LONGWOOD, FL-Life for author Raj Jarrett was a living hell. Given the task of managing the family store, she was secretly and routinely abused by her brothers and cousin. After suffering years of abuse and rejection, the English-born Sikh woman decided to devote her time to the healing of others in a similar predicament. As told in The Only Arranged Marriage ($23.99, paperback, 1-60034-714-2; $35.99, hardcover, 1-60034-715-0), penned by Diane Wilkie, she has helped inspire a nation of broken people affected by severe domestic abuse and plant the seeds of God's grace and healing. "I hope readers will be empowered, inspired, and encouraged to find a way out of their situation," says Raj. "During my own struggles, I felt hopeless and alone and didn't realize there was help out there. My desire is to provide answers for those who have so many unanswered questions."
Born in Birmingham, England, Raj was forced to cope with the abuse alone. Things, as she says, "continued on a downward spiral" as she grew older. From then on she was subjected to violent sexual molestation beginning at the age of six, abusive verbal teasing from family members, regular beatings as a method of discipline, frightening encounters with false household "spirits," and an ill-fated arranged marriage.
After reading a book about a Muslim woman who forsook her religion to become a Christian, Raj explored Christianity and found an escape from her troubles. The night she accepted God into her life, she "stayed awake all night because I was just too excited to sleep," says the author. "Besides, I didnŐt want to miss anything!" Since that moment, Raj has become an advocate for others in similar circumstances and continues to champion the underdog and overcome the odds.
Ray Korban has a BA in English and an MBA. He has several years of experience in a variety of enterprises, including as a general contractor.
Xulon Press, a part of Salem Communications Corporation, is the world's largest Christian publisher, with more than 3,900 titles published to date. Retailers may order The Only Arranged Marriage through Ingram Book Company and/or Spring Arbor Book Distributors. Salem Communications is the country's leading Christian communications company with interests in radio, Internet, and magazine publishing.
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2007