Review for Broken Image by Rene D. Schultz

Women are constantly pressured with the overwhelming message that achieving ‘perfect beauty’ is mandatory to be accepted and successful.

Mercedes survived a childhood with a hateful and mentally ill mother who constantly called her an ‘ugly duckling.’ Now, at twenty-nine, she’s a brilliant financial icon in Beverly Hills. She knew she was not beautiful, or stunning, or even close to either. She was plain, simple, and ordinary. Take this journey with Mercedes and her four friends who live in a city that judges a woman solely by her outside and not her inside. Will the pressure to obtain beauty become her downfall? Will Mercedes be forced to face decisions that would change her life forever? Or will reality raise its ugly head and teach her the biggest lesson of her life?

I’m divorced and I live in a small community just north of Los Angeles where I raised my two sons. I love to garden, try new recipes, take lots of pictures, and occasionally I enjoy a glass of wine with dear friends. I’ve never jumped out of a plane, climbed Mt. Everest, or seen the Northern Lights of Alaska. But, I have danced in the rain, sent a message in a bottle, and I’ve rode my motorcycle down The Pacific Coast Highway on sunny California days!

After my divorce, I waltzed into the world of online dating. I didn’t find my knight-in-shining armor, but instead in 2008, I wrote a very successful book on my entertaining experiences. My first book “Searching4MrRight.com” was published by a small press and you can find it on Amazon.

My first fiction novel “Bishop Street” is coming out July 2013. This story is about four powerful friendships that begin at Bishop Street Orphanage. It continues with lies and deceit after they leave at eighteen. Then, twenty years later, redemption plays out and ultimately the strength that got them through their childhood becomes the catalyst that binds them back together.
My passion of writing has lead me on the most amazing journey. Now, my focus is on fiction. I thrive on developing strong storylines that showcase today’s contemporary lifestyles. Rags to riches, Robinhood, and surviving the odds, seems to be my one common denominator that showcases my fascinating and diverse characters.

Carla’s Review:

5 stars for Broken Image by Rene D. Schutz!  Even though this book is a
work of fiction, it has a story line that will resonate with the reader.

Thanks to a mother who constantly ridiculed her looks while growing up,
Mercedes is a woman who has zero self esteem.  Throw in her friends who
constantly tell her what is wrong with her, and you have one depressed
woman.  In today’s society, we are bombarded by the media with images of
unrealistic standards of what beauty is.  As a result, we all look into the
mirror and only see our imperfections-hence the name of this book- Broken
Image.

There were times through out this book when I wanted to smack Mercedes
upside the head.  It infuriated me how she let everyone in her life push
her around..  There were also times when I could totally relate to her,
Like all of us, Mercedes felt the pressure of trying to meet the media’s
definition of  beauty.

I truly love the moral of this story-respect yourself and be at peace with
the way you look.  A reporter once asked Joan Rivers about beauty, and she
said the good thing about not being beautiful is that you never have to
worry what people will think of you when you age.  We all know that looks
fade, and it is whats on the inside that counts.

Schutz did an amazing job of developing the characters and story line with
this book.  Her words draw in from the beginning, and you experience every
emotion that Mercedes feels.  To keep this review spoiler free, I will just
say that this book has a surprise ending that the reader will love!  So, I
ask you- what are you waiting for, get that one click finger out and buy
this book!

I was given a copy of this book as a gift from the author in exchange for
an honest review.