Useless Worthless Priceless

About the Book

This is the story of a young girl's heartbreak, firstly shattered by those around her calling her 'night-ape' and 'problem child', and then in the cruellest of ways seeing her trust smashed upon the rocks of life when she was raped by the very man/boy she gave her most treasured possession... her heart.

The mould was set; Cheryl's parents often challenged her identity within the family because they said she made their lives miserable and intolerable. Raised in a well respected family in the town of Umtali, Rhodesia, her parents slept away their embarrassment and disgust at her being raped, whilst Cheryl hugged her bruised body and soul, and the shame close to her.

The broken and spiritually ravaged Cheryl survived the Rhodesian War, and the loss of people she loved. As a victim, she attracted abusers, and married a cruel, controlling man. As a refugee in South Africa, unwelcome and unexpectedly pregnant her life spiralled into despair and emotional isolation.

After years of abuse, Cheryl divorced her alcoholic husband and began a new life with her two children. Five years later, he returned, sober and kind, she remarried him, and they relocated to England. He betrayed her again with alcohol, and Cheryl gave up. She reverted to the role of victim again, and drank her despair and pain away; she shunned reality and life, and crossed the threshold into oblivion.

In her own words, Cheryl tells how she went to hell in a nightmare relationship, and fought back to become a successful author.

About the Author

I decided not to use this space to tell you where I was born and raised, nor any other details of my life, as all this and much more is what my book is about. Instead I will tell you about me, and why I chose to write my story.

I am not famous, and have no claim to celebrity status, and I had only ever written my book in my mind. I haven't done anything to attract the interest of the public, and there is no reason you would have ever heard my name until now.

Throughout the years, as each challenge and experience bludgeoned its way into my life, I thought 'I must write about that'. So many of us share experiences that we feel isolated in, and which have perceived or real stigma's attached, so we keep them to ourselves. The many times I felt that way, I endeavoured to find any type of material, seeking corroboration, empathy, even a general understanding. All I found were statistics.

I have now written my story, in the hope that as well as being an exciting, emotional and excellent read, that it will be an inspiration to some, a comfort and support to others, and entertainment for the rest.