Until the Brighter Tomorrow: One Woman's Courageous Climb from the Projects to the Podium

I attended a meeting at work where the author was a speaker and was so interested in her story that I had to buy her book. This memoir is a quick several hour read and it is definitely inspirational but not totally what I expected. In fact, it is better than I expected to me because I am a suicide survivor and so is she.This story is inspirational in the sense that there is validation that no matter how difficult life was when young, anyone has the chance to succeed. However, to me it was more about surviving suicide and this is where is excels. I give her 100 stars for being an author who finally strikes back at those who say a person who commits suicide is mentally deranged or mentally ill. People always like to make up an excuse like that. What most people do not realize is that it is a moment in time when the person saw that as the only way out. That is not insanity but utter despair.In summary, this is a very short inspirational memoir that is most helpful to a suicide survivor like myself.

Until the Brighter Tomorrow is a captivating story of triumph over great pain, adversity and struggle. It is a story that will propel you to keep reading, even when other responsibilities are calling, because you are hoping for a happy ending. You continue to read, hoping that the trials of the heroine will lessen, that lady luck will grant her a break. The trials are many, some so horrific that you want to weep, but in the end, you are left with a sense of strength and inner peace because you come to feel that if Valerie can rise above her challenges, certainly we can find the strength to face our own struggles. This is the message that I took away from this wonderful, heartfelt, well written piece of literature. We must never forget to find our own inner strength and peace. Furthermore, the book discusses a topic that many of us tend to avoid – suicide. This issue shouldn’t be unspeakable; it should be one that we address directly with the goal of preventing future tragedies. I recommend this book for all who seek to gain a bit of inspiration and strength.

Valerie your story is such an inspiration to me and so many others. You are a true example of what one can accomplish in spite of the cards dealt as long as you keep pushing through and have positive reinforcement in your life and keep the faith!!A manager of mine committed suicide leaving a husband and three beautiful children including a one year old baby. I could not understand how she could do such a thing. After reading your story I realized there may be no answer. I think about what your grandmother said to you as you both were sitting on the porch, "she just forgot" that GOD would not give her more than she could bear. Thank you, thank you for sharing your story. I am so happy for you and the lives I know you are impacting. May GOD continue to bless you so that you may continue to be a blessing to others.GOD Bless.

This book was beautifully written, I could not put it down! I caught myself not wanting to do anything but finish the book. Each chapter just got more interesting than the next, which is difficult because the first chapter was so incredible and made me feel as if I was standing right next to Valarie the entire time. She really knows how to make you feel like you are going thru this journey with her. I love a good underdog story and defining odds and it made me reflect on my own goals and life. I couldn't stop rooting for Valarie, and hoping it got better for her. Thank you for sharing your story with the world, it must not have been an easy thing to do.

From the moment you start reading this book, you will not want to stop! And even at the end I still wanted to know more. I finally was able to get some reading time while on vacation and I kid you not I couldn't stop reading this book on my phone, I was up until 1am each night until I finished it. Valerie this work of art was amazing and I appreciate you opening up your heart and completely exposing it to the world! Your story was heart breaking and encouraging at the same time, you touched on the importance of mental health awareness and the power to move beyond your circumstances. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a page turner!

I go to the same high school Valerie Rainford went to. My eleventh grade English class read this book and because the book is written by a person who was raised in our own backyard, everyone loved it. I personally cannot relate to most of the book, however, there are some things like, peer pressure, that I think any teen, including myself, can relate to. Valerie Rainford actually visited my school and reiterated some parts of her book, answered questions, and received some gifts. It was surreal to read a book for about a month and a half and see the author of it stand right in front of you, answering YOUR questions. She is an awesome, amazing person and author.To Valerie, I hope this book has fulfilled all of the expectations you had for it. It definetly fulfilled mine.

This book exceeded my expectations, not because I didn't expect an excellent product from Valerie; but because the truth included was phenominal! I have known Valerie for several decades and worked with her early on in her career at the Federal Reserve. I was impressed with her determination to exceed, but had no idea of the struggles from whence she survived.I am so proud of her and her accomplishments as a corporate executive as well as a wife and mom. I am most proud of her decision to share her story to help others know "the differece between succesful people and others is not a lack of knowledge or strength but a lack of will".I look forward to Valerie's next best seller!

I've known Valerie for about six years and had no idea her past was as challenging as it was. Yes, I heard bits and pieces from her but never to the extent revealed in her book. Having grown up in the south I could not help but chuckle at a few things that brought back memories of my childhood, but through all of life's ups and downs, I know that God is in the mist of everything. Valerie's story is proof of that. Thank you Valerie for being both an inspiration and a blessing to so many people. You truly have a best seller on your hands.

A gripping story of overcoming tragedy, excelling in everything you do and having the human kindness to share life's lessons with those who need it. Thank you Valerie xx

An amazing journey where adversity drives achievement. It takes a special person to share such intermediate details in benefit of broader humanity. Thank You Valerie!