There comes a time in every bookaholics life that they get their hands on a story that they would probably never forget. As for me this has only occurred twice in my life once when I read cold sassy tree by olive Ann burns in high school and the bronze horseman series by Paullina Simons which I have stated before Is possibly the greatest love story ever told). Needless to say these books are some of my most prized possessions on my bookshelf. Well after the last few days I have a new addition to that list the shattered castles series by EM Tippetts. Yes I said SERIES. As many of you know I love a good romance but I absolutely love a book that encompasses it ALL. From romance, suspense, sensitive topics, etc. Mrs. Tippetts gave it all to her readers in this series. I don’t know if I can even do these books justice but I’m going to try.
Cheers,
Dr. Books
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Goodreads Description:
If there’s one thing Madison Lukas understands, it’s pain. The pain she feels when her mother ignores her completely. The pain her best friend endures as her parents starve her as punishment. The pain of a dangerous boy whose mother has to be carried away by law enforcement on a regular basis.
She gets it. She feels the pain of others as if it were her own.
But when a mysterious man claiming to be her long lost brother appears with promises of relieving her suffering, trusting him could reveal more truths than Madison is ready for. Because the truth can hurt, too.
She gets it. She feels the pain of others as if it were her own.
But when a mysterious man claiming to be her long lost brother appears with promises of relieving her suffering, trusting him could reveal more truths than Madison is ready for. Because the truth can hurt, too.
Book Review Castles on the sand (Book # 1):
I can honestly say I don't even know where to begin with this book. Let me start by saying this book screamed REAL LIFE situation to me. This is Madison's story and my goodness is it ever a sad one. Madison is the girl that goes through life placing others happiness above her own. She is popular by association, low self esteem, neglected at home, and doesn't know the emotion of being loved by someone just to name a few things.
Madison when this book starts is an only child until one day a cute Mormon named John drops a bomb on her turning her world upside down. He's her long lost BROTHER! As this story plays out Mrs. Tippetts gives the reader a glimpse into the history of the life Madison has grew up knowing nothing about. My heart broke for Madison. Already dealt a crappy life she’s now left with the question of who am I really?
As this book continues to play out john/Madison’s relationship blossoms. His big brother role was both annoying and cute at times. BUT the real tear jerker for me was he taught her it’s ok to LOVE and be LOVED. Well as you probably guessed by the whole Mormon reference in the beginning, Religion actually played a huge role in the story line. I'm getting ahead of myself let me slow down, lol.
You would think that now Madison has someone who loves her/real family her life would take a turn right? Ummm that would be a huge no! Oh ya Mrs. Tippetts also gave us a high school love triangle. Madison lacks self confidence but she's a looker. She has the eyes of three of the hottest men on campus. However there's only one she wants, Alex.
Alex is the town bad boy or that's at least the impression he wants people to have. Why you ask? Trust me there is so much more to him than meets the eye. When a whole town is against him the one person who see the best in him is one he doesn't think he deserves. But as we all know the heart loves who the heart loves. Alex in a sense has lived a double life,One of SERVICE to his mentally ill mother. As things downward spiral in his life he comes to the realization that something has to change.
Turning over a new leaf Alex finds himself at the Mormon Church. Through scripture, prayer and new found friendship with Madison he doesn't just want to think about becoming a new man he wants to be one (I’m totally fist pumping). But please keep in mind Alex had secrets also. His actually blew my mind in the end of this book with a serious WOW moment. I also was left with the question well why haven't you said anything?
Ok getting back on track. Well one downward spiral of a life would be too easy. Madison unfortunately is still living a life of pure hell. Her mother, best friend, BFF's father etc. are all contributing factors. Madison's character was one that had to grow on me. Some of the things she endured were insane and she put up with them (trust me I had a ton of WTH moments). Her faith in people that wronged her, her belief that a persons life was worse than hers and she was blessed in a sense was mind blowing to me. I mean seriously if my BFF punched me in the chest, had me beat up, and bad mouth me on Facebook....ummm I don't know if I could turn the other cheek….. Or how about when your mom slaps you for reminding her of someone and forgets to pay the bills etc. Ya this girl had a hard knock emotional rollercoaster of a life.
There is so much more I can say about this book but I have to stop. Yes there was sweet romance in this one. From first kisses to first I love you's. BUT to me this book was so much more. It was the story of a girl who fell in love with the unlikeliest of men, found out that being loved by someone was a great thing, family is family, and a true friend never turns their back on you. Mrs. Tippetts touched on so many topics with this one. Everything from religion, suicide, mental illness, bullying and average teenage problems.
To say I enjoyed this book is an understatement. The sweet love story of Madison and Alex was beautiful. They gave each other strength. Just when I didn't think this book could get any better Madison surprises me and grows a backbone (fist pumps). This book is a reminder that everyone has skeletons and trust me many of theses that came out the closet the blowback was intense!
Great job Mrs. Tippetts!
Book rating: more than 5 stars/ A+
Cheers,
Dr. Books
I can honestly say I don't even know where to begin with this book. Let me start by saying this book screamed REAL LIFE situation to me. This is Madison's story and my goodness is it ever a sad one. Madison is the girl that goes through life placing others happiness above her own. She is popular by association, low self esteem, neglected at home, and doesn't know the emotion of being loved by someone just to name a few things.
Madison when this book starts is an only child until one day a cute Mormon named John drops a bomb on her turning her world upside down. He's her long lost BROTHER! As this story plays out Mrs. Tippetts gives the reader a glimpse into the history of the life Madison has grew up knowing nothing about. My heart broke for Madison. Already dealt a crappy life she’s now left with the question of who am I really?
As this book continues to play out john/Madison’s relationship blossoms. His big brother role was both annoying and cute at times. BUT the real tear jerker for me was he taught her it’s ok to LOVE and be LOVED. Well as you probably guessed by the whole Mormon reference in the beginning, Religion actually played a huge role in the story line. I'm getting ahead of myself let me slow down, lol.
You would think that now Madison has someone who loves her/real family her life would take a turn right? Ummm that would be a huge no! Oh ya Mrs. Tippetts also gave us a high school love triangle. Madison lacks self confidence but she's a looker. She has the eyes of three of the hottest men on campus. However there's only one she wants, Alex.
Alex is the town bad boy or that's at least the impression he wants people to have. Why you ask? Trust me there is so much more to him than meets the eye. When a whole town is against him the one person who see the best in him is one he doesn't think he deserves. But as we all know the heart loves who the heart loves. Alex in a sense has lived a double life,One of SERVICE to his mentally ill mother. As things downward spiral in his life he comes to the realization that something has to change.
Turning over a new leaf Alex finds himself at the Mormon Church. Through scripture, prayer and new found friendship with Madison he doesn't just want to think about becoming a new man he wants to be one (I’m totally fist pumping). But please keep in mind Alex had secrets also. His actually blew my mind in the end of this book with a serious WOW moment. I also was left with the question well why haven't you said anything?
Ok getting back on track. Well one downward spiral of a life would be too easy. Madison unfortunately is still living a life of pure hell. Her mother, best friend, BFF's father etc. are all contributing factors. Madison's character was one that had to grow on me. Some of the things she endured were insane and she put up with them (trust me I had a ton of WTH moments). Her faith in people that wronged her, her belief that a persons life was worse than hers and she was blessed in a sense was mind blowing to me. I mean seriously if my BFF punched me in the chest, had me beat up, and bad mouth me on Facebook....ummm I don't know if I could turn the other cheek….. Or how about when your mom slaps you for reminding her of someone and forgets to pay the bills etc. Ya this girl had a hard knock emotional rollercoaster of a life.
There is so much more I can say about this book but I have to stop. Yes there was sweet romance in this one. From first kisses to first I love you's. BUT to me this book was so much more. It was the story of a girl who fell in love with the unlikeliest of men, found out that being loved by someone was a great thing, family is family, and a true friend never turns their back on you. Mrs. Tippetts touched on so many topics with this one. Everything from religion, suicide, mental illness, bullying and average teenage problems.
To say I enjoyed this book is an understatement. The sweet love story of Madison and Alex was beautiful. They gave each other strength. Just when I didn't think this book could get any better Madison surprises me and grows a backbone (fist pumps). This book is a reminder that everyone has skeletons and trust me many of theses that came out the closet the blowback was intense!
Great job Mrs. Tippetts!
Book rating: more than 5 stars/ A+
Cheers,
Dr. Books
http://amzn.to/10qAtO8
***I was provided an ARC of this book for an honest review.***
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Goodreads Description:
Alex had everything when he was with Madison. But the darkness within him wouldn't go away.
After two years apart, he returns to Pelican Bluffs and to the girl he never wanted to leave. Madison wants to give their love another chance, but Alex can't fight fate.
He is what he is.
Ruined. Crazy like his mother. And Madison deserves so much more. When his secrets spill out into their small town, Alex has a choice to make. Hide away in the darkness forever, or let love in.
After two years apart, he returns to Pelican Bluffs and to the girl he never wanted to leave. Madison wants to give their love another chance, but Alex can't fight fate.
He is what he is.
Ruined. Crazy like his mother. And Madison deserves so much more. When his secrets spill out into their small town, Alex has a choice to make. Hide away in the darkness forever, or let love in.
As you can see I had to continue this series ASAP! This book was just as emotional for me as book 1. We get to see deeper into Alex's life. As this story starts out Alex and Madison are BREAKING UP before he leaves for his mission in Japan. Yes I'm screaming in my living room at this point.... Seriously WTH!
From book 1 we know Alex is haunted by demons but man they run pretty deep. His fear of turning out like his mother consumes him. Unfortunately we also know Madison is stubborn and that stubborn now feisty woman is not giving up on her man (me screaming you go girl moment).
Well of course the nightmare of life Alex has Been trying to avoid happens. He has a schizophrenic episode while on his mission (this broke my heart). Alex had lived his life taking care of his schizophrenic mother. He has missed out on a normal childhood. Determined to not force a life of service to the mentally ill on Madison, Alex is determined to push her away. As this story continues to play out we see the harder he pushes the closer she get. Definitely fist pumping moment, fight for you man girl!
Madison knows Alex's fears and she never gives up on him or the life their destined to have. Instead of agitating him she enlists the help of a friend, actually her BFF. You’re probably thinking like me WTH. Isn't this the same chick that did blank, blank and blank to her in book one. Well Madison has a forgiving heart remember, smh.
Mrs. Tippetts with this one gives us the continuation of a love story, new found unexpected friendships, and once again REAL LIFE. Let me explain. As a doctor one thing I can say is people are afraid of the unknown or different. Mental illness is a something affecting this world significantly. She gives the reader a glimpse into one man life of how the world treats him now vs. before. I grew up southern Baptist and I've always been told that the worst hypocrites are the ones in church on the front row, smh.
Alex's inner demons were intense and a reality that was heart breaking. His one constant in his life that never ran, was scared or gave up was Madison. There love story/life story was a hard one to read at times but as the old saying goes there’s always a blessing in disguise. The ending of this book was beautiful and I cried like a baby.
Mrs. TIPPETS you ROCK!
Great job!
Book rating: more than 5 stars/A+
Cheers,
Dr. Books
Book release 5/21/13
*** I was provided an ARC of this book for an honest review.***
