Heartbroken Open: A Memoir Through Loss to Self-Discovery

I finished Heartbroken Open last night. I am grateful for this beautiful book, written from the hand and heart of a wise woman. Kristine's journey is expressed with raw, authentic insight and self observation. Thank you for sharing with us, and congratulations on finishing this gift to Richard, your daughters, your grandson, yourself, and to us, your readers.

At first I thought, I have not had a tremendous loss so may be this book would not be applicable to me. In fact, it has given me inspiration to live everyday to the fullest. To appreciate my loved ones for the here and now. I love the Zen inspiration found throughout the book, as well. Kristine Carlson is a gifted writer who finds eloquence in her words. She has taken her devastating story of losing her husband at a young age and found strength from her experience and tools on how to deal with the situation. Her life path may not have been what she chose, but she accepts what destiny has taken her onto this road. I have spoken to newly divorced friends and found corelations from their experiences and recommended the book to them, as well. Their married lives wasn't a waste but may be a first chapter in their lives and now, like Kris, they are starting their second chapter. Again, life has chosen this path and Kris helps steer the reader through perhaps some of the toughest times anyone will have to experience in their lives. You can feel her pain and realize by facing the situation and "going through the fire" that healing can begin and thus, start to live your life again. Life is not dead for the surviving spouse. I highly recommend Heartbroken Open. Love your children and husband everyday! Kathy Anderson

When I first read Heartbroken Open, I forgot that it was my mother's own words written on the page. In fact, at some points within the book, I had forgotten that I experienced some of this journey with her. Every single woman can relate to her story in one way or another, even if you haven't experienced any type of loss. This is an absolutely breathtaking and moving memoir that reaches deep into the heart and soul and leaves you with an unforgettable message about eternal love, life, and most of all, healing and growing from life's greatest tragedies. This is the kind of book you could read over and over again and each time finish the book feeling a new level of inspiration and motivation for personal growth. Heartbroken Open teaches you that even when you reach an all-time low in your life, you can still heal, and even grow as an individual from that experience. If you have ever loved someone so deeply and wondered what it would be like to live without that love, you should absolutely read this book. It is stunningly beautiful and I hope that everyone, at some point, gets an opportunity to read this amazing memoir. I couldn't be more proud of my mother for her authenticity, honesty, and ability to share her life-changing journey with the world.

Kristine Carlson's honesty, openness, and vulnerability in this memoir represents true and authentic feelings that people rarely tap into and express. In this book she not only expresses her motions of going through grief, but she gives us hope that there is so much to live for and learn from after loss. Her beautiful writing and deep thought process has made this a page turner that everyone can relate to. Everyone has been through some hardships, no matter how big or small, that Kristine can help inspire hope to get through. She shows us all of this in her amazing, heartfelt and loving memoir. Heartbroken Open: A Memoir Through Loss to Self-Discovery

HEARTBROKEN OPEN is an exquisitely written memoir of Kristine Carlson's heart-opening journey through loss following the sudden death - in 2006 - of her beloved husband, one of my dearest friends, Richard Carlson. Kris's writing is masterful and deeply engaging. She has created one of those rare, precious books you can scarcely put down. Each page contains deeply felt, eloquently described sentiments, and beautifully articulated perceptions. By opening - for the reader - an intimate window through which to see and feel the loving pulsations of her heart and the storms of sadness and disbelief in her mind, Kristine offers us an intimate, inspirational vision of how to face one of life's most difficult events . . . and ultimately grow - spiritually - in ways we never imagined possible. Richard wrote DON'T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF. Kristine shows us - through sharing her own experience - how to handle "the BIG stuff!" I have read (and written) many, many books on surviving and growing through the experience of profound loss. But I have seldom read one that is so well-written, insightful, wise, helpful, and heartfelt. I highly . . . proudly . . . and sincerely recommend this book!