LITTLE BLACK SHEEP is the memoir of Ashley Cleveland and was
published in 2013 by David C Cook.
Ashley is a singer-songwriter and author who has won three Grammys and
two Dove Awards.
This is a great read!
It details how she grew up in a broken family with a homosexual father
and how that impacted her. Anyone who
has experienced bouncing around from one parent to the other in different
cities, provinces, or states, will find this part of her story interesting.
The overarching subject of the book is Ashley’s deep
struggle with alcohol and drugs. Anyone
who has been, or is, addicted to anything in their lives should give this book
a read. Ashley’s story is not one where
she was delivered instantaneously. She
did not quit cold turkey once and for all.
Ashley speaks openly about her feelings of insecurity and
not belonging with people and her promiscuity.
She deeply desired a meaningful relationship with a man, but it was a
long road for her to see that come to pass.
Anyone who is a fan of music should open up this book.
Ashley chronicles her long path to becoming an established solo artist. Along the way she became friends with Pam
Tillis, daughter of Mel, and eventually signed to Atlantic Records for her
debut album in the early 1990s. Ashley
talks about her relationship with the Christian music industry and her fans
here as well.
Mothers will particularly enjoy her musings about her three
children, Rebecca, Henry, and Lily.
She talks about her relationship with churches over the
years. More importantly she talks about
her relationship with God before, during, and after her sobriety. She always expected God was just waiting
upstairs to punish her, but what she eventually came to find was a tender, loving
God who had a plan for her life. Praise
God for His redeeming love!
Ashley’s faith journey has not been picture perfect and
still is not. She admits she finds it
hard to surrender ALL to God. Who of us
doesn’t? Surrender is a daily struggle
for sure!
I value Ashley’s honesty throughout this book. There are a
lot of lessons we can learn from her journey and we are the better for her
sharing it with us. For more info visit: www.ashleycleveland.com.