Heart Aches & Rainy Days
Set in Georgia, a story of survival in a house of domestic violence.
'Heart Aches & Rainy Days'
Hidden from the world, what seemed to be the perfect family in reality was not even close. A marriage that started in the gentle beauty of love and laughter quickly became Jessica Westfall's living nightmare. Emotional and mental abuse by her husband, Paul, escalated to the degrading act of physical and sexual abuse. Isolated from the world, Jessica dreams of living a life free of this silent anguish. Suffering the consequences after trying to escape once before, she shudders at the thought of what he is capable. And yet she wonders, would she be forced to forever wander this path tribulation?
A staggering number of domestic violence cases are reported each day; unfortunately, there are also as many unreported cases. Domestic violence is not restricted to the female gender. Women who find themselves in abusive situations are not an exclusive target of domestic violence; men are also victims of abuse. Being the victim of domestic violence is a demoralizing and tragic experience, as well as a painful life-altering event. It is also a very painful suject for victims to discuss. Victims of domestic violence must understand that the abuse they suffer is NOT their fault. No one deserves to be abused--ever! It does not matter who you are or where you are from; everyone is entitled to a life free of abuse. If you are being physically, emotionally, mentally, or sexually abused--or are suspicious of someone who may be in this situation--please step forward and speak to someone. You could save yourself or help someone else out of a possible fatal situation.
God Bless You.
This novel is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places and events used in this book are the product of my imagination. Any resemblances to actual persons living or desceased, events, or locales are entirely coincidental.
ISBN# 1-4137-5162-8
Released: April 4, 2005
You are Visitor #
Here you will find my first review along with a preview of my book, titled Heart Aches & Rainy Days. My book, though fiction, incorporates the very real issue of domestic violence.
Heart Aches & Rainy Days is a story that will enrage you, make you cry, and at the same time keep you on the edge of your seat.
It is not for the faint of heart.
Trapped in a terrifying and vicious circle of abuse from her husband, Jessica finds inventing ways to protect herself difficult, more often impossible. Yet, her greatest fear is not for herself but for their daughter. When Paul suddenly announces they are going to have another baby, Jessica panics. She can barely protect one child; she worries about how she will be able to protect another child, especially a small baby. Will Jessica ever have the life she so desperately wants and deserves? Can she escape her abusive husband, or will he find her, as before and bring her back?
Watch the story unfold as Jessica tries to survive physical, sexual, mental, and emotional abuse at the hands of her once gentle and loving husband, Paul. Experience Jessica’s fictitious life as a victim of domestic violence, as she tries to understand what she could have possibly done wrong to make her husband hurt her in such degrading and unbelievable ways.
If something about your relationship is scaring you, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline (NDVH): 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or TTY for the Deaf: 1-800-787-3244. Advocates are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help you by answering questions, assisting in safety plans, or directly connecting you to resources in your local calling area.
ALL CALLS TO NDVH ARE ANONYMOUS
www.ndvh.org
My experience with domestic abuse is as an observer. If people believe domestic abuse only affects the victims of the abuse, they are wrong. Any of us involved with a next-door neighbor, a family member, or even a friend of a friend can be touched by the tragedy of abuse. If I have learned only one thing in my life, it is that domestic violence touches everyone within its vicinity. It spares no one. Silent observers to domestic violence often experience suppressed anger and can feel as helpless as the victims of the abuse. The quote, “to end the silent voices of domestic violence” is a plea to the whole of our society.
*My thanks to TE Simmers for her assistance with the content of my web site*
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'To hear silent voices is to end domestic violence forever'
My book can be ordered through the online stores at the following websites. Thank you for your purchase!
www.bn.com Barnes & Noble
www.amazon.com Amazon
www.publishamerica.com
http://www.publishamerica.com/shopping/shopreviewlist.asp?id=8019
Book Dedication
This
book is dedicated to two people.
My
husband, Guillermo, who always supports me, stands by me,
and believes in me no matter what I decide to do.
And
my mother, Sarah, who always told me that I could be whoever
I wanted to be or do whatever I wanted to do if I put my mind to
it.
I love you.
I
would also like to give a special thanks to the following people.
For
my friend, Roger, who has encouraged me from the start.
For my friends, W. Naomi A., Brenda J., Matthew B., Nicole E., Donna B.,
Junior, Kim, Lisa R. & her family in Virginia, and Debbie
B.,
for believing that it would happen.
For
all the people not mentioned above, that supported me.
And especially for My Paula, who has burned every candle in Texas!
Thank you all!