Even Numbers

by Barbara Grovner and Grovner Barbara

A single mother with a daughter. The man she loves. His treacherous secret. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 097710043X
• ISBN13: 9780977100439
• Release Date: November 2007
• Publisher: Third Eye Publications
• Length: 124 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 6.4" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Beware of wolves in sheep's clothing

A man who touches a little girl deserves to be in jail because that is wrong. Olivia should have told on him right away but because she didn't James went on with life, touching other little girls. The fact that Olivia had to live with her stepfather touching her and her mother not believing her affects Olivia for the rest of her life. I enjoyed reading this book. I will talk to my friends about it! Shrelle Herman in South Georgia

How far is a man willing to go to deprive innocence?

The mark of good literary fortitude is how stories are written to elicit the apt attention of readers. Authors would do themselves a great service to this small entity if and when they can write using unique methods for the work to stand above and beyond status quo. Barbara Grovner does this by using a fly on the wall for the best seat in the house to narrate a quasi-omniscience voice in telling a poignant story. EVEN NUMBERS is the name of this innovative read, and it has vestiges of quality that demand time and space. In addition to the uniqueness of how this book was written, the author illustrates how sexual abuse, molestation, incest, and the sick predatory ways that propels a modus operandi for manipulation to fuel a compelling story. Basically this is a simple tale with two main characters - James and Dominga, which gives the book substance as opposed to a de facto storyline without rhyme and reason. It centers on a dysfunctional family, including a sexual predator, his naïve wife and circumstances surrounding the exploits of the former. Chapters One and Two introduces the omniscient voice of the fly who laments the fact that premeditated plans has let a man use and dominate his wife and stepdaughter in order to carry out a malady that is so prevalent in our world. It doesn't take long for the book to take on the persona of the subject at hand when Dominga loses both her parents at an early age and is forced to live with a cousin of her father's. This alliance would prove to produce blatant sexual abuse that propels bouts of depression. The life of a loner usually calls for desperate measures to bolster self-esteem, love and accept which is a turning point in this drama. Enter James, the consummate soother smooth operator whom she feels is the Adonis that has been missing from her life. James has a sickness that feeds the addiction to young girls, and he use single women with young daughters to feed that fire. James wastes no time in providing Dominga everything she has ever wanted...but James has eyes for Olivia - Dominga's daughter. When will James commit a faux pas? Will the hunter eventually get caught by the game? I liked the way the author told the story, and if there was regret it would be that I would have liked the storyline to have had much more substance to drive intrigue with a better plot and back story. Kudos however, for the fly on the wall that made sure that James would never again be able to destroy innocent women and their precious little girls again. Alas, you will love how this tale ended, and I dare not spoil your anticipated verve! The bottom line is that Ms Grovner left something to bridge the road to another book in this realm should she choose to. I had no qualms in giving five out of five stars for my rating.

A Story that Needs to be Read!

I always love when an author is unique. You know, uses something a little different to draw our attention. In this book our author uses a fly. Yes, that's right. Our story is told by a fly on the wall, and what a story he has to tell. Great idea! We are taken into the life of a woman named, Dominga. A woman who has low self-esteem and desperately needs love. Unfortunately her need becomes the focal point of her life, and does not allow her to see the destruction it brings about to her own daughter, Olivia. The man she falls in love with is a predator of the worse kind, a child lover, and her daughter's life will be destroyed for his pleasure. How sick is that? And quite disturbing. I found this books to be quite an eye-opener. I loved the way the author takes us into the mind of the predator, his manipulation, his cunning ways. I never realized anyone would go to such lengths for their perverted pleasures, but now I do. It is a disturbing tale, but one I am sure is played over and over again in countless homes in countless countries. Sad, but true. We need to wake-up and protect our children from this garbage. This book should be read by everyone who cares about children. A great read, very well done, with an ending to the Predator that will bring a smile to your face, at least for a moment. Way to go fly!

If You Were a Fly on the Wall...

Even Numbers by Barbara Grovner is a powerful novel based on a wide spreading social epidemic plaguing so many children around our nation, Child Molestation. Ms. Grovner paints a picture of one scenario on how a child molester can possibly enter the life of a beautiful, innocent child...first gaining the trust of the parent, with the ultimate goal being the child in the end. Have you ever thought what it might be like to be a fly on the wall? Think of what you might see and hear. Ms. Grovner tells the story from the perspective of being a fly on the wall in the home of Dominga, mother to Olivia. Dominga is a beautiful single mother, experiencing at times a sense of loneliness and desiring a father for her child. This opens the door for James to come into her life. James is handsome, charming, appears to be hard working and responsible...he sweeps Dominga off her feet. What appears to be a relationship coming together naturally was actually very calculated by James. Being a gentleman, not pushy, but showing the right amount of interest and attention. With this, he won Dominga's heart and soon was a trusted male in her daughter Olivia's life. Experience how smoothly a perpetrator can enter ones life and space. To then bring such devastation to a child that will be carried with her forever. Did the mother know that her new found love was violating her child? How much did Olivia realize what was taking place with her trusted step-father and how will this affect her as she matures? In my opinion, this is a must read by all, but especially single mothers of young children. How do you know someone is safe to date and have around your children? This is the question that Barbara Grovner will pose to you in this book. This was a well written book, which drew me into the story, allowing me to feel it, see it taking place and for me feeling the violation myself. Bravo, Ms. Grovner for a great book. I look forward to future books written by this author. S.E. Koshi aka Lady Flava Flava Coffee House Flava Book Reviews Flava Rating: 10 Snaps

Wolves Often Come In All Forms Of Sheep's Clothing

People often say, "If I could just be a fly on the wall...", wishing for a chance to see the real goings-on behind closed doors. It can be said that everyone really lives two lives everyday: the one that they show the world in the light of day, and the other that lingers in the shadows, out of public view. There exists a certain empowering assurance in the thought of being able to catch other folks red-handed, discovering the truth of their secrets and holding them accountable for their misdeeds - and Even Numbers provides us with just that opportunity. Grovner's revealing, and oftentimes disturbing tale brings the reader face-to-face with the most uncomfortable of topics: pedophilia. Her narrative outlines the life of James, a disarmingly charming man with a despicable passion for little girls. A shrewd and controlling plotter, he successfully ingratiates himself into the lives of Dominga, an unsuspecting single mother, and Olivia, her adorable six year-old daughter. James wastes no time sweeping the women off their feet, securing his place as loyal husband and doting stepfather. Welcoming him into their modest lives with joyful hearts, Dominga and Olivia are in no ways prepared to deal with the coming deceit, confusion, and damage he is soon to bring. Patiently waiting for just the right opportunity, James finally engages Olivia in what will become an increasingly sexual relationship, ultimately resulting in her pregnancy - by none other than James himself. Keeping in secret James's molestation for years, Olivia reaches the age of nineteen and finally realizes just how wrong his behavior has been, but, sadly, her attempts to address it with Dominga only infuriate her mother to the point where Olivia is forced to leave. After all, James has been an excellent provider and loyal husband to Dominga for years, so, of course, he could never be the beast that her "fast" daughter claims him to be. What's striking about Even Numbers is the very cogent way it depicts the lasting effects of child molestation. Olivia becomes sexually promiscuous as a result of her early encounters with James, but she is shunned as so much of a slut by her mother, who refuses to recognize the root causes of her daughter's behavior. Yet, more disturbing is the impunity with which James is allowed to continue his deviant behavior, even going so far as to prey on other single women and children throughout the course of his marriage, all the while unbeknownst to both his wife and law enforcement. Perhaps the most disturbing aspect of Even Numbers, though, is its revelation of just how easily pedophiles are able to lure children into their sick worlds: through the art of "playing games." Indeed, by playing such a game, called "Even Numbers" itself, James is able to trick Olivia into accepting the despicable and inappropriate behavior that will tarnish the rest of her life. In light of contemporary cases like that of R. Kelly, Even Numbers brings much-needed attention to th