The Central West author of a crime novel about how women face the horrors of childhood sexual abuse recently held a book signing in Dubbo.
Dorothy (Dot) West from Orange was at The Book Connection in early June for the event which drew a good crowd of interested readers for her work "A Step Towards Freedom".
“There was a good show of people that came to see me at The Book Connection bookshop that also bought my novel,” Dot said.
“One local author popped in to see me, and another author from out of town also came in for a chat; the staff were very helpful as well,” she added.
The novel follows the story of Gabrielle Dickson, a small child whose future takes a dark turn, leading her to a life of betrayal, shame, humiliation and a cycle of abusive relationships.
After the shocking realisation that she herself has married a paedophile, the single mother must now support two young children, while living in the constant fear of being stalked.
Seeking ways to move past a lifetime of emotional damage and destructive behaviour, the novel ultimately contains a positive message about taking control and moving ahead, the author revealed.
“My novel is about growing up in the 1960s, and a dark secret that was kept for decades,” Dot explained.
“It’s a story of courage, becoming unstuck, and acknowledging that everyone is flawed in some way… but to move forward, the protagonist has to face their past,” she added.
Dot’s novel is available at The Book Connection, and found in both Fiction and Crime sections.