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Broken
After the tragic death of her parents, Rachael Watson ran away, leaving her sister to manage the family lavender farm and shop. Three years later, crushed by her unrelenting grief, workplace bullying, and guilt and shame for letting her sister down, Rachael decides to return home.
There, Rachael meets Ebony, a black mare who has been mistreated and beaten. Rachael realises she is not the only one who has been broken.
This short story is available on my website ellenread.com
There, Rachael meets Ebony, a black mare who has been mistreated and beaten. Rachael realises she is not the only one who has been broken.
This short story is available on my website ellenread.com
ebook
Published July 1, 2019
23 people want to read
About the author
Ellen Read
31 books103 followersMulti Award Winning, multi genre author, Ellen Read, is the author of The Thornton Mysteries – cosy murder mysteries set in Australia. Ellen also writes ghost stories and thrillers. Her latest book is a fantasy, based on the Triple Goddess of Celtic mythology and soon to be published by Serenade Publishing.
When she’s not writing, she’s reading, painting or taking photographs.
Ellen loves to read fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. She particularly loves history and stories of ancient myths and legends. Authors such as Agatha Christie, Mary Stewart, Robert Graves, Edgar Allan Poe, and Victoria Holt have influenced her work.
www.ellenread.com
https://linktr.ee/ellenreadauthor
When she’s not writing, she’s reading, painting or taking photographs.
Ellen loves to read fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. She particularly loves history and stories of ancient myths and legends. Authors such as Agatha Christie, Mary Stewart, Robert Graves, Edgar Allan Poe, and Victoria Holt have influenced her work.
www.ellenread.com
https://linktr.ee/ellenreadauthor
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
October 28, 2022
Book Review
.
Title - BROKEN
Book Details - eBook - 15 Pages
Author - Ellen Read
Genre - Short Story/Contemporary (Free)
.
This short story is free and can be downloaded by going to Ellen Reads website http://ellenread.com/ (under short stories).
This book is all about Rachael, who is grieving with the loss of her parents, how she overcomes it and how she goes about healing herself.
.
The story starts off with Rachael. Rachael has come home to her parents house in Darling Downs, just outside of Toowoomba. Rachael has been away for three years, running away to Brisbane, to get away from it all, this was her first time home since the death of her parents. Rachael finds that the house still looks the same, but it wasn't. She had been raised there along with her sister, Stella.
.
We then meet Stella, being the eldest, she was the strongest of the two. Stella stayed and looked after the house and the farm, not just an ordinary farm, but a lavender farm. Stella also owns two horses, Ruby and Ebony.
.
Ebony was the one that could free Rachael from her grief, but what was the connection between them both? Why had they bonded together so freely?
.
Then we have the confrontation with someone cruel, someone who wanted to put his spade where the spade wasn't wanted .... did he get away with it? (the cheeky devil).
.
First of all I want to congratulate Ellen on such an awesome job of the book cover she made, it has such an impact. My first impression when seeing it was just ... WOW. I was Ellen's proofreader for BROKEN and I feel privileged to actually read it before it was launched. The story itself is about grief and how Rachel comes to terms with it and I love the endearing way Ellen sets this up and tells how grief can be, in a realistic way, but not an obtrusive way. The story itself is faultless, Ellen drew me in on her first few sentences like gently leading me into a room that had a candle lit fire... comfy but not overbearing. I like the fact that Ellen gives her characters realistic thoughts. The storyline is always neatly structured and cleanly and clearly executed, it's like she does with a parcel, wrapping it up and making sure there are no gaping holes... and tightly secured. I love how Ellen concludes the storyline, what's without a story without the confrontation? but, and it's a big BUT, it's not the confrontation itself, but the way she weaves her magic through to the end. I have read BROKEN several times since and I haven't gotten tired over reading the story again and again, as I am always finding something refreshing to ponder over (who knows Ellen, it maybe the lavender within the pages!!)
.
Over all I give this more than your normal 5 star review, it's what I call "an infinity read"(eternity and everlasting love).
.
I recommend BROKEN to anyone who has gone through grief, to anyone who loves horses and to anyone who is drawn towards it in some way, as I feel it's one of these books that will seek you out, not you seek it out.
.
I want to thank Ellen personally for not only the book to read, but for the whole, process and experience.
.
Title - BROKEN
Book Details - eBook - 15 Pages
Author - Ellen Read
Genre - Short Story/Contemporary (Free)
.
This short story is free and can be downloaded by going to Ellen Reads website http://ellenread.com/ (under short stories).
This book is all about Rachael, who is grieving with the loss of her parents, how she overcomes it and how she goes about healing herself.
.
The story starts off with Rachael. Rachael has come home to her parents house in Darling Downs, just outside of Toowoomba. Rachael has been away for three years, running away to Brisbane, to get away from it all, this was her first time home since the death of her parents. Rachael finds that the house still looks the same, but it wasn't. She had been raised there along with her sister, Stella.
.
We then meet Stella, being the eldest, she was the strongest of the two. Stella stayed and looked after the house and the farm, not just an ordinary farm, but a lavender farm. Stella also owns two horses, Ruby and Ebony.
.
Ebony was the one that could free Rachael from her grief, but what was the connection between them both? Why had they bonded together so freely?
.
Then we have the confrontation with someone cruel, someone who wanted to put his spade where the spade wasn't wanted .... did he get away with it? (the cheeky devil).
.
First of all I want to congratulate Ellen on such an awesome job of the book cover she made, it has such an impact. My first impression when seeing it was just ... WOW. I was Ellen's proofreader for BROKEN and I feel privileged to actually read it before it was launched. The story itself is about grief and how Rachel comes to terms with it and I love the endearing way Ellen sets this up and tells how grief can be, in a realistic way, but not an obtrusive way. The story itself is faultless, Ellen drew me in on her first few sentences like gently leading me into a room that had a candle lit fire... comfy but not overbearing. I like the fact that Ellen gives her characters realistic thoughts. The storyline is always neatly structured and cleanly and clearly executed, it's like she does with a parcel, wrapping it up and making sure there are no gaping holes... and tightly secured. I love how Ellen concludes the storyline, what's without a story without the confrontation? but, and it's a big BUT, it's not the confrontation itself, but the way she weaves her magic through to the end. I have read BROKEN several times since and I haven't gotten tired over reading the story again and again, as I am always finding something refreshing to ponder over (who knows Ellen, it maybe the lavender within the pages!!)
.
Over all I give this more than your normal 5 star review, it's what I call "an infinity read"(eternity and everlasting love).
.
I recommend BROKEN to anyone who has gone through grief, to anyone who loves horses and to anyone who is drawn towards it in some way, as I feel it's one of these books that will seek you out, not you seek it out.
.
I want to thank Ellen personally for not only the book to read, but for the whole, process and experience.
July 2, 2020
This was another short and engrossing story.
After a family tragedy, Rachael left her home and sister to seek her fortunes elsewhere. When this doesn't pan out for her, she returns to the family home feeling disgraced. There, she is met by her older sister, who had remained, and her sister's animals, including a special rescue horse named Ebony.
This was another story that seemed as close to perfect as I could have hoped. The character development (even in such a short work) was excellent and nuanced. The effects of grief are very honestly portrayed. It is a devastatingly beautiful story.
I received a copy of this story via the author.
After a family tragedy, Rachael left her home and sister to seek her fortunes elsewhere. When this doesn't pan out for her, she returns to the family home feeling disgraced. There, she is met by her older sister, who had remained, and her sister's animals, including a special rescue horse named Ebony.
This was another story that seemed as close to perfect as I could have hoped. The character development (even in such a short work) was excellent and nuanced. The effects of grief are very honestly portrayed. It is a devastatingly beautiful story.
I received a copy of this story via the author.
July 2, 2019
I wanted to write a short story about a horse. A lavender farm immediately came to mind, although there's no obvious link. In fact, horses and lavender seems poles apart, but my idea for the story was one of healing, which explains why lavender came in to my mind. The fragrance of lavender, the soft tones of lavender fields - what could be more relaxing? I saw the lavender farm as a place of restoration and recovery of the soul.
I hope you enjoy Broken.
I hope you enjoy Broken.
August 30, 2019
This review was originally published on my blog at: www.kattitudereads.wordpress.com
Broken by Ellen Read is a bittersweetly
breathtaking short story of profound loss and the unparalleled healing that only love can bestow.
After a horrific tragedy, Rachel Watson flees her family’s lavender farm, leaving behind everything she’s ever known to escape the crippling pain.
Three years later, stifling solitude, workplace bullying, and her big sister draw Rachel back home to Darling Downs. As she returns to where it all began, Rachel is shrouded in grief and shame at abandoning her sister all those years ago. Does she even deserve forgiveness, after what she’s done? Is she strong enough to face what haunts her?
It’s amongst the hushed, tranquil fields of lavender that Rachel meets Ebony, a horse drowning in the trauma of her own painful past.
Rachel recognizes herself in Ebony’s weary bearing. Their splintered spirits call to each other, kindred the instant their eyes meet.
Can these two anguished beings help lead each other out of the dark?
Broken is so poignantly written that I could feel the ache of both Rachel’s and Ebony’s suffering throbbing in my own chest. Every emotion was absolutely raw. And the setting was so vividly depicted it felt like I was there at Darling Downs, breathing in the earthy musk of lavender flowers.
Broken is a journey that will shatter you and put you back together, piece by piece.
If you’d like to experience Broken for yourself, you can download a copy for free on author Ellen Read’s website here: http://ellenread.com/free-short-story/
Broken by Ellen Read is a bittersweetly
breathtaking short story of profound loss and the unparalleled healing that only love can bestow.
After a horrific tragedy, Rachel Watson flees her family’s lavender farm, leaving behind everything she’s ever known to escape the crippling pain.
Three years later, stifling solitude, workplace bullying, and her big sister draw Rachel back home to Darling Downs. As she returns to where it all began, Rachel is shrouded in grief and shame at abandoning her sister all those years ago. Does she even deserve forgiveness, after what she’s done? Is she strong enough to face what haunts her?
It’s amongst the hushed, tranquil fields of lavender that Rachel meets Ebony, a horse drowning in the trauma of her own painful past.
Rachel recognizes herself in Ebony’s weary bearing. Their splintered spirits call to each other, kindred the instant their eyes meet.
Can these two anguished beings help lead each other out of the dark?
Broken is so poignantly written that I could feel the ache of both Rachel’s and Ebony’s suffering throbbing in my own chest. Every emotion was absolutely raw. And the setting was so vividly depicted it felt like I was there at Darling Downs, breathing in the earthy musk of lavender flowers.
Broken is a journey that will shatter you and put you back together, piece by piece.
If you’d like to experience Broken for yourself, you can download a copy for free on author Ellen Read’s website here: http://ellenread.com/free-short-story/
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews