Neka Parker, the elder of two siblings, is a precocious seven-year-old who understands the additional hardship a new baby will bring to her impoverished Southern family. Not only will she now need to vie that much more for her mother’s affection, but she predicts with another mouth to feed, Christmas 1977 will be incredibly somber. The normalcy of Neka’s life is further set on its ear when she’s abused by her mother’s latest boyfriend. She then lives in terror as the Atlanta’s Missing and Murdered Children tragedy sweeps through her community. A downward spiral of teenage promiscuity, an ever-growing emotional distance between her and her family, a string of abusive relationships, depression and a suicide attempt, which lands her in a mental institution, shatter Neka’s faith in God.

Shortly after her release, Neka believes she’s finally met Mr. Right; however, he quickly abandons her when she reveals she’s expecting his child. Independent and irrepressible, Neka is determined to build a new life, a better life, for herself and her son. Though her tribulations persist, she ultimately finds peace within and even makes peace with God—and dares to find her rainbow amidst the darkest gray.

V Lyric Parker delivers a relatable and candid retelling of her life in this soul stirring memoir-novel; a retelling that is, in a word, brave.

Read an excerpt of The Darkest Gray

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