Elizabeth Burgess is born with a cauliflower ear. Perhaps indicative of the constant pounding life would bestow upon her. She starts out with a very strict and angry mother who sets the stage for her life of abuse. In her teens she is beaten to within an inch of her life and forbidden to see Edmund, her secret love, who she needs more than breath and blood. Then she is coerced, by her mother, into marrying Brian. After Brian tires of her, he leaves her to fend for herself with three babies and a house full of rats. Norm comes to her rescue, but because of his jealous insecurities, her life goes from bad to worse. Then Lenny, her Prince Charming, steps in and swoops her away from Norm. Lenny and Liz fly to the moon on gossamer wings in a wild whirlwind romance until Liz suddenly crashes to the earth. The discovery of a family secret forces her to spiral down into the depths of alcoholism in order to find the only escape she can. CAROUSEL is based on a true story and is a MUST READ for any woman who has ever suffered the anguish of addiction.