In Built to Last, Tara L. Carnes weaves the voices of survivors into poems to take a fearless look at domestic violence and the support systems that make it possible to heal from the trauma.

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"...at the core of this trilogy of suffering and survival, there is a deep reverence for those both Divine and earthly who have journeyed with her in the darkness/ sharing [their] wisdom and faith."

-Cathy Smith Bowers, Poet Laureate of North Carolina 2010-2012

"This collection of poetry empathically speaks their truth. And more than their truth, it records their hard-won transformation from victim to survivor."

-Ingrid Knox

"You cannot read this poetry and not be affected by it."

-Mary Kay Hunyady, Psychologist, PsyD, MA, MEd

"At times sad and disturbing, at others hopeful and even funny, Carnes recounts the realities and hurdles an abused woman, especially one with children, faces in a society where everyone would just as soon Not Know."

-Linda Weiland