Tracy Stopler's debut novel, THE ROPES THAT BIND, received both the 2017 Independent Press Award and the 2017 NYC Big Book Award for "Distinguished Favorite" in the category of Women's Fiction. *"Critical acclaim for this desperately needed type of love story. In my 40 years of work as a psychotherapist I often find myself advising patients to "treat themselves as if they were someone they loved." The response I frequently get is "how?" Tracy Stopler provides the "how to" in The Ropes That Bind. The focus in her debut novel is adult recovery from childhood sexual abuse. However, the path braved by the main character, Tali Stark, is one that can be followed by all those who struggle with any potentially crippling traumatic life event at any age. Written in a novel/memoir style in the first person, the story catches you on the first page and doesn't let go until the last sentence of the conclusion." (Ted Horowitz, DSW). *"When Prof.Stopler, asked me to read her book, I assumed it was an educational book on nutrition. Wrong Instead, it was an inspirational book on life. I connected with Tali as a young girl, a student, a professional and a survivor. This book is about discovering your best self despite life's curveballs. To quote a line in the book, 'Applause, applause, applause.'" (Survivor of Rape). *" *"Stopler's moving transformational story will break your heart and then rebuild it better than it was before. It reassures us that the human spirit is truly indestructible." (Rabbi Todd Chizner). *"The Ropes That Bind powerfully illustrates the destruction that accompanies the silence surrounding sexual abuse. Tracy Stopler bravely shares with us a story that unfortunately is far too familiar. In doing so, she offers unusual modalities of healing that can loosen the grip of damage for many, many victims of sex abuse." (Dr. Amy Hammel Zabin, Author of Conversations with a Pedophile: In the Interest of Our Children). *"The Ropes That Bind is absolutely riveting. It's a powerful story of strength, resilience, and an unbreakable human spirit. Tracy Stopler masterfully paints a vivid picture of each character and every scene - a veritable wordsmith Stopler's style of writing is that of an articulate friend telling a fascinating story. Invaluable, accurate information regarding child sexual abuse was interwoven throughout the story." (Keri Guarino, Child Victim Advocate, Enough Abuse Trainer). When nine-year-old Tali Stark from the Bronx stops to give directions to "The Man" in a white limousine, she unwittingly puts herself on a trajectory to emotional and spiritual turmoil that will take her decades to rise above. Blaming herself for the heinous crime that happened because she didn't "go straight to school," Tali is bound by invisible chains of secrecy, shame, and self-imposed isolation. Her harrowing and illuminating journey to recovery begins in her twenties with the support of her mentor, Dr. Daniel Benson, with whom she experiences deep love and then heartbreak. Feeling lost, Tali travels to Israel where Kabbalah sparks her spiritualism, and then to Africa where an arduous climb up Mount Kilimanjaro ignites a newfound feeling of empowerment. Only when Tali goes back to the Bronx and learns that her unreported crime scene has become the site of a rehabilitation center, does she understand that there is one more road to travel prior to reaching freedom. This updated 2019 publication includes a four-page interview with the author].