Violent with a strong brush of magic

I picked this book at random and am glad I did

May I initially say that the narrator really took from the story The voices she used were so annoying especially the voice of Laurel, a high pitched screeching which sounded like a Cat about to claw its way into your neck!

This tale deals full on with the horrendous subject of domestic violence in finite detail showing the loneliness isolation and sheer desperation of the victim/survivor and despite how it is said ‘Oh he never touched the child’ He did touch her psychologically and deeply.
The above paragraph could alienate potential readers but it is the magic element at the core of the novel together with the revelations Joanna discovers at the end that cements its beauty, loveliness and hope in the human spirit for me.
Putting into words my feelings about it are not easy. The fact that it is a debut novel amazes me. How a fledgeling author could have such an idea and write so eloquently to convey it amazes me.
As stated the first part describes Joanna and her daughter Laurel aged 6 living in McGill County with her Deputy Sheriff husband Jim.
Jim’s physical and emotional violence knows no bounds. Then Jim’s ex girlfriend Bernadette a leather clad biker girl arrives offering Joanna the lifeline she needs to escape.
Joanna flees but is aware Jim is in pursuit then she wakes up being cared for by an old couple in the town of Morro.
Joanna and Laurel are held in love and care by this community yet gradually Joanna realises all is not as it appears and the story steps into the magical.
Secure in the bosom of a loving community Joanna and Laurel heal. Laurel shares with her mother the deep effects her fathers violence towards her mother had on her life.
I have read other reviews saying this part was too sedate and I can see their point to some degree but this calm and care was needed to help Joanna see her life as it was in all its horrendous glory enabling Joanna and Laurel to heal from within to find the strength to face their future.
The end section was again quite challenging but the revelations within it about the people in Moro were lovely and I can only say this was a wonderful read and I so enjoyed it.

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