This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.
Elizabeth Upton is an American Author and an influential writer of fiction and inspiring nonfiction spiritual books.
Her best-selling books, "Secrets of a Nun: My Story" and "The Silver Woman of Fire" helped set her firmly on the world's literary map. With many novels to her credit, she released a new book in June 2022 titled 'Lovers' Secrets and Revenge' part of the John Callahan book series.
Elizabeth was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA., until the age of sixteen, when she entered a New York State Convent and became a nun for twenty years. She attended and received her B.A. from Syracuse University.
Moving back to her native state of California, she attended and received her M.A. from Chapman University in psychology. The author began working for over thirty years in family counseling as a social worker and probation officer working with troubled teens and abused children. She is a speaker, spiritual mentor, and advisor.
Elizabeth is happily married and enjoys writing books for her reader fans around the world. When the author is not writing, she works out with a personal trainer to stay fit and healthy; she loves spending time on long walks on the beach with her husband and dog. Her favorite colors are blue, green, and gold. She enjoys reading good books by some of her favorite authors like Geraldine Brooks, Hanh, Jerry Archer, Joseph Murphy, and Michael Connelly. Elizabeth and her husband reside in Santa Barbara, California.
Reviewed by Viga Boland for Readers' Favorite
Until I left high school, most of my teachers were nuns, not to mention a source of fascination. What did they wear to bed at night? Are they bald under those black veils? What do they confess if they don’t even sin? As a young teacher, I worked with and learned a lot more about nuns, but only after I read Secrets of a Nun: My Own Story by Elizabeth Upton, could I conclusively say that nuns are, indeed, very human! Upton’s journey from becoming a nun to leaving took 21 years, beginning when she was only 16. In an utterly honest voice that shares every emotion, and the more hidden, natural urges a young teen feels, Upton opens up to readers in her memoir. We feel every battle with herself and her superiors that resulted from her choice to dedicate her life to God.
Becoming a nun is far from easy. Personal interaction between nuns is discouraged. Nuns in superior positions take their religious fervor and powerful roles to extremes, and the degree of dedication required would try anyone’s strength and patience. Then, of course, there’s the difficulty younger nuns experience denying their attraction to the opposite sex, as celibacy is not just demanded of Catholic priests! I loved the honesty with which Elizabeth Upton shares such emotional and physical details. That takes courage. Readers need to bring an open mind to Secrets of a Nun. Those who see normal urges as sinful might be offended by Upton’s frankness. The rest of us will applaud Upton’s decision to write a tell-all about her life as a Catholic nun. It is a memoir I recommend to any young woman contemplating donning the veil. Read this memoir long before you take those final vows.
