Book Review: A Human Element

by Donna Galanti

Format: MOBI

Book Description:

One by one, Laura Armstrong’s friends and adoptive family members are being murdered, and despite her unique healing powers, she can do nothing to stop it. The savage killer haunts her dreams, tormenting her with the promise that she is next.

Determined to find the killer, she follows her visions to the site of a crashed meteorite–her hometown. There, she meets Ben Fieldstone, who seeks answers about his parents’ death the night the meteorite struck. In a race to stop a mad man, they unravel a frightening secret that binds them together. But the killer’s desire to destroy Laura face-to-face leads to a showdown that puts Laura and Ben’s emotional relationship and Laura’s pure spirit to the test. With the killer closing in, Laura discovers her destiny is linked to his and she has two choices–redeem him or kill him.

Review: 

Rate: 3.5

Here we go…
I am not an avid fan of sci-fi. Although I have read a couple of books that I can count on my ten fingers since I started reading. However, Human Element had me hooked. It was as if I was running hard on the field – eager to find what is waiting for me on the finish line. It was exhilarating ride from start to finish. 

The story started in Coopersville Lake in the summer of 1979, where Ben who was then 9 years old and his parents were enjoying their summer vacation. Ben ran away from their cottage and went into the lake, leaving his parents to worry for him. He didn’t like to learn a musical instrument and was ‘teaching’ his parents a lesson. Then suddenly, a blast of green hit the area and young Ben lost everything. The following year (1980), a virgin gave birth to twins: a boy who was way larger and way far from normal and a girl who was so small and almost perfect. The two events strangely related to each other changed the lives of those who are involved. Ben’s world had ended; the twins were separated and grow up in two different worlds. 

The Characters 

Ben was first introduced as a young boy who hated musical instruments as much as his parents loved it. The green blast took both his parents and made him an orphan. He was transferred from one foster home to another until he was finally old enough and has saved enough to run away from home. His experience with foster homes made him hate everything around him. He joined the navy, met Andy who became a good friend and once again found himself in danger of dying – but this time someone saved his life. It was a very mysterious man in black. I think Ben is a lost soul who is constantly moving from one place to another, afraid to stay and engage his feelings to anyone. Until he met Laura, a girl he saw in his dreams.

Laura’s sunny disposition is a breather in this sort-of-heavy novel. I like the way she view life, her kindness, and the love that she willingly give to anyone who comes her way. Even as a child, she just knew that she was different from anyone. Then, tragedy started to happen: deaths of her loved ones, headaches, accidents that were surreal. The only one who remained was Mr. B – the solitudinarian she met when she was a child, and the mysterious person in black who seemed to show himself every now and then. I find her sweet, but a little bit dramatic for my taste. 

Mr. B is not a hermit but a solutudinarian. After his wife died, he lived alone in his cottage near the lake with his dog. He met Laura, and everything changed. She was the daughter than she never had. I love him, and I love the care and devotion he gave to Laura. The way he was willing to risk her life to save her was admirable. It was clear that she was the light of his life when he lost everything around him. I love their playful banters and word play – yes, both of them were word whores that love to get their hands on thesaurus. 

X-10’s intense passion on violence and revenge was overwhelming that you can feel it palpating in the pages of the books. Unlike his twin, Laura – he didn’t grow up in a normal environment. Instead, he was caged like an animal and was a guinea pig for science experiments of the government. This pushed him to haunt Laura and seek revenge for everything she has and everything he didn’t. Yes, he was scary and he’s the type of character that can give you nightmares. 

The Man in Black is the mysterious guy who seemed to be everywhere. Who is he? Is he one of those people that save the world from aliens? Is he a friend or enemy? This question hunted me for some time while reading A Human Element . His character is vague at first that you’d want to learn more about him and what is going on inside his mind – and boy, I was in for a big surprise with the sudden twist in the story. 

The Plot 
This story is more of a sci-fi rather than romance – for those who are expecting a great love story, then you will be in for a disappointment. But for those who are in for adrenaline rush pumping – I’d have you read this one. Only thatthere are times I couldn’t keep up with the time pacing. Especially when I stopped on the previous chapter and the next chapter holds a different year. I wish there was a year below each chapter title. It would have made my life a little easier. Nevertheless – I didn’t regret I went out of my usual genre to read this one. 

Disclaimer: Book reviewed was sent to me by the author and I have received no compensation of any kind for the review whether it is positive. 

Book Review: Almost

by Anne Eliot

Format: Kindle

Summary:

At a freshman party she doesn't remember, Jess Jordan was almost raped.

...Almost. Very nearly. Not quite. Three years later, Jess has managed to make everyone believe she's better. Over it. Because she is.

...Almost. Very nearly. Not quite.

Unfortunately, until Jess proves she's back to normal activities, her parents won't discuss college. So, she lands a summer internship and strikes a deal with hockey jock, Gray Porter: He gets $8,000. She gets a fake boyfriend and a social life. 

Jess has no idea Gray signed on for reasons other than money. She also never expects to fall in love. But Gray’s amazingly hot, holds her hand all the time, and makes her forget that he’s simply doing his job. It’s like having a real boyfriend.

...Almost. Very nearly. Not quite.

Gray Porter is hiding secrets of his own. About Jess Jordan. About why he’s driven to protect her, why he won't cash her checks, or deny her anything she asks.

Review:

4/5

Almost. Very nearly. Not quite. 

How can you start living your life again when everything fell apart and you couldn't remember anything at all? 

When she was in her freshman year, Jess Jordan attended a senior party and she was almost raped. It turned her world in complete rotation and everything was not what they used to be again. She knew she wasn’t rape – but the whole thing was blurred and she could only remember bits and pieces from that awful night.

She was having nightmares she couldn't decipher, she didn't have any friends, she didn't go out with anyone. She didn't have a normal teenage life. Heryounger sister was frantic - giving her lists on how to act like a normal teenager. Her parents were deeply concern, and were adamant in letting her leave for college when she was obviously not ready to be part from them. She needs to become normal. 

Thus - operation LIVE A NORMAL LIFE began.

While filling out her college application, she applied for a summer internship and met the former hockey jock Gray Porter . They strike a deal: they both get the internship, only one gets paid. He gets the $8000 and she gets a fake boyfriend, including his friends and social life. A total win-win situation. 

Only that, she didn’t expect the consequences. How can she not fall in love with someone as amazing and as nice and as hot as Gray Porter? He’s sweet and kept on holding her hand all the time. It was almost having a real relationship! 

But some secrets aren’t meant to be kept forever

Gray is keeping his own dark secrets he is not willing to share yet. He threw promises to people back then, and now, he is in dilemma. Is he willing to risk a budding relationship with Jess when these secrets are revealed? Can he handle the consequences of probably losing Jess? 

Reading Almost reminded me of my undergrad thesis about PTSD or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder . This disorder is often suffered by people who have been experienced a very difficult and stressful situation in their lives and is characterized by recurring nightmares. It is difficult to try to live a normal life when you are afraid to sleep at night because you know bad dreams will visit you. 

I feel sad for Jess, all she wants to be is to become normal. But the over-protectiveness of her parents made it almost impossible. So, she got herself a boyfriend, a couple of friends and the charade begins. I couldn’t blame her for wanting her freedom. I admire her determination and her courage in trying to face her devils. BUT just as when she was having a grand time, the nightmare intensifies and all the puzzle came into pieces.

Gray, Gray, Gray. I love his name and I love his character more. At first, I was not sure whether he’s the hero or the assailant. Everything was vague at first, and when the real story unfolded somewhere at the middle and near end of the story, I fell in love with him. I couldn’t put as much as I want to without giving you spoilers, so I will leave it at that. 

I’m not sure with the people surrounding her – were they protecting her or were they in denial of what happened with Jess? I’m torn between hating and understanding them. In fairness to them, on the other hand, what they did what they thought could help Jess move on.

This is my first Anne Eliot novel – and I love it. I like how the story unfolded – how the puzzles came together and rock my world a bit. It wasn’t that heavy, my heart wasn’t pounding very hard when Jess was having nightmares but the story touched me. The battle that Jess had with PTSD at a young age and her determination in trying to live a normal life is amazing. They way the story unfold, and how Jess finally realized what happened that night and how everyone revealed what happened in the aftermath awed me as well. The pacing was good, with some surprising twist that will make you love and hate some of the characters.

Rape – whether the crime has been consummated or not is NEVER the victim’s fault. Their rights have been violated, and they need all the help they can get. They should get to chose whether they wanted to pursue the assailant or just leave it at that. I think the first thing about moving on is accepting that the awful crime happened to them and it is not their fault. 

Favorite Quotes 

• “Is this a habit of yours?” he asks. “What?” “Dropping stuff whenever you first see me? It's kind of cute. Flattering,” he adds, straightening while easily holding all of my stuff in his giant arms.
• "Maybe because he's already been in my dreams for so long, it feels to me as though we've always been together."

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My Short Stories: A Thousand Cranes for Leila [PART 1]

Thousand origami cranes (千羽鶴 Senbazuru?) is a group of one thousand origami paper cranes (鶴 tsuru) held together by strings. An ancient Japanese legend promises that anyone who folds a thousand origami cranes will be granted a wish by a crane, such as long life or recovery from illness or injury. This makes them popular gifts for special friends and family. The crane in Japan is one of the mystical or holy creatures (others include the dragon and the tortoise), and is said to live for a thousand years.

“If you leave now, I won’t run after you.” Leila halted when she heard Christian spoke. He didn’t shout, he stated those words firmly as if he wanted her to make a difficult choice. Can she? Walking away from heaven and into something that she is not sure, someone needed her more.

              

  Leila didn’t look back at him. She can’t, she was scared that the pleas in his eyes would just make her stay.

“I’m sorry, X. Please understand me this time, just this time. Like the way I have understood you for years.” Before he could even answer, she opened the door and left.

           

           

             

            ***

Leila grasped her phone tightly, wishing she could throw it away--- but after remembering how much her phone cost, she changed her mind. She counted from one to  ten to calm her nerves after that phone call from Christian. He promised her, she made him reiterate it a couple of times but he still broke it the last minute. He was not coming again. There was an emergency case he needed to attend to. Last night, he assured her that he was free today. Didn’t he hear of the word ‘day off’?

           

 She closed her eyes and muttered a soft curse. Since the day after his graduation at med school, he started to lose time for her. At first, it was because of his application for his post-graduate internship. Then after he was hired, there were a lot of emergency cases that could not be delayed or cancelled. Sometimes, he would tell her that he was busy with reviewing for his board examinations. She thought all the while that she should understand, that complaining about his lost of time for her is a petty thing since she was also a med student, she ought to understand.

           

 Yet, she could not bear even to think that she should have to schedule an appointment with him if she wanted to talk to him. An appointment that he could cancel anytime that he wanted. She doesn’t feel secure anymore.

           

 This has been going on for more than a year already. At first, it was okay, but after a while, a long while, she finally decided that she had enough. She was not born a martyr. God gave her brains, so she should use it before it atrophies.

           

 Her relationship with Christian used to be smooth-sailing. They didn’t have any problems, especially with their schedules. But now, it is the very thing that is separating the both of them.

           

 Tears began to fall from her eyes, not because she was starting to get weak with her emotions, nor she wanted sympathy or pity. She’s crying because holding back the tears is no longer possible, the pain, the hurt, and the agony she had been enduring became too big to be kept inside.

           

 Leila missed him. A lot. She just hope the moment he finds time for her, she would still remember what he looks like.

           

             

            ***

 Christian took off his gloves and washed his hands. The operation was over and the surgical team just saved one life. At the same time, his relationship with Leila is getting rougher each day. He knew it was his day off and he can go out of the hospital, enjoy his day and just be with her.

           

 Something happened when he was on his way out. Ther e were three patients in the emergency room with stab wounds and are scheduled for Stat operations. Problem is they are looking for assistants. He’s a doctor.

           

Well, not full-pledged, but still he is. He was needed mor e here. He wanted to become a good surgeon like his father that is why as much as possible he wanted to assist to as many operations as he can. So, without second thoughts, he called Leila to tell her that he could not come. He knew she was mad at him now. She had been patient for a long time. He should admit that it scares him to loose her. However, she should understand how things work knowing that she would become a doctor soon. Stop rationalizing things, X! Face it! What is happening right now is your fault. He is torn between his girlfriend and his dreams. He was not ready to give up any of them.

           

             

            ***

           

 Leila took the chart out of the stack and opened it. She released an annoying air out of her system.

           

 Yes, she did not sleep well the other night.

           

 Yes, she was pathetically waiting for his call that never came.

           

 And yes, she woke up at the wrong side of the bed.

           

 Now here she was being nagged by one of the PGI to check the skin test result of one of the patients because the former was too sleepy to examine it.

           

 And then this, no diagnosis, no hint whatsoever of why this patient is inside the hospital; not even a medical history was written on the chart. What in the world is this? Just do what you’re asked to do, Lei. Get on with it. You still have other patients to check-up on.

           

 She’s just glad there was at least a name on the chart. Raja Lizares. No age, and no gender. Geez, she was not even sure if this is a male or a female. But why does the name sounds familiar? Did she hear the name somewhere? It rings a bell, but she could not recall.

           

 Placing the chart close to her chest, she made her way to the patient’s room. When she reached the patient’s door, she knocked three times and waited for an answer. She lingered for a few more moments before decided to enter the room. It seemed that no one wanted to open the door for her.

           

 The room was dark. She whispered a soft curse. Leila tried to close her eyes for a while and open her eyes again to let her vision adjust to the darkness. She thought that the patient was sleeping since the lights were off.

But she was mistaken. When she looked at the bed, no one was there. Not even a shadow. She was trying to find the switch when she noticed something unusual with the room. Heaven’s sake! The room is filled with papers! Not just ordinary paper, but origami papers! Is he a child? Another pedia patient? What kind of child would like dark places? She moved her hands on the wall and tried to search for the switch when she felt that something was wrong. It was like there was another person in the room. Her hands moved faster on the wall, her adrenalin was almost rushing inside her body. When she found the switch at last, she almost fainted when a hand stopped hers from turning on the lights, “Who in the world are you?” the voice asked in the most arrogant and demanding voice she heard her whole life.

           

             

            ***

           

 Raja came from the hospital’s garden. He needed to get some fresh air. He used to love the hospital. He longed to smell the disinfectant in the four walls of the building. He liked to see the people in their white uniforms, doctors and nurses, or even people in the laboratory. But now, he loathed being in here. Every time he entered the hospital, it felt like prison. He could almost feel invisible hand cuffs on his wrist the moment he wore the ID bracelet. It was devastating, almost frustrating.

           

 He was trying his best to remain positive at all times. Telling himself that he is well, that nothing is wrong with him, that he is fine. But how can a person still think of the birds and the bees, and the blue sky when he cannot move in pain?

           

 When he came back in his room, he was surprised when he felt that someone was there inside. Then he finally noticed that the “someone” was wearing white. Must be one of the medical students, just when I need rest.

But he didn’t expect the big surprise right before his very eyes the moment he turned on the lights, standing in front of him is a girl with the most beautiful eyes he had ever seen. And it was throwing daggers at him. Uh-oh, bad move, boy!

           

 “Are you the patient?” she asked, slightly moving herself away from him.

           

 He went to his bed and sat down, “I guess so.”

           

 “I’m JI Pabulayan, I’m here to interpret the skin test.”

           

 Purely business, how unromantic. “It’s negative” he flashed his most charming smile, “What’s your first name?”

           

 The girl raised a brow, “Where is it? Left or right?”

           

 “I told you its negative.”

           

 “I still need to see it.”

           

           

 “Is this a part of therapeutic communication?”

           

 He saw her breathed in deeply, “Perhaps. So can I please have the arm now?”

           

 “What if it’s negative just like what I told you?” he dared.

           

 “I still need to see it,” she continued on insisting.

           

 This girl just never gives up. Her arms were already folded in front of her and he noticed she was already stamping her right feet. “You owe me a dinner if it’s negative.”

           

 “Whatever!”

           

 He held out both of his arms, “See, I told you so.” She looked carefully and shook her head hearing the old cliché. She opened his chart and wrote something. “You owe me dinner.” He reminded her.

           

 The intern just smiled at him, the kind of smile that doctors give to their patients, “I would love to, but you’re sick so you need to rest.”

           

 “Can you see any diagnosis on my chart, doc?”

           

 “You did that on purpose!”

           

 He instantly denied, “Of course not. My attending physician knows me inside-out. I don’t think my history is necessary. I don’t like student nurses or medical students invading my privacy.

           

 Her brows formed a straight line, but before her mouth opened for another rebuttal, he silenced her with another reply, “I’m sure it’s for my own good. But it’s my choice, and so far my physician agrees with me.”

“Then why are you here?”

           

“I won’t die and you won’t die either if we talk it over dinner?”

           

             

            ***

  Leila was almost loosing her breath. She hadn’t touched her dinner when someone paged her that there was an emergency at his room. He looked so well yesterday, what went wrong? Did he have an arrest?

Anaphylactic shock?

She ran up the stairs because the elevator was too long. She didn’t drop by the nurse’s station, nor noticed there was no emergency cart in front of his room. When she opened the door, she observed that the room was dark again. What is this all about? She felt her adrenalin rush nearly dropped. She wanted to sit down. Leila reached for the switch of the light, when she turned it on she was surprised to see Raja standing, still alive and grinning.

           

 “What do you think you are doing?” she demanded. Leila wanted to throw anything at him.

           

 “Relax. You owe me dinner, remember?”

           

 It was then that she noticed the room was not as messy as it was yesterday. There were no papers on the floor and a table was really set up for dinner. You must admit, he made an effort! “You don’t have to page me like that!”

           

 “You haven’t replied to any of my text messages.” He simply replied.

           

 Why does he have to be so cool? So he’s the one who’s been texting me the whole day. It was not her fault she didn’t reply. Mainly because it was an unknown number, and second because she was too busy. “Where did you get my number?”

           

 “I’m just very resourceful. Anyway, aren’t you hungry?” he led her to the table and assisted her to sit down.

Suddenly, she wanted to cry. When was the last time she and X done this? She could not even remember the date; all that she could remember was that he was in a hurry to go because there was an emergency. “Are you okay?”

           

She tried to offer him a smile, but the look on his face tells her that he didn’t buy it, so she decided to change topic, “What do we have for dinner?”

           

 “Italian foods actually. Somebody mentioned you love pizza and lasagna.” Raja started to serve her the foods which amazed her. Asking herself when was the last time she and her boyfriend done this seemed to be a tune that was nagging her thoughts. “Somebody mentioned that you have a boyfriend too. It’s Dr Uy, right?”

           

 “You’ve done your research well,” she acknowledged.

 “Is it okay with him if I invite you for dinner again?”

           

 “Why would you invite me for dinner again?”

           

 “I just want to spend time knowing you.”

           

 “You told me yourself, you know I have a boyfriend.”

           

           

 He smiled again, “Where? I can’t see him right now. You ate dinner yesterday, breakfast, lunch and dinner again alone. And he’s working here also.” Leila smirked, but it seemed he wanted to go on, “If I were your boyfriend, I won’t let you eat alone. I will never take you for granted. I will spend even just 30 seconds of one hour for you.”

           

 She can’t help but laughed, she needs to or else she’s going to cry. Raja just hit bull’s eye. “That one is called hypoglycemia, Raja. Eat.”

           

           

           

 When they finished desert, she started to ask him, “How old are you?”

           

 “Wow, is this The Buzz? I’m twenty-four.”

           

 So young, “Do you still go to school or do you have work?”

           

 He shook his head and laughed softly, “I love this question and answer portion . I could feel that your interest in me grows. Work? You could say that. I was a resident-doctor abroad before I decided to stop.”

           

 “Why?” that’s why he was knowledgeable about medical stuffs, like the skin test. He is a doctor, what went wrong? Did he suddenly realize that medicine was not for him?

           

 “Psychiatry tells us that asking why is not therapeutic.” He reminded her, “Anyway, I won’t beat around the bush. Here’s the climax of my story: I’m dying.”

           

             

            ***

           

           

 Raja was diagnosed having brain cancer while he was having his residency in one of the most prestigious hospital in New York. After bouts of painful headaches, he decided to have a CT scan. The results had brought his dreams to waste. All his life works is worth nothing.

           

 He loved his course, no matter how hard it was, he finished at the top of his class. He was then invited to work abroad after the board exam which he also topped.

Raja wanted to be an oncologist. What an irony. At first, he was in total denial. He didn’t want to quit his work and go back to the Philippines. But the hospital left him no choice, they asked for his resignation letter. His father picked him up and brought him back to the country after series of test. Those painful tests proved to be idle. His cancer was on its final stage. He was waiting for his call from God. His mother died of cancer. And now, he was also dying from it. God, it was too early to die.

           

       

to be continued...

      

Book Review: Snapshot

by Angie Stanton

Summary

Marti Hunter hates rockers and anything remotely related to the rock-and-roll lifestyle. She thought she’d left that all behind, along with her drug-addicted mother and absent-minded rock legend father. Now she lives with her grandmother, and Marti’s life is finally normal. Just the way she likes it.

For Adam Jamieson, normal is not possible. He is the genius guitar player of the band Jamieson. He’s ecstatic to finally get a two-week break from his micromanaged life and a chance to hang with regular teens. Adam’s shaving off his trademark curls and going undercover.

But when Marti, the reluctant rock princess, and Adam, the undercover guitar wizard, meet, sparks fly in more ways than one. They spend their time alternating between making out and driving each other crazy. But their summer adventures of skinny dipping, storm watching, and stolen kisses are brought to a halt when tragedy strikes.

Suddenly, they’re on opposite sides of the country, just when they need each other the most. Can Marti survive life with her dad and his vicious girlfriend? Will Adam get so fed up with his over-managed life and controlling parents that he quits the band?

Snapshot. A moment in time that changes two people forever.

Review

4/5

The same tune, different lyrics. This is how I define Angie Stanton’s latest offering Snap Shot.

If you have read Angie Stanton’s Rock and a Hard Place, you’ll know what I mean. The whole plot is familiar but was given a different setting and set of characters: Teen-age Rock demigod meets a damsel in distress.

and the credit rolls …

The Damsel in Distress : Marti
I love her name – it’s pretty unique and ear-catching. She’s ALSO abused – neglected by both her parents who were busy doing their own thing rather than taking care of their daughter.

How can she be that unlucky? 

Her father was a great rock & roll legend of all time and I don’t know why I picture Steven Tyler every time I read Steven Hunter’s name . Anyway, when he wasn’t on booze or drugs – her was a great dad. But when he’s under the influence: he’s totally another person. For instance, Marti drove a car when she was 10 while her father was inebriated on the passenger seat – does social services not exist during these times in American history? On the other hand, I like her father’s lucid moments. I can feel that he also care for his daughter but he’s not a perfect dad & Adam’s mother was right when she said that he can’t manage to be a caregiver. He can give her all the material necessities but not the nurturing that a teen-ager needs.

Her mom was always high on drugs and very unstable. She would go in & out of rehab – that’s why Marti was given to her dad. 

Her grandmother who took her from her father when she felt that there was a need to do so. I adore her so much and I think that she’s the best thing that ever happened to Marti – besides Adam. She provided all the love that Marti craved for growing up – Love that her parents were supposed to give her. 

Her Hang-up 
Since she came from a very dysfunctional family and was traumatized with her dad: she doesn’t like rock stars. After living with her father and experiencing all the crazy stuffs that comes with all the glitz and glamour – she decided not to fall in love with one OR go back to her father – anything actually for her not to experience her past again. 

The big BUT
She met Adam – she was mad that he lied about his identity. She hated him for being a rock star but Adam showed that some rock stars – no matter how widely famous they are – can be different. 


The Teen-Age Rock Demigod : Adam Jamieson 

this band so reminds me of the Jamieson brothers

Here’s one question that has been bugging my mind: Does the Jamieson troupe have a white-knight complex? As you can remember Peter was adamant in saving Liberty from her addicted aunt and now – Adam wants to save Marti. 

Anyway, Adam wanted freedom from stardom. Just like Peter whom we’ve met from Rock & a Hard Place he isn’t your typical teen-age rock star with loose chains who alternate girls, booze and drugs. All three of them were still under their parent’s care and still their normal selves after the final curtain drops on stage. 

He wanted to experience normalcy for a few weeks that’s why he cut his hair and enrolled himself at a photography camp under a pseudoname. 

I love his conviction to standby Marti and he pulled off a one big gesture just to see her – despite to their prior commitment in one important show. I have one problem with him though – like any other NORMAL teenage boy in the brink of puberty – he allows his balls to prevail more than his brain. 

Their Camp Friends : breathers 
I love their friends at camp – they were fun and fiercely loyal. They got star struck when the truth went out but what normal person wouldn’t be? Nevertheless, they kept their promise and never revealed Adam’s existence to anyone outside their group. 

The Issues : A lot!
Angie Stanton once again touched the issue on abuse, this time, neglect. Adding some common teen-age issues that I’m sure a lot of her young adult readers can relate such as teen-age pregnancy, how a few minutes of pleasure could not compensate with the worry you experience in waiting for the pregnancy result test. Plus drugs, booze & rock and roll. 

Lastly 
I’d love to hear Garret’s story, and I hope fervently that Angie Stanton will set out a different formula this time. 

Everyone deserves their happy ending, although I never really like Garret and all his controlling tendencies, I hope he will have his very own HEA. 

Favorite Quotes

• “Sometimes surprises are best.” 
• “We need something fun to remember when we look back at our youth.”
• “When a person is so irresponsible and self-centered that they can’t look out for the basic needs of their own family and they actually cause irreparable harm to their own children, that’s totally unacceptable. And when they treat other people like they exist only to serve them, that’s not only rude and offensive, it’s completely wrong. No one on this earth should be allowed to step on other people just to build themselves up.” 
• “You are my drug of choice, and I plan to overdose.” 
• “Because I need you more right now than I need to breathe.”

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