(First published in 2018 by Urlink, then republished on Amazon in 2023 by Globooks)
Fifty-year old social work student, Frankie, is on work experience when she is suddenly triggered, and finds memories flooding back into her mind of the childhood sexual, physical, and psychological abuse she suffered at the hands of her father, which she had long suppressed. She seeks counselling and takes readers with her on the journey through the painful and heart-breaking
recollections of her childhood experiences that come to light as she speaks to her therapist. She remembers some good times, but the raw emotions that surface as she recalls the many instances of the abuse that she suffered, overwhelm her at first. Each time, she goes away, analyses, and learns from her experiences, gradually understanding the ways the abuse has and continues to affect her adult behaviour. She then finds ways of turning around her negative experiences into positivity, healing, and hope for the future, so that she can become the good social worker that she wants to be.
The author's writing is honest and impactful, and the use of imagery throughout this memoir really puts readers into the author's perspective, providing a whole new understanding of those affected by childhood abuse. You will feel the raw emotions that went into the writing of this evenly paced and engaging story. This memoir is a powerful read not to be missed - a remarkable story that needed to be told.
(Paperback version is available on amazon.co.uk for £8.99 search by author name)
Amazon link here: ONE SMALL WORD – SURVIVING CHILDHOOD ABUSE
(First published in 2019 by Urlink, then republished on Amazon in 2023 by Globooks)
This is the sequel to 'One Small Word - Surviving childhood abuse'. It journeys with Frankie as she
continues to battle against abuse.
It opens when Frankie, now a qualified social worker, hears about her father's death but cannot bring herself to attend the funeral of the man who had abused her until she told him "No" at the age of fourteen. Shortly after his death, Frankie's husband, Alex, has a large stroke. He is the man of her dreams, and confronting the end of the Alex she knew conjures angry memories of her father's betrayal. Frankie finds solace in Gavin, a work colleague, while caring for post-stroke Alex. But life deteriorates further when Frankie and Gavin's manager begins a bullying campaign against them and three other team members.
She, Gavin, and their three colleagues support each other as they lodge a formal complaint against their bullying boss. But things get worse, so Frankie finds a new job and flat, which relieves some of her stress. However, the complaint against her former boss, who still harasses her, continues while she is settling into her new job.
Shortly after Frankie is elected to the position of Chair of her local parish council, Alex is at the point of death, and the opposition councillors, recognizing Frankie's vulnerability, join in the bullying for political gain. She realizes that without Gavin to support her, life would be intolerable.
As a survivor of abuse, Frankie knows she's susceptible to victimhood. With many cliffhanger chapter endings, the plot sustains suspense about the bullies' next moves and how Frankie defends herself against them. This focus on bullying keeps the writing centered on feelings and relationships, and the small cast of Frankie, people who bully her, and people who support her efforts against bullies, creates a closed and threatening ambiance.
Eventually, Frankie quits paid employment and sets up her own safeguarding consultancy, enjoying her independence and making a real difference to people who, like her, have experienced abuse.
The ending of Frankie's story is positive and uplifting. The "No" that determined Frankie's life trajectory turns into a "Yes" to life-affirming practices and people, the most important positive effect being that each negative experience had made her into the strong woman she is today.
(Paperback version is available on amazon.co.uk for £8.99 search by author name)
Amazon link here: NO – SEQUEL TO ONE SMALL WORD
(Published in 2021 on Kindle Direct Publishing)
From the award-winning author of 'One Small Word - Surviving childhood abuse' and 'No - Sequel to One Small Word' comes Gloria Eveleigh’s latest fiction novel, 'Shattered Pieces can Still Shine – Georgie’s story’. This story loosely based on a real-life story, is about Georgie, a child born to a single mother just after WW2 in a small village in Cumberland. After an initially happy first few years of childhood during which Georgie dreams of becoming a dancer, she finds herself the victim of sexual and psychological abuse by her stepfather and then neglect and rejection by both her mother and her
absent father.
Eventually Georgie runs away to London where, after a short period of rough-sleeping, life seems more positive for a while, and she can kick start her dancing career. But things go badly wrong, and Georgie finds herself imprisoned into a life she did not choose, with little chance of escaping. She had rarely prayed to God, but it seemed He was watching over her...
(Available on amazon.co.uk – Paperback £9.50, and Kindle Version £3.00)
Amazon link here: SHATTERED PIECES CAN STILL SHINE
(Published in 2023 on Kindle Direct Publishing)
When Petra, 14, meets Marvin, 28, she believes she’s found the one, but events soon take a dark turn, and she finds herself trapped in a sex trafficking network from which there is no escape. This is a heart-breaking story about survival and resiliency in which the emotional and psychological struggles of the central character will resonate with readers. Based on reality, it will expand the knowledge and understanding of adults of all ages about the often-unspoken dangers in today’s world.
(Available on amazon.co.uk – Paperback £9.50, and Kindle Version £3.00)
Amazon link here: THE PRICE OF WORTHLESSNESS
