A young woman is born into a world of deception. Her rage pulls her down a path of destruction with one goal in mind—tear down all the men who did her wrong. One man wants to save her from a life of dysfunction and vengeance, but can she trust him?

The Copper Phoenix is one woman's fight to rise above the abuse and find healing through the pain. The story is based on true events lived by the coauthor, Lynn Thomas, and initially ghostwritten by Amy M. Le.

Claire Anne Baker is a precocious redhead whose early childhood is full of adventure. Her father is her world and they spend four years together on road trips, meeting interesting people, and performing gigs at various establishments.

The older she gets, the darker her world becomes. Claire discovers she was kidnapped by her father before her first birthday and that her parents, collectively, have more than 30 children with multiple partners. Growing up in an abusive, dysfunctional home turns Claire’s life upside down. Her childhood is stripped from her at the tender age of 11. Gone is the carefree, trusting little girl who can talk to strangers and win their hearts with her smile and wit.

Her dad has a rotating door of female visitors, abusive wives, and dangerous male predators who wreak havoc on Claire’s struggle to be a normal kid. She becomes withdrawn and rebellious and turns to self-destructive agents to numb the torment.

The downward spiral leads Claire to Wally, who aids in her recovery. A friendship unexpectedly blossoms, and with his love, support, and encouragement, Claire learns to let go, to breathe, and to end the habitual cycle of shame and guilt that plagues her.

Trigger warnings

Please note this book contains scenes depicting rape and physical abuse. There are themes of addiction and suicide, domestic violence, bigamy, and eating disorders. This may trigger survivors of abuse, addiction, and sexual violence/molestation.