Breaking TWIG [Kindle Edition]

Deborah Epperson (Author)

Book Description

:: Over 100,000 copies of Breaking TWIG downloaded on Kindles ::

WARNING:  According to Breaking TWIG's Kindle readers, you may not be able to put this book down!

Set in rural Georgia in the 1960s, BREAKING TWIG is a coming-of-age novel about Becky (Twig) Cooper, a young woman trying to survive the physical and emotional abuse of her mother, Helen, a beautiful, calculating woman who can, with a mere look, send the meanest cur in Sugardale, Georgia running for its life.

Not even Twig's vivid imagination, keen wit, and dark sense of humor is enough to help her survive the escalating assaults of Helen and a new stepbrother, but help comes from an unexpected source--Frank, her stepfather. Sometimes, having one person who loves and believes in you is all a girl needs to keep hope alive.

Often raw and irreverent and sprinkled with all the Southern flavoring found in a good bowl of chicken and dumplings, BREAKING TWIG, is about finding love where we least expect it, destroying lives with easy lies, and realizing each of us determine our own truth.

:: Recent RAVE Reviews for Breaking TWIG ::

If you are looking for a book that takes a chance, tips the scale and
teeters on the edge of "How in the hell did she write this?!?" Then
Deborah Epperson is your girl and Breaking Twig is your story."  Melissa
E. Perea, Five-Star Reader Review

"With a voice as rich as sorghum molasses, Epperson seductively draws the
reader into the rural south of the 60s and 70s. In the southern
tradition of Tennessee Williams and William Faulkner, the author
explores the depths of the human heart and spirit, with wisdom, humor,
and unflinching truthfulness."  D. Burke, Five-star Reader Review

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Breaking Twig, a beautifully written and thought provoking novel, is absolutely one I will recommend to my book group...I was hooked." - Amazon Best Selling Author of "The Do-Over," Kathy Dunnehoff

"I'd give this book 5/5 stars. I was literally unable to put it down and finished it in about 5 hours. I strongly recommend it to anyone..." - Kayla Joy, Addiction To Words

"...The characters...made me really appreciate the book. They're real, they're interesting, they grow, and when the book was over I wanted to reach in and give them a hug for all we've been through together." - Faith McKay.net

About the Author

Deborah Epperson has a degree in biology and English and after working in the scientific field for twenty years, she turned her talents to writing fiction and nonfiction. Her nonfiction and poetry have been published in newspapers and magazines in Montana and nationally. 

A transplanted Texan, she likes to write stories and characters steeped in the lyrical traditions and mystical surroundings of the Deep South where she grew up. 
 
Deborah lives in beautiful Northwest Montana with her husband and two children. When not working on her next novel or article, she enjoys doing pet therapy work with her golden retriever, and volunteering in animal rescue.

Product Details

• File Size: 575 KB
• Print Length: 457 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1466463929
• Publisher: WRITE MONTANA (September 22, 2011)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B005OUJGNS
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #16,443 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
  • #4 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > History > Americas > United States > State & Local > South

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

65 of 67 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars New voice in southern literature October 11, 2011

By D. Burke

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

With a voice as rich as sorghum molasses, Epperson seductively draws the reader into the rural south of the 60s and 70s. In the southern tradition of Tennessee Williams and William Faulkner, the author explores the depths of the human heart and spirit, with wisdom, humor, and unflinching truthfulness.

Becky Leigh Cooper's coming of age is tumultuous and touching, as she bounces back and forth between her mother Helen's abuse and her stepfather Frank's tenderness. Although the story sounds depressing, Epperson's black humor keeps it compelling and, at times, even joyful. Becky's struggle to prevail--becoming neither a "pick" (victim) nor a "picker" (abuser)--rivets the reader. What evil will Helen try next? How will brave Becky counter? Can Frank keep peace between the stepdaughter he loves and the wife he endures? Who will win this desperate contest of souls?

Discovering new authors for a reasonable price makes my Kindle a great way to read. I'm glad to find Deborah Epperson's book and look forward to the next one.

76 of 85 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars A Dark Read April 1, 2012

By BLines

Format:Kindle Edition

I read the reviews before downloading this, and was not expecting it to be so dark. I almost put it down unfinished, but kept thinking the story would get a little lighter and "Twig" would find some happiness. For a time, she seemed to, then she was slammed again and I found myself depressed for her. If you want a happy ever after fairy tale, this is not the book for you. If I had known the true nature of this book, I would not have read it. That being said, it was well written and possibly truer to life for some people than we want to admit. That is the only reason I gave it two stars.

40 of 43 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Powerful story - an excellent read December 31, 2011

By Lady Angell

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

This story was filled with rich characters and an interesting story.

It was easy to get wrapped up in Twig's journey through her childhood with an abusive mother, to a mental hospital where she was abused again back to the home where all the trouble started to start a new life for herself in the most unlikely of ways.

Much of what her mother did to her or put her through was inexcusable but it was interesting to see the way the story wrapped up and how they pasted together a semblance of a mother/daughter relationship.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Was very surprised by this book January 26, 2012

By L. COP TOP 1000 REVIEWER

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I will start by saying, I am still not sure how I feel about the story. I could not stop reading it, it kept my interest even though I was not completely comfortable with the premise.
The book was well written, there were a couple spots that the timeline was a little confusing, but it was still good.
I believe any book that makes you think or wonder is a great book.
I has a couple girlfriends get this to get their opinion.

There is not graphic detail, but there is severe abuse, and rape to Becky. The story and rape both start at age 13. I tell you this because it is on first page of book so does not seem like a spoiler and because not everyone is comfortable with this story line.

I enjoyed it and found it to be thought provoking. If you are ok with storyline I would definitely get it .

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Gripping Ride of a Roller Coaster April 24, 2012

By Joribear

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Let me start off by saying I am an AVID reader. I have an appetite for reading that is insatiable. I'll finish a book and immediately reach (click) for the next thing to read. Breaking Twig left me wanting more, more, and more. I finished it in less than 24 hours (yeah, you know that car you honked at that was stopped at a green light? That was probably me, reading in traffic...), but I didn't move on to the next book immediately. I sat back and reflected on the story told in Breaking Twig. It was a strange sensation for me to be done with a book and not on the prowl for the next; so odd, even my children commented on it!

Breaking Twig will have you laughing, crying, cheering - to put it simply, you are INVOLVED with this book. Sure, as a reader, you can't put it down, not just because it is a great read, but because Deborah Epperson pulls you in with her fluid writing skill and believable characters.

I, for one, am anxiously awaiting the next novel from this very talented author.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great read! February 7, 2012

By luvmymutts0729

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I really couldn't put this down. Kept me on the edge of my seat! This story explores the fact that every family has it's own secrets and every family has two sides: the one the world sees and the one behind closed doors

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A great read November 19, 2011

By Heather Goodwin

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

To be honest, knowing this was the author's first book, I wasn't expecting it to be that good. But I was wrong - very wrong. It is compelling, complex, and riveting. You won't be able to stop reading, because the story draws you in to see what is going to happen next.

There are so many books out there that are so easy to figure out. You know within the first few chapters how it's all going to turn out. Not so with this book. There are unexpected twists and turns that create a suspense and a desire for a fairy tale ending, but you're never sure if there will be one.

It's not a clear cut good guy/bad guy story, but delves into the complexities that exemplify real life. You will be dismayed, heartbroken, angry, amused, and even uplifted as Twig tries to make sense of her life and those around her. I'm looking forward to the author's next book!

15 of 18 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Kind of Creepy July 22, 2012

By J. Reich

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I was hoping for an interesting story that would hold my attention...at least thats what the reviews seemed to indicate. I, however, found it difficult to have any sympathy for any of the characters and mostly just did not like them. Several times I thought to myself, "Why are you reading this?" Many of the situations were downright creepy and seemed more like fodder for a Jerry Springer show. I did read to the end (It is rare that I quit reading a book once I have started). The ending was satisfactory which is why I gave it two stars. I'm glad I did not spend any money on buying this book.

More About the Author

Deborah Epperson has a degree in biology and English and after working in the scientific field for twenty years, she turned her talents to writing fiction and nonfiction. Her award winning nonfiction and poetry have been published in newspapers and magazines in Montana and nationally. A transplanted Texan, she likes to write stories and characters steeped in the lyrical traditions and mystical surroundings of the Deep South where she grew up.

Deborah lives in beautiful Northwest Montana with her husband and two children. When not working on her next novel or article, she enjoys doing pet therapy work with her golden retriever, and volunteering in animal rescue.

Deborah enjoys hearing from her readers, so email her at: [e-mail]