Customer Reviews

A Journey to Hell and Back

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Charlotte Russell Johnson shared her story in a way that was simultaneously provocative and reaffirming! She carried her readers on a well-orchestrated journey with many interweaves of truisms that concern this earthly existence. It is difficult to imagine a person's ability to come away from "A Journey to Hell and Back" without asking the existential question - "What is the meaning of Life?" Surely, Ms. Johnson caused this reader to reexamine the question, and to reckon with the power of the human will to survive. However, Ms. Johnson moved a step beyond survival. She has PREVAILED!! She prevailed beyond her overwhelming yearn for acceptance that this reader sensed throughout her story.
Charlotte Russell Johnson's story is like a nightmare. It reminds this reader of a child's sudden awakening from a nightmare, and the child finds that his mother is there, saying all those appropriate things, like "it is going to be okay, I am here, hold my hand". And when Ms. Johnson awoke from her nightmare, she found God there, and realized that He was there all the time. He was reassuring to her that she would be okay and that she is His child, and thereby, meeting the greatest acceptance of all. Yes, Charlotte Johnson has been to hell. However, more importantly, she came back. Just as the great Shirley Caesar frequently says, "if there is a way in, then there is a way out." If you are not sure, just think about Calvary.

Best Wishes Charlotte,
James

This book takes you thru the life of a woman who has truly been to hell and back and has survived to tell the story. She is very explicit that it was only the power of God that saved her and continues to sustain her. If you think have been thru hell, read this book because it is a survivor's kit to salvation!!!!!!!

This book was a refreshing change from the books that our book club normally reads. I have always viewed myself as a good mother, but have reconsidered this role after reading this book. This book has taught me what unconditional love means. I am now practicing these principles with my children. Any mother who believes she has reached the end of her rope with her child needs to read this book. You will come away with the ability to hold on until the change comes. The mother in this book held on during days that were dark and appeared hopeless. Charlotte may have been to hell and back but it seems her mother went at least 7 times on her shoulders.

"A Journey To Hell & Back" was Charlotte's written journey through her own personal hell. The story tells of many trials and tribulations that she has faced throughout her lifetime, and how she has overcome so many obstacles making her the living testimony that she is today. The story is filled with heartache as well as personal triumps and let's the reader know that, no matter what your circumstance may be, once you've been "Tried In The Fire", you can come out "As Pure Gold". This book is Charotte's testimony of just that.

Angela Weathered...

This awe inspiring book was meant to motivate and encourage the readers to seek new vision for their life. This book has a accomplished its mission. It's hard to walk away from this book feeling discouraged or disappointed. The characters are real and vividly presented. There are characters who you will love and others you will hate. The book is a story of miracles. Yet there is something deeper than the interesting details of the book. Within each page there is a special message for the reader. The book has an easy flow. However, the depth of the book provokes you to read the book over and over again as you face new trials in your life. The book demands a second edition.

I enjoyed the book. It makes a great book for a comparative literature study with Dante's Inferno. I found my self wanting to help the main character, Charlotte. The other people were so real. Some you loved and some you hated. I found myself in this book. It reminded me of some of the things that I have been through. It motivated me to move on.

The book is a journey of survival against all odds. The scenes are extremely vivid and well written. It is a book of overcoming adversity. A Journey To Hell and Back provides a blueprint to survival. The story details a mother's strength and love for the child of her womb. It an inspiration for others who think they are alone or hopeless. The book is a must read.

This book takes you by surprise and doesn't let you go. There is so much excitement packed between the pages that you may easily become overwhelmed. It's very tempting to read in one setting. However, after reading at this pace, you have to read it again. It makes you come alive and alert. In the end, you're surprised because healing has taken place. The author deals with the issues of today in a very open manner. The book is written in a language teenagers understand. REALNESS!!

After over 20 years of silent suffering, author Charlotte Russell Johnson penned the details of the most shocking events of her life in her first novel, A Journey To Hell and Back. This gripping saga takes the reader to places that are only read about or seen in the movies. Through this compelling novel, Ms. Johnson opens up her soul, risking everything in hopes of reaching beyond the breaks to bring salvation to many of the souls now trapped in purgatory. Parallel to the Footprints In The Sand, Ms. Johnson was never truly alone; during the most difficult times of her journey, God picked her up and carried her. Her unwavering faith in God became the catalyst for the divine change in her life.
The Girlfriendz Book Club

I read Journey to Hell and Back in 2 days (which is no small feat with 2 little ones). Her life is a perfect example of how the devil and the Lord are both drawing us to them. They put before us death and life and ultimately it is up to us to chose whom we will serve and who we will belong to. On this earth, it seems that that the draw to a sinful destructive way of living is more powerful. Yet, as Charlotte so honestly expresses, when the scales fall from our eyes we can see how God is protecting us even in the midst of a horrible situation. Why and when the scales fall off is a mystery. But we do know God desires that ALL of us come to be free from a life of destroying ourselves and our loved ones through self physical abuse of our bodies and the mental and emotional pain that follows a life of sinful indulgences. What's more is Charlotte doesn't just leave us with a yearning for our own healing. She gives us her e-mail at the back of her book so we can request prayer. She responded to my e-mail in one day! Finally, I admire her courage to tell her life story so honestly. Thank you Charlotte for being obedient to the Lord's calling to write about your journey!