Deer Lake Divided

By Brian Little

It is October 1895 as sixteen-year-old Courtney heads across the river with her parents to stay with her sister, Denise, and her husband, Frank, for a few weeks. Her mother and sister have agreed to do whatever it takes to help Courtney find a husband before she becomes an old maid.

After Courtney learns that Frank is a controlling husband, he corners her in the barn, kisses her and then robs her of her virginity. No longer good enough for any man to consider for marriage, Courtney heads back home where she harbors her shameful secret until her belly begins growing. Unable to hide her pregnancy anymore, Courtney tells her family about her horrifying experience. After Frank denies the encounter, Courtney eventually gives birth to a daughter she calls Deedee and marries a less-than-ideal man. Unfortunately as hardship and despair overshadow her new family, Courtney has no idea of what horrifying events are about to unfold.

In this gripping tale inspired by a true story, a new mother embarks on a challenging journey after her brother-in-law rapes her during the early twentieth century in Ontario.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Archway Publishing
• Release date: Jul 23, 2021
• ISBN: 9781665709545

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Copyright © 2021 Brian Little.

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This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents,

organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products

of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

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ISBN: 978-1-6657-0953-8 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6657-0954-5 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2021914287

Archway Publishing rev. date:  07/22/2021

A special thanks to Linda Dignem

for her wisdom and guidance.

PROLOGUE

The town of Deer Lake started out of necessity; it had, after all, everything required to make that happen. One person stood on the banks of the Grand River with the foresight to envision the future, and that person was Elijah Wilson. He had moved to Canada along with his newlywed wife to start a fresh life, fleeing the bitter environment of what is now known as Northern Ireland.

This was a man who knew how to play both sides of the fence, mostly for his own personal gain. To the north of the river was endless forest and countless wildlife, most of which seemed to be venison. Only these were not your average deer; they were much larger. Various names were given to these animals over the years, but the most popular was moose deer. To the south, civilization was approaching rapidly, and for that