Showing results by author "Joanne Phillips" in All Categories

Joanne Phillips’ ordeal began aged 13 when she was gang-raped in her bedroom by local boys. Following the trauma, she dropped out of school, was befriended by an older man and was forced into prostitution aged 16. Over the next six years, she was raped by over 500 men, starved, beaten, and transported around the country to brothels. Forced to have sex with men from all walks of life including lawyers, stockbrokers, doctors, a parish councillor, Joanne was even made to have sex with her former school headteacher—who didn’t recognise her.

When 29-year-old Flora Lively loses both of her parents and inherits the family business, she tries hard to make a success of her father's dream - even at the expense of her own dreams. Burdened with Marshall, her father's handpicked American manager, Flora finds solace in her friendship with Joy, an elderly client she helped move into the Maples, the local retirement community.

Becoming a grandmother at 38 may not be ideal, but Stella can cope - just about - because in two weeks' time she's getting married to the love of her life. She's waited over 20 years to finally get her man; Paul Smart is her destiny, her soul mate. But when Stella finds out she's pregnant - a pregnancy that's unplanned and unexpected, not to mention inconvenient - she takes it in her stride. It’s not a problem. At least, not for her.

With a boss she's half in love with, a teenage daughter about to go seriously off the rails, a spendaholic mother, and a house to rebuild, Stella's problems are only just beginning. Can Stella put her life - and her home - back together again? And will she ever realise just what it is she really can't live without?