The Chameleon Chronicles

Abuse does not always appear in the form of battered waifs, scars from beatings, or shocks from incest; it can assume subtler personas masquerading as loving parents. Narcissism. Self-centeredness. Abuse. These are not just buzzwords or psychobabble. They are the core elements of suffering and victimization that often goes unrecognized and undiagnosed in many people. In this riveting story written in the form of a novel, "Amanda" retraces her life by journaling her experiences at the hands of her beautiful but narcissistic mother, chronicling events and memories that have shaped her life and contributed to the woman she became. The missed opportunities and self-deprecation, the isolation and anxiety, the sleepless nights and broken dreams. This book is a must read for anyone curious about his or her own experiences, the ambiguities of childhood; anyone wondering what constitutes abuse, whether abuse actually took place, and most importantly, how to unravel and extricate oneself from pain and confusion and find freedom. Were you abused?