“…Mom’s accusations pressed up from inside, but I shoved them away.” Laura Davis never really had a strong bond with her mother, Temme, but when she published The Courage to Heal in 1988, something told her that it would further weaken their relationship. While her book helped thousands of childhood sexual abuse and incest survivors, it did not do any good to their already strained relationship. However, going public with her grandfather’s abuse was inevitable for her personal growth and of those around her. As Laura and Temme try to rekindle their relationship, Laura goes through raw, uncontrollable emotions. She experiences a flood of varied emotions, ranging from love to hate, fear, anger, melancholy, and even a bit of humor. It was become easier with thousands of miles between the two. As Temme travels to her daughter, the ghosts of her past reappear. Will Laura find enough strength in her to forgive her dementia-stricken mother before it’s too late?

The Burning Light of Two Stars: A Mother-Daughter Story by Laura Davis is a riveting tale of acceptance, forgiveness, healing, and compassion.  It is filled with humanity and moments that are inspirational. The author’s ability to capture raw emotions while exploring the consequences of sexual abuse is a quality that sets the narrative apart. While extraordinary in its inimitable way, this mother-daughter story is something most will find easy to relate to. Putting this book down will be a challenge, and even after readers are done reading the entire story, the characters and the well-crafted, cinematic scenes will stay with them for long. Laura’s ability to explore complex emotions and painful realities with clarity shines through the narrative, an element of the writing that will grip the reader strongly. Battling cancer was tough enough for the author, but how she managed to tackle the struggles of this mother-daughter relationship is nothing short of inspiring. Reading this book will give readers a chance to re-evaluate their relationships and maybe even make that one phone call they’ve been dreading for years.