Kellyn Roth's Reviews > A Prayer Unanswered

Dear Prayer,

Thank you for letting me be honest.

I've been working on this story before I even wrote book 4. Honestly, before I finished book 3, too, and maybe book 2.

This is the book I wanted to write for Alice all along. Full of pain and heart-wrenching darkness. World crumbling - God stronger. Heart breaking - God healing.

This story allowed me to go as dark as I, in the innocence of youth and then in the hesitance of an adult who has seen too much darkness, shall ever wish to go. Yet I found so many truths there. Because the light shines brightest when unaccompanied.

But the darkness comprehends it not.

Yet it made me realize the need for a book 7 and 9, too. It made me realize how healing never stops after the climax - it only begins. This is the beginning of Alice's story, really, where I had thought it was book 1 or perhaps book 3.

We are ever an unfinished project, and literature is often used as a form of escapism. I can never promise readers that.

You, my dear Prayer, helped me realize so much about who I am as a writer. I rewrote earlier books for you - I rethought earlier themes for you - I understand what God desires me to do with my writing because of you.

So let's get going! Get out there! Depress people - and hopefully point them toward God in the end!

Love,

Your Author

Official Content Guide for A Prayer Unanswered:

Language:

None.

Goodness knows (x2), goodness (x1), thank goodness (x1), for heaven's sake (x3), in heaven's name (x1), thank heavens (x1), heaven forbid (x1), "I swear it" used as a promise (x1), "I swear," as in "I was sure" (x1), Alice (x982), table (x48)

Violence:

Nothing on-page.

(view spoiler)[In a moment of insanity, I wanted to say, "Alice's existence is an act of violence" but then I remembered … and yeah, that's too dark, even for me. (hide spoiler)]

Sexual:

Several married couples are physically affectionate on-page in a very G or PG way. Some kissing mentioned, they share a bed, etc. The main characters both mention a couple times in a vague way that they've been intimate (mostly because that's how babies are made). Nothing gratuitous.

Situations from earlier books are brought up. (view spoiler)[This involves a brief mention of children conceived in sexual assault and the trauma undergone thereof. A character doubts her worth based on this but is ultimately assured her life has value despite the evil of her conception. Some of it is only vaguely alluded to. (hide spoiler)]

A minor character is known for making innuendo-laced references in a PG way. He's not approved of. Another character makes an allusion toward a character needing more information about presumably sexual things.

Ivy slips up and mentions that verse (1 Corinthians 7:9) to Peter & almost dies, so I suppose this should also go in the "violence" category.

Other:

Talk about pregnancy, wondering whether or not characters are pregnant, a few mentions of pregnancy symptoms. Menstrual periods (referred to as "bleeding" or "cycles" or "monthlies" at various times) are discussed briefly, mostly in relation to pregnancy.

Childbirth, miscarriage, and child loss happen on page and are discussed throughout the novel. It is a central theme. See spoiler.
(view spoiler)[A character has a miscarriage; related bleeding, pain, and anguish happens on page. A character loses a child to stillbirth; part of the birthing process is discussed; the child's limp body, is described. Post-partum depression is also discussed and featured in the book. (hide spoiler)]

Depression, post-partum depression (PPD), and suicidal thoughts.
(view spoiler)[A character attempts to commit suicide in a non-graphic way but is stopped. (hide spoiler)]

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I can't wait to share this story with you!

TTFN!

~Kell~