Discover Half Agony, Half Hope – Wholly Free Edition
He survived ten years of abuse. Now he must learn how to live again.
Rick Wentworth endured captivity and cruelty no father should face—shielding his children while silently breaking under trauma that did not disappear when the doors finally opened.
Rescued at last and given refuge in his best friend Darcy’s home, Rick is free—but freedom does not silence PTSD. It does not restore trust overnight. And it does not teach a wounded man how to hope.
Then there is Marianne Dashwood—the paramedic who helped rescue him. Steady, compassionate, and unafraid of his scars, she begins to show Rick that survival is not the same as living. As friendship deepens into something neither expected, he must decide whether he can risk love, fatherhood, faith, and the future he believed was stolen forever.
Awarded 2nd Place in Christian Romantic Suspense (2025) and praised in a 5-star Reader’s Favorite editorial review, Half Agony, Half Hope – Wholly Free Edition is a trauma-informed Christian romantic thriller exploring:
• A father rebuilding life after abuse
• PTSD portrayed with honesty and emotional depth
• Friendship, loyalty and chosen family
• Emotionally safe second-chance love
• Faith that restores without denying pain
Loosely inspired by a chilling true story and echoing the enduring devotion of Captain Wentworth, this is a story of hard-won hope that does not look away from darkness.
The Wholly Free Edition Includes Exclusive Bonus Content:
• A companion devotional for readers rebuilding after trauma, grief, or captivity
• Powerful reflections on healing, grace, and restoration
• An exclusive bonus chapter from Marianne’s point of view
For readers who crave emotionally honest fiction about survival, fatherhood, redemption, and hope rising after devastation—this is the definitive edition.
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Praise for Half Agony, Half Hope – Wholly Free Edition
“Austin deftly but gently peels back layer after layer… showing that real healing begins through God’s grace and the care of others.”
★★★★★ Readers’ Favorite
“If you love suspense with meaning and heart, this one stays with you long after the last page.”
★★★★★ Amazon Review
“The author weaves a heartfelt devotional with her work of fiction about a man imprisoned for a decade. The suffering, flickering of hope and finally the redemption are all back by a comparable & powerful, scripture from the bible. I especially loved the contrast between Satan’s lies and the contradicting scripture showing the lie to be false through God’s promise.”
★★★★★ Amazon Review
“As a person of faith, I found the spiritual themes especially meaningful. The story is filled with profound reminders of God’s presence, grace, and the strength that comes from believing. It’s a heartfelt, unforgettable read that lingers long after the final chapter. Kudos to the author!!!”
★★★★★ Goodreads Review