The first time he hit me, we were at a dance. I was talking to another guy at the bar. Benny came up behind me, turned me around, and slammed a beer bottle into my face. (Mary)

When I found out I was pregnant, I thought we would be a big, happy family. That all ended when he got drunk and kicked me in the stomach. I miscarried. (Martha)

He told me, "If you ever tell anyone our secret, I will tell them that you are the one who asked for this." Naturally, being only nine years old, I had no idea what he really meant, but I will never forget what happened next. (Paula)

Upon moving to our new home, there were new rules. I was allowed no car and no phone, as before. But now I was also not allowed shoes, so I could not run away. If I did everything right and didn't make him angry, he would allow me to buy food. (Ashley)

When William Joiner was asked to write the true story of an abused woman, he put out a call for the personal experiences of women who had suffered abuse. Stunned by the vast, gut-wrenching responses, he vowed to write this broader account of their stories in order to give hope, courage, and resources to women in need.

Ninety percent of the net profits from this book will be donated to organizations that help abused women.