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When I started writing novels four years ago, I never dreamed it would have such a meaningful impact on my life. I searched for ways to use my personal story to help others and realized that writing fiction might be just the right medium.
My emphasis is on deep character development within storylines that expose the hidden devastation of domestic abuse and sexual violence. I use fictional characters to offer information and encouragement to those suffering in silence.
In my novels, strong female characters are challenged by their psychological struggles with PTSD, eating disorders, depression and anxiety. Throughout the series, I introduce unconventional therapy practices including equine therapy and canine-assisted therapy, which are used in conjunction with traditional methods. My hope is that my readers will relate to these characters and learn about the benefits of asking for help.
In addition to writing, I run a small non-profit service dog organization which I founded in 2013. Our dogs are partnered with therapists who work with clients experiencing the effects of trauma. Each of our dogs has their own client caseloads that they see every week.
If you are dealing with past trauma, know someone who is, or just want to learn more, I hope you'll consider reading and sharing my books. The best way to help someone is to reach out to them. That's my goal, and that's why I'm a writer.
Reviewed by Tammy Ruggles for Readers' Favorite
Captured by the Woods: Book Three of the Mallox Series, by Lisa Burkett, is a gripping story of facing your fears and being brave enough to live the life you deserve. A drug dealer wants the main character Scarlett Baker dead, so she seeks refuge at the Mallox farm. Adjusting to a new place is hard on her, but she finds solace in the horses that are part of a program offering equine therapy. Little by little, she starts to regain her emotional footing, but the property that serves to protect her soon feels like a prison. Part of the confining feelings lies in fear associated with her past--one that she thought she'd buried deep a long time ago. But now she's come to a dead-end in herself: She has to face her fears, or she'll never have a future. Not one worth living anyway. Helpful people want to reach out, but it's the woods that call to her.
Once again this insightful author gives us a novel that delves deep into the psyche to unearth a gem that is both helpful and entertaining. Scarlett is a character you grow to care about, and you feel yourself working through her problems along with her. The equine therapy presented by Burkett is intriguing; the horses are a nice touch, and I like how she weaves it into the drama that unfolds with Scarlett. I also like how the author uses the woods in this story, almost a character in itself. This author's gift for character-building can be a blessing to readers who are going through trauma and need someone to identify with. Besides the healing nature of this book, the story itself is well-crafted, honest, and is full of rich details and descriptions that bring it all to life. If you like characters you can bond with and root for, and some psychological aspects woven through the plot, Captured by the Woods: Book Three of the Mallox Series, by Lisa Burkett, is a must-read.
