When Janice Morgan, a divorced college professor living in a small town in Kentucky, learns that her son has been arrested for possession of a stolen firearm and drug charges, she feels like she's living a nightmare. Dylan's turbulent period as a college student in Cincinnati before this should have warned her, but it's only now that she realizes how far he has drifted into substance abuse and addiction. As Dylan passes through the judicial system and eventually receives a diversion to drug court, Morgan breathes a sigh of relief—only to find that she, too, has been sentenced right along with him. In the months to follow, she leads a double life: part of it on campus, the rest embarking upon what she calls "rescue missions" to help Dylan stay in the program. But resilience, dark humor, and extreme parenting can only carry you so far. Eventually, Morgan discovers that she needs to gain a deeper understanding of the bipolar and addiction issues her son is dealing with. Will each of them be able to learn fast enough to face these complexities in their lives? Clearly, Dylan isn't the only one who has recovery work to do.
Industry Reviews
"Suspended Sentence pulls the reader into the chaotic experience of parenting a child with mental health, substance abuse, and legal issues. Morgan provides an intimate glimpse of the emotional exposure she experienced as a mother-the ups and downs with her son, but also ultimately the personal growth process and self-discovery she gained. This firsthand experience can provide solace for other parents facing similar struggles."
-Krissy Pozatek, MSW, author of The Parallel Process and Brave Parenting
"The pacing and suspense kept me engaged throughout. I love how Morgan uses the central narrative of drug court to move the story forward while making room for family reflections, memories, and insights about how mental health issues and substance abuse are often intertwined. The Alice in Wonderland section was particularly illuminating."
-Dr. Michael Bordieri, PhD, psychologist
"I found this story to be enlightening, even with my many years of service as a drug court judge. The perspective of the family is one that the judge does not get to hear; the author's insight helped me to see the meaning of 'I'll never give up on my child' in action. It is so very important that people have conversations like this."
-Judge Earl-Ray Neal, 25th District Court, Kentucky
"A frank, earnest memoir of the difficulties of parenthood. . . Morgan [is] forced to also consider her own co-dependency and find a path through the minefield of motherhood to save both her son and herself."
-Kirkus Reviews
"Suspended Sentence is an incredibly moving book, describing the ups and downs of addiction, mental illness, and the power of the human mind to deal with this roller coaster ride. A fast-paced read, the book is filled with a love-hate relationship, tough times, and hope. . . . I highly recommend Suspended Sentence by Janice Morgan to professionals, families, and those impacted by bipolar disorder."
-Reader Views
"This memoir is an excellent read for parents with a teenager or young adult that has encountered the criminal justice system, parents with a teenager or young adult coming to grips with a mental health diagnosis, and anyone who is part of the court system, involved in diversion programs, or mental health counseling. So much can be gained from reading Janice Morgan's story."
-The Nerd Daily
