Abuse Books

The Unlit Path by Deborah Hannah shows an inspirational demonstration of courage, faithfulness, and forgiveness. I am not an adoptive parent, but was reading this from the view point of a parent, grand parent, and former educator. I can't personally relate with the sacrifices and heartbreak that some foster/adoptive parents face, but this book gives me sympathy and understanding of their challenges. I recently retired after spending 30 years in the classroom. I wish I would have had this book earlier in my career to help interact and understand children and parents who may have been experiencing children with R.A.D. and other difficulties . I admire the Hannah's Christian values and faith and admire how they allowed God to help them through their tears of heartbreak and frustrations. Their love for each other, their children, and their unconditional forgiveness is an example for all of us. Adoptive/foster parents, educators, and social workers would benefit from reading this book. The book is very well written. It's a real page turner. I couldn't put the book down!

As a foster parent this book was very realistic and hit home on a lot of levels.

I highly recommend this wonderful book!! I read it in one sitting; I simply could not put it down. The Hannah family's journey through foster parenting and adoption mirrored my own. My family started fostering children around the same time that the Hannah's did and we have experienced many of the same break downs in the child welfare system that they have. This book is a must read for anyone looking into the possibility of fostering children and also for anyone who knows foster families. The isolation foster families feel when everyone around them starts questioning their parenting, not realizing that the children are very, very ill and need to be parented differently is devastating. The journey towards healing and forgiveness is very uplifting and motivating. Deborah Hannah conveys her joy, betrayal, disillusionment and forgiveness simply and clearly. She gives us the message that life does go on.

This book is fantastic! It takes an honest look at the adoption and foster care system and the sometimes heartbreaking trails that come with fostering and adopting. I felt like Deborah was writing my story and the story of so many other families I know. I deeply appreciated her willingness to be transparent. For so many of us who feel alone in our struggles, this is a must read.

This was an amazing book!! I am currently on my way to becoming a foster parent, so I decided to read this book. I started reading it yesterday morning, and finished at 2 o'clock this morning. I couldn't stop reading. I cried while reading it, it was so sad, but I don't regret hearing the story. It needed to be told.

The author has a beautiful way with words, and the book was an easy read. It flowed very well.

I'm like the rest of the reviews in that I too read the book in junior high. I came from a family of alcoholic, drug addicted parents, and was raised by my grandparents. This book has stuck in my memory for almost 2 decades, and now, in my 30's with a 12 year old daughter, I find myself longing to read it again. With my mother deceased and my father in prison, I want my daughter to read it when she's a little older to understand a lot of the feelings I had as a child. This book is amazing and I'm looking forward to owning it!

This fiction book by Charolette Culin is really good. Claire hates her mother because she won't let her go see her father. Claire loved her father, both of them had the same interests, to paint. I liked Claire because she was very determined.

I liked the paragraph on page #179. I liked it because it shows that Claire is very determined and it really shows that she really like to paint, and she really wanted to show that. Cages of Glass, Flowers of Time is a really great book and I am sure anyone would love it.

After reading this book my question is that, does Claire persue her dream in drawing? I really liked this book because it is very interesting.

I'm 26 years old now and I was in middle school when I read this book I moved away from the state I lived in but for some reason that book has haunted me ever since. I've gone everywhere Borders, Books A Million, you name it I've looked for it there and asked if they could order it. No one could ever locate it. Well I've finally found it and I feel like I've been reunited with an old friend! That book made such an influence on me as a young teen, my parents weren't even alcholic's. But now I have a son going on 9 and I will be sure he will read it when he gets alittle older. And any of my friends that love to read. It may be a youth teen book but I'm quite sure it will touch anyone that has a heart. Good luck finding it, but it is well worth the effort! Happy reading!!!

I guess I'm like alot of others in that I first read this book when I was about in the 7th grade...having come from an alcoholic parent....well let's just say this story has never left my mind.....I stuggled through many years of my own addictions and now after being 4 years sober....I still can't seem to get this story very far a way from my mind....my daughter is 12 and I have searched for the book to give to her with no luck yet...but I am far done from trying! Charlotte Culin did a genious job of putting into words the kind of horror that so many young children and teenagers live with, when living with an addicted parent........it's a hard pill to swallow.....but it does it's work once you get it down....

I was in JR. High school in upstate NY, when this book first touched me. And it did touch me so very deeply. I had been removed from my parents' care and placed in a private school mainly for abused girls. This book was like a lifeline to me. In it's pages, I found courage and a willingness to survive even the worst of my inner turmoil. Sadly, when I left the school, I was unable to take the book with me as I had only borrowed it from the school's library. The story, with all the characters, stayed with me in the years and hardships to come. Last year, for my brithday, a friend mailed me a package. When I opened my present, all I could do was cry and say a prayer of thanks that an old friend had been found. After one long night of reading in bed, I came to the last page of the book. As I turned that page to the back cover, I noticed something written, almost hidden by the inside of the spine. I noticed
M. N. 1988. These, of course, are my initials. As it turns out, this book was THE VERY SAME BOOK I had read as a lonely child. As odd as it sounds, I can remember writing my initials in the book fully believing that the book would be mine when I was ready to leave the school. Of course, I simply thought they would let me have it, since I was the only one who wanted to read it so much. Well, I guess that even the universe agreed that this was to be my book, whether the school liked it or not. The book holds a place of honour next to my Bible on my nightstand, and I still read it often. Thanks to Ms. Culin, who showed such a wealth of understanding into a broken girl's dream of becoming something more. I, too, had that dream. I'm now a mother, a social worker, and a happy woman. This will be a hard day for Americans to deal with. Today is our country's anniversary of Ground Zero. God bless the families of the victims. Please, remember, there is hope in the world. There is hapiness, and some of us find it in the most unlikely places. Like a book about a simple girl who only wanted to create art, find love, and finally find some peace. Don't we all?

Excellent book. I read this book a few months ago (yes I am very late lol) but I really enjoyed it. I have almost all of her books and a lot of them give the same story but this one told it all. It was real deep, and.... whew. If you can get a hold of this book (I got mines on eBay) then definently do so. I highly recommend it. This book is real deep.

...with Ms. Vanzant was that she was under a bit of contractual pressure to write this book. She really wasn't ready to release it and wasn't in a good "place" in her life when she wrote it, but had to. At the time of the interview, I believe she said she'd even asked for it to be pulled from bookstores. The season wasn't right (at the time of the release of the book) to tell about this portion of her life. I haven't read it, although I own it, up until this point out of respect for her request. I even considered returning it to her. However, if the previous reviews are true, it may be a book in due season for me right now.

I could NOT put this book down! What a wonderful insight into the life of a woman and what courage and healing she has had to endure. I have great respect for anyone who can overcome the odds stacked against them, and I have a better understanding on what it takes to do that.

This is arguably the best of Iylana's books! This book touched me as it was a combination of Ms. Vanzant's personal anguish, trial and tribulations as well as her own victories coupled with the thought-provoking inspiration for which she is famous. INTERIORS is a story of one woman's personal journey through some of life's darkest valleys and in facing these demons, she rises like a phoenix into the realm of self-actualization, self-love and most importantly, self-respect.

Although INTERIORS is an autobiographical journey of Iylanla Vanzant's life, it can be applicable to anyone who has experienced pain in their own life. It is guaranteed to touch some aspect of each reader in an intimately close manner. Through her pain and suffering, Ms. Vanzant opens up a path of nurturing and healing like none other!

Reviewed by Nedine Hunter
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

This is probably the best book Ms Vanzant has wriiten. It allows you to understand the person before she knew what to do. She is real, damaged and fresh. This book allows you to grow with her, and please know after you read her story you will be alright. All black women should have this book. I'm so sad it's out of print- though the search is well worth the knowledge

This book does a fantastic job of demonstrating the synergies of working a 12 step program and buddhist practice. I think it would be valuable for anyone who is still uncomfortable with the Christian overtones of the 12 steps as it explains their origin and how to work them in relation to higher power of your own understanding.

I am a Zen Buddhist who has struggled in the past with alcohol. For personal and religious reasons, I wish to permanently quit alcohol use. I have tried in the past on my own unsuccesfully, and have recently sought help in this endeavor. I am participating in group counselling at this time. I have never really considered participating in a twelve step program as I have always been under the impression that they (AA) take a decidedly Judeo-Christian bent. This book does a fabulous job of explaining how a Buddhist can succesfully participate in such a program as well as how each of the steps can be interpreted and praciced from the Buddhist point of view. I have not joined a twelve step program as of yet, and may not, but I will definately be more open minded about the possibility after reading this book. Likewise, I have learned important techniques that I can use in my recovery now.

An intriguing perspective on 12 Step programs. Having written a book about walking that fine line between compassion and codependence, I found this book insightful and inspiring. - Rita Schiano, author of Sweet Bitter Love

This was an excellent read and I would recommend it to anybody involved with a 12 step program. Taken with the 12x12 it provides some perspective of the steps, discussing them in more contemporary language. I am not a Buddhist and have no wish to become one, but find there is quite a bit of useful content in the book for anyone in recovery. I've been at this for 25 years now, with countless big book and step studies over the years. I am not a joiner or in the market for a religion, but this book does provide intriguing references to concepts in Buddhism worth pursuing. You don't necessarily need the brand name to make use of something that works. I think one aspect of particular use will be working with a concept of a higher power outside the structure of the Christian traditions. I have to disagree with the earlier reviewer - the author does address his concept of a higher power.

As I've been going through the Steps, I have my sponsor, AA support, and many books as my guides. When I compare the steps in each of the books (Big Book, 12x12, etc.) to One Breathe at a Time, this is the one that speaks in a language I can understand, that helped me clarify my "higher power." If you have leanings toward Eastern philosophy and are somewhat put off by the Christian focus of AA, then give this one a shot. In any case, it can't hurt to have another perspective, and this guy's been through it.

This book is extremely well written and I would highly recommend it. As a former Jehovah's Witness, I was able to identify with so much of the story - not the sexual abuse (although I learned of some sexual abuse that occurred and was covered up by the elders) but I have seen so many mothers who were like the author's mother. One of the reasons I first began to question the Watchtower religion was because of the way the children were treated - or mis-treated would be a better description. Kids spanked who were noisy during the lengthy adult services, pinched when they fell asleep at late night meetings on school nights, etc. etc. But that is mild compared to what the author endured. I enjoyed this book very much.

This book was a bit like therapy. It was helpfull to hear a story so much like my own. She is a powerful writer, and honestly portrays what can go wrong in the JW cult.

Joy's memoir is a stark reminder that abuse in all of its various forms is devastating to individuals and relationships. Because it is her story and she was raised by parents who were Jehovah's Witnesses, it includes much of that lifestyle, religious doctrine, and terminology. Joy does a fair job at explaining some of the little understood doctrines when they appear in her story.

If you are looking for a diatribe or poison pen against Jehovah's Witnesses or the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society you may be disappointed. She neither attacks nor excuses them. She more often reflects on the confused contradictions she experienced trying to make sense of the wide gap between what was taught and how it was lived.

Having studied the Witnesses and their organization for more than two years I was familiar with many of the ways they apply scripture to their lives and Joy's descriptions are fair. The fact Joy's parents and step-father clearly took some of them to the extreme only confirms they were unbalanced people. I have some close personal relationships with a few Witnesses but probably could not get them to read this book as they would likely view it as apostate writing.

The book serves to remind us how men and women in any religious following who fail to use the good minds God gave them to discern good from evil but instead faithfully, but blindly follow a religious organization as proof of loyalty to God, can find themselves quite quickly in horrible circumstances.

Joy's book also gives hope to those who seek a relationship with God rather than an organization.

I felt that the book was very well written and engrossing. Having suffered through a very similar situation in my youth with this particular religion it was a comfort to me to know that during those lonely years that I truly wasn't alone: Other people were going through the same confusion and frustration that I had been through. Mrs. Castro did a great job of explaining the JW thought process and the total lack of respect they have for women. They are very willing to place uneducated men to call the shots in their congregations. They allow these men to make decisions that they have had no training, no experience and no business in. The mere fact that they are men is the only qualification many of them need. I felt Mrs. Castro also did a great job of showing how manipulative the JW's are. The "truth" is not what they are interested in at all. Preservation of their beliefs, right or wrong is what fuels them. The book must have been difficult for her to write but I would think cathartic also.

I could not put this book down. The mental and physical abuse that Ms Castro and her brother received is unbelievable. As we move through her incredible life it is inspiring that she was able to rise above her circumstances and find peace within herself and create a loving enviroment for her son. I have no history with JW, but would recommend this book to anyone. Beautifully written. Can't wait for the next book by Joy Castro.

this book was amazing.Because"claudia and the terrible truth"is about when claudia is baby-sitting Nate and Joey Nicholls and she found out that Mr.Nicholls has been abusing them.This book touched really my heart and I recommend it to all of you out there!

When Claudia baby sits for the new clients, Nate and Joey are nice, well behaved boys but Mr. Nicholls yells at his two childrens and also yells at Mr. Nicholls. Then later, Mr. Nicholls will tell a story to why he's been like that it's so sad!

I really liked CLAUIDA AND THE TERRIBLE TRUTH. I felt really sorry for Nate and Joey because they get abused by their father. It is a very good book so defenetely read it! I gave it 5 stars because it dealt with a very big issue in the world and not many books do that.
Keep up the good work Ann and you will have even more readers in the UK!!!

Hi! My name is Sadira Jewelsten! I�ve read BSC books since I was eight until I was seventeen. I really enjoyed �Claudia and the Terrible Truth�. It brought about a very sensitive subject in a way that kids and teens alike would be able to understand it.

It all begins when the BSC receives a new client who isn�t all he seems.
Claudia finds this out when she is assigned to baby-sit Joey and Nate and discovers a horrible secret about their home life-Nate and Joey are being abused by their father.
The boys first lie to Claudia about where they�ve gotten some of the bruises that Claudia is able to see, but later, Claudia-unseen by the father-witnesses it from a hiding place on the stairs. She doesn�t� know what to do at first, but then she does the right thing and tells her mother.
Ann m. Martin definitely has a way of bringing her readers into the story. I felt like I was right there with Claudia, feeling exactly as nervous and confused as she stood on the stairs and heard the loud slap of the boys being hit. That�s how powerful it was.
For anyone who is looking for a book that brings up a the subject of abusie in a way that really opens your eyes to it, I highly recommend �Claudia and the Terrible Truth�.

I enjoyed Claudia and the Terrible Truth. She starts sitting for new clients, the Nicholls. Nate and Joey are nice, well behaved boys, but they seem too jumpy and nervous. Claudia doesn't like the way Mr. Nicholls yell at the boys and his wife. He seems to have harsh rules like no talking at the dinnertable and no stuffed animals and bedtime stories. He says stuffed animals are childish and the boys are 8 and 5. Nate admitted to Claudia that their father threw away their stuffed animals given by their mother! He even threw a huge fit over a peanut butter jar left by Claudia on the counter. BIG DEAL! It's nothing to make war about, it's not like Claudia and the boys trashed the kitchen. Claudia notices that he verbally abuses Nate, Joey, and Mrs. Nicholls. The boys got all nervous about grass stains and paint stains at a parade meeting. I mean, they're kids and they deserve to play. Your childhood is short and that's what washing machines are for! The boys even got severly punished because Joey touched his father's briefcase! He didn't break it or mess up the stuff in it. Even though Nate didn't do anything, he was punished along with Joey and they had to scrub down the house while Claudia supervised and were banned from the parade meeting, tv, snack, and friends. Then Claudia heard Mr. Nicholls holler about his paper being in the recycle bin and smacked Joey hard. She decided to tell her mom about it and the boys and mother were removed from the house and went to live with relatives. At least they were safe from that evil jerk. I disagree with the reader from Maryland. Claudia never mentioned about never being smacked by her parents. She mentioned that she and her sister were never raised hell at by their parents like Mr. Nicholls did with his boys. It's okay to be firm with your kids and discipline them when they do something wrong, but abuse is not okay. Mr. Nicholls was very dominating and abusive. He reminded me of a Nazi. He took inventory of every crumb of food in the house and wanted everything obsessively neat and perfect in the house. Only robots could be perfectly neat.Anyways, I give this book a 10.

Supreme Love: A Battered Woman's True Story
This is a story that was very compelling from the beginning to the end. Kelly was very honest and open in writing her story, and it is clear that she learned a lot of hard lessons along the way, while making a better life for herself and her children. This is an on-the-edge-of-your-seat kind of story that shows how happiness for a family can turn ugly with abuse. However, her cloud does have a silver lining when she finds the love of God. Given the fact that Kelly did the book without an outside publisher/editor, it does have several grammatical flaws, but the story is so very intriguing that these can easily be overlooked. Overall, the story was a great read, which I would recommend.

Kelly has done a phenomenal job writing this book! With her bravery of telling the truths of her story, no matter how personal or emotional it may have been, she brought out the reality of what goes on behind closed doors.

-It opens the eyes of people who are blind to what kind of pain a battered woman goes through.

-It gives the survivors of domestic violence strength to know that they too can get through the pain of the past and go on to have a much happier and fulfilled lives.

- And it reaches out to the women who are still in a battered relationship, giving them hope (knowing they are not alone).

Which is why I just purchased another copy to send to a dear friend. I know this book will reach out and inspire her as well!

-Destiny

This is an excellent book. A book that will open eyes and raise awareness of what goes on in a home filled with domestic abuse, and how a victim copes, and how an abuser operates. This should be in the hands of every community official who can make a difference in fighting domestic abuse in their area. It should be in the hands of every victim of domestic abuse. If possible, it would be excellent to force every abuser to read, but most would never read it because they would not want to see themselves starring back from the pages of the book and confront their own demons. I am praying that this author will be able to start the ministry to victims of domestic abuse that she has the vision for!

I love this book! It provides so much insight into the life of a woman, and her family, and what they dealt with for so long while living with an abusive man. And brings to light how devastating emotional and mental abuse truly is, as well as physical. Kelly Cyr also does a wonderful job providing her readers with details of the surrounding countryside, as well has historical data. I am enthralled with this book, and suggest it to anyone who is now, or has lived with domestic violence, in any of it's forms, as well as anyone who would like more insight on the actual life of a survivor! KUDOS KELLY!!!

I just finished your book yesterday. I must admit that when I bought it from you at the fair I wasn't sure I'd ever even read it. When I finally started it a week ago I truly was unable to put it down. I haven't got much done this week.

I was really disappointed when I ran into you a few years ago and you said you wouldn't return to nursing. It seemed like a loss to our profession. After reading your book I have changed my mind. I think you need to write. Keep it up.

The book was just tragic. I had no idea you were in such trouble. I wish I could have been there for you, Kelly! Maybe if I had actually come to one of the parties you invited me to I could have seen it. Sorry. You know if you ever need anything again, please call. I know we didn't work together long and haven't kept in touch, but there are only a few people that I consider friends and you have always been one of them.

Love you,
Nancy

Posted for Nancy Elmer, Great Falls, Montana

This is so much more than a Christian parenting book...you will have to read this book more than once! It is definitely one you will want to read more carefully with a highlighter in hand. DeMuth offers truly practical advice to 'Pioneer Parents' who may not have had the best model for raising Godly children and fostering faith in their home. She walks each pioneer through her own journey and offers guidance based on Biblical teaching for, as the title says, givng your children the spiritual heritage you wish you'd had. The discussion questions are invaluable!

If you are reading this review, you have been sucked in by the title, probably because you somehow relate. If so, then the topic is of huge significance to you. The book is solid, and the content reflects the title.

Regardless of your background, if you have a Christian faith and desire to live out that faith with your children, then bring your highlighter and keep notes as you read.

Not everyone comes into parenting with great childhood experiences to draw from. Even if you did have a safe upbringing, ALL parents are forging a new way for their children. We are all "pioneers". This book is a wealth of information, and challenges you to re-evaluate how and why you do what you do and believe what you believe. Mary DeMuth shares her personal journey of overcoming her painful past. She offers great hope & encouragement to all parents. You will glean from her writing, no matter what your story is.

Building The Christian Family You Never Had is a must read for every couple contemplating having children, every parent who has children, and every adult who found life with their parents difficult or confusing. Not have the right role model can be frustrating--even confusing. But thanks to DeMuth's great advice we can learn to let go of the past, foster positive parenting skills, and shield our children from the negative influences others have left on our lives and continue to drill into our psyche.

Mary's book is a MUST READ; not only for every parent, but also for everyone who has ever had a parent. Her insights into family dynamics are revealing and instructive. Her words bring healing and resolution. Mary's skill as a writer makes her Guide for Pioneer Parents an enjoyable, fast-moving read. But watch out - one time through will NOT be enough! You will want to keep this Guide around to read over and over.

I found this book to be very enjoyable and think it should be but on the screen. From the beginning until the end it kept me interested. Can't wait to read Foolish Heart.

Like others have stated this book was great from the beginning to end. I had the pleasure in meeting Ms. Davis-Pack, which made reading this book a joy. I hope she can find time in the future to bless us with another great book.

This book was well worth the money. The characters were very human and the story brought out many different emotions. I recommend this to anyone who wants a good read that will not waste their time.

This is a book that gets better with each line you read. I really liked it and highly recommend it.

I know these people in "foolish Things". Everyone does! The people are real and the story is true to life. I liked it and would tell other sisters to buy it!

I bought this book for myself and my 18 year old son to read before he left for college this fall. I read it first and then let him read it. The Volkmann family did a great job of communicating to the reader the dangers of teenage drinking. My son went to numerous parties during high school where alcohol was present. Our son told us about the drinking going on at these parties and I began to realize what a serious problem exists concerning teenage drinking. I hope that many parents will read this book and realize that teenage drinking is not something to be taken lightly. Many parents do not realize what can happen to their teens who take part in this dangerous activity. I encourage any parents of a teen to read this book and then make their teen read it as well and then discuss the book with your child.

This book should be read by every parent who has pre-teen/teen kids and should be made a mandatory book in every high school. It is a true eye opener and very insperational.

I found this to be extremly informative , seeing both sides of bing drinking and the perceptions of the family as well as the Alcoholic. I read this while my son (who also asked for help) was in rehab for his 21st birthday. He is now reading my copy. I found I could identfy with alot of the thoughts/situations as well as the codependent/alcoholic behaviors. As I work on my codependence and my son works on his sobriety I strongly encourage anyone with a teen/young adult afflicted with this disease to read this book.

As a high school counselor and child of an alcoholic I found this to be a great resource both personally and professionally. Your candid account of your journey for information and for recovery has already given me insights to help my students and their parents.
Thank you both,

This book was very educational and informative. A MUST READ for anybody struggling with alcoholism or who has a loved one struggling with the disease. Very realistic and honest.