My Pretty Baby - by Wendy B Correa (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

For fans of Educated and The Glass Castle, a former music industry insider's journey of healing--from childhood trauma through spiritual practices and self-discovery to a place of peace--with some incredible celebrity encounters along the way.

Wendy Correa's childhood is characterized by various traumas: the death of her father, emotionally distant siblings, a frequently neglectful mother, and a violent, alcoholic stepfather. After escaping that turbulent life, Wendy's path of self-discovery takes her through Buddhism, meditation, plant medicine, yoga, Native American spirituality, 12-Step programs, and psychotherapy. Native American sweat lodge and vision quest ceremonies further strengthen her sobriety and mental well-being.

As her inner world begins to open up, so does her outer world. Wendy finds herself regularly encountering extraordinary circumstances: singing on stage with rock 'n' roll royalty at the 1982 inaugural Peace Sunday concert, attending AA meetings with legendary musicians, working at A&M and Geffen Records, and spending time with her musical hero, Joni Mitchell.

Wendy's life takes a new turn when she moves to Aspen and becomes a radio DJ and assistant to gonzo writer Hunter S. Thompson. There, she meets her future husband and begins to build the family she's always longed for--but despite her newfound peace, she is repeatedly drawn back into her family of origin's dysfunction. It's only after her mother's death that Wendy uncovers a painful family secret that finally answers her lifelong question: What really happened to my family?

Review Quotes

"In her deeply personal and candid memoir, My Pretty Baby, Correa's vivid storytelling penetrates the depths of her suffering with honesty and compassion, reminding readers that it is never too late to heal our traumas to live a life based in loving awareness."--Sharon Salzberg, author of Lovingkindness and Real Life

" . . . candid storytelling and emotional honesty make this memoir both heart-wrenching and profoundly hopeful."--Readers' Favorite, 5-stars

". . . My Pretty Baby offers a journey not just through one woman's choices, but the music, mindfulness, and meanings that result in a better, more peaceful life. . . ."--Midwest Book Review

"My Pretty Baby is a raw, luminous memoir that grips from the first page. With vivid, lyrical prose and a pulsing pace, Correa invites readers into a world both glittering and shadowed--where childhood trauma, addiction, and buried family secrets collide with the seductive allure of the entertainment industry. . . . A bold, unforgettable story of survival, spirit, and self-reclamation."--Kerry Kletter, author of The First Time She Drowned

"My Pretty Baby is an enjoyable, captivating roller coaster ride through family dysfunction, alcoholism, spiritual seeking, and iconic cultural moments in music history. . . ."--Leslie Johansen Nack, author of Nineteen

"Born into a chaotic family, full of painful, confusing experiences and few guides to give her clarity, Wendy never gives up her quest for safety and purpose. Finally, she finds her own winding path to teachers, spiritual practices, love and healing."--Priscilla Warner, New York Times best-selling author of Learning to Breathe

"Wendy's journey to heal the tender roots of childhood trauma and family scars leads to a transformation of inherited pain into a beautifully told story of self-discovery . . ."--Kathleen Rose Morgan, author of The Seller of Secrets

Correa is an engaging wordsmith and fills her stories with detailed descriptions . . ."--Kirkus Reviews

About the Author

Wendy B. Correa is a writer, yogi, hiker, as well as a licensed massage therapist. She has worked in the film, television, multimedia, and music industries in Los Angeles and later as a radio DJ in Aspen, Colorado. She holds bachelor's degrees in psychology and theater arts and has contributed articles to Mothering magazine.

A wife and mother, she resides in Denver, Colorado, and loves traveling to magical destinations with her family. My Pretty Baby is her debut book.

For more information, visit www.wendybcorrea.com.