Integrity in a Box of Chocolates: Consuming Life's Hardships One Bite at a Time

Joan Koonce

Tate Publishing, Dec 1, 2009 - Biography & Autobiography - 203 pages

In the words of Forrest Gump, 'Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you are going to get.' Joan Koonce's box had more varieties than most. Integrity in a Box of Chocolates is a collection of stories that portray the tragic life experiences faced by a black woman growing up in rural North Carolina. It uncovers deep, lifelong scars left by poverty, sexual molestation, discrimination, incest, alcohol and drug addiction, and sexual, emotional, and physical abuse. Despite these obstacles, Joan attended college and received her bachelor's, master's, and Ph.D. degrees. Working her way through her box, chocolate by chocolate, gave Joan the grit and will to survive, even in the face of extreme adversity. Through her life and the life of her son, Joan Koonce learned that despite the hardships, a box of chocolates can still be sweet. Joan's story is one of hope, determination, and faith and is an inspiration to all who read it. Experience with Joan the one true way to maintain Integrity in a Box of Chocolates. Author Joan Koonce is an associate professor and financial planning specialist at the University of Georgia, where she teaches others through seminars, trainings, and published research and educational materials. She is a member of Cornerstone Church of God, where she actively participates in the ladies' ministry, angel food ministry, and redemption lift ministry. She currently lives in Athens, Georgia, and regularly visits and provides moral support to her only child, Carlus Koonce, a son who is serving a life sentence in prison.

What people are saying

User Review -

This is an awesome book, that reminds me of my childhood. The confusion of a child that was taught to respect your elders and never talk back. Yet, not being warned of the disrepectfulness of them and how to protect yourself.
I will share this book with my daughters, just so they may understand why I am the way I am today, because of knowing God exists.  

User Review -

It is a very inspiring book to read. Within a week I found someone who was dealing with something that Joan had experienced and gave her the book to be inspired as well and she was. Truly a gift that keeps on giving! Thanks Joan for putting it all down in words.

Contents

• Introduction: 17
• Through the Woods: 21
• Hard and Long: 27
• Hog Killing: 35
• St Matilda: 43
• Tis the Season to be Jolly: 47
• Poor and Ugly: 51
• Spanking Brandnew: 55
• Like Hogs and Cows: 59
• Nigger Nigger Black as Tar: 63
• Work All Day and Fight All Night: 69
• Spare the Rod and Spoil the Child: 73
• Moonshine White Lightening Stump Hole or Bootleg: 77
• Night Screams: 81
• Kissing Cousins: 85
• Where Theres a Will Theres a Way: 91
• The Scholarly Alcoholic: 99
• Cold Cat Caused: 105
• You Might Run but You Cant Hide: 111
• Mama Lost the Battle: 119
• Fatal Attraction: 123
• The Unforgivable Sin: 129
• Sold Out and Searching: 135
• ACOA: 139
• Until Death Do Us Part: 145
• The Prodigal Son: 157
• Stranger in the House: 177
• Right in a World of Wrong: 183
• The Bottom Line: 189
• Do You Want to be Saved? Do You Desire to Have a Personal Relationship with God?: 201

Bibliographic information

• Title: Integrity in a Box of Chocolates: Consuming Life's Hardships One Bite at a Time
• Author: Joan Koonce
• Publisher: Tate Publishing, 2009
• ISBN: 1607997819, 9781607997818
• Length: 203 pages
• Subjects: African American women; Biography & Autobiography / Cultural Heritage; Biography & Autobiography / Personal Memoirs; Biography & Autobiography / Religious; Biography & Autobiography / Women; Religion / General; Women educators