This website
was designed with you in mind and deals with domestic violence and
abuse, plus surviving, moving forward in your life, reality checks, and
deserving a better life!
Do not let the scars of the past determine
where you are going. There can be many years of many
tears, but there can be many miles of many smiles!
Become a survivor!
Ann B. Keller
(Author/Screenwriter)
Review - July 13, 2008
How many of us wear a social mask, putting forth the
façade, the face of what we want others to see?
The title of this novel is well suited to the story
itself. From the moment that sweet young Becky
meets handsome and rich Bob Dillough, she’s swept along
on a romantic tsunami that promises she’ll live happily
ever after. Becky’s “prince”, however, is far from
perfect.
Although Bob wines and dines his young bride, he is
severely flawed. He drinks too much, lies, cheats
on Becky and has more excuses than a tardy high school
student. As Bob’s behavior turns increasingly
violent, Becky starts looking for a way out of her
predicament, even though she is assailed by guilt for
her failing marriage. I held my breath when Bob
literally shoved a gun into Becky’s face! For a
few terrible moments, her life hung in the balance.
Thankfully, Becky was able to escape Bob’s clutches and
this book is a strong statement against domestic
violence and abuse in all its forms. What makes
The Door of Façade all the more compelling is that it is
a true story - Becky’s story. I can’t wait to read
her second novel to learn the good news!
Ann B. Keller
Author/Screenwriter
Writer’s Digest 15th Annual International
Self-Published Book Awards Commentary. 2007
- Book Content
Author's note: Even though
I did not win this contest, the critique below is
invaluable to me to improve my writing career.
Author: Becky Conrad
Title:THE DOOR OF FAÇADE
Category: Nonfiction
Judge: 45
Judge’s commentary:
What did you like best about this
book?
Ms. Conrad writes from the heart
with such direct honesty and sincerity that throughout
we readers not only pull for her, but we mentally urge
her along, wishing her strength to leave her husband,
which she ultimately is able to do. Women especially
will understand (I do) what she experienced, how
difficult her situation was in those days. Through the
author’s vivid narrative we feel this brave women’s
pain.
The dialog is effective, moving the
story along and creating images of the characters,
particularly herself and her husband; the reader will
hate the man and be outraged at this deceitful,
unacceptable behavior. A memoir, the book validates the
author’s plight. Her desperate experiences can also be a
cautionary tale for other abused women. Her honest
recall is commendable.
The cover is telling, with the door
ajar, and what one finds behind it.
“FAÇADE”
accurately describes the author’s marriage.
The author is a good fluid writer.
Hopefully she will continue her craft.
LIBRARIES
I have donated both of my books to numerous libraries in Ohio. I feel the need
to do this, as I know sometimes money is an issue with someone dealing with
Domestic Violence and abuse, and purchasing them could be a hardship when they
have other priorities with their limited funds. Plus, there is also the
possibility someone suffering violence and abuse against them, cannot have a
book of this nature in their home, but can sometimes go to a library and safely
read it there.
Over time, I would like to send more books to different libraries. If you know
of a library that would be willing to accept my books, feel free to
contact me
through my website, and let me know about them. I will do what I can.
My book,
The Door of Façade – by
Becky Conrad, is a memoir book about Domestic Violence, abuse in many forms, and
choices — both good and bad. Although the events in the book took place
a long time ago, sad to say, it still continues today. Every nine
seconds a woman is battered in the United States.
And yes, the
memories are still there, but I have learned to get beyond them. You can
too.
Will my memoirs make you laugh, cry, be angry, and think about your own
choices?
The book’s content is graphic, explicit, detailed and true. If I had
sugarcoated it, the content would not have had the impact or the meaning
I tried to convey to the readers. You cannot sugarcoat Domestic Violence
and Abuse. It was the way it was, and it is the way it is.
My hope is that someone who reads my book will recognize
themselves in their situation, get out, and become a survivor as I did.
It is a very hard road to travel – hard to get through the pain,
humiliation, embarrassment and go beyond it all and have a better
life. It can be done. You can do it too.
I invite you to take a journey with me.
I am currently working as the W.I.S.H. (Women in Safe Homes)
Facilitator at the Victim Assistance office in my local area. Scheduled sessions
are held for victims going through the court system or for anyone who wishes to
attend and get help. As a Facilitator, I help
them deal with the abuse and the violence against them, helping them to cope,
and helping them to get a better life for themselves. They deserve it. (I am
neither a lawyer nor a counselor.)
Because Domestic Violence and abuse was finally recognized in
1978, first by the state of Michigan, it took many years for other states to
follow and become recognized nationwide. In 1994, the Violent Crime and Law
Enforcement Act was formed. This was statewide, which involved the right of
crime victims to have their cases heard and represented.
The statistics available today, speak for themselves.
