Out of the Cocoon: A Young Woman's Courageous Flight from the Grip of a Religious Cult by Brenda Lee

THIS BOOK IS NOW ONLY AVAILABLE ON KINDLE (click here).

At this very moment, there are millions of cult members worldwide. Do you think you could never become one of them? Think again.

Brenda Lee has written a heart-wrenching, yet inspiring tale about her battle to escape from a religious cult—that of Jehovah's Witnesses—after enduring decades of dysfunction and abuse. Out of the Cocoon is a remarkable story about how a single visit from two seemingly “nice” strangers nearly cost her everything, including her life.

This story begins at the pinnacle of the author’s desperation, by relaying a chilling fantasy she created when she was twelve years old. After accomplishing her grisly, murderous task within the security of a dream, she poses a disturbing question that sets the stage for the rest of her story: What could make a child so angry that she would fantasize about taking away the lives of the two people who gave her life? To understand Brenda’s fragile emotional state, we have to go back to the beginning, when her childhood innocence reigned and unconditional love was abundant – when she didn’t feel all alone in the world.

In subsequent chapters, author Brenda Lee transports the reader back in time to relive the innocence of her childhood on a 100-year-old farm in rural Pennsylvania, where her carefree days were filled by swinging from vines, raising farm animals as pets, romping through the forests with her cousins, and plunging from the hayloft. Once “The Friends” knock on the door, however, her childhood and innocence dramatically disappear. But Brenda Lee refuses to become a victim and, like a butterfly, she learns to change the world within her when her external world becomes unbearable.

After surviving years of stifling oppression and isolation, Brenda emerges from her cocoon and struggles to take flight. As she tries to fit into society as a young adult, she learns some startling things about her family, this “wicked world,” and herself.  In time, she learns to forgive not only those who tormented her, but also the mother who disowned her.

“Out of the Cocoon is a powerful and touching account of one young woman’s journey to freedom from repression and religious intolerance. I picked it up one evening and couldn’t stop reading until I was finished late that night. It will hold you like a compelling paperback novel and touch you on the deeper levels of spiritual freedom and growth.”
— Steve Chandler, Author of Fearless

“Out of the Cocoon is a story about the damage a cult can do to a loving family and shows the long-lasting ripple effect that can affect a child later in life. Courage to go against the current comes from deep inside a person when it would be much easier to go with the flow. Brenda Lee is one of those who has shown such courage. Like the young man David who picked up three stones and slung them at the giant, Goliath, Brenda Lee chose to pick up her pen to shatter the Watchtower's image, just as it tried to shatter hers. I applaud her courage, and her strength to discover the person she truly is - against all odds.”
— Roy Milton, Author of Truth or Consequences

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Brenda Lee graduated with honors from Barnes Business College in Denver, Colorado, after successfully completing business and legal courses. Early on, she began her love of writing through journaling and as the editor of her high school’s creative writing project entitled, “Special Feelings.” She is an active member of the Foothills Writers’ group in Colorado. Brenda also produces and edits an internationally distributed monthly newsletter to help former cult members take flight. Today she joyfully embraces every moment with her son and two dogs, relishing her life Out of the Cocoon.