Love, Carry My Bags Review

Synopsis from Amazon

Camryn Johnson’s world is turned upside down when long lost love, Reese Dahlgren, re-enters her life at a pivotal point in her already challenging marriage. She faces an excruciating predicament: choose between a broken home for her daughter or a broken life for herself.

After her parents' divorce, Camryn first meets high school basketball star, Reese, at the Harvard Milk Day Festival bed races. Reese hides baggage of his own…until Camryn melts his heart and learns secrets entrusted only to her. Still, the weight is too much to bear. Unable to cope, Reese unwittingly backs Camryn into a corner during his air force enlistment—love him from afar, or leave him.

Enter aerospace engineering student, Glenn Conroy. Persistent and savvy, he woos Camryn during her junior year of college and wins her heart. Or does he? When Reese re-enters her life, further disrupting her tenuous marriage, Camryn turns to best friend, Megan, for advice, but refuses to believe Megan’s suggestion that she’s caught in a “simple” love triangle.
Camryn unveils hidden mysteries and secrets as she embarks on a life-changing journey of revelation and forgiveness, transcending doormat qualities inherited from her mother, and in the process finds what life's struggles are really all about.

C.R. Everett's heart-wrenching debut novel takes the reader on an emotion-packed journey that lingers long after the last page is turned.

My Review

Love, Carry My Bags is a heartwarming and emotional story. I was going through a pretty hard time when I read this book, and this book touched so close to home and taught me so much. Following Camryn through her life’s ups and downs, I learned so much about myself.

This is a wonderful coming of age story. It was different than any other New Adult coming of age story that I have read. To me, the story was much deeper and more complex than your average run-of-the-mill coming of age story. It felt genuine. If I didn’t know better, I would have thought this was a non-fiction story 100%. I was able to connect to this story on many levels.

I laughed. I cried. I fell in love with the characters like they were part of my family. This is a story that touched my heart and will remain there for a very long time.

 

Grab Your Copy Here ----> Love, Carry My Bags for Kindle



In Spades Sale

Wondrous book for only 99 cents! If you haven't already, run and buy this book. I recommend buying it in ebook and paperback formats.  :)



My Review for In Spades

 

Let Love Stay Cover Reveal

Say hello to the second book in The Love series by Melissa Collins. Look at that baby. Isn't it beautiful? Doesn't that cover just scream, "Read me! Read me!" ? Come on, you know you want to. It's okay, my fellow book lovers. I know that feeling all too well. Wanting and needing that book you have waited for, for what feels like forever and a day. We only have to wait just a little bit longer. Let Love Stay will be released on July 31.

*Synopsis*

If you’re lucky, you’ll fall in love – truly, madly and deeply in love.  But what happens when that honest and pure love isn’t enough to erase your fears?  What happens when your past rears its ugly head and threatens your future? 

Maddy and Reid had that kind of love – the all-encompassing, Earth shattering, once in a lifetime kind of love.  Then life happened.  Old wounds that were thought to be long healed and scabbed over are ripped opened and they are forced to face the possibility that, maybe, they are not strong enough to fight their demons and embrace the light. 

Together, they found out what love is, but now they will each need to heal on their own before they can ever be together again.  They must face their fears and beat down their pasts in order to find their way through this crazy uphill battle called love. 

They’ve let love in, but now, they need to find out how to Let Love Stay. 

Cover design © Arijana Karčić, Cover It! Designs

 

*Excerpt*

I get out of the truck and walk over towards the two of them.  Maddy’s back is to me as I approach her and her date, so she doesn’t see me right away.  But once the guy sees me, she spins around to look at what has caught his eye. 

Her face is shocked and when our eyes lock, my heart skips a beat.  There’s a pull between us.  As much as I hate to admit it, she owns me.  Her eyes are magical.  They dance with light and passion and when she looks at me, they are filled with love. 

The love and passion that are sparkling in her emerald green eyes evaporate when she realizes the scene that I’ve just stumbled upon.  I can only imagine what’s going through her mind, but I’m sure the images of me kicking Logan’s ass are flashing vividly through her mind. 

I’m no more than a few feet from them when the guy pushes Maddy behind him to protect her from what he perceives as a threat.  He’s not very far from the truth, but she’s not the one who needs protecting. 

Menacingly close now, he pipes up.  “Who the fuck are you?  What do you want?”  Okay, I’ll give the prick a little bit of credit for trying to stand up to me, but he has no clue what he’s competing against here. 

The caveman in me wants to deck this guy and drag Maddy into a bed – any bed – and claim her, repeatedly, until she understands that she’s mine and no one else’s.  I’m going to do that anyway, but hopefully I can refrain from knocking this guy on his ass.  I’d like to have the use of my hands tonight. 

My eyes never leave Maddy’s, but my words are directed at him.  “Me?  I’m the boyfriend, asshole.”  Maddy’s eyes widen slightly as I say “boyfriend.”  Did she really think we ever broke up? 

I avert my gaze from Maddy for a minute to stare this douchebag down.  “And who the fuck do you think you are?”  He falters, not enough that most people would notice, but I’m in predator mode.  I see his throat work hard to swallow past the newly formed fear.  His pupils dilate slightly and the pulse beating in his neck picks up as adrenaline surges through him.  If he thinks he’s going to win this battle, he is wrong – so fucking wrong. 

He puffs out his chest as he says, “I’m Maddy’s date for tonight.”  He snickers lightly as he says, “You know?  She never mentioned a boyfriend when I asked her out.  Must not be much of a boyfriend if she doesn’t even mention you.”  He swells with pride at his snarky little quip.  In the split second he looks away from me to gauge Maddy’s approval, I lay him flat on the ground as I drop my shoulder into his gut and take his legs out from underneath him with one of my own.  I freaking love my takedown skills.  I didn’t even have to bust up my hands.  I’m definitely going to need them in a little bit. 

I straddle over him and pull him up by the collar.  “Whether she mentioned me or not, she’s mine, so lay the fuck off.  Got it?”

Maddy still hasn’t said a word and I haven’t actually spoken directly to her.  I’m pretty sure she understands my actions though.  Wordlessly, I reach my hand out to her.  This is her chance.  If she still wants me, then she’ll come with me.  This is who I am, who I’ve always been.  If she can’t understand that I love her, that I want her more than anything, then it’s not because I haven’t tried as hard as I possibly could to prove it to her.

Hand still outstretched, I look her directly in the eyes, as I try to convey everything that I’m thinking, that I’m feeling.  In what feels like an act of God, she understands me and laces her hand in mine. 

 

Let Love In (Love Series #1)

 

 

*About Melissa Collins*

I’ve always been an avid reader.  Majoring in English Literature was a no brainer.  Becoming a teacher and instilling my love for reading into my students was also a no brainer.  I’ve spent the last ten years teaching and I’ve loved (mostly) every minute of it.  When I was home on maternity leave for my third son, I discovered a new genre that sparked my creativity.  My passion for writing sprang from my love of reading and once I knew I had a story to tell, I couldn’t wait to get it out there.  I only hope that my readers enjoy reading my story as much as I enjoyed writing it. 

 

*Links*

Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/MelissaCollins.Author

Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17902155-let-love-stay

Twitter - @mcollinsauthor

Web – www.melissacollinsauthor.com



The Little Red Book of Romance Release

The Little Red Book of Romance is now available and is at the amazing price of FREE!!!

SYNOPSIS:

The Little Red Book of Romance brings together all the early writings of author T.H. Dillon in one convenient volume, plus an entirely NEW short-story exclusive to this book! Complete with introductions from Thomas himself, each story now comes to you in a newly revised and updated format. Included are all eight of Thomas Hunter Dillon’s works from The Little Purple Book of Passions, and all four of his works from The Little Black Book of Paranormal Passions. The Little Red Book of Romance brings you an array of sexy and sensual offerings from the erotic and daring, to the paranormal and bold. These are the unique styling's that launched the career of Thomas Hunter Dillon.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Thomas Hunter Dillon is a Midwestern writer living in the great state of Wisconsin. After being born and raised in the Madison area, his life has taken him around the entire state on some great and unique adventures that he strives to share in his writing. Erotic and sensual writing began as a hobby for him in his early 20’s and has recently become the foundation for his identity as T.H. Dillon. He writes in other genres as well, under other names. When not working on a current writing project, he enjoys passing time with good movies, sports, and classic cars. He also enjoys receiving messages and feedback from his readers, and tries to respond to them whenever possible.

 

LINKS:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Thomas- Hunter-Dillon/e/B00ACU5OYU/ ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid= 1370725498&sr=8-1

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ thdillon

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/ author/show/6588332.Thomas_ Hunter_Dillon

Twitter: https://twitter.com/THDillon69

EXCERPT: (from the all-new story "FANtasy")
 
After pressing the button for the 53rd floor, Zach quickly flashed a glance over at the mystery beauty and acknowledged her with a polite smile and a calm “You’re welcome”. Once he had done so, he tried to avert his eyes to avoid making her feel uncomfortable. Zach looked up at the ceiling of the elevator….mirrors. Then he glanced over at the back wall of the elevator….mirrors. But what he saw in them was the reflection of a beautiful stranger with a stare planted firmly on him. He finally dropped his head to pretend he was looking at the floor of the elevator, only there was a problem with that….more mirrors! Now if he stared too long at the floor of the elevator, he could be accused of trying to peep up the slinky black dress of his guest in the elevator. There was simply no way he could avoid looking at her.

Her petite voice pierced the awkward silence once more. “72nd floor?” she questioned.

Zach was hoping to be there soon, so he could avoid any more awkward conversation. He glanced up at the digital floor-counter above the elevator doors. 9th floor! This awkward conversation was just beginning. With that he turned his attention to the mystery beauty opposite him in the elevator.

“Yep, that’s me!” he said shyly as he met her eyes with his.

“Isn’t everything above the 70th floor a suite or a penthouse?” she curiously mused.

“I honestly have no idea miss. This is my first time ever staying here.”

Her curiosity began to grow more now. She started to eye Zach up and down to get a good look at him. Zach suddenly became uneasy because he knew how this always ended for him. Or at least he thought he did. As he expected her too, the mysterious woman ceased to relent with her questioning.

“Say….you must be someone important if you’re staying on the 72nd floor,” she pondered out loud.

“Or have a good night at the blackjack tables!” he quickly joked.

The momentary laughter their shared over that statement served to ease Zach’s tension for only a matter of minutes. Zach didn’t know what to say next and neither did the mystery beauty. He glanced up again at the floor-counter above the doors, thinking he had successfully dodged a bullet. 14thfloor! This elevator was quickly becoming a prison of sorts and Zach’s anxiety grew. He wondered the likelihood of them making it to the 53rd floor before the inevitable happened. Probably not he thought to himself. He glanced back over at his co-pilot on this magic carpet ride and found her still intently fixated on him with her stare.

“So Mr. Lucky-at-blackjack…..what’s your name?” she politely asked.

“Zach,” he responded.

“That’s funny,” she noted. “I drove up today for a book-signing at the book shop on the other side of the resort. The author’s name was Zachary Disdain,” she smirked.

“You don’t say?” Zach said with a twinge of sarcasm.

“Yeah, you know the romance author, Zachary Disdain?”

“No ma’am….can’t say as I know him.”

“I suppose not,” the mystery woman suggested. “Most men don’t read romance novels anyways.”

“You can say that again!” Zach quickly joked.