Breaking the Cycle

by Dywane D. Birch, Tracy Price-Thompson, Collen Dixon, et al.

Book Overview

An eagerly awaited collection of stories dealing with domestic abuse, edited by the New York Times bestselling author Zane. Breaking the Cycle is a stunning and moving anthology of stories, each of... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0739454498
• ISBN13: 9780739454497
• Release Date: January 2005
• Publisher: Strebor Books
• Length: 229 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Love

This book was great I love me sum zane

Great!

I planned on making Zane's new book my first after purchasing the kindle 2 but i see i have made the right choice. This book was amazing! It has heartbreaking stories that are informative and sometimes a little frightening. Each story captavates the pains of abuse from more than one view. I hope that this book is a an eye opener to society!

Riveting

Breaking The Cycle, edited by Zane, is a collection of eight stories that deal with the topic of domestic violence. The distinctive voice of each of the contributing authors provides a different twist to this troubling subject. Zane starts the anthology with a story of a teenage girl who is determined to break the cycle despite her mother's reluctance. I was fascinated by the writing style of J.L. Woodson who wrote, God Does Answer Prayers from the perspective of a young boy who is an accidental victim of domestic violence. The young protagonist tells the story while hovering between life and death in a hospital room. The Break of Dawn by Coleen Dixon had a surprise ending that left me stunned. Shonda Cheekes boldly reveals an aspect of domestic violence that many people are unaware of. The horror of abuse depicted in The Stranger by Tracy Price-Thompson just kept escalating. Each author is to be commended for not only exposing the many facets of domestic violence but for also offering a solution to break the cycle. The resources found at the end of the book is an invaluable tool for anyone seeking help. Kudos to Zane for taking the chance to step outside the erotica genre to shed some light on this serious issue.

Insightfully Thought Provoking

Zane out did herself with this one! I applaud these very talented authors for educating us on the underlyings of physical, emotional, mental draining abuse. "The Break of Dawn" & "Silent Suffering" will forever be etched in my mind as their deliverance was the most powerful for me. This is not to say the other authors didn't do a fantastic job. Although, I couldn't quite wrap my mind around to complete the story where and what D. V. Bernard was getting at with "The Lonely Echoes of My Youth". To sum it up, we need to commit to BREAKING THE CYCLE! Whether you see this pattern in yourself, a friend or love one, take initiative and present them/yourself with this book that offers many resources (THANK YOU ZANE)and in depth insight as to WHO, WHY AND WHAT STEPS CAN BE TAKING TO REGAIN A FULFILLING, PURPOSEFUL LIFE.

They Would Never Hurt the Kids...

BREAKING THE CYCLE is a compelling collection of shorts stories about the subject of domestic violence. Zane, the editor of the collection, has gathered a diverse group of contributing authors who each brought something unique to their offering. The book discusses different types of abuse, from physical to emotional, verbal to sexual, but has a special emphasis on the impact of domestic violence on children. I honestly enjoyed every story in this collection; however, some are particularly noteworthy. Young author, J.L. Woodson's story captured the voice of his 12 year-old protagonist with such simple honesty that I couldn't help but empathize. Woodson also laced a bit of fantasy into the tale which made the story unique and a pleasure to read in spite of the dark subject matter. Nane Quartay's contribution was another that was told from a child's point of view. His vivid characterizations made me feel like I was right on the block watching the story unfold. Shonda Cheekes' story focused on a male victim of domestic violence and in it she highlights the stigma and shame that are unique to men. Zane and Tracy Price-Thompson's stories featured characters who have simply had enough. While I didn't mention the other authors by name, trust me when I say each story is unique, well-written, and will make you think. Reading BREAKING THE CYCLE made me appreciate the choices I made in choosing a mate. However, for those who may be in an abusive relationship, it provides useful information and will remind victims that they are not alone. In addition, this is a wonderful book for young adults, who lack experience when it comes to relationships. It provides realistic examples of how a seemingly good relationship can take a dramatic turn for the worse. Further, it serves as a reminder that domestic violence doesn't occur in a vacuum; it impacts the entire family and the broader community. I highly commend Zane for putting together a collection of stories that are not only well-written and emotional, but also address a very important social issue. Reviewed by Stacey Seay of The RAWSISTAZ™ Reviewers

Terrific

This Book was by far the best book ive ever read, and I have read nearly all of Zane's books. This book has taken me for a ride through depth and perception. Although I have not personally gone through abuse, I now truly know what it would be like.I truly appreciate and love this book. EVERYONE SHOULD READ THIS!