01Chapter 6
Unlearning fear to reclaim faith
The falling away is not always people leaving God. Sometimes it is people leaving the doctrine that replaced Him.
From Shackles
to Freedom
A story of faith, redemption, and the courage to start again.
“A raw, redemptive masterpiece.”— AP News“Perez writes with uncommon honesty and grace.”— WFLA Tampa Bay“A story that will stay with you long after the last page.”— The Florida Tribune“Brave, vulnerable, and deeply inspiring.”— FOX 2 Now“A testament to the power of faith and resilience.”— Book Launch Express“One of the most moving memoirs of the year.”— Florida Gazette“A raw, redemptive masterpiece.”— AP News“Perez writes with uncommon honesty and grace.”— WFLA Tampa Bay“A story that will stay with you long after the last page.”— The Florida Tribune“Brave, vulnerable, and deeply inspiring.”— FOX 2 Now“A testament to the power of faith and resilience.”— Book Launch Express“One of the most moving memoirs of the year.”— Florida Gazette
01The Book
A memoir by Maritza Perez
A faith-driven memoir tracing one woman's journey through trauma, spiritual searching, and religious bondage — and, ultimately, into personal and spiritual freedom.
In this deeply honest testimony, Maritza Perez shares a story of childhood wounds, broken relationships, and years spent seeking belonging in places that promised healing but delivered fear. What unfolds is not a perfect path — but a raw, transformative journey toward freedom from shame, performance-driven faith, and the need for external validation. A story for anyone who has ever questioned, struggled, fallen, or searched for deeper truth.
Available inKindle$5.99Paperback$14.99Hardcover$17.99
02Inside the Book
Six ideas you’ll sit with long after the last page.
A quiet argument for the difference between religion and relationship — a field guide for anyone rebuilding their faith from the inside out.
02Chapter 7
A faith that doesn't need to perform
Failures are not evidence of separation. They are invitations into deeper dependence — into the grace of being fully known.
03Chapter 10
The church Jesus imagined
He was hardest on the people who confused holiness with control, obedience with fear, and authority with power.
04Chapter 13
The narrow road of freedom
Away from the noise, a quieter voice returns. Gentle. Consistent. The kind you can finally hear yourself agree with.
05Chapter 17
Aloneness is not loneliness
Silence stops feeling like rejection when you understand it is not abandonment. It is invitation.
06Chapter 20
Becoming safe to yourself
Strength often looks like pausing. Like honoring your limits without apologizing for them.
A story that will stay with you long after the last page.
“A raw, redemptive masterpiece.”
“Perez writes with uncommon honesty and grace.”
“Brave, vulnerable, and deeply inspiring.”
“A testament to the power of faith and resilience.”
“One of the most moving memoirs of the year.”
AP NewsWFLAFOX 2 NowMyFOX8FOX 44 NewsKRQEKSNKTSMKX NewsKCAU 9MyPanhandleOur Quad CitiesThe Florida TribuneFlorida News WatchFlorida News GuideThe Florida News GuideFlorida GazetteState of the Union NewsThe America WatchAmerican Times ReporterBook Launch ExpressBook Publisher CentralAP NewsWFLAFOX 2 NowMyFOX8FOX 44 NewsKRQEKSNKTSMKX NewsKCAU 9MyPanhandleOur Quad CitiesThe Florida TribuneFlorida News WatchFlorida News GuideThe Florida News GuideFlorida GazetteState of the Union NewsThe America WatchAmerican Times ReporterBook Launch ExpressBook Publisher Central
04The Thread
“The falling away is not people leaving God. It is people leaving doctrine that replaced Him.”
From Shackles to Freedom · Chapter 6
05The Author
Photograph · Florida, 2025
Author
Maritza Perez
Maritza Perez is a Christian author and mother of three whose writing explores faith, healing, and spiritual freedom. Through vulnerability and lived experience, she shares her journey of breaking free from fear-based religion and rediscovering grace, truth, and identity in Christ.
She writes to encourage those who have wrestled with doubt, religious trauma, or fear in their spiritual walk — a reminder that faith was never meant to feel like bondage, but freedom. From Shackles to Freedom is her debut.
“Faith was never meant to feel like bondage, but freedom.”
06Read
“God was not waiting for me to get it right. He was waiting for me to stop hiding.”
Chapter 7 · Fearless Faith: Leaving Without Leaving God