October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and Cincinnati author, speaker, corporate executive and domestic abuse survivor Victoria Ellen is on a mission to help other abuse victims “survive and thrive.” In her recently published memoir, Painting In The Rain: A True Story Of Trickery and Triumph, (Orange Frazer Press), Victoria candidly shares her tale of how resilience, determination, faith and her boundless love for her children helped her break free from a toxic relationship with her ex-husband, and move forward with courage while crusading for justice and igniting her inner strength.

Her true story is riveting and bizarre enough to be a “made-for-tv” movie. It all began when a young and naïve Victoria married a charismatic, churchgoing man named Daryl Harrison whom she believed was “the one.” In fact, he repeatedly told her “God told me you are supposed to be my wife.”

Within days after they walked down the aisle, Daryl began to show his true colors, by controlling Victoria’s every move and inflicting immense emotional abuse, playing on her deepest insecurities and fears, while also taking them into a state of financial ruin. When pregnant with their second child, Victoria hatched an escape plan.

Victoria was sickened and devastated to learn that both Daryl and his family members had sexually abused both of her children, and yet she was forced to comply with the court-ordered visitations. She filed countless appeals, producing both testimonials from her children and experts, as well as physical evidence, but the justice system totally failed her in many ways. Daryl was never charged for the abuse, even though the evidence was there in plain black and white. However, there were other criminal activities that would ultimately put him behind bars.

While attempting to bring Daryl to justice, and protect her children, Victoria learned that he was also claiming to be both a prophet, international business tycoon and investor, as well as an African Prince with the fictional name of Prince Daryl R. Attipoe. He was finally brought to trial in 2023, largely due to Victoria’s persistence. The evidence brought forth at his trial showed that he conned at least 14 people out of more than $800,000. He was sentence to 20 years in federal prison in March of 2023. He appealed in February of 2024, but it was denied in June 2024, and there was no reduction in sentence.

https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/15/politics/ohio-man-false-ghanaian-prince-…

“I want to help and encourage other victims of domestic violence dig themselves out of the dark, black hole,” says Victoria. “ I hope that my story will help them find their inner strength that they never knew they had, and the courage to escape the abuse. Faith played a huge part in both my ability to break free, my efforts to help my children, and fueled me to keep going month after month and year after year, as the legal system repeatedly failed me. I truly felt as if I was ‘painting in the rain.’ I prayed to God constantly to give me that much-needed inner strength and never allowed myself to give up, even in the darkest days. My (now) adult children and I have had years of therapy, and I could not be prouder of them. And I finally found and married my ‘real’ prince, Dan Ellen, in 2013, and he has adopted both of my children.”

Victoria will be hosting a book signing and fundraiser at The Broadway Barrel House located at 402 N. Broadway Street in Lebanon, Ohio on Thursday the 24th of October from 5-9pm. 50% of all book sales that evening will be donated to SAFE on Main and Women Helping Women. Both organizations are dedicated to providing comprehensive services to Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault survivors. Additionally, The Broadway Barrel House will also be donating 20% of all food and beverage sales that evening to the two organizations.

In addition to this event, the book may also be purchased online at Amazon.com or through Victoria’s website at https://www.victoriaellen.co/.