Shadow Comfort
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Bobby thought the summer he turned thirteen was just going to be a typical summer – moving into another old rent house and keeping away from his alcoholic, abusive dad's wrath. He never dreamed how wrong he would be. His life would be changed forever and not everyone in his circle of family and friends would survive. Will his place in the shadows provide him enough comfort and safety to come out on the other end of that fateful summer?
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This novel, as is the case with most novels, was born of personal experience. Life was not easy in rural Oklahoma in the mid-1960's. My childhood was very similar to many who battled poverty. It was a time in which many a blind eye was turned when it came to taking out frustrations on wives and children.
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Writing this book caused me to experience feelings I thought I had long buried. It amazed and frightened me at how vivid those memories were, even after nearly fifty years. I have dedicated this book to those who suffered or are suffering from domestic or child abuse - both physical and emotional. Many like myself have survived it; but not without scars.
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​Read a Sample of Full CIrcle: A Life Story ~ SAMPLE
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Inspiration behind Shadow Comfort ~ The summer I turned ten, my parents moved us into an old, two-story farmhouse six miles from Kingfisher, OK. John Ahlden, the farmer who owned the farmhouse, allowed us to live there rent free as long as we maintained the house. I started working for him that summer and continued until the summer I turned sixteen. Richard, the owner's son, often paid me to help him with his farm. I worked for John and Richard from 1965 to 1971.
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My stepdad was a physically and mentally abusive alcoholic. I often hid behind the door of my upstairs bedroom. Its shadow gave me comfort. A creek nearby also helped me escape his attention. My best friend Ricky Kuehn often stayed over and we camped out together on the creek.
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In 2003, I visited the old farm for the first time in 20 years. The house and its cedar trees along the walkway had been torn down. The giant elm in the picture was next to the house.
Those memories are the impetus behind my book. Most of the adventures depicted happened.
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