Deceived but not Destroyed
Summer 2026 Release
Book Description
The sequel to the original novel Bruised but Not Broken, is a memorable, unflinching, journey of healing and redemption across generations of misrepresentations.
Bleu didn’t realize that her life would become psychologically multifaceted, after Tamela’s death.
But nothing is easy when you're trying to uncover the truth and learning about the devastating lives that have been oppressed throughout your lineage, while trying to protect the ones that you love. Everything she thought she knew about herself, was now a mere glimpse of a factious character, from one of her favorite novels.
But she isn’t alone in this.
Manda and Savannah endured the after hell that Bleu experienced, knowing true family and sisterhood was hard to come by, they needed her, as much as she needed them. Travel with Bleu as she finds out who she is and where she belongs, no happily-ever-after for a badass like her.
Bleu didn’t realize that her life would become psychologically multifaceted, after Tamela’s death.
But nothing is easy when you're trying to uncover the truth and learning about the devastating lives that have been oppressed throughout your lineage, while trying to protect the ones that you love. Everything she thought she knew about herself, was now a mere glimpse of a factious character, from one of her favorite novels.
But she isn’t alone in this.
Manda and Savannah endured the after hell that Bleu experienced, knowing true family and sisterhood was hard to come by, they needed her, as much as she needed them. Travel with Bleu as she finds out who she is and where she belongs, no happily-ever-after for a badass like her.
Intro Excerpt
After the service ends I stand in the chapel lobby as familiar and unfamiliar faces file past to pay their respects. Mother Jackson says, “You know your momma loved the lord and he loved her. We’ll be praying for you. Please call me if you need anything.”
I say, “Thank you Mother Jackson for the kind words and your time of prayer for my mother and family. I can remember the many days that you and the praying warrior came to the house to watch and pray over my mother. What a powerful group of women. I know these last days have been hard for all of us. I truly, thank you for your time during this hard and transitional time for my family.”
Now, Mother Jackson was a praying woman but not one to be misunderstood. I didn’t mess with her because she acted like she owned the entire church building and that the lord didn’t cover the mortgage.
An unfamiliar woman with a bad, twenty piece wig looks me in the eyes and says, “everything is gonna be alright.” I nod at the woman with a small smile because I know that is what I am supposed to do when people offer words of comfort.
I can’t help but think, how does this woman know one thing about how my life will be? Can you look at a person and know what they are thinking or feeling? Just cause I look like I am holding it together well doesn’t mean that I am going to be alright. Will those tracks get you to heaven and make everything alright with God?
My Momma wasn’t always there for me and she didn’t always do the right thing. Yet, she was mine and I loved her fiercely for as long as I can remember. I have forgiven my Momma for her faults and I don’t know what I am going to do without her.
Maybe she was flawed and could drive me crazy but she was my Momma.
I say, “Thank you Mother Jackson for the kind words and your time of prayer for my mother and family. I can remember the many days that you and the praying warrior came to the house to watch and pray over my mother. What a powerful group of women. I know these last days have been hard for all of us. I truly, thank you for your time during this hard and transitional time for my family.”
Now, Mother Jackson was a praying woman but not one to be misunderstood. I didn’t mess with her because she acted like she owned the entire church building and that the lord didn’t cover the mortgage.
An unfamiliar woman with a bad, twenty piece wig looks me in the eyes and says, “everything is gonna be alright.” I nod at the woman with a small smile because I know that is what I am supposed to do when people offer words of comfort.
I can’t help but think, how does this woman know one thing about how my life will be? Can you look at a person and know what they are thinking or feeling? Just cause I look like I am holding it together well doesn’t mean that I am going to be alright. Will those tracks get you to heaven and make everything alright with God?
My Momma wasn’t always there for me and she didn’t always do the right thing. Yet, she was mine and I loved her fiercely for as long as I can remember. I have forgiven my Momma for her faults and I don’t know what I am going to do without her.
Maybe she was flawed and could drive me crazy but she was my Momma.
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Bruised but not Broken
Book Description
Little Bleu launched into childhood with knobby and skinned-up knees, a sharp and fierce intelligence, and the challenge of both loving and overcoming her family. In this coming-of-age story, Bruised but Not Broken explores the indefinable something that Bleu carried throughout her life that led her to college, through career challenges, and finally to a leadership role in her community -- despite a chaotic and troubling (yet crazily loving) childhood.
Purchase For $15.95!
Purchase For $15.95!
Chapter 2 Excerpt
I scratched my knee until blood trickled from a torn-off scab. It began running down all weird; just like Uncle Al wobbled when he was at Little Las Vegas on Saturday nights. I rose from under the window sill, where I’d been trying to untangle a broken Barbie jeep wheel from the frayed rug. I’d better get a paper towel. Mama will be mad if I bleed on her yellowed curtains or her already stained rug.
“God forbid!” I whispered angrily, copying my mother’s stern voice. Not that anyone would even notice another stain. I half-turned back to my toy, already forgetting the bleeding wound, barely visible against my dark skin. My hand had just grazed the smooth, pink plastic of the Jeep hood when I heard a shriek that echoed around the room. Bad words, too. Mama told me she’d give me a nasty soap mouth-washing if I ever said one of those words again. “Do as I say, not as I do,” I said, mimicking my mama’s constant bragging rights.
I never understood why I couldn’t say those words. Grandpa says them all the time, and Mama doesn’t scold him. I can’t wait to see Grandpa again. Grandpa used to let me ride shotgun, right in the middle hump in the front seat of his mint green, Cadillac. That was my spot. In fact, Grandpa was known for his mint green Cadillac and everyone knew how much he loved it. He would tell me that no matter what, the middle was mine, even if he picked up women who smelled sweeter than my mother ever did and called me sweet names too, which Mama only did when she was drunk. It never mattered how Grandpa felt he always called me Leadbottom and gave me all the sweets I wanted.
“God forbid!” I whispered angrily, copying my mother’s stern voice. Not that anyone would even notice another stain. I half-turned back to my toy, already forgetting the bleeding wound, barely visible against my dark skin. My hand had just grazed the smooth, pink plastic of the Jeep hood when I heard a shriek that echoed around the room. Bad words, too. Mama told me she’d give me a nasty soap mouth-washing if I ever said one of those words again. “Do as I say, not as I do,” I said, mimicking my mama’s constant bragging rights.
I never understood why I couldn’t say those words. Grandpa says them all the time, and Mama doesn’t scold him. I can’t wait to see Grandpa again. Grandpa used to let me ride shotgun, right in the middle hump in the front seat of his mint green, Cadillac. That was my spot. In fact, Grandpa was known for his mint green Cadillac and everyone knew how much he loved it. He would tell me that no matter what, the middle was mine, even if he picked up women who smelled sweeter than my mother ever did and called me sweet names too, which Mama only did when she was drunk. It never mattered how Grandpa felt he always called me Leadbottom and gave me all the sweets I wanted.
Available at A Library Near You
Liberal Memorial Library
519 N. Kansas
Liberal, KS 67901
519 N. Kansas
Liberal, KS 67901
Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library
1515 SW 10th
Topeka, KS 66604
1515 SW 10th
Topeka, KS 66604