All I had to do was look at Jim's face. Even though deep inside me I knew, I still asked, "What is it? What's wrong?" Jim just stood there and looked at me, tears running down his face. In a small, trembling voice I asked, "Is it Taylor?"

The tragic and sudden loss of Karen Gruden's twenty-one-year-old daughter, Taylor, ushered in a heartbreaking period of darkness for the grieving mother. Days, months, and years of deep grief and pain left Karen apathetic to life, to the point of merely existing.

But to Karen's surprise, her shattered heart became the starting point for a new journey with God. Aware of God's presence during those dark days and mindful that He was her invisible, ever-present lifeline, Karen's small faith gradually began to grow, ultimately and beautifully healing and sustaining her. God showed up by extending the grace that was needed and even showed her miracles, gifts, and tender mercies throughout the healing process.

Never Alone chronicles Karen Gruden's transformation from brokenness to wholeness-from believer to fully devoted follower of Jesus. No longer defined by tragedy, Karen shares her emotional and inspiring story of beauty from ashes, emerging on the other side of grief with strength, purpose, and joy.