Life may seem tough in lockdown, but it is the perfect time to read the new fast-paced memoir everyone is talking about by first-time author Jacqui Burnett launching in the UK this month.
After suffering no less than nine near-death experiences and other multiple life traumas her life-affirming tale is the book everyone should read to help navigate their own difficulties through life’s journey.
Jacqui suffered for years at the hands of an emotionally abusive father, narrowly escaped being killed in a car accident, made two suicide attempts and endured a spirit-crushing David and Goliath style battle with a global accounting brand in a life plagued by even more trauma.
But her soul-searching journey of recovery and self-discovery as she entered her forties inspired a new Dare to Be Love movement which amassed 40,000 followers and led her to put pen to paper to write her own life story.
The life coach and business mentor, who was raised in South Africa, said the book, which is available on Amazon, was driven by an instinctive need to help others not only survive but thrive in the face of unthinkable adversity.
Today the 54-year-old, who is planning a virtual book tour of the UK, said she wanted to reach out to UK readers as the country battles Coronavirus, its third national lockdown and in the face of a potential mental health national crisis.
“A few years ago an avalanche of events stripped me of everything I valued and a life I thought was perfect,” said Jacqui, who is based in Cape Town. “A feeling I am sure is shared across the world and in the UK right now.
“I was successful, even though I had endured and seemingly come out the other side of numerous traumas, but I came to a point in my life when I realised a bucketload of therapy had not really solved anything.
“I was stalked by unresolved anger and all the damage that my history had inflicted on my own sense of self and who I believed I was.
“An internal ‘pandemic’ of depression set in, leading to thoughts of fear, self-loathing, helplessness and suicide. I had to start again on my own terms and find the answers my way, by first asking very tough questions of myself and all that I believed.”
But first Jacqui had to go back to where the damage was done to even contemplate moving forward.
“The first part of the book explores my childhood and into my twenties and the emotionally abusive relationship I had with my father. It’s a raw account of my trauma, and lays bare the anguish I felt at those times of my life.”
In the second part of the book, Jacqui takes an eighteen-month journey across America searching for answers after a decade-long battle with Deloitte, which ended in something of a hollow victory, which Jacqui herself sees as more of a failure and the destruction of her marriage.
“During the third part of the book, I finally learn to put love for myself first, to tell my story of survival through my personal lens and thereby silence my inner critic, free my Spirit and live beyond my shame, guilt and blame stores. From this space of acceptance of the life that I was given, and the choices I had made, I was able to find love for my father and make sense of my life traumas.
“While essentially a memoir, I do hope this book will also serve as a self-help guide for all those on that quest to not only discover who they are, but to access the courage to be honest with themselves about who that is. The person we all are and that which connects us beyond our pain stories.
“I believe that is the key to living a life of authenticity and one which creates the inner strength needed to get through even the most challenging obstacles life can put in your way. Connection. Unconditional loving connection!”
Described as compulsory reading for all by Giles Griffin, the book aims to appeal to those living through challenging relationships with loved ones, society, one’s past and themselves.
“The themes are universal but what makes this memoir different is the dialogue is cracking, coupled with Jacqui’s unapologetic authentic voice and her hard-won belief in discovering her own path to a Higher Power. This combination makes for compelling storytelling,” he adds.
To get your copy visit Amazon or jacquiburnett.com/buy-book.
