I am so happy to have a great interview for the readers today. I am interviewing Destiny from the popular book, Beware the Devil's Hug by Marvin Wilson. You're going to love it so without further ado, here she is in all her glory. Welcome Destiny and leave a comment for a chance to win some fabulous prizes.
Lacresha: Hi Destiny. I really enjoyed reading your story in Beware the Devil's Hug. I know my readers want to know more about you too.
Destiny: Thanks, Lacresha, I’m so glad to be here and to meet you. Marvin talks very highly of you, says you’re like his special ‘God-Niece.’ So it’s a real pleasure.
Lacresha: Destiny, in the book we see that your father molested you. And then the lifestyle you chose. Could you tell us more about your childhood?
Destiny: Mm, well, I was a happy enough little girl, kind of a Tomboy, and I had lots of fun as a kid ... up until I reached puberty, but yeah—Daddy mistreated me sexually from about thirteen years old ‘til I ran away from home at sixteen. And then out on my own I was like so lost and naive, I trusted this guy—he was older, about thirty, fancy dresser, lots of money, big Cadillac—he said he loved me and wanted to treat me like his queen. I fell for him and would do anything for him, just to feel like I was loved. I was so stupid. Turns out he was a pimp. He led me right down the primrose path into prostitution—turned me out as a whore and got me hooked on heroin so I had to keep turning tricks to feed my habit even after I finally got the nerve up to leave him.
Those are such bad memories, girlfriend, so horrible ... things that still can bother me if I dwell on them, but ... like people will read in the book, I finally came to a healing place in my heart where I could let go all the hatred I had and forgive my dad, and ... (Destiny sighs deeply) ... forgive him for what he done to me. Iam, he insisted I let go of all the rage and harboured resentment, said it would make me feel better, clean and whole, and ... he was right. Today I am a very happy woman, no ill feelings toward anyone in here. (she puts a hand over her heart) I don’t carry any guilt or shame anymore, I’m at peace with myself. And Daddy and me are tight now, feels so good.
Lacresha: That's wonderful news that you two were able to fix things. So tell, when you first met Iam, did you think that old man would be your salvation? What was your first impression?
Lacresha: That's wonderful news that you two were able to fix things. So tell, when you first met Iam, did you think that old man would be your salvation? What was your first impression?
Destiny: (Laughs loudly) I was like, ‘Eeewww, what a butt ugly, smelly, nasty old fart of a man!’ I didn’t want nothing to do with him. Nobody did. Nobody I knew had any idea what a spiritually high and great being he was. He was all creepy looking, dressed in shabby rags, smelly. Everyone shunned him. Salvation? You kidding me? He paid me eighty five dollars to, well ... I thought I was gonna turn a trick with him, you know, but ... no way I figured I wind up falling in love with him and marrying him, let alone get cleansed and healed by his embrace. I considered him repulsive, and was ashamed of myself for agreeing to have sex with him, even though I was desperate for the money cuz I needed my heroin fix. Then it turns out he didn’t even want to screw me ... just wanted to hug me, that’s all, fully clothed, and that’s when the miracle—salvation as you say—all started happening. No way I saw that coming from a guy like him! Shows how surface appearances can be very misleading, right?
Lacresha: It's obvious that you and Iam love each other very much, how has being a part of a loving relationship changed you?
Destiny: Oh, Lacresha, it. Is. Just. Heaven. I had never, in all my life, ever really been made love to. Screwing? Thousands of times, but never any feeling in it, not once the warmth and love of real love making. And besides the intimacy sexually, being intimate with the man you love on all levels—intellectually, emotionally, spiritually, it’s like ... wow! Never knew life could be so great, so fulfilling.
Lacresha: One outstanding part of the book was when you forgave your father, do you think you could have ever done that without Iam?
Destiny: Nuh-uh, no way. I’d have let him go to his grave a condemned man by me and God—which I didn’t even at the time know if I believed there was a God, but if so, I wanted God to send that man to rot in hell for all eternity. Had I not met Iam? I’d still be hating him. And hurting inside because of it. One thing Iam taught me is, harbouring hatred and resentment does more harm to the one doing the hating than it does to the hated one. Once I let go of that, forgave Daddy, I was like all light, free, and happy feeling. Amazing.
Lacresha: What do you think of Iam's new job? Does it keep him too occupied for private time?
Destiny: You mean the janitorial work? I’m not gonna talk about his brand new position, cuz I don’t want to spoil the end of the story for the book readers. But while he was busy all day doing the nine to five thang, hey—I have no problem with that. I was glad he finally gave up begging and started working. Allowed me to dress him up nice and we go out usually a couple times a week. Iam has incredible energy for such an older guy, so holding down a job doesn’t slow him down in the—you know—bedroom, either. (Destiny winks and covers a sly grin with one hand)
Lacresha: Children were mentioned and, of course, Iam is quite old already. What are your future plans together?
Destiny: Well, I wanted two babies, and Iam, he didn’t want any at first. So, but we settled on having one child. I have to have at least one baby by him, you know? Do you not know that man is one hundred sixty two years old? I was like, what? When he told me that, cuz I had thought him to be probably in his late 60’s or early 70’s, but wow, uh-uh. So I told him if he’s that old and still kicking this strong he can hang around at least another thirty years and raise a little family, right? Course, I hope and pray he lives long enough for me to grow old with him. I just loves that ol’ man o’ mine.
Lacresha: Do you think there's a chance we'll get another Destiny/Iam book anytime soon?
Destiny: Mmm, I don’t know, for real. I could see it maybe happening, I mean we’re off on quite the adventure ride now, as people will read at the end of the book, so ... (Destiny raises her eyebrows and palms up) ... who knows? It could happen.
Lacresha: How do you feel about how Marvin Wilson told your story? Did he leave out anything you'd like to share today?
Destiny: Well, truth be told, it’s a little embarrassing having all your dirty underwear publically displayed like mine has been. No, he didn’t leave nothing out, and at first I was like, for real, Mister? You’re gonna blab to the whole world all about how I was a junkie and a prostitute? But I know he had to tell it like it is—well, was—and that’s a lot of what makes the story so incredible, as far as my part in it, anyway. No, I don’t really have any problem with the way he wrote the story. It’s the truth, and the truth has set me free, so ...
Lacresha: Thanks for stopping by, Destiny. Please tell my readers where they can find the book and how they may follow the tour.
Destiny: Oh it was fun! Thanks again for having me on your blog. I really like what you do, the kinds of subjects you cover here, I’ll have to become a regular. Marvin said you were like, the greatest, and I can see why.
Ahm, you can order the book on Amazon, all the major online bookstores, it’s available in ebook, Kindle, and paperback versions. Also you can get it right from the publisher, All Things That Matter Press, and you can purchase it from any major brick and mortar bookstore, too. You may have to order it at first, but you can.
For people to be able to follow along on the tour, or even catch up on all the great stops already happened, just go to the Hugs Therapy Virtual Tour 2010 page on The Old Silly’s Free Spirit Blog. And while you’re there, make sure and read up on all the great prizes and giveaways Marvin is doing for readers in the contest! Really cool, lots of people will get free books, gift certificates, all kinds of stuff.
So again, thanks so much, Lacresha. I hope your readers enjoyed our chat. The tour continues tomorrow, which is the last day and Grand Finale event, over at Kissie’s blog, which she calls JustKissie.com ... isn’t that cute? I’m looking forward to it. Okay, bye now. I’m meeting that ol’ man o’ mine for lunch. But I’ll stop in again a few times today if anyone wants to ask me a question or chat about anything. See ya!
