Category: Women Publisher: KDP
ISBN-10: 1507579799
Type: Fiction
Pages: 154
Copyright: Jan 13 2014
Price: $2.99 (eBook)
Dr Beth Nichols thinks she may have been held captive for at least 8 or 9 years now. She lies awake at night looking at the lightbulb that is never switched off, and prays that Liam is still searching for her.
Newly-pregnant Dr Beth Nichols was happily engaged to Liam Darrah, a fellow doctor. She had no idea she was being stalked by ex-patient Edwin Evans as she made her way home one evening after a late shift at the hospital. After being anaesthetised she woke up in Edwin’s basement, held against her will, eventually giving birth there without medical help. The story is written from different perspectives; from Beth’s 9 year old daughter Amy who is born in captivity, from Liam, and from Beth herself as she unwillingly finds herself pregnant years later with Edwin’s baby. She subsequently gives birth to a son, Joss. Joss and Edwin also tell their stories 16 years later, when Joss finds out who his real father is, now a patient in a secure mental hospital. Joss wants to get to know his father, and makes a journey against his mother’s wishes to see him. However, the much-anticipated meeting does not go quite to plan; Edwin still seems obsessed with Beth, and Joss feels unloved and unwanted. He makes the mistake of telling Edwin where the family are living, and when Edwin is eventually released he comes looking to claim Beth back again, the only woman he has ever loved.
Excerpt
My head is pounding, and a bright light above ensures I quickly have to close my eyes again. Feeling nauseated, I lie still, using my other senses to try and recognise sounds or a particular aroma which could confirm to me that I am still in the accommodation unit. However, I can hear nothing at all; not even the usual birdsong, and there is an unaccountably earthy, damp smell. Suddenly curious, I fight sickness and confusion to sit up and take note of my surroundings.
I have no idea where I am. I am lying on top of a double bed. It is not the bed where I wrap myself contentedly around Liam. There is a duvet beneath me covered with a surprisingly clean-looking lilac flowery cover, which is complete with matching sheets and pillow cases. There does not seem to be any other furniture. There are no windows, and the bare bulb above my head is the only source of light.
Slightly panicky now and ignoring the increased hammering in my brain, I stand up shakily on the cold, concrete floor. The room is quite small, and I reach the only visible door after taking just a few steps. It is not the sort of door that I could break down. I turn the handle, but it refuses to yield.
I am locked in. I want to scream in fright, but stop myself at the last moment from sliding into rampant hysteria. I reason that whoever is keeping me in the room against my will would not want me making too much noise which might alert searchers to my location. I figure that I need to keep on the right side of my captor.
Professional Reviews
Complexity Crafted Beautifully (Amazon)
The color scheme of the book cover was done wonderfully. The light bulb was a symbol of the torment Beth and Amy went through and the blend of the illumination and the shade of green gave it a creepy ambiance. Simple yet very effective.
This book could have easily been divided into a series based on the varying conflicts in the book and the character dynamics. However, the author opted to divide this into different parts. For me, the different parts told by different characters in the story really helped me to connect with them and explore each one's dichotomy.
My favorite character was youthful Amy. She was smart, candid, and very brave. Quite a few moments I was in tears and cheered for her to have a wonderful outcome. My feelings for Liam and Joss were conflicted but their flaws made them highly realistic. I love this author's flair for giving her characters complexity and her ability to have your emotions ride a variety of waves: encouragement, anger, despair--the whole gambit!
The author also took her time with describing various locations. I felt like I was learning geography and going on a vacation at the same time. The balance between dialogue, conflict, humor, and narrative was sharp and did not miss a beat. Pace never became sluggish during times of back story and that can be tricky with a work that deals with so much emotional, physical, and psychological topics.
I first started reading Stevie's work with The Porn Detective and continued on with The Pilates Class. Stevie has continued to impress. Just when you think she is at her peak, a "you haven't seen anything yet" moment arises.
This is what A House Without Windows is for me. It has solidified this author as a permanent mainstay in my collection--both electronically and hopefully at some point, in paper form.
I highly recommend this fine work.
Best Book Ever (Barnes & Noble)
I read this in one setting. After having this really happen here in usa. It really makes you think who your neighbors are..anyways yes this was well worth thr 1-25 i pd to get it.
Review by Arlena Dean
Wow, this was really some read that this author presented involving some many characters with such
a story that in the end was well blended together giving the reader a well written read. It is my understanding that there was a real story taken from events that had happened in Lambeth London dealing with three women that had been held captive for thirty some years. This author in his novel "A House Without Windows" really did some research to give the readers a inside version of what happened to Dr. Beth Nichols, her daughter and son, Joss, her former boyfriend Liam and Edwin Evans. Be prepared for a read that is full of complexed emotions, physical and psychological issues as this author details a little of it all. "A House Without Windows" will be hard to put down once you start reading it because it will keep your attention from the start to the finish. I don't want to give any of this story away other than to say pick up this good read to see how this author brings this story line all out. Believe me, it will be some read. If you a in for a good drama, thriller, and mystery then I would recommend this novel to you.
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