Leaving Eva (The Eva Series Book 1) by Jennifer Sivec
There is a secret pain lurking within all of us, waiting to consume us if we allow it. On the outside, Brynn Michael seems to be living the perfect life. She’s a successful businesswoman married to a handsome and devoted husband. But nobody, not even her husband and childhood sweetheart, Adam, knows the true depth…
There is a secret pain lurking within all of us, waiting to consume us if we allow it.
On the outside, Brynn Michael seems to be living the perfect life. She’s a successful businesswoman married to a handsome and devoted husband. But nobody, not even her husband and childhood sweetheart, Adam, knows the true depth of Brynn’s horror. Abandoned on the side of the road by her young drug addicted mother, then abused by her adoptive father, teenage Brynn turns to the only solace she can find in the sharp end of a razor. She spends her lifetime hiding the scars, both physical and emotional, until she has no choice but to face what she has been running from her entire life.
Brynn must figure out a way to confront her past or risk losing Adam, the only true love she’s ever known, forever. But in spite of it all, Brynn may not have the ultimate choice, as the past eventually seeks her out.
Leaving Eva is the heartrending story of one woman’s battle to overcome her tragic childhood and the abandonment and abuse that haunt her. Caution: Eva’s story is contains graphic violence, strong language, drug abuse, domestic abuse, and child abuse.
In this dramatically dark novel, Jennifer Sivec, author of women’s fiction, delves into the selfishness and depravity of human nature, and begs you to question whether happiness can ever truly be attained once you have been deeply scarred.
“Emotional story”
Five Star Review on Amazon By T London
About a year ago I came across the book Losing Eva. It was one of those books that you just know you will never forget. At that moment Jennifer Sivec became THE author for me. I have never met her, I really have never talked to her, but as soon as her name is mentioned, still to this day, I have memories of Eva and how Jennifer is still one of the few authors who can draw out every emotion a human can have with her books. I immediately knew I had to read Leaving Eva so I bought my copy and it took me four days to get through it. I would read till I was sobbing so hard, my heart felt like it was breaking into a million pieces and I just barely was able to function as a mother because I was constantly hugging my daughters and telling them how much they were wanted and loved.
I was so emotionally wrecked I couldn’t write a review a year ago for this book, it was too haunting, words would never live up to what I felt for this book and Eva. When I had the chance to read and review it this time, I was still a wreck, but I can now write the review. This story never left my mind over the year, it still wraps itself around my heart and I even volunteered to be a voice for kids in the court system because of this story. This series has the power to change lives and open the eyes of those willing to hear the horrific events. I know it changed my life.
She did a fabulous job in the synopsis of telling you what to expect on the pages. There are no words to describe what an open heart will feel when you read Eva’s story. Growing up knowing she wasn’t wanted except by the one woman who can’t protect her was devastating. She was abused, she was mistreated, lied to, battered, let down and she was used. No child asks for this when they are born, but she was the perfect example of an unwanted child with no one to care for her.
She learned at an early age that sharing her secrets made her vulnerable, that trust was not to be given lightly to others. She also learned her value wasn’t worth much compared to others agendas and needs. Every time happiness or dreams knocked on her door, life would lock it before she was able to find her escape. Her true worth was not seen, because no one looked for it. She grew up believing her value to others was disposable at any time in life.
Eva became a hero to me, her will to survive; to still care for others was beyond remarkable. She was never taught compassion, yet she had it. She was never given a chance to show her talents, yet she developed them. She really did raise herself and she was beautiful. I would love to tell you that this is an easy read, but it isn’t. It IS a book everyone should read, discuss, learn from and find a way to help the Eva’s in the world. Jennifer not only became one of my favorite authors, she became a hero to me. Her words inspired me to risk my heart and sit in the court rooms and speak on behalf of kids like Eva. Don’t be so afraid you close your eyes to stories like this, learn from them, embrace them and do as I did………hug your kids a bit tighter and tell them they are precious and valuable. Nothing can replace any child put on this Earth.
About the Author
Jennifer was born in Seoul, Korea. She was adopted at the age of three and has lived in Ohio for most of her life. Married to her best friend, they have two beautiful, funny little boys that keep them grounded, give them perspective, and make them laugh every day.
She is a full time career woman, working with talented and amazing people, in a challenging environment. Writing has been Jennifer’s escape and refuge all of her life, quieting the chaos in her head.
Jennifer is a Women’s Fiction Author and wrote the Eva Series as well as the standalone novel, I Run to You. “Leaving Eva” is her first complete work and was released in April of 2013. “Losing Eva” is the sequel and the continuation of Eva’s beautiful story. The Eva series is an intense journey into abandonment, abuse, alcoholism, and cutting, with many twists and turns which leave the reader guessing through the very end. Ultimately it is a story about unconditional love, inner resilience, and forgiveness against all odds. I Run to You is a beautiful story about love and life, when a young woman must learn how to confront her fear, family, and herself in light of a terrifying diagnosis.
Jennifer currently has several other projects she is working on, including a fantasy series, The Lost Children. She signed with Booktrope Publishing in February 2015, and is in the process of re-releasing her current titles with them.
You can stay up to date with Jennifer by visiting and her website www.jennifersivec.com.
She can be contacted at jennifersivec@yahoo.com. You can find her @jennifersivec on Twitter, Jennifer Sivec on Facebook, Goodreads, Instagram, Google+, Tsu, and LinkedIn. Or follow her blog at http://jennifersivec.wordpress.com.