Lydia’s Song

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Lydia’s Song
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Bibliographic Information

Title: Lydia’s Song: The Story of a Child Lost and a Woman Found
Author: Katherine Blessan
Publisher: Instant Apostle
Publication Date: 19 September 2014
Formats: Paperback, eBook
Paperback ISBN: 9781909728196
Length: 193 pages
Language: English
Genre: Contemporary Fiction / Social Issues

Synopsis

Lydia’s Song follows Lydia, a British expat living in Cambodia whose life becomes intertwined with Song, a vulnerable Vietnamese girl who slowly finds safety and affection under her care. Just as Lydia begins to settle into a purposeful life marked by connection and responsibility, tragedy strikes: Song is kidnapped and trafficked into the child-sex trade.

Shattered by guilt and grief, Lydia returns to the UK vowing never to open her heart again. But years later, an unexpected knock at her door reveals a grown-up Song — alive, changed, and carrying the painful yet miraculous story of her survival.

Their reunion sets the stage for a deeply emotional journey of truth, trauma, forgiveness, reconciliation, and redemption as both women face the wounds of their past and the hope of healing.

Themes & Major Elements

  • Human trafficking and child exploitation
  • Trauma, guilt, and emotional healing
  • Cross-cultural relationships and identity
  • Faith, forgiveness, and moral courage
  • Resilience and the power of human connection
  • Dual perspectives spanning different countries and cultures
  • Hope and restoration after profound suffering

Critical Reception & Reviews

Reviewers frequently describe Lydia’s Song as powerful, haunting, and deeply moving. The novel is praised for:

  • Its sensitive portrayal of child trafficking — honest and compassionate without sensationalising the trauma
  • Rich emotional depth and compelling character development
  • A dual-perspective structure that brings readers close to both Lydia’s internal struggles and Song’s painful but courageous journey
  • A balance of realism and hope, refusing to shy away from darkness but always moving toward redemption
  • Strong spiritual and psychological resonance, exploring faith, loss, and forgiveness

Readers highlight the novel’s ability to stay with them long after finishing and describe it as an unforgettable, heart-changing story.

Availability

Lydia’s Song is available in:

  • Paperback (ISBN 9781909728196)
  • eBook (Kindle and other digital formats)

It is widely accessible through major online retailers and bookshops.

Buying Options

Directly from me: Big Cartel
Online Stores: Hive, Amazon
Local Christian Bookshops
Sheffield indie shops: The Rude Shipyard, The Last Chapter

Selling Points & Reader Appeal

  • Tackles an urgent global issue through a deeply personal, character-driven narrative
  • Emotionally rich and grounded in authentic cultural settings
  • Ideal for book clubs, readers interested in social justice, or those drawn to inspirational and redemptive fiction
  • Explores hope, healing, forgiveness, and the strength of the human spirit
  • Short, compelling length — perfect for readers seeking impactful stories that stay with them