At forty-three, Laurie Jacobson believed her life was over. Trapped in a remote farmhouse in rural Pennsylvania, she was married to a man who had once inspired her, but who had become emotionally abusive and increasingly hostile toward her Jewish identity. Feeling isolated, broken, and desperate for relief, she makes a bold decision: to attend a silent retreat at a Buddhist monastery in the mountains of West Virginia.

In Unexpected Awakening, readers are taken on an intimate journey of healing, personal growth, spiritual renewal, and self-discovery. Through quiet mornings, humble chores, sacred chants, and meditation, she begins to unlock the wisdom and courage that had been within her all along.

Unexpected Awakening: 22 Days at a Buddhist Monastery Freed Me from Abuse, Laurie S. Jacobson, Blue Sky, Paperback, 336 pages, $17.99

Laurie S. Jacobson is a writer, Certified Health Coach, and lifelong seeker inspired by the Buddha's teachings. A graduate of Boston University with a degree in psychology, she has spent more than 25 years promoting natural health and wellness through education, media, and hands-on practice. Her career has included everything from managing health-focused businesses to teaching yoga, meditation, and nutrition classes for all ages. She has contributed to local and national publications, hosted the "Cooking for Health" segment on WJAC-TV, and developed the "Healthy Living" program for Somerset Hospital. At twenty-six, Laurie left city life behind for the wild beauty of rural Pennsylvania where she split wood, cooked wholesome meals, and scribbled stories on legal pads beside a woodstove. Today, she lives a quiet, contemplative life in Virginia-aging gracefully, writing honestly, and always learning. Visit her at www.lauriesjacobson.com.