'You hear stories of people who are struck down with some form of cancer. You can't imagine what they and their families are going through. But sadly, we would find out soon enough.'

It wouldn't happen to them ... until it did.

Jewel is an autobiography of how one son coped with the devastating blow of finding out that his mother, Julie, has breast cancer.

But that's only the beginning, as the cancer comes back more and more aggressive each time, eventually taking Julie away from her family forever.

Dylan Smith details his mother's cancer battle with raw honesty and a grim sense of humour. A touching tribute to a much-loved mother, and a must read for anyone who has had to witness their loved one battle cancer.