Title: Shattered Moon
Author: Renata Lanzoni
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Book Blurb:
Shattered Moon is based on a true story. The book explores the heights of an unexpected romance, the lows of despair and the terrors of violent abuse.
Maddy has been living a secluded life since her teenage son run away. When her daughter leaves for university and her estranged husband announces he is moving abroad, she accepts her friend’s offer to go on holiday to an exotic island.
Here she encounters an enticing young man who showers her with unexpected attentions. She is swept off her feet by the intensity of his feelings and the effect he has on her. The connection with him is so deep, so sudden and so powerful that she decides to leave her empty life behind and embark in an exciting new adventure.
But the mysterious young man, damaged by a past of suffering and loss, is not what she dreamed him to be. Tangled in his web, feeling responsible for his every mood and fiercely protective of him, she fails to recognize the first signs of abuse and only realizes what is really happening to her after months of emotional and physical violence. The shame and disbelieve isolate her from everyone and she finds herself lonely, utterly sad and fighting against her feelings. The unprecedented roller-coaster of emotions traps her in a toxic and violent relationship. Her life is in danger. Can she save herself?
A story of unconditional love, powerful emotions, strong friendships, deep despair and utter terror, hope and resilience. A true story told in the hope to help others find the strength to save themselves and maybe to even to recognize early signs of toxic relationships and avoid all the pain and damage they cause.
The proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated to Amici di Casa Mihiri, a registered charity which is doing a fantastic and thankless job helping and housing women and young girls affected by domestic violence and abuse in Sri Lanka, giving them safety, security, love and hope.
My Review:
A cautionary tale for women who are in the midst of the end of a relationship. This book should be a must read for every person who thinks it might be fun to have a fling while on a vacation for a couple of weeks.
The author has a stark tale to tell and does so in compelling fashion. There are basically no redeemable characters in the book. Every character, even the women and their family and friends all have deep flaws.
This book is also an effective how NOT TO guide to getting into a relationship. There are a number of times when Maddy is presented with irrefutable hints that her budding relationship was on the road to hell, but she refused to notice them.
Please, please, please - every single person, if you EVER are on the receiving end of the slightest physical abuse from a would-be partner - LEAVE. Do not pass go, DO NOT accept heartfelt apologies. A physical abuser who does it once is going to do it again. Run in the opposite direction. This is a harsh read about the inner strength of the human spirit and a worth edition to this field of work.
My Rating: 4.5 stars
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Author Biography:
Renata Lanzoni lives in Oxford. Born and raised in Italy, she chose the UK as her adoptive country at an early age. A keen traveler, she has visited several countries, both for work and pleasure. She has recently returned from spending two years in Sri Lanka, where she immersed herself in the local culture.
Her fiction describes real stories, real people and profound issues, in the hope to help others achieve a better life.
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Reviewed by: Mr. N