I don’t  know why I ever chose to torture myself and willingly read A CHILD CALLED IT,  but Dave Pelzer broke something inside me – I haven’t been right since.  Knowing that, you’d think I’d have learned a lesson, (yeah, I know… I’m audibly laughing right now, too).  Nope. Years after ‘ACCI’ I decided that I wanted to read THE GIRL NEXT DOOR, and I let Jack Ketchum walk right in and start poking at the wound that David Pelzer left with a big, pointy stick.  I think it was the masochist in me who invited Mendal W. Johnson to drop by and sucker-punch my PTSD in the back of the head.  As far as the ‘Let’s Go Play At The Adams‘ fiction/non-fiction debate’ goes – I’m sticking with IT’S FICTION, but I’m sure all the atrocities have been committed, many times, and on many different Barbaras. 
Like LGPATA, THE ABUSE OF ASHLEY COLLINS is not a true story – but it very well could be. Watching the decreasing sanity, and the elevating brutality of Ashley’s parents demonstrates just how fast situations can escalate. One little poke at the wrong moment, and all control is lost – you can’t come back from certain things.

THIS IS A WORK OF FICTION. It is disturbing, and hard to read at times, but the author is not exploiting issues to gain shock value for a horror story. Jon Athan comes at the story from every possible angle, from every p.o.v., and sheds light on problems that most families would keep hidden in the dark. Let me misquote one of my favorite movies before you start reading…

WARNING: This book contains scenes of graphic violence, including violence towards children. This book is about abuse—verbal, physical, and emotional. This book does not feature any explicit sex scenes, but it does discuss sexual abuse. This book is not intended for those easily offended or appalled.

Ashley Collins, a sixteen-year-old girl, has severe behavior issues. She regularly fights with her parents, Logan and Jane. When the fights become personal and physical, Logan and Jane decide to take matters into their own hands. They chain their daughter in the basement and abuse her in an attempt to rescue her from her bad behavior… while delving into their own deviance and depravity.

This is a story of family and abuse. This is a story of violence and discipline. This is the abuse of Ashley Collins.

Jon Athan, author of A Family of Violence, brings you an uncompromising vision of human horror. Can the cycle of abuse be broken?

Find The Abuse of Ashley Collins on Goodreads, Amazon, and it’s available through the KU program.

Connect with the author via Twitter – @Jonny_Athan, Facebook,  through the officialJon Athan Website, or his author pages on Goodreads, BookLikes, LibraryThing  &Amazon. You can email him directly at: info@jon-athan.com, or head on over to the West Coast and start stalking him the old fashioned way!

By Heather Gudenkauf 

ISBN-13: 9780778316336
Publisher: Harlequin
Publication date: 6/24/2014
Pages: 320
Format: Other
My Rating: 5 Stars

A special thank you to Harlequin MIRA and NetGalley, for an ARC of this remarkable book, in exchange for an honest review.

Heather Gudenkauf's LITTLE MERCIES is Totally Amazing! A book you will want to devour; however, you find yourself savoring every minute of this intense, and heartfelt story!

A social worker finds herself living her own nightmare. LITTLE MERCIES is a powerful "must read," 5-Star Winner! Every woman, mother, and daughter will relate to this gripping and emotionally charged novel.

Set in Iowa, Ellen and Adam are happily married, with three small children living busy harried lives. Ellen is a loving mother and conscientious in her professional life as a social worker, balancing her life between personal and business, and all the demands which go along with this role. Being a social worker is extremely stressful and one which tragedy occurs daily-she sees firsthand the delicate relationships between children and parents and the devastating effects of neglect.

However, in a blink of an eye, a busy morning—a distraction, and an accident occurs, which will forever change the lives of this family.

In a different town, Jenny, a ten-year old girl, from Nebraska finds herself alone on a bus, after her alcoholic dad is taken away. She has not experienced an easy life, with one obstacle after another— poverty, abuse, struggles with school, a runaway mother and an unpredictable father. In a town alone, far away from her father, she finds herself alone at a diner, when one special lady shows her kindness, by taking her into her heart and family.

Told in alternating perspectives between Ellen and Jenny—offering readers an insight into difficult situations, through the eyes of a guilt-ridden mother and an innocent but determined child. Full of suspense, a chilling tale, so realistic--with twists and turns you will not see coming—these two stories collide for the most powerful and gripping story.

There are so many lives connected from the mothers which were former clients of Ellen (Jade), Ellen’s mother, Maudene, (which I loved), and Jenny (you want to cry for her), and Joe (the cop friend). Your heart goes out to Ellen and this family, keeping you turning pages, into the night, to learn the fate of this two families.

Social workers and those in a capacity of who work tirelessly to protect children and help families, are often disregarded. Often, we forget that those who spend their lives serving and helping others can also make mistakes, at times with shattering results.

This was my first book by Heather Gudenkauf, and was so impressed. She has made it to my favorite author list, and have become an instant fan! I immediately, purchased LITTLE LIES, the e-short story novel, a prequel to LITTLE MERCIES and quickly adding her earlier books to my reading list.

A beautifully written novel, with lovable characters you will remember long after the book ends. Fans of Diane Chamberlain (Necessary Lies) and Jodi Picoult, will enjoy LITTLE MERCIES and Heather’s talented writing style.

LITTLE MERCIES, offers a great takeaway-grab life; appreciating the little things (little mercies) in life which are precious, as they could be threatened at any moment. This story makes you take notice of little ways in which you can make a difference in the lives of others, by offering your time, kindness, and support in a time of need.

Let’s hope for a sequel, as these characters are too good to end!