a copy of this novel by the author. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.

About the Authors

Brenda S. Anderson writes authentic, gritty, life-affirming fiction that shows God at work in people’s messy lives. She enjoys live music and theater, walking the shores of Lake Superior, and sharing hot cocoa with friends and family. She lives near Minneapolis with her newly retired husband. Together, they plan to travel across the United States, checking items off their bucket list, beginning with a bus trip to Niagara Falls.

Readers can learn more about Brenda S. Anderson at www.brendaandersonbooks.com

A former barista, Sarah S. Anderson loves all things coffee, so when her mother asked her to help with a book set in a coffee shop, the answer was an enthusiastic “Yes!” When not creating imaginary coffee shops, Sarah spends much of her time at the theater, either on stage acting, singing, and dancing, or offstage as musical director. She lives near the heart of Minneapolis with her two cuddly kitties.

More from Brenda

Why I Wrote Broken Together

Years ago, I watched a late-night interview with a woman who’d fought to free her husband from prison, and she finally won that fight. Near the end of the show, when the interviewer asked how she and her husband were doing now, she replied that they were divorced. It shocked me that she’d fought so hard for him, but then couldn’t hold their marriage together. I knew then that I needed to explore, through fiction, how that could happen.

I’d put off the idea for years, fearing the topic was larger than I could handle, but the story kept pushing its way through.

My daughter, Sarah, and I had often talked about writing a story together, one that would be set in a coffee and cocoa shop, and Broken Together seemed to be the perfect match. As a former barista, Sarah brought the coffee expertise to the story. As a non-coffee drinker, I insisted equal billing for non-coffee beverages.

Then the legal director for the Great Northern Innocence Project graciously offered to walk me through the many the legal hoops someone has to go through to be released once evidence is found.

With her help, I could no longer avoid writing Jenn and Chad’s story. It was a difficult one to write, but it’s also a story filled with hope.

Chad’s Choco-Latte Recipe

Ingredients

2 shots of espresso

3/4 cup whole milk

3 tablespoons of milk chocolate (chips or sauce)

2 tablespoons English toffee sauce (Chad’s secret recipe)

Whipped cream

Instructions:

Steam milk with chocolate chips or sauce to 150°F
Pull 2 espresso shots (Make sure your shots don’t sit longer than 20 seconds or they will expire!)
Add English toffee sauce to the bottom of your cup or mug
Add espresso shots to your toffee sauce
Pour steamed milk into your cup or mug, making sure the milk hits the far side of your mug to help incorporate the ingredients
Stir if needed
Top with whipped cream and extra English toffee sauce if desired