Having grown up in an impoverished family while living on a farm, Rachel Augustus sets out to erase the lingering effects of a traumatic childhood event wherein she is sworn to a silence she keeps out of fear, a fear that impacts her life and self-esteem. In her teens, Rachel finds her passion, dignity, and purpose in life after hearing an opera broadcast on her family's radio. Astounded by their voices and enchanted by them, she wants to learn more about opera and to hear more of them. Opera fills her imagination with its dramatic stories and soaring arrangements, filling a void in her life which she desperately needs. She gravitates to those who share her passion for opera and art, with some becoming her real life lovers which results in her becoming a single mother who struggles to survive without any financial support. "The Scars Don't Show" is based on real events, with profanity and explicit sex. Comments from early readers: From Sharon T -- "This book is very interesting. I could hardly put it down...It would make a very good screenplay...Her character developments were very thorough and believable." From Jack Nolle -- "I found her writing style very easy to read and conversational. Her story is charged with emotion and drama with a raw quality that will draw in audiences that are not timid." From Georgia Baker Flambures -- "...The contents...go deep into the fact that women are extremely stronger than men when it comes to raw emotions. Also, when it comes to rationalizing situations and finding solutions for sometimes monumental situations. The [main character] faces circumstances beyond her control but constantly finds a way to solve the problem...It was easy, steamy but delightful to watch Rachel mature and grow stronger with each new chapter of her life."
About the Author: R. J. Hana is always saddened when she reads or hears about a rape case, regardless of the circumstances, and felt compelled to write about her own experiences, especially if it could help another victim. She knows how damaging such trauma can be to a person's psyche. It takes courage, determination and a strong will to survive since the specter never goes away. To victims: Remember, the shame is on the perpetrator, not on you! R.J. Hana was born in Philadelphia into a large family as the Great Depression was waning. She grew up with a strong work ethic. From the time she entered the work force she was challenged by her lack of a complete education, always trying to catch up by reading and by taking courses to do better for herself in any job she undertook. Being in the beauty business as a manicurist and later as a hair stylist, she always enjoyed meeting people and learned a lot about life and how best to survive in this competitive world. With her late husband she drove across the U.S. to settle in Reno, Nevada, where she still lives today, enjoying her time with friends.