About the Book
Author: Johanna Frank
Genre: Christian Nonfiction / Memoirs/ Christian Death and Grief
Release Date: October 2, 2025
Through a vision, God told Hanna he was going to take her child. Seven years later, he did.
The Voice I Couldn’t Ignore
Hanna’s relationship with God is undeniably unusual—of that, she is certain.
Kept secret for three generations, a stranger’s prophecy that a window from heaven would open was aimed squarely at her. But instead, deeply wounded scars shut her off from that promised breeze, sealing away any hope for self-worth and true identity. As the years continue and she navigates motherhood, she’s drawn in and shaken by vivid dreams and visions—some illuminating, others quite alarming.
“Did God just tell me he’s going to take my child?”
When the fiercest storm of Hanna’s life strikes—a brutal whirlwind of unseen daggers—it hurls her skyward only to shatter her fragile house of faith, leaving her to wrestle in a deep pit of relentless grief. She can’t imagine trusting a soul on earth to explain why God moved the way he did in her life. And even if she tried, no one would ever believe her.
“Don’t get comfy down here.” For all her inner warnings, she’s bound in anguish and despair with no visible way out.
So she begins to piece together the God-given dreams and visions, aligning her interpretations of his handiwork in the Holy Land with Scripture. From these fragments, she shapes a parable of her own—an illustration of a new house of faith. This one on a solid foundation with gentle reminders of truth, particularly the one that sets her free: it takes the Trinity to lift a soul.
Keep a window open. Catch the breeze that binds.
Based on a true story.
Click here to get your copy!
My Review
This is a raw fictionalized memoir and is not for the faint of heart. Hannah is honest about her struggles with the loss of her daughter. Frank is a skilled author, her writing aptly portraying an agonizing journey, writing in a lyrical way. I was a bit put off by all the initial visions, voices and dreams as that kind of spiritual experience is foreign to me. I was glad to read that her journey ultimately led her to more of the traditional Christian experience I am used to.
Frank writes of experiences many may relate to, such as believing God had told her He was going to heal her daughter, only to have her die. The accounts of her daughter suffering from cancer are agonizing. The accounts of Hannah's reactions and feelings are raw.
This is a good fictionalized memoir and a great example of how one could write one's own story.
My rating: 4/5 stars.
About the Author
Her award-winning A Lifeline Fantasy Series includes The Gatekeeper’s Descendants (Readers’ Favorite 5-Star Medalist), Jophiel’s Secret (Winner of the 2023 General Market Suspense Fiction Award and the Christian Speculative Fiction Award), and Here Lyeth (finalist for The Word Guild’s 2025 Christian Speculative Award).
In addition, Johanna has just released a creative memoir, The Voice I Can’t Ignore, a deeply personal work that explores God’s abundant mystery and healing.
More from Johanna
This story leads the reader through an ancestral prophecy, profound visions and dreams, and a mother’s journey through symbolisms in the Holy Land. It shares how she guided her teenage daughter through a devastating diagnosis while wrestling with God, and reveals her spiritual rebuilding of an unshakable house of faith in the aftermath of loss.
Blog Stops
Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, January 10
Simple Harvest Reads, January 11 (Author Interview)
A Reader’s Brain , January 12 (Author Interview)
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 12
Artistic Nobody, January 13 (Author Interview)
Texas Book-aholic, January 14
Guild Master, January 15 (Author Interview)
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 16
Fiction Book Lover, January 17 (Author Interview)
Cover Lover Book Review, January 18
Tell Tale Book Reviews, January 19 (Author Interview)
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, January 20
Blossoms and Blessings, January 21 (Author Interview)
Stories By Gina, January 22 (Author Interview)
Mary Hake, January 22
Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, January 23 (Author Interview)
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Johanna is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
https://gleam.io/j2Twg/the-voice-i-couldnt-ignore-celebration-tour-giveaway
I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Celebrate Lit. My comments are an independent review.
(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.)
14 comments:
This sounds like a really interesting book!
Sounds interesting
I liked the review.
What first inspired the story behind this book?
Everyone's journey is different, God reaches out in many ways to capture our attention :)
Thank you so much, Joan, for taking the time to read and then share your view—I truly appreciate it! This isn’t the kind of book someone necessarily picks up at just any time; I think/hope it will find its purpose where it relates and when it's needed most. Again, thank you.
Sounds like a spectacular read.
You are a new author to me ,sounds like a great read.
You are a new author to me , sounds like a really good read
Sounds intense.
Thanks! Love new readers.
I suppose it is. Though, sometimes, I think our deep conversations with God can get intense when things don't go our way and we can't understand why.
Thanks for sharing. Sounds like a great read.
This looks like a great read. Thanks for sharing.
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