Cherish the Light: One Woman's Journey from Darkness to Light

by Donna L. Friess

Cherish the Light: One Woman's Journey from Darkness to Light is the intimate story of Donna's life after she faced the worst nightmare a daughter can face; having to stop daddy from molesting her four-year-old niece. In the wake of that legal battle, Donna became a crusader for women and children. These pages reflect the soul deep thoughts and attitudes which have allowed her to emerge from her own devastating childhood. Today she is a strong, happy and positive woman. Perfect for book clubs, these pages offer valuable information and inspiration for anyone who wants assistance living the most fulfilling life possible. Included are discussion questions. Cherish the Light is part heart warmer, part self-help book, and part chronicle. Donna challenges each of us to understand that our lives are so precious we do not have a minute to waste. It is indeed our time now! This book is the sequel to Cry the Darkness, the heart wrenching account of a 15 month long trial which Donna and her sisters endured to stop their father. Cherish the Light answers the question: "Given your childhood betrayal by your father, how is it you are so positive? How can this be?"

Genres: Nonfiction

236 pages, Paperback

First published October 3, 2013

About the author

DONNA L. FRIESS, Ph.D., a retired college professor, is a life coach and inspirational speaker. She is an activist for children’s rights. She has been recognized by the U.S. Justice Department for her social activism and nominated for the American President’s Service Award. She is a long time member of the U.S. Justice Department’s Office for Victims of Crime, Technical Training and Advisory Council. Her biography appears in Who’s Who in the World, Who’s Who of American Women, Great Teachers, and others. She has authored five books and lectures in the U.S. and abroad. Cry the Darkness has been published in seven languages. www.yourtimenow.org or www.drdonnafriess.com.

Reviews

[Hayley Shaver · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an upbeat and thoughtful book about how the author of this book cultivated her joy of life starting from a childhood that was filled with horrific sexual abuse. She also wrote a book before this one called Cry the Darkness, detailing her sexual abuse, her childhood, and the trial her father had after abusing the girls in his family. I will certainly try to read that one also. I got this book from goodreads first reads for free.

[Donna Friess]

This is a book about hope and inspiration. It teaches that the life we are living now is the result of the decisions we have made in the past. The life in our future will be based upon what decisions we make today. Donna has led an interesting life; many who have experienced childhood devastation and death threats follow a less productive and happy path in life. This is a collection of her attitudes, thoughts, passions, her golden retrievers, horses, and of course her family.

[Karen Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't read the book prior to this one to know the backstory, however, it's clear through the way the author writes and speaks about the past that she has risen above a tragic childhood. This story is not what I expected it to be (I expected it to go more in depth with the healing process then it did) but I still enjoyed it and look forward to reading the book that preceeded this one

[Evelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book free from Goodreads. This book was not at all what I expected it to be. The author has done a lot of uplifting things in her life, although I found it to be more of a biography about her life rather than an inspirational self-help book. Cherish the light was an easy read.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book. Looking to read the first to get a better understanding of what she went through. I work with youth have been in similar situations and I found this book to be helpful and an inspiration. Thank you for this book and the work that you do!

[Darren · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a good book to read. A very interesting book.