Sugarcoated - by Angie Haskell (Paperback)

About the Book

"Suggests that women in particular yearn for a perfect life they can never grasp and thus turn to anything that might hit that "sweet spot" and empowers readers to understand where these cravings are coming from and get on a path that leads to emotional and physical health"--

Book Synopsis

All around the world, women yearn for a perfect life they can never grasp. They want to be successful, attractive, sexually fulfilled, and free from distress.

Rather than turning to God, too many try to feast on everything under the sun--diet pills, pornography, shopping sprees, one-night stands, and social media--anything to hit that sweet spot.

In the end, they are left with a deep sense of shame that can draw them further down into a spiral of bingeing, hiding, and emotional self-flagellation. They totally get Paul's woeful lament, "I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing" (Romans 7:19).

Consequently, these women build a wall between themselves and God. They fear divine retribution for their chosen form of gluttony while simultaneously operating under the false assumption that God doesn't want to have anything to do with them.

As author Angie Haskell notes, "This dangerous form of beratement worms its way into every facet of women's lives. It burrows into their psyche, making them believe that demeaning treatment from others, as well as themselves, is perfectly normal. And if they dare throw caution to the wind, stepping out in their stilettos to stand up for what they need, it is often met with assumptions from others that their morals and values have flown out the window."

These women feel alone, unseen and unsatisfied, but Angie wades into their despair. With disarming wit and boldness, she empowers readers to take a hard look at their secret cravings, understand where they are coming from, and get on a path that leads to emotional and physical health.

In a society that has become dangerously divisive, Angie reassures women that they're still deserving of a relationship with God while also standing up for themselves and their needs.

Review Quotes

Sugarcoated is an amazing book that gives the feeling of sitting in Angie Haskell's kitchen with a warm cup of tea, allowing safety and permission of humanness along the spiritual journey. As the author shares her own life experiences and her research, readers feel like they are not alone as they learn, walk, and experience the prayer of discernment and conscious choice. Angie identifies the dichotomies of instant gratification and long-term rewards as well as the confinements of shame over authentic freedom. Throughout the book, I pictured two enlightened women having a beautiful discussion of identifying the unspoken thoughts, passions, and behaviors with no judgment, only reverence for honoring experiential wisdom while walking a more authentic and hopeful path with God.--Ted Wiard, EdD, LPCC, CGC "Founder, Golden Willow Retreat"

As pastors for over twenty-five years, we have counseled many women regarding temptations and addictions. Angie has not only written a book that accurately identifies the raw struggles women face today, but it offers achievable steps in overcoming them. Using her own vulnerability, she encourages women to draw closer to Christ in their journey. Angie's honesty, sweet personality and Kentucky charm shine throughout this insightful and provoking book. Sugarcoated can bust down real walls in a very real way.--Bryan and Cindy Hallmark "Lead pastors, Christian Life Church, Santa Fe, NM"

I've known Angie Haskell as an author and friend for more than a decade now, and she's always been a consistent and thought-provoking voice for women. This new book is open, honest, fun, raw, and emotion filled. Sugarcoated doesn't shy away from the topics and hard truths with which women struggle. Angie gets back to the real truth and guides readers down a celebratory path that is uniquely Angie.--Dan Lynch "Brentwood Press"

About the Author

Angie Haskell is an award-winning author, artist, and speaker who engages audiences with her approachable personality, Southern charm, and passion for helping women form healthy relationships with themselves and others.

Angie has worn many hats with great enthusiasm. She is the author of several books for children and young adults (under the name Angie Spady): The Channing O'Banning Series and The Desperate Diva Diaries, now in three languages. As a high school teacher, she was featured on PBS as well as Kentucky Teacher magazine for her innovative teaching techniques. Her paintings are featured in esteemed art galleries in Jackson Hole, Wyoming; Santa Fe, New Mexico; and Tucson, Arizona. She reminds herself and all women that God created us to survive and thrive.

A native of Kentucky, Angie is a woman of deep faith who survived the death of her two best friends, divorce, and a career-ending car accident.

The mother of two adult daughters, Angie is married to her soul mate, contemporary artist William Haskell. They make their home in the mountains of Santa Fe, New Mexico.