Best Selling Books by Erin Torneo

The New York Times best selling true story of an unlikely friendship forged between a woman and the man she incorrectly identified as her rapist and sent to prison for 11 years. Jennifer Thompson was raped at knifepoint by a man who broke into her apartment while she slept. She was able to escape, and eventually positively identified Ronald Cotton as her attacker. Ronald insisted that she was mistaken-- but Jennifer''s positive identification was the compelling evidence that put him behind bars. After eleven years, Ronald was allowed to take a DNA test that proved his innocence. He was released, after serving more than a decade in prison for a crime he never committed. Two years later, Jennifer and Ronald met face to face-- and forged an unlikely friendship that changed both of their lives. With Picking Cotton, Jennifer and Ronald tell in their own words the harrowing details of their tragedy, and challenge our ideas of memory and judgment while demonstrating the profound nature of human grace and the healing power of forgiveness.

It starts with the IGBN (I’ve Got Big News) phone calls and a mailbox full of Save the Dates. Next comes the meltdown: I always thought I’d be married by now. Why does she have a ring on her finger and I don’t? Soon you’re buying outrageously expensive china, dancing the electric slide with the groom’s dull but available cousin, and envisioning a long and single life for you and a dozen or so cats. But fear not! Now Erin Torneo and Valerie Cabrera Krause show you how to surf The Bridal Wave on your own terms. This hilarious and practical guide to surviving the wedding blitz reveals the sanity-saving secrets to dealing with all manner of matri-mania, including how to • manage finances during the costly wedding season • turn brutal self-examination (“What’s wrong with me?”) into empowering self-reflection (“Nothing!”) • cope with envy and feelings of competition • deal with lobridemized friends • avoid settling for Mr. Wrong just to fit the timeline in your head • actually enjoy being a bridesmaid, despite the dress Like the best of friends, Erin and Valerie will help you separate fact from fairy tale–and stay sane, whether you’re coupled-up, single and looking, or single and just fine, thank you very much! “For any woman who is currently trapped in the middle of a Bridal Wave–this book is your lifesaver!” –Liz Tuccillo, co-author of He’s Just Not That Into You “A funny and genuinely helpful book that should be on ever single woman’s shelf.” –Karen McCullah Lutz, author of Legally Blonde “Torneo and Krause’s advice will be eagerly gobbled up by legions of women.” –Celeste Perron, author of Playing House “Will ease your wedding panic with humor and intelligence.” –Andrea Lavinthal, co-author of The Hookup Handbook

Die weisse Studentin Jennifer wird nachts von einem Schwarzen vergewaltigt, der in ihr Apartment einbricht, während sie schläft. Bei einer Gegenüberstellung identifiziert sie Ronald Cotton als Täter. Obwohl dieser von Anfang an beteuert unschuldig zu sein, wird er zu "Zweimal lebenslänglich plus 54 Jahren" verurteilt. Jahre später wird der Justizirrtum erkannt und Ronald Cotton kommt frei. Nun fürchtet Jennifer seine Rache. Ängstlich und reuevoll zugleich, beschliesst sie, sich mit ihm zu treffen. Doch die Begegnung verläuft völlig anders als erwartet. "Dieses Buch wird Ihnen das Herz brechen und es dann wieder heilen ... Ein berührendes und wunderschönes Beispiel für die Macht des Glaubens und der Vergebung. Seine Botschaft der Hoffnung sollte weit über die Gerichtssäle hinaus gehört werden." (Schwester Helen Prejean, Autorin von "Dead Man Walking") Jennifer Thompson-Cannino setzt sich in Vorträgen, Gremien und Zeitungsartikeln für mehr Gerechtigkeit im amerikanischen Justizsystem ein (u.a. in der New York Times). Sie wohnt mit ihrer Familie in North Carolina. Ronald Cotton arbeitet in einer Firma für Isolierungen und wohnt mit seiner Familie in North Carolina. Er spricht an Universitäten und Schulen über seine Erfahrungen und engagiert sich für andere unschuldig Verurteilte. Erin Torneo lebt als freie Autorin in Los Angeles und Brooklyn (New York).