TRADE REVIEWS followed by Personal Reviews/Comments
KIRKUS REVIEW
TITLE INFORMATION
TO DANCE IN THE RAIN
A Mother and Daughter’s Journey of Hope and Healing
Keating, Clare
Ceitinn Press (206 pp.)
ISBN: 978-0-9894652-3-6; May 4, 2014
BOOK REVIEW
In this memoir, a mother and daughter defy the limitations of the human body to communicate with each other when fate brings one of them close to death. Not long after 16-year-old Alicia Townsend underwent a standard surgery to remove a cyst that was putting pressure on her brain, she had a severe stroke—with her family anxiously looking on….
The author’s style is charmingly straightforward, which makes for highly readable recollections, as she declines to sugarcoat or censor the details of her experience. This candor and sensitivity blend well with her experience as an emergency room nurse, producing a narrative that’s both medically informed and emotionally intelligent. Although the memoir is strewn with trauma, it offers a fine portrait of perseverance and redemption, as Keating reminds readers that love truly “changes the world.”
An endearingly personal, insightful account of a loved one’s illness.
https://readersfavorite.com/book-review/35832
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HI,
I JUST FINISHED THE BOOK. IN THE BEGINNING I HAD TO PUT IT DOWN BECAUSE I WAS CRYING SO HARD. VERY WELL DONE AND A REAL TRIBUTE TO YOU AND YOUR LOVE AND PERSEVERANCE. I CAN ONLY IMAGINE HOW HELPFUL IT WILL BE TO PEOPLE IN THE EARLY STAGES OF SIMILAR SITUATIONS. BUT ALSO VERY HELPFUL TO OTHERS TO SEE THE IMPACT OF LOVE AND HOW IT HEALS IN SO MANY WAYS.
PEACE AND LOVE,
BETH
“Your book…is a wonderfully crafted creative art. The story you relate is unbearably heart breaking. It is a testament to you, your daughter and the tenacity of the human spirit to strive to overcome adversity in spite of overwhelming odds.”
Padraig Lynch – Irish Contemporary Singer/Artist
Alexion National Sales Meeting – During the flight I read a book ‘To Dance in the Rain’ written by my ER colleague Clare Keating – I cried the whole flight – leaving off at ‘The Easter Miracle’. I can hardly wait to read the rest of the book on the flight home!! — at Orlando Airport (florida)
Mari-Jean M.
Just finished reading this after starting it last night after work. I have already passed It along to my neighbor to read as we do with any book we love thank you Clare Keating for being the amazing person you are and sharing your story with everyone — reading To Dance in the Rain.
Marin S.
Just finished reading To Dance in the Rain – written by my friend & coworker Clare Keating an amazingly written & touching memoir of her journey through her daughter’s fight for life. Get your own copy at www.todanceintherain.com
Crystal G.
Here I am with friend & author Clare Keating & her newly published memoir To Dance in the Rain. Although our families have known each other during the years of this journey – I couldn’t put this book down. It’s a beautiful, emotional, inspiring story of perseverance that I recommend. Visit www.todanceintherain.com to get copy.
Lisa S.
Dearest Clare,
I sat down yesterday afternoon to read your book and didn’t stand up until done. I am amazed by your story,of which I’ve actually heard very little of over the years. Your will to fight for your child was relentless! Bless your energy and very out of the box thinking! The Easter egg was ingenious!
I found myself relaying your story to my son and husband all evening.
…
I would say congrats on a job well done or a story well told,but neither would be appropriate. Instead,bless your heart for a life well lived! Bless all those who came to your support!
Love,
Jen Z
Dear Clare and Alicia,
I devoured your book the days after it arrived, well before my mishap. i cannot express to you how moved i was in reliving that time in your lives. i was suprised at how well i recalled being in the presence of your family and alicia during those months, and ultimately the later years as you all worked to recover. needless to say, i cried with each page. and then cried again and again. thank you.
Clare, you are a wonderful writer and able to balance insight with emotion in moving prose. my favorite chapter was alicia’s. i am so glad you don’t remember much of what you went through – just thank God (… ok, i had to capitalize) that you had your mom and entire family there to protect and love you. not too many are so blessed. and of course, there’s liam. he is beautiful. what a wonderful blessing for a most incredible and deserving person – and family.
thank you for giving me the joy of tears and healing – and thank you for living against so many odds and bringing joy to the world.
much love and many prayers,
Eileen
Michelle G. – April 7
I loved your book. Read it in 2 days. Had a similar situation with a child with brain tumor and some lesser complications then your family. Know the same surgeons and other doctors. So glad you are all doing well. Sending prayers your way for continued wellness
Susan L. – March 29
Clare – I got the book yesterday and finished it today. Job well done! Even though I knew the story well I could not but the book down. Very inspiring…. for none of you ever gave up. As we trained that summer for Reach The Beach, through Theresa, I learned of your situation. I believe we met at that first fundraiser and it meant a lot to see Alicia at the finish line in Hampton Beach! I’ve been impressed by Alicia ever since! I remember the Northfield race in honor of her. During the race a thunderstorm blew in. It was raining so hard and very miserable to be outside, yet as I approached the finished line there was Alicia cheering us in. She didn’t leave that finish line until the last runner crossed. I knew then that she was one determined girl and would never give up. It’s been a joy to see all her accomplishments since then. Your book, as Brian Gildea would say….. “that’s a keeper”
Sandra B E. – March 25
Dear Clare, I started reading your book last night, and could not put it down. I finished it around 12:35 AM. It is absolutely stunning!! What a gift you and Alicia have given to all who will be blessed to experience this amazing and beautifully written story. My impulsive, last minute decision to stop at the Village last evening was one that I am grateful I gave in to. Thank you so very much. I also don’t remember ever starting a book at night, no matter how good, without eventually falling asleep before finishing it. Not so last night!!! (tried to email, but didn’t go through.)
Rosamari B. K.
Finished reading the book “Dancing in the Rain” a real life story of my friendsClare Keating and Alicia Rose Townsend. What a great inspirational story! Clare an amazing mom! Alicia what a fighter! Liam is so blessed to have such an amazing mom So proud of both of you!
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