Claudia Returns

Claudia Returns: D. H. Wright

The meaning of possession, ownership and enslaved is portrayed perfectly when we meet Claudia, graduating from high school, her first real romance with her boyfriend Kelly but life and happiness would end right there. His parents disapproved of her and while working with her uncle things would take a downward turn. Deciding to explore her Israeli roots and culture she leaves her adoptive parents and meets Jasim, the man who would take her life as his own, marry her, demand compliance and take away not only her personal space and freedom but her voice. Cruel, sadistic and manipulative he demands acts that are so brutal and even gives her over to someone in order to close a business deal. Money, power, and greed fill his mind and owning Claudia and making comply to his every wish his demand and goal. How can he claim his love for her only to destroy her in every single way. Each item she wears, every moment of every day is controlled, orchestrated and created by this man. The scenes in the bedrooms are graphically depicted and her disconnects at times in order to survive his sexual tortures help her at times to get through the horrific moments of what he deems as love. Kelly is her true love and when she spots him her eyes light up and the hours they can have together provide a brief light at the end of a dark tunnel. But, for how long?

Claudia realizes she is having a child but will Jasim stop hurting her and what about his agreement to allow her some freedom?
Within her own world and mind she often disconnected from the abuse inflicted on her and yet she loved her son with all of her heart but how do you deal with seeing the one man who has your heart with someone else? Claudia focused on her child and his life but Jasim seemed to relish in cruelty, discord and ownership of his wife like she was an expensive car that he wanted to flaunt and take for a daily ride to show that he owned something valuable and priceless.
Life is difficult for Claudia yet she finds a way and someone to assist her in connecting with Kelly but will Jasim find out? What happens when her parents learn the truth and ask why she did not request their help? Why is she remaining with this man in marriage that is not a true one but one of fear, ownership, resentment and pride so that he can think he’s a real man. In reality his self-worth and self-esteem should be questioned but when her son Mikhail is diagnosed with a fatal heart disorder things take on a tragic turn and her life becomes more disoriented and disjointed. Jasim uses his power to threaten her and even claims he can take her life and go unpunished. He is delusional. But, what happens when she goes to Kelly when his wife is diagnosed with something terminal will they finally find a way back to each other and will she realize that her life is a like the plot of horror novel? What about the graphic pictures she has taken with Sophie and the sculptures where will they wind up? Jasim is relentless and his words are cutting, sharp and strong as he does everything to berate Claudia even though at times she submits to his wiles and unyielding wishes.

Jasim becomes enraged when he realizes that Claudia has uncovered a hidden truth and things get on a different turn and he can no longer live with the lies and abuse he’s inflicted on her. At this turning point in the story Claudia needs to address her own insecurities, her feelings for Kelly and decide in which direction she wants to go but first she needs to deal with lawyers and the money she was left by Jasim and the foundations he ran hoping to keep them afloat but first she needs to center herself. Kelly is her rock and adores her and losing his wife crushed him but having Claudia kept him strong but she is undergoing many changes and must deal with those from her past before she can move ahead in the present.

Revelations come to light and her father passes away and her mother needs care but Claudia is torn and needs to decide where she wants to be. Flying back and forth to Canada, Dubai and across many countries she seems torn, confused and back tracks to many of the men in her life including Pascha the son of her husband and her relationship with him. Abuse and violence seem to be the mantras of the men she deals with including a lawyer that held information she needed about Jasim so why does she allow him to take advantage of her and why does she allow him to get away with his demands? Friends come and go but Daniel and Daina remain steadfast and her understanding of their lives, her feelings for them both provide joy and yet conflict within her. Life changes and she creates a new name for Jasim’s companies and she immerses herself in the business and flies to many locations. But, one man named that worked for her would either realize his position or find one somewhere else. A simple note that she reads over and over again changes her life and learning the truth about her parentage and dealing with what her parents kept from her is startling and will reveal another side of Claudia. Will she reach out to someone named Clarissa? Will they bond? What happens when she learns the truth about why she never knew her? What about Kelly and their relationship and how does she come to terms with her past and hopefully renew herself in the present?
When they finally tie the knot what about his children and how do they bond or not bond with her? Claudia seems to always be searching for happiness, joy, love and acceptance and never realizes it’s right in front of her all the time in Kelly. Life is hard and decisions can make or break your relationship but when she leaves and disappears finding Jacob will she return to Kelly, will she leave him to find his own way without her or will she finally stop and stand still and face herself in the mirror and realize that she is finally there.

Claudia is bold, at times impetus and does not consider the consequences of her actions and falls prey to the whims and wiles of men that she finds attractive, hot and overpower her with their male expertise. The novel has many graphically depicted scenes and the vocabulary is the same as many readers might shy away from the descriptions but they add to the plot and Claudia’s need to satisfy herself in many ways.

Then a miracle occurs and she has to find her way to add love for another person while dealing with Clarissa, her family and finally making the one decision that would turn it around when she realizes that she Claudia now has to look herself in the mirror and the reflection looking back at her and decide Is that Me? Is that Claudia? Have I really returned? Who does she see next to her: Jasim and his abuse and smug face? Kelly with the love in his heart or does she look at the reflection straight ahead?
Roses are red

Violets are blue

True love comes only once

It’s right in front of you? Will she see that?

Author D.H. Wright brings to light the issues of trust, abuse, violence, greed, ownership, possessiveness, hate, revenge, deceptions, fear, betrayals, lies, family loyalties and love. So many young girls fall prey to men like Jasim this book is enlightening and hopefully will encourage women

Fran Lewis: Just reviews/MJ network