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Sick as My Secrets
Sick As My Secrets is a powerful, compassionate, moving memoir told by a strong and honest woman who overcame a desperate need for alcohol to handle stress in her young life. Patricia L. Brooks, immensely proud of her thirty-five years of sobriety, openly and lovingly reveals her compelling story of powerlessness, her journey to recovery, and a spiritual transformation from the lowest point in her life to the apex of her trust in God. Her tale is a testament to resilience, perseverance, and hope for all of us.
This is a must-read for anyone recovering from addiction, asking questions about the recovery process, or curious about how a situation like this can happen to a not-so-ordinary young woman with a bright future.
This is a must-read for anyone recovering from addiction, asking questions about the recovery process, or curious about how a situation like this can happen to a not-so-ordinary young woman with a bright future.
324 pages, Paperback
Published June 10, 2018
About the author
Patricia L. Brooks
7 books30 followersAbout the Author
Patricia re-published this first memoir - Gifts of Sisterhood in 2020 - as a celebration of her sister's life and published two other memoirs prior - Sick as My Secrets and Three Husbands and a Thousand Boyfriends. One is on her recovery from alcohol - 37 years - and the other survival from trauma and violent crime twice.
Patricia is active in the community speaking out on women's issues, grief, recovery and domestic violence survival for research on both of these books.
She has written many articles, short stories, edited university curriculum and developed a career of seminar presentations. As an inspirational and motivational speaker, she has contributed to the development of successful men and women for many years.
She makes her home in Scottsdale, Arizona, maintains an active writing and speaking life along with yoga and walks with her husband - and continues to develop the Scottsdale Society of Women Writers.
Patricia added her publishing consulting business in 2007 to her repertoire as a publishing consultant/authors partner - www.brooksgoldmannpublishing.com She helps potential authors through the maze of independent publishing with a jump start launch to their books by putting the team together to make independent publishing an exciting journey.
Patricia L. Brooks speaks on various topics relating to writing, publishing, critique groups, and marketing for the writing community. She has operated her seminar business since 1996.
Patricia is an active member of:
The Scottsdale Society of Women Writers (president/founder)
AZ Authors Association
Phoenix Writers Club.
The Journey from Grief to Gratitude workshop that supports Gifts of Sisterhood featuring Patricia's personal experience and expertise in dealing with grief. Her mission with this workshop is to enhance the spirit of the attendees experience. Satisfaction is always guaranteed.
Although Patricia has resided in Arizona for over 30 years, her heart remains in the Mackinac area of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, the setting for Gifts of Sisterhood and the area where she grew-up with her sisters. Their family home on Lake Michigan is owned by one of the sisters, so she can always go home and visit her late sister at her flower garden and fountain resting place just down the beach. www.brooksgoldmannpublishing.com
Patricia was a university faculty associate for almost 20 years and was affiliated with Arizona State University. She holds a Masters Degree in Organizational Management, the Advanced Toastmasters designation and was named to Whos Who Amongst Americas Teachers.
Please contact Patricia for speaking engagements or a
FREE one hour get to know you
consultation on writing or publishing.
480-250-5556 cell - patricia@plbrooks.com
info@brooksgoldmannpublishing.com
(editing/publishing consultation)
https://blog.brooksgoldmannpublishing...
Patricia L. Brooks, MAOM
Speaker, Author, Publishing Consultant, Advocate
Brooks Goldmann Publishing Company, LLC
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Patricia re-published this first memoir - Gifts of Sisterhood in 2020 - as a celebration of her sister's life and published two other memoirs prior - Sick as My Secrets and Three Husbands and a Thousand Boyfriends. One is on her recovery from alcohol - 37 years - and the other survival from trauma and violent crime twice.
Patricia is active in the community speaking out on women's issues, grief, recovery and domestic violence survival for research on both of these books.
She has written many articles, short stories, edited university curriculum and developed a career of seminar presentations. As an inspirational and motivational speaker, she has contributed to the development of successful men and women for many years.
She makes her home in Scottsdale, Arizona, maintains an active writing and speaking life along with yoga and walks with her husband - and continues to develop the Scottsdale Society of Women Writers.
Patricia added her publishing consulting business in 2007 to her repertoire as a publishing consultant/authors partner - www.brooksgoldmannpublishing.com She helps potential authors through the maze of independent publishing with a jump start launch to their books by putting the team together to make independent publishing an exciting journey.
Patricia L. Brooks speaks on various topics relating to writing, publishing, critique groups, and marketing for the writing community. She has operated her seminar business since 1996.
Patricia is an active member of:
The Scottsdale Society of Women Writers (president/founder)
AZ Authors Association
Phoenix Writers Club.
The Journey from Grief to Gratitude workshop that supports Gifts of Sisterhood featuring Patricia's personal experience and expertise in dealing with grief. Her mission with this workshop is to enhance the spirit of the attendees experience. Satisfaction is always guaranteed.
Although Patricia has resided in Arizona for over 30 years, her heart remains in the Mackinac area of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, the setting for Gifts of Sisterhood and the area where she grew-up with her sisters. Their family home on Lake Michigan is owned by one of the sisters, so she can always go home and visit her late sister at her flower garden and fountain resting place just down the beach. www.brooksgoldmannpublishing.com
Patricia was a university faculty associate for almost 20 years and was affiliated with Arizona State University. She holds a Masters Degree in Organizational Management, the Advanced Toastmasters designation and was named to Whos Who Amongst Americas Teachers.
Please contact Patricia for speaking engagements or a
FREE one hour get to know you
consultation on writing or publishing.
480-250-5556 cell - patricia@plbrooks.com
info@brooksgoldmannpublishing.com
(editing/publishing consultation)
https://blog.brooksgoldmannpublishing...
Patricia L. Brooks, MAOM
Speaker, Author, Publishing Consultant, Advocate
Brooks Goldmann Publishing Company, LLC
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
December 17, 2019
Memoirs are an interesting genre, because they allow the author to exclude things. The most powerful memoirs, however, are the ones in which the author lays all bear. Sick as My Secrets is the latter. Brooks shares an unflinching account of her journey through addition and recovery. She details her decades-long struggle with anxiety, depression and low self-esteem, and how she dealt with those things through unhealthy reliance on alcohol and men. She endured and overcame the brutality and shame of domestic abuse, and she found God while serving time in prison for driving while intoxicated.
Thirty-five years of sobriety has made her stronger, healthier, wiser, happier. Somewhere along the line, she realized she was “addicted to chaos.” It’s an idea to which many people can relate. If you have struggled with unhealthy behaviors or know someone who does, Brooks’ memoir sheds a bright and true light on what that really means.
Thirty-five years of sobriety has made her stronger, healthier, wiser, happier. Somewhere along the line, she realized she was “addicted to chaos.” It’s an idea to which many people can relate. If you have struggled with unhealthy behaviors or know someone who does, Brooks’ memoir sheds a bright and true light on what that really means.
June 23, 2018
Fabulously written, this journey that delves into the path of destruction that is an addiction & how it carefully wraps it's victim in a warm welcoming blanket & provides comfort, all the while the addiction builds & then it no longer becomes a friend, but a dark need that one must consume daily.
Reading Pat's story was both enlightening (as someone whose never had an addiction before)& also quite despairing as the reader goes back into her life to discover how alcohol became her friend.
Her repetitious behavior towards men & needing constant amusement & attention is what appears to be both fueled by alcohol & her own securities.
Very brave this woman is and to take the reader on her life, from insecure beginnings to a destructive path & back to a brighter future was a wonderful read.
Heartwarming & beautiful. Many blessings!
Reading Pat's story was both enlightening (as someone whose never had an addiction before)& also quite despairing as the reader goes back into her life to discover how alcohol became her friend.
Her repetitious behavior towards men & needing constant amusement & attention is what appears to be both fueled by alcohol & her own securities.
Very brave this woman is and to take the reader on her life, from insecure beginnings to a destructive path & back to a brighter future was a wonderful read.
Heartwarming & beautiful. Many blessings!
June 1, 2020
Very good
I really enjoyed this book. As a nurse that works with substance abuse and psych patients I love to hear about these success stories. Only thing I wish was more of a story on how she met her current husband. She goes into such detail about all the other men but just glazes over her current marriage. This man add me like a great person so it would have been nice to hear more about how she found trust again. I assume it was done to encourage us to read brotherhood about her love addicts which I get but at least give him a few paragraphs.
I really enjoyed this book. As a nurse that works with substance abuse and psych patients I love to hear about these success stories. Only thing I wish was more of a story on how she met her current husband. She goes into such detail about all the other men but just glazes over her current marriage. This man add me like a great person so it would have been nice to hear more about how she found trust again. I assume it was done to encourage us to read brotherhood about her love addicts which I get but at least give him a few paragraphs.
June 24, 2018
Brutally honest story of how alcohol impacts the lives of women unexpectedly and in a dangerous and cruel way - when we are not looking - when we’re going about our lives regardless of what’s happened to us in the past or where we are going or what we are doing
Patricia is frank and honest and holds nothing back She takes this journey to be of service to others to give back to a much needed community that no longer is served in the shadows
Patricia is frank and honest and holds nothing back She takes this journey to be of service to others to give back to a much needed community that no longer is served in the shadows
July 21, 2020
I enjoyed this book but gave it four stars because the authors writing style, for me, was a bit disjointed from the readers point of view. She also wrote some areas of her life in great detail and others were glossed over leaving me wondering on what happened or how she got there. But, it is an honest story and her story to tell and I enjoyed her life’s journey through alcoholism and relationship abuse culminating in a life worth living.
August 25, 2024
As a former addictions therapist, and as the spouse of a man who had 26 years of sobriety before he died, I wasn’t necessarily expecting to read or learn anything new about addiction in this memoir. But I did…and a lot!
It was hard to read about the downward spiral of the author’s alcoholism. Yet there were nuances in the author’s story that showed me how incredibly innocent and painful the journey is. I found myself wishing that my late husband were alive so that I could ask him a little more about and listened a little more deeply to what he went through.
It was also difficult to read about the author’s struggle with “love addiction” and domestic violence.
Yet these challenges were more than offset by the relief, joy, and admiration I felt for the author as she navigated toward a journey of spiritual consciousness. Her growing forgiveness, self forgiveness, gratitude, humility, and compassion, expressed in service to others, were inspiring to read about. I am a better person for reading this book because it has challenged me to think about my own journey, my own self forgiveness, my own secrets, and my own unmet desires to give back.
It takes courage to write such a detailed and forthright memoir. I am grateful for the beauty the author’s effort has revealed.
It was hard to read about the downward spiral of the author’s alcoholism. Yet there were nuances in the author’s story that showed me how incredibly innocent and painful the journey is. I found myself wishing that my late husband were alive so that I could ask him a little more about and listened a little more deeply to what he went through.
It was also difficult to read about the author’s struggle with “love addiction” and domestic violence.
Yet these challenges were more than offset by the relief, joy, and admiration I felt for the author as she navigated toward a journey of spiritual consciousness. Her growing forgiveness, self forgiveness, gratitude, humility, and compassion, expressed in service to others, were inspiring to read about. I am a better person for reading this book because it has challenged me to think about my own journey, my own self forgiveness, my own secrets, and my own unmet desires to give back.
It takes courage to write such a detailed and forthright memoir. I am grateful for the beauty the author’s effort has revealed.
October 12, 2021
This is a rough read. It's an addiction recovery memoir, but it's about a woman with long term sobriety through AA. I'm not big on AA so it's sometimes difficult to wade through their rhetoric. I've still tried to stop and take from it what's meaningful though and not just disregard all of it.
It's interesting as a time piece as it starts many decades ago as opposed to most of the similar books I've read that begin in the 90s or early 2000s.
This woman goes to therapy for decades. She even, gasp, works through things, which is not always a given with all therapists.
She is in abusive relationships. This was also difficult to read. I am close with people who have been in relationships like this. While I stood by and helped them when possible I now realize I was judging them as weak when we are just different.
It's also a long book. And it's not fun. So it took me about two months to get through even with regular reading.
As of this review it's included through Kindle Unlimited (the paid monthly service, that I'm currently using).
It's interesting as a time piece as it starts many decades ago as opposed to most of the similar books I've read that begin in the 90s or early 2000s.
This woman goes to therapy for decades. She even, gasp, works through things, which is not always a given with all therapists.
She is in abusive relationships. This was also difficult to read. I am close with people who have been in relationships like this. While I stood by and helped them when possible I now realize I was judging them as weak when we are just different.
It's also a long book. And it's not fun. So it took me about two months to get through even with regular reading.
As of this review it's included through Kindle Unlimited (the paid monthly service, that I'm currently using).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 1, 2019
Patricia is a survivor. She writes a very emotional memoir about her relationship with alcohol. Alcoholism is a pervasive disease and once it catches hold, it can and will ruin all aspects of your life including relationships with family and friends, work and marriage. Patricia reveals her struggles by telling her personal story detailing how alcohol did just that for her. She has a compelling story and is able to work through her issues and gives hope to others, as she made a commitment to herself to stay sober and take one day at a time. A must read!
December 26, 2019
As a person in recovery, I did understand many of the approaches she takes to stay sober and stay with her program, which obviously has been successful.
I just don’t think the book was very well written.
I just don’t think the book was very well written.
August 27, 2020
For those feeling lost, stranded, or abandoned in life, this story will give you hope and inspiration to keep fighting toward happiness. Patricia is a perfect example of someone who persisted and found her gold at the end of a rainbow after a difficult storm.
August 6, 2019
Ms. Brooks has a relatable and authentic writing voice. While I was reading this memoir, I felt as though she was sharing her story with me in person. It's a great read for anyone.
November 5, 2020
Perfect timing
I found your story very relatable to my own. Thank you for your experience strength and hope! Looking forward to reading more from you!
I found your story very relatable to my own. Thank you for your experience strength and hope! Looking forward to reading more from you!
July 4, 2021
I can relate @ 18.5 years sober
I couldn't put this book down. This journey to recovery contains lots of sober wisdom I can respect, trust, and easily relate to.
I couldn't put this book down. This journey to recovery contains lots of sober wisdom I can respect, trust, and easily relate to.
July 3, 2022
In 2022, only had a little bit of time to read and glad I chose to read this memoir. I appreciated the raw and real nature of the author's storytelling on the topic of addiction and of her unique journey. This is a story of true transformation and healing...self-discovery and lessons learned that can help many!
Currently Reading
May 1, 2019This book offers help for those struggling with addiction. The author shares her personal life in this memoir. I highly recommend to anyone searching for answers.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews