Books reviewed prior on this site prior to March 2019 were provided to me, at no charge, by the publisher, or by the author, in exchange for an honest review. I have received no further compensation for these reviews. Reviews beginning March 2019 come from a variety of sources: advanced copies, library loans, and my own purchases. All reviews are my honest opinions.

April 2, 2015

Halo Found Home {Helouise "Halo" Matzelle}

Machines beeping, the blur of medical staff running, a crash cart whizzing into an ICU room---was there any hope? A young woman lay, packed in ice, as doctors attempted to somehow stop the swelling in her brain that threatened to take her life... and her family waited. 

Six days turned into eight weeks. 

She awoke to discover that she was not the same. She saw two of everything, couldn't feel half of her face, couldn't hear from one ear, and could not speak. She couldn't even tell anyone that she felt hopeless... or could she? 

Halo Found Hope is the story of a beautiful, busy wife, and mother of three whose life changes instantly with the diagnosis of a rare brain tumor. An exceptional ENT, a brilliant neurosurgeon and a dedicated medical team tackle the tumor, setting off a series of unbelievable miracles. Helo's story is not one of survival, or of salvaging a life through a broken body. It is not about endurance through pain, but victory because of it. While the family heard her silence, God heard her prayer. Helo's story is simply this: Wherever you are and whatever you are going through, God is right there. He doesn't need to be recognized by you, to be there for you. He can replace fear with courage and discouragement with determination, if you let Him. Helo did, and that is how she found hope.


My Thoughts:
This is such an inspirational story told by Helo about her struggles to get her life back to normal. Throughout the book, she takes us on the journey of the day she found out she had the brain tumor. She describes in detail the days leading up to her surgery, and the mass of emotions that ran through her and her family as they prepared for the unknown.

Once Helo finally recovered from her surgery and resulting complications, her life has never been the same. The faith that she had prior to the surgery grew to enormous heights, and it was apparent in the stories she told of the years following her surgery.

This story is so inspirational and such an example of how God can move if we simply put our lives completely in His hands. What an example Helo is of the love and healing our God can provide.


Helouise "Halo" Matzelle led a charmed life until receiving a shocking diagnosis in 2011 of a rare brain tumor sitting over the main artery in her brain. Matzelle's passion is helping those who face various challenges and afflictions discover where true hope is found. She resides in Redmond, WA, with her husband and their three children.


Find Helo online: websiteFacebookTwitter