Male Molestation Victim Pens Emotional Memoir

Songs from an Imperfect Life

Author: J. Ronald M. York

Publisher: St. Broadway Press

Publication Date: March 18, 2018

Length: 228 Pages










About the Author
J. Ronald M. York graduated from Belmont University with studies in voice and piano. He spent the next two decades in the field of interior design before opening his first art gallery. When not in the gallery, Mr. York can be found in his studio painting, at his piano composing, or assisting numerous nonprofit agencies with fundraising. He is the author of "Kept in the Dark."

“Secrets. We all have them, and we all hope they will never be revealed. My parents, relatives and a handful of close friends took our family secret to their graves. And yet, my parents held on to a box of incriminating evidence, through five moves in three different cities, to be left for me to find long after everyone was gone.”

Revealing is Healing

This is a story of family secrets and the effects these secrets had on the author's life.

The author's father was arrested, pled guilty and served jail time for molesting boys in his Boy Scout Troop in the 1950s. 

Mr. York was first molested at the First Baptist Church in Nashville, Tennessee when he was seven years old. The male predator was a respected, upstanding member of the church. 

The sexual abuse continued at church, in movie theaters, in public restrooms and department stores until the author graduated from high school.

As an adult, Mr. York pursued a homosexual lifestyle and participated in many risky sexual acts and dysfunctional relationships.

The author is now in his sixties and has written this book about his life with insight, understanding and compassion. It is time for healing and forgiveness.

My Thoughts

Mr. York's family appeared to be a normal church-going, white middle class family. No one would have guessed the secrets that were never discussed. However, keeping secrets came at a high price. The author never told his parents about the inappropriate touching at church or any of the other sexual encounters he had as a child. Yet, you have to wonder if there weren't many warning signs that were intentionally ignored.

Mr. York provides many examples of how his childhood abuse changed the way he perceived himself and those around him...and not in a good way. This story of abuse is very disturbing, but the author does not consider himself a victim. 

This is an account of resilience and determination to overcome the past and walk confidently into the future. This is a gripping memoir that is worthy of your time. Highly recommended!

MY RATING: 5 STARS OUT OF 5

FYI ~ I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.

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Book Review: A Stolen Life by Jaycee Dugard

A Stolen Life

Author: Jaycee Dugard

Publisher: Simon and Schuster

Date: July 12, 2011

Pages: 268




About The Author
Jaycee Dugard was an 11-year-old school girl when she was kidnapped by Phillip and Nancy Garrido in 1991. Ms. Dugard has spared no detail of her ordeal and chronicled the growth she has undergone during her first months of freedom in her memoir, "A Stolen Life."

18 Years
The kidnapping of Jaycee Lee Dugard occurred on June 10, 1991, in South Lake Tahoe, California. Ms. Dugard was 11 years old at the time and was abducted from a street while she was walking from home to a school bus stop. She remained missing for more than 18 years. During these years, Ms. Dugard gave birth to two daughters.

This story was written in the author's own words and documents the events that happened during the years that she was held in a backyard prison by Phillip and Nancy Garrido. Ms. Dugard also shares her "Reflections" about the abuse and torment that she suffered during her years in captivity.

The final part of the book tells about Jaycee Dugard's  release and reunion with her mother and other family members.

Favorite Quotations

“I learned in therapy the word "No" is a complete sentence.” 

“Ask yourself, "what would you do to survive?” 

“There are moments in which all of us need to have a backbone and feel that we have the right to say no to adults if we believe they are doing the wrong thing. You must find your voice and not be afraid to speak up.”

“I don't believe in hate. To me it wastes too much time. People who hate waste so much of their life hating that they miss out on all the other stuff out here.” 

My Thoughts
This book provides graphic details about Jaycee Dugard's kidnapping and captivity. It was difficult to read and I often felt sick at my stomach as I read about the sexual abuse that this little girl experienced at the hands of Phillip Garrido. It was equally upsetting to learn that the kidnapper's wife, Nancy Garrido, supported her perverted husband and failed to do anything to stop this horrific situation. It was also disturbing to know that Phillip Garrido was a registered sex offender and reported to parole officers during all the years that he held Jaycee in his back yard.

I applaud Ms. Dugard for having the courage to relive these years and share her story in writing. I hope and pray that her testimony will make people more aware of what is going on in their own neighborhoods. I also hope that people will have a better understanding of what a mentally ill sex offender is capable of.

This book is not for the faint hearted. This book presents evidence that EVIL exists in the world and we must be prepared to protect ourselves and our children.

Read this book and have an honest talk with your children. We can't afford to believe that something like this only happens to other people in other places.

My Rating:  5 Stars Out Of 5

FYI ~ I purchased a print copy of this book with my own funds.
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