Elise Crawford's Page

REVIEWS

"Elise is a born writer. A Promise Kept is excellent."
--Alan J. Kaufman, Esq. Publishing Attorney


“Not since I read Levine's "Unattended Sorrow" or Kübler-Ross' "On Grief and Grieving" have I found such a personal and powerful journey of learning how to move through and then move on. “
–Dr. Ronald C. Sharp Kirkland, WA


By –Susan Whitfield, Genesis Beach, Just North of Luck, and Hell Swamp
(NC, USA)
Hats off to Elise Crawford, whose life has been anything but easy. She takes us through the unimaginable pain of losing the man she loves all too soon, and her unwillingness to accept for many years the fact that he is gone forever. Crawford endures through many obstacles, because she must. She has two children to raise. Somehow this remarkably strong woman finds her faith and eventually accepts what she must. Writing this book has given her the strength to begin living life fully again, and loving another without fear. I congratulate her for literally pouring her soul onto paper for those who are dealing with grief to read. They, too, can rise above it.


“As our new relationship unfolded, I gradually relaxed and let my guard down. I let myself fall head over heels and blindly in love with Mark. I proudly exposed my heart on my sleeve. He was everything I had hoped for and everything I believed that didn’t exist.”
Elise Crawford has masterfully told the story of love, loss, not just a love, but also of self and the means of how that self was found again. Elise weaves a tale of herself, all the raw emotional anguish, hurt, and utter devastation that comes from tragedy. She goes further. She tells how she overcame adversity and learned to survive after a senseless act of unprovoked violence.
“A Promise Kept” is a love story, true. But it is also a ray of hope for those that are traveling the same, if different, road of recovery after a tragic loss. With just a few well chosen words, Elise can draw out the readers’ emotions, making them laugh at Mark’s antics, cry with her in her pain, and suffer the hurt that comes with a test of faith.
Yes, “A Promise Kept” is a love story, but so much more. It is a roadmap for recovery. This is a true book to anyone wanting to find a way back from the abyss of despair. I highly recommend this work and commend, nay praise the author for her courage, openness and willingness to tell her story to help others in their struggle with grief and recovery.
As a writer, I was amazed when I found tears running down my cheeks, wetting my shirt and laughing so hard my sides hurt with just a few words. This is a must read for anyone! – Donald Drake, The Chronicles of the Kings of Randor



“A Promise Kept has everything you'd ever want to read in one book; tragedy, mystery, murder, a fairy tale love story, grief, loss, adversity, hopelessness, faith, hope renewed, triumph, a hero, and a happy ever after. I couldn't put it down. Great Read !!!” –A. Clarence Spokane WA


“Powerful. I read it in one day, I couldn't put it down.” –Betty Seattle WA


“Truly Wonderful. You deserve to be proud.” –Jennifer Bradley Seattle WA


"Amazing. I was just going to read a little and then pick it up again later, I read the whole book in one sitting, needless to say nothing got done that day. And then when I watched the video of the photos and music to the book, I really lost it. I called my husband to see it, yep he did too. Very Powerful."
–Stacy Seattle WA


“Very powerful. I think it would be worthwhile reading, not just for those in grief. I could really appreciate what you went through.”
–Richard McLane Seattle WA


“Received the book today and just finished it. WOW! Courageous project.” –Jack Carone Los Angeles California


***** (FIVE STARS) on this one! and Two THUMBS UP! It was a 'couldn't put it down' read. Congratulations Elise Crawford! Job well done!
–B. Gardner Bloomington IA


“I LOVED the book and I told my wife about it and she loved it too, she's even introducing it to her book club.”
–Bob Compton Seattle WA

“This powerful story will take you on a memorable journey through love, grief and survival.”
– Colleen Foye Bollen, Shorts: A Gateway Into New Markets

“So often we hear or read stories of tragedies but are never really given a glimpse into the lives of those affected by the tragedy. Elise's book shows us the life of a wonderful man, one I myself was blessed enough to know as my bus driver for a year. All of the news stories that came out at the time of Mark's death, none of them really told his real story, the man behind the image of the tragically murdered bus driver. In telling her story, Elise allows us to see WHY she grieved so long. I, only slightly knowing Mark, was still greatly affected by his warmth and larger than life personality, and it took me years to accept his death. Having someone tell you, "I'm so sorry for your loss" doesn't have much meaning if that person themselves hasn't also experienced a similar loss. Others who have gone through the experience of losing a loved one, whether to murder or disease, or to a tragic accident, they also have their grief to go through. Reading this book can hope fully help them complete that process. And the supernatural aspects, believe them. I myself have had a few experiences since Mark's death. “
–Ann Washburn, Seattle WA, one-time rider of Route 359