New Beginnings by Patti Ann Bengen

From the Publisher

If her husband had become violent before their wedding, Heather surely would have left him immediately. But, instead, the nightmare came on gradually, almost imperceptibly. Heather realized something wasn't right, but kept trying to make it work. She always kept the focus on herself: If only she could be prettier, more fun, a better cook, then John would love her.

When the beatings began, Heather continued to blame herself for her husband’s unhappiness, his excessive drinking, and not coming home at night. She continued to believe that if she changed, maybe he would change and her friends and family would see him for the man she loved and married not the abusive bully they encouraged her to leave.

It is not until tragedy strikes that Heather is forced to make decisions for the first time, just as a dark, criminal secret from her childhood mysteriously surfaces. Heather must choose between the comforts of allowing others to lead her, or learn how to regain control of her own life.

Midwest Book Review

A gripping saga of the long, hard road to personal independence, May 8, 2006

New Beginnings is a novel about the vicious reality of domestic violence. A blissful wedding and ordinary marriage sours day by day into a gradual nightmare; no matter how hard Heather tries to please her husband with her appearance, personality, or cooking, the relationship deteriorates. Even when it worsens into beatings, Heather clings to the memory of the man she married, rather than the monster he has become. Yet it takes a terrible tragedy, which strikes even as a criminal secret from Heather's past surfaces, that force Heather to choose between enduring endless abuse and striking out to take back control of her own life. A gripping saga of the long, hard road to personal independence.

The New York Times Book Review

An insightful account of a violent man and the woman who loved him. This is a must read for anyone who ever wondered why any sane woman would hook up with a lying, cheating, alcoholic, drug-addicted-or even murderious-spouse, or lover. Riveting and enlightening.

What People Are Saying

Dorothy Martin-Neville
A sensitive survival story. New Beginnings makes you cheer for the triumph of the human spirit and serves as a tool for mending the heart and finding the courage to heal and create anew.
—(Dorothy Martin-Neville, author of Dreams Are Only the Beginning)

Monique Houde
Patti Ann Bengen’s book tells a heartfelt story of living in an abusive relationship that unfortunately far too many women throughout the world can relate to.
—(Monique Houde, author of Blinded by Love)

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