Child Abuse Archives | Bookstore of MindStir Media Book Publishers

Living Under A “Rock”: “The Red House”

admin — Tue, 22 Jan 2019 17:15:03 +0000

Turning onto the gravel driveway, excitement wells up inside of me as I prepare to see my mom and two younger brothers, Tracy and Jason, whom I haven't seen in almost three months, and to be a family again after two years living with my father and older brother, Dana, since the divorce. But my father will not be staying with us in the "Red House" now that mom is remarried to her husband, Rocky. Just thinking of his name, "Rocky", makes me nervous and causes a shiver to travel down my spine. He is a large, powerful man with little patience for the weak and even less tolerance for those who don't respect him ... I climb out of the car with the "Red House" directly in front me, and the bark of the largest dog I have ever seen ringing in my left ear; the two-hundred-pound-Saint Bernard yanking on the chain attached to the collar around his neck, trying to break free to greet me with his large white fangs. The front door of the "Red House" is wide open, but completely void of any light, not even the bright rays of the sun are able to penetrate the darkness. Little did I know the evil hiding and waiting for me in the shadows on the other side of that door.

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The Black Leather Satchel by Paula Czech

admin — Mon, 07 Jan 2019 04:41:14 +0000

“Czech relates her struggle to make peace with her painful childhood and to learn to accept emotional intimacy in her life. Her story begins when her mother flees with her boyfriend and the author after losing a custody battle with Czech’s father in Connecticut. The new family begins a new life on the Ben Davis Farm in Vermont, where the author says that she was later subjected to horrifying sexual abuse by her stepfather. Fortunately, she says several people helped her heal over the course of her life; she calls these people her “Angels.” The first and perhaps most important of these was Philippa Bassinger, the landlord of the Ben Davis Farm, who became something of a surrogate parent when she convinced Czech’s mother to allow the girl to leave home and attend first grade in Cooperstown, New York. Czech writes that other, later “Angels,” including neighbor’s and college professors, gave her the confidence and compassion to overcome obstacles in life. Her decision to finally rebuff her stepfather at age 11 demonstrated remarkable strength. She ultimately severed all ties with him, but his influence lingered as she struggled with intimacy for years. But the author’s unflinching, vivid depictions of her worse memories are a testament to her strength as a writer, and her ability to share her darkest moments with such honesty is formidable.” --Kirkus Reviews

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Fireweed by B. F. Moriarty

Mindstir Media Publishing — Sun, 06 Jan 2019 18:09:30 +0000

Five feisty women, victims of childhood abuse, meet by chance and discover the healing power of friendship. They laugh and cry together, helping one another overcome the crippling effects of their trauma. But they must also deal with the threats of a deranged husband, a homicidal stalker, and an amoral therapist. It is not a given that any one of them, let alone all of them will survive.

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