Gone in an instant
Losing My Son. Loving His Killer.
by Tammy Horvath
A Memoir
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A single knock on the door changed everything.
On August 2, 2017, Tammy Horvath learned that her son had been murdered. In the days and months that followed, grief consumed her. Getting out of bed felt impossible. The future felt meaningless.
Then something unexpected happened.
A quiet voice urged her to forgive the man who took her son’s life.
How do you forgive someone who shattered your world?
In Gone in an Instant, Tammy shares the raw and honest story of losing her only child and wrestling with a calling that felt both impossible and deeply spiritual. Through heartbreak, anger, and confusion, she begins a journey toward freedom—discovering that forgiveness is not about excusing evil, but about releasing the chains that bind the wounded.
This deeply personal Christian memoir speaks to anyone:
- Struggling with grief
- Wrestling with unforgiveness
- Questioning faith after tragedy
- Searching for hope after loss
Tammy’s story is not about having all the answers.
It’s about discovering that healing is still possible—even after the unimaginable.
Tammy Horvath’s Bio
Tammy writes from a place of profound loss and unwavering faith, sharing how God carried her through the murder of her only son and led her to forgive the unforgivable. Her story is one of heartbreak transformed into hope, showing that even the deepest wounds can heal through faith. Learn more about Tammy’s journey on her About page.
Media Mentions About Gone in an Instant
When Angels Fly guest on the blog April 2, 2022
Food for Your Soul blog post-April 15, 2022
Testimony at The Journey Church—Have you lost a child to heaven? April 23, 2022
The Tribune-Democrat Newspaper May 6, 2022
Yahoo Sports article May 7, 2022
New Castle News article May 12, 2022
Bluefield Daily Telegraph article May 17, 2022
Lori Keesey interview on her blog on June 1, 2022
Mark Schultz interview on his blog July 31–August 8, 2022
When Angels Fly guest on the blog on September 16, 2022
Bridge to Life Church guest speaker on October 23, 2022
Tweetables interview on March 15, 2023
Testimony at The Journey Church—Do you listen to God? on May 6, 2023
Somerset Daily American Newspaper article about mass shootings and gun control on January 20, 2024
Interview with Mitos Suson on August 13, 2024
Reviews
Having struggled through life with many horrendous family issues, Tammy always got up and brushed herself off, ready to begin again.
A heartbreaking story, but one that needs to be told, her ability to demonstrate true forgiveness is a model for others to follow, and her path to inner peace is a guide to see others through a similar crisis.
Yet despite intense pain, she’s set free from the past while developing the ability to love the unloveable and forgive the unforgiveable.
A strong example of how God loves us, even in our sin. I loved reading this story and seeing the power of love overwhelm in the face of evil.
She tries to understand her son’s murderer and when she faces him in court, she approaches him with sympathy, even love, and forgiveness.
Tammy’s story of how she coped through love and loss, not just in this one event, but throughout her life is unique, well-written and compelling.
Tammy Horvath’s story which shows the truth of God’s word when he said impossible for man, but with God all things are possible.
I highly recommend listening to the audio version. There is nothing better than hearing an author’s story in their own voice.
Tammy shared her soul and it was raw and real!
I highly recommend this book for anyone who is struggling to forgive.
This book is a heartfelt and poignant story of the power of forgiveness and redemption.
Powerful story of overcoming tragedy with love. … Her story would make a dynamic Christian movie about redemption.
Publication Details
Copyright © 2022 Tammy Horvath
All rights reserved.
Published by TYH Publications — Sidman, PA
Printed in the United States of America
Gone in an Instant was first published in 2020 and fully revised in 2022.
Formats available:
- Paperback (Amazon) — ISBN 978-1-7368861-0-6 · ASIN 173688610X
- Kindle eBook — ISBN 978-1-7368861-1-3 · ASIN B09PJQWNYV
- Audiobook (Audible, narrated by the author) — ISBN 978-1-7368861-2-0 · ASIN B09SRFX97N
Categories:
BIO026000 BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / Memoirs
BIO018000 BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / Religious
SEL010000 SELF-HELP / Death, Grief, Bereavement
REL012010 RELIGION / Christian Living / Death, Grief, Bereavement
REL012190 RELIGION / Christian Living / Forgiveness & Mercy
REL012040 RELIGION / Christian Living / Inspirational
REL012170 RELIGION / Christian Living / Personal Memoirs
REL062000 RELIGION / Spirituality
