Taken

The Inspirational True Story Of One Mother's Epic Win Against Social Services

Fiction - Inspirational
224 Pages
Reviewed on 02/19/2016
Buy on Amazon

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Author Biography

Sue O’Callaghan lives in Auckland, New Zealand, with her four children.
Born the middle of three girls, in Bedfordshire, England, she has travelled the world and experienced life in many capacities. An accomplished artist and experienced teacher, she inspires many through her desire to see the lives of others transformed.
Her inspiring story, involving having her children removed from her through false accusations, is the basis on which she claims that all difficult life circumstances can be seen as a trigger to catapult one into a life of rich blessing and abundance. Her tenacity to fight for her children’s return, combined with her passion for life, are a truly motivating fusion which draw others to her love of all things.
Sue’s artistic eye and affection for beauty is seen not only in the physical environment she creates, but also in her vision for the lives of others.
“Without love”, she says, “there can be no compassion. It is compassion that brings life to all things.”

    Book Review

Reviewed by Dr. Oliva Dsouza for Readers' Favorite

Taken: The Inspirational True Story Of One Mother's Epic Win Against Social Services by Sue O'Callaghan is one of the most emotionally touching and draining non-fiction stories I have come across of late. Sue just doesn't know what conspiracies have been hatched behind her back and how the Social Services and legal systems are going to spectacularly fail her in her quest to get justice. In a nightmare situation where her husband disappears with her three young children without a clue, Sue struggles hard to come to terms with the amount of treachery and lies that have gone into separating her beloved children from her. With fabricated accounts of her mental illness, her husband manipulates the legal system to make sure Sue's life becomes a living hell. What does a single, pregnant woman do when she is in a do or die situation? Does she triumph or give up on her struggle to get back her children?

Sue O'Callaghan deserves all the accolades and success she is experiencing today. As a mother, it was horrible and unbelievable to read about the trauma that was inflicted upon Sue and her kids. It is scary to think that systems that have been created to uphold family health and safety can be blatantly misused and manipulated. One feels a variety of emotions ranging from sadness, anger, rage, joy and relief while reading this book. This is one woman's tale about her fight for justice and what is right for her children. A must-read for women who face domestic violence and are scared to talk about it.

Mandy Hoskin

Harrowing, disturbing, truthful and honest. Injustice exists, in our legal and social systems. This is no fairy tale.
Can you place a copy of this book in the hands of someone who needs to be comforted, or challenged to make changes?

Penny Phillips

Most of us have watched countless movies and read an equal amount of books that we forget exactly what they were about, or even that we ever spent our precious time taking them in.
In a day and age when we are inundated by the stimuli of a never ending limitless choice of new movies to watch and books to read, there are some that you never finish and simply "forget about".
"Taken" is a book that I have read and a book that impacted me to the core of my being.
It is a true story that I will carry in my heart forever.
Life is FULL of injustice! Lacking in real love and compassion.
Sue and her children's painfully traumatic and seemingly hopeless situation speaks to all of us who have, are or will be facing a painful trauma of our own that may appear to be completely hopeless and overwhelming.
It's a testimony of how the love of a mother fuels her to be courageous beyond measure and human ability in the face of a war in where she was in the minority.
Sue o Callahan is a modern day "David" who stood before a terrifying giant over their period of more than a year and slayed him!
Her message of courage and strength beyond her own ability, overcame evil and will encourage and inspire you.