Author: Amanda Stone

ISBN:  0-9764981-1-1

"A North Carolina native, Amanda Stone was born and raised in Greensboro. She earned her degree in literature and language from North Carolina State University and studied abroad in the Netherlands and Austria. It was in Europe that Stone first began to explore and challenge the demons in her past. A child of divorce, she had been sexually abused by a family member for several years. Recognizing that the traumatic abuse would have long-term psychological repercussions in her life, Stone eventually turned to writing, theater and martial arts as an act of healing and empowerment."

Seventeen-year old Melena Dupree has always wanted a family and an "envy worth home." She marries Ernest Starling who is anxious to build his own empire. Melena believes that she will have the perfect family and the home to die for. But with Ernest’s infidelities, the plan isn't working as Melena had hoped. In fact, she has become bitter. The secrets are ripping at the marriage and the perfect-family face gets more difficult to put on. 

Melena and Ernest Starling are dysfunctional, to say the least. While they argue over money and fidelity, their daughter, Elizabeth, is being sexually abused by her uncle with Down Syndrome (the one who is thought to be harmless). The entire family lives in a constant state of instability, tension, turmoil, emotional pain, and denial. 

The divorce takes more than seven years and the only ones who profit are the lawyers. The result is a family left deep-rooted resentment, high-level stress, and a hunger for revenge. "The system that allowed the Starling's divorce to run on for years escapes public attention and spins the family's world. The people, the ones who elect the officials, believe those who should monitor the courts, are judging in behalf of the people's welfare. No one in the system watches, though, and the big, big mess keeps on spinning."

Amanda Stone writes with knowledge and conviction about family issues and secrets. It is a novel that you could use as a do-not list if divorce is in your future or a check-list if faced with suspected incest. Ms. Stone writes with the clear perspective of a woman who has been there.

The above review was contributed by: Sue Vogan, Writer & Author of NCO-No Compassion Observed: To read more of Sue's reviews Click Here