Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, 10th Jun 2026 - At its center, A Chosen Journey follows two women whose lives have been broken in different ways and who are rebuilt through courage, community, faith, and grace. Jenna Cramer is a farm wife in rural North Carolina, isolated by a violent husband and reduced to silence. Bree is a young woman consumed by addiction, hospitalized, and barely surviving. The story follows each of them through escape, recovery, and transformation before ultimately bringing them together as counselors at a Winston-Salem hospital, where they help others find the same path toward healing.

One of the book’s strengths lies in its close attention to the personal struggles of its protagonists. Lesley contrasts Jenna’s quiet endurance and determination to survive with Bree’s difficult battle against addiction, portraying both women with empathy and realism. By focusing on their daily experiences and emotional challenges, the narrative presents recovery not as an abstract idea but as a difficult and deeply personal journey.

Surrounding Jenna and Bree is a network of individuals who demonstrate the importance of compassion, guidance, and support. Characters such as Mrs. White, Dan Johnson, May, and Jake help illustrate the role that community can play in the recovery process. Through these relationships, the book emphasizes that overcoming abuse and addiction often requires not only personal resolve but also the willingness of others to extend care and encouragement.

Reflecting the author’s spiritual perspective, the book incorporates themes of faith, prayer, and the concept of “walk-ins”—souls believed to enter a body during moments of crisis to help redirect a person’s life. These spiritual elements become increasingly significant as the story progresses and contribute to its broader message of hope and renewal. Readers may also find additional meaning in the book’s dedication to Lesley’s son, who died after unknowingly using heroin laced with fentanyl. His memory informs the book’s compassionate approach to loss, addiction, and healing.

The subtitle, A Self-Help Guide to Abuse and Addiction, reflects the book’s practical purpose. Alongside its narrative, Lesley offers observations and encouragement for readers who may recognize aspects of their own experiences in Jenna’s or Bree’s struggles. By combining storytelling with guidance and reflection, the book seeks not only to engage readers but also to support those facing similar challenges in their own lives.

Tamara L. Lesley is an author and spiritualist whose work explores themes of healing, faith, and personal transformation. After the loss of her son in 2015, she wrote A Chosen Journey to offer encouragement, understanding, and hope to individuals affected by abuse, addiction, and grief.

Attendees at the 2026 Beijing International Book Fair are invited to view Lesley’s work at Explora Books’s exhibition booth 5A.B14 at CNCC in Beijing.

A Chosen Journey: A Self-Help Guide to Abuse and Addiction is available through Amazon and other major digital bookstores.

About Explora Books

Explora Books is a book marketing firm located in the heart of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The company specializes in self-publishing and marketing, taking pride in its exhaustive research and creative strategies that provide wider avenues for aspiring authors to gain recognition for their works. Explora Books aims to guide authors through the complexities of self-publishing, offering convenient solutions to navigate this process. The firm fosters and redefines creativity and innovation, setting new industry standards. Explora Books is dedicated to empowering authors globally.