By Teresa Devereux
Broken Lives
Novel
Just like any other mother, Samantha Bushell adores her two little girls. After an unhappy childhood and tormented by her memories of abuse and neglect, Samantha’s life takes a downward spiral. With poor coping mechanisms and no-one to support her, alcohol becomes her only friend – and greatest enemy.
New to the social work team, April Gardiner tries to help Samantha take control of her life and hold on to her children, whilst also dealing with problems of her own. The two women form an unlikely bond after similar childhood experiences paved the way for the adults they ultimately became.
A moving and eye-opening tale of privilege, disadvantage, and overcoming adversity, Broken Lives is ultimately a story about two young women whose paths cross at difficult times in both of their lives. It provides an insight into the emotional rollercoaster of social work and the families they strive to help. Will April be able to help Samantha turn her life around, whilst also seeking to achieve her own personal goals?
Best Selling Author
Teresa Devereux
Teresa was brought up in a mining village and was the fourth of six children. She loved school and had great fun, but didn’t take life seriously or start studying until she was in her thirties and had two children. She has been married for 32 years and has three lovely grandchildren. Apart from writing and being with the grandchildren Teresa likes to spend her spare time playing tennis, gardening or socialising with friends.
Teresa has a degree in Psychology and Social Policy and qualified as a social worker in 2001. After eight years of working on the front line of social work in a children and families team, she started working with disabled children, then went on to become a manager. She is now a full time writer and novelist.
Teresa is a political activist and a campaigner for social justice. She believes that political systems should be based on fairness and that every child, whatever their circumstances should be provided with the opportunity to reach their full potential, and that every family is entitled to receive the support to help them achieve this.
Happy Readers
Upcoming Events
September 2021
London Book Festival
13th February 2022
Faversham Literary Festival
Date To be confirmed
Book signing in WH Smith, Canterbury
A very well crafted book which gives an emotional insight into the daily dilemmas faced by Social Workers – of which the author clearly has an in-depth understanding.
The characters come alive on the page as their wide range of feelings, hardships, strengths and shortcomings are illuminated.
The reader will become involved in their lives, will care about their futures and need to keep turning the pages to discover the outcomes; they will be left wanting to hear more of April Gardiner.
– Juliet Scott Massie
Now Available
The Sequel
………..Will April finally have the child she has always longed for?
……….. What happened to Samantha Bushell after her children were adopted. Did she manage to cope or did her life take a downward spiral?
………..How will the relationship develop between April and her father?
………..Did April make the right decision in sending Freddie home to his family?
Read about the tumultuous and challenging personal issues in the lives of other families April strives to help.
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Becoming a Social Worker: http://www.basw.co.uk/social-work-careers/
Find out more about fostering: http://www.fostering.net/
Have you thought about adoption: https://www.gov.uk/child-adoption
Help for the homeless: https://centrepoint.org.uk
Crisis: https://www.crisis.org.uk