Cries of the Panther

Book excerpt: Cries of the Panther tells the true story of the sexual attacks and ongoing abuse the author suffered as a young girl, perpetrated not by her father but by her next oldest sister’s husband. Sue’s cousin’s misguided conclusion turned out to be a blessing in disguise, however, when Sue broke her long silence. Along with long-term therapy, writing her memoir nurtured the process of healing and rendered her psychic scars nearly invisible. Now her life is filled with joy through relationships, pride rather than shame, and gratitude for all those who supported her in the journey through recovery and into wholeness. “From the first page I was drawn into this fascinating book. The characters, the setting, and the plot are all psychologically compelling. Not only that, but the fact that this book comes out during the #MeToo movement makes this a must-read for all of us.”—Sally Porter-Ross, Ed. D. “A beautifully written book with stories that can neither be forgotten nor ignored in our present day. The landscape of central Florida is so vivid that it is almost like another character, possibly a foreshadowing of themes and scenes of the book. Riveting!”—Elizabeth H.W. Hedges