The challenge of writing a book as a survivor of childhood sexual abuse is finding that delicate balance between sharing just enough and oversharing one’s personal experiences in a way that leaves readers with hope and the belief that it is possible to overcome the tragic effects of this particularly heinous criminal and life-altering act.

In Thriving After Sexual Abuse, author Denise Bossarte offers up that safe space to readers, revealing only what is necessary in the way of details related to the abuse she personally suffered at the hands of a trusted relative, and instead focusing on the healing journey she traveled as a way to inspire others seeking to begin or continue down their own path of reclaiming their power.

Bossarte openly and honestly writes about some of her unsuccessful encounters with a few mental health professionals, but doesn’t negate the importance of finding and working with one that can provide the tools and resources needed to successfully reign in and eventually let go of negative thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

For the author, that healing journey required spiritual, physical, and mental engagement in various activities and journaling exercises, the details of which she shares with the reader, along with several helpful resources.

Well-written, thought-provoking, and sensitive, Bossarte’s Thriving After Sexual Abuse is a guidebook for a wide audience of readers who will immediately recognize its value whether they are survivors themselves or know someone who is.

~ Nonfiction Authors Association Book Awards Program

Additional Praise

  • The author’s writings have a great flow of content and continuity of thought.

  • The Exercises and Journaling” activities are an excellent start for healing.

  • The inclusion of personal accounts make the author relatable and emphasizes the benefits of taking this journey to heal.

Finalist in the 2022 Eric Hoffer Book Awards, Self-Help category

The Eric Hoffer Book Award was founded at the start of the 21st century (with permission from the Eric Hoffer Estate) to honor freethinking writers and independent books of exceptional merit. The Eric Hoffer Book Award honors the memory of the great American philosopher Eric Hoffer by highlighting salient writing, as well as the independent spirit of small publishers. Since its inception, the Hoffer has become one of the largest international book awards for small, academic, and independent presses.

Human Relations Indie Book Awards 2022 Director's Choice Award for Abuse Awareness Book of the Year and Gold Award Winner Self-Help Human Relations Indie Book

The purpose of the Human Relations Indie Book Awards is to recognize indie authors who have written books with a human relations focus related to various interactions among people in different settings such as work, organizations, school, home, family or in personal lives. This is the seventh year of the Human Relations Indie Book Awards. We had a diverse group of indie authors for the previous years’ awards that ranged from professional perspectives to indie author’s personal journeys of self-reflection and human relationships.

Finalist in Self-help (non-fiction) in the 2022 Next Generation Indie Book Awards

The largest international awards program for indie authors and independent publishers.

Finalist Hope Pyx Global International Book Awards

The Conference on Abuse and International Book Awards is designed to provide education, resources and networking opportunities for survivors, advocates, and organizations
to end abuse together and to recognize those who have overcome adversities
and have begun to speak out.

Honorable Mention Royal Dragonfly Book Awards

Self-Help/Inspirational category

Finalist with BBA

My book Thriving is an Award Winning Finalist in the Self-Help: General category of the 2021 Best Book Awards sponsored by American Book Fest!

Finalist With IAN

My book Thriving After Sexual Abuse is a Finalist for Non-Fiction in the Independent Author Network 2021 Book of the Year Award!

Finalist

Quarterfinalist in the 2019 BookLife Prize Nonfiction Contest, Self-help Category (unpublished manuscript)

Idea/Concept: In an eloquent and empathetic manual, Bossarte recounts her own traumatic experience with childhood sexual abuse before laying out a blueprint for other survivors to heal themselves. Emphasizing that the work is not a “tell-all” of her own abuse, but instead a helping resource, Bossarte offers tangible strategies for readers to reclaim their lives and move forward.

Prose: Bossarte writes with fierce candor as she shares her memories of her abuse and its enduring impact on her life. She freely expresses her rage, her feelings of confusion and loathing, and how the experience of abuse forever changed her. The book’s tone transitions into one more pragmatic, as the author shares tips and suggestions for readers to seek help, self-reflect, and pursue healing through a range of activities.

Originality: Books devoted to the topic of sexual abuse aren’t uncommon. Bossarte’s book is unique in that the author comes at her awareness through personal experience, which she openly shares with readers. Bossarte’s integration of questions for self-reflection invites readers to be proactive in their own healing process.

Execution: Bossarte’s advice for abuse survivors ranges from heartfelt assurances to more concrete suggestions for working through particular challenges. Bossarte gently instructs readers on confronting an abuser or family member who had knowledge of the abuse; dealing with triggering circumstances; and piecing together fractured memories, among other topics.

Reviewed By Mamta Madhavan for Readers’ Favorite

Thriving After Sexual Abuse: Breaking Your Bondage to the Past and Living a Life You Love by Denise Bossarte is the heartrending memoir of the author’s story, that of being a survivor of childhood sexual abuse and overcoming incest by her maternal grandfather.

The book not only chronicles her traumatic sexual abuse but also speaks about the details of her healing journey. This book is for all survivors of sexual abuse and partners of survivors, and though the author’s personal sexual abuse story might not resonate with theirs, it will definitely connect with their emotional, psychological, mental, and spiritual trauma. This memoir is about the author’s story of healing, becoming a thriver and a survivor, and getting her life back on track to a brighter tomorrow.

Denise Bossarte’s story is heartbreaking and her story will definitely help readers overcome abuse, become a thriver, and live the life they love. The book is raw and honest and every chapter has a working space with detailed information in the form of questions that can be used by readers if they need it.

The tips and strategies to break out of survival mode, self-destructive behaviors, and unworthiness will help many readers whose lives have turned upside down due to sexual abuse. It will also help survivors of abuse to change their thinking patterns and take them on a path to a happier existence instead of leading a life filled with self-hatred, anger, disgust, and negativity.

The author shares tools on how to break the cycle of self-blame and gives positive affirmations to practice. Her story will also help readers break free from their self-destructive behaviors and rebuild their self-confidence.

Thriving After Sexual Abuse can be used by therapists and counselors to help their patients to heal from the trauma of sexual abuse.