Read below the review by noted Cyrus A. Webb, President of Conversations Book Club and host of Conversations LIVE! Radio.
From the title, I knew that author Jessica Green had created a literary masterpiece that would not only tell a great story but cause the reader to think seriously about an issue that has robbed the lives of so many. The author takes us into the journey of several women through the main character Dr. Angela Morrison. She is being used in her official capacity to help others understand and confront their own demons, however, she realizes that there are somethings in her own life that remain unresolved.
As she becomes that listening ear to those who need it a journey that she had long tried to put off becomes necessary in her own life. The end result is not just her being entangled in the tragedies of those she is trying to help but her becoming in need as well.
In the end what Jessica Green has done with HE BEAT PAST MY SKIN is allow us to see that when it comes to the issue of abuse, no matter what form it takes, there are those outside of the actual person being abused that is affected. There is also a serious dialogue that should take place when it comes to how we treat those who believe to be victims of abuse or who seek help. We have to let them know that the abuse doesn't define them, and they are survivors.
Kudos to Jessica Green for giving the world what I believe is one of the best books I have read this year. I will be talking about HE BEAT PAST MY SKIN for some time to come.
Additional reviews posted on the website.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Monday, May 30, 2011
Your Favorite Character
My favorite character is Candace Carter because of her resilience and determination. She remains determined to escape her dire situation even though it seems impossible. She reveals the strength and courage to fight for her survival in the midst of tragedy.
Monday, May 16, 2011
About The Book
Available in Online Bookstores Now!
Excerpt: After that night, my father’s voice frightened me, and his touch pricked my skin, like tiny needles. When he smiled at me, his ominous eyes easily revealed his contempt. He became a stranger to me, but so did my mother. Her status as the hero in my life’s storybook quickly changed to a victim. Her faint voice faded into the background, and her feather-like touch barely caressed my skin. When she smiled at me her sad eyes easily revealed her anxiety. Fear and misery seeped from her pores, like sweat, and I pitied her.
“I wrote He Beat Past My Skin because domestic abuse is still one of the best kept secrets in many homes across America. It batters the body, and conquers the mind and soul. The deafening screams echo the sound of fear, hushed only by the silence of defeat. The deep wounds penetrate beyond the skin’s surface, and the overwhelming pain antagonizes one’s spirit for the rest of their lives. It devastates families and communities and weakens the essence of our cultures. We are the only ones who can stop the continuation of this covert operation.”
He Beat Past My Skin is an unforgettable story that highlights issues, which afflict women and children around the world. Laden with intrigue, suspense, and drama, its powerful tales surrounding violence and abuse are sure to capture your attention. It’s a story that evokes the deepest fears of many women and children and delivers a message that silence kills.
Excerpt: After that night, my father’s voice frightened me, and his touch pricked my skin, like tiny needles. When he smiled at me, his ominous eyes easily revealed his contempt. He became a stranger to me, but so did my mother. Her status as the hero in my life’s storybook quickly changed to a victim. Her faint voice faded into the background, and her feather-like touch barely caressed my skin. When she smiled at me her sad eyes easily revealed her anxiety. Fear and misery seeped from her pores, like sweat, and I pitied her.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
About the Women's Meeting
At the church’s Women Meeting, Dr. Morrison meets four women, Anita Harrison, Candace Carter, Ernestine Johnson, and Toni Brown whose complex life situations captivate her spirit. She quickly discovers that each woman possesses similar characteristics of her mother, and their tales hurl her back to her own harrowing past. As she guides the women through the pursuit of their truths, the path forces her to confront her demons.
Excerpt: Secretly, the idea of the Women’s Meeting excited me, even though I told the Pastor that I thought it was a bad idea. Of course, I suspected that he would do the opposite of my suggestion. Over the years, he blatantly devalued my viewpoint regardless of the issue. If I said black, he chose white, if I said left he went right, and if I said up, he went down. The Women’s Meeting allowed me the opportunity to be a part of something for me. I wanted to change my life, and I believed that Dr. Angela Morrison could help me find the real Anita. I believed that God sent her to save me.
Excerpt: Briefly, our eyes locked in a gaze, and again I saw the pain in her soul. She finally took a deep breath and said, “How do I find my truth?”
I stared into her eyes and smiled. Then I said, “Reflect back to your deepest, darkest secret. Chances are you will find your truth there.” I glanced at each woman and continued. “We all have those secrets. It’s the secret that you refuse to tell your closest friend; the secret that you buried so deep at times, even you wonder if it’s real. It’s the secret that disrupted your past, and occasionally raises its ugly head to haunt your present; the secret that continues to survive.” The room was so quiet I heard myself breathe. I looked at the women, and imagined each one of them scrolling through the secret files in her mind.
Excerpt: Secretly, the idea of the Women’s Meeting excited me, even though I told the Pastor that I thought it was a bad idea. Of course, I suspected that he would do the opposite of my suggestion. Over the years, he blatantly devalued my viewpoint regardless of the issue. If I said black, he chose white, if I said left he went right, and if I said up, he went down. The Women’s Meeting allowed me the opportunity to be a part of something for me. I wanted to change my life, and I believed that Dr. Angela Morrison could help me find the real Anita. I believed that God sent her to save me.
Excerpt: Briefly, our eyes locked in a gaze, and again I saw the pain in her soul. She finally took a deep breath and said, “How do I find my truth?”
I stared into her eyes and smiled. Then I said, “Reflect back to your deepest, darkest secret. Chances are you will find your truth there.” I glanced at each woman and continued. “We all have those secrets. It’s the secret that you refuse to tell your closest friend; the secret that you buried so deep at times, even you wonder if it’s real. It’s the secret that disrupted your past, and occasionally raises its ugly head to haunt your present; the secret that continues to survive.” The room was so quiet I heard myself breathe. I looked at the women, and imagined each one of them scrolling through the secret files in her mind.
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