"The Ghosts that Come Between Us" by Bulbul Bahuguna Promo

In her novel, author and psychiatrist Bulbul Bahuguna gives a face to sexual abuse.  “To be brave is to be honest”, according to Bahuguna and she invokes this honesty in the voice of her protagonist, Nargis. A victim of abuse, Nargis’ tale is less focused on tragedy and more centered on her inspirational recovery.   With India, the Soviet Union and Chicago as the backdrop, Nargis’ unparalleled strength captivates and touches the reader. As Nargis confronts the “ghosts” of her abuse through her relationships as an adult, she starts the process of forgiveness and healing.  

The transformative power of recovery can guide victims of abuse on an incredibly inspirational journey, helping them to avoid years of struggle. On the heels of the Steubenville rape case, society is wondering how it can take proactive measures to stop cycles of abuse. As an expert on the topic, author and psychiatrist Bulbul Buhuguna can share her advice.

 

By embracing therapy and empowering themselves to forgive and re-author their experiences, victims of abuse can take this journey. Bahuguna describes this journey in her new book, The Ghosts that Come Between Us (March 15, 2013).

 

In addition to speaking about recovery and transformation, Bahuguna can share insights with your readers on the psychological experience of sexual abuse, ways to reduce the number of sexual abuse cases and the need to destigmatize abuse in society, the most effective methods to overcome childhood trauma, the influence of Bahuguna’s work as a psychiatrist on the writing of this novel, and the need for female empowerment across cultures.

About the Author

Bahuguna was born and raised in Northern India. She began her studies in medicine at the prestigious All India Institute of Medicine and finished them in the Soviet Union, funded by a full merit scholarship.  For the last 22 years, she has been a psychiatrist practicing in Chicago. She is a national trustee of non-profit the American India Foundation, which advances the ties between the US and India.

 

About the Book

“To be brave is to be honest”, according to Bahuguna and she invokes this honesty in the voice of her protagonist, Nargis. A victim of abuse, Nargis’ tale is less focused on tragedy and more centered on her inspirational recovery. With India, the Soviet Union, and Chicago as the backdrop, Nargis’ unparalleled strength captivates and touches the reader. As Nargis confronts the “ghosts” of her abuse through her relationships as an adult, she starts the process of forgiveness and healing.

 

Reviews

The strength of Nargis's voice is especially apparent when she dissects other characters, creating mental sketches of the people who surround her, and giving the reader a look into her emotional interior.

—Foreword Clarion

 

"You need to read Bulbul Bahuguna's novel, The Ghosts That Come Between Us, if you are receptive to being moved and inspired by an intelligent and quite artistic writer. Once this wonderful woman, Nargis, enters your mind she will stay there forever. I cannot wait for her next book."

—Dennis Smith, NYT bestselling author of A Report from Ground Zero

 

“An insightful, graceful read”

—Kirkus Reviews    

Book Review: "When A Woman You Love Was Abused" By Dawn Scott Jones Blog Tour And Women Redeemed Live Webcast Event {9/20}

Welcome to the blog tour for When a Woman You Love Was Abused. Pastor Dawn Scott Jone’s book is “A Husband’s Guide to Helping Her Overcome Childhood Sexual Molestation”. Here are just some of the abuse statistics:

* The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports that 80 percent of childhood abuse victims later suffer from at least one abuse-induced psychological disorder. It’s proven that the effects of childhood abuse follow women into adulthood.
* 90% of victims know their abuser. Commonly reported abusers are fathers, stepfathers, brothers, uncles, and grandfathers. Other abusers are babysitters, teachers, and neighbors.
* 80% of childhood abuse victims later suffer from at least one abuse-induced psychological disorder. 1/3 of people who are sexually abused become abusers themselves.

{MORE ABOUT WHEN A WOMAN YOU LOVE WAS ABUSED}

A Husband’s Guide to Helping Her Overcome Childhood Sexual Molestation

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports that 80 percent of childhood abuse victims later suffer from at least one abuse-induced psychological disorder. It’s proven that the effects of childhood abuse follow women into adulthood. Yet few men are prepared to deal with those effects, even when their own wife is the one who is suffering. And their wife’s suffering becomes their own suffering as their needs aren’t being met by a wife who is powerless to control her inner turmoil.

Author, pastor, and survivor Dawn Scott Jones candidly shares her own abuse experience to help husbands understand the varied emotions, fears, distorted thoughts, and triggers that hold their wives captive. In practical and accessible language, Jones explains the stages of the healing journey (processing denial, asking for help, grieving, expressing anger, learning to forgive, and finding resolution). Building on that knowledge, Jones then moves to an honest discussion of what husbands can do to help. Whether it’s creating a healing environment, understanding the need for control, building trust, or even just praying for healing, a husband plays an active role in helping his wife survive and thrive despite her past abuse.

Offering hope for a healthy marriage relationship, When a Woman You Love Was Abused answers the questions men have and offers the advice they need to help their wives finally find peace.

When A Woman You Love Was Abused: A Husband's Guide to Helping Her Overcome Childhood Sexual Molestation by Dawn Scott Jones

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

First of all, I have never been abused (although my mom was abused as a child, but that is another story).  The issue of child abuse is something that always angers me, and it is more prevalent than what most people realize.  It is also not something that a woman can get over quickly.  It is something that infiltrates so much of her life, and her husband is the one who may struggle more than anyone else.

I am glad to see a book that is written to men to help their wives heal from abuse.  The nice thing about the book is that it speaks to anyone--not just men.  It addresses issues that will directly affect the man, but I think anyone who knows a woman who has been abused can benefit from this book.

I was pleased to see real stories, and the author herself even opened up.  I think this book can also help people who are trying to counsel and help women through these awful, painful memories.  Even I was enlightened as to why my mother was a peacemaker as I was growing up.  That certainly caught my attention.  And I also love that this book is told from a Christian viewpoint--very important!

I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.  I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.

View all my reviews

{MORE ABOUT DAWN SCOTT JONES}

For over twenty years God has graciously used Dawn to touch the lives of people through her affecting personal testimony, her humor, and her writing. Dawn’s past challenges have deepened and enriched her ministry; enabling her to truly understand and relate to what others are going through.

Dawn is an Ordained Minister with the Assemblies of God. She has served in various capacities including Executive Team Pastor, Small Groups Pastor, and Woman’s Ministry Director. Dawn travels Nation-wide speaking, training and consulting.

Find out more about Dawn Scott at http://www.dawnjones.org/.

https://www.facebook.com/PastorDawnScottJones

http://twitter.com/#!/PastorDawn

{Live Webcast Event}

In coordination with the launch of their fall releases, Kregel Publications will be hosting a live webcast event on September 20th at 8 PM EDT featuring authors Kim Ketola (Cradle My Heart), Teske Drake (Hope for Today, Promises for Tomorrow), and Dawn Scott Jones (When a Woman You Love Was Abused).



The webcast will allow women to come together to share their struggles and fears in order to move toward healing and hope. Women will able to support one another and discuss shared experiences (abortion, miscarriage and abuse) in a non-threatening, open and loving environment.
Cat Hoort of Kregel says, “We are seeking to provide safe means for Christian women to be vulnerable with each other, to seek help and guidance from authors and counselors, and to find encouragement from those who have shared similar experiences. Our hope is that the Women Redeemed webcast will become a forum for hurting women as well as for those who can help. Kim, Teske, and Dawn are all survivors and their stories will surely inspire and equip other women to move toward healing and hope.”



Please join tomorrow night's webcast and connect with the authors, talk about your own experiences, make some new friends, and win a prize! Hope to see you there!



To register for the event, just click the banner to the right or here.

To follow the entire tour, please click here.