Amazon Brenda Youngerman Category:  Drama Publisher: Outskirts Press ISBN-10:  1432712969 Type: Fiction Pages: 300 Copyright: July 27, 2007 ISBN-13: 9781432712969 What would you do if your Prince Charming became your worst nightmare? Follow this taut psychological thriller and see just how far a mother will go to protect her children and how far a father will go to get them back. “This novel allows the reader an insider’s view of turmoil, a mother’s love and her struggle to do what she thinks is right,” says Youngerman. “It also delves into what the world perceives as healthy relationships, some of which are far from that.”   Fortunately for Nancy, the emotionally distressed mother, her family and a close friend keep her from losing her mind and possibly her children. Their support enables her to keep fighting for her children’s custody and to stand up to her demanding husband.   “Public Lies is about courage, the depth of love and the strength of a mother,” says Youngerman. “But most of all, it’s about the millions of victims who feel trapped, confused, hurt and alone. These men and women need to know they have options and that help is available.” Excerpt Muscles tense, hairs standing at full attention from the top of her head, all the way down her spine. Driving through the darkness, muscles tightly wound in her neck, thick as cords of rope, twisting taut to the breaking point, as her fingers twitched on the steering wheel. Her eyes darted between the rear view mirror, the side mirrors and the front window. Driving usually calmed her down. Not tonight. Not now. Not this time. She was running from the horror, the evil; the unimaginable. I’m being followed. I know I am. He’s watching every move I make. There is no way I’m going to escape without him knowing, he’ll find me. With every sound her body jerked; each bump in the road exaggerated by her tension. Every car that passed was an enemy to be dealt with. The two children fast asleep in the back of the car were unaware of their mother’s apprehension, or that their futures were about to alter irreversibly. She had given up all hope. This was her only way out.

Riveting
After six years of abuse, Nancy leaves her husband. With the help of family, she and her children change their names and begin a new life. However, the children want to see their father. Nancy gives up her safety only to be drug through a court of lies.
Public Lies is riveting. I could not put this book down. Brenda Youngerman has created a drama that reads like a true story. She sheds light on spousal abuse and the ability of some to manipulate others into believing lies. It is to be remembered that both genders can be abused, and both genders can lie and manipulate. Fans of drama and fiction will want to add Public Lies to their list of must reads.

Very Dynamic
Brenda Youngerman has really hit the nail on the head with this book. It is a very dramatic and truthful story of what happens when women are caught in domestic violence. This is a book that all women should read who are in a violent relationship.

This story revolves around Vince and Nancy Cooper and their turmoil of a marriage. Vince is controlling and abusive mentally and physically in addition to being a substance abuser. After a great mental struggle, Nancy decides she can't live this life anymore and takes her children and leaves Vince. What follows is the harrowing tale of what Vince will do to get his wife back so he can have revenge on her. Even with the help of her family, friends and lawyers, she is depicted as a mother who is useless, running the streets and using drugs, all of which are not true. But it shows us how a person who is cunning and manipulative can make people think otherwise.

Having worked in the field of domestic violence for over 20-years, I can say this book says it all. Even if one's relationship is not at the same point Nancy and Vince's is, it can happen to all of us. I would recommend reading "Public Lies" at all women's shelters and crisis centers. Also all professionals that work in this field would benefit from reading it.

This story will stay with you a long time
Nancy marries Vince Cooper in her parents' backyard. Nancy had believed she was marrying Prince Charming, but everything changed after the wedding. Nancy and Vince have a girl and a boy together.

After six years of threats, along with sexual, mental, and verbal abuse, Nancy takes the kids and flees while Vince is asleep. Vince wakes up after a drug hangover and notices his family is not there. Vince swears he will find Nancy no matter what-and will get revenge on her for leaving.

Nancy gets help from her family and is on the run. She and the kids move to a new town.Nancy changes her appearance and all their names. Nancy is constantly looking over her shoulder for Vince. She knows he is looking for her, and that it is only a matter of time before he finds her and the children.

After about three years, the kids are getting older and asking more about their father. Nancy is feeling guilty keeping him from them and decides to get out of hiding, find Vince, and file for a divorce. Nancy is hoping to make everything alright again and give the kids their father back.

The kids get their wish and get to see their father, but Vince is back to his ways again. He will use any lie or threat to get what he wants. Vince is filled with so much revenge for Nancy he will do anything to get back, even if it means turning the kids on their mother.

Nancy is trying to prove the type of person Vince is and to protect her children the best she can. But when the court turns its back on her, she has to choose to keep fighting or to give up.

This book kept me on the edge of my seat. I could not seem to turn the pages fast enough.

I felt the characters emotions and felt as though I was there with them. This very good book brings a brighter prospective of domestic violence to our eyes.

Armchair Interviews says: Powerful story of domestic violence no one really wants to read--but this author's writing made you want to turn the pages rapidly.