Category Archives: Standalone

Self-Care, Standalone

#BookPromo – The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz

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In The Four Agreements, don Miguel Ruiz reveals the source of self-limiting beliefs that rob us of joy and create needless suffering. Based on ancient Toltec wisdom, The Four Agreements offer a powerful code of conduct that can rapidly transform our lives to a new experience of freedom, true happiness, and love.

  • A New York Times bestseller for over a decade
  • An international bestseller translated into 50 languages worldwide

“This book by don Miguel Ruiz, simple yet so powerful, has made a tremendous difference in how I think and act in every encounter.” — Oprah Winfrey

“Don Miguel Ruiz’s book is a roadmap to enlightenment and freedom.” — Deepak Chopra, Author, The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success

“An inspiring book with many great lessons.” — Wayne Dyer, Author, Real Magic

“In the tradition of Castaneda, Ruiz distills essential Toltec wisdom, expressing with clarity and impeccability what it means for men and women to live as peaceful warriors in the modern world.” — Dan Millman, Author, Way of the Peaceful Warrior

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About the Authors

Don Miguel Ruiz is the bestselling author of The Four Agreements (a New York Times bestseller for over a decade), The Four Agreements Companion Book, The Mastery of Love, The Voice of Knowledge, The Circle of Fire, and The Fifth Agreement (with don Jose Ruiz). The teachings of Ruiz are best known for transforming complex human issues into simple common sense — a talent that has earned him millions of fans and international acclaim.

Janet Mills is the founder and editor of Amber-Allen Publishing. She is the co-author, with don Miguel Ruiz, of six books in The Toltec Wisdom Series, creator of “The Four Agreements for a Better Life” online course, and editor of Deepak Chopra’s bestselling title, The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success. Her life’s mission is to publish books of enduring beauty, integrity, and wisdom, and to inspire others to fulfill their most cherished dreams.

Psychological Thriller, Standalone

#Review – Any Man: A Novel by Amber Tamblyn

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“An explosive, shapeshifting piece of literary real estate, Amber Tamblyn’s arresting debut offers a scathing portrait of American celebrity culture and the way in which it transmutes human tragedy into a vicious circus; victims are forgotten as likes and shares swirl, and ‘news’ becomes a squalid orgy, a lurid feast. Tamblyn takes every risk in this astonishing and innovative work, and succeeds, gloriously.”
   — Janet Fitch, bestselling author of The Revolution of Marina M. and Paint It Black

Vanity Fair’s Summer Ultimate Fiction List

Entertainment Weekly Summer Preview List

In this electric and provocative debut novel, Tamblyn blends genres of poetry, prose, and elements of suspense to give shape to the shocking narratives of victims of sexual violence, mapping the destructive ways in which our society perpetuates rape culture.

A violent serial rapist is on the loose, who goes by the name Maude. She hunts for men at bars, online, at home— the place doesn’t matter, neither does the man. Her victims then must live the aftermath of their assault in the form of doubt from the police, feelings of shame alienation from their friends and family and the haunting of a horrible woman who becomes the phantom on which society projects its greatest fears, fascinations and even misogyny. All the while the police are without leads and the media hound the victims, publicly dissecting the details of their attack.

What is extraordinary is how as years pass these men learn to heal, by banding together and finding a space to raise their voices. Told in alternating viewpoints signature to each voice and experience of the victim, these pages crackle with emotion, ranging from horror to breathtaking empathy.

As bold as it is timely, Any Man paints a searing portrait of survival and is a tribute to those who have lived through the nightmare of sexual assault.

I was on TikTok one day and came across an account that said this book disgusted her, so of course, I had to grab it. Now I will admit that it took me a moment before I realized this author is the actress Amber Tamblyn. I’m a tad slow. Lol!

So I went into this book blind. I didn’t even bother reading the blurb. This book is also written in a way I’ve never read before, which I find very interesting and I quite enjoyed.

It’s told from 5 different male perspectives. All victims of sexual abuse – Also, please know that this book is filled with possible triggers, no matter what you identify as, so please read with caution. It’s NOT for the faint of heart. Also, this is NOT a romance. So if that’s not your thing, skip past this as well.

The villian in this story is a woman, which I don’t know about you but you don’t see that much, so it’s almost scarier in a way. She brutalizes these men in the worst way possible. Just reading these scenes made me feel icky. It’s highly disturbing what these guys go through.

The story is also about these men trying to heal from their abuse. They band together, form a support group, and so on. They just want to move on but how can you?

I started this review while reading this book and now that I’m done, I’m left feeling…just…wow. This was no easy book and definitely one that I’ll be thinking about for awhile.

I highly recommend it but please please please read with caution if you have triggers. I don’t but there were parts that made even me uncomfortable at times.

I hope Amber writes more books like this because just…wow.

Kindle Unlimited, Standalone

#BookPromo – Maestro: A Love Story by Auden Dar

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“An ode to NYC, to true love, and the music we make with our lives, Auden Dar’s Maestro is a lyrical tour de force whose melody will long linger in your soul.”—Mara White, USA Today bestselling author

For some, first love is a fleeting spark heralding the greater loves to come. For others, first love is the greatest love. The only love.

When a music audition at the world-renowned LaGuardia Arts high school brings together two thirteen-year-olds, unassuming Aurelia Ramirez Preston and confident Chadwick David, the serendipitous encounter becomes an unbreakable friendship.

A friendship develops into an unyielding love.
A love spanning decades and continents.

With New York City as their playground, best friends Chad and Aurelia navigate the turbulence of adolescence. They blossom, and so does their love. An awkward first date turns into a night of intoxicating kisses and together, they lose their innocence.

Years later, Chad is “Maestro,” the tattooed virtuoso, the James Dean of classical music.

And Aurelia is an accomplished cellist. His muse. The enduring love behind his greatness.

But when the maestro falters, even for a moment, the most beautiful symphony can spiral into unrelenting chaos. And the greatest of loves can become the most tragic heartbreak.

Maestro is a symphony of words, four movements filled with longing, secrets, betrayal, and the grace of forgiveness.

Coming of Age, Fantasy Romance, Instant Love, NA, Paranormal, Review, Shifters, Standalone, Teen & Young Adult Contemporary, Witches, Wolves, Writers on the River Attending Author

#WOTR23 – #Review – Between the Pines by Jennifer Daniels

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Between the Pines by [Jennifer Daniels]

On her eighteenth birthday, Sloan Remson thought it would be just like any other day. She went to school, was excused early to get her driver’s permit, then was taken out for a nice lunch by her mother.

Waking up the next morning was an entirely different story. Shivering and in the middle of the clearing up the road and being warmed by a wolf should have scared Sloan stupid. Instead the beautiful snow-white wolf was calming and gave her peace.

Jump seven years into the future, and after several beers with her BFF Mary, once again Sloan finds herself alone in the middle of a clearing. But this time with the handsome Fletcher Remington watching over her. They were friends throughout school and she’d had a secret crush on him for as long as she could remember. Within a few minutes of catching up, secrets are revealed. After a quick mind-dive from Mary, who also happens to be a witch, Sloan finds out Fletcher is a wolf and that he is her mate.

How can Sloan be anyone’s mate when she can’t even shift into the one thing she should be able to? She is a supernatural dud who is in love with a snow-white wolf. Let the adventures begin.

Goodreads

Review by Twinsie Kelly

One can really start questioning their self, especially when they sleepwalk and wake up in the clearing between the pines…with a wolf. However, the second time this happens, she wakes up with Fletcher watching over her. These two have been friends since they were little, but nothing ever came of it. Ultimately, the more these two are together, the stronger the pull is between the two.

Between the Pines was a really sweet, YA/NA fated mates story that did have a sweet happily ever after. The relationship evolving between Sloan and Fletcher is very cute and the fact that they are learning with each other is super adorable. Chivalry is not dead, folks!

I feel that some parts of the book were rushed and not enough explanation in some areas. There was a sort of restlessness that I felt waiting for some turbulence to happen that would really push our MC, but it wasn’t quite as grand as I expected. I wish it was a bit longer so that we could learn more about the other characters’ pasts and to possibly give the antagonist a bigger part. Overall, this was a cute read.

**********Spoiler Alert***************

There are a few things that I felt needed more explanation and the reason why I am giving this 4 stars, instead of 5. A lot of familial secrets are uncovered and Sloan finds out that her father is a wolf. This was kept from her for her entire life. I was a little confused by this because she knew of her mother and her BFF being witches, so I am not really sure why her father being a wolf, and a high-ranking wolf at that, was being kept from her. Sloan really just sort of “went with it”. She questioned things to herself but there were never any real explanations. So, the entire time I waited for something really crazy to happen so that this would eventually be uncovered, but it never did. Additionally, when Sloan and Fletcher bonded, it was discovered that they are the King and Queen of all the wolves. Things were then very rushed and I think some of the “meat and potatoes” of the story were missed.

An image posted by the author.

Mystery, Novella, Paranormal, Standalone, Writers on the River Attending Author

#wotr #attendingauthor #standalone Disassembled Creatures by Albany Walker 

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It all started with a game. 

It was supposed to be fun, a night with friends. No one was supposed to die, but that’s not what happened. 

There’s a killer on the loose. People I know are dying, and I think I might be next. 

We called the boogeyman, and he answered. 

Disassembled Creatures is a standalone novella intended for mature audiences 

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62792846-disassembled-creatures

Amazon https://amzn.to/3gtf627

Review by Twinsie Dee

I was given this book by the author for an honest review  

Lethe and her friends wanted to have a little fun, well 2 of the 4 wanted to have some fun so they brought out a Ouija board after all its just a game nothing bad can happen right. Well, they were all very wrong, after one of the girls started calling upon spirit crazy things start to happen, Lethe had, had enough of this game and thinking that 2 of the girls planned this all out to scare the crap out of her and it was working grabbing her other friend she heads for the door and when she’s at her car she notices a shadow in the window upstairs and then the door closing without anyone touching it. Well, the next day she finds out 1 girl was dead and the other wasn’t going to make it. All because of a game the boogeyman has come to play and he wants her, but why does he want Lethe and will she figure it out or will he catch her by surprise. In this lesson never mess with the spirit world and leave the Ouija boards alone, will Lethe make it out of this nightmare come to life alive or will someone be contacting her spirit with a Ouija board in the future? Wow wow wow wow, I could not put this book down Albany has done it again just when I didn’t think I could love her words anymore she writes another amazing story. This book will have you on the edge of your seat and gripping the pages to turn them faster and faster, so many twist that you won’t see coming.

Albany lives in Michigan where she’s happily married to her high school sweetheart. She spends most of her time juggling her four children’s extracurricular activities, with her nose stuck in a book. When not reading you can find her writing her very own book boyfriends. Albany’s passion is writing romance with real characters that are far from perfect, but always seem to find their own happily ever afters. 

Hockey Player, M/M, Sports Theme, Standalone

#NewRelease #Review #BookPromo – Hidden Scars (An MM Hockey Romance) by Andi Jaxon

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Charles Preston Carmichael is the most infuriating man I’ve ever met.

I want to sock the golden boy of college hockey right in the mouth.

He enjoys telling me everything I’m messing up. Publicly.

And since he’s my roommate for the next year, I can’t avoid him.

Yet there’s something about him that makes me watch him.

Something dark.

A secret I want to uncover.

When he returns from a weekend away, broken and haunted, I can’t keep my distance anymore.

He needs someone and I’ll be damned if it’s not me.

Soon my life no longer revolves around hockey, but the nightmares he’s living with.

Desperately I want to save him but I can’t, not yet. The timing has to be just right.

Can I watch him destroy himself as he tries to hold tight to the things that matter or will I be the final hit in the destruction of his life?
Hidden scars is an MM enemies to lovers, hockey romance, with a jealous f*ck buddy, and plenty of heat.
Trigger warnings can be found on my website at https://www.andijaxon.com/trigger-warnings

I thought Roman in Bully King was broken, haunted and outright mean. Boy was I ever wrong. Preston is worse. Much much worse. First, I just want to say that if you have triggers, PLEASE read this book with caution. I believe Andi has trigger warnings for this book on her website but I’m not 100% on that.

I can read anything and I don’t have triggers at all but the prologue to this book made even me feel very uncomfortable.

I’m a huge fan of Andi Jaxon’s MM books. I thought Bully King was my favourite and then this one came along and it’s definitely pushed BK out of the #1 spot for me.

This story is dark mixed with a sliver of light. It’s grumpy/sunshine and that’s not an exaggeration. Jeremy is the sunshine that Preston needs. Andi wrote Preston perfectly and what happens to him is beyond tragic. His dad needs to be shot and peed on.

As far as I know, this story is a standalone but there are some side characters that I would love to see stories for. A little MFM action could take place between a set of twins and a lady. Hint hint, Andi. Hint hint.

I really enjoyed this book and I can’t wait for more from Andi. This story is the perfect amount of steam and plot. One doesn’t over rule the other either.

If you’re a fan of MM books, I highly recommend checking this one out!

Fake Relationship, Part of a Series, Small Town Romance, Standalone

#review #standalone #partofaseries Falling for the Doctor (Lange Brothers 2) by Nan Reinhardt 

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They were in it for the fun, but never expected the storm… 
 
Life for hometown ER physician Dr. Max Lange has always been sweet. He loves his job and is dialed in socially with his family, friends, and community. But lately, something feels like it’s missing. When a visiting doctor pulls him in for a hot kiss and asks him to play along in order to avoid unwanted attention from a hospital administrator, Max knows exactly what he wants and needs—the lovely Dr. Mitchell. 
 
After a tragic error shakes her confidence beyond repair, Dr. Lauren Mitchell has abandoned her career in cardiothoracic surgery and instead works as a lead medical consultant for a top cardiovascular technology company. She enjoys her simple life on the road—hotel rooms, room service, and no emotional entanglements. 
 
When a violent storm throws her into service at St. Mark’s hospital, Max has only a few days to prove to Lauren that they belong together, while she must reevaluate her career…and her life. Will Max’s love be enough to make River’s Edge and Max her home? 

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60432626-falling-for-the-doctor?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=NvrnkJ2Cr0&rank=10

Amazon https://amzn.to/3RS4xTv

Review by Twinsie Dee

I bought this book here is my honest review  

Lauren Mitchell found herself as the third-generation doctor as a cardiothoracic surgery but after a tragic that happened during a surgery, she left the operation room and now travels to hospital’s all over to teach doctors, surgeons, and nurses teaching them how to use new equipment that has come out. She loves every moment of her job, expect when she finds herself at St. Marks hospital and is dealing with a slimy colleague trying to flirt with her, that when the very attractive Dr. Max Lange comes into the cafeteria, and she gets up and walks right over to him giving him a kiss and asking him to play along with what she’s going to do. Just like that Dr. Max was willing to play along with anything she said he was hooked from the very beginning with Dr. Lauren. With Lauren only being in town for a short time will Max be able to get her to stay longer to get to actually know her or when he finds out her secret will it make her run away faster since shes never told anyone what actually happened in the OR that terrible day. Will they be the newest talk and love fest of Rivers Edge or just a thing for the moment. 

Nan Reinhardt is a USA Today bestselling writer of romantic fiction for women in their prime. She is also a wife, a mom, a mother-in-law, and a grandmother. She’s been an antiques dealer, a bank teller, a stay-at-home mom, a secretary, and for the last 17 years, she’s earned her living as a freelance copyeditor and proofreader. 

But writing is Nan’s first and most enduring passion. She can’t remember a time in her life when she wasn’t writing–she wrote her first romance novel at the age of ten, a love story between the most sophisticated person she knew at the time, her older sister (who was in high school and had a driver’s license!) and a member of Herman’s Hermits. If you remember who they are, you are Nan’s audience! She’s still writing romance, but now from the viewpoint of a wiser, slightly rumpled, woman in her prime who believes that love never ages, women only grow more interesting, and everybody needs a little sexy romance. 

Instant Love, Part of a Series, Police, Small Town Romance, Standalone

#review #standalone #seriestarter The Valentine Wager (Lange Brothers 1) by Nan Reinhardt 

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He’s a notorious flirt, so she lays down a challenge she’s sure she’ll win. 
 
When playboy police lieutenant Ryker Lange stops Kitt Boynton for driving on the wrong side of the road, his attraction to the feisty Irish lass is immediate. Yet, despite the sizzling chemistry between them, Kitt quickly turns him down. 
 
Kitt has moved to River’s Edge for a fresh start and is ready to focus on her new marketing job at her cousins’ winery. She’s done with players, and vows she won’t let the local sexy cop distract her, but Kitt, a flirt herself, is definitely tempted. To keep her sanity as she prepares for several Valentine-themed winery events, she and Ryker make a bet: for the next three weeks, neither of them can flirt with the other. 
 
The game starts out lighthearted, but when the town takes sides, Ryker and Kitt must choose between winning a wager or finding lasting love. 

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58524645-the-valentine-wager?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=NvrnkJ2Cr0&rank=9

Amazon https://amzn.to/3d4EqKm

Review by Twinsie Dee

I bought this book here is my honest review 

After a terrible breakup Kitt ran away to America to stay with her cousins with their winery and help them make it amazing. But coming from Ireland to America she had to get use to a few things starting with driving on the right side of the road, but she was driving on the left side and that got her pulled over by Lieutenant Lange. Thinking he was pulling over a drunk driver Ryker defiantly got way more than he ever expected when making this traffic stop, he’s pretty sure he found the one and that it was love at first sight, something he didn’t think was real until he stopped Kitt. Well Ryker is known around town as the heartbreak kid and a charmer, and after Kitts breakup she wasn’t wanting to fall for anyone but she couldn’t help how good-looking Ryker was. When Kitt just wants to be friends with Ryker they make a wager, if they can go 3 weeks as just friends no flirting, or anything like that for 3 weeks then Kitt has to go on a date with him but if Kitt wins, Ryker has to apologize to one of the girls who heart he broke. Who will win this bet before valentine’s day or will they both give in and call it a truce.  

Nan Reinhardt is a USA Today bestselling writer of romantic fiction for women in their prime. She is also a wife, a mom, a mother-in-law, and a grandmother. She’s been an antiques dealer, a bank teller, a stay-at-home mom, a secretary, and for the last 17 years, she’s earned her living as a freelance copyeditor and proofreader. 

But writing is Nan’s first and most enduring passion. She can’t remember a time in her life when she wasn’t writing–she wrote her first romance novel at the age of ten, a love story between the most sophisticated person she knew at the time, her older sister (who was in high school and had a driver’s license!) and a member of Herman’s Hermits. If you remember who they are, you are Nan’s audience! She’s still writing romance, but now from the viewpoint of a wiser, slightly rumpled, woman in her prime who believes that love never ages, women only grow more interesting, and everybody needs a little sexy romance. 

Part of a Series, Review, Small Town Romance, Standalone

#review #partofaseries #standalone Perfect Pact (Mason Creek 27) by Cary Hart 

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Perfect Pact by Cary Hart

Life hasn’t been easy for Beth, and her sexy new neighbor isn’t making it any easier. 
 
When she inherits a beautiful old barn on the outskirts of Mason Creek, things are looking up—until she meets the stubborn cowboy next door. Turns out, he’s the absentee grandson of the man she was caring for. He got the house; she got the barn. The problem? A single driveway shared between the two. 
 
In order to turn the property into her dream venue, she’ll have to make a deal with the handsome devil standing in her way. Access to the driveway in exchange for a date? Seems like a fair price. 
 
Except all isn’t fair in love and war—not in these parts, anyway. And making a perfect pact with a charming stranger could cost her something she can’t afford to lose… her heart.  

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59735368-perfect-pact

Amazon https://amzn.to/3RBzIT2

Review by Twinsie Dee

I was given this book by the author for an honest review  

Beth was a at home caretaker for an elderly man Mr. Jacobs who had lost his wife and getting up there in age himself he need 24-hour care. They became friends and one even out on the porch swing drinking some sweet tea and the beautiful sunset, Mr. Jacob’s was reliving about the sunset the evening his wife had passed. Little did Beth know that would be the last sunset and sweet tea she would share with Mr. Jacob’s he passed that night. Beth was so worried about what she was going to do now, she had no place to live and very little money, well Mr. Jacob’s wasn’t going to let her go without even in death, he had put her in his will and left her the barn on the property, but that day she had to go meet the lawyer to hear the will, she met his son and grandsons, and she didn’t have anything nice about them going on in her mind. Especially since the one grandson Dusty stole her lemon raspberry tart from the coffee shop after she told him it was good little did, she know it was the last one. Well now her and the tart theif were neighbors, and he attraction was flying high on both ends of the driveway but Beth was stubborn and Dusty didn’t give up easily. Will they give in to temptaion and enjoy a gorgous sunset with sweet tea of their own or will they just keep up the bullheadedness and stay away from each other. 

 

Cary Hart hails from the Midwest. A sassy, coffee drinking, sometimes sailor swearing, Spotify addict, lover of all thing’s books! 

When not pushing women down the stairs in the fictional world, Cary has her hands full. Soccer mom in all sense of the word to two wild and crazy, spoiled kiddos, and wife to the most supportive husband. In addition to writing full time, she enjoys binge watching Netflix, laying around in her hammock and baking up cookies for her family and friends

Psychological Thriller, Standalone, Thriller

#Review My Dark Vanessa by Katie Elizabeth Russell

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INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER 

“[An] exceedingly complex, inventive, resourceful examination of harm and power.” —The New York Times Book Review, Editors’ Choice

“A lightning rod . . . brilliantly crafted.”—The Washington Post

A most anticipated book by The New York Times • USA Today • Entertainment Weekly • Marie Claire • Elle • Harper’s Bazaar • Bustle • Newsweek • New York Post • Esquire •  Real Simple • The Sunday Times • The Guardian 

Exploring the psychological dynamics of the relationship between a precocious yet naïve teenage girl and her magnetic and manipulative teacher, a brilliant, all-consuming read that marks the explosive debut of an extraordinary new writer.

2000. Bright, ambitious, and yearning for adulthood, fifteen-year-old Vanessa Wye becomes entangled in an affair with Jacob Strane, her magnetic and guileful forty-two-year-old English teacher.

2017. Amid the rising wave of allegations against powerful men, a reckoning is coming due. Strane has been accused of sexual abuse by a former student, who reaches out to Vanessa, and now Vanessa suddenly finds herself facing an impossible choice: remain silent, firm in the belief that her teenage self willingly engaged in this relationship, or redefine herself and the events of her past. But how can Vanessa reject her first love, the man who fundamentally transformed her and has been a persistent presence in her life? Is it possible that the man she loved as a teenager—and who professed to worship only her—may be far different from what she has always believed?

Alternating between Vanessa’s present and her past, My Dark Vanessa juxtaposes memory and trauma with the breathless excitement of a teenage girl discovering the power her own body can wield. Thought-provoking and impossible to put down, this is a masterful portrayal of troubled adolescence and its repercussions that raises vital questions about agency, consent, complicity, and victimhood. Written with the haunting intimacy of The Girls and the creeping intensity of Room, My Dark Vanessa is an era-defining novel that brilliantly captures and reflects the shifting cultural mores transforming our relationships and society itself.

I found this book because of BookTok and a new account that I just started following and man, am I ever glad I did. I told Twinsie Tenise that this account was made for us and I really can’t wait to read more books that this TikTok account recommends.

I haven’t devoured a book like I did with this one in such a long time, it was a nice change. Before I start with my review, please read the blurb if you have triggers. I don’t have any that I know of, so I went into this blind and holy crap, what a ride it was. So please please please read with caution.

This is not a romance. The author made sure to not label it as such either. I’ll also note that as of right now from what I can find anyway, that this is the first and only book this author has written. I really hope she plans on writing other books because there’s something about her writing style that I’m seriously in love with. It reached a deeper part of me that not many authors have been able to reach. I’m also an emotional reader but it takes a lot of work on the author’s part to bring out those emotions in me. This author did just that.

The book travels through past and present. We learn about Vanessa as a 15 year old girl and then again about her as a thirty-something year old woman. It takes us through her life with and without Strane. I don’t want to give away too much but if you like disturbing but beautifully written books and don’t care if it’s a romance or not, I highly recommend this book!