Mixed Emotions (Paragon Large Print) [Large Print] [Paperback]

Charlotte Vale Allen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1993 | Series: Paragon Large Print

Twenty-two-year-old Margot Seaton meets Paul Rayburn at a party. He is six years older, funny, impulsive, and charming. She's immediately taken by his role-playing, his funny voices and accents, his whimsy. And in a spur-of-the-moment decision, agrees to marry him only days after they meet.

Ignoring the small voice in her head that urges caution, and ignoring all the good advice her parents ever gave her, she begins a life with a man she scarcely knows.

Initially, it's fun. But then Paul begins dictating the terms of her life, where she can and cannot go, what she should and shouldn't do. She must pay -- initially in small but upsetting ways -- for what she wants. But as time goes by, the payments evolve into ever worse acts of abuse.

Margot is being harmed, physically and emotionally, and she's too ashamed and too frightened to confide in her parents. So the assaults continue, growing worse with the passage of time. Until, finally, fearing for her life and with the support of her parents, Margot runs.

She finds work keeping house for Cameron Harley and his father Claude. It is a surprising and ill-kept sanctuary where Margot gradually rediscovers herself and her ability to trust others.

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Charlotte Vale-Allen was born in Toronto and lived in England from 1961 to 1964 where she worked as a television actress and singer. She returned to Toronto briefly, performing as a singer until she emigrated to the US in 1966. She sold her first novel Love Life in 1974. Prior to this book's publication she contracted to do a series of paperback originals, with the result that in 1976 three of her books appeared in print. Her autobiography, the acclaimed Daddy's Girl, was actually the first book she wrote but it wasn't until 1980, after she'd gained success as a novelist, that the groundbreaking book was finally published. One of Canada's most successful novelists, with over seven million copies sold of her 39 books, Ms. Allen's work has been published in all English-speaking countries, in Braille, and have been translated into more than 20 languages. The mother of an adult daughter and grandmother of twins, since 1970 she has made her home in Connecticut.

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Chivers North Amer; Lrg edition (December 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0792715845
• ISBN-13: 978-0792715849
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 6.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,680,857 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Charlotte Vale-Allen was born in Toronto and lived in England from 1961 to 1964 where she worked as a television actress and singer. She returned to Toronto briefly, performing as a singer until she emigrated to the US in 1966. She sold her first novel Love Life in 1974. Prior to this book's publication she contracted to do a series of paperback originals, with the result that in 1976 three of her books appeared in print. Her autobiography, the acclaimed Daddy's Girl, was actually the first book she wrote but it wasn't until 1980, after she'd gained success as a novelist, that the groundbreaking book was finally published. One of Canada's most successful novelists, with over seven million copies sold of her 39 books, Ms. Allen's work has been published in all English-speaking countries, in Braille, and have been translated into more than 20 languages. The mother of an adult daughter and grandmother of twins, since 1970 she has made her home in Connecticut.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars No Mixed Emotions Over This!, July 13, 2001

By 

elizabeth robison (Tucson, AZ United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mixed Emotions (Paperback)

This is one of Charlotte Vale Allen's earlier books and,if you have not yet read it, I highly recommend it. Margot meets Paul at a party and is immediately smitten by his charm. After a brief courtship they marry in haste. It is only then that Margot realizes that Paul is not the person she thought he was. He becomes abusive and Margot is shattered by his change. Carefully planning her escape, she leaves all behind and starts anew in another city as a maid to Cameron and his father,Claude. Still fearful and haunted by her past with Paul,she slowly emerges as the person she once was and changes the lives of the people she is now with.As always,Charlotte's characters come to life.It is one of her great talents to make all of the people she writes about real. You can almost feel the pain that Margot suffered from Paul and live vicariously thru her;following her to her new life as if it were your own.Charlotte Vale Allen writes with such feeling and emotion that you become completely involved in her stories.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good read!, September 4, 2000

By 

"ltiemann" (Vineland, NJ United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mixed Emotions (Paperback)

Margot is young, vibrant, and outgoing. She meets Paul at a party and is charmed by his attentions. After marrying quickly, Margot realizes too late that she has made a mistake. She proceeds to endure the consequences which affect both herself and her family. What follows is a powerful character study of how Margot chooses to deal with the violence and abuse, escape from it, and try to find her own self once again. Charlotte Vale Allen is a wonderful writer and you will find yourself having "mixed emotions" as you become immersed in the different characters and situations.

5.0 out of 5 stars Pain from Abuse, June 1, 2002

By 

"wildwoodldy" (Village Mills, TX United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mixed Emotions (Hardcover)

I read this book in two days.It was wonderful.I could feel the physical and emotional pain that Margot experienced at the hands of her husband.My stomach would acturally knot up when Paul walked into the room.Margot's fear is pertrayed in such a way that it becomes so real to the reader.

I loved the old man,Claude, and the way he and Margot related to each other. I wish Cameron's character had been developed more in debt.I was never sure of how he was going to handle a situation.

The ending was spectacular.The reader feels the struggle Margot goes through to cross over the barrier of fear she has built around herself.