Showing posts with label Suicide Prevention. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Suicide Prevention. Show all posts

Monday, August 18, 2014

**#COYER Review ~ Forever Sheltered ~ Deanna Roy**


Forever Sheltered (The Forever Series, #3)Forever Sheltered by Deanna Roy
Forever Series #3
Release Date: July 23, 2014
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance

Source: I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review
Rating: 4 Bookworms

Synopsis
Tina would rather sew up her girl parts with dental floss than go on a second date with a man. She's been dumped enough to know not to get attached.

But when Dr. Darion Marks comes into her art therapy room to ask a favor for a special patient, Tina recognizes the haunted look he buries beneath his stoic professionalism. So rather than be forced to ditch the handsome doctor after a single night, she decides not to date him at all.

So how exactly DO they end up half-naked in Surgical Suite B?

Dr. Darion has a lot to hide. His baby sister is the only family he has left, and he's not leaving her treatment to some incompetent hack.

But now he's breaking every hospital rule imaginable. He lied about his sister so he can manage her care, and now he's banging the art therapy teacher between patient rounds like a fraternity boy at a keg party.

Nobody believes this can end well, not Tina's friend Corabelle, who is overcoming a tragic history much like Tina's, or even pink-haired Jenny, who thinks sex with strangers is good for your metabolism.

But Dr. Darion and Tina have one thing going for them -- a fierce passion for each other that just might obliterate all their doubts, and solve all their problems.

Forever Sheltered includes many favorite characters from Forever Innocent and Forever Loved, as well as the much-anticipated wedding of Gavin and Corabelle.

It is a standalone HEA that does not require reading any other parts of the Forever series.  



First off, I know Forever Sheltered can be read as standalone but it really adds so much to the story if you've read the first two. 

I really liked Tina when we met her in Forever Innocent, so I was thrilled she was getting her own HEA. Ms. Roy didn't disappoint. I loved the story she wove around Tina and Darion. It was compelling and sweet.

Tina Schwartz is a former speaker for suicide prevention and a survivor. She's now an art therapist, working primarily with cancer patients. Tina's not had a relationship for six years - since the incident that led her to her suicide attempt. Dr. Darion Marks makes her want to re-think her one-and-done rule.

Dr. Darion Marks is a young doctor who's making a name for himself. As an oncologist specializing in pediatrics, he's really burning the candle at both ends. Especially since he's hiding the fact that one of his patients is his sister. Between managing every step of her treatment and handling his caseload, he doesn't have time for a normal life. Tina Schwartz makes him long for normal.

I really liked how Tina and Darion connected. Yes, there was attraction between them, but there also was something that calmed the other - and made them look at life a little differently. I liked Tina's interactions with her art patients - particularly an older gentleman named Albert. Albert and Tina have some things in common and he seemed to take Tina under his wing to give her something back in exchange for all she was giving him - through art. I enjoyed the candid scenes between Darion and Cynthia, his sister, too. Since no one could know their relationship, their interactions were usually professional, so seeing them as brother and sister was endearing.

I did find it hard to swallow that Darion could be so clinical in his treatment of Cynthia - how he could remain objective, but I liked how Ms. Roy conveyed this. The story is told in alternating POV between Tina and Darion and this format worked really well, although I wish Tina would have gotten more time with Albert. I would have liked to see that relationship blossom, but we may see more of Albert in future installments. The plot may be a little predictable in some ways but it worked and was what I wanted. And I thought Tina and Darion's ending was a tad rushed - but again it was what I wanted and made me happy. I love that Ms. Roy incorporated the whole Forever cast and that got to witness Corabelle and Gavin's wedding. That was the cherry on top.

Forever Sheltered was a lovely addition to the series. I was  happy to see Tina heal more - and it was self-healing - Darion was a bonus. I'm excited to see who will star in the next installment. I know I'll be satisfied in any case.

Friday, August 8, 2014

**Blog Tour Review & Giveaway ~ Kill Devil Hills ~ Sarah Darlington**


KILL DEVIL HILLS
Genre: New Adult Romance
More info: Goodreads


Synopsis:

He’s twenty-four. She’s eighteen.

His life is exactly the way he’s always wanted it to be...stable.

She’s quite possibly the very definition of unstable.

Noah saved her.
Georgina never wanted to be saved.


Growing up, Noah Clark was passed from one relative to the next until he finally ended up living with his abusive, alcoholic uncle in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina. Thanks in part to the unwavering love and support of his best friend, Ellie Turner, Noah survived those years, escaped his uncle, and grew into the man he is today. Now he runs his own business and lives a pretty normal, no-nonsense life—one where he maintains a high level of control.

Georgina is Ellie’s younger sister. Four months ago, Noah saved Georgie’s life, but he thought that was where his involvement with his friend’s sister would end. Now Georgie has returned home from the recovery facility her parents sent her away to and Noah, still haunted by the night that connects them, can’t stop himself from continuously trying to protect this girl he barely knows. But is he willing to give up all of the control he’s worked so hard to build in his life and risk everything for her? Even more importantly, would she do the same for him?






LINKS TO BUY 
(99c for release week only!!): 
Amazon I Amazon UK I Barnes and Noble I Kobo








Kill Devil Hills had a premise and a beginning that immediately hooked me. However, although I really enjoyed the story and the characters, I would have liked a little more back story. It would have given the story more depth.

Georgina (Georgie) Turner has just returned from a treatment facility where she was sent following her suicide attempt. She's spent the last 4 months learning to deal with the issues that drove her to attempt to take her life wile also thinking about Noah Carter - her sister's best friend and the man who saved her life.

Noah Carter is quiet and generally a loner. He has a few demons he's still dealing with but he employs a strict set of rules to maintain the control he needs. One of those rules is 'no drama' which would include staying away from Georgie. Trouble is, he can't seem to stop thinking about her or to squelch the protectiveness he feels towards her. 

The chemistry between Georgie and Noah is undeniable. And I liked the pull between them and the bond they forged the night of Georgie's suicide attempt.
"Her scars would forever connect us both to the night I saved her life. I liked that, too. I had to repress my desire to kiss each of her arms." -Noah
The story was really sweet. There were lots of reasons Georgie and Noah together didn't make sense. But there were reasons they did as well. I liked seeing Georgie's and Noah's internal debates on whether they should be together - seeing them fight the pull. There was something in them both that quieted the other's demons. I also enjoyed watching Ellie, Georgie's older sister, try to reconnect with Georgie. Ellie is protective of Georgie and doesn't judge her based on her previous or present actions. I liked that she was so supportive. And Rosie, the youngest Turner sister, sparkled in her few scenes. She also wanted to be there for Georgie but was sassy in her interactions with her sister, which I think Geogie needed.

I would have liked to have seen more development in Georgie's and Noah's relationship. While we could see that there were feelings there, we didn't get a real feel for why. Noah has been best friends with Georgie's sister, Ellie, for 10 years and has been such a constant presence around the Turner house that he has his own key. Yet, we're led to believe he and Georgie barely know one another because she was too tied up in her own life. I would have liked more insight into the struggles Georgie was enduring that led to her suicide attempt as well as a little more detail on Noah's tragic past. We're told that they each suffered but we don't see it. I also think Georgie's parents should have had more of a presence. They weren't as interested in Georgie's life as I would be had my daughter tried to kill herself.

Okay, this all makes it seem like I didn't really like Kill Devil Hills and that's absolutely not the case. It was a endearing story. I liked the small town setting. I liked the dynamics between Georgie and her sisters, Ellie and Rose. I liked the give and take between Georgie and Noah. And the heat between them as well. The dual POV worked well because getting inside Noah's head was enlightening and humorous. But in my opinion, because it dealt with some heavy topics, more detail would have given the story more depth. However, I would love to see Georgie and Noah's story continue. 



About the Author:

Sarah Darlington lives in Virginia with her husband and crazy-active 2-year-old son. She’s a former flight attendant, day-dreamer, traveler, and wannabe photographer. Her debut novel HE BELONGS WITH ME, a standalone, was released March 2014. KILL DEVIL HILLS will be the first book of a three book series. Each novel in this new series will feature a different couple's story. 


Stay connected with Sarah:

Goodreads I Twitter I Facebook Sarah's Website I Instagram

Also by Sarah: HE BELONGS WITH ME {Amazon I Amazon UK}



GIVEAWAY:

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Tuesday, May 27, 2014

**Review ~ Captivating Bridge ~ Michelle Mankin**

Captivating Bridge by Michelle Mankin
Tempest Series #3
Genre: New Adult Contemporary
Release Date: May 22, 2014
Source: I received an eARC in exchange for an honest review. I also purchased my own copy.
Rating: 4.5 Bookworms

Synopsis
“War” Jinkins is that guy. The bad one. Tempest’s ex front man, an arrogant rock god. The only thing larger than his ego is his capacity for self-destruction. His bad attitude has cost him. His woman. His best friend. His band. Everything.

Shaina Bentley is that girl. The good one. Hollywood’s pink candy-coated sweetheart. The star of Pinky Swear, television’s top rated teen show. She’s been practically perfect since that horrible day. But she’s starting to crack under the strain of being everything to everyone. He’s a one man island. She’s a fragile captive soul. Is love a current too dangerous to cross or will it be the bridge that brings them together? 

*Author note: Each book in the Tempest series features a different band member and can stand alone.* 


Dammit, War. Your story was every bit as captivating as I thought it would be. I wasn't sure if there really were any redeeming qualities in you. Shaina found them all. You had me worrying you were going to ruin it all - in typical War fashion. Thankfully you pulled your head out before it was too late.

***
War - we know all about Warren Jinkins. The hell he's lived through, the trouble he's made. But he's deeper than that. The attitude he projects, the image he conveys are all part of his hiding what he really feels. The day he's wondering if it's all worth it - if he should just give it all up - is the day he meets Shaina Bentley.

Shaina has trouble of her own - invisible scars that run deep. She's living her life in order to please everyone else - keep her parents happy and together - and she's tired.
"It was a lot of pressure being the key to everyone else's happiness." -Shaina, Loc 193, eARC
She's ready to move beyond the image she's created, finally be the grownup she is rather than pretending to be the little girl her parents and fans see her as. She's just unsure she has the strength to do it. And as she's contemplating these heady things, she meets Warren Jinkins - on a bridge.

The emotions evoked as I watched these two broken souls building a bridge toward one another were stormy. War and Shaina have been to the same dark places and understood one another in a way no one else could. Their bridge building wasn't pretty or smooth - nothing with War ever is. But I loved the way in which they reached one another. Shaina made War realize he was worthy of someone's love...
"When she looked at me that way she made me feel as if I were somehow the best thing that had ever happened to her.No one had ever looked at me that way." -War, Loc 2224, eARC
...taught him what love really is. And he was right when he said
"I definitely got the better deal in this partnership." -War, Loc 5221, eARC
War filled in all the cracks in Shaina's soul. He gave her strength to finally live her life for herself. Together they really are stronger.

The love they built also helped War to see the error of his ways in regards to Tempest as well. And as much as I was feeling about all that was happening between he and Shaina, it was the interactions between he and Bryan that were powerful. The change in War - his emotional growth and the maturity he showed was heartwarming.

One of the things I admire in Mankin's writing is her bringing awareness to social issues and mental health issues. Captivating Bridge addresses depression and suicide prevention in a touching way.

War's story was an incredible one. He and Shaina came so far. I look forward to seeing them again as Tempest's story continues. I'm not sure whose story is next but I'm kinda hoping it's Dizzy's.


**Captivating Bridge is **ONLY 99 CENTS** during it's release week.**

Thursday, May 22, 2014

**Release Day Blitz & Giveaway ~ Captivating Bridge ~ Michelle Mankin**



NOW AVAILABLE & on SALE for ONLY $.99 for RELEASE WEEK ONLY (regular price will be $2.99)

Come join our Goodreads Release Day & Blog Tour Event

CLICK HERE

Warren “War” Jinkins is that guy. The bad one. Tempest’s ex front man, an arrogant rock god. The only thing larger than his ego is his capacity for self-destruction. His bad attitude has cost him. His woman. His best friend. His band. Everything.

Shaina Bentley is that girl. The good one. Hollywood’s pink candy-coated sweetheart. The star of Pinky Swear, television’s top rated teen show. She’s been practically perfect since that horrible day. But she’s starting to crack under the strain of being everything to everyone. He’s a one man island. She’s a fragile captive soul. Is love a current too dangerous to cross or will it be the bridge that brings them together? 

*Author note: Each book in the Tempest series features a different band member and can stand alone.* 

CAPTIVATING BRIDGE will be on sale at .99 for a limited time with a portion of proceeds going to: The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP)  a leading not-for-profit organization exclusively dedicated to preventing suicide.





Captivating Bridge spotify playlist




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MICHELLE MANKIN is the author of the Black Cat Records series of novels. Romance with subtext. For many years she worked in the insurance industry as an underwriter. Somehow, the boredom didn’t kill her but the hour and hours of looking at facts and figures provided ample time for her mind to wander. Black Cat Records in Vancouver provides the central backdrop for all of Michelle’s current novels. Love Evolution, Love Revolution, and Love Resolution are a Brutal Strength centered trilogy, combining the plot underpinnings of Shakespeare with the drama, excitement, and indisputable sexiness of the rock ‘n roll industry. Things take a bit of a darker, edgier, once upon a turn with the Tempest series.  These pierced, tatted, and troubled Seattle rockers are young and on the cusp of making it big, but with serious obstacles to overcome that may prevent them from ever getting there. When Michelle is not prowling the streets of her Texas town listening to her rock music much too loud, she is putting her daydreams down on paper or traveling the world with her family and friends, sometimes for real, and sometimes just for pretend as she takes the children to school and back.

Connect with Michelle Mankin on:
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**Other Books from Michelle**
Brutal Strength series:
Tempest series: