Dawna Elguera never had a white-picket fence childhood. In Balancing Life In Stilettos, she weaves the story of her life as a young girl and teen trapped in a cycle of abuse, and how she found her way to freedom. Sexually assaulted by some and physically abused by others, Dawna learned early on that family does not always equal love. This memoir meets self-help book relays the lessons Elguera, now a mentor to other abused women, learned that helped her overcome her trauma, rise above the temptation to remain a victim, and live a beautiful life of freedom and healing.