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Tooth for Tooth
Dumped into single parenthood, Heather Williams has found a part-time job as a dental receptionist and a cozy apartment with her four-year-old daughter. Life finally looks safe and secure until her daughter reveals a terrifying secret that she's been molested by her own father. While struggling with her feelings towards her new boss, Heather tries to get the help her daughter needs, navigate the court system, and protect the child from further harm.
128 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 6, 2011
About the author
Kimberley Payne
94 books15 followersKimberley Payne is a Jesus lover, Oma, and an Eclectic Author. Her books and teachings help you boost your faith, face difficult challenges, and draw closer to God. As a mother, health advocate, and woman of faith Kimberley understands your struggles and is on a mission to help you live a fuller healthier life. Visit her website at kimberleypayne.com
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
September 14, 2011
TOOTH FOR TOOTH by Kimberley Payne is a heart wrenching look at a parent’s worst nightmare. This novel deals with the very sensitive issue of child sexual abuse and one woman’s personal struggle when her young daughter discloses her victimization at the hand of her own ‘daddy’. The subject is certainly not light reading, yet Payne manages to keep the story moving forward through the various stages of emotional turmoil, as well as the bureaucratic struggles that ensue. The overarching theme of the book is forgiveness, and through divine intervention, Heather, the main character in the book, finally reaches a point where she is able to forgive her ex-husband. Sprinkled through out the book are tidbits of romance, but this aspect of the story is understandably underdeveloped next to the weightier issues. It is a well written story worth the read.
May 6, 2012
Tooth for Tooth, by Canadian Author Kimberley Payne, is a well-written work of art. Although, the topic of child incest is hard to comprehend and digest, Ms. Payne manages to share this heart-wrenching story in a unique way as she describes the negative emotions one would expect a mother to experience. Heather Williams, the main character, is confronted with the fact that her ex-husband is molesting their young daughter.
Upon the discovery of her four-year old daughter's painful plight, Heather is consumed with the usual emotions of anger, despair, frustration with the system, and desperation to ensure the safety of Caitlin when visiting with her father. Ms. Payne has done a great deal of research in order to describe the number of such cases that exist in society today and basically how they are handled. It is painful to realize how rampant sexual abuse is and that those we think we can trust, are often times, the very perpetrators of these horrible sexual crimes on innocent young children.
Ms. Payne does an excellent job of sharing both Heather's and Caitlin's journeys as they go through the necessary steps in order to heal. Heather manages to find her support system in a Women's Church Group, while Caitlin bonds with an incredible child therapist. Ms. Payne injects some humor into this sad situation by commenting on the physical appearances of the people Heather encounters throughout her journey in finding protection for Caitlin and assistance for herself as she learns to cope with the situation. Ms. Payne also manages to throw in a hint of romance to round off this very difficult topic in order to add some positivity to the theme. By doing so, it helps makes this novel much easier to read as the subject of child sexual abuse, especially incest, is very difficult to even imagine, let alone live with. The end goal in this novel is to effectively deal with the crime committed and to eventually forgive the offender. Ms. Payne does a great job of taking the reader there. Let go...let God is her motto!
Upon the discovery of her four-year old daughter's painful plight, Heather is consumed with the usual emotions of anger, despair, frustration with the system, and desperation to ensure the safety of Caitlin when visiting with her father. Ms. Payne has done a great deal of research in order to describe the number of such cases that exist in society today and basically how they are handled. It is painful to realize how rampant sexual abuse is and that those we think we can trust, are often times, the very perpetrators of these horrible sexual crimes on innocent young children.
Ms. Payne does an excellent job of sharing both Heather's and Caitlin's journeys as they go through the necessary steps in order to heal. Heather manages to find her support system in a Women's Church Group, while Caitlin bonds with an incredible child therapist. Ms. Payne injects some humor into this sad situation by commenting on the physical appearances of the people Heather encounters throughout her journey in finding protection for Caitlin and assistance for herself as she learns to cope with the situation. Ms. Payne also manages to throw in a hint of romance to round off this very difficult topic in order to add some positivity to the theme. By doing so, it helps makes this novel much easier to read as the subject of child sexual abuse, especially incest, is very difficult to even imagine, let alone live with. The end goal in this novel is to effectively deal with the crime committed and to eventually forgive the offender. Ms. Payne does a great job of taking the reader there. Let go...let God is her motto!
July 3, 2012
A fictional novel which could so easily be the headline of any newspaper - I enjoyed reading this book about a newly single mom who faces a devastating event with her daughter's safety on the line. Centering on trusting God with your most precious relationships, this was a surprising and challenging read. The ending is not your typical happily-ever-after - and that made me like the book even more!
January 30, 2017
Much more than a revenge story, Payne’s fictional account of child abuse is a frightening tale for any parent or guardian. So realistically told, I hoped the author hadn’t gone through such a devastating event. Well told from the mother’s point of view. Tooth for a Tooth is a cautionary drama for contemporary suspicious society but with love and hope for a full and healthy future, both physically and emotionally.
When a nightmare comes to light, single mom Heather must face all the repercussions of the medical and court system when she decides to bring charges against her former husband, who challenges the accusation. Although surrounded by a good support system of close family and friends, Heather is still bewildered by the legalities of what she must put her young daughter through in order to prove the abuse. Worse yet, Heather is reminded of an episode two years earlier, before divorce proceedings, in which she believes Caitlyn tried to tell her she was hurt.
The story is ultimately about recognizing that no one on earth can protect us from the bad things that happen, that we can’t blame ourselves when we’re trying our best, but mostly that the only place we can run to for love, for comfort, for peace of mind and heart is our Savior, Christ Jesus, the Father who ultimately forgives all, and the Spirit who entwines us and teaches, or enables, us to forgive others. Heather learns that while she may not be able to control much of anything, the One who is in control has her back and everything will be okay.
Nicely written with the nuances of what it must feel like to be in Heather’s position. But it’s not for the faint of heart readers who prefer sweet and light rosy family stories.
When a nightmare comes to light, single mom Heather must face all the repercussions of the medical and court system when she decides to bring charges against her former husband, who challenges the accusation. Although surrounded by a good support system of close family and friends, Heather is still bewildered by the legalities of what she must put her young daughter through in order to prove the abuse. Worse yet, Heather is reminded of an episode two years earlier, before divorce proceedings, in which she believes Caitlyn tried to tell her she was hurt.
The story is ultimately about recognizing that no one on earth can protect us from the bad things that happen, that we can’t blame ourselves when we’re trying our best, but mostly that the only place we can run to for love, for comfort, for peace of mind and heart is our Savior, Christ Jesus, the Father who ultimately forgives all, and the Spirit who entwines us and teaches, or enables, us to forgive others. Heather learns that while she may not be able to control much of anything, the One who is in control has her back and everything will be okay.
Nicely written with the nuances of what it must feel like to be in Heather’s position. But it’s not for the faint of heart readers who prefer sweet and light rosy family stories.
June 22, 2015
Tooth For Tooth
Kimberley Payne
This gripping story is a departure from Ms. Payne’s usual work. Despite a couple of minor issues with the time line and other secondary details, the story is well told, educational and worth the read.
Heather Williams, recently separated from her husband and struggling to build a new life for herself and her young daughter, Caitlin, discovers that life just isn’t fair. Caitlin discloses to her sitter, that ‘Daddy hurt me’.
What follows is a story that will tug at the reader’s heart-strings and give much-needed insight into the world of the Children’s Aid Society and the Family Court system.
The story does not so much deal with Caitlin’s reaction and recovery as it does with Heather’s. It reveals that a mother, sitter, or other adult, in spite of being familiar with a child, might still overlook the signs of abuse. Heather’s struggles to come to grips with what she feels is her inadequacy as a mother resonate with all parents.
At her mother’s well-meant urging to get out of the house, Heather decides to attend a lecture at the church in her neighbourhood. One lecture leads to another and Heather eventually finds herself in a Bible study teaching about forgiveness. But will she be able to put theory into practice and forgive her ex? Could anyone?
This reviewer has not been in this type of situation, but being a mother, can imagine some of the feeling this would conjure up. Thanks to extensive research, Ms. Payne’s descriptive language goes beyond that imagining to reality to tell the story with confidence and sincerity.
I received a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
Kimberley Payne
This gripping story is a departure from Ms. Payne’s usual work. Despite a couple of minor issues with the time line and other secondary details, the story is well told, educational and worth the read.
Heather Williams, recently separated from her husband and struggling to build a new life for herself and her young daughter, Caitlin, discovers that life just isn’t fair. Caitlin discloses to her sitter, that ‘Daddy hurt me’.
What follows is a story that will tug at the reader’s heart-strings and give much-needed insight into the world of the Children’s Aid Society and the Family Court system.
The story does not so much deal with Caitlin’s reaction and recovery as it does with Heather’s. It reveals that a mother, sitter, or other adult, in spite of being familiar with a child, might still overlook the signs of abuse. Heather’s struggles to come to grips with what she feels is her inadequacy as a mother resonate with all parents.
At her mother’s well-meant urging to get out of the house, Heather decides to attend a lecture at the church in her neighbourhood. One lecture leads to another and Heather eventually finds herself in a Bible study teaching about forgiveness. But will she be able to put theory into practice and forgive her ex? Could anyone?
This reviewer has not been in this type of situation, but being a mother, can imagine some of the feeling this would conjure up. Thanks to extensive research, Ms. Payne’s descriptive language goes beyond that imagining to reality to tell the story with confidence and sincerity.
I received a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews