Broken Water: An Extraordinary True Story

Description

She survived what was never supposed to be survived—and found what was never supposed to be found. Broken Water: An Extraordinary True Story is a deeply moving memoir for anyone who has lived through childhood trauma—and is ready to understand their story without being defined by it. With quiet power and unwavering honesty, Barbara Lane reveals a childhood marked by abuse, silence, and survival. She does not sensationalize pain—she gives it a voice. And in doing so, she shows what true resilience looks like. Readers have called this book life-changing —a story that gave them words for experiences they never spoke, and permission to feel what they thought they had to bury. But Broken Water is not only about what was lost. It is also about what was found. Decades later, Barbara’s miraculous reunion with her long-lost sisters unfolds like something sacred—an extraordinary testament to healing, grace, and the power of faith. Sustained by an unshakable belief in God, she journeys from darkness into light, discovering redemption where it once seemed impossible. Written with poetic clarity and spiritual depth, Broken Water is more than a memoir—it is a story of restoration, hope, and the enduring strength of the human spirit. For anyone who has ever been wounded, searched for belonging, or dared to believe in miracles—this is a story that stays with you. Winner - Next Generation Indie Award Book Life Review - Editor's Pick - This is a story for the broken-hearted, the searching, and the faithful—for those who know that even the most shattered lives can be made whole again. This is more than a memoir. It is a revelation. A journey from trauma to triumph. A testament that even in the most broken waters, God is still present. If you have ever felt lost, abandoned, or unseen—Barbara’s story will remind you that faith can carry you where fear cannot. A distinctive, haunting tale of family, loss, and hope.- Kirkus Review This book was impossible to put down until I finished reading every word .- Judge, 31st Annual Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Awards .” **This book contains content that might be troubling to some readers including, but not limited to, depictions of and references to child abuse, childhood trauma, neglect, and death. Please be mindful of these and other possible triggers and seek assistance, if needed, from a mental health professional.** Review: A Symphony of Love, Loss, and Unyielding Bonds: The Masterpiece You Should Not Miss - Some books don’t just tell a story — they shake you awake. Broken Water by Barbara Lane is one of them. Lane writes with unflinching honesty about child abuse, neglect, and family separation, all through the lens of her own extraordinary life. As a young girl, she was adopted into the home of an abusive mobster and cut off from her eleven sisters — told they were no longer her “real family.” That loss reverberates through every page, but so does her courage. What makes this book remarkable isn’t just the pain Lane endured, but the way she transforms it into a call for change. Her storytelling lets readers look straight at the hardest truths without turning away, and instead of leaving us stuck in shock or pity, she stirs something deeper: a sense that action is both necessary and possible. Her decades-long search to find her sisters — chasing lead after lead, never letting hope die — is as gripping as any novel. Against all odds, the story comes full circle in a reunion that feels almost miraculous. It’s a reminder of what persistence can do, and how sacred family truly is. Lane’s voice is lyrical yet grounded, poetic but never distant. She has that rare gift of turning trauma into testimony, and testimony into inspiration. Broken Water is not just her autobiography; it’s a testament to resilience, a call to protect children, and a book that will linger with you long after the last page. This is literature with a purpose. And it deserves to be read, talked about, and remembered. Review: A heartbreaking story beautifully written. - This book is both horrifying and spiritually moving. The resilience of these women and their unbreakable bond is one you won't soon forget. The author's Christian faith and the love for her sisters shines through a sordid story. The lives of these women and all they have overcome a testament of the indomitable human spirit. Barbara Lane's storytelling is interesting and her words lyrical. If I could, would give this book 20 stars.