Four in the Morning

She never expected things to end the way they did.

To the outside world, Claudia Stevenson is living the dream. The perfect home, a beautiful family and a successful career all hide the nightmare that is going on behind closed doors. Trapped in an emotionally turbulent, verbally abusive marriage, Claudia yearns to escape.

When Alex reappears in her life after seventeen years, Claudia is faced with a choice: does she run while she can, or does she stay? Her decision leads her on a dangerous path where, in a tragic twist of circumstances, she finds herself watching her life spiral out of control.

Based on actual events (fictionalised to protect identities), Four in the Morning is a story of love, tragedy, forgiveness and redemption. It is a powerful personal documentation of unshared truths, dedicated to a family whose lives were left shattered in the aftermath of events that might never be fully understood.

Readers have fallen in love with Four in the Morning

"I got so lost in the beautiful manner the author uses to weave her tale as she paints a picture of her pain and torment followed by a show of amazing strength of human spirit, that at times I felt I was living this story myself..." ~ Gregg Davies, Audio book narrator

"The reading is so rich. There are just too many moments to single out any one. She communicates to the heart of the reader with what I call 'word pictures'. Sensory richness in its purest form." ~ Deborah du Plooy, Skoobs Theatre of Books

"I loved the story. It trapped me into a reality world full of the complexities of the human experience..." ~ Sonia Pietropaolo

"Thank you for giving me something in your story which resonated with mine, forced me to face my own realities, and helped me in ways you will probably never know..." ~ C Grice

"An incredibly brave confessional memoir in which the author confronts her demons head on in an effort to find forgiveness from the family she unwittingly ruined, and an elusive sense of inner peace." ~ Paula Gruben, Author of Umbilicus

"This story has relevance to all people attempting to find meaningful unions. It exposes the pain of loss, the agony of guilt and the depth of crushing disappointment that some peoples' spirits are required to recover from if they are to survive. I am sure that this book will resonate with many who have weathered the battleground that romantic partnerships can become." ~ Sarah Key, Author of Tangled Weeds, The Dandelion Clock, The Butterfly Wind, and The Starlight Tide

"I have just finished your book and literally spent two days on my bed because I just couldn't put it down... Congratulations on your excellent achievement. I am reeling at the effect that this part of your life has had on me - you see I too have a 'Gareth' in my life. Have had for the last 38 years. Your intimate and truthful revelation of your experiences has rocked my foundation and made me realise just how much we sacrifice of our lives and ourselves for the sake of our families. There are so many parallels in your life and mine that I could have been reading my own life story in some parts of your book." ~ L Kirsten, author and ghostwriter

"I have heard so many people say, 'I picked up this book and couldn't put it down'... I left a get together yesterday and said I have a book I want to start reading... Well I put it on my sister's night stand this morning and said,"This is a must read!" I honestly did not put it down! Brilliant read, is all I can say!" ~ Verna Van Rensburg

"I finished your book and was so moved. I have to admit I was crying copiously at the end. But it is ultimately a book of triumph and healing and I can’t tell you how moved I was. It was beautifully written and moved to a climax that was quite riveting. I salute you!" ~ Teresa Weinfas

In 2007, after a heated argument, Phillipa's husband got into his car, left their home in a blinding rage, and was never seen again. The chain of traumatic events that happened that day all led back to her, and there was no way that she could escape them.

Seven years later, burdened with guilt and desperate to find peace and forgiveness, Phillipa decided to share her story with the world. Her hope is that anybody who has been through trauma and death and who has struggled to pick up the shattered pieces of their lives afterwards, will find peace and hope through her story.

Besides being an author, Phillipa is an accomplished ghostwriter, editor and entrepreneur and has worked in the bookselling and publishing industry for over two decades. Her passion as a writer and ghostwriter is working on non-fiction material including memoirs, business and inspirational books.

She has raised two fine young men who are her pride and joy, and, thanks to their good genes, are both exceptionally talented in the creative arts.

She is a child of Africa and is passionate about its people, its culture and its magic.

Four in the Morning is her first published work.