Breathe: Finding Freedom to Thrive in Relationships After Childhood Sexual Abuse [Paperback]

Nicole Braddock Bromley (Author)

Book Description

Release date: May 1, 2009

A least one out of every three women and one out of every six men have experienced some form of sexual abuse.  Regardless of the circumstances of the violation, every survivor can attest that it will impact relationships with parents, friends, spouses, children, and God. Sexual abuse survivors are often left feeling isolated and without anyone to trust.  But it does not have to be this way.

Nicole Braddock Bromley understands the fears and anxieties victims face as they seek to build healthy relationships after sexual abuse.  As a survivor herself, Nicole offers readers the power and hope necessary to share their story, build intimacy, and develop healthy communication in all their relationships.

Breathe also serves as a helpful tool for those in relationship with an abuse survivor by providing guidance, confidence, and encouragement as they seek to help and support.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Breathe is to Hush as fulfillment is to a promise. Nicole's experience, wisdom, compassion and insight uniquely qualify her to console, encourage and challenge victims of sexual abuse in their ongoing healing. She also masterfully addresses those who help, offering information and advice. Each chapter is cohesively written with an account of a person from the Bible, an explanation of difficulties inherent in that particular element of recovery or support, narrative examples from people Nicole has encountered in her ministry and a "life letter" written by someone other than Nicole, addressing the reader from his or her perspective--friend, mother, husband, fellow victim. Every reader will leave the book with clearer understanding of and commitment to the "circle of inspiration" God intended for those who have been victimized by childhood sexual abuse. Breaking the silence begins the healing. Thriving relationships are the "next step" and the reward of God's promise to dry every tear and bind every wound.  Breathe helps us take that step.
-Edee Shulze, PhD, Vice President for Student Life, Bethel University

Those who have experienced sexual abuse as children know it is a dark and lonely road. This book shines the light of truth in such a practical way, and it provides a helping hand reaching out to those struggling for another breath. I know God is going to use this book in many lives for hope and healing.
-Chris Fabry, author and host of Chris Fabry Live!

About the Author

NICOLE BRADDOCK BROMLEY is the Founder and Director of OneVOICE Enterprises, an organization that is bringing healing change into the lives of victims of sexual abuse. Her message has been heard by thousands of students on college campuses, in high schools, middle schools, and churches around the country. Her work has gained media attention, appearing in magazines, newspapers, television, and on radio broadcasts. She is author of Hush and Breathe. Nicole and her husband, Matthew, have one son, and live in Columbus, Ohio. For more information, visit www.onevoiceenterprises.com.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Moody Publishers; New Edition edition (May 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802448658
• ISBN-13: 978-0802448651
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.5 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #412,185 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Nicole Braddock Bromley is the author of Hush and founder and director of OneVOICE Enterprises, an organization that is bringing healing change into the lives of victims of sexual abuse. Nicole and her husband, Matthew, live in Columbus, Ohio. For more information visit www.OneVOICEenterprises.com.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Uniquely contagious October 23, 2009

By Anna Maria

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

As a pastor, neither "Hush" nor "Breathe" manage to stay on my shelf for long. These books have been passed on from one congregation member to another, from one family to another, one friend to another, and even from a student to a teacher in a public school. Just as "The Shack" has opened doors for people to talk about faith and God more easily, "Breathe" opens doors for people to not only talk about sexual abuse openly (an amazing feat in itself), but helps them understand the communal nature of healing and their role in that "circle of inspiration".

"Breathe" is neither a memoir nor a self-help/how-to-heal book. While Nicole writes unapologetically from a Christian perspective, "Breathe" is fully relevant for even those who do not believe in God.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars BEST BOOK I'VE EVER READ ON THIS SUBJECT: HANDS DOWN!!! May 9, 2010

By Minnesandy

Format:Paperback

i've been trying to heal and recover for many years, being 55 years on the planet, and this is BAR NONE the best book i've yet to read on the subject and the solution.
she tells it how i've lived it.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Breathe: To HEAL,REPLENISH,RENEW & RESTORE loving relationships April 19, 2011

By Mel

Format:Paperback

Breathe By Nicole Braddock Bromley touched on a subject that many survivor books do not, in a way that I would have never expected. Nicole talks about the in detailed struggles that survivors deal with in the aftermath of sexual abuse. Many survivors intimate relationships are put on hold, and many survivors run away from potential intimate partners because of the crippling fear of trust and intimacy that has already been broken. I love how Nicole wrote this book. She brought her own honest experiences in, her trial and error and eventually successful breakthrough, when she felt free to thrive and trust in her relationship with her husband Matthew. She gives tools that are so incredibly helpful to feel safe in a relationship after abuse, and also uses survivor stories along with her own for people from all walks of life to relate to. She uses scripture to inspire and believe in. She keeps the pages turning with hope and brings to light all the questions and concerns survivors have on a daily basis along their healing journey. One of my favorite parts of Breathe are the Life Letters appearing at the end of each chapter. These letters are from various people in Nicole's life, such as her mother and her husband Matthew. These were really powerful to me, and gave me alot of different perspectives. I recommend this book to any survivor, looking for a way to heal like no other, and to learn about the ways it is possible to be in healthy sexual,intimate and friendship relationships, during and after being abused. Nicole is an amazing writer,woman,friend and fellow survivor to all she meets. She really helps you to remember to Breathe again.