Latest Work by New York Times Bestselling Author is “Most Important” to Date
Powerful and Stirring Read by Kimberla Lawson Roby to Release in September
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Shandra Hill Smith, 770-241-7707,
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ATLANTA (August 12, 2009) — New York Times bestselling author Kimberla Lawson Roby returns with the release of her second novella, a powerful and emotionally stirring read Roby calls her most important work to date.
A DEEP DARK SECRET (William Morrow, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers; Sept. 29, 2009; $19.99; ISBN 9780061443091) examines the consequences of an all-too-prevalent societal and family issue: child molestation. A DEEP DARK SECRET goes on sale on September 29, 2009.
Roby, adored by legions of readers for her works that focus on true-to-life social issues — from her first novella, ONE IN A MILLION, and her 11 previous novels, including the extremely popular Rev. Curtis Black series — considers her upcoming release to be the most significant up to this point in her writing career.
“While I’ve always written about very real-life social issues,” says Roby, “I truly think this particular story will help even more people on a number of different levels — specifically the 39 million adults in this country who have survived childhood sexual abuse. Also, because it is not always easy to simply look at a child and tell what might be happening to them, I believe the story will bring much awareness to parents.”
A DEEP DARK SECRET, the Essence Book Club Recommended Read by Essence magazine for November 2009, tells the story of 12-year-old Jillian Maxwell. On the outside, Jillian is the perfect child. She’s helpful with chores around the house, gets straight As in school, has plans for college, and stays out of trouble. She seems to have everything a girl could want: a big, beautiful new home, an adoring little sister, a mother who cares about her, and an attentive stepfather.
But inside, Jillian harbors a terrible secret.
Too frightened to tell, convinced that her friends and loved ones, especially her mother, won’t understand — and worse, will blame her — Jillian endures her pain in silence, all the while hoping that things will get better. However, as time passes and her dilemma intensifies, the bright, hardworking girl becomes sullen and disinterested in her studies. Then, just when it seems she’s on the verge of losing everything, Jillian discovers she has more strength than she ever imagined…and the power to change her fate.
With sensitivity and grace, Roby addresses a very real and serious issue, while delivering the inspiring tale of one family’s mission to shed light into the darkest corner of their lives.
In some ways, A DEEP DARK SECRET hits home with Roby.
“While I did not experience the exact same situations as the character in my book, I do know what it is like to have an adult touch me inappropriately as a child and also what it feels like to go years without telling another living soul,” she says. “My greatest hope is that A DEEP DARK SECRET will enhance public awareness and encourage all victims, both current and surviving, to get the help they need.”
Roby’s novels have frequented bestseller lists, including The New York Times, and lists for Essence, The Washington Post, Upscale magazine, Amazon.com, Wal-Mart and many others. Roby’s CASTING THE FIRST STONE received the Blackboard Fiction Book of the Year Award for 2001, after also remaining the number-one Blackboard bestseller for four consecutive months in 2000. CASTING THE FIRST STONE also was a book club selection by radio personality DeDe McGuire, who co-hosts the nationally syndicated “Afternoons with Doug and DeDe” with Doug Banks.
Kimberla Lawson Roby is the author of the acclaimed works The Best of Everything, Sin No More, One in a Million (novella), Love and Lies, Changing Faces, The Best-Kept Secret, Too Much of a Good Thing, A Taste of Reality, Behind Closed Doors, Here and Now, Casting the First Stone and It’s a Thin Line. She lives with her husband in Illinois.
More info: www.kimroby.com