Blog Archives
Don’t Disappoint Daddy: A Story of Abuse, Abortion and Acceptance in the Beloved
This memoir is a raw and unflinching account of childhood trauma, faith, survival, and eventual healing. It follows Elisha through her early years in a military household, where her father’s tyranny casts long shadows over every corner of life. Woven through beatings, verbal degradation, emotional confusion, and heartbreaking loneliness, the story also reveals slivers of hope through her bond with her mother, her growing relationship with God, and the slow, painful process of understanding her own worth.
Elisha’s writing is sharp, honest, and often devastating in its simplicity. She doesn’t try to dress up pain or smooth over the ugly parts. Her memories come to life with vivid emotional detail, pulling you into the child’s perspective. It’s not just a story, it’s an experience. Her use of humor, especially in moments of horror or confusion, is disarming. At times, I caught myself laughing through tears. The book doesn’t try to follow a clean arc or perfect structure, and that’s part of what makes it feel so real. It’s fragmented the way trauma is, and deeply reflective without being preachy.
I found myself angry. A lot. Angry for the child who was never protected. Angry at a society and a church that turned its head from abuse while preaching virtue. But I also felt proud. Watching her grow through those memories, learning to play piano, lead a choir, explore her voice, and find healing, was incredibly moving. Elisha doesn’t write from a place of self-pity. She writes from a place of survival, of transformation. There’s a quiet power in her words. She’s not begging for sympathy. She’s sharing so no one else feels alone.
This book is not for the faint-hearted. But if you’ve ever struggled with a difficult parent, spiritual confusion, or the long road of self-forgiveness, this memoir will speak to you. I’d recommend it for survivors, for adult children of abusive parents, for anyone working through religious trauma, and especially for those who feel like their story might be too ugly to tell. It’s not. Elisha proves that there is strength in telling the truth.
Pages: 143 | ASIN : B0D276HND1
Millionaire Janitor: Unlocking the Hidden Wealth in Everyday Choices
The Millionaire Janitor is a modern-day rags-to-riches story centered on Horatio Alger Jefferson, a humble and hardworking janitor, and his journey from poverty to financial stability. Set against the backdrop of gritty South Chicago, the novel follows Horatio and his partner Melody as they navigate the harsh realities of life with grit, old-fashioned values, and a relentless focus on wise financial decisions. It blends a narrative style with life lessons and financial principles, using Horatio’s fictional rise as a metaphor for the real-world potential of the average American to build wealth through discipline, sacrifice, and perseverance.
What struck me first was how charmingly simple the prose is. Bergstresser avoids flashy language and highbrow metaphors, opting instead for straightforward storytelling laced with warmth and earnestness. This isn’t literary fiction; it’s closer to an extended parable with heart. The writing may come across as a bit heavy-handed at times—some might say even moralistic—but it works within the context. There’s a homespun, almost old-school feel to it, reminiscent of stories your grandpa might tell at the kitchen table. The characters are endearing. Horatio, in particular, is drawn with such gentle sincerity that I found myself rooting for him early on.
Where the book really earns its keep is in its ideas. Bergstresser uses fiction to deliver practical, no-nonsense financial wisdom. There are detailed lessons here—how to budget, why modest living matters, and the magic of compound interest. It feels like The Millionaire Next Door had a baby with The Pursuit of Happyness. I appreciated how the story elevates the ordinary and dignifies blue-collar work, especially in a time when that’s not always the message young readers hear. There were moments where the tone crossed from encouraging to sermonizing. Still, I admire the author’s guts in taking a stand for values that aren’t always in vogue.
I’d wholeheartedly recommend it to teens and young adults starting out in life, especially those facing tough odds. It’s also great for parents and teachers looking for a clean, values-rich story that teaches life lessons without being dry. If you’re someone who likes your inspiration with a dose of practicality, you’ll enjoy this. It’s full of heart, full of hope, and packed with the kind of wisdom that never really goes out of style.
Pages: 162 | ASIN : B0DZW5HVYB
LITERARY TITAN 