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NOTE\u00a0 Some of these Press reviews refer to the book by its original title “Public Secrets and Justice – journal of a Circuit Court Judge.”\u00a0 I knew that title wasn’t quite right, but it was the best I could\u00a0 come up with under the time restraints of publication.\u00a0 When it was republished to include a few changes, it came out under a more appropriate name – one that better describes the impact the children have had on me.\u00a0 Footprints on My Soul – Journal of a Circuit Court Judge.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cAmazing views from the bench \u2026 with fascinating insights to a truly Renaissance woman.<\/em>\u201d “Her courage is palpable \u2026[as she] shows the heart of a judge who cares, and the spirit \u2026 struggling to be free of the shackles of cultural expectations. You will not be able to put it down<\/b>.<\/em>” \u201cBrutally honest account of what it felt like to \u2026 carry out her job [as Judge] \u2026 until she no longer could.\u00a0 <\/span>\u2026 joy and humor in Melvin\u2019s deeply moving memoir, as she discovers \u201clife after law\u201d and revels in the freedom of anonymity.\u2026 deeply personal way to pay homage to the unforgettable children she met as a judge, who taught her the value of listening, stubbornness, hope, and courage.”<\/em> You can read Jan\u2019s full article by clicking here<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Excerpt from Book review published in\u00a0Friends Journal<\/em>Jun\/Jul 2014 Public Secrets & Justice: A Journal of a Circuit Court Judge<\/strong> This book is an account of her yearlong travels around the country, punctuated by frequent retrospective looks at some of her more memorable experiences on the bench. The result is a fascinating memoir of a colorful, multifaceted, and adventurous woman and her search for meaning and a measure of truth\u2026<\/p>\n Melvin is at her best, however, in helping us understand the challenge a judge faces in maintaining a neutral demeanor and state of mind in these difficult cases in order to insure fairness to all parties. She accomplishes this often by pulling back the curtain to reveal her actual thought processes during trials and hearings. One cannot help but be impressed with how conscientious she was in her efforts at evenhandedness despite frequently strong emotions that might have pulled her in an opposite direction. We can only hope that other judges do likewise, but one must wonder whether years of constant exposure to the inhumanity they see leave many of them jaded and cynical.”<\/p>\n (C) 2014 Friends Publishing Corporation. Reprinted with permission.www.friendsjournal.org<\/a><\/p>\n An hour long interview on Northern Spirit Radio \u00a0Click Here<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n In 2011 I rode the outside perimeter of the U.S. on a 12,897 mile solo ride on my Goldwing motorcycle to raise awareness for and funding for four child-focused charities —\u00a0 Kids House – a child advocacy center in Pensacola, Fla, Shriner’s Children’s Hospital; Ronald McDonald House, and Habitat for Humanity.\u00a0 You can check out some of the press my 4 Corners 4 Kids motorcycle ride received:<\/p>\n The Florida Bar News<\/a><\/p>\n WEAR-TV 3 Angels in Our Midst<\/a><\/p>\n Miami CBS Local\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" NOTE\u00a0 Some of these Press reviews refer to the book by its original title “Public Secrets and Justice – journal of a Circuit Court Judge.”\u00a0 I knew that title wasn’t quite right, but it was the best I could\u00a0 come … Continue reading
\n– Bill Campbell, columnist, Air Force veteran, and blogger.
\n<\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/span>–\u00a0Thomas Lane Butts, DD, Pastor Emeritus, columnist,
\nAuthor of Tigers in the Dark<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n
\n–\u00a0<\/span>Jan Pudlow, senior editor, The Florida Bar News<\/i>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/strong><\/span>(Full review available here)<\/a><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n
\n–Reviewed by John W. Steele<\/strong>
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\n“Laura Melvin, dutiful daughter of an esteemed circuit court judge and of the Deep South, followed the path prescribed for her by her heritage: marriage, a son, the law, and ultimately the bench. But after ten years as a judge, she felt a great void in her life and a yearning to break free\u2026.at age 53 and at the peak of her career, she resigned her judgeship and embarked on a journey to find her true self and \u201cjustice.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n