Inspired by a true story
~~ Chilling tale of sibling abuse and domestic violence. It will leave you speechless, cheering, and reaching for the tissues.~~
"... painfully real, adroitly crafted and written in a flowing narrative that makes you feel every blow..." Author Jim Goforth
"C.L. Heckman does an admirable job with a dark and touchy subject that takes place in more families than we want to know." Author JK Accinni
"Knowing that Sam existed on some level in real life, helped me form a connection to her." Author Hunter S. Jones
Samantha Mallon, a typical young girl from the country, is growing up in a less-than-normal home. The one person she used to confide in, her brother, Charlie, has now become her biggest fear. As the tempers in her family flare, Sam must tread lightly, or suffer the consequences.
A black eye, broken nose, and bruised ego are finally enough to convince her to break away from the life that the Mallons have molded for her. Stepping out of her shy demeanor for just a moment, she sparks up a new friendship with a girl at school, and begins to enjoy being a teenager. Carefree and outgoing Jill introduces Sam into the world of teenage spirit --including the always good girl, the unattainable bad boy and the ugly jealous frienemy.
Sweating from nerves and shaking in her own insecurities, Sam manages to spark the interest of Jake, a regular teenage heartthrob, who just may teach her the meaning of love -- an emotion absent from her house growing up. However, a drunken party and a physical altercation turn Sam's world completely upside down, and begin a string of violence that starts to destroy the positive life she has tried to build.
When Sam is an innocent bystander to Charlie's horrific display of rage on a less-than-friendly face, she remains conflicted. Will she stand up against the man she once looked up to, her brother, her childhood best friend, or will she keep the secret safe behind closed lips, forever trapped by fear?
~~ Chilling tale of sibling abuse and domestic violence. It will leave you speechless, cheering, and reaching for the tissues.~~
"... painfully real, adroitly crafted and written in a flowing narrative that makes you feel every blow..." Author Jim Goforth
"C.L. Heckman does an admirable job with a dark and touchy subject that takes place in more families than we want to know." Author JK Accinni
"Knowing that Sam existed on some level in real life, helped me form a connection to her." Author Hunter S. Jones
Samantha Mallon, a typical young girl from the country, is growing up in a less-than-normal home. The one person she used to confide in, her brother, Charlie, has now become her biggest fear. As the tempers in her family flare, Sam must tread lightly, or suffer the consequences.
A black eye, broken nose, and bruised ego are finally enough to convince her to break away from the life that the Mallons have molded for her. Stepping out of her shy demeanor for just a moment, she sparks up a new friendship with a girl at school, and begins to enjoy being a teenager. Carefree and outgoing Jill introduces Sam into the world of teenage spirit --including the always good girl, the unattainable bad boy and the ugly jealous frienemy.
Sweating from nerves and shaking in her own insecurities, Sam manages to spark the interest of Jake, a regular teenage heartthrob, who just may teach her the meaning of love -- an emotion absent from her house growing up. However, a drunken party and a physical altercation turn Sam's world completely upside down, and begin a string of violence that starts to destroy the positive life she has tried to build.
When Sam is an innocent bystander to Charlie's horrific display of rage on a less-than-friendly face, she remains conflicted. Will she stand up against the man she once looked up to, her brother, her childhood best friend, or will she keep the secret safe behind closed lips, forever trapped by fear?
