We’ve all faced challenges, and author/speaker Yvonne Ortega has faced more than her share. But she has persevered in trusting God and shares her wisdom with others. She is making her latest book, Moving From Broken to Beautiful, available for the winner of my book drawing. Check below to find out how you can put in your name.
Here’s my interview with Yvonne to tell you about this wonderful new book.
Yvonne, you’re celebrating the release of your new book, Moving from Broken to Beautiful: 9 Life Lessons to Help You Move Forward. What led you to write that book?
Friends often asked me how I survived and thrived after a domestic violence marriage, divorce, single parenting, breast cancer, several car accidents, and the loss of my only child. When I answered, they would say, “You need to write a book about that. It would encourage other people.”After I heard some version of that response dozens of times, I sensed God leading me to write the book.
All those trials make me think the book might be somber or depressing. Is it?
On the contrary. Notice that the subtitle is 9 Life Lessons to Help You Move Forward. The style of writing is positive and hopeful. Friends tell me my sense of humor keeps the message upbeat.
How does your work as a licensed professional counselor influence the book?
I became a therapist after the divorce. My training and clinical experience helped me to focus on change for the better rather than being stuck in the past. However, my writing and speaking are not based exclusively on my training and clinical experience but also on the life lessons I learned. Although I’ve also used stories from other people, I have changed names and some identifying details to protect their privacy.
What makes Moving from Broken to Beautiful an interactive book?
The introduction of Moving from Broken to Beautiful suggests how readers can utilize the book. At the end of each chapter, the readers will find three activities, three affirmations, three Scriptural readings, a prayer, and two pages to journal their thoughts and emotions about the life lesson in that chapter. The book emphasizes application of the life lessons.
What additional resources make Moving from Broken to Beautiful an interactive book that encourages the readers?
Appendix A has thirty additional affirmations to encourage the readers. Appendix B has thirty additional Scriptural readings to give the readers hope that they, too, can move from broken to beautiful. Appendix C lists and describes helpful links for cancer, divorce recovery, domestic violence, grief recovery, and substance use recovery.
The book has 103 pages. Did you have a reason for keeping it short?
Yes. People who are going through a major illness or some other crisis don’t have a lot of time to read. They want help and hope, but they want them quickly.
Where can the readers purchase Moving from Broken to Beautiful?
They can go to Smashwords, Create Space, and Amazon. They can buy a paperback book or an e-book for the Kindle, iBook, Nook, Sony Books, Deisel, Flipkart (India), and Kobo (Europe).
Yvonne Ortega is a Licensed Professional Counselor, a Licensed Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner, a Clinically Certified Domestic Violence Counselor, and bilingual professional speaker. She is the author of Moving from Broken to Beautiful: 9 Life Lessons to Help You Move Forward and Finding Hope for Your Journey through Breast Cancer (Revell). She’s also a contributing author to The Embrace of a Father and Transformed. Her website is www.yvonneortega.com. Yvonne is on the board for Christians in Recovery, speaks for Stonecroft Ministries, and is the Stonecroft Regional Speaker Trainer for Virginia. She loves to speak to audiences in either English or Spanish about her journey in moving from broken to beautiful and enjoys hearing from her readers.I’m glad Yvonne is willing to make a copy available to the winner of my drawing. Enter your name by making a comment on my blog or email me: KathyCollardMiller @ gmail.com (omit spaces). I’ll draw the winner on Friday evening, May 8th. When you make a comment on my blog, please check back to discover the winner since my system doesn’t provide me contact information to reach you.
Good Evening dear friend! Getting closer to nailing down plans for our trip to LA, so looking forward to seeing you, and possibly meeting Larry, too! Goodness, so much catching up we have to do! I'll email you by the end of next week because I'll have all my arrangements made by the 5th.
Small world! Yvonne is a member of my church! 🙂 And this past fall, I led worship one Saturday when we had a small women's conference and she spoke to our ladies.
Love you friend…soon!
Thanks for entering your name, Shelly! And so excited about seeing you! Yeah! Glad you know Yvonne. She's a special lady.
Congratulations, Shelly! You are the winner. I'll contact you privately to coordinate you getting the book. So glad you've already enjoyed and benefited from Yvonne's ministry!