Love does not control.
Love is not cruel or manipulative.
Love does not break your spirit.
'Why didn't you leave?' is a question often posed to victims, without realizing that it's much easier said than done. For Alana, sixteen years in an emotionally and psychologically abusive relationship left her unrecognizable to herself. Once a strong, independent, and ambitious woman, she had become a shattered, disheveled shell of a human being. Only after enduring years of torment and raising three children in the midst of chaos could she summon the courage to reclaim her power and make the life-altering decision to leave.
This memoir is her story.
Taking readers on an emotional rollercoaster of real-life events, Alana navigates coercive control, emotional manipulation, and post-separation abuse. With unwavering honesty, she lays bare the intricacies of abuse dynamics, punctuating her narrative with psychological insights and red flags to empower others to recognize the signs. This book is a lifeline for survivors, a beacon of awareness for family and friends to support loved ones, and a roadmap for those caught in toxic relationships to reclaim autonomy and flourish beyond the trauma.
Was it My Fault? is intended to offer solace and guidance to those ensnared in toxic relationships, dispelling the notion that abuse is solely physical. Inspiring self-discovery, healing, and empowerment, Alana offers a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, a rallying cry for survivors to reclaim their narrative - urging them not just to survive, but to thrive.
Sharps, Alana: - Alana Sharps is a multi-talented Business Strategist, Thought Leader, and Author. She is also a survivor of a toxic marriage tangled in narcissistic abuse. Her journey from victim to survivor inspired her to help others to overcome similar struggles, resulting in her pivoting her professional expertise toward aiding those in post-separation abuse as a Certified High Conflict Divorce and Child Custody Consultant. Navigating family court against a narcissist demands a unique skillset and Alana equips her clients for tense legal battles with individuals who refuse to negotiate or collaborate. Her own story of resilience and survival is courageously captured in her book "Was it My Fault?". Through her work, she strives to empower her clients not only to survive but to also thrive beyond expectations. Alana is a graduate of North Carolina State University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. She is also a Six Sigma enthusiast in process improvement and has coached numerous C-Suite executives, yielding millions in corporate wide cost savings. Beyond her professional pursuits, Alana serves the community in several non-profits. She is a board member for Time4Change of NC, a mentor to women in the HER Foundation, and a member of the National Society of Black Engineers.Alana is also the mother of three and resides in Raleigh, NC with her children and two dogs.
