Fallen by Rochelle Karina Published by Eternal Press Publication Date: June 1st 2015
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eBook Price: $ 7.95Genre: Contemporary Women'sSub Genre: ThrillerPlus-Novel of 120010 wordsHeat rating: 3Edited by Trisha HaddadCover Artwork by Amanda KelseyAbout the book:She gave up everything to find herself, and gained even more.Serena McClure walks away from a controlling husband and into the unknown. With nothing more than a good job and her will to get out, she faces obstacles and challenges.It is a journey of trust and growth as she learns to lean on her friends, and comes to understand her own strength. And a journey of love and lust, unlocking Serena's long-dormant desires and unleashing her passionate nature. She must let go of her past and embrace love.Quotes:“What kind of hobby is that anyhow?”“There is a woman missing, I would think you’d be eager to help find her.”“I’m not ready to tell you everything just yet.”Excerpt:She felt the rise and fall of Christopher’s breathing, felt his warmth and the ripple of muscles as he moved. He looked trim, but the body pressed against her was well-muscled and strong. Her mind kept wondering what his bare skin would feel like under her fingers. She didn’t resist when he tipped her head back and kissed her. It had been a very long time since she’d been kissed like that. Sex with Jerry had dwindled to practically nothing, and when it did happen, it was five minutes of him thrusting in the dark before falling asleep.God, he’s good, Serena felt the heat spreading through her body. I can’t remember the last time I had an orgasm.Serena’s eyes fluttered open at that thought and she sat up suddenly, pulling away from Christopher with a guilty look.“Hmm,” he whispered, reaching to push a ribbon of hair from her face, “I think I crossed a line again?”It was a question. He cupped his hand at the back of her neck and kept his eyes on hers, waiting.“No,” she finally managed, “no. Just surprised me.” She paused, not sure how much she wanted to tell him, “The kiss surprised me, and my reaction surprised me even more. No, it’s not a problem. Like you said, one day at a time.”“Sun’s gone down. It’s going to get cold quickly here. Ready to go?”He stood and held a hand for her. They returned to the car hand-in-hand and drove back home in silence. At the apartment, he walked her to her door, stopping her as she unlocked it.“I’m not going to lie, Serena. I want you, but I’m willing to wait. I won’t say that I won’t sometimes test the waters, but I won’t go deeper or faster than you’re willing.” His took her face in both hands and kissed her again, a gentle, lingering kiss that took her breath away, then turned and walked to his own door.
I was extremely surprised when I started reading this book, mainly because it was not at all what I thought it was going to be.
This is a story about Serena who after 15 years of being in an abusive relationship with her husband and his religious cult finds her way out and tries to rebuild her life. As she is reconnects with friends and gets her life back on track she also works through her issues around relationships and sex and finding true love again.
While I appreciate the authors attempted of showing how Serena rebuilds her life I did have quite a few issues. There are definitely some dark turns that happen throughout the story everything from stalking, abuse, kidnapping, rape and torture that the heroine goes through. I found it very difficult getting emotionally involved with Serena and what was happening to her. The story is written in what felt like segments with a lot of start and stops that made it difficult for me to get emotionally invested. Also things happened in such a positive way for Serena throughout the book that when the “bad stuff” happened it seemed almost disjointed. In the first few weeks after leaving her husband Serena had a great job, apartment built a relationship with her friends again and had a guy interested in her. It all seemed unrealistic considering the way her abusive husband kept tabs on her before and after she left him. While it was mentioned she had sisters we never were introduced to them and it felt like it was an after thought that she should have family.
I unfortunately did not have a big pay off when the climax of the story surrounding her ex husband happened and I was disappointed – it all happened very quickly and out of the blue. I was happy that Serena found the love of her life but again did not feel the pay off – I was just ok, none of the anticipation I have felt in the past in the books I have read.
I believe the author’s intention with this story was a good one – over coming extremely difficult situations and coming out on top. I just wish I had felt her emotion in the writing.
