Seldom Spoken

A story of survival, the healing power of horses, and the undeniable strength of a woman claiming her truth.

Sandra Baldwin's earliest memories are painted with the vivid colors of a wild, unconventional Appalachian childhood. Growing up on a rugged mountain with an absent father and a trailblazing newspaper-reporter mother, Sandra learned to find solace in the woods, the company of animals, and her own imagination. But the whimsical adventures of her youth masked a deepening struggle for self-worth-a struggle that was violently amplified when she survived a home-invasion rape as a young mother in Nebraska.

Overnight, Sandra lost her sense of safety. Plunged into the suffocating aftermath of trauma, she navigated a grueling legal system that often puts the victim on trial. Seldom Spoken chronicles the harrowing fallout of this event, tracking Sandra's journey through multiple broken marriages, deep depression, and the desperate search for a safe harbor.

Yet, in the darkest chapters of her life, Sandra discovered profound sources of light:

• • The Healing Power of Animals: From her childhood pony, LaBruja, to her beloved "heart horse," Shem de la Terre, Sandra illustrates how the silent, non-judgmental love of horses became her ultimate therapy.
  • Ancestral Strength: Uncovering a storied family history-including Mayflower passengers and 19th-century abolitionists-helped Sandra realize that resilience was literally in her blood.
  • The Courage to Speak: Inspired by the #MeToo movement, Sandra dismantles the silence surrounding sexual assault, offering a raw look at PTSD and the grueling, ten-year cycles of healing.
  • Finding True Love: After years of surviving, Sandra finally experiences the joy of thriving, finding enduring love, peace, and purpose on a 15-acre farm with her husband, Sid.

Seldom Spoken is not just a memoir about trauma; it is a manifesto for survivors. It is a reminder that no matter how many "midnight calls" life brings, it is possible to rewrite your narrative, filter out the lies of self-doubt, and build a beautiful, fiercely authentic life.

Perfect for readers of Educated by Tara Westover and The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls, as well as anyone seeking an inspiring story of female empowerment, spiritual awakening, and healing.