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Jea Santovasco
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My Stories Since The Death Of My Son Jay Austin: An American Murdered By Terrorists While Cycling The Globe Paperback – July 5, 2023

by Jea Santovasco (Author)
5.0 5.0 out of 5 stars 5 ratings
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At 389 days in of traveling the world by bicycle, my son, Jay Austin, a sweet and gentle soul, a simplist/minimalist, an environmental advocate with a love for nature, animals, all humans, and life, a writer/blogger, a phenomenal being, a 'real human being' as Jay would refer to himself, was intentionally targeted and brutally murdered by terrorists abroad simply because he was American.

This book is a compilation of stories I've written of my experiences since Jay's death, initially intended as my personal journal; capturing events, my feelings, signs sent from the other side but, most importantly, stories of trials and tribulations navigating grief, all of which another grieving mother may relate to, laugh with through tears, and realize she's not gone crazy. From personal journal to published, in sharing my experiences, hoping my stories may help another lost soul.

This book is currently available in five buying options: Hardcover with all color photos $41.65; Paperback with all color photos $23.01; Hardcover with all black and white photos $24.99; Paperback with all black and white photos $19.89; and Kindle eBook $2.99. Pricing is subject to change.

All proceeds from the sale of this book will fund my 501(c)3 nonprofit, The Jay Austin Simply Be Kind Foundation, EIN 84-3852918, also known as Simply Jay Austin, on the web at www.SimplyJayAustin.com, with our goal to create much-needed pollinator gardens. Your purchase is also a contribution to this effort.

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Previous page
  1. Print length
    426 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    July 5, 2023
  4. Dimensions
    6 x 0.96 x 9 inches
  5. ISBN-13
    979-8388532015
  6. See all details
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0C9SFXF3L
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Independently published (July 5, 2023)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 426 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8388532015
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.58 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.96 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    5.0 5.0 out of 5 stars 5 ratings

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Jea Santovasco

Jea Santovasco

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Customer reviews

5 out of 5 stars
5 out of 5
5 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Donna Ongsiako
5.0 out of 5 stars Get to know Jea and Jay.
Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2024
Verified Purchase
This book was originally written as the personal journal of a grieving mother, Jea. Her son, Jay Austin, was murdered.

The phone call that changed her life forever, the chaos and confusion around what exactly happened, the days that followed waiting to receive her son’s body back in the US and the years that have passed since.

Jea takes you on a journey that will break your heart. How brave it is that she shares her personal journal in the hopes of helping other grieving parents to know that they are not alone in their grief and how they carry it. How beautiful it is that Jea keeps Jay’s memory alive and in his memory, works hard to carry out kindnesses that Jay was known for.
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Chris
5.0 out of 5 stars This book moved me
Reviewed in the United States on October 27, 2023
Verified Purchase
Yes—this book moved me, in the way that only raw, unflinching writing can. As someone who spent two years bike touring the world right out of college—the best decision I ever made—I not only found a kindred spirit in Jay, but felt moved to tears by the words of his mom, Jea. Having cycled the exact same stretch of road in 2013 where Jay, his girlfriend Lauren, and two others would be senselessly murdered five years later, this book could have been written by my own mother.

Jea's account is an unfiltered exploration of grief, and as readers, we grieve along with her. There are sections of the book where her longing and pain is so intense that it's tempting to look away, to turn a page or two. But I think it's important to stick with Jea every step of the way. Nothing can ever fill the void of her son's passing, and the world was better for having Jay in it. This mother's brave tribute helps ensure his adventurous spirit and kindness live on and inspire others.
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Ginny
5.0 out of 5 stars The Loss of a Child is Incomprehensible
Reviewed in the United States on August 7, 2023
Verified Purchase
When I lost my husband ten years ago, I thought mine was the worst grief in the world…simply because it was mine. We usually have it in the back of our minds that we’ll lose our grandparents, parents, aunts and uncles, siblings and maybe even spouses. But children? No…that’s the furthest from our minds because it’s unthinkable. I cannot imagine the horror of finding out my child had been murdered with his girlfriend halfway around the globe doing what they loved…cycling. This is the heartbreaking story of what my friend, Jea Santovasco went through five short years ago.

Jea writes with heartfelt honesty, sharing what were meant to be private journal entries to remind her of what she did each day after her son’s savage death. Her words cut through any pretense of this being a “normal kind of grief” and take you through those first days, weeks, and months. You can feel her angst, her anger, her resentment that others get to keep living like the whole world hadn’t changed on July 29th, 2018 when a car full of terrorists mowed down and stabbed a group of tourists cycling through Tajikistan. Jea felt her words may help others understand the profound grief of losing a child so she gathered her journal posts together into a book…the sale of which will help fund the Jay Austin Simply Kind Foundation with a goal of planting pollinator gardens in Jay’s memory.

While this isn’t an easy book to read, its purpose is a noble one…one that I hope many others will contribute to by buying this book and supporting Jay’s vision of a kinder, gentler, and ecologically sound world.

Ginny McKinney, Grief Blogger
Marshmallow Ranch
One person found this helpful
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Wanda
5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommend, great book.
Reviewed in the United States on August 12, 2023
Verified Purchase
This book was written by a grieving mother after her beloved son was violently murdered by despicable terrorists. These are stories from her journal as she attempts to continue life with the pain she must endure for the rest of her life. I highly recommend this book to anyone that is struggling with the loss of a loved one or not. It was an interesting book to read. Jay Austin was a kind soul with visions of minimalism and living life on his own terms. Must read to get an understanding of what an incredible human being he was. I was reminded that life is short and circumstances beyond our control can happen at any time that can change your life forever. My heart truly goes out to Jea and pray that she finds solace in some way, every day.
Proceeds from this book will fund The Jay Austin Simply Be Kind Foundation.
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