Resist (Sphere of Irony #3) by Heather C. Leigh

Published August 9, 2015 by Shelbyville   

    

All Gavin Walker, bass player for the multi-platinum selling band, Sphere of Irony, wants to do is surf, play music, and occasionally get laid. The problem is that Gavin has a stalker. A potentially deadly one. The threats he receives always mention something about Gavin being gay, which isn't public knowledge since the record label wants to keep it quiet.

Mitch Hale used to track serial killers for the FBI. A live-changing incident led him to quit the bureau and start his own company providing computerized security for Los Angeles' wealthiest people. Mitch doesn't know anyone when he moves across the country from D.C. to California, and all he has for companionship is a pathetic string of failed relationships with women.

When Gavin's manager hires Mitch to find the stalker, the men instantly hate each other. Despite the constant fighting, attraction between the two blazes hot, confusing the former FBI agent. Spending time with Gavin forces Mitch reflect on what he's denied about himself for the last ten years. Listening to Mitch's plan to catch a madman thrusts Gavin's personal life out in the open for the entire world to see.

Can Gavin and Mitch stop fighting long enough to stop a stalker before someone gets hurt? Or will they stubbornly resist the feelings that develop when they're forced to work together?

My Thoughts…

There is not much I love more than hot, sexy alpha males.    The entire Sphere of Irony series is full of such men.    So it is no surprise to me that I love this series so far.   

Gavin, the bass player in the band, has been hiding his true self from the public and when he finally comes out I was amazed at how smoothly it went.   I mean people criticized, people asked questions, but Gavin is able to finally just be.     Even with all the drama around him, the band, and his stalker he could be himself.  No more pretending, faking, or hiding behind closed doors.    I realize that this is not the main storyline, but it is what hit me.  

The sparks flew instantly when Mitch walked in the door.    After that first meeting the reader has to know that things are going to get interesting between the two of them.   The fact that Gavin knows who he is but Mitch is still in denial just adds to the story.   The day dreaming the two of them do about each other was just as hot as their actual relationship.  My favorite part of their relationship was the fighting and then the respect that follows their fights.   They both showed their tempers, but when they settled down to think they realized where the other was coming from. 

Heather C. Leigh is amazing.   She handles tough situations, both the gay aspect and the stalker aspect, with respect and writes a perfect story.    If you are looking for hot, steamy love along with a mystery of who is stalking Gavin this is the book for you.    I recommend this entire series but this can be read as a standalone. 

** Thanks Heather C. Leigh for providing me with a copy of Resist.***

Book Links

Amazon   |     Goodreads

Author Links

Website   |    Amazon    |   Tumblr   |   Goodreads   |  G+   |   Pinterest   |   Facebook   |   Twitter 

Check out my other posts about Heather C. Leigh and her amazing book. 

Meet Heather

Strike (Sphere of Irony #2)

Ricochet   |   Ricochet #2   |   Ricochet #3

As of December 1, 2009, According to The Federal Trade Commission (FTC),  product reviewers on blogs must disclose whether they received products for free or received payment for their review.

 The books I review on this site ( A Soccer Mom's Book Blog) are sent to us by publishers, authors or downloaded from Netgalley. This is a very common practice.  I never take payments for these reviews and all the reviews on this site are our own thoughts and feelings and are not influenced.

Unlikely Allies by CC Koen Blitz Tour

UNLIKELY ALLIES 

Author: CC Koen

Genre: Romance

- SYNOPSIS -

What happens when a single mom’s four-year-old daughter falls in love with Mr. Right and she doesn’t?

Maggie Tyson’s rule: no bad boys. Her incarcerated ex-husband broke her of that attraction. Needing to escape his threats and the scrutiny of the people in her hometown, Maggie relocates to New York City. Determined to not make the same mistakes, she has a mile-long list of dos and don’ts. Unfortunately, her daughter, Cecily, doesn’t like to follow them. When Cecily wanders away from her and right into Rick Stone’s office, Maggie knows he’s the exact type she’s been trying to avoid. Can she resist him or will she succumb to his willful charm?

Rick Stone’s rule: bed them don’t wed them. Running a multibillion dollar business doesn’t leave him with much time to do anything else, particularly with an overbearing grandfather breathing down his neck. But when a man works hard, he needs to play even harder. Voted America’s most eligible bachelor, Rick doesn’t have any problems getting women into his bed—except one.
Two auburn beauties stumble into his life.
One will break his heart.
The other—heal it.
Will he love or leave them?

Contains mature content and language. Not recommended for readers under the age of eighteen due to sexual situations and subject matter.

- PURCHASE -

AMAZON | PAPERBACK | B&N | iTUNES | KOBO

- EXCERPT -

Rick waved to Paul, the evening security guard, and exited the office building. Another midnight departure. It wasn’t that Rick noticed the time anymore; a fifteen-hour work day was common for him. Tonight though, he left with each task on his to-do list accomplished.

Dead tired, he focused on the parking garage across the street. At the walking signal, he jogged to the other side. Two huddled bodies in the bus stop enclosure captured his attention. “What are you doing?” He rushed toward them, stopping at the edge of the bench.

Maggie jolted and glowered at him. “You scared me half to death. I’m waiting for the bus.”

Was she out of her mind? “It’s not safe. You can’t even defend yourself. Not with a sleeping girl in your arms.”

Maggie rested her cheek on top of Cece’s. “I don’t have a choice.”

“You could have caught a cab.”

She tilted her chin up, shot him an agitated brow, and buried her face against Cece’s. “It’s far. It would’ve been too expensive.”

“I’ll drive you. Where do you live?”

“No,” she whispered.

“It wasn’t a choice, Maggie.” He leaned down to scoop Cece into his arms, but Maggie put her hand up, stopping him.

“Don’t.” She stared, unrelenting, and her back scooted into the corner of the booth. Her tight, squared shoulders were on full alert. “How do I know you aren’t some lunatic?”

He wanted to laugh, he really did, but her honest reaction shouldn’t have surprised him. Used to getting his way, he hadn’t thought twice or considered she’d protest the offer. His mouth pulled into a frown as he considered his intimidating stance towering over her. He backed up a few steps, raising his hands. Unwilling to relent, he scrolled through his cell, pressed a few buttons, and when he got an answer, he kept his focus on her. “I need you to vouch for me.” His best friend’s laughter on the other end ticked him off, but he wouldn’t rest until he had his way. “Mention I’m a good guy.” Then he eased closer to Maggie, his hand extended, urging her to accept a concession he wasn’t used to making.

Her eyes flicked from him to the phone and back a few times. He wasn’t sure if the blank look on her face meant she believed him or she’d scream for help. Several tense seconds later, she plucked the cell from his hands, her fingertips clipped to the top and nowhere near close to touching him. “Hello.” Her quiet, reserved whisper revealed hesitancy, but her intense observation demonstrated she wouldn’t surrender easily. “Maggie Tyson.” After a brief pause she answered with a relieved and happy bounce in her voice, “Oh, Matt, hey.” She listened and nodded, her lips curled into a quirky smile and disappeared before he could appreciate it. “Yeah. Uh, huh. Will do, bye.”

After he tucked the phone in his suit pocket, his hand clenched it over and over, waiting for her to say something, anything. Tired of the long silence and her scrutinizing inspection of his eyes, nose, mouth, and grinding jaw, he rocked back and forth on his heels for the second time. “Well?”

- TEASERS -

- ABOUT THE AUTHOR - 

C.C. Koen

C.C. Koen writes contemporary romance with a twist. An avid reader who enjoys mystery and suspense, her stories will never be what you expect. Determined to find adventure in her dreams and life, she enjoys skydiving, sailing and any activity that challenges her. Teacher by day, romance writer at night produce an active imagination that comes to life in her writing.

WEBSITE: http://www.cckoen.com/

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/cckoenbooks

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/authorcckoen

GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8434594.C_C_Koen

Dare to Rock (Dare to Love #7) by Carly Phillips & GIVEAWAY

Published August 4, 2015

Avery Dare lives a quiet life in Miami as an online fashion/makeup video blogger. She has good friends, a close, large family and if her love life is lacking, she likes it that way. But when she receives an invitation to one of her ex's concerts along with an invitation to meet him back stage, she decides to take the risk… and comes face to face with the reality of his rock star lifestyle - the press, the crowds, and the half naked groupies.

At eighteen, Grey Kingston left everything he knew and loved behind to seek fame and fortune as a rock star, and he found it as the lead guitarist and singer for the band, Tangled Royal. Fans adore him, women throw themselves at him, and he can afford everything he couldn’t growing up. Yet at the height of his career, he’s ready to walk away and return home to a simpler life… and the woman he left behind, if he can convince her to give him another chance.

Except moving on isn’t as easy as Grey would like. When Avery is threatened by a stalker, it becomes evident Grey’s fans not only don’t want him to retire, they don’t want Avery in his life either. And Avery isn’t sure she wants the pressures that are part of Grey’s life… but she doesn’t want to lose him again, either. Can their recently renewed love survive the fallout?

But Meg’s future is one Scott has accepted he’ll never have, even if his growing feelings say otherwise …

My Thoughts…

Although this is part of a series, this is the first Dare to Love book I have read.   Like with most series that I read, I did not feel like I missed out on anything I know that I could have enjoyed it even more if I had read the entire series.    Carly Phillips gives enough background on the characters that I could dive right into the story and not wonder what was happening or where that thought had come from.    

Avery is a great character.    She is strong and faithful not only to Grey, but to her siblings and friends also.    Even when doubt starts to set in on her she knows that she has to handle and come to terms with whatever is going on.  It would have been easier to run away, hide, and never come out again she manages to continue to her life her way.    

Grey is, of course, the best character in the book.   He is hot, sexy, and alpha male in the best way possible.     He is not the cocky musician that a lot of other authors portray them as.   What turned me on the most is just the fact that he stood by Avery.   It didn’t matter what was happening in her life or who was telling him to back off he just stayed there, by her side.    

While the sex scenes are crazy hot, they were tasteful.   There were some dirty words, but they were exchanged in the heat of the moment, not taken to be foul.    The love between Avery and Grey was evident in everything they did.  

I was not ready for this story to end.  I wanted more.     There could have been more about the stalker.   I wanted to know what happen to Simon.    Her brothers and sister each have their own book, but I could have handled more about them also.   

I recommend this series.  I know that I will be checking out the rest of this series.  

Buy Links:
Kindle - http://amzn.to/1KBeuzZ
Nook - http://tinyurl.com/qyhx334 
iBooks - http://tinyurl.com/kq2j4qd
Kobo - http://tinyurl.com/peznv52
Google Play - http://tinyurl.com/pnas6qw
Print - http://amzn.to/1Ib3gMH

About Carly Phillips:

After a successful fifteen year career with various New York publishing houses, and over 40 sexy contemporary romance novels published, N.Y. Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Carly Phillips is now an Indie author who writes to her own expectations and that of her readers. She continues the tradition of hot men and strong women and plans to publish many more sizzling stories. Carly lives in Purchase, NY with her family, two nearly adult daughters and two crazy dogs who star on her Facebook Fan Page and website. She’s a writer, a knitter of sorts, a wife, and a mom. In addition, she’s a Twitter and Internet junkie and is always around to interact with her readers.

Website: http://www.carlyphillips.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CarlyPhillipsFanPage

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/carlyphillips

Tsu: http://www.tsu.co/carlyphillips

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/10000.Carly_Phillips

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About the Dare to Love Series

Dare to Love (Dare to Love #1) – FREE!!!

Blurb:

New York Times Bestselling Author Carly Phillips turns up the heat in her newest sexy contemporary romance series, and introduces you to the Dare family… siblings shaped by a father’s secrets and betrayal.

Since finding out his father had another family on the side, Ian Dare swore to be the upstanding, responsible man his cheating parent had never been. When it comes to his relatives, he gives his all but in relationships he offers the bare minimum. But one glimpse of sensual Riley Taylor arouses his dominant and protective instincts and Ian is entranced. He will do anything to possess her … and does. But any future with Riley must include him extending an olive branch to the half-brother who is a constant reminder of the pain he’d rather forget.

Independent and always in control, Riley Taylor makes no apologies for choosing men carefully. Relationships have never been a priority and she believes herself hardened to domineering men – until she meets charismatic Ian Dare. He manages to turn a simple kiss into an all out assault on her senses and when he takes control in the bedroom, she’s stunned to discover she likes it. As their affair heats up, they soon realize they complete each other in ways neither imagined. But Riley’s past is closer than she cares to remember, and her struggles with Ian’s dominance might just cost her everything. 

Buy links:
Amazon Kindle: http://amzn.to/1yk1ZUm
B&N Nook: http://bit.ly/1CE3mIr
iTunes/iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/dare-to-love/id725513780?mt=11
Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/dare-to-love-4
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Carly_Phillips_Dare_to_Love?id=ugbmAgAAQBAJ

As of December 1, 2009, According to The Federal Trade Commission (FTC),  product reviewers on blogs must disclose whether they received products for free or received payment for their review.

 The books I review on this site ( A Soccer Mom's Book Blog) are sent to us by publishers, authors or downloaded from Netgalley. This is a very common practice.  I never take payments for these reviews and all the reviews on this site are our own thoughts and feelings and are not influenced.

The Summertime Girls by Laura Hankin

Published August4, 2015 by Berkley

When two lifelong friends reunite for one more summer in small-town Maine, they must bridge the gap caused by the dreams and secrets that tore them apart…

Ally Morris and Beth Abbott were beyond inseparable. From the very first time they met, the girls knew they’d found a once-in-a-lifetime friendship. But sometimes, life can’t help but get in the way.

As time goes by, disappointments and petty resentments begin to alter what they once thought was forever. Ally’s boho lifestyle leaves her drowning in confusion and cheap whisky, while a terrible secret threatens to shatter Beth’s carefully controlled world. By the time they need each other most, Ally and Beth are nearly strangers to each other.

When a family crisis prompts Beth to contact Ally for help out of the blue, the girls reunite in Maine. But the distance between them is overwhelming. To save their friendship, Ally and Beth will have to confront painful moments in their past and redefine who they are—before their incredible connection fades away for good…

My Thoughts…

When a friendship goes bad who is to blame?  Of course, each person blames the other.    That is the story of Ally and Beth.    Best friends since grade school, these girls have a falling out.   They then come back together to support Beth’s grandmother in Maine, which is the place of their summer vacations.   Memories come back, feelings come to the fore front, and they each realize that they need each other.  

Beyond the falling out and the blame, I believe this is a story of Beth and Ally finding themselves.   They come to Maine with hurt feelings and not understanding why their best friend was not there for them in their time of need.  As they discover that the other was in need at the same time they take looks back and open their eyes to what their friendship really means to each them.   They have to decide if their friendship is worth saving or if they should just do what they came to do in Maine and go their separate ways.   

I loved Beth’s grandmother.    She was the quiet and calm voice for both the girls.    The understanding of their life was amazing.    The fact that she was okay with where her life was heading with a grace that not all do made me love her even more.    As she went through her house, the memories that she shared with Beth and Ally made her extremely real.   She is the grandmother that everyone wants to have. 

Book Links

Amazon   |   Goodreads   |   Barnes and Noble  

As of December 1, 2009, According to The Federal Trade Commission (FTC),  product reviewers on blogs must disclose whether they received products for free or received payment for their review.

 The books I review on this site ( A Soccer Mom's Book Blog) are sent to us by publishers, authors or downloaded from Netgalley. This is a very common practice.  I never take payments for these reviews and all the reviews on this site are our own thoughts and feelings and are not influenced.

The Bourbon Kings (The Bourbon Kings #1) by J.R. Ward

Published July 28, 2015 by Penguin Publishing Group

For generations, the Bradford family has worn the mantle of kings of the bourbon capital of the world. Their sustained wealth has afforded them prestige and privilege—as well as a hard-won division of class on their sprawling estate, Easterly. Upstairs, a dynasty that by all appearances plays by the rules of good fortune and good taste. Downstairs, the staff who work tirelessly to maintain the impeccable Bradford facade. And never the twain shall meet.

For Lizzie King, Easterly’s head gardener, crossing that divide nearly ruined her life. Falling in love with Tulane, the prodigal son of the bourbon dynasty, was nothing that she intended or wanted—and their bitter breakup only served to prove her instincts were right. Now, after two years of staying away, Tulane is finally coming home again, and he is bringing the past with him. No one will be left unmarked: not Tulane’s beautiful and ruthless wife; not his older brother, whose bitterness and bad blood know no bounds; and especially not the ironfisted Bradford patriarch, a man with few morals, fewer scruples, and many, many terrible secrets.

As family tensions—professional and intimately private—ignite, Easterly and all its inhabitants are thrown into the grips of an irrevocable transformation, and only the cunning will survive.

My Thoughts…

A new series written by my favorite paranormal author intrigues me.    J.R. Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood is my all time favorite paranormal series.    The Bourbon Kings is not part of that series.  It is not even paranormal.   I was clueless as to what to expect when I picked up this book.    I also could not possibly imagine not reading The Bourbon Kings. 

There is a lot going on in The Bourbon Kings.    The Bradford family is a complex yet super loyal group.   The four siblings along with their wives/girlfriends, their mother and father, and the rest of the staff all Lizzie, the hired help, and Lane, the middle Bradford son.   The twists and turns in their relationship are intense and sometimes rather strange.    The heat between the two of them is steamy and nothing seems to be able to put that fire out.   Yet, Lizzie is only the hired help and Lane is married.   It seems everything is working against the two of them. 

The side story of Edward was what really got my attention.   I wanted to help him.   I hated the grief, fear, and self hate that he lives with everyday of his life.    The fact that he knows his father hates him, enough to want to kill him, and that now he has deformities that make him not attractive (in his eyes) to others makes me sad for him.   I was to know more about this person.   I need him to find himself again, to find his happiness, and to step up and take part of the family legacy.

There is also Virginia, self centered daughter, and Max, who the reader doesn’t learn a lot about.   I suspect that we will learn more about these characters in the upcoming books in this series.   

While J.R. Ward is an established author, this is a different type of story line for her.   I loved it.   This was a book that as I was getting to the end of the story I slowed my reading down.  I did not want it to end.   I wanted to know more about the characters.    This is another great series.    Do not wait, go get your copy today.   

Book Links

Amazon   |   Goodreads   |   Barnes and Noble

As of December 1, 2009, According to The Federal Trade Commission (FTC),  product reviewers on blogs must disclose whether they received products for free or received payment for their review.

 The books I review on this site ( A Soccer Mom's Book Blog) are sent to us by publishers, authors or downloaded from Netgalley. This is a very common practice.  I never take payments for these reviews and all the reviews on this site are our own thoughts and feelings and are not influenced.

LUCKY'S CHOICE (The Last Riders #7) by Jamie Begley & GIVEAWAY

Enter to Win A

Custom LAST RIDERS T-Shirt & Mug, 

$25.00 Amazon eGift Card and Signed Copy of SHADE'S FALL

LUCKY'S CHOICE

The Last Riders #7

Jamie Begley

Releasing July 29th, 2015

Young Ink Press

Life dealt him a dead man’s hand.

Lucky had always led a life of service, always putting his life on the line for someone else, managing to survive by pure luck and skill. After bringing an end to a multi-state drug ring, he was finally able to live the life he had wanted as a Last Rider.

A good man would walk away and not touch the curvy woman who had been tugging on his heartstrings. Lucky wasn’t a good man. Therefore, the bad-ass biker in him had a choice: once again become the man he had pretended to be and stake his claim or take the devil’s highway.

Some girls had all the luck.

Willa wasn’t one of them. All she wanted to do was give a home to the children she had made orphans. Instead, she found herself needing help from the man who had left the pulpit behind to embrace a life of sin.

Painfully shy and withdrawn, she wanted a quiet life, a simple man, and well-behaved children. The last thing she had ever expected was for Lucky to want her size twenty body and show her a passion that would lead her straight to hell. 

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"I was born in a small town in Kentucky. My family began poor, but worked their way to owning a restaurant. My mother was one of the best cooks I have ever known, and she instilled in all her children the value of hard work, and education.

Taking after my mother, I've always love to cook, and became pretty good if I do say so myself. I love to experiment and my unfortunate family has suffered through many. They now have learned to steer clear of those dishes. I absolutely love the holidays and my family puts up with my zany decorations.

For now, my days are spent writing, writing, and writing. I have two children who both graduated this year from college. My daughter does my book covers, and my son just tries not to blush when someone asks him about my books.

Currently I am writing five series of books- The Last Riders, The VIP Room, Predators MC, Biker Bitches, and The Dark Souls.

All my books are written for one purpose- the enjoyment others find in them, and the expectations of my fans that inspire me to give it my best.”

 Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Confessions of the Perfect Mom: Baby and Toddler Years

BOOK SUMMARY

Confessions of the Perfect Mom: Baby and Toddler Years

Kat appears to have it all: She homeschools her three daughters, bakes, creates crafts and has dinner on the table when her husband walks in the door, all done with perfect hair and makeup. But behind the scenes she has embarrassing moments and baby-rearing problems just like all moms do.

In Confessions of the Perfect Mom: Baby and Toddler Years, Kat shares some of those moments: being in labor and acting less than polite to the nurses, disasters on the changing table, and a toddler yelling obscenities in restaurant. From her stories of the first days of having a new baby to temper tantrums, the ritual of potty training, sibling rivalry and the first trip to the emergency room, it’s clear motherhood is not for the faint of heart. This witty, honest book offers a glimpse into the wild ride that is the toughest job anyone will love.

Q&A with Kat Ryan 

 How did you come up with the title?

Funny story, I actually had another name for my book and my husband was the one to change the title. And he was even the one to come up with the title for the blog. He is pretty awesome like that.

Tell us in quickly in 30 words or less what your book is about… And go...

Confessions Of The Perfect Mom: Baby and Toddler Years is a fast, witty look at motherhood. It is about all those experiences that we all share, and being able to look at them with a bit of humor. (the words in the title don’t count against me right?)

Are the experiences in the book based on someone you know, or events in your own life?

Much to my children’s dismay, they are all real life events. Every story that I write about is something that happened with at least one of my girls.  

Speaking of your girls, what is your favorite age for your kids?

This is so hard, every stage has its own perks. There is nothing like a newborn smell. Or watching your little one turn into a toddler; walking and talking. Lets not forget the day you realize there are no more diapers. But my absolute favorite age would be 3 and 4 year olds. They are independant, but still want you there; they say some of the funniest things; and they want to show you how much they love you.

Who is going to love your book?

Anyone that is a mom, or going to be a mom, will love this book.  

Let’s What’s on your desk? Can you see your desk? Describe what you see when you look around.

Oh my, I normally don’t have a desk. I write wherever; sometimes it is in the rocking chair on my front porch, sometimes it is on the outdoor dining table we have, sometimes it is from bed. So I guess what I see is based on where I am writing.

What do you do when you are not working?

Define working. If you mean working as in writing, then I am taking care of my girls, trying to keep my house in order, working on getting dinner on the table (which never seems to be on when I want), or trying to figure out what my kids will be doing in school the next day. But if you mean what do I do in my free time, then I will laugh and ask what is free time.

Coffee Or Tea?

I am a hard core tea person; ice tea, hot tea, as long as it is not decaf, I am in.

Where can your readers get more information?

I am very easy to find and I love hearing from other moms. The best way to contact me or read more would be through my blog.

AUTHOR BIO

Kat Ryan and her husband, the love of her life, have three beautiful daughters. The successful blogger and author, who was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, juggles being a stay-at-home mom; who has also been a working mom and a work-from-home mom. Learn more about her joys (and tears) by reading her blog, www.confessionsoftheperfectmom.com.

Fractured Not Broken by Kelly Schaefer with M Weidenbenner PROMO

New Release....

AWARD-WINNING and BESTSELLING AUTHOR

Parts of this memoir appeared on ESPN and in Rosie.

Fractured Not Broken is a true story of loss, faith, and a rare love that only happens in nonfiction.

In a sweeping and heart-wrenching narrative, Kelly exposes the truth about what happened after a drunk driver rendered her a quadriplegic. She shares how she found her way back—through faith and pain, her community, her family, and the love of a man she’d prayed for.

Book available to buy from....

Amazon.com   Amazon.co.uk   Barnes and Noble   iBooks   Kobo   Paperback

"This book has been a true encouragement to me. Thank you Kelly for sharing your story— the loss and the unexpected joy— so that each reader can be uplifted knowing there is a full, rich life available to those who lean in to our Lord Jesus." —Renee Bondi Award-Winning Singer and Songwriter 

"Life has its tragic moments of defeat, setbacks, and fracturing for everyone. Kelly's story proves, however, that individual momentum, personal progress, and genuine achievement can still be attained. Her courage and optimism are uplifting. Open these pages and experience the joy of ultimate victory." —Dr. Dennis E. Hensley, Author Jesus in All Four Seasons 

"This is a real life story of heroic virtue—especially of courage, humility, and generosity—a triumph of faith, hope and love. This story involves the very essence of the human spirit, family, and community. To know Kelly and her journey of miracles is to know that with God all things are possible." —Most Reverend Charles C. Thompson Bishop of Evansville

Fractured Accident Scene

Book Excerpt from Chapter 8
     Circular lights blared down on me. Hot searing pain stabbed my neck. I cried out, but my voice came out garbled and weak. My lips were parched.
     “We’re giving you something for pain right now, Kelly,” the nurse said. She shot the fluid from a needle into my IV bag and the pain ebbed.
     It’s all over, Kelly,” the surgeon said, his blue mask resting on his forehead below his surgical cap. “You did well. I put five screws and two plates in at the back of your neck. I used bone from your hip and fused C-3 to C-4 and C-4 to C-5. Your hip and neck will be sore here.” He pointed to his hip and the back of his neck. “It’ll take a while to recover. The nurses will slowly elevate you to a more upright position, and eventually you’ll start physical therapy, but for now, think baby steps.”
     Will I walk? I tried to remember if he’d told me. Maybe I missed that part of the conversation. The drugs were probably making me forget. Before I could ask him, the surgeon faded into darkness.
     When I opened my eyes again, I was in a different location. They must have wheeled me somewhere else, but I didn’t know where, and I didn’t know how much time had passed. My head was locked in a brace, so I was unable to figure out my surroundings. Where was Mom? What day was it? Was it morning or night? Was it yesterday that Eric and I were riding horses together?
     Then in a blink, everything rushed back—the accident, the surgery. Eric was still at the other hospital, recovering. Was he okay? I need you, Eric. Dear God, please make this nightmare go away. Why me? I closed my eyes, working to succumb to the drugs.
     Suddenly, a glob of phlegm caught in the back of my throat. I had to cough, but I couldn’t. My eyes flicked open. Fluorescent lights. Suspended ceiling. I couldn’t turn my head. I was drowning! Who was there? Anyone? I needed to sit up. To cough. Choking. I can’t. Breathe. Please. Someone help me. Where was the call button? There wasn’t one. Even if there was, I couldn’t press it. I was trapped inside my own body. No air. I couldn’t even…cry… out.
     I saw myself from above—outside of my body, my hair gnarled and splayed on the pillow. A silver brace encircled my neck, its appendages sitting on my shoulders, lifting my chin. Tubes sprouting like spider tentacles twisting around my body. Was this how I would die?
     Two nurses rushed to my side. “We have to intubate you,” one nurse said. “Stay calm.” Stay calm? I wanted to shout the worse swear word not in the dictionary. If only. I. Could. Breathe.
     One nurse approached me with a long tube. “I’m going to insert this through your nose to clear your windpipe. Try to relax.”
     My eyes must have bulged, but after the tube was inserted, the mucous thinned, and I could finally breathe. The air filled my lungs and tears dripped down my face.
     Never in my life had fear strangled and gripped my life so closely. The realization that I could no longer rely on myself for anything slammed into my chest. And even though I could finally breathe, the air in my lungs thinned. I was more alone than I’d ever been.

Kelly Schaefer
Kelly is a true heroine, finding God as she battles with a life as a quadriplegic. Overcoming obstacles every day, she's a speaker, teacher, and Skittles lover. Michelle, Kelly's aunt, is an award-winning and bestselling author who penned Kelly's memoir to bring others hope. She writes stories that move her, and this one is close to her heart.

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Time for celebrations

Michelle Weidenbenner

Michelle is a fulltime employee of God’s kingdom, writing and encouraging writers every day. She’s often a sucker for emotional stories, her sensitive side fueling the passion for her character’s plights, often giving her the ability to show readers the “other” side of the story.

She grew up in the burbs of Detroit with five brothers. No sisters. Each time her mom brought the boy bundle home from the hospital Michelle cried, certain her mom liked boys better than girls. But when her brothers pitched in with the cooking, cleaning, and babysitting—without drama, Michelle discovered having brothers wasn’t so bad. They even taught her how to take direct criticism without flinching, which comes in handy with book reviews.

Michelle is living her dream—writing every day and thanking God for the stories He puts in her path. When Michelle isn’t writing she’s winning ugly on the tennis court. She’s known as “Queen of the Rim Shots.” No joke. It’s ugly.

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Becoming Ellen by Shari Shattuck

Published August 11, 2015 by G.P. Putnam’s Son

Ellen Homes is done being invisible. Well, sort of.

Living with her closest friends, Temerity and Justice, has helped her step out of the shell of invisibility she once hid away in. She still seeks refuge in solitary time and observing from afar, but she has pushed herself to open up to others in ways that bring her unexpected happiness.

But when a terrible bus crash upends her normal routine, Ellen finds herself on a whirlwind crusade for the unseen and downtrodden. Only this time, helping others—including two young children with no one else to turn to—will mean facing a pain from her past that she’s long tucked away.

 My Thoughts…

The main character is Ellen.   Ellen is social awkward for many good reasons.    Her history is not easy, yet she has managed to live a semi-normal life.    She works, she has roommates, and she is getting more social.   I loved her “relationship” with Rupert.   While she was clueless as to what he was asking her, she realized that he was a good guy and managed to be in the same room with him and even have a conversation or two.     The last part of this book definitely shows the leaps and bounds that Ellen has made in her ability to step out of her comfort zone. 

While this book is all about Ellen the secondary characters are who caught my attention.   I loved Temerity and Justice.   Shari Shattuck did an excellent job of giving the reader a peek into their lives while keeping the story mainly about Ellen.     The peeks managed to get my curiosity up about the rest of their lives.   We met their family and realized how amazing their parents are.   Not many parents can handle what Temerity and Justice’s friends are dealing with.    

This is a series.   I did not read the first book in this series and probably will not go back and read it.   I do not feel that I missed anything by not reading it.   Shari Shattuck gave enough background to the characters that I had a good understanding of why they were how they were.    

Book Links

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Praise for Shari Shattuck

"A heartfelt and moving portrait of life on the sidelines. It is a book for anyone who has ever felt they didn't count. And who hasn't felt that way at least once?  A lovely, compelling novel about a woman you won't soon forget."

—Kristin Hannah, New York Times-bestselling author of The Nightingale

“Becoming Ellen deftly picks up where Invisible Ellen, a favorite of mine, leaves off.  It's a novel of grace and tenderness, so darkly funny in places it made me laugh out loud; I kept stopping as I read, to hold on to these wonderful characters, to keep them with me just a little longer.”

—Luanne Rice, New York Times­-bestselling author

“Shattuck delivers strong, well-balanced characters and clever dialogue, making this both a fun read and a satisfying story of personal transformation.”

—Booklist

“A sweet comedy about a lonely young woman who discovers she has a talent for righting wrongs.”

—Good Housekeeping

“An upbeat, entertaining survival story about the souls of lost human beings often ignored by society. With her well-drawn characterizations and distinctive protagonists, she shows how lives can be profoundly transformed through unlikely human connections.”

—Shelf Awareness

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A Colorful Life: Drawn in Broken Crayon by Melissa Storm

Published May 1, 2015 by Blue Crown Press 

               

A handsome stranger.
A whirlwind trip to India.
A life forever changed.

For Daly English, life is a series of one disappointment after another. Rather than dealing with the fall-out, she locks herself in her studio and works tirelessly toward completing her art school portfolio. Unfortunately, fate isn't done with Daly quite yet.

Time and time again, a handsome stranger refuses to be ignored, forcing her to come to grips with the loss she's been harboring for years and to trust herself to love again. Their whirlwind romance transports her from the drab Midwest straight to the bold and colorful capitol city of India where a slew of quirky characters cast a stark contrast to her world at home. Will Daly continue to fade into the background of her own life, or will her journey transform her into exactly who she needs to be?

A Colorful Life Drawn in Broken Crayon weaves a tale of friendship, ambition, and adventure while illustrating that sometimes what we want the least is what we need the most.

My Thoughts…

I started A Colorful Life and wondered what I was getting into.   Would I be able to connect with the characters?    I felt like it started out with a little disconnect but within the first few chapters the dots started connecting for me.    I could see where this book was heading, or at least where I hoped it was heading.  

There are quite a few tough subjects covered within the pages.    The death of a father to a daughter at a young age was the first and then the mother/wife leaves the daughter to figure out how to deal with the loss on her own.     Next comes the trouble relationship between the mother and daughter due to the lack of communication.    Just to keep things interesting add in a pregnant teenager whose parents are not supporting her and the father of the baby refuses to take responsibility.    And if you think that is enough, you are not quite right.    There is also the loss of a husband.    I know it sounds like a lot and it is, but it all ties together.   The story lines weave together perfectly, the characters support each other as needed, and everything ends up as it should.     I enjoyed that the story lines were not just here is what is happening and here is the ending.   It took to the end of the book for these characters to settle into their lives.  

Melissa Storm wrote a book that had me unable to stop reading.   I was invested in what happen to the characters.   I knew what I wanted to happen and was excited to see if they would follow the path that I wanted.  

I recommend checking out A Colorful Life. 

Book Links

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**Thank  you Melissa Storm for providing a copy for me to review.**