Since my book FIFI was birthed three months ago, I have had many great and wonderful encounters with my readers. Again, FIFI will not make everyone happy. I would not have felt I did the book justice if it did. With its release, I prepared myself for controversy. One month ago, in early February, FIFI was chosen to be the monthly read for a book club. As excited and supportive as most of the group was, someone decided a singular chapter in the book was about their church and became offended. As a result, FIFI was cancelled, full stop. Her comment to me was, “Everything in your book is negative.”  Wow. Really? I guess that is why publishers in Los Angeles wanted it.

Fast forward to yesterday, I met with two women who are still healing from being in the mega-church cult I talk about in FIFI. Both happen to be beautiful, articulate and affluent. With so much going for them, you would think they could easily snap back from a negative experience. Not so. They were traumatized and wounded. They openly shared with me their experiences which resonated strongly with the book. There was still anger, tears, and shame mixed with fear. I believed my place was to listen and I did. Admittedly, they had more stories and volunteered to tell me everything they experienced for Book 2. Perhaps, putting these events in writing will help. Writing, in itself, is a healthy process. Certainly, I welcome their stories. I am grateful this book brought us together and we completely bonded over the few hours we shared. I feel I have made great new friends.

I know I am not responsible for what my f**king family has inflicted upon others but I hope I can wake people up and shed light onto this mega-church cult situation. Once again, all I can do is sound the alarm. You and I are watching.