the novels
PART ONE
"I belonged to an exclusive club with only one membership requirement—be born with half a functioning heart."
We take many things for granted-but having a heart isn't one of them.
Paul Cardall is an internationally acclaimed pianist whose career has been an inspiration to millions. But before the awards and success, he was just a little boy with half a functioning heart.
Numerous surgeries and many decades later, Paul is building a successful career despite the limitations his condition have infringed upon him. Now a husband and father, it seems that Paul has everything he could have ever hoped for...until his heart begins to fail.
As time passes, the pressure of his waning health and the seemingly endless wait for a new heart test not only Paul's faith, but his marriage and relationships as well. He begins to wonder if luck will ever be on his side or if it's time he let the curtains fall in what could be the final act of his life.
Though characters and places were fictionalized for storytelling purposes, the main events in the duology are real. Drawn from private notes and journals made available to the author, The Broken Miracle is a riveting story that will take the reader on an unforgettable journey.
PAPERBACK
AUDIBLE
PART TWO
"Sometimes distance is the best thing to heal a wound. We get so used to hurting and being hurt that we forget what it truly means to be loved..."
A beating heart gives life to a body-in Paul's case, a stranger's gave life to his. His long-awaited miracle and second chance at life, thought to bring peace to over three decades of turmoil, was an adversity in disguise. One he will now struggle to overcome.
Caught between the excitement of new life and the chaos of grief, Paul finds himself at odds with the stranger residing in his chest. Though his inspiration to write music has been fully restored, the will to carry on is shattered by a flood of thoughts and feelings that were foreign to him until his transplant. Faith is still ever-present, but Paul begins to realize that he'll soon have to make a choice that will yet again change the course of his life forever.
The Broken Miracle novels are a true testament of faith, hope, and love. Inspired by true events, these books will pave the way for readers to believe the impossible, even when all odds are stacked against them.
PAPERBACK
AUDIBLE
from the author
I was in my hotel room in Seattle in 2010 when the song "Redeemer" came on. I was engrossed in its melody as soon as the string arrangements began. There was something about the song that made me quickly search the internet for the genius behind it. I stumbled upon the name "Paul Cardall" and his remarkable story of living with half a heart.
He became a constant presence in my playlists, his songs the soundtrack of some of my most personal moments. I downloaded every album and religiously visited iTunes hoping for new content. To my surprise (I still pinch myself to this very day), on February 2019, I was presented with the chance of writing a duology inspired by his miraculous life with a direct contribution from the man himself! Never in my wildest dreams would I have pictured that moment.
Paul and I met in NYC during a very stormy night two months later. We became friends within the first few minutes. I'll be honest, I struggled to keep my cool but believe I did a pretty good job despite being drenched by the deluge.
These books changed my life. Not only because I got to work with one of my inspirations, but because the journey is one that dares you to believe against all odds. It's a roller coaster where those riding can't see the tracks. They're only sure of the drop, but confused as to where it'll lead.
Paul and I are excited to invite you to join us on this wild ride. Hope can be found in the journey, even if arduous or seemingly impossible. But be sure of one thing; in the end, it'll all make sense.
from Paul Cardall
It’s a bit surreal to see a duology inspired by my own life. I know my journey hasn’t been the easiest or what people consider “normal,” but seeing some of the most challenging moments I lived translated into words on a page brought clarity to many questions I had.
J.D. Netto was given access to many of my personal notes and diaries. In them I shared secrets I had kept for years. The experience of having an author put together a puzzle that was often just a pile in my head brought light to my own shadows. The book puts into words many things I tried to voice out throughout my life. It portrays the emotions and downfalls I experienced while many around me seemed healthy and strong.
⠀
J.D. beautifully portrays the journey, digging deep through unvoiced emotions and secrets.
My personal contribution is burrowed in each chapter. I got to edit each scene with notes from my personal experiences. Seeing them expand into powerful moments in the story was a breath of fresh air—even for me. It brought me perspective, healing, and even more courage to keep on living.
⠀
My hope is that this novel instills in you the desire to live. I’ve been on the brink of death countless times, thought about giving up in a few of them, but in the end, love prevailed. I’m alive. My heart is beating. Life is worth living.
Free Chapters
Type your email below to receive the first
three chapters from The Broken Miracle - Part One
in your inbox!
the music
Inspired by The Broken Miracle novels, if an album was a memoir, this would be a soundtrack to the pianist and songwriter's life. Every year over a million children are born with some form of congenital heart defect that in most cases requires immediate surgery and a life long journey in and out of hospitals. Cardall took comfort in music as a teenager and since receiving a heart transplant in 2009, it's been his life's work to use music to help heal other hearts.
The album features special guests; David Archuleta, Tyler Glenn, Thompson Square, Rachael Yagamata, Ty Herndon, Matt Hammitt, Trevor Price, Akelee, and J. Daniel.
