"Once I started reading, it was impossible to put it down.
A must read for crisis and trauma counselors and volunteers."

"The Garden Song is a multi-layered journey filled with symbolism and metaphor as the author explores significant themes of the strength and resilience of the human spirit, the power of loving relationships, forgiveness, and trust."

"Alternating events of the perpetrator's life story with those of her own life and childhood, the author provides stark contrasting examples of the role of nature and nurture in human development. This theme is insightfully balanced with the sharing of the similarities we all possess by virtue of being human, thus increasing the power of this very personal story."

"The Garden Story is especially suited to the education of professionals and volunteers working in trauma and crisis intervention and as a textbook for students in social work, psychology, nursing, and justices studies. The book accomplishes what no other textbook can -- an in-depth personal story."

Eleanor Pepi Downey, MSW, PhD
Director - Social Work Program
Lewis-Clark State College (Idaho)

"The Garden Song is a valuable resource for victims of violent crime, the people who love them, and the care providers who work with them. Since most rape victims choose to hide behind the cloak of anonymity, this book provides a unique opportunity to understand the pervasive impact of rape and to explore healing in new ways."

Andrea Bershad, MSW
Volunteer Therapist
Coeur d'Alene Women's Center

”Shocking and Inspiring! Cheri Calvert’s Garden Song cuts deep to the racing heart of terror and redemption. With eloquent precision and unblinking candor, her fresh voice and singular vision take us where few dare to journey while challenging us to rise above our best selves to nurture the enduring hope of the Human Spirit.”
Gala Muench, M.F.A.
Siren Song

“Approach this book with reverence for you are entering the holy
temple of the Heart. There we encounter an unwashed tapestry of grief and tragedy, woven with such profound sweetness, reflection, and tenderness that it succeeds in wrapping us in a blanket of healing hope.”
Patricia Berger
Blue Lotus Sanctuary

“I found myself really wanting to know what happened, and then when the author finally tells us, I regretted my fervor for the details.“
anonymous