Startling Beauty: My Journey from Rape to Restoration

Amazing story of a woman and her families brave journey through sexual assault, forgiveness and the brave choice to life over an easy way out.... there are several ignorant reviews from people who have not read the book - this book is not about race - this book is about having the courage and faith to overcome hardships in life - this is not a sympathy plea book - for the millions of women who have encountered sexual assault this is a journal of comfort and hope. From the opening chapter when Heather gives birth to a still born baby you realize this woman has more strength than you could ever imagine... God can use any situation for good -if we let Him lead.

Heather Gemmen delivers the honest account of her journey from rape to restoration in Startling Beauty. Heather and her husband, a young white couple, were living out their convictions about racial reconciliation in a tough, predominately black, inner city neighborhood when their faith and marriage were tested beyond unbelievable limits. The author, who had also faced the stillborn birth of her third child and infertility in the year before being raped, details her raw struggle with racism, fear, marriage, loss, abortion, and faith. She trumpets the message that only God could turn a woman's worst nightmare into something beautiful.The opening chapters of the book provide the backdrop for Heather's moving story. She retraces the steps that led her family into the inner city neighborhood where they lived and eventually caused them to question their wisdom and safety in such a move. During this unsettling time, Heather and her husband buried one newborn and tried to become pregnant again. Their local church, which was also committed to racial reconciliation, provided invaluable support in their struggles. Eventually, the Gemmens find peace in their circumstances and decide to stay in the neighborhood. But their peace is intruded upon one night while Heather's husband is away when a black man enters their home and rapes her. The author portrays each of these events with an honest admission of her feelings. The reader is given a rare and privileged glimpse into the window of another person's soul and the wrestling with thoughts that goes on in that private place.Heather headlines each chapter with her private thoughts and battles. These thoughts are directed at her attacker, revealing what she would say to him if given the opportunity. In the prologue, the author describes her lack of courage to share her story: 'Do you see? Your few minutes of ecstasy haunt my entirety. Because of you, even words turn against me. How else will you rape my life?' Chapter seven walks the reader through the reality of abortion and the choices left to a rape victim. In the wake of such brutalizing, Heather must decide what to do about a potential pregnancy. She begins this chapter with the words, 'Do you have a conscience? Do you ever wake up in a cold sweat at night and wonder what you have done? I do. You have raped, but I attempted murder.In the final analysis, Startling Beauty is real and unbelievable at the same time. Heather's account reads more like a moving work of fiction, though the reader is always keenly aware of the raw emotions that surround this very real story. At times the writing is flowery with overdone descriptions, but the story itself is riveting. Women will enjoy the author's straightforward treatment of such personal issues as intimacy, rape, loss, and birth. Men may find valuable insights into their role as protector and spiritual leader. Ultimately, Startling Beauty is an incredible story that champions God's ability to bring something beautifu

I could not put it down! Heather's assault was, of course, disturbing, but the bulk of this book deals with revelations after the fact! This is not a whiney victim's book. This is the chronicle of a human being who was forced to take a critical look at herself and evaluate her own character, then found herself "weighed, but wanting." She saw the rickety foundations of her pro-life stance, then her hypocrisy as a minister to poor blacks in her city. It all came crumbling down when she found she was pregnant with a black rapist's child.

I found the story of Heather Gemmen's rape and her decision to keep and raise her daughter riveting. The book inspired me. The poetic writing held me spellbound. I lived in Heather's skin through the entire story. I wept when she wept; laughed when she laughed. I don't know if I would have had the strength to do what Heather did before I read the book, but because of the beautiful way she presented the story, I might be able to do it now -- with God's help. Thank you, Heather, for being so transparent with us.

Startling Beauty is a powerful, page-turning story that reads like a best-selling novel with one difference - this is a TRUE story! Heather Gemmen's openness and honesty about the choices she and her husband faced after she was raped will move you to tears and to cheers. God truly can work good from all things!