Broken Keys, Beautiful Memory – Paperback

At the piano, Betty could captivate a room. Away from it, she struggled to find the peace she brought to others through music.

The oldest of seven children, Betty learned responsibility early in a home marked by loss and violence. Music became her refuge-and later, the means of supporting children of her own.

But talent and determination could not protect her from heartbreak. A young marriage, the death of an infant daughter, betrayal, and growing dependence on alcohol left wounds that reached beyond Betty herself. Her children loved her, yet too often carried responsibilities that should never have been theirs.

Hoping for a fresh beginning, Betty moved from Ohio to Key West. What finally helped her change began with something far smaller: an invitation to coffee, a place among people who understood, and the courage to admit she needed help.

In this compassionate account of Betty’s life, Karen Kazimer Shockley follows a gifted musician’s journey through motherhood, addiction, recovery, and faith in Jesus. Her story makes room for the consequences of painful choices while bearing witness to the possibility of forgiveness and lasting change.

Broken Keys, Beautiful Memories is Book Two of Memoirs of Faith, alongside Snow on the Quilt.

Includes KJV Scripture, prayers, 39 reflection questions, and leader and participant discussion guides for personal reading, book clubs, or church groups.