Warning: This book contains graphic abuse against a child.
With the ever growing need to take a stand against abuse, I am donating 50% of all proceeds from this novel to children and youth services. I know it's not much, but it's my way of doing my part to help children like "Maggie" who suffer needlessly, more times than not at the hands of their parents. Please help me make a difference by purchasing "Her Silent Tears". Take a stand and help the victim's....victim's who are defenseless in every way. I want to thank all who help in this important cause. http://www.amazon.com/Her-Silent-Tears-ebook/dp/B008S22KEG/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1344081250&sr=1-1&keywords=kara+tollman
Now available on Amazon
Kara Tollman Her Silent Tears
Notes from the author:
This novel steps into the world of abuse from the victims point of view. Although the abuse scenes are real, the actual name of the victim is never revealed. I would also like to mention other than the fictitious names of the healthcare providers no other names have been tossed into the mix. This story could very well be about the little girl down the street or God forbid you the reader.
Her Silent Tears has proven to be one of the more heart breaking novels you will ever read. The victim in this case, remains anonymous...could it be you? Or maybe someone you love?
Although the scenes of abuse are hard to take at times, you have to remember, look at the warning signs...If you suspect a child, woman or man has displayed even remote signs of abuse, comfort them with a gentle hand and tender words of understanding. The victims of abuse quite possibly will not be willing to discuss their plight. Just remember if you see any signs as described in this novel, more than likely you have have witnessed the untold story of millions.
Facts from the victim (in the novel)
The incidents of abuse in this novel are true. The victim has asked to remain anonymous due to the sensitive nature of the crimes. The only fictitious areas within this novel are the incidents leading to the flashbacks. The flashbacks are actual memories disclosed to me by the victim.
This novel only touches on a few of the horrendous acts of violence committed against the victim. She grew up in a time when physical abuse against children was considered an act of discipline. The thought of a father sexually abusing his child was ignored and swept under the rug so to speak.
The incident of near drowning took place January 1964, when the victim was five years old. A newspaper article is available and I did have the opportunity to read it in its entirety. That incident led to many heinous violations against the victim, from childhood to the age of twenty-four.
This victim lived in fear her entire life and has given up on the fantasy of having a happy loving relationship. You will read into the devastating life and realize with the amount of pain and abuse the victim had suffered, it’s a wonder she had had the will to live.
I have had the opportunity to write this book and look into the life of a victim, and I must simply state my heart goes out to not only "Maggie" but all victims who have suffered from sexual, mental and physical abuse.
May God bless you, and hold you and your loved ones wrapped in his protective embrace.
Subtle signs your child may be a victim of abuse:
While writing this novel, I have come to learn from the victim. There are many signs of abuse we as parents may not notice. We tend to shrug off the little mood swings or the times the child comes home from a friend’s house and locks themselves in their rooms or maybe cries for no reason. Although the majority of times are just the child wanting to be alone, there may be a time it’s just a bit more. Look at the signs and talk to your child. I have listed below three warning signs that I wished Maggie's mother had noticed when she was growing up. It maybe too late for Maggie, but it's not too late for your precious child.
1.) You visit a friend, neighbor or family member and the child doesn’t want to leave your side. Although during previous visits the child was eager to watch television or play with other children. This is a symptom something may have happened in the past to cause the child to suddenly feel insecure, to not want to leave the protection of his/her parent. The victim in this story has described just a few of the hideous crimes that had taken place either in her home or someplace where she should’ve felt safe. A child that clings to a parent in a familiar place and refuses to leave your side, may not be just looking for your attention. Sometimes it means something had happened in the past in the home/place or by someone present at the gathering/party/home. Don’t brush the incident away; scan the people in or around the immediate area. Make an educated decision before you push the child into leaving your side. If you feel the child is just craving your attention, by all means do what you feel you must to rectify the situation. I implore you to look at this warning sign and investigate, your child may be telling you in a subtle way he/she may be frightened.
2.) Don’t force your child to go with family/friends. As in Maggie’s case she was forced into going with her father and the unspeakable happened (you will be able to read what the poor child had to go through in Her Silent Tears). There is a reason why the child doesn’t want to go with him/her. Just because you feel the person is trustworthy, doesn’t always mean they are. You never know what happens to your child when he/she is away from you. Heed the warning signs and ask questions (do this alone with the child never in front of the individual in question).
3.) If your child come home from a play date and doesn’t exhibit signs of exhaustion, and chooses to be alone in his/her room, this may be an indication something happened to them while they were away. Again, question your child, maybe he/she is just tired, maybe it’s something more. Child abusers or bullies don’t have a certain look about them…the person could be your own family members or best friends. You may never suspect someone you know and love are capable of abuse. Let’s face facts, an abuser will never voluntarily state they abuse men, women or children. They will look at you with a smile on their face even though they have committed heinous crimes. The majority of Maggie’s family never knew what was going on. Her father smiled in everyone’s faces, but behind closed doors he was truly an animal. I have learned not to trust anyone with my most valued possession…I have learned to look at the warning signs and heeded the subtle warnings.
This novel steps into the world of abuse from the victims point of view. Although the abuse scenes are real, the actual name of the victim is never revealed. I would also like to mention other than the fictitious names of the healthcare providers no other names have been tossed into the mix. This story could very well be about the little girl down the street or God forbid you the reader.
Her Silent Tears has proven to be one of the more heart breaking novels you will ever read. The victim in this case, remains anonymous...could it be you? Or maybe someone you love?
Although the scenes of abuse are hard to take at times, you have to remember, look at the warning signs...If you suspect a child, woman or man has displayed even remote signs of abuse, comfort them with a gentle hand and tender words of understanding. The victims of abuse quite possibly will not be willing to discuss their plight. Just remember if you see any signs as described in this novel, more than likely you have have witnessed the untold story of millions.
Facts from the victim (in the novel)
The incidents of abuse in this novel are true. The victim has asked to remain anonymous due to the sensitive nature of the crimes. The only fictitious areas within this novel are the incidents leading to the flashbacks. The flashbacks are actual memories disclosed to me by the victim.
This novel only touches on a few of the horrendous acts of violence committed against the victim. She grew up in a time when physical abuse against children was considered an act of discipline. The thought of a father sexually abusing his child was ignored and swept under the rug so to speak.
The incident of near drowning took place January 1964, when the victim was five years old. A newspaper article is available and I did have the opportunity to read it in its entirety. That incident led to many heinous violations against the victim, from childhood to the age of twenty-four.
This victim lived in fear her entire life and has given up on the fantasy of having a happy loving relationship. You will read into the devastating life and realize with the amount of pain and abuse the victim had suffered, it’s a wonder she had had the will to live.
I have had the opportunity to write this book and look into the life of a victim, and I must simply state my heart goes out to not only "Maggie" but all victims who have suffered from sexual, mental and physical abuse.
May God bless you, and hold you and your loved ones wrapped in his protective embrace.
Subtle signs your child may be a victim of abuse:
While writing this novel, I have come to learn from the victim. There are many signs of abuse we as parents may not notice. We tend to shrug off the little mood swings or the times the child comes home from a friend’s house and locks themselves in their rooms or maybe cries for no reason. Although the majority of times are just the child wanting to be alone, there may be a time it’s just a bit more. Look at the signs and talk to your child. I have listed below three warning signs that I wished Maggie's mother had noticed when she was growing up. It maybe too late for Maggie, but it's not too late for your precious child.
1.) You visit a friend, neighbor or family member and the child doesn’t want to leave your side. Although during previous visits the child was eager to watch television or play with other children. This is a symptom something may have happened in the past to cause the child to suddenly feel insecure, to not want to leave the protection of his/her parent. The victim in this story has described just a few of the hideous crimes that had taken place either in her home or someplace where she should’ve felt safe. A child that clings to a parent in a familiar place and refuses to leave your side, may not be just looking for your attention. Sometimes it means something had happened in the past in the home/place or by someone present at the gathering/party/home. Don’t brush the incident away; scan the people in or around the immediate area. Make an educated decision before you push the child into leaving your side. If you feel the child is just craving your attention, by all means do what you feel you must to rectify the situation. I implore you to look at this warning sign and investigate, your child may be telling you in a subtle way he/she may be frightened.
2.) Don’t force your child to go with family/friends. As in Maggie’s case she was forced into going with her father and the unspeakable happened (you will be able to read what the poor child had to go through in Her Silent Tears). There is a reason why the child doesn’t want to go with him/her. Just because you feel the person is trustworthy, doesn’t always mean they are. You never know what happens to your child when he/she is away from you. Heed the warning signs and ask questions (do this alone with the child never in front of the individual in question).
3.) If your child come home from a play date and doesn’t exhibit signs of exhaustion, and chooses to be alone in his/her room, this may be an indication something happened to them while they were away. Again, question your child, maybe he/she is just tired, maybe it’s something more. Child abusers or bullies don’t have a certain look about them…the person could be your own family members or best friends. You may never suspect someone you know and love are capable of abuse. Let’s face facts, an abuser will never voluntarily state they abuse men, women or children. They will look at you with a smile on their face even though they have committed heinous crimes. The majority of Maggie’s family never knew what was going on. Her father smiled in everyone’s faces, but behind closed doors he was truly an animal. I have learned not to trust anyone with my most valued possession…I have learned to look at the warning signs and heeded the subtle warnings.
Prologue and first chapter
Her Silent Tears
Based on a true story
Prologue
Sirens screamed through the streets disrupting the silence of the night. After coming to a stop in front of a small cape on the outskirts of town, two paramedics leapt into action as they rushed to gather their gear before it was too late.
The call was an unresponsive woman lying on the ground in front of a home at twenty-three Holston Place. The first paramedic at the woman’s side announced, “I have a pulse.” Staring down at the face of the stranger the man pleaded, “Stay with me! Please you have to stay with me.”
A second paramedic, the man’s partner pulled a gurney loaded with cases of medical supplies. He stared down at his partner. “Is there any signs of injury?”
“None that I can see. Let’s roll her over and take her vitals.”
After placing a sheet on the ground beside her, the two men gently rolled their patient onto her back. A small crowd began to form at the edge of the property. Spectators watched in wide-eyed fascination as the scene in front of them continued to unfold. One of the paramedics turned to scan the faces of the crowd. “Can you believe it? I swear people thrive on the misfortune of others.”
“Don’t pay attention to them. If we plan on saving this woman we had better get her to County General as soon as possible.”
The two paramedics worked frantically on their patient. One of the team looked grim. “Look, we have to get moving. If she’s going to survive I suggest we get her to the hospital in the next ten minutes.” Rising to his feet, he approached the gurney and pulled to beside the woman. He gazed down at the face of his patient. “If you’re ready we’ll lift her on three.” The men grabbed each corner of the sheet. “One, two and three.”
They hefted the sheet and it’s bundle onto the gurney. After securing the woman to the bed using adjustable straps, they proceeded to roll their patient across the weedy lawn. After arriving at the rear of the ambulance, the paramedics were bombarded with questions from a local reporter. “Can you tell me what happened?”
“Look Samantha, I don’t have time to answer your questions. I suggest if you want a story go to County General and maybe the patient can tell you what happened…that is if she survives.”
One paramedic climbed in the back and prepared to insert an I.V. line, while his partner proceeded to roll the gurney into the depths of the ambulance. “Knock on the window when you’re ready.”
The man placed a tourniquet around the bicep of his patients left arm. He stared down at the veins on the back of the hand. Watching as the veins filled with blood. He clenched his teeth as he jabbed the I.V. needle into the largest vein of the woman’s hand. After securing the thin plastic tubing to his patient with white tape, he knocked on the small window.
The ambulance raced along the silent streets of Riverton Connecticut. The paramedic in the rear of the vehicle spoke with tender words of encouragement. “You’ll be alright. Just hold on a few minutes longer. We have the best doctors on staff in County General just waiting to help you overcome this hurdle.”
Chapter 1
Two weeks earlier
Maggie Maguire sat on her bed. Her feet and legs were covered with blankets…she was alone as usual. Other than the illumination of her laptop screen, the room was dark. Tears of relief flowed down her cheeks as she read an e-mail informing her that her father had died. Using a wad of crumpled toilet paper, she dried her eyes. She felt as if a huge weight had been removed from her chest.
“Finally” She thought. “Now maybe after fifty years of living with the shame…his shame, I can let go of my past.”
Maggie placed her laptop on her bedside table, rose to her feet and stepped into her slippers. Entering the kitchen she flipped on the light, pulled a champagne flute from the cabinet and placed it on the counter. A smile crossed her face as she opened the refrigerator and removed the bottle of champagne she had been saving since she heard the news of her father’s impending death. After popping the cork, she poured the bubbly into the glass, sat at the table and said out loud, “I guess prayers are answered.” Raising the glass high in the air, she released a guttural laugh. “Here’s to you asshole…may you burn in hell.” She took a sip and relaxed her back against the chair.
Anyone watching her would swear Maggie had gone insane. She danced around the room with her glass in her hand. Just knowing the man who terrified her most in life, was no longer walking the earth. Life was good for Maggie…or so she thought.
Where to purchase your copy of Her Silent Tears:
Lulu (paperback)
Amazon
Based on a true story
Prologue
Sirens screamed through the streets disrupting the silence of the night. After coming to a stop in front of a small cape on the outskirts of town, two paramedics leapt into action as they rushed to gather their gear before it was too late.
The call was an unresponsive woman lying on the ground in front of a home at twenty-three Holston Place. The first paramedic at the woman’s side announced, “I have a pulse.” Staring down at the face of the stranger the man pleaded, “Stay with me! Please you have to stay with me.”
A second paramedic, the man’s partner pulled a gurney loaded with cases of medical supplies. He stared down at his partner. “Is there any signs of injury?”
“None that I can see. Let’s roll her over and take her vitals.”
After placing a sheet on the ground beside her, the two men gently rolled their patient onto her back. A small crowd began to form at the edge of the property. Spectators watched in wide-eyed fascination as the scene in front of them continued to unfold. One of the paramedics turned to scan the faces of the crowd. “Can you believe it? I swear people thrive on the misfortune of others.”
“Don’t pay attention to them. If we plan on saving this woman we had better get her to County General as soon as possible.”
The two paramedics worked frantically on their patient. One of the team looked grim. “Look, we have to get moving. If she’s going to survive I suggest we get her to the hospital in the next ten minutes.” Rising to his feet, he approached the gurney and pulled to beside the woman. He gazed down at the face of his patient. “If you’re ready we’ll lift her on three.” The men grabbed each corner of the sheet. “One, two and three.”
They hefted the sheet and it’s bundle onto the gurney. After securing the woman to the bed using adjustable straps, they proceeded to roll their patient across the weedy lawn. After arriving at the rear of the ambulance, the paramedics were bombarded with questions from a local reporter. “Can you tell me what happened?”
“Look Samantha, I don’t have time to answer your questions. I suggest if you want a story go to County General and maybe the patient can tell you what happened…that is if she survives.”
One paramedic climbed in the back and prepared to insert an I.V. line, while his partner proceeded to roll the gurney into the depths of the ambulance. “Knock on the window when you’re ready.”
The man placed a tourniquet around the bicep of his patients left arm. He stared down at the veins on the back of the hand. Watching as the veins filled with blood. He clenched his teeth as he jabbed the I.V. needle into the largest vein of the woman’s hand. After securing the thin plastic tubing to his patient with white tape, he knocked on the small window.
The ambulance raced along the silent streets of Riverton Connecticut. The paramedic in the rear of the vehicle spoke with tender words of encouragement. “You’ll be alright. Just hold on a few minutes longer. We have the best doctors on staff in County General just waiting to help you overcome this hurdle.”
Chapter 1
Two weeks earlier
Maggie Maguire sat on her bed. Her feet and legs were covered with blankets…she was alone as usual. Other than the illumination of her laptop screen, the room was dark. Tears of relief flowed down her cheeks as she read an e-mail informing her that her father had died. Using a wad of crumpled toilet paper, she dried her eyes. She felt as if a huge weight had been removed from her chest.
“Finally” She thought. “Now maybe after fifty years of living with the shame…his shame, I can let go of my past.”
Maggie placed her laptop on her bedside table, rose to her feet and stepped into her slippers. Entering the kitchen she flipped on the light, pulled a champagne flute from the cabinet and placed it on the counter. A smile crossed her face as she opened the refrigerator and removed the bottle of champagne she had been saving since she heard the news of her father’s impending death. After popping the cork, she poured the bubbly into the glass, sat at the table and said out loud, “I guess prayers are answered.” Raising the glass high in the air, she released a guttural laugh. “Here’s to you asshole…may you burn in hell.” She took a sip and relaxed her back against the chair.
Anyone watching her would swear Maggie had gone insane. She danced around the room with her glass in her hand. Just knowing the man who terrified her most in life, was no longer walking the earth. Life was good for Maggie…or so she thought.
Where to purchase your copy of Her Silent Tears:
Lulu (paperback)
Amazon