Book excerpt: Elona Washington is the best-selling co-author of "20 Beautiful Women-Volume II" and "I Am Beautiful: The Evolution of Beauty." She's made several appearances on HuffPost Live and is a contributor to the Huffington Post and Digital Romance. A motivational speaker since 2011, Elona has traveled the country sharing her story of redemption and hope.Through childhood memories and stories from the strip club, Elona candidly discusses why her life spiraled out of control and what she learned along the way. In these pages, there are lessons every wife, mother and single woman will find useful.What people are saying:I love anything that is real, vulnerable & authentic! Your book was all of that! Your book gives people permission to own their story, rethink their decisions AND live in their purpose! We have heard that wounds can't totally heal covered up; you uncovered your wound and the story your scar tells is beautiful! - Tameria L. Smith, BloggerElona's candid and captivating glance into her life as an educated girl to a stripper woman is a story that needs to be told...I am sure the words within these pages will resonate with thousands. This book provides readers with the hope for a bright future regardless of how dim their past may be and it also shows us just how closely we are all connected... - Maleeka T. Hollaway, Best-selling Author