Beyond the Tears: A True Survivor's Story

By Lynn C. Tolson

A true story, Beyond the Tears begins with the suicide attempt of an abused and addicted twenty-five-year-old woman. In the aftermath, she commits to counseling to recover from anxiety and depression associated with post-traumatic stress disorder. The author engages the reader in therapy sessions where the young woman reveals dysfunctional family relationships, including domestic violence, sexual abuse, and mental illness. Due to the therapeutic process, the woman discovers a path to love and the value of life, and she ultimately achieves a life that reflects health and happiness. In sharing this inspirational journey, the author provides a message of hope.

Sexual assault, addiction, and suicide are unsolved social problems that carry stigmas. The stigmas cast a code of silence that do not solve problems. The result from not speaking about the crime of sexual assault is too often tragic. Thus, there is a need for real stories of recovery. By bringing my dark secrets to light, it is my hope that others who have had similar events will know that they are not alone. Readers may explore their own emotions to open lines of communication, eliminate shame, and experience healing. I also hope that my book promotes understanding of the issues that cause individual suffering and plague our society.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1410724174
• ISBN13: 9781410724175
• Release Date: April 2003
• Publisher: Authorhouse
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 1.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.1" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Be prepared to be captivated...and up all night

During my research on domestic violence to feature in Sisters in the Lord Magazine for October, which happens to be Domestic Violence Awareness Month, I ran across Lynn Tolson's, Beyond the Tears: A True Survivor's Story. By the second paragraph of Beyond the Tears, I was transported into the mind of a young woman bent on suicide and traveled with her through her suicide attempt, discovery, revival in a cold hospital room and transfer to a psyche ward. This was just in the first chapter. The remainder of my night was shot as I stayed awake, reading each page as quickly as possible so that I might know this woman was okay. That she recovered. That she escaped her abuser and survived. Intense doesn't begin to describe Beyond the Tears. This writer's true story reads like a best-selling thriller - but it's not fiction. It's Tolson's nightmare that begins the story and her victorious survival that ends it. Peopled with characters we all know in our own lives, Tolson brings her own cast alive with crisp dialogue and action - oftentimes breathtaking with brutal honesty. Tolson's abuse cycle started as a child and continued through her marriage. The pages turn on their own as this compelling true story shows the cycle of abuse, the mindset of the victim, the actions of the abuser, the betrayal of relatives and friends and finally, the first steps toward healing. As I suspected when reading Tolson's story, her true calling was to be a writer, which she revealed in a subsequent interview. She is now working on her second survival story - this time she has survived breast cancer. Beyond the Tears is critical reading for victims of abuse. Through Tolson's story, many will recognize themselves, their families, their spouses, their friends, and from there, recognize that they, too, can heal-even when death seems like the best solution. Tolson says it best in this quote from her website, "In the meantime, know that my purpose as Lynn C. Tolson is in my initials: LCT, Learning, Creating, Teaching, to provide empowerment of our minds, bodies, and spirits. May this generation break the silence that surrounds sexual assault and incest so that future generations may live in peace."

A Male's point of view/ A therapists point of view

Beyond the Tears was very captivating. I felt for and understood Lynn as she told her story. I never felt that it was biased in any way, and longed to find out what was coming next. As a man reading a story about a woman and her experiences with sexual, emotional and physical abuse, I was touched by her courage to continue, even when she did not want to continue she persevered, found strength and did more than survive, she thrived. I was able to identify with the main character just as easily as if that person had been male. As a therapist I have encouraged several of my clients to read this book to assist them in working through their abuse issues(both male and female clients). If I could sum up the most impressive thing about this book besides the author, it would be how she tells her story as though she is telling it to her therapist. That is very healthy and encouraging to others who may need counseling. Thank you so much Lynn for sharing your story and breaking the silence.

Beyond The Tears Book Review

Beyond The Tears, a book by Lynn Tolson, is a story that needs to be read by anyone who has ever thought about suicide, has experienced abuse or is running from the painful memories of their past. Lynn provides a powerful story as she takes you down the painful path of her last suicide attempt that almost killed her. The strange thing is she doesn¡¦t know why she wants to die, she only knows that she wants the pain to stop. It is only by the grace of God that she survives. Having been given a reprieve, Lynn finds a special therapist named Karen she can begin her journey of healing with. It is her special relationship with Karen that gives her the permission and freedom to talk about the sordid and painful memories of her past. She reveals her innermost secret about being sexually abused by her father and then her brother„oyes, her own brother. She tells how lonely she felt as a child in her overwhelmingly dysfunctional family and how she just wanted someone to love her. ¡§That¡¦s what I felt like, a tattered book that had been thrown away before anyone bothered to read beyond the cover¡¨, she writes. Lynn plodded along in therapy for quite some time revealing everything that had happened to her while receiving invaluable hope and support from Karen. She tells how she ¡§¡Ksurveyed the fragments of a family not yet dead but no more living¡¨. In the end, Lynn overcomes her past, confronts her perpetrators and stops just existing, but begins living. She then courageously writes her own story, offering hope to anyone who is a survivor of childhood abuse, neglect and/or trauma. She shares her inspiration and hope with anyone who feels hopeless and unworthy. Read her story and you will find that no matter how bleak a situation or family may look, there is always hope and the potential for healing.(...)

MUST READ for survivors!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am just starting my healing journey, and this is the first book I read pertaining to the subject of sexual abuse. I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN!!!Lynn is a remarkable woman!! I could relate to her so much through this book. I constantly doubt myself that this happened to me, and this book has given me the HOPE I need. Her courage to write this book has blown me away. At this time in my life I am having memory problems as many sexually abused survivors do. This book opened my mind to healing, recovery, and the courage to heal. Her writing is absolutely captivating!!! I can honestly say this book has changed my life!! Thank you Lynn for having the knowledge and courage to be a HERO and write this book!

A must read for real life survivors

A survivor is not always the one who is the strongest or the wisest, but the one who perseveres. Lynn Tolson's story is compelling and uplifting. She takes the reader through the darkest moments of her life into a place where peace and happiness come to fruition. The book is candid but not brutal. It is an enjoyable read with a great message. Tolson is truly a gifted writer.