“Cat Lyon’s Reading Den” presents Book Reviews for Author, Johnnie Calloway…

“Dragons to Butterflies: The Metamorphosis of a Man.”  now available on Amazon and Amazon Kindle!

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

Johnnie Calloway is a gifted storyteller and has written a superb personal account of his harrowing childhood and adult life. Although he retells his experiences of emotional and physical abuse, neglect, heartache, and betrayal, and later his own addictions and struggles with mental illness, he manages to keep the reader thoroughly engaged and inspired by his strength and wisdom throughout this page-turner. Johnnie’s willingness to be soul-baringly honest in this book as he traces his earliest memories into his teens and then adult years is truly unlike anything I have ever read. I have no doubt that his display of courage and his determination to go to any lengths necessary for his own healing will serve as a guiding light for countless readers. It is a story of hope and love, forgiveness and healing. I only wish it had been available when I was a practicing addictions counselor. I would have made it required reading!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Johnnie Calloway grew up in a small town in Kentucky. His mother passed away when he was 5, leaving him to grow up with his father who he describes as a sexually-confused, angry alcoholic. Calloway fell into drug addiction, alcoholism and battles with mental illness before finding healing through forgiveness. In “Dragons to Butterflies: The Metamorphosis of a Man” (published by Balboa Press), the author chronicles his abusive relationship with his father and the steps that led him to recovery.

“An astrologist told me that I was supposed to write in 1991 and I then wrote ‘Taming the Dragon,’” Calloway says, adding, “The object is not to conquer the dragon but to tame him and make him an ally.”

Calloway hopes to expose the darkness of child abuse and give “a voice to those kept silent by fear, guilt, and shame.” He lives in Florida and writing a new book to release soon.

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Cat’s BOOK REVIEW:

A Fantastic Memoir and Bravery! 5-STARS!

Where Do I Begin?

What an exceptionally written book and writer Author, Johnnie Calloway is! A true memoirist. As a child, what this man went through and the dysfunctional family dynamic didn’t surprise me that it sent him on a long journey of seeking, affirmation, self-sabotage, and turning to addiction. We seem to forget or not taught when starting to recover; we need to begin the “inner work” of processing the horrific trauma to heal in “Wellness.”

This book proves and is a testament to never giving up and having resilience into Triumph in recovery no matter how lost we are. The chapter that “touched” me the most was Chapter 17, “The Aftermath.” The author starts out; “Humiliation became a way of life for me. I ran into everything head first, hoping to find the one thing, one person, or substance to make me OKAY.”

What a powerful statement as I knew what he was saying. I did this myself in my aftermath of childhood trauma and abuse and had turned to addiction. This book gives an in-depth look at a person who can and has found his way to “other side.”

Was it easy? NO. But with the bravery and courage, Johnnie has found along his journey some peace and serenity and let it go! Life events are just as traumatic, like the death of a parent, which affected the author deeply when his mother passed at his age of five. He spent years blaming himself that he held part of her passing. It started a cycle of self-sabotage and feeling unworthy of anything good in his life.

Reading this book is must read for all and shares no matter how deep our past pain and scars are?

We can we recover no matter the roadblocks in our way!

Johnnie is now on a quest to share what he has learned along his journey to share and give hope to others. Just an amazing true story and read!

“In Recovery Magazine” Columnist & Author, Catherine Townsend-Lyon”
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MORE REVIEWS FROM AMAZON and BOOK TRAILER:

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Has All 5-Stars 100% Book Reviews!

“Read this book. Dragons to Butterflies is the true story of a little boy who believes he caused his Mother’s death. That incorrect belief and being brought up by a family who was unable to raise kids in a safe and loving environment caused Johnnie to become a young man who continually sabotaged his own happiness and success. The story is well written and proves that one’s life can be changed when facing incredible odds against it. Johnnie shares his very personal story to encourage anyone who is facing their own “dragons”. His honesty and strong desire to help others is evident as you read about his ability to overcome and emerge as the phenomenal adult he is today.”

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By Julie Miller on June 2, 2016

Format: Paperback

“Dragons to Butterflies is a heartfelt, true story about a man’s very difficult journey through life. If you believe you have had challenges in life and wonder if you can ever overcome, you must read this book. Johnnie’s life story brought tears to my eyes, made me angry at life’s injustices and yet somehow made me laugh. You will walk away knowing that you are not alone in your challenges and that there are absolute answers. His lifelong passion to give-in and give-up somehow translated into his beautiful strength to persevere. His life story delivers a vision of hope and belief that there is a way, to those that for good reason, simply cannot currently see or believe.”

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“Dragons to Butterflies” is the best book I have read in a very long time, October 1, 2016

By Amazon Customer

This review for; Dragons to Butterflies (Paperback)

“I am not a book reader, it really needs to catch my attention within a few pages. Hands down, “Dragons to Butterflies” is the best book I have read in a very long time. Johnnie Calloway’s-never underestimate the positive influence and impact you have had on so many lives. Your honesty, integrity and caring soul shine through every single page. You never gave up, you kept on picking yourself up and moving forward. Inspiration is the word that comes to my mind when I think of you and honored to have met you and come into my life.”

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Please take some time and visit Author, Johnnie Calloway on his blog; Today I Laugh…

New #blog has published. Take a look 👀 and be sure to follow.
#todayilaugh  #dragonstobutterflies   https://goo.gl/MlFcph