Category: Women Publisher: KDP
ISBN-10: 1514287994
Type: Fiction
Pages: 128
Copyright: July 20 2015
Price: $1.99 (eBook)
Women's fiction focusing on the effect that an affair has on the marriage of Alistair and Ann, and also of the effect on their three children.
Teacher Alistair Veale is just coasting along in his 20 year marriage to Ann. His two sons Tom and Jake are growing up fast and have their own interests, but he still enjoys a close relationship with 13-year-old daughter Jessie, his ‘Princess’.
When Alistair takes 14 children from his tutor group on a week-long school trip to the Isle of Wight, a new Science teacher, Carly Jessop, goes along to keep an eye on the 6 girls. Alistair notices a growing attraction between himself and Carly, which cannot be ignored.
However, when Alistair and Carly begin an affair the consequences are horrific and far-reaching, threatening not only Alistair’s livelihood, but also his peace of mind and the relationship he has with his own three children.
NOW WITH A BRAND NEW ENDING, WRITTEN IN NOVEMBER 2016!
Excerpt
Stomach growling with hunger, Alistair made his way to the staff room. Most of the armchairs were taken already, but he spied one unoccupied chair in a corner next to the fridge. The kettle still felt hot, and he set it to boil briefly while grabbing a clean mug from the draining board and adding a spoonful of coffee.
“Did they run off all that hormonal energy?”
Smiling, Carly Jessop made her way over to where he stood, and poured the dregs of her cup of tea down the sink.
“Yeah, I think so. It’s always better in the afternoons if we can have a little game of rounders at lunchtime.” He chuckled whilst secretly admiring the way her thick red hair curled around her face. “I like getting out in the fresh air anyway.”
“Shall I be Mum?” Carly held out his cup.
“Sure; thanks. No sugar.”
Careful not to appear to be staring too hard at the school’s striking new science teacher, Alistair bent down and opened the fridge, taking out Ann’s carefully prepared lunchbox.
“Thanks for the coffee.” He took the cup from her hand, noting the absence of any engagement or wedding rings.
“That’s okay. I’ll leave you to eat in peace; I’ve got some marking to do before registration.”
He watched her retreating back as he devoured the first sandwich, noting with appreciation how the tight skirt she wore accentuated her body’s curves.
“Penny for your thoughts, but then I’m not sure I want to know them anyway!” Maisie Brooks followed his line of vision and laughed.
“Just planning for this afternoon.” Alistair was thankful he had stopped blushing thirty years earlier.
“Listen Ali; I can’t go on the Shanklin trip. The hospital have called me in for a hysterectomy at last. I’ve told Leonard about it; he’s going to ask around to see who else can go.”
“Sorry to hear that; Ann had the same thing done last year. I remember she couldn’t lift anything for about six weeks.” Alistair nodded in sympathy.
“I was looking forward to the trip; so sorry.” Maisie shrugged. “I have to go in at the beginning of July.”
“Don’t be silly. Your health comes before any job.” Alistair picked up another sandwich and bit into it.
“That’s what my old man says, but I still feel guilty, leaving you in the lurch.”
“Leonard will find somebody, don’t worry.”
***
Professional Reviews
Beware what you wish for!
I was given an ARC of this novel and it was a real treat. I hadn’t read this author’s work before and tend to be quite careful of reading someone unfamiliar. I’m glad I took the chance on Stevie Turner because I wasn’t disappointed. This novel had all the ingredients of a realistic extra marital scenario, which must happen a million times over in every town in the world. It was frightening how easily Alistair’s good but coasting marriage could pale into insignificance against the youthful allure of a work colleague and the storyline was the horror of wives everywhere.
But there’s a twist and nobody is who you think they really are. I met a pastor once who said, “I knew who I used to be, because when I tipped forward, I heard his words come out of my mouth.” That’s the moral of this book. The nicest people can be, under pressure, the most hideous enemies and Alistair’s harmless affair, begun in a moment of boredom will have devastating consequences for everyone involved in his life. There are more than a few shocks in this book which make the reader take a good, long, hard look in the mirror. The novel is written well and it was easy to keep reading. I liked this author’s work and will read more of it. An easy five stars.
Daydreams come true
Only great writers can make daily life rich. Ms. Turner accomplishes making the mundane shine. She provides momentary frissons that climb up your back as Alistair gets led by the proverbial ‘short and curlies’ down a surprisingly unpredictable trail in this heartfelt compact novel. The author foreshadows trouble using hints and suggestions that could be taken either way, brilliantly leading readers and characters down the garden path. “Jeez! Black walls?” Most remarkable about the story of Revenge are the unexpected twists and turns that play out in a story of everyday lives shattered and seen through a microscope.
Revenge just wouldn’t be complete without the scintillating foreplay and warm sex between Alistair in his tryst with red-headed beauty, Carly and then the caring portrayal of rekindled warmth with his wife of 20 years, Ann. Through the protagonist, Alistair’s, eyes, the reader notices the things that most men care about in women. Indecision reigns supreme just as it would in real life.
The reader runs the gamut of an emotional rollercoaster, once siding with Alistair and curious about the reasons for his daughter’s betrayal and then questioning the main character’s motivations. Stevie Turner catches the magic of the commonplace and lets the reader decide. Is this a moral tale, shaming Alistair to get him to behave or are we reading about the devil in disguise? You’ll have to pick it up to see for yourself. A great read. A normal marriage goes bad. The causes seem transparent, but the way we ride through it makes it visceral. Highly recommended! 5 Stars.
