Joanna West is married to a handsome deputy and her seven-year-old daughter, Laurel, is the centre of her universe. To everyone in the New Mexico town of Wheeler, Joanna has the ideal life. In reality, Joanna suffers horrific physical and mental abuse from her husband. When a stranger offers to help Joanna leave, she takes Laurel and they run. They arrive in a small town and are taken in by a farmer and his wife. Soon Joanna starts trusting others and finds courage from deep within herself. This book gives such details of abuse that it is extremely hard to read in parts. The author does an incredible job reaching into the mind of an abuse victim and showing that it is never as easy to leave as most think. My problem with this book lies in the dream sequence that prevails through much of the book. Without giving away a spoiler, I found the magical portions of the book frustrating. This is not a light read but it does tell a story that makes you think long after you put the book down. (AO)
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