Let us be realistic and admit that making the decision to take your abuser’s life and breath is not that of a weak and wrecked woman. That decision, that action comes at the exact moment when your entire being says “no more.” It is the moment when a woman decides to move forward and save her life. Women who have killed their abusers are not murderers, they are simply women who want to LIVE. Unfortunately, these women are placed on the same … [Read more...]
TO KILL OR BE KILLED: A True Crime Memoir Of Domestic Violence, Survival, And A Prison Sentence
Twelve years of domestic violence at its absolute worst. Constant abuse, control, manipulation, and threats. It had to end some day, some way. The day we met in October of 1997, I was working at the District Court in Traverse City, Michigan as a Deputy Clerk. It was like most other days with arraignments, sentencings, civil case hearings and the like. People shuffling in and out, everyone taking care of their important business with court … [Read more...]
Book Trailer for TO KILL OR BE KILLED
Official book trailer for the true crime book, To Kill or Be Killed by Joni Ankerson. Learn more and get your copy here: wbp.bz/tkobka Available in paperback and ebook. Obviously, I knew better than to take a life — but that was before. Before him. The day we met in October of 1997, I was working at the District Court in Traverse City, Michigan as a Deputy Clerk. It was like most other days with arraignments, sentencings, civil case … [Read more...]
Joni Ankerson
Joni Ankerson lives in her hometown of Traverse City, Michigan. After being released from prison in April of 2017, she returned home to the house she grew up in and is moving forward with her new, independent life. She is a strong advocate for victims of domestic violence and has many family members, friends and community members that support her and stand behind her. She hopes that by sharing her story, other victims will gain the … [Read more...]
PLAYING DEAD: A Memoir Of Terror And Survival
Winner of multiple literary awards! Monique, the daughter of San Diego Charger’s football great Earl Faison, married her high school sweetheart soon after she discovered she was pregnant with his child. Her relationship with Chris was shaky from the start, but turned tumultuous as he became verbally and physically abusive. When she could no longer put up with the abuse, she left him with their children. That was when the stalking and genuine … [Read more...]
Monique Faison Ross
Monique Faison Ross was born in San Francisco and grew up as an only child in San Diego. She was raised primarily by her mom, Barbara, an industrial engineer. Her father, William Earl (Earle) Faison, was a four-time all-star defensive end for the San Diego Chargers. Monique has worked as a program manager for a Connecticut educational non-profit since 2004. She has also served in various volunteer roles—from being a board of trustee member … [Read more...]
GABACHO: Drugs Landed Me In Mexican Prison, Theater Saved Me
Gabacho is the true tale of youthful angst, crime, misunderstandings, love, friendship and redemption. Over Christmas break of his senior year, a University of Utah theatre student disenchanted with his conservative Mormon upbringing, took off for Mexico with a college friend seeking a wild adventure. If the adventure hadn’t included smuggling drugs it might have been another college road trip. But after a disastrous encounter with a drug … [Read more...]
Richard Jewkes
Like a lot of young boys of almost any decade since the 60’s, I wanted to be a rock musician. I started playing in bands in junior high school and taught myself guitar and piano listening to the Beatles and Bob Dylan. I tried over and over to writes songs like they were writing to no avail. Years later I came to the realization that successful musicians weren’t trying to emulate or copy other artists, they were writing music that they liked; … [Read more...]