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• Fordidden Memories     • Breaking the Cycle

Forbidden Memories

Sandy Riggin spent five years writing a memoir of her struggle to heal from the emotional scars of child abuse. Now she encourages other survivors to tell their stories as part of the journey to recovery.

— Jonathan Rollins, Counseling Today

This book is a redeeming piece of work; frank, insightful, and offers readers an opportunity for emotional healing and growth. The author writes with honesty--devoid of criticism to those who brought about her childhood injuries-vulnerability, and compassion. The book's positive closure is a testimony of the indelible human spirit.

— Writer's Digest

Sandra P. Riggin has written a heart-rending and authentic account of her struggle to overcome the painful memories of her abusive childhood... This story of her struggle to overcome her emotional problems, in spite of all odds, is remarkable...Her book is written in a clear and lucid style, it details the ways in which child sexual abuse and pathological family dynamics contribute to mental health problems, and it describes an effective approach to therapy.

— Blanche Barnes, American Psychological Association

Sandra Riggin's harrowing story is at once important and painful to read. She takes an unflinching look at her own horribly twisted childhood and gives the reader a haunting sense of how it felt to be
that little girl. She writes like a woman on a mission.

— David Wecker, Cincinnati Post

Not for the faint of heart but rather intended for those who believe in the power of the human spirit. Forbidden Memories is a book that beckons readers to change, to listen, to care and ultimately to forgive.

— Kamille Bostick, The Augusta Chronicle

The book (Forbidden Memories) itself is as gripping and painful as any celebrity tell-all on the bestseller list (ie. Anthony Kiedis' "Scar Tissue"). The thing that makes this book compelling is that it is about a real person. The book is told in such a truthful and conversational tone one feels they have been with Sandra every step of the way and that there is hope for everyone trapped in the cycle of abuse and addiction.

— Jane Grillo, Editor

(Forbidden Memories) is a spell-binding account of one woman's voyage back through the horrors of her past in a valiant effort to stake out a future devoid of shadows, lies and trauma. The story is heart-wrenching and it is a "must read" for people who do not understand child abuse, survivors of abuse, family issues attorneys, juvenile judges, therapists, teachers and anyone who works with children...The true triumph of the tale is the indomitable spirit that Riggin showed as she conquered the addictive behaviors and suicidal impulses she adopted in her teens to anesthetize the pain of the abuse...Equally gripping is the intense five-year journey within herself that leads to her spiritual and personal victory over the abuse. Throughout the journey, Riggin takes a sharp look at herself and her abusers and turns her life around using key elements of understanding that can help other survivors of abuse reclaim their own lives.

— Catherine Gibbs, White County News Telegraph

Sandy's book portrays a journey to and from a hell that almost defies imagination. It seems impossible that any person could endure the physical and emotional pain, the betrayal, the abandonment and the abuse that were an every day part of her life. For a person of empathy, this book is a painful read. But it is ultimately a tribute to the resilience of the human psyche and to the deep, abiding strength from which a few people like Sandy find the stamina, courage and determination to fight the demons of a life spent in unrelenting pain and turmoil.

— Dr. David Bailey, EdD, Clinical Psychologist

Sandy has given us an intense read. These pages reveal the miracle first of her surviving the horrors of ongoing childhood abuse and then of her surviving her own efforts to cope through addictions, anorexia, and suicide attempts. They suggest the grace at work in the psychotherapy process as this survivor makes her way though therapists, techniques, theories, and the events of daily life to insights that heal and create a healer of rare insight.

— Dr. Susan Lamb, PhD., Clinical Psychologist

Sandy Riggin has written a powerful book about her hellish childhood. If her book were only that, it would still be a significant contribution to the field in that it increase's the reader's awareness of the emotional and behavioral impact of abuse on children. Forbidden Memories: A Journey of Healing is much more, however. This book offers a roadmap out of the hell childhood abuse creates. Reading this book should provide other abuse victims hope as well as guideposts for their journey to recovery. For the professional, this book can serve as a reminder of how courageous our patients have to be to heal and find health.

— Dr. David P. Kniskern, Psy.D., Clinical Psychologist

Forbidden Memories: A Journey of Healing by Sandy Riggin is a dark and captivating tale of her unspeakable pain and suffering at the hands of others. Get out the tissues and summon all bravery as you take a walk with a winner!

— Ann C. Davis, Licensed Professional Counselor

Sandy Riggin has just released her first book, Forbidden Memories, courageously telling her personal story of trauma and abuse ad her perseverance to liberation. This book is raw and honest...Read this book if you want to understand yourself and your clients in the process of recovery.

— Suzanne Waller, Licensed Professional Counselors Association

If you've ever suffered alone, then "Forbidden Memories: A Journey of Healing" is for you. Sandy Riggin has courageously shared her story of triumph over adversity... Throughout the story, Sandy maintains a realistic voice as the narrator of her own life...She lets the reader know that no one is alone and understanding is available.

— Lynn C. Tolson, BSW, Author of Beyond Tears

This is a story of not only horrific abuse, but of personal growth. Sandra has written a compelling story of her own childhood that makes you wince in its savagery. As bas as it was, she not only survived it, but learned how to heal from it, which is her second book that is being written as you read this review. It is such an incredible story in its truth that I just could NOT put this book down. However, it is not for the faint of heart as she doesn't spare any of the horrid details. She is brutally honest which I think makes the story that much more gripping. For those who work with abused children or incest survivors, this book is a must!

— Mary Davidson, Golden Threads

Forbidden Memories is a must-read for any survivor of physical, mental or sexual abuse. The book will help you understand how your childhood is the key to who you are today. You don't have to let your childhood predict who you will be for the rest of your life. You can be a happy and productive person. Forbidden Memories can help you overcome the torture of that time period and help you focus on positive changes that can literally change the rest of your life. I believe God brought Sandy through her traumatic childhood so that she could share her story to help other abuse survivors. If she can live through all this and be as strong, confident and successful as she is today, so can we! If you do one thing for your inner child, read this book and let it help you change your life.

— Stacye Morgan, Abuse Survivor

Breaking the Cycle

Winner of the 42nd Annual Georgia Author of the Year Award, Self-Help Division, 2006
Georgia Writers Association

Sandra Riggin’s book Breaking the Cycle offers practical help for those recovering from trauma of childhood abuse, as it shows a way to see not only the past, but also the present as a means of finding forgiveness that leads to ultimate healing.

— John Bradshaw, best selling author of Homecoming and Healing the Shame That Binds You

Every survivor holds the key to their own healing and Sandy Riggin’s book helps survivors find that pathway.

— Angela Shelton, Filmmaker, Searching for Angela Shelton

This book is a godsend and a must-read for all who deal with trauma, whether personal or professional. Sandy has put together the best of what we know about effectively guiding people to healing and combined her own unique and personal insights to create a method that works. Best of all, it puts the onus onto the victim to embrace the past and utilize traumatic experiences for personal empowerment.

— Kathleen Brooks, Ph.D., Host of Darkness to Light: Breaking the Conspiracy of Silence

Here is a rare and insightful gift for those wishing to leave behind the victim status and reach toward a promising, new addictive free life. It’s also a gripping read for anyone interested in child abuse, neglect and trauma, its devastating consequences, and the therapies that cure them.

— Charletta Wallen, Connect Savannah

Breaking The Cycle is a innovative book that provides an eclectic and cutting-edge approach to helping abuse survivors to attain insight and understanding into their personal reservoirs of pain while gently guiding them to a place of healing and renewal. Mental heath providers and survivors alike will appreciate this books versatility and practical application.

— Deanna Wilbanks, LPC

Breaking The Cycle is a manual for healing the wounds of childhood trauma and abuse. It guides survivors through the steps of understanding, embracing one’s past, forgiving oneself and others, and letting the past go. Though an ambitious undertaking, Sandy Riggin supplies the roadmap with specific exercises to guide this journey. Drawn from Sandy’s considerable wisdom, knowledge, and personal experience, this book will be of value to any therapist or survivor who has the courage to understand and utilize it.

— Dr. David P. Kniskern, Psy.D., Clinical Psychologist

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