Author Reputation Press

“Heavenly Grief” by Don and Karen Clifford is among the books displayed by Author Reputation Press during the 76th Frankfurt Book Fair in Frankfurt, Germany, on October 16-20, 2024.

The 76th Frankfurter Buchmesse (16–20 October 2024) puts a spotlight on current topics in the world of international publishing and on today’s socio-political issues. At the same time, it is expanding the venues that allow readers and authors to interact, with an emphasis this year on the growing desire younger readers have to engage with literature. The book fair’s opening ceremony took place on 15 October 2024 under the motto “FBM24 is Read!ng—Read. Reflect. Relate.”

Frankfurter Buchmesse is one of the world’s most important stages for current debates on international and socio-political events. In Frankfurt, we bring together the people whose business is ideas, open a constructive dialogue on pressing issues, and meet on equal footing with those who have different views.

Frankfurter Buchmesse strives to be the key business event for our customers, providing them with all the components they need to succeed. We achieve this by informing them about important trends and topics, enabling their contact with important players in the respective markets, and, above all, helping them pave the way to innovative business models in the book and media industry. All year round. On an international scale.

We see the book fair as a platform to share our passion for good stories and to experience creativity that engages all the senses. It’s where the fans and friends of renowned authors can meet and enjoy close encounters with their idols. At the heart of it, Frankfurter Buchmesse is a crossroads where people and culture meet. Frankfurter Buchmesse stands for respect, diversity, and tolerance. We celebrate our wide range of different participants, whom we engage with at eye level in open dialogue.

This year, Frankfurter Buchmesse is once again demonstrating its indispensability as a venue for professional exchange in the global book industry, thanks to its fully booked Literary Agents & Scouts Centre (LitAg), the largest meeting place of its kind worldwide, as well as an expanded audio area and an increase in international stages and trade events, including high-ranking CEO talks.

The mission of Author Reputation Press is to foster literary connections between authors and readers. In line with this, ARP displayed several of its remarkable books at the largest book trade fair in the world. The book gallery was even more interesting because of the large variety of genres in the exhibition. 

The book “Heavenly Grief” by Don and Karen Clifford offers a profound exploration of grief through the lens of Christian faith. Don and Karen Clifford are lifelong Christians who have faced unimaginable losses as they have experienced the deaths of three of their children. These personal experiences shape the core narrative of their book, where they discuss the challenges and lessons learned during their journey of grief.

The book recounts specific tragedies, including the accident that led to the death of their 2-year-old son, Mike, and the prolonged suffering of their daughter, Rachel, who battled a severe brain injury. They also reflect on the heart-wrenching drowning of their daughter, Beth. Through these narratives, Don and Karen illustrate the multifaceted nature of grief and the grace they found in faith.

Don and Karen Clifford are life-long Christians whose marriage and faith have survived the loss of three of their living children. Because of their total dependence on God during the multiple losses, they began to learn things about surviving grief that weren’t covered in the textbooks. They not only learned how to survive the losses, but how to recover in a reasonable time and return to a joyous Christian life. They simply learned (sometimes through trial and error) to avail themselves of the help and comfort God provides.

Don and Karen discuss the help they found and how God’s provisions are all part of His all-sufficient grace. They offer practical guidance to help avoid traps that can easily lead to continuing sorrow. They focus on the recovery process and the spiritual lessons that can help the grieving individual find healing and go on to a full and happy life.

As young parents, Don and Karen lost their 2-year-old son Mike, who suffered from seizures, when he suffocated in his bedding in the night. A few years later, their baby daughter Rachel contracted spinal meningitis at 3 months but lived in a severely brain-damaged body for over 3 years. Finally, their 5-year-old daughter Beth, who also suffered seizures, died in a bathtub drowning accident at the age of five. Two of their daughters survived and are now married and have given Don and Karen six grandchildren.

Both Don and Karen have served faithfully in their churches, team teaching adult Bible classes for most of their adult lives. Don worked as an aerospace engineer while Karen was kept busy in the home with their children. Later Karen became a travel agent, and the couple traveled extensively, leading or participating in mission trips around the world. They are now retired and reside in St. Charles, Missouri.

​The central theme of “Heavenly Grief” is about finding spiritual and emotional healing amid profound sorrow.​ The authors emphasize their total dependence on God throughout their trials, highlighting how this relationship has provided them comfort and strength. They share insights into the recovery process, focusing on how to navigate the complexities of grief without falling into despair.

“Heavenly Grief” serves as both a memoir and a guide for those grappling with loss, combining deeply personal reflections with biblical principles. The overarching message is one of hope, emphasizing that despite despair, a joyous life is attainable through faith and reliance on God.

Visit the Author Reputation Press official social media accounts for more updates.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

The reCAPTCHA verification period has expired. Please reload the page.