Rating: 
Summary: To Forgive But Not Forget.
Review: As a sixteen year old victim of rape, torture, and attempted murder by Robert Willie in Louisiana, Debbie Ceuvas survived the brutality this killer used to subdue her during the kidnapping. After fifteen years of remembering the nightmarish ordeal, she was able to overcome the trauma and start speaking out.
Her appearance on the t.v. show, 'Frontline,' to tell what really happened to her as opposed to Hollywood's version of 'Dead Man Walking' proved a pivotal point in her recovery. It served as a turning point whereby she was invited to speak at conferences where other participants had endured their own form of confinement and torture.
At the Cleveland, Ohio, conference in 1997, titled "Forgiveness in a Violent Society,' she shared the platform with Beirut hostage Terry Anderson. At seminars directed by Terry Hargrave, a therapist and psychology professor from Amarillo, Texas, she learned the steps to inner healing through forgiveness: insight, understanding, remorse, compensation for past hurts, through two areas, salvage and restoration.
Though she was never mentioned in the film, her testimony led to Willie's conviction. In FORGIVE AND FORGET by Lewis Smedes, she found the section, "Forgiving Monsters" relevant to her experience. Refusing to forgive meant submerging the pain, shame, and self-pity.
Forgiveness seems so hard and you wonder, "Is it really worth it?" She learned that by forgiving that human monster, she was able to trust again -- to experience the giving and receiving of love. She married Conner Morris and is now a mother.
She writes, "People often ask how I feel about the death penalty now?" Her response: "Justice didn't do a thing to heal me. Forgiveness did." I've always been opposed to the death penalty due to the fact that so many 'criminals' on death row are there through revenge and lies.
This is the previously untold other half of "Dead Man Walking,' the movie starring Sean Penn, which depicted the death row relationship he had with spiritual advisor, Helen Prejean, author of the book, DEAD MAN WALKING. Sister Helen, though she tried to save the life of a killer, admires Debbie's refreshing honesty as she dealt with the 'traumatic aftershock and the long, painful road to become whole again.' This true story of the young woman whose testimony sent Willie to the electric chair is one of courage, faith, and forgiveness.
This book is Debbie's "walk" on an incredible journey which was life-changing. THE DAILY VARIETY describes her as 'a woman who is Prejean's equal in strength and virtue.' We are asked to contemplate, "Is there any crime, any hurt, any person beyond the power of forgiveness."
Rating: 
Summary: Remarkable book - remarkable message.
Review: Debbie Morris gives hope to all survivors in her book. Kidnapped and raped at 16, she battles on emotional, spiritual and physical levels to bring her life back. Her recount of her anger and ultimate forgiveness is encouraging. Her faith in God is evident, as is the strength of her spirit. Anyone who has suffered severe trauma of any kind would benefit from book. The last chapter deals directly with forgiveness and its place in healing - and offers new insight into its abilities. Be warned though - I started this book around midnight and read until 3:00 a.m.! You cannot put it down.
Rating: 
Summary: A compelling account of the power of forgiveness.
Review: Ever wonder about the notion of forgiveness and what it really accomplishes? Who benefits--the forgiver or the forgiven? Can anything truly be forgiven--even atrocious crimes? Debbie Morris answers these questions through her gripping personal story of her journey to wholeness after surviving the violent crimes portrayed in the well known movie, Dead Man Walking.
Rating:
Summary: A Powerful Story of Forgiveness
Review: I can't say enough good things about Debbie Morris and her act
of forgiveness toward Willie. This is a powerful story about
a surviving victim, who had the courage not only to move forward but to resolve all the ill feelings she had harboured for so
long against her assilant. My heart ached and I cried for this
senseless crime against Debbie. Another wonderful book about a victim who was able to turn triumph into tragedy is A Reason To
Live by Dale Hudson and Billy Hills. Both of these books place
the emphasis on the surviving victims, and not on the killers.
Rating:
Summary: An Inspiring Story : An Incredible Woman
Review: I just recently returned from a convention of youth workers where Debbie Morris was one of our General Session speakers. To hear her story, then read it, is a powerful experience. When she spoke, there were close to 5,000 people in an exhibition hall which served as our main staging location -- as she spoke, you could have heard a feather drop in the room. Whether hearing Debbie speak, or reading her book, issues surrounding forgiveness are almost sure to surface. Please read this book for yourself, and for those in your life who need to hear this message of the power of forgivness.
Rating:
Summary: Powerful Book
Review: I originally saw this book in a discount bookstore during summer 2002. I was curious and eventually red the inside flap and back cover. I was intrigued by just that much alone. Then about a year later, I finally ordered me a used copy through a private seller on Amazon. My only regret is that I didn't order this book sooner. Debbie (Cuevas) Morris was abducted by Robert Willie and his friend. In addition, she was raped 3 times while in thier hands. Her testimony eventually lead to his death sentance, due to some previous murders he committed. Most of what was said or reported prior to this book focused on Willie, his crimes, and his eventual execution. All too often the law enforcement officials, with help from the media, are so busy tracking down a criminal that people forget all about the victims left in their wake. I do agree that we should go after the criminals and bring them to justice. But what about those affected by their crimes? Debbie Morris tells the whole thing from start to finish. But don't be mislead. This isn't just a true-crime book. Debbie also tells of the long and painful journey back that she had to make. She had to re-examine herself, her beliefs about criminals and the death sentence, and ultimately about her anger towards God. Perhaps the best part about this book is how Debbie Morris tells how she came to terms with Biblical forgiveness. Everyone in the world could certainly learn many lessons on just this alone. I say this because unforgiveness will eat you alive. Debbie stresses this point too, because she said that she was still unhappy even after Rober Wille was executed. As she states in the book, justice doesn't automatically bring about forgiveness. Sure, justice should happen. But we still have to have God's help in forgiving others. Justice in and of itslef will not make us happy and live a peaceful life inside. To Debbie Morris-thank you for writing this book. I think that your book should be a must reading for all Christians. And thank you for your strong Christian faith. To God be the glory!
Rating:
Summary: the book was excellent and quite touching
Review: I read this book in one day, I just could not put it down. Having gone through a terrible experience myself, I can totally understand where she is coming from. You have to be able to forgive before you can heal yourself. My thoughts are very mixed on the death penalty, because many times I have felt that people that have committed terrible crimes of murder do deserve to be put to death, but then again you killing that person will never bring back the person that they have killed. I do believe that if they would not have put him to death he would have escaped prison and and tried to kill Debbie. Debbie I glory in your spirit and you have most defiantely touched a place in my heart. I wish you all the best in your life, and I hope that you will keep striving for all the happiness and good in your life. What you are doing for those children is beautiful because you never know what is happening in their lives when they go home at night, at least you are giving them that ray of sunshine. I wish that I would have had the help that you had but I have been able to overcome what I went through on my own, and have used that experience to move on and strive for all my goals, and not let the hatred that I had hold me back. Peace and love I shall leave my email address Debbie if ever you would like to chat.
Rating:
Summary: forgiveness at it's best...and hardest
Review: i thought this was one of the most honest, vulnerable stories i have read. the author, debbie morris, has a faith that was tested beyond belief. her account of the traumatic events in her life at the age of 16 open the reader completely to her world. though written from a reflective point of view, it is written so that i felt like i was experiencing it with her, though i realize i hardly have the right to think that. anyone who wants to better understand or relate to a friend who is going through similar trauma should read this without a doubt. she is brave and would inspire anyone in facing reality and finding real forgiveness, within themself, and for the offender.
Rating:
Summary: Powerful and accessible...
Review: I was afraid of this book, afraid it would be a downer or too Christ-centered. Instead, I found it very moving and the spiritual journey, with its struggles and growth, was very easy to relate to. On the other hand, learning new details of the crime, especially how Debbie's then-boyfriend was tortured and attacked by fire ants, makes me feel more certain than ever that sometimes the death penalty has its place. (I've also read accounts of the death of Faith Hathaway that gave me the same feeling). Debbie's forgiveness is a path to peace for her, and an inspiration to me.
Rating:
Summary: The other side of the story to Dead Man Walking
Review: If you have read Dead Man Walking, you really MUST read this book also! It is the other side of the story. Please consider reading it.
This book is written by the victim Debbie Morris. She takes you through her life (before and after the crime) and how she went on after being the victim of such a horrific ordeal. She ultimately found peace by forgiving Robert Willie. The parents of another girl that had been victimized and murdered by Robert Willie were the opposite of forgiving - they were filled with rage, hate and bitterness. The contrast between Debbie's response and their response really stood out to me. Debbie found peace and they did not...
This book also gives a different perspective on Robert Willie than the one given by Sister Helen Prejean in Dead Man Walking. Debbie portrays Willie as being the one in control. He was domineering, the leader, and heavily influenced his partner in crime Joe Vaccaro. In Prejean's book, Willie is portrayed rather the opposite!! (Should we be surprised that someone on deathrow might not honestly describe themselves?)
Overall, this is a well-written book about the power of a forgiving spirit. Please consider reading it to get both sides of the story of Dead Man Walking.
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