Win a FREE book! Take one of my three quizzes on Goodreads, then rate and leave a comment to automatically enter into a raffle for a free copy of When God Makes Lemonade: http://www.goodreads.com/quizzes/by_user?id=14456553-diane-williams
Winners will be announced May 19th on my blog: mindofagoddess.wordpress.com
A new book has just been released, in which I am a featured author! When God Makes Lemonade: True Stories that Amaze & Encourage created by Don Jacobson provides 68 stories from various authors where God enacted miracles in impossible situations.
Pick up a copy of When God Makes Lemonade through Amazon or Barnes & Noble, and look for my contribution “Penniless but Not Broke.”
Luke 18:27 Jesus replied, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.”
Bell was born in the Deep South. She knew at an early age that she wanted to become a writer, however, everyone in her life discouraged her. Bell was told that she was a girl and that meant she was supposed to find a husband and make children. Being a homemaker was to be her only priority. Growing up, Bell was taught to be afraid of people… “don’t’ trust them, they’re out to get you” her mother would say. So, growing up she only had one friend, and even that relationship was hard to nurture. Her family did not welcome her companion into their home, and whenever Bell would stay late at the girl’s house she would be subsequently punished upon her late arrival home.
Bell watched her father make her mother into his servant. He would work all day and come home to a clean home and prepared meal, for that was what he expected. She watched her mother work hard all day doing chores and yet her father would never say thank you. Whenever her father had a hard day at work he would take out all his anger on his wife – yell at her, shake her up, jerk her around. Bell decided that marriage was a privilege for men, and she wanted no part in it.
Through her strife, Bell decided to venture into the library; it was her sanctuary, her refuge. She would read for hours. She initially read romantic books but was disillusioned with the fiction, so she began reading poetry and, being inspired by the words, began to write poetry herself. Again, it was difficult for her to pursue her passions because her family tried to dilute her wants.
When she was a teenager her family tried to set her up with a boyfriend, yet they couldn’t understand why she didn’t want to be with a boy, so they called her “funny.” More and more she retracted from her family’s matchmaking sentiments, she was pushed closer to her female friends. Bell intentionally made herself unattractive. She noticed that the boys at her school liked the voluptuous girls so she didn’t eat much. Her wiry frame kept the boys away. Even when she was in the library the librarians gave her flack for not being out looking for a husband.
She read Austin, Fitzgerald, Shakespeare, Hemingway, and Faulkner which lead to the inevitable conclusion that there was more to the world than what the deep south had to offer her. She traveled/lived/learned about life through books; that’s how she felt comfortable with wanting to become a writer, wanting to become a single woman.
Along with becoming a strong feminist writer, Bell Hooks has held positions as Professor of African and African-American Studies and English at Yale University, Associate Professor of Women’s Studies and American Literature at Oberlin College, and as Distinguished Lecturer of English Literature at the City College of New York.
“Yes!” Kevin Garnett shouted at the top of his lungs after realizing his lifelong dream of winning a National Basketball championship. In 2008, Garnett’s team, the Boston Celtics, beat the Los Angeles Lakers in game six of the seven game NBA Finals. Garnett was so thrilled he fell to his knees in the center of the electrified arena. Then he rose and shouted “Anything is possible.”
On Writing by Stephen King is a different book from most I have read on the subject of writing. In addition to being instructional, this book could be considered an autobiography. The book is composed of three sections: King’s early years, his writing life and his advice on writing.
King’s love of writing began by copying comic books and writing adapted commentary at the tender age of five. His mother loved his stories and would always compliment him on them. At that time, King sold his first four books; his mother had bought them all and gave them to her friends. (more…)
In Mary Romero’s book, The Breakdown of the All American Family, the author screams and shouts from the depths of her soul for anyone who has been victimized by abuse to find their voice, use their voice, and use it well. Romero asserts that victims need to let the world hear them roar!
Romero’s dominant objective is to stop the generational curse that runs through her family and the families of other abuse victims. With passion and authority, Romero cites, “no one has the right to silence anyone in any way, shape, or form. From bullies to abusive husbands, they do not have the right. Angry bosses, demented neighbors, and denying siblings do not have the right. Everyone has the right to their voice, especially our children.”
Throughout the book, Romero tells her story of overcoming the lingering effects of the abuse she experienced at the hands of her father. His demeanor and the treatment he allotted his family are clear indicators of a psychopathic disorder. The predator is tall, dark, handsome and charming on the outside, but in private, he reveals himself as a narcissistic, controlling, and abusive individual weighted down by low self-esteem.
Warning, this book is not for the faint of heart, and do grab some Kleenex as you prepare to read this memoir. Romero’s descriptive retellings of the domestic violence, rape and emotional abuse, which she and her siblings all endured at the hands of their father, can be overwhelmingly disturbing. In 150 pages, Romero paints raw and vivid images: her dad choking her mom, him bashing her head against the wall, and her feet dangling off the ground. There are several of these instances throughout the book.
Romero further draws you into her saga as you witness her mature. The author takes the reader first through the abusive episodes, but as she matures she opens her heart and explains the emotional, spiritual, and psychological damage that remained. As a child, the author took on the role of protector for her mother and siblings. It is almost unbelievable, as she explains what her father did, that there is almost no retaliation from the mother or the five children.
Romero grew determined to mitigate the effects of her abuse and discontinue the predisposition of abuse, for the curse lives on in the lives of her children. She desperately wanted the rewards of a productive and fulfilling life. She believed she had to begin to change her attitude and behavior. With her determination, she sought therapy and then school to study psychology. She was liberated. She had found her voice.
As one would suspect, this subject is near and dear to Romero’s heart. Her life’s work is consistent with the theme of the book. Professionally, she has worked with juvenile offenders for most of her career and she is currently working as a life coach. Through her work, Romero silences perpetrators by empowering victims to let their voices be heard.
Romero‘s memoir is written in a conversational and intimate tone that is disarmingly unpretentious. Readers will appreciate its candid disclosure into the lives of children living in the world of abuse. This is a book that encourages victims to be aware of the likelihood for victims to become abusers; however, she attempts to empower victims to be proactive and to abolish the generational curse.
The author’s story lends itself to research in the school of human behavior. A question is raised to study: Why is it that, of the five siblings, the author was the most resilient? The others fell prey to the predator and several of them still yearned for his approval. Romero placed a great emphasis on stopping the curse. When she witnesses the character of a toxic person, she removes herself from them, just as she did with her own father.
The author is well-connected with her topic. She is able to verbalize her feelings as she began to let go of the anger that bound her. In the beginning, she held steadfast to the mental, emotional, and spiritual components of her abuse, but through her journey, finds freedom. This information is directed at an audience of those previously abused, currently abused, abuse support groups and her family.
