Believe it or not, I started writing this novel in 2008. It first was a collection of small stories, written in my spare time. Eventually I fused them all together and tried as best I could to streamline the characters and bring more life to them. I would like to point out, this book is not about me LOL. A lot of people have asked me if this book is about me and I constantly tell them absolutely not. The main character and I have many similarities but she’s way more fearless than I have ever been. I put my face on the cover of the book, because I searched high and low for an art piece of a black woman that spoke to my spirit and couldn’t find one that was available for use but most importantly one the captured the soul behind the eyes. I scrolled through my gallery and saw this picture of me I had taken at a yacht party and a light bulb went off. I was nervous but I think it turned out pretty nice if you ask me LOL.

This book covered a lot of things I wanted to bring to light that is either rarely or if ever talked about in black families. Depression, mental illness, homosexuality, promiscuity, child molestation and adultery. My character faced all of these issues and still managed to grow through them and help her family along the way. I hope this book can be a voice for the voice less. The battles we face internally don’t have to be covered in silence anymore. You are not alone and you can and will overcome it. “Doing the work” requires so much more than just admitting there is an issue. You have to be able to be transparent enough to receive healing. If not, we’ll perpetuate a pattern and run the risk of passing down generational behaviors. Therapy, prayer, meditation; all of it works. Try it. What do you have to lose?

-Robyn Jasmine