"Smoking Mirrors"

By Shelley Walden, $24.95 from Publish America; available at Hastings Books in Twin Falls and online from a variety of sellers including Click here. Walden will sign books at Hastings, 1-3 p.m. Aug. 14.

Walden, who previously authored “Bound by Hatred,” a novel about a relationship destroyed by domestic violence, stays with that theme in her latest novel, which does not feature the same characters.

Although “Smoking Mirrors” is not explicitly set in Idaho, it is informed by Walden’s personal experience with how the Idaho court system treats victims who are still connected to their abusers through shared children.

“It pretty much encompasses my frustrations when it comes to domestic violence,” she said, describing how she had to refight for custody when she moved to Twin Falls from Colorado about 15 years ago. “It doesn’t end once you leave; there are still numerous obstacles you have to overcome, especially when there’s a child involved.”

Walden advocates for victims to leave their abusers, but she hopes “Smoking Mirrors” will be a warning that in many cases victims will have to continue to fight for themselves after the immediate physical danger has passed.

Link to the actual Newspaper article online:

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