When a woman decides to choose herself, everything changes.
In Loving the Fire: Choosing Me, Finding Freedom, author and activist Deborah Santana shares a deeply moving memoir about awakening, resilience, and reclaiming a life of purpose after decades of living in the shadows.
Born to pioneering interracial couple Jo Frances and Saunders King, a popular jazz musician, she learned the strength of family. Deborah married legendary musician Carlos Santana, supporting his career and raising their three children, eventually carrying expectations and roles that diminished her power. When the weight became impossible to bear, she made the brave decision that would transform everything: she chose truth over appearances, freedom over fear, and her own voice over quiet acceptance of what no longer served her.
Across stories of motherhood, heritage, faith, global activism, and spiritual growth, Deborah takes readers on a journey through heartbreak, healing, and the powerful process of becoming whole. From working with Kenya' s Daraja Academy to the Museum of the African Diaspora, from family loss to profound reinvention, she reveals how the fire that nearly consumed her became the source of her rebirth.
Equal parts inspirational memoir, spiritual teaching, and women' s empowerment, Loving the Fire is for anyone standing at a crossroads- ready to shed old versions of themselves and step into a fuller, freer life.
For readers of Viola Davis, Glennon Doyle, Cheryl Strayed, Michelle Obama, and Suleika Jaouad- this memoir is a testament to what happens when a woman rises.
Loving the Fire is published in partnership with Studio 33 Books and Broad Book Press.
About the Author :
Deborah Santana is an author, activist, and producer whose work champions social justice and women' s voices. Her previous books include the memoir Space Between the Stars: My Journey to an Open Heart and the anthology All the Women in My Family Sing. Founder of the Do A Little Foundation, she supports education for girls and global empowerment initiatives. She serves on the Advisory Council of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, the Board of Directors for Violence Intervention Program, and as co-chair of the Steering Committee for the Courage Museum in San Francisco.
Review :
"Deborah describes a life of deep spiritual transformation with beauty and grace. Drawing from her parent's legacy of excellence, she became the pillar of her family in a complex marriage, raising three talented children, and eventually finding freedom to become the courageous and fiercely independent woman that she was meant to be. Her social activism and philanthropy change the lives of women and girls. This memoir is a window into an extraordinary life." —Isabel Allende, Award-Winning Author
"Loving the Fire takes us on a journey of self-discovery, compassion, and courage. Deborah Santana, once a student and now a teacher in her own right, embodies the healing power of empathy and intuition. Her journey inspires us all to live with purpose, curiosity and gratitude." —Judith Orloff, MD, New York Times best-selling author of The Empath's Survival Guide
"Lyrical and brave, Santana writes with the wisdom of a woman who has learned to listen to her spirit and reminds us that reclaiming oneself and following the call of the heart can lead to a joyful, purpose-filled life." —Renee Swindle, Author of Francine’s Spectacular Crash and Burn
"Deborah Santana's story reflects a journey of courage, resilience, and spiritual growth. Loving the Fire promises to inspire readers seeking authenticity and empowerment, and I celebrate her commitment to living truthfully and uplifting others." —Jim Blake, CEO of Unity World Headquarters
