Movie Review: He Calls Me Daughter

About the Movie:

HE CALLS ME DAUGHTER is for women who have felt unseen, unsupported, or unsure of their worth. Through intimate, first-person stories, viewers follow women as they begin to name the pain they’ve carried for years: father wound. Audiences are invited to reflect on their own story as they walk alongside these women on a journey toward healing. HE CALLS ME DAUGHTER is an invitation to experience the love of a Father who does not withdraw—One who offers peace, belonging, and restoration.

Buy tickets today to see HE CALLS ME DAUGHTER in theaters only 3/17-3/18!

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Movie Trailer:

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My Thoughts:

I knew that watching HE CALLS ME DAUGHTER would likely stir my emotions as the abandonment by my biological father and the abuse by my step-father produced deep wounds in me as a child. I’m so thankful for the healing work that Jesus has done in my life, but I still find it difficult to relate to God (Jehovah) as a good father. Perhaps I’ll someday look back and see this movie as a stepping stone to experiencing God as Father. As the women related their stories, I could empathize with their pain and I felt affirmed. I was also reminded that I’m not the only one with father wounds. Even though the movie’s structure meant that more than one woman’s story was told at a time, it was not hard to follow each narrative. The stories and discussions held my attention from beginning to end.

Because HE CALLS ME DAUGHTER can be an effective tool for understanding and promoting healing for women, I recommend HE CALLS ME DAUGHTER to anyone ages 13 and up (due to hard, gritty situations that are included). I suggest it to women with father wounds, friends seeking to better understand a friend’s struggle, churches and small group leaders seeking to serve the women in their churches, and to parents as a reminder of a daughter’s need for unconditional love.

Many thanks to HE CALLS ME DAUGHTER for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.

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More Resources:

• A Heavenly Father changes everything. HE CALLS ME DAUGHTER hits theaters March 17 & 18 only.

• Purchase tickets at: Fathom Entertainment.

• After you see the movie, visit the official website, hecallsmedaughter.org, to download a free study guide.

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Giveaway:

One commenter will win a $10 Amazon giftcard. US addresses only. Enter by leaving a comment on this post with your full name (required by the tour company) and email. Alternatively, you may email me (beautyinthebinding@gmail.com) with your full name for a giveaway entry. Giveaway ends 3/18/2026 at 11:59 PM. Winner will be notified via email.

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Book Review: The Unhiding of Elijah Campbell by Kelly Flanagan

About the Book:

Recipient of the Illumination Book Award.

Recipient of the Nautilus Book Award.

Elijah Campbell is on the verge of losing his writing career, his faith, and his marriage when a recurring childhood nightmare drives him back to his hometown, Bradford's Ferry. There, his encounters with loved ones both past and present shed light on the reason his wife left him—and the meaning of his nightmare. However, beyond the light he begins to glimpse something even more terrifying—a decision he must make either to continue hiding the secrets of his past or unhide the only thing that can save his marriage: himself.

In psychologist Kelly Flanagan's non-fiction works (Loveable, True Companions), he drew from clinical insight to explore the spiritual depths of identity and relationships. Now, in this debut novel, he weaves a page-turning and plot-twisting tale that brings new life to those insights, along with fresh revelations about personal growth, spiritual transformation, and the dynamics of interpersonal relationships.

This visit to Bradford's Ferry will linger long after the final page has been turned, and a guide for group discussion invites further conversation about the story's themes of healing, grace, faith, forgiveness, and freedom.

Read an excerpt from The Unhiding of Elijah Campbell on the publisher's website.

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My Thoughts:

The Unhiding of Elijah Campbell stands as psychologist Kelly Flanagan’s debut novel. Flanagan’s expertise was fully on display as Elijah, the protagonist, struggled with his mental health and the buried trauma haunting his dreams. I marked many quotes while reading because I felt the truth of them. Then again, when I prepared to write this review I reread all I had marked and found the statements still worth further pondering.

The theme of “The past is behind us, but it is also, always, within us” repeated throughout The Unhiding of Elijah Campbell. As Eljah processed his trauma, he came close to suicide twice which might be a trigger for some readers. I admit, the book unsettled me with its depictions of emotional pain and a child carrying a family secret. Hard situations, complex feelings, and disturbing memories surfaced along the plot. A few mild cuss words appeared in times of frustration. The Unhiding of Elijah Campbell by Kelly Flanagan was not a pleasure read, but it held a lot of truth for survivors of childhood trauma. The book mixed self-help with fiction, and it would make a good therapy resource. Four stars!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.

Book Review: The Lost Melody by Joanna Davidson Politano

About the Book:

When concert pianist Vivienne Mourdant's father dies, he leaves to her the care of a patient at Hurstwell Asylum. Vivienne had no idea the woman existed, and yet her portrait is shockingly familiar. When the asylum claims she was never a patient there, Vivienne is compelled to discover what happened to the figure she remembers from childhood dreams.

The longer she lingers in the deep shadows and forgotten towers at Hurstwell, the fuzzier the line between sanity and madness becomes. She hears music no one else does, receives strange missives with rose petals between the pages, and untangles far more than is safe for her to know.

But can she uncover the truth about the mysterious woman she seeks? And is there anyone at Hurstwell she can trust with her suspicions?

Joanna Davidson Politano casts a delightful spell with this lyrical look into the nature of women's independence and artistic expression during the Victorian era--and now.

Read an excerpt on the publisher's website.

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My Thoughts:

In The Lost Melody, Joanna Davidson Politano weaves a story of darkness to light and despair to hope. The novel started off slow and a bit confusing due to timeline jumps (which stopped after a few chapters). I read the book in small sittings at the beginning, but the story grew on me until it was hard to put down.

The Lost Melody inhabits the dark atmosphere of Hurstwell Asylum, a Victorian-era facility in the isolated English countryside. The heaviness of hope lost weighs on the asylum patients, Vivienne Mourdant (our protagonista), and the reader. Vivienne learns first-hand about the mistreatment of the asylum patients. Seeing how the lack of compassionate care adversely affects mental health reminded me of today’s nursing home abuse.

Beyond the abuse and darkness, The Lost Melody offers polished prose, curated character development, and outstanding themes. Vivenne’s mindset changes quietly against the backdrop of this dark asylum, but she blooms with stunning light as she embraces God’s will and steps into her giftings. Politano does not allow her characters an easy out or rush the story’s climax.  I delighted in how plot events culminated and spiritual themes bore fruit to create a beautiful ending.

I recommend The Lost Melody by Joanna Davidson Politano to Christian fiction readers who enjoy a story with powerful themes set in a Gothic atmosphere. For readers who enjoyed Politano’s prior novel, A Midnight Dance, Jack and Ella cameo in The Lost Melody and I loved glimpsing their later life. Five stars.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.

Book Review: Stronger Every Day by Janell Rardon

About the Book:

Fortify your emotional health.

As a trauma-informed professional life coach, Janell Rardon spends a good deal of her day-to-day work with brokenness--broken families, broken relationships, broken hearts and souls. In response to the pleas of her clients, she developed a set of emotional-health tools to help them repair the broken parts of their lives. In Stronger Every Day, she shares these powerful tools with you, showing you how to

• transform pain into meaning
• experience secure attachment with God
• shape healthy thoughts
• shift from shame to self-compassion
• practice healthy assertiveness
• set mental and emotional boundaries
• understand triggers and defense mechanisms
• regulate emotional highs and lows
• cultivate healthy human connection

With inspiring Scriptures, quotes, prayers, personal stories, and case studies, Rardon sets you on the path of emotional health so that you can be stronger than ever--every day.

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My Thoughts:

Stronger Every Day by Janell Rardon combines Christian spirituality with modern mental health practices. I currently see a therapist once a week and we explored together the material presented in this book. In both our opinions, the content is solid and healthy.

I found Stronger Every Day by Janell Rardon immensely helpful as I continue to navigate my post-trauma life and strive to grow emotional healthier. The introduction presents Janell Rardon’s ideology and specific “Heartlifting” practices. I loved that crafting a vision for victory sits at the start. Once I began this book, I spent greater time with my journal, writing out my thoughts, experiences, and questions.

Following the introduction, each chapter presents one emotional health tool (secure attachment, cognitive reframing, healthy assertiveness, etc). The chapters begin with an explanatory portion that includes stories, Scripture, and examples. The final three parts of the chapter are loaded with specific intentions: envision, educate, and establish. These sections include various responsive prompts: prayers, affirmations, reflection questions, journal prompts, etc. With gentleness and care, the author encourages the reader to consider thought-provoking questions (which led to more journaling for me). Stronger Every Day requires mental effort and time investment, but I found the rewards worthy of the effort.

I recommend Stronger Every Day: 9 Tools for an Emotionally Healthy You by Janell Rardon to anyone who want to improve his or her mental and emotional health.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.

Book Review: Don't Overthink It by Anne Bogel

About the Book:

We've all been there--stuck in a cycle of what-ifs, plagued by indecision, paralyzed by the fear of getting it wrong. Nobody wants to live like this, but overthinking doesn't feel like something we can choose to stop doing. It feels like something we're wired to do, something we just can't escape. But is it?

Anne Bogel's answer is no. You can overcome negative thought patterns that are repetitive, unhealthy, and unhelpful and replace them with positive ones that will bring more peace, joy, and love into your life. In Don't Overthink It, you'll find actionable strategies that can make an immediate and lasting difference in how you deal with questions both small--Should I buy these flowers?--and large--What am I doing with my life? More than a book about good decision-making, Don't Overthink It offers you a framework for making choices you'll be comfortable with, allowing you to use an appropriate amount of energy and freeing you to focus on all the other stuff that matters in life.

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My Thoughts:

Don’t Overthink It by Anne Bogel is the type of self-help book to read once (or more) every year. Though the book focuses on how to deal with overthinking, much of the advice applies to overall mental health. Chapter 5 (Take Time to Make Time) and chapter 11 (Rituals to Rely On) resonated strongly with me, but practical suggestions fill the pages of every chapter. There is an emphasis on preserving mental processing/decision-making power by streamlining or outsourcing activities as needed. Almost exclusively, the book focuses on smaller decisions, not big life changes. I found that the advice and practices by the author could be implemented right away.

I recommend Don’t Overthink It: Make Easier Decisions, Stop Second-Guessing, and Bring More Joy to Your Life by Anne Bogel to anyone, though the book seems targeted to women. Whether overthinking rates as minor hinderance or a major issue, this book offers suggestions to empower one to make healthy choices.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.

Author Interview: In Sickness and In Health by Dr. David Hawkins

Earlier this month, I reviewed In Sickness and In Health: The Physical Consequences of Emotional Stress in Marriage by David Hawkins, PhD, with Tyson Hawkins, MD, and Joshua Hawkins, MD.  In my review, I gave it five stars because of its honesty, information, and healthy perspective. Read my full review here.

Today, I'm returning to In Sickness and In Health with an author interview with Dr. David Hawkins, but first, a little about the book.

About In Sickness and In Health:

Are you sick and tired of being sick and tired? 

When you first met your spouse you probably had a physical response to the emotions you felt. You’d get butterflies in your stomach, your heart would race, and your palms would sweat. So why is it that after you’re married, it’s so hard to make the connection between your physical health and your emotional well-being when you’re facing relational stress?

If your emotional pain feels physical and your physical pain feels emotional, your marriage may be making you sick—literally. Join Dr. David Hawkins and his sons, an internist and a surgeon, as they explore the effects relational stress and trauma can have on our bodies. You will learn to . . .

• recognize the link between emotional and physical pain
• embrace the power of choice to become empowered by hope
• find a path forward to ultimate restoration and regain your life

No matter what kind of pain you’re experiencing, or how long your health has been in decline, you don’t have to stay stuck. Discover hope and healing when you take control of your life.


Interview with Dr. David Hawkins:

What defines a toxic marriage?

Five Signs: 1. A relationship where you can’t seem to do anything right. 2. Everything is about them, not you. Your mate’s needs always trump your own. 3. You find yourself unable to enjoy good moments with him. 4. You’re uncomfortable being yourself around your mate. 5. You feel no freedom to grow and change.  

What is C-PTSD? 

Complex PTSD is chronic relationship stress, marked by the following: emotional dysregulation, difficulty with self-perception, interruptions in consciousness, difficulty in relationships, inaccurate perception of one’s perpetrators and broken system of meanings (loss of faith and meaning in life.)

Do you think that the C-PTSD that results from a toxic marriage has a disproportionate effect on women?

Absolutely.

Often, women experiencing the kind of physical maladies you describe are also experience autoimmune disorders. Is there any correlation between these types of disorders and emotional stress?

There is no doubt a positive relationship between PTSD, CPTSD and autoimmune disorders, not to mention other psychosomatic illnesses.

What are the calling cards of the type of marriage that produces symptoms of physical stress?

A toxic marriage, or marriage of high-conflict and never-ending stress, is likely to lead to physical symptomatology. The body definitely keeps score when it comes to chronic relationship unhappiness.

How does your faith inform your views on psychology and medicine? How does it inform your views on marriage?

My faith is my foundation for everything I believe about my practice of psychology and marriage counseling. I believe in the sanctity of the individual and the marriage. All decisions I make as a clinician and solutions recommended need to align with Scripture.  

What are the steps towards healing that individuals can take to recover from an emotionally damaging marriage?

First and foremost is the importance of naming the truth of what is happening. You can’t change what you won’t own, you won’t own what you can’t see and you can’t see unless you are open to feedback from others. So, after naming the problems, seek steps to change and grow. Victims of emotional abuse need specialized help to heal and perpetrators of abuse need special help as well. Getting the right help can make all the difference, especially if they stick with the healing process.

Are there preventative measures individuals can take to stop their marriage from becoming toxic?

Yes. Couples can name the toxicity at the beginning of the destructive process rather than live in denial and waiting until things are very bad. Early detection and treatment are critical.

What do you hope that readers take away from your book?  

That they are responsible for their healing, for finding the best emotional, physical and spiritual help available, and that healing is available to all.

The Good News For Little Hearts Series

From the inside cover of the Good News for Little Hearts Series:

Zoe's Hiding Place, Jax's Tail Twitches, and Buster's Ears Trip Him Up are part of the Good News for Little Hearts series, bringing gospel help and Biblical counsel to families. Based on the Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation's (CCEF) model of help and hope, each story focuses on an animal family's real-life issues, encouraging young readers toward a growing relationship with Jesus in the midst of challenging cicumstances. Each individual story guides parents toward meaningful conversations with their kids, based on what Scripture has to say about living by faith in everyday life.

Thoughts on Zoe's Hiding Place:

Both of my daughters (ages 6 and 3) claim Zoe's Hiding Place: When You Are Anxious as their favorite book of the Good News for Little Hearts series. They like the character of Zoe and the colorful illustrations hold their attention while I read the narrative. As the title indicates, this book deals with fear and anxiety. I absolutely love two things in this book. First, that Zoe and her mom talk openly about the anxiety she experiences. Second, that Zoe's fear actually happens – because Zoe has to experience the fear, remember what to do, and work her way through it. I want to teach my children to deal with anxiety in a healthy way now so that when they are older, they know how to do it. This book is an excellent teaching tool for that purpose.

Read an excerpt from Zoe's Hiding Place on the publisher's website.

Thoughts on Jax's Tail Twitches:

When I asked my daughter (age 6) what she thought of Jax's Tail Twitches: When You Are Angry, she said she liked it when the two squirrel siblings got angry with each other. That happens in our house, so she could relate to that part. I thought it was good that the book also addressed adults being angry. The characters dealt with their anger in a healthy way: reflection, verbalization, prayer, and conflict resolution with their squirrel neighbors. It ends with character lessons learned and reconciliation. I recommend this book to all families as we all experience anger at some point and this is a great resource for teaching your child to deal with it in a healthy way.

Read an excerpt from Jax's Tail Twitches on the publisher's website.

Thoughts on Buster's Ears Trip Him Up:

Buster's Ears Trip Him Up: When You Fail deals with failure and disappointment. My daughter (age 6) zooms through our house on a regular basis and Buster doing the same was her favorite part in the story. She related well to the characters and remembered the story even a few days after I had read it to her. It teaches a dual lesson that God loves us no matter what and to turn to him in our failures. These are important lessons for both adults and children and I'm thankful for this book. I can use it to teach my daughters how to address failure in life in a healthy way that encourages spiritual growth.

Read an excerpt from Buster's Ears Trip Him Up on the publisher's website.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Beyond Suffering Bible, NLT

The Beyond Suffering Bible, published by Tyndale in the New Living Translation, aims to encourage readers that in the midst of extensive, ongoing struggle, God offers an infinite, glorious hope.

Included along with the Biblical text are:

• Devotionals written by Joni Eareckson Tada, a woman who has been paralyzed since 1967.
• Profiles of others who have experienced disabilities or filled a role as a caregiver.
• Notes and articles by professionals who help those with disabilities.
• Study notes interspersed throughout the text that accentuate what the Bible says about suffering.
• Introductions to each book of the Bible that give background information as well as synopsis.
• Topical reading plans on suffering, disability, and healing.
• Reference resources: A NLT Dictionary/Concordance, maps, and a dedicated space for notes.

My thoughts:

A good blend of experiences from Joni, other people, and doctors provided authenticity and a well-rounded view of dealing with prolonged suffering. Ongoing suffering is not something the Christian world addresses frequently (at least in my experience) and there is a crucial, wonderful message that the authors really tried to bring out – God's heart for the afflicted. His tender mercies to the disabled. His protective hand in each life.

The book introductions were perfect for both those new to faith and those who are not. I found them simple to understand as they highlighted basic information and deeper themes of each book, some of which I'd not previously known or noticed.

I requested to review this book with the intention of giving it to a family member who is serving as caregiver to her husband. My expectations were met and exceeded. I recommend the Beyond Suffering Bible: Where Struggles Seem Endless, Gods Hope is Infinite to anyone struggling with disability or acting as caregiver on a regular basis to another person.

Watch a video from Joni Eareckson Tada about the Beyond Suffering Bible.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

A Love Like Ours by Becky Wade

About the book: A Love Like Ours (Bethany House, May 2015)

Former Marine Jake Porter has far deeper scars than the one that marks his face. He struggles with symptoms of PTSD, lives a solitary life, and avoids relationships.

When Lyndie James, Jake's childhood best friend, lands back in Holley, Texas, Jake cautiously hires her to exercise his Thoroughbreds. Lyndie is tender-hearted, fiercely determined, and afraid of nothing, just like she was as a child. Jake pairs her with Silver Leaf, a horse full of promise but lacking in results, hoping she can solve the mystery of the stallion's reluctance to run.

Though Jake and Lyndie have grown into very different adults, the bond that existed during their childhood still ties them together. Against Jake's will, Lyndie's sparkling, optimistic personality begins to tear down the walls he's built around his heart. A glimmer of the hope he'd thought he'd lost returns, but fears and regrets still plague him. Will Jake ever be able to love Lyndie like she deserves, or is his heart too shattered to mend?

My thoughts:

A Love Like Ours is Becky Wade's third book featuring the Porter brothers of Holley, Texas and it is my favorite. It works fine as a stand-alone story, but Undeniably Yours and Meant to Be Mine are good as well, so I recommend reading them before A Love Like Ours.

Wade's writing style is good as usual. At no point did the plot drag or rush. Jake and Lyndie are well-developed characters with flaws and strengths that make them authentic, but still remarkable. However, the story is what really enchanted me with this book. I felt like cheering as Lyndie took Silver Leaf out to attempt his first run. Lastly, I appreciated the compassion with which the author treated Jake's PTSD. As someone who's been there, I felt Wade did an excellent job in dealing with the issue without making it too tidy, too easily fixed.

I recommend A Love Like Ours by Becky Wade to fans of clean, Christian romances. It's a keeper for me as I have no doubt I'll read this series again in the future.

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1R9Tv8p

Enter the giveaway: Details here

About the author: 

Becky Wade is a native of California who attended Baylor University, met and married a Texan, and moved to Dallas. She published historical romances for the general market, took time off to raise her children, then felt God nudging her to pursue contemporary Christian fiction. Becky's work has been a finalist for both a RITA and an INSPY Award.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Healing Sands by Nancy Rue & Stephen Arterburn

Healing Sands by Nancy Rue and Stephen Arterburn is a story of surrender to God. When photojournalist, Ryan Coe finds herself in a desperate situation that she can not control, solve, or manipulate, she is forced to realize her insufficiency and anger. Her marriage has ended in divorce and her son, who refuses to speak to her, is arrested for attempted murder on a Hispanic teen. When it looks as if she will lose it all, including her sanity, she turns to Healing Choices counseling looking for a quick fix to all of her problems. What she finds is a need that is deeper than she ever imagined.

This book was so authentic that at first I did not like it. I look for authenticity in all books that I read, no matter the genre, but I was a bit unprepared for the deep authenticity that the authors used in this book. Rue and Arterburn did not gloss over life's problems with a layer of sugar and a sweet happily ever after. Instead, they opened up all of Ryan's pain and anger and scooped it all out to be dealt with and healed. How often in life do we prefer to gloss the pain over and ignore it? This books reaches into the heart of the reader and reminds them that ignoring issues do not make them disappear. At the same time, it offers healing from the Great Physician. The book may be fiction, but it is authentic enough to minister to hurting souls in this very real, painful, non-fiction world. I must confess that I was a bit disturbed that there was on very obvious situation between two people that was never resolved. Perhaps the authors plan to address it in another book in the series? If not, I would be disappointed.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from BookSneeze.com as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."