Midwest Book Review reviewed Losing Innocence in December 2005.

MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW (Appeared in December 2005 Issue)

Losing Innocence

Brian R. Smith

Publish America

P O Box 151, Frederick, MD 21705

1424100380, $19.95, 201 pages

I chose this book for review because it shared many similar

feelings I encountered in anabusive marriage. Since I am a

survivor of spousal abuse I related with this story and the

message that there is such a thing as true love. I don't find

many authors that truly touchon the abuse and recovering

from such emotions of life only to continue to find the right

person to trust and love, forgetting that you once have gotten

burned. The subject of domestic abuse is not a normal subject

when looking for an enjoyable book, but Smith weaves a

story that makes you laugh and cry.

Brian R. Smith pulls you into his story with raw emotion, I

found myself not wanting to put this book down. Page after

page he draws you into his well defined characters that

you rally for until the very end. This novel has a powerful

pull on the heartstrings that is filled with human drama and

unexpected truths.

Brief quotation from the book:

It was her favorite photo. Five and three years old.

Young… innocent... not yet touched by Jeff's wrath or his

fists. God, I hope he isn't hitting them. Surely they'd tell me.

Memories flooded Mia's mind, the lazy days of summer

playing whiffle ball, endless turns on the swings, learning how

to rollerblade and bike…Her lips trembled at the angelic

smile, on Vince's face. So warm, and loving. He always

knew when she was upset, and tried to comfort her. But

lately…lately that little heart of gold had begun to tarnish

with the acid of his father's hate. Jesse's grin drew her

attention next. So full of love and innocence, she wished

he could always stay that way. He'd done okay so far, but

how long would that last with the head games Jeff played?

God, she wished Jeff was dead. It was wrong, yes…she'd

never wished harm on anyone. But deep in her heart, or

maybe that knot in her gut, she knew that someday the

vitriol that spilled out of Jeff was going to splash on her

babies and burn them too.

"Losing Innocence" is a suspense/love story that will appeal

to a wide range of people, especially women and/or men

who have been through an abusive relationship, whether as

a child or through spousal abuse. The age range is any adult

or even older teenager who will get the message that there is

a good life after abuse. You don't have to stay with someone

that degrades you. This novel touches on ethical issues of

what would a person in these shoes do?

Brian R. Smith succeeds in conveying in his novel the message

that he is trying to accomplish. I cannot say what message it is,

because it will ruin the ending of the book itself. It is very

entertaining, one page to the next, I was either in tears or

laughing. I have no other suggestions for Smith for the next time

around in print, except to publish something soon.

Brian R. Smith lives in Sycamore, Illinois, is a graduate of

Hamilton College and as of late, has no other published books.

According to his website he is working on "The Bastard's

Plaything" and "The Tree", which I am sure I will be reading

once they are in publication.

What other related or relevant titles might interest a reader?

"Songs of the Humpback Whale," by Jodi Picoult or "Black

and Blue," by Anna Quindlen.

Mia and Lance both come from abusive relationships, neither

one looking for another relationship to bring them down, both

holding on to the fact that being alone is better than being hit.

They find one another and fall in love, the stars must have been

in the right place. Much to the chagrin of being happy, Mia's

abusive ex-husband tries to thwart their happiness by using their

children as pawns. The game he plays throughout the book

leaves the reader with a much beloved twist at the end. Will

his plans succeed and the cycle continue or won't they? That is

only up to the reader to find out in the ending chapters. This

novel has a powerful pull on the heartstrings that is filled with

human drama and unexpected truths.

Abuse comes in many forms, physical being the one that is the

most noted because of the physical scars it leaves behind. Smith

also touches on the emotional scars that are caused from verbal

and emotional abuse that indeed touches the heart of America. This

emotional baggage is usually carried throughout a lifetime, which

Smith takes note of and gives a person hope.