Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Cover story



Today my editor at Ave Maria Press sent me the cover that the publisher's art department designed for my book My Peace I Give You: Healing Sexual Wounds with the Help of the Saints, which is due out in April (click on the picture for a larger image). I am thrilled; it hits all the right notes. Among the things I like about it are the intimation of going from darkness into light, which is very appropriate for its intended audience of adult victims of childhood sexual abuse. Also, the way that the chalk design traces an upward path—continuing beyond the reader's field of vision—matches the book's message of striving, with God's grace, towards a happiness that we can glimpse partially in this life.

The quote at the bottom of the cover is from James Martin S.J., author of My Life with the Saints: "A gift of healing to some of the most wounded people of our time." Others who have endorsed the book include Alice von Hildebrand, who writes that it "shows readers that there is healing not in repression or misplaced self-blame, but in hiding in the wounds of Christ."

Many thanks to those friends and Dawn Patrol readers who were praying for me as I was writing My Peace I Give You. I would be grateful if you would keep the book in your prayers, as my hope is that it will reach those who have long been suffering in silence. Watch this space for more updates, including new speaking appearances, as the book's publication nears.

If you are a journalist and would like to receive updates or a review copy of My Peace I Give You, please write me via my feedback form and I'll forward your contact information to Ave Maria Press's publicity department. You can also contact the department directly.