Author Description

When a woman is committed to a relationship that turns mentally and emotionally abusive, it is sometimes hard for her to face the Invisible Truths of what her beloved is doing. Desperate to be happy, she will delude herself that either things aren't so bad or believe that the abuses are warranted because of something she has done-or both. Unrelenting mental anguish can be as painful and debilitating as a slap or a punch, creating invisible scars. Some women suffer such abuses daily, and they are too scared, too ashamed, too brainwashed or too numb to seek help. Mary Beth Billingsgate became a victim of her husband Troy's abuses even before their marriage. By some miracle, however, after decades of heart-breaking mental distress, Mary Beth was one of the fortunate few whose deeply-buried reserve of courage was awakened, enabling her to break free. Perri Bergen is an English professor at a SUNY community college in Upstate New York, where she teaches composition and literature courses and is a professional writing tutor. She is a research and MLA (Modern Language Association) specialist and has given related presentations at community colleges throughout Central New York. Additionally, she is the author of six children's picture books, which are currently being illustrated and readied for publication. Ms. Bergen is also a freelance greeting card writer, voice-over artist and model. She enjoys sewing, crocheting, interior decorating, culinary crafts and antiques. In bygone years, Ms. Bergen has lived in Europe and in various areas of the United States. Currently, she lives in Upstate New York with her amazing pit bull Max.