A single mother from Bristol who was mentally abused by her ex-husband for almost a decade has put pen to paper in a bid to inspire other victims of domestic abuse.
The woman, who can only be identified by her pen name of Tina Dawn Cobley, suffered weekly and daily “mental torture” in what she describes as a “decade from hell”.
She summoned the courage to divorce her tormentor, but the split – which was “highly” acrimonious - left her with no option but to raise her 18-month-old son alone.
Tina, 49, spiralled into depression as she struggled to come to terms with the heartbreak and conflict she endured.
But Tina, who lives in Clifton, managed to turn her life around by “offloading” her experiences onto paper.
Against the odds, her manuscript was spotted by talent scouts at Raider Publishing and Mistrust and Lies, her first book, was published last month.
Since its release, the 262-page title – described a “powerful and moving semi-autobiographical tale” – has gone on to win the hearts of readers and critics alike.
Tina hopes the paperback, on sale priced £8.99, will inspire other domestic abuse victims to “stand up for themselves and walk away”.
Speaking yesterday, she said: “Like too many women, I suffered badly at the hands of my ex-husband. I was subject to mental torture for nearly a decade.
“I didn’t know where to turn, and I didn’t know how to overcome the feelings I had of helplessness and of failure. Above all, I didn’t know how to beat the depression I was facing.
“I began writing the book as a form of therapy – it felt good to offload everything onto paper. Before long, I had a full manuscript for Mistrust and Lies. The rest, as they say, is history.”
Tina married in 1987 and at first everything seemed fine with the relationship.
But things changed “forever” when her husband – who cannot be named for legal reasons – began his campaign of torment the following year.
The abuse, which included “hurtful” taunts, emotional blackmail and “mind games”, continued on a weekly basis, despite the birth of their son in 1991.
“It was, quite literally, a living nightmare,” she said. “He made me feel worthless, yet I loved him so much and just couldn’t summon the strength to leave.”
Like many domestic violence victims, Tina said she felt “trapped” and was too scared to call on family and friends for advice.
She finally stood up to her husband in 1992 and was awarded custody – and a divorce – some months later.
Mistrust and Lies is “loosely” based on her own experiences. It was written over a 18-month period, and was signed “on the spot” by Raider after she sent the publisher her manuscript.
“Seeing Mistrust and Lies in print was a wonderful feeling, despite the agony I endured in order to write it,” she said.
“All I can hope for now is that it helps other women to understand that there really is light at the end of the tunnel. You can survive, and flourish, on your own.”
Mistrust and Lies is available priced £8.99 from Amazon and from Tina’s own website, www.tinadawncobley.com.
E Somerset police issue Valentines' Day warning
(Mon 06/02)
Calous Bristol muggers targeted pregnant mother
(Thu 02/02)
Post a comment