Overcoming being a child bride, Grace, has learned to triumph over tragedy by becoming a successful entrepreneur who takes care of business. Not only with her cleaning company but in life too. Based on true events, Southern author Susan Beckham Zurenda, tells Graces tale in “No Way Out but Through.”
This page turner conveys the story of Grace, whose mother approved of her becoming a bride in 1994 at the age of 14. All the while, Grace’s mother Lila, wants to be rid of all parental responsibility at this time. Lila cannot be happier that Rafe, an abusive older man who’s 15 years Grace’s senior, has become obsessed with her and wants to marry her daughter.
The underlining reason why Grace’s story must be told is to let others know she is not alone in overcoming domestic violence and if you are in a situation like hers, there are ways and plenty of people who will help you find your way.
Telling this story is not easy for the character Shannon in the book nor for Grace. It’s destressing, upsetting and unconceivable why this would happen to such a darling girl (at the time). When Grace serves as the storyteller, her point of view is first person while when Shannon is the narrator it’s in third person.
“The US State Department, I think very justly calls child marriage a human rights abuse. The woman who motivated this novel was old enough to be marriage with parental consent. But she wasn’t old enough to initiate help in the form of a protective order much less file for divorce. Her husband had full legally custody. She couldn’t enroll herself in the ninth grade! He had to decide,” Zurenda said. Sharing this story was important to Zurenda who is currently on tour doing book signings and readings throughout the Southeast. Lovely Leeds was lucky enough to be a part of her tour. It’s Zurenda’s hope that spending an inspirational evening at The Burrow Bookstore located at 8139 Parkway Drive in the heart of our downtown district, motivated others to navigate important life decisions by being introduced to Grace’s courageous story.
Humbled to have the opportunity to share her book with readers, Zurenda said, “It’s about both Grace and Shannon, how these two women of different generations come together through a really powerful bond to battle their inner demons and confront their untold stories.” Adding, “It’s a book about how us humans help heal one another and come together. This novel is about the ultimate triumph of the human spirit.”
For all interested readers please visit The Burrow Bookstore, your local bookstore or log onto: www.susanzurenda.com to purchase your very own copy!
