Izzy Quinn is a survivor of domestic abuse, for which she suffered decades of shame in silence. Struggling to rebuild her self-esteem during the years when “sexual harassment” and “domestic abuse” weren’t even phrases, when domestic shelters didn’t exist, and when controlling men could treat their spouses as they saw fit without legal repercussion, Izzy kept her secrets.
Once she finally had the courage to share her story, she heard the same response over and over and over again: “That happened to me too.” Or, “My sister was killed my her abusive husband,” or “My father used to beat my mother,” and other variations of the same hideous tale.
What Izzy discovered in her many conversations and her ongoing research into abuse, is that despite legislation designed to prevent domestic abuse and punish abusers, the problem is actually on the rise. Young girls and women, unlike boys and men, have far too few mentors; far too few women teaching them to be self-sufficient, proud and empowered. Young boys and men get far too many messages that domination rather than equality is the path to manhood.
SHAMEFUL is based on Izzy’s story, and the story of other women who shared their experiences with her. While it is a novel, and as such, will, hopefully, captivate and entertain, its mission is as well to help young girls and women to recognize the signs of abuse, to escape their abusers, and to be their own heroes.
Free Book Excerpt
Order Shameful.