Wounded: A Love Story (Paperback)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: orange love seat, soul sistah, bed wench, Father Alessandro, Regina Dolores, Anthony Priest (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Burney's offbeat story, which explores what it might mean to literally share in Christ's suffering, demonstrates an edginess that both attracts and repels. Burney's protagonist, Regina Gina Dolores Merritt, is a 24-year-old black, health-conscious, bipolar, once suicidal single mom with fibromyalgia and migraines and a history of mental illness. It's a lot to put on one character. When she appears to receive the stigmata on Ash Wednesday at her Vineyard Church in Ann Arbor, Mich. (perhaps based on real-life pastor Ken Wilson and his church), a circus of sorts ensues. Druggie Anthony Priest shows up to help, as does Priest's alienated mother, Veronica Morelli. Events catapult toward an unexpected conclusion. Burney pushes the boundaries for her faith fiction audience sexually, especially in references to Christ as lover. The multiple first-person perspectives work well, but stories about saints seem inserted rather than integral, and a few characters feel overdrawn. However, Burney's unusual voice, gritty themes, and ecumenical blending should help this uninhibited novel find a home, especially with emergent church readers. (Sept.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Product Description

If a miracle happened to you, wouldn't you tell everyone? What if they thought you were crazy?

Poor in health but rich in faith, Gina Merritt—a young, broke, African-American single mother—sits in a pew on Ash Wednesday and has a holy vision. When it fades, her palms are bleeding. Anthony Priest, the junkie sitting beside her, instinctively touches her when she cries out, but Gina flees in shock and pain. A prize-winning journalist before drugs destroyed his career, Anthony is flooded with a sense of well-being and knows he is cured of his addiction. Without understanding why, Anthony follows Gina home to find some answers. Together they search for an answer to this miraculous event and along the way they cross paths with a skeptical evangelical pastor, a gentle Catholic priest, a certifiable religious zealot, and an oversized transvestite drug dealer, all of whom lend their opinion. It's a quest for truth, sanity, and grace . and an unexpected love story.

See all Editorial Reviews

---

Product Details Paperback: 384 pages Publisher: David C. Cook; New edition (September 1, 2008) Language: English ISBN-10: 1434799387 ISBN-13: 978-1434799388 Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies) Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews) Amazon.com Sales Rank: #410,509 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

---

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

› Visit Amazon's Claudia Mair Burney Page

Front Cover | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!

Search Inside This Book:

---

Inside This Book (learn more)

Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
orange love seat, soul sistah, bed wench, sacred stigmata, victim soul

Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Father Alessandro, Regina Dolores, Anthony Priest, Vineyard West, Gina Merritt, Saint Francis, Ash Wednesday, Padre Pio, Holy Spirit, Miss Dolly, Veronica Morelli, Thank God, Saint John of the Cross, Ann Arbor, James Caviezel, Catholic Church, Cloretta Robinson, Saint Anthony, Companions of Jesus, Sister Franny, Jesus Christ, The News, Good Friday, Saint Teresa of Avila, Jim Caviezel

Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!

Search Inside This Book:

---

What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

	58% buy the item featured on this page: Wounded: A Love Story 4.8 out of 5 stars (8) $10.19
	15% buy Deadly Charm (Amanda Bell Brown Mystery Series, Book 3) 4.5 out of 5 stars (23) $11.19
	12% buy Zora and Nicky: A Novel in Black and White 4.4 out of 5 stars (36) $10.07
	8% buy Death, Deceit & Some Smooth Jazz (Amanda Bell Brown Mysteries, No. 2) 4.8 out of 5 stars (19) $11.10

Explore similar items

---

Tags Customers Associate with This Product  (What's this?) Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people. Check the boxes next to the tags you consider relevant or enter your own tags in the field below.  african-america n fiction(4) christian fiction(4) claudia mair burney(2) fiction(2) interracial romance bwwm(1) literary(1) sacrifice(1) saints(1) spiritual(1) stigmata(1) Agree with these tags? See all 11 tags... Your tags: Add your first tag

Search Products Tagged with   See most popular tags

---

Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store

If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store. Learn more

---

 

Customer Reviews

8 Reviews 5 star:  (6) 4 star:  (2) 3 star:    (0) 2 star:    (0) 1 star:    (0)           Average Customer Review 4.8 out of 5 stars (8 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews 9 of 9 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Powerfully, Toe Crushingly Poignant..., September 10, 2008 By  Kelly Klepfer (Iowa) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)       Wounded is a challenging novel. Personally challenging in what will I, an evangelical Christian who has concerns about Catholic doctrines, do with a book that is very much about saints, stigmata and Christ's wounds? For starters, I won't recommend it to anyone who is confused about Mary worship vs. Christ worship. Can I recommend it to those who are mature enough in their walk with Christ that they know His words and His heart? Yes I can, because a person who is mature is going to be able to discern the truth throughout, within and behind this novel about very broken people who are in need and receipt of scandalous grace. I know folks who won't read C.S. Lewis because of his deep questions. Others in my circle of influence don't believe a Catholic can be saved because of the tradition and error that stands between soul and Savior. Still others label things outside of their experience and knowledge heresy. If you fall into any of these camps, don't pick up Wounded because you will be offended. However, if you believe that Jesus works today as He did when He walked the earth, that He is not bound by our expectations, that He is lavish and almost wasteful with His grace then read the first chapter. If you are intrigued by stories of those who sacrifice everything for Jesus or powerful and unexpected healing from hideous consequences and lives, Wounded may speak to the very center of your soul. If you are broken and don't want to be broken anymore, if you feel like you are a blindman and you are looking for another blindman who can accompany you while you search for freedom you may want to stumble to the bookstore to pick up a copy of this novel. Claudia Mair Burney writes with passion and poignancy. She also writes as if she is using "ink" from her own veins. Her characters are haunting. People who are broken, blind and needy, and people I recognize when I walk through my safe little suburbs and sometimes even when I look into a mirror. Wounded is not for everybody, but it is for some. I think you will know who you are. 9 of 11 people found the following review helpful: 4.0 out of 5 stars unique inspirational tale , September 20, 2008 By  Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews (#1 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)    In Ann Arbor, Michigan, due to her health issues, twenty-four years old African-American Regina "Gina" Dolores Merritt is very aware of her fitness as she suffers from bipolar, fibromyalgia and migraines. Gina has tried suicide when her mental wellbeing turned so bleak even for her depressing standard, but miraculously (or in her mind despondently as even Hell rejected her) she survived. She turned to Jesus for salvation for her and her child Zoe as she feels she shares his suffering. On Ash Wednesday at the Vineyard Church Gina attends, she is stunned and near hysterical when Christ wounds, the stigmata, begins to appear on her. As the flock is in shock with this seeming miracle occurring to the crazy person, word begins to spread around Ann Arbor. Many assume Gina the insane did it to herself as the self proclaimed pious prophets insist Jesus would never pick a certifiable suicidal single mom. However soon afterward, addict Anthony Priest offers his help to the beleaguered stunned single mom as does his estranged mom Veronica Morelli; but even Gina wonders what does either expect to gain with their self-proclaimed pious offers. This unique inspirational tale is an entreating character study, but not your typical faith fiction. Jesus is treated both as a person with human lovers and as the Son of God; while Gina is the last person anyone would expect as the Chosen One. The story line is told mostly from a first person introspective that rotates amongst the key players; especially fascinating is Gina, the self anointed oldest twenty-four years old person in the world. Through her, the audience obtains an insightful exacting look at sharing Christ's suffering rather than the distant metaphysical metaphor that is like the Iraq War for many Americans. Although there is some intrusive padding involving saints, readers who prefer well written but different spins to their Christian literature will enjoy the crazy woman's miracle. Harriet Klausner 4 of 4 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Powerfully devastating book about passion for Christ, September 8, 2008 By  Christina Lockstein "http://christysbookblog.... (Oconto Falls, WI USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    Wounded by Claudia Mair Burney is the unlikely story of a young, black single mom, Gina, who experiences the wounds of Christ on Ash Wednesday, the drug-addicted journalist, Anthony, who can't seem to stay away from her, and the story that God makes through them. As a Protestant, the stigmata is something that seems unreal to me, more than a little bit crazy, and Burney tackles the story from just that frame of reference. Gina suffers from bi-polar disorder and is a Protestant, so even she can't be sure if this eruption of bleeding from her hands and feet is real or just another twist of her fragmented mind. Anthony has been a drug addict for so long, he doesn't know any other kind of life, and more than three hours away from heroin has him writhing in pain from withdrawal, but one touch from Gina's hands, and the craving and addiction is gone. Anthony and Gina become connected to each other while he cares for her and her daughter, Zoe. Anthony tells Gina stories of saints who have suffered stigmata throughout the centuries to help her make sense of her own story that is quickly disintegrating. Anthony's mother, Veronica, has caused him no end of suffering through her hatred of his conception. When she discovers Gina and her wounds, she takes charge and determines to make this her chance to be a part of something bigger. Her religious zealotry gives the story a sense of urgency and also helps ground the story. Burney captures the wide range of reactions to Gina's story with startling clarity. The most powerful message in the book is Gina's passion for Christ, her Lover. The faith that I experience is so weak and watered down compared to the love that she (and the other stigmatics from history) bears. Gina makes me want more. I want that kind of passion in my faith, even if it means suffering. I want to love God that whole-heartedly. Burney weaves Scripture with the writings of saints into a powerful love story that leaves the reader wounded, wanting more from their own faith.		Ad feedback   Most Recent Customer Reviews 5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful, Wonderful and Easy read!!!! This book was recommended to me by my sister. I could not put this book down. Mrs. Burney is a fantastic writer, I found myself smelling the roses and seeing the bloodstains. Read more Published 13 days ago by M. J. Visger 5.0 out of 5 stars True Love Story I love this new novel from Claudia Mair Burney. Yes, it reminds me of Ron Hansen's Mariette in Ecstasy, but whereas Hansen seems to know the intimate ins and outs of a monastic... Read more Published 2 months ago by Jon M. Sweeney 4.0 out of 5 stars 4 1/2 Stars...Daring yet Respectful Claudia Mair Burney emerged as a fresh new voice on the scene a few years back, and she continues to push the envelope with stories that explore the dance--sometimes sacred,... Read more Published 8 months ago by Eric Wilson 5.0 out of 5 stars A story of belief and redemption Regina and Priest meet on Ash Wednesday, Priest is high and dying from constant drug use and Regina is praying for relief from the constant pain she feels. Read more Published 11 months ago by Jacqueline Chapman 5.0 out of 5 stars I Loved being Wounded! It's been a long time since I read a book that was hard to put down, touched my emotions on all levels, and had me thinking about its characters way past the ending. Read more Published 13 months ago by Gina Conroy Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews

---

Customer Discussions

This product's forum Discussion Replies Latest Post No discussions yet Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight Start a new discussion Topic: First post: Receive e-mail when new posts are made Prompts for sign-in   Guidelines Active discussions in related forums Discussion Replies Latest Post christianity -Trinity-Do all Christians believe in it? 478 31 seconds ago religion Gospel birth narratives: why does Matthew feature wise men, and Luke feature shepherds? 12 58 seconds ago christianity Why Catholics Need Christ 8495 1 minute ago religion Science speaks on God 581 11 minutes ago fiction Must-reads for a 17-year-old? 14 4 hours ago fiction Have You Written a Nonfiction Book - Tell Us About It 71 5 hours ago christian fiction Suggestions for clean,suspense/horror? 23 2 days ago Search Customer Discussions Search all Amazon discussions

The African-American Fiction community Latest activity 5 hours ago 3,864 customers have contributed 2,799 products, 135 discussions and more... › Explore the community The Christian Fiction community Latest activity 47 minutes ago 6,128 customers have contributed 4,348 products, 567 lists & guides and more... › Explore the community The Fiction community Latest activity 2 hours ago 24,582 customers have contributed 25,947 products, 4,158 lists & guides and more... › Explore the community Related forums african... (135 discussions) christian... (55 discussions) christianity (1023 discussions) fiction (396 discussions) religion (1023 discussions) Explore more › See all Customer Communities › Your communities

---

Listmania!

Books I think I want to read! (list 3): A list by Hildy Ann   Interracial Books IV: A list by Justine "JJB"   for white anti-racists: A list by C.J.A. Create a Listmania! list

Search Listmania!

---

So You'd Like to...

"forget your day and wind-down": A guide by Alicia Gaines "Avid Reader"   Spare-Time Reads You'll Enjoy (also) Food Books: A guide by Anna "Book-Nook"   Read Modern African Literature (Part II): A guide by Laughing Tree Create a guide

Search Guides

---

Product Information from the Amapedia Community

Beta (What's this?)

Be the first person to add an article about this item at Amapedia.com.

› See featured Amapedia.com articles

---

Look for Similar Items by Category

• Books > Literature & Fiction > World Literature > United States > African American
• Books > Religion & Spirituality > Christianity > Literature & Fiction > Fiction

---

Look for Similar Items by Subject

Search Books by subject:
Christian life & practice
Religious & spiritual fiction
African American single mothers
African American women
Christian fiction
Drug addicts
Love stories
Stigmatization
Fiction
Fiction - Religious
Christian - General
Fiction / Christian / General
General & Literary Fiction


i.e., each book must be in subject 1 AND subject 2 AND ...

Ad feedback

 

Feedback If you need help or have a question for Customer Service, contact us.  Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images? Is there any other feedback you would like to provide? Your comments can help make our site better for everyone. Please note that we are unable to respond directly to all feedback submitted via this form, but we'll ask you to sign in so we can contact you if needed.

Your Recent History

 (What's this?)

After viewing product detail pages or search results, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in.

› View and edit your browsing history

Get to Know Us Careers Investor Relations Press Releases Amazon and Our Planet Make Money with Us Sell on Amazon Join Associates Self-publish with Us › See all Let Us Help You Shipping Rates & Policies Amazon Prime Returns Help

Canada | China | France | Germany | Japan | United Kingdom  And don't forget: Amazon Windowshop | AmazonWireless | Askville | Audible | DPReview | Endless | IMDb | Shopbop | SoundUnwound | Warehouse Deals by Amazon | Zappos Conditions of Use | Privacy Notice  © 1996-2009, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: David C. Cook; New edition (September 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1434799387
• ISBN-13: 978-1434799388
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #410,509 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Powerfully, Toe Crushingly Poignant..., September 10, 2008

By	Kelly Klepfer (Iowa) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

Wounded is a challenging novel. Personally challenging in what will I, an evangelical Christian who has concerns about Catholic doctrines, do with a book that is very much about saints, stigmata and Christ's wounds? For starters, I won't recommend it to anyone who is confused about Mary worship vs. Christ worship. Can I recommend it to those who are mature enough in their walk with Christ that they know His words and His heart? Yes I can, because a person who is mature is going to be able to discern the truth throughout, within and behind this novel about very broken people who are in need and receipt of scandalous grace.

I know folks who won't read C.S. Lewis because of his deep questions. Others in my circle of influence don't believe a Catholic can be saved because of the tradition and error that stands between soul and Savior. Still others label things outside of their experience and knowledge heresy. If you fall into any of these camps, don't pick up Wounded because you will be offended.

However, if you believe that Jesus works today as He did when He walked the earth, that He is not bound by our expectations, that He is lavish and almost wasteful with His grace then read the first chapter. If you are intrigued by stories of those who sacrifice everything for Jesus or powerful and unexpected healing from hideous consequences and lives, Wounded may speak to the very center of your soul. If you are broken and don't want to be broken anymore, if you feel like you are a blindman and you are looking for another blindman who can accompany you while you search for freedom you may want to stumble to the bookstore to pick up a copy of this novel.

Claudia Mair Burney writes with passion and poignancy. She also writes as if she is using "ink" from her own veins. Her characters are haunting. People who are broken, blind and needy, and people I recognize when I walk through my safe little suburbs and sometimes even when I look into a mirror.

Wounded is not for everybody, but it is for some. I think you will know who you are.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars unique inspirational tale , September 20, 2008

By	Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews (#1 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

In Ann Arbor, Michigan, due to her health issues, twenty-four years old African-American Regina "Gina" Dolores Merritt is very aware of her fitness as she suffers from bipolar, fibromyalgia and migraines. Gina has tried suicide when her mental wellbeing turned so bleak even for her depressing standard, but miraculously (or in her mind despondently as even Hell rejected her) she survived. She turned to Jesus for salvation for her and her child Zoe as she feels she shares his suffering.

On Ash Wednesday at the Vineyard Church Gina attends, she is stunned and near hysterical when Christ wounds, the stigmata, begins to appear on her. As the flock is in shock with this seeming miracle occurring to the crazy person, word begins to spread around Ann Arbor. Many assume Gina the insane did it to herself as the self proclaimed pious prophets insist Jesus would never pick a certifiable suicidal single mom. However soon afterward, addict Anthony Priest offers his help to the beleaguered stunned single mom as does his estranged mom Veronica Morelli; but even Gina wonders what does either expect to gain with their self-proclaimed pious offers.

This unique inspirational tale is an entreating character study, but not your typical faith fiction. Jesus is treated both as a person with human lovers and as the Son of God; while Gina is the last person anyone would expect as the Chosen One. The story line is told mostly from a first person introspective that rotates amongst the key players; especially fascinating is Gina, the self anointed oldest twenty-four years old person in the world. Through her, the audience obtains an insightful exacting look at sharing Christ's suffering rather than the distant metaphysical metaphor that is like the Iraq War for many Americans. Although there is some intrusive padding involving saints, readers who prefer well written but different spins to their Christian literature will enjoy the crazy woman's miracle.

Harriet Klausner

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Powerfully devastating book about passion for Christ, September 8, 2008

By	Christina Lockstein "http://christysbookblog.... (Oconto Falls, WI USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

Wounded by Claudia Mair Burney is the unlikely story of a young, black single mom, Gina, who experiences the wounds of Christ on Ash Wednesday, the drug-addicted journalist, Anthony, who can't seem to stay away from her, and the story that God makes through them. As a Protestant, the stigmata is something that seems unreal to me, more than a little bit crazy, and Burney tackles the story from just that frame of reference. Gina suffers from bi-polar disorder and is a Protestant, so even she can't be sure if this eruption of bleeding from her hands and feet is real or just another twist of her fragmented mind. Anthony has been a drug addict for so long, he doesn't know any other kind of life, and more than three hours away from heroin has him writhing in pain from withdrawal, but one touch from Gina's hands, and the craving and addiction is gone. Anthony and Gina become connected to each other while he cares for her and her daughter, Zoe. Anthony tells Gina stories of saints who have suffered stigmata throughout the centuries to help her make sense of her own story that is quickly disintegrating. Anthony's mother, Veronica, has caused him no end of suffering through her hatred of his conception. When she discovers Gina and her wounds, she takes charge and determines to make this her chance to be a part of something bigger. Her religious zealotry gives the story a sense of urgency and also helps ground the story. Burney captures the wide range of reactions to Gina's story with startling clarity. The most powerful message in the book is Gina's passion for Christ, her Lover. The faith that I experience is so weak and watered down compared to the love that she (and the other stigmatics from history) bears. Gina makes me want more. I want that kind of passion in my faith, even if it means suffering. I want to love God that whole-heartedly. Burney weaves Scripture with the writings of saints into a powerful love story that leaves the reader wounded, wanting more from their own faith.