Book picks similar to
The Fall of the Prodigal by Michelle Lindo-Rice


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child-abuse

Ms. Ely's Christmas Wish: A New Life Tabernacle Short Story


LaShonda Bowman - 2017
    Ely, the beloved character from the novel, Taste & See, is back in her very own Christmas story! All Orella Ely ever wanted was for her loved ones to be happy and blessed. But now that they are, it seems they have little time left for her. And with Christmas fast approaching, that fact has become painfully clear. Encouraged by some to retire and restart her life elsewhere, Ms. Ely has a hard decision to make. Is it time to move on? Or does God have other plans in store for her? Find out along with Ms. Ely as she learns how God can turn the dark parts of our lives into something bright and beautiful.

The Mothers' Board: Mothers Know Best


Lashaunda K. Jackson-Williams - 2016
     But hold everything! The Mothers’ Board has been quiet for too long, and they refuse to lay down after seeing their beloved pastor vanish. What follows is a rollicking adventure with the mothers sticking their noses in plenty of people’s business and causing a fuss wherever they go—whether it’s breaking and entering a house to search for clues … or investigating the seemingly psycho church secretary. Along the way, the mothers show a heap of God’s love to some hurting folks—and put the smack-down on the devil every chance they get. It’s their church, after all, and mothers know best!

No Weapon: Formed Against Me Shall Prosper


Andre Ray - 2016
    After being divorced for several years and being in her late forties she didn’t want to be alone any longer so she began to pray secretly for the Lord to send her a man who would love her and possibly be her husband. During a Sunday service little did she know the young man sitting next to her would change her life forever. His name is Malachi Steel who is a brown skin man she couldn’t keep her eyes off of. Malachi, on the other hand, didn’t come to church to hear the Word of the Lord, but to carry out the evil mission of pulling Sister Sandra Washington out of the hand of God and into a world that she would rather die than to live. Who sent this tall brown skin stranger into Sister Sandra Washington’s life? Meet Keisha who is straight from the hood and could care less if you live or died. Her connection to this whole twisted nightmare will come as a shock as the story comes to life before your very eyes. Will Sister Washington get the man she had been secretly praying for? Will Malachi Steel achieve his mission that if he failed would not sit well with Keisha? Will Keisha finally see her master plan come to life or will the Lord come in time to put a stop to this nightmare before it’s too late?

A Nickel In My Shoe


S.B. Jenkins - 2011
    And when this baby’s father finally made it to the hospital from the bar room to see his new baby daughter. Did he pick her up and while looking into her innocent newborn eyes say, "I'm not going to feed you, because I don't care if you starve,” or did he say, "someday, when you need emergency medical treatment, I'm going to beat you for getting sick, throw you on the couch and leave you there alone for days- without food, water, or medicine," or did he say... Susan and her two sisters grew up in a time when racism was the norm, child abuse wasn’t recognized and poverty was a way of life. Throughout her life she was often beaten, forced to be a servant and was tossed away like garbage. Susan knew she wanted better out of life...an education, a chance to succeed, to have a mind of her own and most of all...to be free-free from abuse, neglect, prejudice and hatred. This is an inspiring story about a little girl’s struggle to overcome many obstacles- to understand why she was hurt, both physically and mentally, by the very people that were supposed to love and nurture her. And through it all she never lost faith or hope that one day she would succeed-against all odds.“Never look down on anyone, unless you’re helping them up”Jesse Jackson

Keri Karin: the Shocking true story continued


Kat Ward - 2012
    However, just days before the programme was due to air, it was cancelled; a move that not only angered those women, but further fuelled rumours of a wider conspiracy, as even after his death, it seemed that any mention of wrongdoing on the part of “Old Jimmy” would inevitably only be met by a cold, eerie silence. A silence all too familiar for his victims. A year later, a rival TV company decided to make their own documentary concerning the Savile abuse claims. After some initial reluctance, Kat Ward agreed to speak to them. This time, the programme did air – and the story was huge. Literally overnight, a man, who was, in the eyes of the British public, a national institution - as harmless as afternoon tea for many - now stood accused of crimes so heinous, that a collective air of disbelief began to descend, as people struggled to reconcile the claims with his cheery image as a children’s champion and charity fundraiser. However, over the following days, more women came forward. Any disbelief soon vanished. Within a week, the list of potential victims had soared into the hundreds. Prime Minister David Cameron sought to appease a growing public demand for the posthumous revocation of his knighthood, and the Metropolitan Police publicly acknowledged Savile as a “predatory sex offender”. No tears were shed as his gravestone was demolished. His victims must have thought they’d never see the day. But Kat Ward had long given up hope of justice anyway. After suffering a tormented early childhood, in which she was abused by her family, she eventually found herself shuttled between care homes and approved schools; institutions that promised a sanctuary from abuse, but all too often seemed to sponsor it. Many decades later, and after a life marred by depression, she was persuaded by a psychiatrist to write about her experiences, in the hope that doing so might be cathartic. She obliged, and last year her debut offering, “KERI” - in which she recounts her earliest years - took literary circles by surprise, as it became an international bestseller. And now, in this much-anticipated volume, she recounts her early-mid teen years; no longer a small child, but a girl on the cusp of adolescence. Still traumatized by her early experiences, but not entirely without that sense of vague hope that is the inalienable property of youth. Now at Duncroft Approved School for “emotionally disturbed girls”, her life had come to resemble that of a prisoner; a good day was a bad one and a bad day was horrific. A pattern interrupted only by the periodic visits of a certain creepy old man in a shiny tracksuit, with a pocket full of a cigars and a caravan full of demands. There were Rolls-Royce trips to London. There were jaunts to TV studios. And, of course, for Kat, as with most of the girls, there were dreams of a brighter future. But despite all the promises, there was simply no way out. For at almost every turn, another nefarious character was waiting to take advantage of the girls that no-one would believe anyway. Now you can read her full story here. No punches pulled; no stone left unturned. Just the truth, committed to paper over many years, in the hope that it might help inspire the brave, enlighten the misled and heal the abused… WARNING: contains passages some readers may find disturbing.

Please Will Someone Help Me?


Sophie Young - 2013
    Sophie was routinely neglected and harmed, starved and left to fend for herself. Social workers were often involved but, despite numerous visits and extensive reports, nothing was ever done.When Sophie was six, her life took another horrible turn: her adored grandfather began to sexually abuse her.Please Will Someone Help Me? is Sophie Young's heartbreaking story about a young girl at the mercy of the adult world. With full access to her social work files, she shows how those who are meant to help children can be blind to the reality of their lives; but how, ultimately, love conquers all.Sophie Young was the eldest of three, born into a dysfunctional family that she fought for years to escape. Now forty years old, she lives in England with her husband and children, and works as a volunteer for a national children's charity.

Without Hope: A Childhood Ruined by the Man she should Trust the Most


Barbara Naughton - 2010
    Also for kicks, he took his children out on to the lake and held them under until they were gasping for their lives. He sexually assaulted Barbara from a young age, often when the rest of the family were in the house. He repeatedly threatened to kill her, and made two very serious attempts. During the final attempt, as he was raping and choking her, Barbara made a vow - if she survived, she would come forward and get justice against her father ... Without Hope is a powerful and inspiring true story of a girl who finally found the inner strength to escape her brutal childhood.

Faithfully Unfaithful


Cherish Amore - 2020
    catfish— that’s the tweet. Kardea and Mag have been boo-loving telephonically for some time now, but they’ve yet to meet. In walks Emiel, whose face matches Mag’s perfectly, but he’s definitely not the owner of that voice she’s been swooning over. He is, however, swoon worthy in his own right. He’s also willing to help Kardea figure out who’s been playing with both of them. #Winning.

Love Doesn't Hurt


Kay Shanee - 2018
    Although their time together is beautiful, it doesn’t last long. Shayla and Darius part ways, returning to their lives of normality. For Shayla, that separation leads to meeting and falling for Kurt – a man whose hands hurt more than they heal and show love. Even though she knows their union must end, Shayla can’t quite pull herself to leave… until Darius returns. The bond between Shayla and Darius was almost instant and too good to be true, which is why it was so easy for the both of them to walk away. This second time around, Darius’ fairytale love is exactly what Shayla needs to get out of her hellish reality. There’s just one problem: Kurt isn’t willing to let her go easily. Will Shayla stay, or will she find the courage to leave and believe because of Darius that love doesn’t hurt?

Sent From Heaven (Ahsyad Publication Presents...)


Dee Dee M. Scott - 2013
    Left to raise a baby without the assistance of the married father, she has given up on finding a prince on a white horse to rescue her. Enter Cardiologist and single father, Ford Tucker. Dr. Tucker is all work and no play. He has dedicated his life to work and raising his daughter. When Ford becomes Maya’s Cardiologist, he is instantly smitten with her. Sparks fly and the passion’s hot as ever between the two. But just when Ford thinks he has finally found Ms. Right, and Maya thinks she’s found her prince, a devastating secret is revealed that will rock the core of their relationship. Will their bond survive the terrible secret? Or will Ford end up alone and Maya prince less?

Covet


Lakisha Johnson - 2020
    Their marriage isn’t perfect, but they’ve made it work. They’re active members of True Vine MB Church, she’s a photographer and he owns a tire shop. Things are, well, they are good.Until the day, their life becomes the object of somebody’s obsession. The only downside, they don’t know who it is. This person, in the darkness has a yearning, a desire to possess something Karis and Darius has ... they just didn’t know it yet.Pray and fast, that’ll help when you’re going through a storm, right? Well, they’re doing that, but things are getting worst. Fire, turmoil, secrets and a kidnapping of a spouse. It’s clear, the person responsible hasn’t read Romans 13:9, “For the commandments say, “You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not covet...”

Anointed


Patricia Haley - 2012
    Success, however, has come at a tremendous price on the home front. The closeness he once shared with his wife of twelve years is gone. Dave spends most of his time working, while Madeline is struggling with balancing her job and home. When she elects to take time off and let Dave run the business, their lives are forever changed. Revered by others as a man of strong faith, Dave is not above temptation. His professional relationship with his new secretary eventually crosses the line, and the two share a night of passion. Madeline is crushed when she discovers the affair, but she has sacrificed too much already to let go. She digs her heels in, refusing to give up her marriage, her family, her company, or her place in Dave's heart.

Wildflower: A Tale of Transcendence


Teresa Van Woy - 2021
    When her much-anticipated cross-country vacation turns to abduction, Teresa is forced to care for her mother, sister and twin brothers. Homeless, abused, and afraid in the slums of San Francisco's Tenderloin district, Teresa finds joy in her adventures while fantasizing of a better life. Keeping this dream alive throughout her childhood is what drives her to end the cycle of abuse and poverty.

Loving A Dopeboy Through It All


Prenisha Aja' - 2018
    
 Tiyanna is just like many women who can’t decide if she wants to stay or leave her husband, Charles, whom she has been married to for years. She finds herself being held hostage in an abusive relationship for the sake of keeping the picture-perfect image.
 However, with a best friend named Briesha in her corner, she leans on her for support and advice, not knowing that Briesha isn’t being a real friend because, even though Tiyanna is opening up to her, Briesha is keeping secrets. 
Find out the price you’ll pay when you fall in love with a dope boy by reading Loving a Dope Boy Through It All by Prenisha Aja’. You’ll find yourself glued to your seat as you ride a wave of a storm as Tiyanna walks a tightrope as thin as sewing thread that will eventually snap.
 Blood will be drawn, secrets will be kept, and love will be lost, but will death be the only way out?

After All...


Maria Trautman - 2020
    Can a young girl escape a loveless home to seize elusive peace?Portugal. As a baby, Maria Trautman was abandoned at birth by her mother and was raised by her adoring grandmother. But when her grandmother passed away, the distressed child was sent to live with her cruel and cold-hearted mother.After enduring years of physical and emotional attacks, Maria built up the courage to leave her country and emigrated to Canada to seek sanctuary with her aunt. But when her uncle continued the very abuse she was so desperate to stop, Maria feared she would be forever trapped in a never-ending cycle of violence.In a passionate true account exposing unimaginably damaging upheavals, this heartfelt narrative follows Maria’s entry to adulthood and her quest to find one thing that always evaded her: happiness. And through vivid recollection of her own daunting challenges and tragic memories, Maria creates a beautiful tribute to the resilience of the human spirit.Discover the poignant truth of a courageous woman seeking healing through tremendous faith and forgiveness.If you like moving personal accounts, testaments of perseverance and powerful journeys, then you’ll love Maria Trautman’s memoir. Follow her heart wrenching story as she goes from suffering to living in happiness in her shocking memoir, After All...After All... Winner of the Literary Titan Gold book awardBuy After All… to reach the freedom that lies ahead today!