Teresa Giudice 'excommunicated' former BFF and cookbook co-writer Heather Maclean after firing her from prison memoir

Teresa Giudice's prison memoir is published on Tuesday and it's not the book that was originally envisaged when she first embarked on it.

At first, the Real Housewives Of New Jersey star worked with author Heather Maclean who co-wrote her four hugely successful cookbooks but then ditched her in favor of People reporter K.C. Baker.

Giudice, 43, then 'excommunicated' her former best friend, according to PageSix.com, banning her from making contact via email or visiting her behind bars at the Federal Correctional Institution in Danbury, Connecticut.

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Jailbird no more: Teresa Giudice will publish a book Tuesday about her experiences behind bars last year as she served almost 12 months of a 15-month sentence for fraud. She's pictured in New Jersey on January 14

Jailbird no more: Teresa Giudice will publish a book Tuesday about her experiences behind bars last year as she served almost 12 months of a 15-month sentence for fraud. She's pictured in New Jersey on January 14

A source told the gossip website that Maclean initially worked with Giudice on a book that aimed to tell the stories of the women she served time with and wouldn't exploit her daughters.

But the reality star changed her mind as she served 12 months of a 15-month sentence for fraud.

Her book Turning Tables: From Housewife To Inmate And Back Again, that's published Tuesday, details her children's distress when she left them to go to prison, her humiliation at being strip searched and the lesbian sexual activities of her cell mates.

Tell all: The reality star wrote the book with the help of writer and reporter for People, K.C. Baker

Tell all: The reality star wrote the book with the help of writer and reporter for People, K.C. Baker

'Excommunicated': It's claimed that Giudice originally started work on the book with Heather Maclean (left with her husband) who co-authored four successful cookbooks with the reality star. But Giudice 'cut her off' after deciding to partner instead with Baker (right with singer Michael Buble)
'Excommunicated': It's claimed that Giudice originally started work on the book with Heather Maclean (left with her husband) who co-authored four successful cookbooks with the reality star. But Giudice 'cut her off' after deciding to partner instead with Baker (right with singer Michael Buble)

'Excommunicated': It's claimed that Giudice originally started work on the book with Heather Maclean (left with her husband) who co-authored four successful cookbooks with the reality star. But Giudice 'cut her off' after deciding to partner instead with Baker (right with singer Michael Buble)

Did time: Teresa served just under 12 months of her 15-month sentence at the federal prison in Danbury, Connecticut, pictured

Did time: Teresa served just under 12 months of her 15-month sentence at the federal prison in Danbury, Connecticut, pictured

In a statement to PageSix.com on Monday, Maclean confirmed: 'I did work with her on a book for many months both before and while she was in prison that was meant to serve as a cautionary tale for other women who find themselves in bad situations.'

'I believe that she had an opportunity to use her platform to shine a light on women’s issues and could have been a wonderful advocate for better financial decision-making. However, Teresa chose to go in a different direction,' the writer continued. 

'The way this was handled was a shock to me — despite that, and the end of our time together, I wish her all the best with it.' 

Maclean helped Giudice with 2010's Skinny Italian: Eat It And Enjoy It, 2011's Fabulicious! Teresa's Italian Family Cookbook, 2012's Fabulicious! Fast And Fit and Fabulicious! On The Grill in 2013.

Back home: The 43-year-old was released from prison on December 23 and reunited with husband Joe and their daughters Gia, Milania, Gabriella and Audrina. They're pictured in a photo she shared on Instagram

Back home: The 43-year-old was released from prison on December 23 and reunited with husband Joe and their daughters Gia, Milania, Gabriella and Audrina. They're pictured in a photo she shared on Instagram

In an excerpt from the book published on People.com on Monday, the Bravo reality star said she realized that she had to 'try to make things right again in my life' and vowed to come out of prison 'a better person.'

Giudice described the last hours of freedom last January 5: 'Instead of having more time with my babies, I had to leave for prison in the middle of the night while they were sleeping – because of the paparazzi. This is how bad things had gotten,' she wrote. 

In the tell-all co-written with Baker, she describes how she and husband Joe went upstairs with their four daughters and they all lay together on her bed.

'I told the girls, 'Mommy has to leave,'' the Real Housewife recalled.

'We lay there, a tangled mess of arms and legs, hugging each other and crying,'she added. 'This was tearing my heart out, but I didn't let them see that. I couldn't. I had to be strong for them. They were my focus – not me.' 

Free: The Real Housewives Of New Jersey cast member celebrated the end of her house arrest and daughter Milania's 10th birthday last week

Free: The Real Housewives Of New Jersey cast member celebrated the end of her house arrest and daughter Milania's 10th birthday last week

Good to go:  On Monday it was announced The Real Housewives Of New Jersey will return for season seven with Giudice, her sister-in-law Melissa Gorga and friend Jacqueline Laurita

Good to go:  On Monday it was announced The Real Housewives Of New Jersey will return for season seven with Giudice, her sister-in-law Melissa Gorga and friend Jacqueline Laurita

Giudice was released from the Federal Correctional Institution in Danbury, Connecticut, on December 23 after serving almost one year behind bars.

She officially completed her sentence on February 4 when her house arrest ended. 

Joe Giudice is set to start his 41-month jail sentence for his fraud convictions in March.

While he is inside, his wife will be once again filming the bravo reality show.

The network's Andy Cohen confirmed the news on Monday as he announced the casting for season seven of Real Housewives Of New Jersey.

Giudice's sister-in-law Melissa Gorga, who is also returning along with friend Jacqueline Laurita, shared a snap of the three of them on Instagram with the caption, 'We're baaaack!'

Soon to be parted again: Teresa and Giudice were convicted on fraud charges. Now she's completed her sentence, Joe is set to serve 41 months in prison starting in March

Soon to be parted again: Teresa and Giudice were convicted on fraud charges. Now she's completed her sentence, Joe is set to serve 41 months in prison starting in March

 

 

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