The world has tormented seven-year-old Francesca ever since she can remember from her lecherous uncle, inadequate father, and even her promiscuous mother who abandoned her to them.
By standing up to her bullies, she ends up in a mental health facility, where she spends most of her young life being rehabilitated while closely observing others. Her burning dream is to find her mother once she is released, but when they finally reunite Francesca discovers the glamorous woman she remembered is now a drug-dealing junkie.
Alone again, homeless and penniless, she's working hard to put order in her life and adapt to the modern world, until she's thrown in the path of her childhood abusers once again.
This time she will not be a victim...

Praise for FRANCESCA:

★★★★★ 'Susan Tarr is brave. She writes with a double-edged sword and a high-powered spotlight. She boldly goes where few authors dare. If I was a child horribly betrayed and abandoned by those who are supposed to love and protect me, I'd want Susan Tarr to come looking for me - she'd know where to find me.' Ngaire Riddell

★★★★★ 'Wow! I just finished Francesca. Heart in my throat, repeatedly. So emotive! You did a brilliant job, Susan Tarr.
And I must add that I LOVE your opening line: Stepping into insanity is easy. Stepping out, not so much.
Makes me sad to think anyone "lives" like this, but I know there's more fact than fiction here.
Towards the end, "It's a hard cycle to break, leaving your jailer." Autobiographical, right?
Again, you did a GREAT job with this book. Thanks for allowing me the preview.
I hope you have great success with this gut-wrenching story. Every little girl needs a voice. I hope this book will open the eyes of teachers, neighbours, etc., to the silent cries of little ones.' Linda Wilson

★★★★★ 'FRANCESCA-a psychologically thrilling read from start to finish. Francesca rises from the ashes of her brutal childhood and ensuing incarceration like a maleficent Phoenix.' Sue Gower