Women, What The Hell Are You Thinking
Cheryl Lacey-Donovan
ISBN: 1598727397
A Virtuous Woman-31
Reviewed By Dominique Sessons
Official Apex Reviews Rating: 
There’s
an old saying that goes: "A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go
down"; however, if your doctor is Cheryl Lacey-Donovan, all bets are
off…
Women, What The Hell Are You Thinking
is an invaluable self-help guide designed to empower women of all ages,
backgrounds, and experiences, all united by one common thread: a
shortage of substantial moral fiber. Donovan pulls no punches in
conveying hard truths that are often uncomfortable to hear, yet bear
repeating if true, positive change will ever be achieved in the lives
of those still bound by such afflictions as poverty, depression,
addiction, and low self-esteem.
Donovan’s powerful
affirmations target women involved in everything from abuse to single
motherhood to carrying on affairs with married men. Backed by a
plethora of sound scriptural support, she offers profound insight on
every imaginable challenge confronting women in contemporary times,
drawing parallels with similar events/times in history, as well as from
the wealth of experience in her own past. Donovan even performs
meticulous analysis of biblical parables, highlighting the hidden value
of the undying wisdom contained therein. Detailed, straightforward, and
unchecked, Donovan’s personal testimony of strength and conviction is
articulate, passionate, and very necessary.
A motivational
speaker to boot, Cheryl Lacey-Donovan is more than familiar with the
perils of walking the fine line between critique and criticism, and she
displays just such discernment in Women, What The Hell Are You Thinking.
She has truly mastered the ability to "break one down in order to build
one up," much like a master subtly shaping the hearts and minds of
unwitting students.
Women, What The Hell Are You Thinking
should be required reading not just for women’s groups, but also for
Sunday Schools, battered women’s shelters, and marriage counseling
sessions everywhere. Highly recommended.
Official Apex Reviews Interview: Cheryl Lacey-Donovan (Women, What The Hell Are You Thinking)
Apex Reviews: Thanks for joining us for this interview, Cheryl. We’re looking very much forward to learning more about your book.
Cheryl, that title, "WOMEN, WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU THINKING?" is shouting! What were you thinking when you came up with it? Please tell us briefly what the book is about.
Cheryl Lacey-Donovan: The title came directly from my experiences as an educator. In my position, I have the opportunity to advise women regularly. My experience with that has been one of amazement because all of these women are otherwise intelligent, hard working, individuals, yet they allow themselves to placed in compromising, demeaning, and sometimes down right dangerous situations. As a result I often find myself saying what the hell are they thinking? Don’t they realize how valuable they are, don’t they understand their true worth.
The problem is they really don’t. No matter what walk of life they come from, the common thread seems to be a lack of true sense of self worth; a lack of a personal relationship with God. In the book I try to give them a wake up call and remind them that they teach people how to treat them. So, it is in their best interest to teach them to treat them well.
AR: In your experience and research, what are the main "hellish" problems women constantly find themselves in, and how do you suggest they get out of it?
CLD: Women find themselves with low self esteem, living in poverty, and struggling with loneliness. The only way out is to reach within themselves for the answers. They have to stop blaming others for their circumstances and take the control back.
AR: You are one busy woman: an author, entrepreneur, inspirational speaker, and talk show host - among other things. Please tell us how you balance it all, as well as what drives you to do all that you do.
CLD: Balance involves creating time for all of the important elements in my life; those things that keep me grounded; God, my family and myself. I make a conscientious effort to spend time with each. Certain holidays are off limits for engagements. Special weekends, outside of speaking and book signings are a must for myself and my husband and most importantly, my time with God takes precedence over everything else. I read my Bible and meditate on the Word everyday in an effort to gain new insight into God’s plan for my life.
AR: What inspiration can you give to the sister who aspires to be where you are?
CLD: Anyone aspiring to be where I am needs to make sure that it’s God’s plan for their lives. A lot of times we see different people and we want to be just like them. The thing is, if its not in God’s plan for your life, then it won’t come to pass. Or perhaps the transition will be full of obstacles and pitfalls.
I do believe that people can do anything that they put their minds to, but I also firmly believe that it needs to be done according to God’s plan and his design. It’s like the parable of the talents. Use those talents that God has blessed you with, and He will make sure that your needs will be met and that your life will be fulfilling.
So, don’t aspire to be me. Truth be told, I didn’t aspire to be me. A few years ago I wouldn’t have believed that I would be sharing some of the truths of my life with thousands of people, but obviously God’s plan was different.
You should aspire instead to be what God has called you to be. If that happens to be an author, or talk show host, so be it. Just make sure that you are aligning yourself in His perfect will.
AR: Please share more with our readers about your organization, A Virtuous Woman-31.
CLD: A Virtuous Woman-31 is an organization that is designed to offer the knowledge that women need to improve themselves: health, finances, entrepreneurship, anything that can be helpful in developing the skills necessary for economic and social self-sufficiency.
AR: What are your future writing/publishing aspirations?
CLD: I am currently working with a publisher on my next book, The Ministry of Motherhood. This book will highlight my journey from a teen parent to a successful mother, author, talk show host, and inspirational speaker.
In this book I am very transparent about issues of domestic violence and rape. I am very aware of the fact that we overcome by the word of our testimony, so, I try to share my testimony with others so that they can draw inspiration and encouragement from my valley to mountain experiences.
AR: What’s next on your busy agenda?
CLD: I will be speaking at three engagements in the near future. The first will be at a debutantes’ ball in April. Then I’m off to a Women of Virtue conference in May and finally in May I will be speaking for a Domestic Violence Conference in Virginia.
AR: How can people learn more about your writings and other efforts?
CLD: Anyone that would like to have me to speak for their organization or book club can contact me at cherylspeaks@gmail.com. To learn more about me or the book visit www.avirtuouswoman-31.org.
AR: Any final thoughts you’d like to share with our readers?
CLD: I would like all of the readers to know that no matter what situation they may be walking in right now, if they reach deep inside themselves and find the strength to persevere, they can overcome the obstacles and move into a brighter future.
AR: Thanks again, Cheryl, and best of continued success to you in all your endeavors!