Seeds of Bitterness is the tenth book in Dr. Charlotte Johnson's series of motivational text. Dr. Johnson is able to use the metaphor of a seed of bitterness to explain how forgiveness and resentment can grow if not resolved. Revenge, retribution, our misguided attempts to ensure others are accountable for their actions, emotional blackmail, and other psychological tools or weapons to restore balance with those who have wronged us, can serve as fertilizer for our seeds of bitterness. The novel is Dr. Johnson's exploration into the reason and causes for her current circumstances. Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man and President Barack Obama's memoir, Dreams from My Father offered similar narratives of self-exploration. The story is told from (the narrator's) Dr. Johnson's present as she delves into her past. Thus, the narrator has hindsight in how her story is told, as she is already aware of the outcome. Dr. Johnson is able to master traditional literary techniques to provide her readers with clear and concise descriptions of factual events, while providing the passion and excitement of modern television dramas such as ABC's Revenge based on Alexandre Dumas's novel, The Count of Monte Cristo. I found myself riveted by Dr. Johnson's struggle to identify her actions and true motivations and how this impacts her sense of self and others. She enlists the aid of her trusted friends and family members in her narrative; the impact on their lives is documented. She contemplates how she will proceed forward after making startling revelations about herself and others. The book offers guidance on acceptance, forgiveness, and growth. After Oil for the Wounded, Dr. Johnson took a three-year hiatus from writing and returns with a fresh and vibrant infusion to her prose. This novel delves further into self-exploration of the cause of emotional stress and traumas and their impact on our growth but offers an even grittier and stark approach that leads the reader to self-examine their own pain and role in retaining and deifying it. Several major characters are written out of the series in this book. This leads to Dr. Johnson's exegesis. The book offers guidance on acceptance, forgiveness, and growth. After Oil for the Wounded, Dr. Johnson took a three-year hiatus from writing and returns with a fresh and vibrant infusion to her prose. This novel delves further into self-exploration of the cause of emotional stress and traumas and their impact on our growth but offers an even grittier and stark approach that leads the reader to self-examine their own pain and role in retaining and deifying it. Several major characters are written out of the series in this book. This leads to Dr. Johnson's exegesis. This book is an excellent self-help book for those suffering from unresolved anger and bitterness but also entertains and inspires all readers to be the best possible version of themselves. They say that revenge is a dish best served cold, but no one prior to Dr. Johnson has pointed out so poignantly how it chills the body and the soul with bitterness. Dr. Johnson offers hope for the hopeless, and joy in the midst of sorrow, for those willing to face themselves in the mirror and to do the work needed.
About the Author: Dr. Charlotte Russell Johnson is a writer and Christian evangelist. She has had an active prison ministry for more than sixteen years. She has worked with numerous non-profit agencies. Dr. Johnson served as the New Connections to Work Coordinator at Columbus Tech when the school began a collaborative partnership with other state agencies to change the face of welfare. Later she served as the Community Resource Development Coordinator for Region VIII with the Department of Family and Children Services. Her work has encompassed helping inmates, victims of AIDS, teenage mothers, and substance abusers. Dr. Johnson has B.A. in Health Science with a minor in Criminal Justice from Columbus State University where she graduated Phi Kappa Phi and magna cum laude. She received her Master's Degree from Troy State University in Community Psychology in Counseling. She holds a D.Min. in Biblical Counseling. She attended the graduate programs of Beacon College and Graduate School, Beacon University, Andersonville Seminary, and Southern Christian University. However, she states her GED remains her proudest degree.