REVIEW FROM NAROMIE PIERRE, AUTHOR OF ‘MY STORY – TRANSFORMING THE WOUNDS OF CHILDHOOD ABUSE

Naromie Pierre, a victim of childhood sexual abuse,  listed 'One Small Word - Surviving childhood abuse' as one of the ten most influential books to her recovery journey. This is what she said:

Gloria’s message is “There is hope after abuse.” Reading about her horrific experiences of child abuse and how they’ve affected her life decisions helped me to write my own story. Gloria takes you to the healing place where you can learn to love yourself and move on to live a beautiful and productive life. Also reading about how she transformed her pain to purpose has inspired me and motivated me to continue to push to use my experiences to help others.

INTRODUCTION

This page contains various reviews that  I received during and after the writing of my first adult book, 'One Small Word - Surviving childhood abuse' Start from the bottom and read upwards to see these reviews in date order - firstly from my editorial group headed by Joanie and John Wood, who read every chapter - patiently providing me with their invaluable feedback. Thanks John and Joanie and all those others that gave me these reviews. Then secondly from various sources since I published the book. I am particularly proud of the two reviews below:

US REVIEW OF BOOKS.
HOLLYWOOD BOOK REVIEWS

THE BEST REVIEW I COULD HOPE FOR IS TO WIN AN AWARD

I feel so proud and honoured to have had my book, 'One Small Word - Surviving childhood abuse' selected for a 2021 Book Excellence Finalist award, which recognizes books for their high quality writing, design and overall market appeal.

To view my award listing, visit: https://www.bookexcellenceawards.com

HOLLYWOOD BOOK REVIEW

Title: One Small Word: Surviving Childhood Abuse
Author: Gloria Eveleigh
Publisher: URLink Print & Media, LLC ISBN: 978-1643671581
Pages: 206
Genre: Biographies & Memoirs
Reviewed by: Anthony Avina

One of the trickiest aspects of a person’s life are the memories they hold onto. For many, memories can be forgotten or pushed so far down they are nearly unreachable. For many, a recovered memory can bring about feelings of nostalgia or joy, but for others memories can be haunting. As H.P. Lovecraft once said, “Unhappy is he to whom the memories of childhood bring only fear and sadness.”

In author Gloria Eveleigh’s One Small Word: Surviving Childhood Abuse, the author takes readers on a painful and reflective look into the haunting world of childhood abuse. Following Frankie, a 50-year old social work student who suddenly finds memories she had long suppressed flooding back into her mind, remembers the abuse she suffered both physically and mentally at the hands of her abusive father. The book explores the power of therapy and coming to understand how past experiences and abuses can shape who we become in the future.

This is a heartbreaking, tragic yet ultimately healing read that showcases the journey through painful memories and abuse, and the road those affected by it take to find peace. The author touches upon the need not only for therapy, but the work that goes into turning negativity and tragic pasts into positivity and hopeful futures. The writing is honest and the use of imagery throughout this memoir really put readers into the author’s perspective, giving a whole new understanding of those affected by childhood abuse and how they fight to overcome it.

The book is a must-read for those who enjoy memoir’s, those seeking narratives that look into the trauma and recovery of childhood abuse, and non-fiction reads overall. It was powerful and impactful to me as a reader to read the words of the author’s experiences translated onto the book and feel the raw emotions that went into those words, making this a truly impactful read.

Emotional, evenly paced and engaging, Gloria Eveleigh’s One Small Word: Surviving Childhood Abuse is a powerful non-fiction read not to be missed. While painful and saddening to read at times, the purpose of overcoming abuse and finding a way to turn those negative emotions which come with those memories into a force for positive change makes this a remarkable story that needed to be told.

US REVIEW OF BOOKS - 29TH OCTOBER 2019

  One Small Word: Surviving Childhood Abuse by Gloria Eveleigh URLink Print and Media book review by Jonah Meyer "She still sees herself as unworthy of other people’s love . . ." There is a singular word, which, despite consisting of only two letters, takes a young girl fourteen years to be able to stand firm and say. That word is “no.” Eveleigh’s autobiographical story is that of childhood in a dysfunctional family, documenting the devastating trauma of years of both physical and sexual abuse by a father prone to violence, and where the writer’s mother, literally unable to stand up to him, is seen as essentially enabling such abuse. Through this heartfelt memoir, we learn how intimacy and relations with boyfriends and her husband later in life were drastically affected by the trauma that is childhood sexual violence. And yet, Eveleigh’s book is a testament to healing. As such, this book would well serve anybody who has or is experiencing an abusive family situation as well as professionals who work with victims of sexual or physical abuse. Over time, the author comes to terms with the violence, abuse, and neglect she grew up experiencing. Quite understandably, it takes a long time to realize that not one of those terrible episodes was her fault and that she has innate worth. Eveleigh writes with unfettered emotion, realistic dialogue, and familial detail, portraying the raw emotions of guilt, confusion, anger, fear, resentment, self-disgust, and, finally, self-acceptance. “The counseling has made a real difference,” she writes. “Just knowing that none of the abuse I experienced was my fault has taken away so much guilt. It has helped me to like myself more, and to understand why I behave in certain ways.” The author is to be commended for pouring her heart into the writing of a memoir which deftly tackles such sensitive subject matter, treating it with grace, wisdom, and insightful self-reflection. RECOMMENDED by the US Review

READER REVIEW ON FACEBOOK - 1st March 2019

Jacky Humphries - The book is amazing I got my two copies from Amazon, my sister has read it , I’m three quarters of the way through, a very brave lady very well written, x

READER REVIEW - 19th February 2019

I received this email from a reader who passed my book on to her mother after reading it herself: “I gave it to my 87 year old mother to read because she also had suffered sexual abuse at the hands of her father. She has only shared that with me, one of eight children. At first I wasn't sure if she would want to read it. I guess I was trying to protect her from reliving what happened to her. She assured me that she wanted to read it. Here are her thoughts: She completely related to your feeling as a child. She said it sounded similar to her own experiences. When she read the part about your parents leaving you at the hospital to get your tonsils out, she recalled the exact same thing happening to her. They never told her where or why she was going. She didn't know it was a hospital. They left her and she remembers being told she could have ice cream. I find that to be fascinating because you live in another country. The tonsil thing was her first vivid memory from the age of 5. She recalls the sexual abuse from the time she was about 7. At one point, she told her mother that she thought her brother was bothering her in the night and her mother told her that it was just a dream. I believe that her mother knew what was going on. She treated my mother differently than her siblings for her entire life. I just want you to know that your book had an impact on my mother, a child abuse survivor. I want to validate for you that your book is a voice for all the unspoken victims out there that will never speak of the horrendous things that happened to them. My mother didn't tell me about her experience until about 3 years ago. My heart was broken that she lived all her life with that secret. But, now, she is able to openly speak of it to me. This gives me peace because I wouldn't want her to go to her grave with such a secret. Here's another really big thing. The cover of your book hit her somewhere inside like a ton of bricks. I felt it too when I first saw it. There is such power in that little girl on the front cover. Both my mother and I had the same reaction when we saw it. It's haunting. Your book is a great one. There are so many things in there including the cover that are able to uncover hidden secrets for your readers. I just want to thank you so much for writing One Small Word.

READER REVIEWS ON AMAZON and BARNES & NOBLE - 27TH JANUARY 2019

AMAZON READER 5.0 out of 5 stars

There is Life after Child Abuse January 27, 2019

Gloria Eveleigh shares her story of horrific child abuse and how it affects her life's decisions. As you walk with her through her journey, she takes you to the healing place where a person can learn to love themselves and move on to live a beautiful and productive life. I highly reccommend this book for those seeking a light at the end of the tunnel of abuse

BARNES & NOBLE READER

READER REVIEWS - 20th January 2019

All of my previous reviews have been from those providing feedback as I wrote my book. They kept me motivated to continue writing. Their positive and negative comments helped me in my first round of editing. Now the book is published, my reviews will come from readers and professional reviewers. Already they are positive (see the above posts), which is really exciting me and spurring me on to write my sequel to 'One Small Word'.

Chapters 5-8 by Author, Mary

I have read your chapters and I am blown away.

It definitely is not boring!

"I’ve read the two chapters you sent me. WOW. I found it very ...I cant think of the right word, but it drew me in and I started getting very ‘into’ the book, and was disappointed that I had no more to read... it definitely is not boring!" - June

I had to message you

"I felt I had to message you after reading the first two chapters of your book. I knew (Frankie's) abuse happened and it was bad but never realised how bad, and I'm absolutely stunned that (her) mum never stepped in to help. I'm sure you would have, and I know without question I would have - regardless of what might happen to me! Would definitely like to read more." - Sue

Reviews of Chapters 5-8 by John and Joanie

"I can honestly say I felt a strong desire to keep reading, wanting to know what would happen next, always a desirable quality in a book. I also believe one needs to care about a central character in a story such as this if it is to have any impact on the reader. Because of her age, circumstances and the abuse, one cannot help caring about Frankie and feel an emotional involvement in what occurs. Anyone who has experienced abuse will quickly relate to and identify with Frankie. Those who haven't will begin to garner some insight and understanding. Either way, readers will travel with Frankie on the journey and genuinely care about what happens to her." - John

"You so clearly give insight into a child's mind when they are not told the truth of what is happening. People are inclined to underestimate the child’s understanding of a situation. It can also create mistrust of adults, raise false hopes and have a negative affect on a trusting relationship in future... You are also very brave in commenting on the pleasure as well as the guilt. That may well come as a revelation to some people - and a relief to other victims, who perhaps have not dared to voice this aspect of their abuse!" - Joanie

Review of Chapters 1-4 by John, Ex Child Protection Social Worker

"The challenge you have is to somehow be factual, whilst also in story form keeping the reader interested ... and caring about what happens. Reading the first four chapters together is helpful in ascertaining whether you have managed to achieve this and I believe you have. There is a nice flow to it it all and a real desire to keep reading. There is an awful lot of important background information given in a succinct manner which can be easily understood. You move between time frames in a way that avoids confusion by always explaining context. Obviously more information will follow concerning (Frankie's) parents and siblings, but already I feel I know quite a lot."

Review of Chapters 1-4 by Ex Probation Officer, Joanie, who worked with perpetrators

"I couldn’t wait for the next bit and read it as I would a book. And it is a book. Glo, it’s so well done. You should be proud... What comes over as a whole, is that if anyone reading this has any doubts about seeing a Counsellor, your story will allay their fears. That’s an important element of your story I think. It’s a means to, not an end, but a kind of peace."

Review of Chapter 1 by Ex Teacher, Kathy

"I have read your first chapter, and have found it an engaging and page-turning read. The use of the present tense adds vividness to the narration, and there's lots of emotion, making it a great read - so well done!"

Review of Chapters 1 and 2 by Author, Mary

I read your 2 chapters and I really like the way your timeline is. I like the way you flashed back to your younger self and the experience that you had. I think it's a good way to go because it really allows the reader to become invested in Frankie's life. There is suspense building already about why Frankie is feeling her experience with this client in a different way and what is it about him that is triggering her to go back to memories that she thought were dealt with to only find out that there's more hiding inside of her than she thought.

Review of Chapters 1 and 2 by ex Safeguarding Service Manager, Marion

You are clearly a gifted writer. Looking forward to Chapter 3.

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