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Four in the Morning
To the outside world, Claudia Stevenson has the perfect life: a fulfilling marriage, two gorgeous children and a successful career, but behind closed doors she is living her own secret nightmare. A verbally abusive relationship has left her with more questions than answers, and more self-doubt than self-love. An unintended love triangle threatens to destroy her world as she knows it.
An unexpected turn of events leads her on a path where she will watch her life turn on its head in a tragic twist of circumstances that will leave you breathless and gasping for more.
Based on actual events, Four in the Morning is a story of love, tragedy, forgiveness and redemption. It a powerful personal documentation of unshared truths, dedicated to a family whose lives were left shattered in the aftermath of events that will never be fully understood.
An unexpected turn of events leads her on a path where she will watch her life turn on its head in a tragic twist of circumstances that will leave you breathless and gasping for more.
Based on actual events, Four in the Morning is a story of love, tragedy, forgiveness and redemption. It a powerful personal documentation of unshared truths, dedicated to a family whose lives were left shattered in the aftermath of events that will never be fully understood.
298 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2015
674 people want to read
About the author
Phillipa Mitchell
29 books48 followersIn 2007, after a heated argument, Phillipa’s husband got into his car, left their home in a blinding rage, and was never seen again. The chain of traumatic events that happened that day all led back to her, and there was no way that she could escape them.
Seven years later, burdened with guilt and desperate to find peace and forgiveness, Phillipa decided to share her story with the world. Her hope is that anybody who has been through trauma and death and who has struggled to pick up the shattered pieces of their lives afterwards, will find peace and hope through her story.
Besides being an author, Phillipa is an accomplished ghostwriter, editor and entrepreneur and has worked in the bookselling and publishing industry for over two decades. Her passion as a writer and ghostwriter is working on non-fiction material including memoirs, business and inspirational books.
She has raised two fine young men who are her pride and joy, and, thanks to their good genes, are both exceptionally talented in the creative arts.
She is a child of Africa and is passionate about its people, its culture and its magic.
Four in the Morning is her first published work.
Seven years later, burdened with guilt and desperate to find peace and forgiveness, Phillipa decided to share her story with the world. Her hope is that anybody who has been through trauma and death and who has struggled to pick up the shattered pieces of their lives afterwards, will find peace and hope through her story.
Besides being an author, Phillipa is an accomplished ghostwriter, editor and entrepreneur and has worked in the bookselling and publishing industry for over two decades. Her passion as a writer and ghostwriter is working on non-fiction material including memoirs, business and inspirational books.
She has raised two fine young men who are her pride and joy, and, thanks to their good genes, are both exceptionally talented in the creative arts.
She is a child of Africa and is passionate about its people, its culture and its magic.
Four in the Morning is her first published work.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
June 13, 2017
Phillipa is that rare writer who really 'gets it' in that she doesn't try to impress the reader. Hers is pure expression from the heart that is as real, genuine and authentic as she is. I heavily emphasize the words 'from the heart' because Phillipa's story is exactly that...from the heart. The reading is so rich. There are just too many moments to single out any one...each page is like a potato chip...you always WANT MORE!!! and then some..She COMMUNICATES to the heart of the reader with what I call 'word pictures'. Sensory richness in its purest form.
September 17, 2017
Mitchell's reflections on her search for love throughout her life makes for a powerful and compelling read. The book comprises largely of correspondence between herself and Alex, a love interest from her high school days, with whom she reconnects when social media tools like Facebook provided these channels of communication.
In a loveless marriage, and desperate for affection, Claudia begins a cyber relationship that probes a question relevant to many couples in the modern age - where does cheating begin in a virtual world?
There are some problems with the book that, I feel, a professional editor could have ironed out such as typos and repetition of words. I felt that the writing that reflected Alex's point of view lacked depth at various points although Claudia's experiences and insights made up for this. Also, the beautiful metaphorical language needed, in my opinion, to have been tightened and worked into more logical extended metaphors in some places.
Having said that, however, I could not put the book down as I took the tumultuous journey with an author brave enough to bare her soul. Mitchell's story has relevance to all people attempting to find meaningful unions. It exposes the pain of loss, the agony of guilt and the depth of crushing disappointment that some peoples' spirits are required to recover from if they are to survive. I am sure that this book will resonate with many who have weathered the battleground that romantic partnerships can become. Onward and upwards, Ms Mitchell.
In a loveless marriage, and desperate for affection, Claudia begins a cyber relationship that probes a question relevant to many couples in the modern age - where does cheating begin in a virtual world?
There are some problems with the book that, I feel, a professional editor could have ironed out such as typos and repetition of words. I felt that the writing that reflected Alex's point of view lacked depth at various points although Claudia's experiences and insights made up for this. Also, the beautiful metaphorical language needed, in my opinion, to have been tightened and worked into more logical extended metaphors in some places.
Having said that, however, I could not put the book down as I took the tumultuous journey with an author brave enough to bare her soul. Mitchell's story has relevance to all people attempting to find meaningful unions. It exposes the pain of loss, the agony of guilt and the depth of crushing disappointment that some peoples' spirits are required to recover from if they are to survive. I am sure that this book will resonate with many who have weathered the battleground that romantic partnerships can become. Onward and upwards, Ms Mitchell.
September 4, 2017
Phew! Read in one sitting. An incredibly brave confessional memoir in which the author confronts her demons head on in an effort to find forgiveness from the family she unwittingly ruined, and an elusive sense of inner peace. It is also a cautionary tale about the dangers of secretly reconnecting with old flames on Facebook; of mistaking the neurochemical rush of early romance - known as limerence, for love; and being naïve enough to think that a (cheating) leopard can change its spots. A stark reminder about the fragility and unpredictability of life. An evocative read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 17, 2017
Life goes on, whether we want it to or not, it just does. All the ups and downs are measured in the passing of time. A sudden loss has no herald. Without notice, that part of our life simply ends and we suddenly have to start building something new, something different because there is a gaping hole where that person was. The problem is that we are human, and we need to try and understand the loss. In the process we need to blame - ourselves or someone else, it doesn't really matter. The trick is acknowledging that we actually have no control over another's choices, we are just left dealing with the consequences of those choices in our own lives.
Ms Mitchell's fictional recounting of events based on fact brings these concepts home in a remarkably well-written way. This emotional tale is tragic and heartwarming, reminding us that we need to deal with not only the pain of loss, but also guilt, hurt, recrimination, anger and so much more.
A highly recommended read for those who are looking for confirmation that they are not alone in what they are feeling and for those who just want a damn fine story to read!
Ms Mitchell's fictional recounting of events based on fact brings these concepts home in a remarkably well-written way. This emotional tale is tragic and heartwarming, reminding us that we need to deal with not only the pain of loss, but also guilt, hurt, recrimination, anger and so much more.
A highly recommended read for those who are looking for confirmation that they are not alone in what they are feeling and for those who just want a damn fine story to read!
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October 5, 2017Phillipa is a breath of fresh air and I salute her for her honesty, the vulnerability that she portrays as she takes the reader by the hand to walk through the story of her life.
I must say, I was touched and startled with the honesty and how she lured me in, to read more, tickled my curiosity and caught me off guard with how my own vulnerability as a wife and mother was flamed.
So many women can identify with her story, and even myself who is the mother of two toddlers, lived the trivial moments and the joyous moments with her. She is candid, brave and so hopeful in her journey and it gives other women courage to brave the storm, to step leap, because maybe, just maybe we can soar.
Just to be frank, please set aside a day or two, because 'Four in the Morning' is luring and addictive, so need to finish the book is inevitable.
I must say, I was touched and startled with the honesty and how she lured me in, to read more, tickled my curiosity and caught me off guard with how my own vulnerability as a wife and mother was flamed.
So many women can identify with her story, and even myself who is the mother of two toddlers, lived the trivial moments and the joyous moments with her. She is candid, brave and so hopeful in her journey and it gives other women courage to brave the storm, to step leap, because maybe, just maybe we can soar.
Just to be frank, please set aside a day or two, because 'Four in the Morning' is luring and addictive, so need to finish the book is inevitable.
June 6, 2017
Finished last night. Amazing courage, determination and fighting spirit.
Lots of love given for little in return. Enough for anyone else to throw in the towel but not you, even after the final disappointment.
Thank goodness for our children.
Great job Phillipa.
I was truly impressed and if i may say...I could relate to a certain extent to similar circumstances.
Well done and congratulations. Honest.
Lots of love given for little in return. Enough for anyone else to throw in the towel but not you, even after the final disappointment.
Thank goodness for our children.
Great job Phillipa.
I was truly impressed and if i may say...I could relate to a certain extent to similar circumstances.
Well done and congratulations. Honest.
October 16, 2017
This book was partly riveting and partly gut wrenching due to the fact that it's based on a true story. It was a reminder that life is both fleeting and unpredictable and that we owe ourselves and those around us to live it according to our deepest truths.
I couldn't put it down and was somewhat sad that it only took me 2 days to read.
I wonder what's next from this author...
I couldn't put it down and was somewhat sad that it only took me 2 days to read.
I wonder what's next from this author...
November 12, 2017
I'm not a reviewer at all. I normally just give the stars (based on the following) but I'd be different today and give a review, no matter how brief.
5 - like the book a lot
4 - like the book
3 - like the book a bit
2 - it's okay
1 - no way, jose
I like the book.
Knowing that the novel is based on the author's life (true story) does affect the emotions the book evokes but Phillipa's writing amplify the feelings and make the scenes better. I love the golden nuggets of wisdom, if I can call them that, in between the written conversations between Claudia and Alex. Some foreshadowing and back stories inserted in the right places would have made the book a five star for me. The details being provided later almost as explanations, such as both the characters' childhood issues, were almost anti-climactic.
Novels are not supposed to explain the story, as non-fiction does, but for me, it is just enough. I think that those messages or opinion [of the omniscient narrator] are not only necessary but they also make the book.
There are a few grammatical errors that the editor should have picked up so someone who might be a bit of a grammar nazi might have a problem. However, it didn't bother the story, which is important. There are also a bit of redundant use of words and phrases. There was also one misplaced end quotation mark that my eyes did not miss.
5 - like the book a lot
4 - like the book
3 - like the book a bit
2 - it's okay
1 - no way, jose
I like the book.
Knowing that the novel is based on the author's life (true story) does affect the emotions the book evokes but Phillipa's writing amplify the feelings and make the scenes better. I love the golden nuggets of wisdom, if I can call them that, in between the written conversations between Claudia and Alex. Some foreshadowing and back stories inserted in the right places would have made the book a five star for me. The details being provided later almost as explanations, such as both the characters' childhood issues, were almost anti-climactic.
Novels are not supposed to explain the story, as non-fiction does, but for me, it is just enough. I think that those messages or opinion [of the omniscient narrator] are not only necessary but they also make the book.
There are a few grammatical errors that the editor should have picked up so someone who might be a bit of a grammar nazi might have a problem. However, it didn't bother the story, which is important. There are also a bit of redundant use of words and phrases. There was also one misplaced end quotation mark that my eyes did not miss.
May 31, 2017
An immensely gifted story writer…. Phillipa Mitchell, describes deception, love, happiness, hate, fear, anger, sorrow, guilt in many forms during her writing.
It allowed me to explore the mind of an incredible woman that has gone through it all and was reborn like “The Phoenix” from the ashes.
My heart beating hard, tears running down my cheeks as she went along describing her circumstances and emotions.
I love the story and trapped me into a reality world full of the complexities of the human experience.
I know this is not the end, this is only the beginning.
I am voraciously waiting for her next story….
I am definitely recommending this book it touched every string of my soul and most importantly made me re-think of my own life.
It allowed me to explore the mind of an incredible woman that has gone through it all and was reborn like “The Phoenix” from the ashes.
My heart beating hard, tears running down my cheeks as she went along describing her circumstances and emotions.
I love the story and trapped me into a reality world full of the complexities of the human experience.
I know this is not the end, this is only the beginning.
I am voraciously waiting for her next story….
I am definitely recommending this book it touched every string of my soul and most importantly made me re-think of my own life.
August 29, 2018
Phillipa managed to captivate me from the very first line. This story though heart-wrenching and devastating is filled with hope and inspiration. She navigates the hard topics so beautifully, and the gems she imparted through her words will stay with me for a long time. Its a raw and intensely real story crafted delicately and with the finesse of a true artist. I cried and my heart broke but it was worth it. Thank you for sharing this part of yourself with us.
January 16, 2024
The writing was very good and I felt like I was right there in the thick of it. Part of the dialogue lagged in my opinion and was a little repetitive, but maybe necessary to show the true depth of their feelings. I finished this book in two days because it was hard to put down.
November 1, 2021
Searingly honest and gut-wrenching.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews