Notes From the Author to the Bookclub

STAR BRIGHT is about a woman's spirit, how she can be demoralized and arise from the ashes like a phoenix. Often people categorize abused women as head cases who choose abusive men. It's true that some feel drawn to men like that, but the majority are targeted by sweet-talkers. The victims feel that life is train wreck they never saw coming. They become trapped because our judicial system offers them little protection, and law enforcement officers often shrug and walk away, believing the lies of the husband and that important men can't be monsters. Wrong. Their victims may be in horrible danger if they try to leave. These women are browbeaten and come to believe they are ugly and stupid. It takes so much courage for them to escape, and it takes even more courage to reclaim their sense of self. I wanted this book to be a tribute to women-to our strength, our resilience, and our ability to fight back. I want readers to come away with a better understanding of their sisters who have been victimized and also with the knowledge that they, too, have it within them to rise from the ashes. We are incredibly strong!