For two decades, Jenny Lynn Anderson waged a silent battle with the pain from the worst day of her life.

She says she "carried with (her) every single day" the horrific memory of Nov. 28, 1990, when she was robbed and sexually assaulted at knifepoint in a downtown Atlanta hotel. Although several people close to her knew about the assault, Anderson tried to heal from it on her own.

But as she neared the 20-year anniversary of that terrible night, Anderson decided it was finally time to discuss the ordeal openly.

"At the 20-year mark, I finally found the courage to deal with this traumatic event in my life," Anderson said. "I felt I had to make an important choice — was I going to allow this man who assaulted me to hold me in bondage for another 20 years, or was I going to reclaim my life and move forward?"

Anderson shares her story of hope and recovery in her recently-published book "Room 939: 15 Minutes of Horror, 20 Years of Healing." She will discuss her book at The Banquet Room in Rincon on Saturday at 10 a.m., with a book signing to follow.

"The book is about what you do when bad things happen to good people," Anderson said. "A question we all wrestle with when something traumatic happens is, ‘Why me, God?’ The universal message of my book is about the one thing we all share as humans and have such a difficult time with, and that is forgiveness."

A marketing and public relations consultant in Statesboro, Anderson is well-known in the community for her confident and friendly demeanor. However, for years her public smiles hid a private struggle that was consuming her.

Anderson said her post traumatic stress gained a "tighter grip," frightening her and ultimately overwhelming her. She finally sought counseling.

"Leaving my first session, I felt just the arrival of relief and hope," Anderson said. "At about the same time, Ric Mandes, my editor and friend, over a cup of coffee, looked right at me and said, ‘Jenny Lynn, you have a greater story to tell.’ I sensed it was God’s speaking to me and now, with His powerful force, leading me to finally release this story long imprisoned in my soul."

Anderson said she has made 30 speaking appearances since the book’s release in November and has 16 more scheduled through May. Along the way

she has met many people who are hurting and hiding their pain, just as she had for so long.

"Thankfully, sharing my story with others seems to have given them a renewed hope as they share their sadness with me in confidence and finally admit to their suffering," she said. "Spiritually, it is by far the most gratifying experience of my life — knowing individuals are now finding their way to releasing their pain to a loved one, a friend, a family member due to something in my book, or a remark made during a personal appearance."

The book discussion in Rincon is free of charge and the community is invited to attend. An excerpt from the book is available at www.jennylynnanderson.com.