Publisher's Synopsis
Charlie has a secret-one that would shock family and friends.
Set in Washington, DC suburbia, "Charlie's Secret" is inspired by real-life events based around a unique sisterhood bond among four black metropolitan equestrians.
The main character, Charlie Robinson, reeks of perfection. She presents an outward seemingly perfect marriage and lifestyle. However, she's hiding a dark secret of an abusive husband from her friends and family. Mark, her husband, is a covert-narcissistic, money hungry monster that does everything imaginable to break and twist her reality.
Over the years, Charlie finds comfort in an equestrian sisterhood consisting of the FABULOUS Anthony, mystical Raquel, comedic Bianca and the witty Crystal to elude her truth.
She seems to be managing life's challenges effectively with weekly trail rides around the city with her girls. However, things take an ugly turn when she and her friends get an opportunity at having their very own reality television show about urban cowgirls, causing her husband, Mark, to become even more evil and underhanded. Once Charlie has had enough and files for divorce, a YouTube smear campaign is only the beginning of Mark's many revenge tactics.
Meanwhile, during the television show's development Charlie forges a bond with Zack, the sexy photographer, behind the scenes. Unlike her husband Mark, Zack is sensitive, funny and brilliant. Inspired by their connection, she sets on a path of self-discovery.
At last, she finally lets her equine sister-circle in on the secret and they plan the perfect cross-country escape but will she make it out alive?
Follow her journey to find self-love and wholeness in God as she unveils psychological and physical trauma in this adrenaline-rushing emotional story.
Note from the author:
As a young adult, a close friend and I started a book club. Our group began with relatively 15 members and dwindled to a quaint group of four (Tameka, Tonia, Nikki and myself). We read novels from the likes of Dan Brown, Alice Walker, E. Lynn Harris, Toni Morrison, Terry McMillan, Sister Souljah and Maya Angelou just to name a few.
Each of us would alternate hosting monthly. Occasionally, we'd intertwine our book discussions with outings to 5-star restaurants throughout Washington, DC and attend NY Broadway plays. Among this close group is where I cultivated my love for the arts and shared my desire to one day write a novel. I attempted many times back then but never stayed consistent as life got in the way. I guess God saw fit that I had to live the journey and become the protagonist of the story.
If you are going through something, don't let your world spin out of control. Always know, you possess the power to create the life you want to live. Seek the Lord to find the strength you may not know you have. In the meantime, breath, be kind to yourself and take things one day at a time. There is a beautiful life that awaits. I know for certain because I am a living testimony.
I hope you enjoy this journey with me. It's been an emotional one.
This book is intended for mature audiences only. There are explicit scenes of abuse, language, and sexual situations. Eighteen and older only.
