Whose Face is in the Mirror?: The Story of One Woman's Journey from the Nightmare of Domestic Abuse to True Healing

She had it all. Good looks. Her own business. Even a Mrs. Arizona title. But Dianne Schwartz hid a gruesome secret. She was a victim of continued physical abuse by her first husband. How does a seemingly successful, beautiful woman fall into the snare of an abuser? Schwartz tells us, beginning with childhood issues that evolved into setting her up as a victim for domestic violence. In the preface to Whose Face is in the Mirror, the author introduces us to an essential part of healing from abuse-ridding oneself of shame. Through her story, Schwartz seeks to share her abuse, insight into how and why she came to be abused, her steps to recovery and her ongoing journey and encouragement to other survivors of abuse. Painful at times, this true story rings more than true - it resonates within the soul. We all have known a woman just like Dianne Schwartz - a woman who we shake our heads at and wonder, "Is she nuts? Why does she listen to that loser? Why does she go back? How can she trust him again?" No, Dianne isn't nuts, and neither is any other woman caught in the deadly game of domestic abuse. For the abuser, it's just that: a game of control. For the victim, however, it's a test of survival. Whose Face is one short portrait into the lives of the abused and the abuser. It shows the damage done to children. It brings out childhood issues that might contribute to one's being abused. It provides answers and courage to take the steps to safety, to life. Schwartz's no-nonsense approach is a wakeup call to women who are being abused. She challenges the many abuse victims in today's world to look in the mirror and recognize the part they play in being abused. For without a victim, the abuser cannot abuse. She exposes the lies that litter an abusive relationship, such as: * He will change. * We cause him to be angry and abusive. * We want people to like our spouse (so we cover for him). * I'm nothing without him. * I can't make it on my own. * I deserve to be beaten. I'm useless. * All men are terrible. * No other man will be attracted to me. * I stay because I love him. * My children need their father. Schwartz doesn't stop there. For every lie, she exposes the truth and gives real-world answers to getting out and staying safe. In Part Three of Whose Face, Schwartz details the healing process, including recognizing the signs of an abuser. More importantly, she educates women, through her own process of healing, of how to recognize if they are attracted to an abuser. Some of the personality traits an abuser attracter might have are: * The need to rescue. * Accepting abuse during the dating stage. * A dysfunctional family history of verbal or physical abuse. Schwartz goes several steps further and looks into the effects our abuse may be having on our children. Are we setting our children up to be either abused or to be an abuser? Healing from abuse is not something to be done alone. Schwartz's life example illustrates the importance of therapy a

This was the key book for me in my search to escape a violent relationship. The author has obviously lived through and survived things that anyone in an abusive relationship has experienced first hand. More than anything else I read (and I read everything I could get my hands on) this book helped me get out and then beyond an awful situation. I highly recommend this book!!!!

Dianne's book is the best I've read ever. She really lays it all out and gives the honest to goodness truth about domestic abuse. It takes a rare and brave person to step forward and do what she has done in this book. I hope women everywhere, no matter if you are in an abusive relationship or not, read this book and learn from it. The best chapter is "In the Mind of a Battered Woman". For anyone wanting to know what goes on in women's minds this chapter is it. Read it and know there are millions of women and men facing this everyday. Domestic violence isn't only physical violence it is mental warfare. Congrats to Dianne for writing such a wonderful book. Honesty truly is the best way to go. Good luck to Dianne in her work and her new life.

Although sad and frightening, I was held captive to Dianne Schwartz's story. Her thoughts during her abusive marriage, throughout therapy and into recovery clearly show that a woman can turn her life around, if she finds the correct avenue and teacher. She worked hard to not only escape her abusive husband but has taken her experiences to lead other women to safety.She has spunk! I loved her honest way of writing and her ability to be completely honest about her low self-esteem before and during her marriage. I'm amazed that she's now the founder of a non-profit organization that assists victims of domestic violence and it seems, works daily to help women trapped within the cycle of violence. She's my new role model. Thank you, Ms. Schwartz for sharing your story.

Dianne left no stone unturned in this book as far as appealing to the issues that battered women deal with - why we stay, how being abused affects our thinking patterns, our health and our spirit, how we attract abusers, how we convince ourselves to live in denial, the lies we tell ourselves, how to get to the bottom of it, where to go for help and how to heal. The story was told from the viewpoint of a woman who has recovered. She takes us back, shares her experience and focuses on HER part in it. I liked that when she went back and told her story, she never degraded or beat herself up for the bad choices she made, felt sorry for herself, nor did she make excuses. Her focus was entirely on helping the victim understand why/how she got into a relationship like this, what caused her to stay, and how to find the strength to not only leave, but to get well. She doesn't pull any punches in this book. She exposes the myriad of lies and myths that keep many women trapped in abusive relationships. (He's stressed out from his job, he had a bad childhood, he's sorry, he will change, it's not him it's the alcohol, I don't have scriptural grounds for divorce, etc.)She also shares the learning process she went through as she was going through therapy. We get to sit on the couch beside her and watch the whole thing take place.I don't know that I've ever read another book like it. I've read books from the viewpoint of the victim before, but not one where a woman was gutsy enough to take full responsibility without blame and use her experiences to teach others. It is truly more of a teaching tool than a sad story. I think it will help a lot of women.