Beads is available online and in an indie near you!
Beads was released by Koehler Books on November 26, 2019
Imagine you’re wearing a beaded necklace and in an instant, someone forcibly pulls it from your neck. The beads scatter everywhere. Some you pick up right away, nervously trying to put the necklace back together. Some are lost forever and some you just stop looking for but find many years later.
Rachael Brooks’ debut memoir, Beads, is the harrowing story of a rape victim determined to become a survivor by putting her life back together. It details her journey after suffering a brutal attack, confronting the devastating justice system, and ultimately discovering the other side of trauma: forgiveness and peace. Beads reveals the realities and challenges survivors face, as well as the roller coaster of emotions throughout their journey. Evoking outrage and hope, author Rachael Brooks tackles issues surrounding sexual assault that are still prevalent today. When will enough be enough? Rachael’s definitive answer is “now.”
Excerpts from Beads:
“Within milliseconds, he swiftly maneuvered over to my side of the car, landing on top of me. He pulled the seat lever down, unbuckled my seatbelt and put the knife to my neck. And he said, slightly louder than a whisper so I could hear him clearly, “If you scream, fight, or try to get away, I will kill you.” So there I was, lifelessly laying there, envisioning my face on CNN.”
“My reality had no gravity. I was floating through each day, going through the motions and praying that my underlying secret wouldn’t expose itself.”
“Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined my life going in the direction it did.”
“June 29, 2008 made me a victim. Over the past decade, I made myself a survivor. It’s not something I would wish on anyone, but, damn, am I thankful for what I learned and for where I am now: on the other side.”
“Life is a funny thing. One day, you are about to die. And the next, you’re living. Living this beautiful life.”
