Reviews & Letters

Hi Rose:: Two thumbs up Rose. "Dance Beyond The Shadows" is well written, a great work and personal accomplishment. Rose, as Amy, presents her life story. It is an insightful look into the darkness of personal trauma unknown to many for it is secreted away. To those of you who are suffering .... to those of you who have suffered the darkness of personal trauma .... to all. Read this book .... raise your level of awareness .... bring forth your strength .... gather your courage .... take this journey with rose, as amy, through her lifes' tragedies and triumphs .... tell your life story .... walk from the darkness and into the light .... find hope today .... carry that light and hope into a better tomorrow. Finally, to rose and jack (her gentle giant) may you be partners in life eternal. i send you love, peace and happiness

~Frank

From the day I met you (21 years ago) as a friend of one and eventually all of your children, you exuded love, compassion and strength. As I read "Dance Beyond the Shadows" I laughed, I cried, and I understood why you and your family mean so much to my family. Though never discussed, you always seemed to sense the "shadows" I hid in, and you always encouraged me into the light whether you knew it or not. Now this book can do the same for nameless victims young and old. It is an honor and a privilege to know you and your diverse family, and Rose... I too hear the angels whisper, but I used to think I was alone. Thank you and God bless

~ Lisa

“Dance Beyond the Shadows” is truly a book that will open your minds eye and heart to what we may not see or may not be willing to see in everyday life. Abuse is ever present in all societies, in all walks of life, in all religions, in all parts of the world, and it is true life stories, such as Rose’s, that bring it out into the open to be exposed, dealt with, and remembered. When it is forgotten is when the battle against abuse is lost.

Rose is my mother. She took me in when I was five. She was greatly challenged by this small, aggressive, angry child, in addition to her own complexities of life, although she never gave up trying to move forward. Each of us that are abused has our own mountains to climb. When those that are abused can climb that mountain with you and give you the strength to continue moving forward regardless of their own challenges, that is when you know that individual is truly remarkable. It was not until this book that I truly understood the depth of her life. There are those that will never understand a life of abuse; there are those that will ignore it; there are those that will refuse to believe that it exists; there are those that will think it cannot exist without a person “allowing” it to exist; and there are those that will try to analyze it. Each of us that are abused accept it different ways, learn from it in different ways, and share it in different ways. Rose has chosen a path that is her own and has chosen to share her healing with the world. My mother was and continues to be my inspiration, my need to always move forward, and to “dance beyond the shadows”.

Thank you for sharing your life with me...I love you, Mother.


Suzette R. Murphy

Credentials:

··Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from SUNY ··Plattsburgh State University
··Psi Chi National Honor Society in Psychology
··Associate of Arts Degree from Adirondack ·Community College
··Child Development Associate Credential
··Born to Learn Credential-Prenatal to Kindergarten ·Entry
··Social Service Competency Based Training Credential
··Head Start Family Partnerships Coordinator- worked for Head Start in several different capacities for the last sixteen years

Rosemary Richards’ book Dance Beyond The Shadows, beautifully shows the poetic nature of the author’s being that was born out of the horrors of sexual, physical and emotional abuse. This contrast between what is good and what is evil is carried throughout the book and the line that divides these opposites is often undetectable. The book prompts one to question the very nature of humanity and the human psyche, as one can only surmise as to how intellectual talented people can possess so much evil and dysfunction, while an innocent child can possess wisdom far beyond her chronological years.

Although the particular details of abuse are withheld from the reader, the pain and sadness that is felt by the little girl and then the grown woman is transferred to the reader in what is almost an attack on the reader’s senses.

Rosemary’s story depicts a practical account of the frailty and yet the resilience of the human mind which has perplexed researchers to date. Many theories have come forth in the realm of psychology including the “nature versus nurture” controversy. This book and its content can only prove to be an asset to the educator when attempting to discuss nature/nurture theories. Rosemary confirms that it is possible to become a positive individual in spite of genetics and negative relationships.

Congratulations to Dr. Patricia Cameron for bringing forth the fact that Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is often overlooked as being linked with abuse. An individual subjected to abuse may be subtle when compared to a large group of people affected by a natural disaster, but none-the-less the long term effects of trauma induced are the same.

Congratulations to Rosemary for having the courage to share a personal account of that which is often unspoken. Rosemary’s voice evolves from child to mature woman as her story that has always been in the forefront of her mind is revealed publicly and heard loud and clear from the depths of the shadows.


Bernadine Denton, RN, BA, “your brook”

For anyone looking for strength, for anyone looking for hope, this is the book for you. Rose has an amazing ability to show that during struggles in life there can be a light. She has and amazing strength not only getting through these ordeals and dealing with them, but for being able to put it down and reach out to others. Our world has such a great need for more positive thinking, so many people are down and feel like they can never overcome, reading this book shows you on so many levels that no matter how bad things get if we take control and move forward good things are possible. The poems in between the chapters do an amazing job of pulling this book together. Rose writes of trauma and heartache and yet puts it together in such a way that it is wonderful to read. For all that she has been through and where she is now, I give her and this book a HUGE thumbs up. Thanks for sharing your story may it help and touch many people the way it has me.


Dawn Allen

Rosemary Richard’s book, Dance Beyond The Shadows is a heartrending and unflinchingly honest telling of her tragic early life and the struggles that followed. The author doesn’t shy away from the fact that life is messy and abuse can be infectious. She bravely shares her own story as an offering of hope and inspiration to others. Rose does this by showing how powerful Love is.

Here is a sensitive yet tenacious woman who has found her own voice and her own strength by transforming Life’s blows into a life lived forthrightly and compassionately. She has come to embrace life through Love of family, friends and finally herself.

Kudos should also go to Dr. Patricia Cameron whose support of this project is a tribute to her sincere commitment to the practice of her profession.


Regine Brate
Retired Teacher with MS Ed. @College of Saint Rose in Albany NY and
B.A. in Sociology University at Albany State University of New York

It was very interesting and sad to have recently read the book, Dance Beyond The Shadows. Sometimes you want to cry for the little girl that grew up to be a strong woman and overcame her past. I also grew up similar to her and have also made a good life for myself.

I suggest every woman should read this book to know you can go “above the shadows”…

Signed YK
 

Rose,

I would like to share with you my feelings on your Book. We have only known each other for about 3 years in just passing. Just this last fall 2007 we were able to sit and talk and become connected with heart and soul, with our Faith in God.

I knew nothing of your past till I bought your book to read. I could see within the first 20 pages why I could feel and see the tenderness and Love of God with you. Some people may read this and think, why the trials that you went through, would bring you to that.

I have to tell you that I felt many different things while reading. I also have to tell you if I didn't need sleep, I would have read the book in one day. I just didn't want to stop reading, it took me two days. I felt angry at times, and felt very emotional to the point of tears, and at times shouted hurray and felt like I was cheering you on not to give up, to do what you have to for you and the children. Then at the end I had to laugh when you told of Jack singing and only for you would he do what the nurses were asking.

As a woman I admire and have the most high respect for you. God had a plan and He knew that You would be the one that would be the over comer, and be able to set others free from the Darkness and help them heal. We truly don't know how to help someone until we have walked a mile or so in their shoes. My prayers will be with you to walk through every door God will open to set the captives free from this darkness. Thank You again.

You’re Friend, Debbie

NOW HEAR THIS.............. PB

Rosemary Richards found both the courage and the wisdom to break the link of abuse that frequently causes one abused generation to visit abuse on the next. It is frustrating to have to temporarily put down her book after having started reading it: as the language flows continually and as the chapters pass, one can almost feel the combination of her indignation and her strength growing within her and pushing her toward eventual triumph over both the bureaucratic and domestic domination designed to keep her 'in her place.'

Rosemary's story reveals something her antagonists never considered, that she is an evaluator, an information-processor, a person for whom the individual and collective experiences of abuse many times revealed to her the inherent weaknesses of her abuser, an understanding that helped her magnify the positive power of her determination to end the abuse and break the multi-generational cycle. Over time, her determination to break free of her abuser's physical and psychological domination transformed itself into the cycle-breaking power of self esteem, that positive life-force her abuser sought again and again to destroy, and failed to overcome.

~PB
 

Rose

You wrote a most compelling book- I couldn’t put it down.
I’m sure this book will affect hundreds of people.
It is easy to see now why you are so kind and caring. You seem to have a great insight into life.

Thanks for sharing your book with me.
Love Barb

Hello Rose:

I finished your book in two solid sittings and couldn’t put it down. I submitted a book review, but through the web site contact. I just wanted to let you know. You certainly have a talent for writing! I have tried to write down my demons in the past, but found it difficult to put to words, this could not have been an easy endeavor for you. But you do it very well. I have mailed a copy of your book to my best friend in Virginia with great pride. I can't wait until she reads it since she and I have struggled with childhood demons with different masks, but demons just the same. Your acknowledgement of family disorders took strength that members of my family do not have. I wish they did. I believe my mother came from a line of very similar disorders, but unfortunately she has chosen to deny and ignore them, hence perpetuating them. I was that timid child in the corner of the playground escaping into a fantasy novel while others ran and played around me, I was the child who went to school with a smile, even though home was less than nurturing. I was the child who did everything perfectly, because the alternative was physical. I too was the child that never told. Your book touched me the most in the way you salvaged sanity from the natural and the supernatural. I learned very young that the trees can talk to you, streams do more than babble, and the stars can hold your secrets and dreams forever. You just need to listen. This was my salvation, my sanity and the guide that got me through the silent, lonely days. I now realize it was really the angles whispering... You are an amazing woman with an amazing family that I really do cherish. Much Love to you

Ps: I apologize for rambling, but I wanted to let you know how your book touched me personally in addition to the review I submitted. You never cease to amaze. After all is said and done, you are truly a pillar of strength for so many...myself included.

~LS
 

I am not a fast reader but read some of your book every night!
P.S. Now I know why you live on Angel Drive!

Betsy

FOR SURE THE WRITER OF THIS NEWLY PUBLISHED AUTOBIOGRAPHY

HAS MADE A SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION TO THE VAST UNNAMED GROUP OF ABUSED
WOMEN SITTING IN OUR HOMES, CHURCHES, COLLEGES, AND FAMILIES---UNDISCOVERED!
AFTER YOU CRY YOUR WAY THROUGH THE PATH SHE HAS TAKEN TO ARRIVE TO TODAY
LOOK HER UP SINGING AND PLAYING WITH A BAND COMPOSED OF HER WONDERFUL
HUSBAND AND award winning SONGWRITER/PERFORMER DAUGHTER HEATHER AND OTHERS OF HER
CHILDREN ALWAYS WITH HER AND ALWAYS SUPPORTIVE.
INDEED, "SORROW ENDURES FOR THE NIGHT (SOMETIMES ALMOST UNBEARABLE NIGHT,
BUT JOY COMES IN THE MORNING!"
The author truly deserves a listen as you read this book! A real lady!

Edith Sankowski
MS Elementary Education, Music

Rose

I have finished your book, and thought it was a very wonderful book. I really have so many thoughts about it, and after all that you have gone through in your life, and how strong God has made you to handle it all. If I had gone through all you have, I don't think I could be as wonderful a person as you are. I feel privileged to have read your book, and to know you. You are a real hero in my mind.

We Love you
Jeanne H.

Hi Rosie

I just wanted to tell you just how much I enjoyed your beautiful book. You were able to convey throughout this book, every emotion and situation: Love, Confusion, being angry, foster homes, thoughtfulness, understanding, hurt and an ability to have a God given strength, courage, sadness, culture, the ability to forgive, panic, anxiety, devastation, cruelty, abuse, fear. Yea, I know Rosie; this took so much of you to be able to open your heart and soul from everything from within to write this book. When you read this book, you first feel all these emotions and cry because of what you have endured and the strength to get through it all.

Friends are a dime a dozen. Good friends are just far and few between and you will always be mine forever.

Jack is your angel and thank God for him and your beautiful family.

“My Favorite Author” I am so proud of you.

Your Friend Always
Frannie