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In Her Veins
Violated as a young woman, Annette turns to prostitution and heroin to get by after her parents disown her when she discovers she’s pregnant. Mind warped by drugs and her experience, she fails to realise that her child needs love, not a kick in the teeth at every turn. Obsessed with doing what her pimp, Bob, asks her, Annette will do anything he says—including allowing her own daughter to be used in ways no child should be used. But there’s only so much a kid can take… Carmel has grown up without love. She lives in a hell hole, Annette barely feeds her, and her world is a frightening place to be. Annette can’t wait for the day Carmel leaves home, taking with her the reminder of that long-ago night when Annette had her life turned upside down. Not caring what happens to Carmel, Annette just wants her ‘medicine’ and to be left to service her clients in peace. Carmel? She wants justice. Someone has to show the people who have treated her badly a lesson. Aided by the voice of her childhood doll, and that of the first person she kills—a young school friend—Carmel sets out to right every single wrong done to her. No one who wrecked her life should be allowed to walk free. Not the man who runs the corner shop or the old fella who lives at the end of her street. No one. (This novel has been previously published using a different pen name and title.)
237 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 23, 2011
34 people are currently reading
48 people want to read
About the author
Emmy Ellis
137 books115 followersAuthor of these series:
• DI Tracy Collier
• DI Carol Wren
• DI Bethany Smith
• DI Helena Stratton
• The Cardigan Estate
• DI Morgan Yeoman
• Detective Anna James
• DI Tracy Collier
• DI Carol Wren
• DI Bethany Smith
• DI Helena Stratton
• The Cardigan Estate
• DI Morgan Yeoman
• Detective Anna James
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
April 30, 2020
A child grows up knowing Nothing..except hurt, abandonment, mockery and fear..Things a child should never know or feel... especially from their mother! A 'mother' who is a prostitute, a heroin addict..And uses her child in ways No young child should Ever be subject to!!!
As this girl, Carmel, grows she attends school in dirty clothes, smelling horribly, unable to connect with or befriend other children. There is one girl who invites her home, playing dress-up and opening Carmel's eyes to what most kids lives are like..with refrigerators Full of food, fancy soaps and shampoos to wash with...now she starts to see what is missing in her life..
As she becomes older she starts to go against her Mom, leaving her home at 16 years old to make her own way..but the misery of her life follows her...along with increasing anger at those who used her...
A book that hits you in the gut..realizing that so many children have such a bad start to their lives that they have no chance of making it out unharmed mentally and physically..and sometimes the monsters they may become is not really their fault...
A story that grabs you and shows you a different way to understand those less fortunate than you..
As this girl, Carmel, grows she attends school in dirty clothes, smelling horribly, unable to connect with or befriend other children. There is one girl who invites her home, playing dress-up and opening Carmel's eyes to what most kids lives are like..with refrigerators Full of food, fancy soaps and shampoos to wash with...now she starts to see what is missing in her life..
As she becomes older she starts to go against her Mom, leaving her home at 16 years old to make her own way..but the misery of her life follows her...along with increasing anger at those who used her...
A book that hits you in the gut..realizing that so many children have such a bad start to their lives that they have no chance of making it out unharmed mentally and physically..and sometimes the monsters they may become is not really their fault...
A story that grabs you and shows you a different way to understand those less fortunate than you..
April 3, 2020
Carmel has had a tough life, gone through experiences no child should have to, and never felt loved or cared for by her mum.
The first part of the story is Carmel's childhood from the ages of 5 - 16. I couldn't help but think that although fiction, the things Carmel experiences are unfortunately real life for many children. The whole book is emotive, but especially this part. No child should be so used and ill treated.
Annette is Carmel's mother. A heroin user and prostitute. Throughout the book I was horrified at what she put Carmel through. Her head is seriously messed up (not just from the drugs,) but by the end of the book I still couldn't muster up any sympathy for her.
As Carmel reaches her teens she begins to speak up for herself and leaves home at 16. Has she escaped her past, or will it always haunt her? You'll have to read the book to find out.
The first part of the story is Carmel's childhood from the ages of 5 - 16. I couldn't help but think that although fiction, the things Carmel experiences are unfortunately real life for many children. The whole book is emotive, but especially this part. No child should be so used and ill treated.
Annette is Carmel's mother. A heroin user and prostitute. Throughout the book I was horrified at what she put Carmel through. Her head is seriously messed up (not just from the drugs,) but by the end of the book I still couldn't muster up any sympathy for her.
As Carmel reaches her teens she begins to speak up for herself and leaves home at 16. Has she escaped her past, or will it always haunt her? You'll have to read the book to find out.
April 1, 2020
This was my first read of Emmy Ellis and wow, it wont be the last!!
Carmel is systematically abused by her mother - mentally and physically and this is her story told through her eyes from school age to early adult as her life unravels and the realisation of whats happened to her in the past becomes more apparent. With inputs from Nelson, her broken doll and a dead childhood friend, it's certainly not an easy read and the latter stages of the story do bring a conclusion of a kind. Not a cozy book at all but well worth a read.
Carmel is systematically abused by her mother - mentally and physically and this is her story told through her eyes from school age to early adult as her life unravels and the realisation of whats happened to her in the past becomes more apparent. With inputs from Nelson, her broken doll and a dead childhood friend, it's certainly not an easy read and the latter stages of the story do bring a conclusion of a kind. Not a cozy book at all but well worth a read.
March 6, 2023
In Her Veins⭐⭐⭐⭐
I could hardly put this book down but I did because it was heartbreaking & I felt so emotional throughout reading it. E!my Ellis is a fantastic storyteller & Author who writes such storylines that just keep you turning the pages & the characters ..well some of these gran your heart . If abuse of children triggers you then you should maybe not read.I will definitely not forget the main character ,how she was left living that life is heartbreaking .Anyway I don't want to spoil the story for other readers⭐⭐⭐⭐
I could hardly put this book down but I did because it was heartbreaking & I felt so emotional throughout reading it. E!my Ellis is a fantastic storyteller & Author who writes such storylines that just keep you turning the pages & the characters ..well some of these gran your heart . If abuse of children triggers you then you should maybe not read.I will definitely not forget the main character ,how she was left living that life is heartbreaking .Anyway I don't want to spoil the story for other readers⭐⭐⭐⭐
April 16, 2023
I went through all sorts of emotions reading this book. It’s dark and disturbing but oh so true to life for some children like in Carmel’s early years. You just want someone, anyone to speak out on her behalf and get her taken away to a better life. And it shows you what can happen if a child is not neutered. It shows how cruel some people can be and all for money or lust. Shocking. A fantastic read.
June 11, 2019
You want to take Carmel away and keep her safe away from every thing bad. Then you travel through her teenage years maybe your feelings change. Her doll is her only real friend she has. It makes you think about nature vs nurture debate.
October 27, 2019
No housework no conversation
What just happened... Everything was abandoned for this heart wrenching story. I was left think what happened who where when .my home now needs gutted as I have done nothing apart from turn each page wondering
What just happened... Everything was abandoned for this heart wrenching story. I was left think what happened who where when .my home now needs gutted as I have done nothing apart from turn each page wondering
November 22, 2019
A harrowing account of child abuse and neglect with retribution at its core. I found the underlying
Shame and touches of innocence hard to read, But a beautifully written account no less. extremely sad.you could almost be there.
Shame and touches of innocence hard to read, But a beautifully written account no less. extremely sad.you could almost be there.
January 1, 2020
Disturbingly-fantastic and shockingly-twisted. Intense. Riveting. Emotional. Suspenseful. Addictive. Dark. Complex. This story has one shock after another. This book brings it ALL! Truly a MUST for your TBR list!
July 15, 2024
Different
Didn't really enjoy this book . It was a bit confusing at times . Nothing like the other books .
Didn't really enjoy this book . It was a bit confusing at times . Nothing like the other books .
May 5, 2020
Carmel Wickens’ life is nothing to envy. Dragged up by her junkie mother, encouraged to steal & lie, Carmel is forced to grow up before her time, a childhood full of beatings, sexual exploitation, starvation & hatred. It’s no wonder then that growing into a young woman, Carmel would seek revenge on those that stole her innocence. This novel stands out due to its raw & candid nature, the author holding nothing back in terms of emotion, never trying to hide the degradation of its main character. Reading this was like going through a fast spin cycle on a washing machine, reaching the final chapter feeling wrung out, emotions all over the place. Ellis is superb at shocking her readers.
October 5, 2022
We as readers know that Emmy Ellis covers childhood abuse a lot in her books that then creates strong female leads.
In the veins follows a similar story.
Imagine as a child you are neglected
Imagine as a child you are starved
Imagine as a child your mother uses you for sex abuse
Imagine as that child you live in your own world
Imagine talking to a ghost of the person you have killed
Read this book and this will provide an insight into a neglected childhood, no adult support.
Read how one child revenges her abuse.
In the veins follows a similar story.
Imagine as a child you are neglected
Imagine as a child you are starved
Imagine as a child your mother uses you for sex abuse
Imagine as that child you live in your own world
Imagine talking to a ghost of the person you have killed
Read this book and this will provide an insight into a neglected childhood, no adult support.
Read how one child revenges her abuse.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews