A Prayer for Junie

by

Fran Clark

About the book:-

“A Prayer for Junie is a compelling and atmospheric story about friendship, love and the lengths people will go to in order to save those they care about.” Caroline Bishop, The Other Daughter, The Lost Chapter

Newly married Junie has found love but she has no idea who her husband really is. When her life is in danger, there is only one way this relationship can end.

Philomena has known Junie’s abusive husband, Gregory, since they were children and has grown to fear him. Set apart from the rest of the village community on a secluded plain, the women develop a strong bond. While Philomena plots to run away with her, Junie hopes the child she is carrying will change her husband’s violent behaviour.

When Philomena’s friendship is put to the test, she soon discovers how far she will go to protect her friend. Now a death on the plain and Junie’s disappearance has the whole village talking.

Can Philomena live with what she has done and will she ever let go of Junie’s memory?

In this powerful novel of lies, love and compassion a mystery unravels.

My Review:-

Junie is a sweet, innocent young girl when she meets and marries Gregory.  Philomena is not much more worldly wise but at least she has had a good education leading to a respected job as a teacher and she has the love of Saul, a kind and considerate man.  Having known Gregory since they were children Philomena feels a responsibility toward Junie and her optimism that she can make this marriage work and make Gregory a nicer person.

I could not put this book down.  It was so thrilling.  Despite being a sweet story about deep friendships, love and loyalty there was always the dark, violent streak underlying the sweet story.  I loved that this book is set in the 1950s, on the Caribbean Island of Dominica and the Dominican community.  I loved the insights into their lives and how different attitudes were then.  I just had to keep reading to find out what happened to Junie.  Did she survive her violent, drunken, abusive husband?

I am particularly pleased that the author did not keep us hanging.  It would have been too easy to leave Junie’s fate a mystery so for me the epilogue rounded the whole story off nicely.

About the author:-

Fran Clark writes Women’s Fiction, both contemporary and historical. Her first novel was published by Indigo Dreams in 2014. In the same year she achieved a Distinction in her Creative Writing MA from Brunel University. In 2016 she was shortlisted for the SI Leeds Literary Prize. In February 2024, her Island Secrets Book Series will be published, starting with Holding Paradise Book 1.

Originally from London, Fran moved to the English countryside with her musician husband. A musician herself, Fran teaches vocals and leads a local choir. She has two sons.

Fran also writes under the pseudonym, Rosa Temple, writing contemporary fiction and published by HQ Digital and Simon & Schuster UK.

Fran’s Links:-

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/franclarkauthor/

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/FranClarkAuthorPage/

Twitter : https://twitter.com/FranClarkAuthor

Website : https://www.franclarkauthor.co.uk/

Book Links:-

Goodreads : https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/206737799-a-prayer-for-junie

Buy Links : https://mybook.to/prayerforjunie-zbt