Title: Beyond the Lies
Author: Carolyn Russell
Published in 2003 by Wings ePress
Genre: Contemporary
IBSN: 1-59088-258-X
Life was easy growing up, but there were secrets hidden from her, tension of which she was only too aware. Gloria Jean Hamilton grew up as spoiled and as pampered as the times and the family income would allow. What she had or didn’t have did not phase the strong-willed child, nor did it keep her from turning into a delightful young woman. There is only one dark spot growing up that really makes an indelible impression, and it is one that would eventually alter her life entirely. On her thirteenth birthday, her cousin tried to rape her, claiming they weren’t related, and brought the differences that she had felt for so long into focus. She always felt different, out of place in the family. She was taller than her mother already, and closing in on her father as well. Tall was not a family trait, they did the average, and it was clear that when it came to height, Gloria was doing tall. She had her father’s dark hair, her mother’s green eyes, but there were any number of factors that could have explained those traits.
The taunt that she was adopted was a life changing thing for Gloria. The challenge was set, and it was one that she would spend the rest of her life pursuing. It was not that Gloria is ungrateful, but it’s a search for identity, completion, and an end to the feeling of incompleteness that has dogged her every step. In the ensuing years, Gloria takes the pieces of the puzzle, hoarding them like jewels, and trying to ferret out the truth. Her parents, Doris and Ralph are no help, he mother, stubbornly refusing to acknowledge the truth. When confronted, Doris uses many delaying tactics, until the fateful day that Gloria decides to pull out the stops. Tired of the lies and half truths, she confronts her mother. This is only the beginning for Gloria realizes that her whole life growing up was based on a lie, and the dishonesty of her parents hurt her deeply. Gloria decided that she didn’t care too much for lies.
Although life has been good overall in that she has not experienced the poverty that many others had, her first love affair proves to be a tragic turn of events that shapes the rest of her life. The man with whom she has fallen so desperately in love, marries another, married for money. This devastates Gloria, and she determines that she will never going to love another man who doesn’t love her more than she loves him. When Frank asks, she says yes, because she is certain that Frank loves her. Gloria doesn’t love him, but she thinks maybe in time, she will grow to love him a little bit. Time passes, the love doesn’t seem to come. Children come, but not love. Gloria goes back to school, completes her degree, and then secures a job teaching at a local college. She is still searching, still involved in the secrets and lies that her mother and father kept from her. The closer she gets to the truth of her beginnings, the farther away she pulls from Frank.
The killing blow happens shortly after she finds out that once again, someone that she has trusted let her down. Frank’s involvement in a building project, in which he has sunk the family’s modest fortunes, goes bad. With the failure of the development, and the loss of business in his hardware stores to the big chain competition, Frank loses the home that Gloria has spent so much time and love to create for her family. The strain in the relationship finally brakes the ties, and Gloria seeks a divorce, a new place to live, and starts a new life. The twists and turns continue as she finds her birth mother, and becomes involved in an affaire.
Carolyn Russell has woven a tale of a woman whose life has been full in more ways than one. She has had love, disappointment, and tragedy in great abundance. The many trials and tribulations have all worked to make her stronger, and she is definitely a strong woman. Gloria had to become self-reliant, resourceful and independent. The hurts that she felt as a child, the traumas of her first love, and the disaster of her marriage all take her to new levels, test her newfound strengths, and put her live into a new perspective. That which she though was going to be static, has proven to be a swirl of ups and downs that she could never envision. Life, love, and the world is constantly changing, and she soon realizes that a re-evaluation is needed when it comes to her own values, and her own happiness. The key question is, can she find the true happiness she seeks?
Beyond the Lies tells a poignant story of a woman in terms that we can all understand, and many can identify with today. Tracking Gloria through her life, viewing things through her eyes, and counting the consequences is done with care and skill. The reader is drawn in to the story, experiences the frustration, and learns to care what happens to her. The trick is trying to get Beyond the Lies, to the truth, and then be able to live within its parameters. That is Gloria’s challenge, and You are invited along for the ride. Beyond the Lies is available from Wings ePress, and is an enjoyable read to keep you warm on these cold winter nights. Check it out at http://www.wingsepress.com
Yours in good reading,
Rose!
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