A Decade with Dave: Dancing with the Devil

She thought she'd found love. What she uncovered was a slow, suffocating prison. In the haze of the 1970s, Josie is young, hopeful, and eager to build a future. When she meets Dave, his charm is disarming, his attention flattering. But what begins as affection soon curdles into control. Isolated from friends, broken down by manipulation, Josie struggles to reconcile the man she fell for with the one who now cages her spirit. Each time she tries to escape, Dave reappears-repentant, generous, familiar. But kindness is only the bait. The cycle repeats, leaving Josie doubting her sanity, her strength, and even her worth. Set against a backdrop where women's silence was often mistaken for consent, this intimate, emotionally charged novel follows Josie's long road to freedom. As she rebuilds her life for her and her two children, carving out a future through education and sheer will, she discovers what it means to reclaim identity and agency. Raw, haunting, and ultimately hopeful, A Decade with Dave is a powerful exploration of coercive control, survival, and the quiet revolution of self-empowerment. This is a must-read for anyone who has wondered about the why and how of an abusive relationship. Most importantly, how to get out of it. Ms. Graham writes with passion and weaves a story that is both compelling and heartbreaking. Find out the happy ending to her complex relationship. It's definitely worth the read!

About the Author :
The pen name Ann J Graham is used by Joan Elliott who hails from Scotland, United Kingdom. Born in Glasgow, Joan has travelled the length and breadth of bonnie Scotland, finally settling in Aberdeen in the north. As a teacher, she tutored and coached secondary school pupils then moved to a lecturer's post at teacher training college.She finally took the plunge when she retired and decided to see what Spain held for her. Her idea was to try a life in the sun for 3 months, so she set out to find accommodation in the Costa Blanca. All that was over 10 years ago. Spain is her home now with an open door for her family and friends.After many years of studying for various degrees, all related to education, Joan continues to sign up for courses. At the moment, Spanish at the official school of languages is her passion but she can also be found surveying the land from a kayak or looking out to sea while enjoying Tai Chi on the beach.Her 'Creative Writing Diploma (Distinction)' from the College of Media and Publishing and a recent course on 'Child sexual abuse disclosure: how to support adult survivors' through The Tavistock ad Portman NHS Foundation Trust has served her well in dealing with said survivors who wish to tell their stories. As well as writing 3 memoirs, Ann J Graham (Joan) has found time to offer her services as a book coach and editor.

Review :
The author very cleverly and uniquely writes this story from the perspective of the victim and the abuser. She offers an interesting insight into the gradual dismantling of the character Josie, how she sinks into depths of despair as Dave's coercive, controlling and violent behaviour impact on her leaving her empty, a shell of her former self. People often ask in such situations 'why did she stay'. The author provides answers in this brilliantly written story. She also provides helpful insight into how the abuser might be thinking and feeling and what enabled her to leave. I recommend it universally and not only to people who are experiencing this type of abuse but for society as a whole. Any type of abuse is everyone's business! I read this book on holiday and I couldn't put it down. Its difficult to understand why anyone would put themselves in a position of abuse, but this book shows how easy it is is when you are vulnerable and alone to be trapped in that same cycle of abuse. The author writes in an engaging way that brings her characters to life and the voice of the abuser and his narcissistic view is heard clearly throughout, giving a unique perspective on an abuser. A book well worth reading! This is a must-read for anyone who has wondered about the why and how of an abusive relationship. Most importantly, how to get out of it. Ms. Graham writes with passion and weaves a story that is both compelling and heartbreaking. Find out the happy ending to her complex relationship. It's definitely worth the read!