Pulled Beneath by Marni Mann – a Review

Pulled Beneath by Marni Mann – a Review

 

Pulled BeneathLinks to order Pulled Beneath: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / The Book Depository

DESCRIPTION
What happens when you uncover years of secrets and find out everything you thought to be true was a lie?

Drew Stevens finds her world turned upside down when her parents are brutally murdered. Soon after, she learns she inherited a property in Bar Harbor, Maine, from recently deceased grandparents that she believed had died when she was a baby.

Drew travels north to settle her grandparents’ estate, but finds more questions than answers as the truth starts unraveling. What she didn’t expect to find was Saint, whose reputation is as tumultuous as his past. But the very thing that brings them together is the same thing that keeps them emotionally caged.

With Saint’s scars so deep and Drew’s so fresh, can the pair heal from their painful wounds or will they be pulled beneath the darkness of their pasts?

 

REVIEW
5 out of 5 for this reader folks!

I had to sit on this review for a couple of days after finishing this book.  I am still struggling to find the right words that will provide this book with the justice if deserves.  It’s a haunting, angst driven, captivating story that just seemed to easily flip from page to page.  I was never on the edge of my seat in anticipation, my heart didn’t race!  WOW .. how can a 5 star read be a 5 star without all that??  It just .. well … WAS! 

The last time I reviewed a Marni Mann book, she smacked me hard with twists and turns.  So when I picked up Pulled Beneath, I found myself bracing for what I thought would be her trade mark!  Well Marni Mann, you are unpredictable, haunting, captivating, allusive, alluring, emotional and about as raw as it gets.  You didn’t sprinkle fairy dust.  You simply told a heartbreaking story of true human character.

Pulled Beneath by Marni Mann is her first book in Bar Harbor Series.  From the beginning you are caught in it’s web.  Our story begins with our leading lady Drew coming upon an absolute horror and what will be a forever life changing event.  While opting to hang with her “hook up buddy” instead of staying with her folks, Drew saved her life.  Finding her parents murdered leads to so much survivors guilt and uncovers lies, deception and perhaps a light filled future (yup, Marni is the epitome of OXYMORON).

Months after this tragedy, Drew’s only solace is in the water doing laps.  Here, she can quiet her mind.  She also has given up her passion of photography which for her was her reason to breath.  After discovering she has inherited an estate, she decides to visit it and prepare to sell it.  This is when she meets her fellow pain drowning leading guy Saint.  Saint comes with a whole lot of baggage, but somehow these two bond through this experience and help each other take that one more step to live and continue on.

Seriously .. so SO much more to this story and I simply cannot do it justice in a review without spoiling it for you.  This is typical I am learning of Marni Mann!  She has so many complex layers to her story that you cannot reveal one without the other.  I can’t tell you what happens in this story, but I will tell you, if you open your mind and your heart, you will be taken on one heck of a ride.  If you like to FEEL when you read .. and I mean REALLY FEEL, this is the author for you!

I’m sorry, I feel like I am not leaving you with much to go on here!  If you enjoy the New Adult genre, you will LOVE this book!  I am looking forward to your next one Marni, and I love that you leave me stripped after I read one of your books.  Quite frankly, I am anxious to meet again! 🙂

HAPPY READING! 🙂

Reviewed by Rachel

Copy provided by Publisher

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Character Interview with Sarah and Evan (Silencing Breath) by Joanne Brothwell

Character Interview with Sarah and Evan (Stealing Breath series) by Joanne Brothwell

Stealing Breath Collage

March 2013 saw the release of Joanne Brothwell’s second installment in the Stealing Breath series Silencing Breath. The Reading Cafe would like to welcome Sarah and Evan-Stealing Breath’s leading couple.

Interview-Purple

TRC: HI Sarah and Evan and welcome to The Reading Café. *offers Sarah and Evan a cup of coffee*

Sarah: Hi Sandy.
Evan: Hello.

TRC: Congratulations Evan on the success of Valente Enterprises.

Evan: Thank you. Although, as you know, most of the success has little to do with me. Truthfully, this company was been built on my father’s greed and ruthless ambition. And when I say ruthless, believe me, I’m not kidding.

TRC: We would like to start by having you both introduce yourself.

SARAH:
Hi, I’m Sarah Ross, soon to be Sarah Valente (smiles at Evan). I am an Indigo Child, but I prefer not to tell people about that, so please don’t share, okay?
EVAN:
Hi everyone, I’m Evan Valente. As Sandy already mentioned, I own Valente Enterprises, a land development company my father built. I’d like to say I am proud of my family history, but growing up in a Malandanti family is not exactly something I like to brag about.

Stealing BreathTRC: How did the two of you meet?

SARAH: We met out in the forest one morning, right after I’d been attacked… by a Skinwalker. (Turns to Evan and they exchange a ‘look’). Evan helped me back to safety.
EVAN: (Evan’s expression is tight, and he nods). That’s correct.

TRC: Was it love at first sight?

SARAH: Was it ever! I don’t think I’ve ever experienced anything quite so, um, mesmerizing.
EVAN: Absolutely. I couldn’t have predicted that my target would have turned out to be my soul mate.

TRC: Evan-you can be honest. Knowing what your original intentions were for Sarah, how did you ‘really’ feel when you first met Sarah?

EVAN: I felt sick. I knew what I was tasked to do, but that all just disappeared the moment we touched. It’s not every day you meet your spiritual counterpoint.

TRC: Sarah (as an empath) what difficulties and challenges occurred for you when you realized you were unable to ‘feel’ or ‘sense’ Evan’s emotions?

SARAH: I was so confused. I didn’t know if my ability wasn’t working or if he was different, you know? And if he was different, was he purposely hiding them from me? It was just so totally disorienting.

TRC: Evan-do you believe there will come a time when you can forgive your parents for the lies you were told?

EVAN: I don’t know if I can really forgive, per se, but I am working on letting go. I can’t remain a hostage to their lies by remaining angry.

TRC: Sarah, would you please tell us exactly what is an ‘Indigo Child’?

SARAH: Sure. The “Indigo Children” are small group of humans with a special purpose: healing. We are unable to resist the deep inner purpose. We possess an inborn ability to “read” other people because we are unusually sensitive, the basis for our healing trait.

Indigo is the colour of the aura, an obvious manifestation of their healing ability, also representing the “third eye” chakra, the perception centre. Soul-readers can identify the Indigo Child by the colour of their aura; but to the average person, they would be viewed exceptionally attractive, with startling indigo coloured eyes.

TRC: Evan, would you please explain what is a ‘Sapphire Child”?

EVAN: Sure, I can try, but I’m still trying to figure that out. The Sapphire Child represents the throat chakra, the communication centre. What this really means in terms of life purpose, I’m not sure.
SARAH: Evan has a way with words. He’s very persuasive. I think his life purpose has something to do with his ability to express himself through language.

Silencing Breath Apr 2013TRC: Sarah, how did you feel when you learned that Evan was hiding a secret? Have you forgiven Evan? What are you biggest fears?

SARAH:
I was furious! Betrayed doesn’t even begin to describe how I felt when I found out he was lying. Have I forgiven him? Yes. Because I see the bigger picture now. There are always reasons for things. I only fear that he is at risk of being harmed in some way by the Malandanti family heritage.

TRC: If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

SARAH: Sometimes I wish I could just not care so much. I know my ability to feel so much is a gift, but it can also be a burden.
EVAN: I wish I could change my past. I want to be able to scrub all of those evil memories from my mind and start over with a fresh slate.
SARAH: (Grabs Evan’s hand) We’ll start over together.

TRC: What are your plans for the future?

SARAH: I decided to use my gift and get my degree in psychology. Having healing powers like this shouldn’t go to waste. I feel like I owe it to the world to at least use them, to contribute to society.
EVAN: I wish I had such a selfless goal like Sarah, but I think I’ll stick to what I know. Land Development. Besides, being married to Sarah is a dream come true for me.

TRC: Tell us ONE thing about yourself that the other does not know

SARAH: (Turns to Evan and smiles) Did you know I humiliated my ex-boyfriend in public?
EVAN: What?
SARAH: Yeah. Didn’t you read about it in the prequel Joanne wrote, Vicarious? I told you he was a douche. He deserved it.
EVAN: (Eyebrows high on his forehead) I wouldn’t have predicted you have a vengeful bone in that gorgeous body.
SARAH: I guess it’s true, you do learn something new every day. What about you? Any secrets, Evan?
EVAN: Um, I’m an open book. (Smiles his thousand-watt smile).
SARAH: Bullshit.
EVAN: Some things are better left unknown.
SARAH: (Rolls eyes)

TRC: Tell us something about Joanne we would not know? You can tell us—we won’t tell anyone!!

Forest of the ForsakenSARAH: Joanne’s writing is getting way more steamy. Have you read Forest of the Forsaken? Holy sh*t, it’s hot!
EVAN: Yeah, Joanne is definitely venturing into new territory. I don’t know what I think about that.

TRC: Would you like to add anything else?

SARAH: Thanks for having us here today, Sandy! I love hanging out with you!
EVAN: Thanks, Sandy! Great coffee, by the way. Keep up the great work!

TRC: Thanks guys for answering our questions. We are looking forward to your next adventure.

*******************

Silencing Breath (Stealing Breath #2)
by Joanne Brothwell
Release Date: March 15, 2013

Silencing Breath Apr 2013

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / The Book Depository

Silencing Breath, book two in the Stealing Breath series.

Just as Sarah Ross is learning everything she can about her new abilities as an Indigo Child and settling into a normal life with her beloved Evan, her entire world shatters when Evan disappears without a trace.

Desperate to find him, Sarah’s search leads her to a sadistic serial killer who confirms her worst fears are true; Evan has been kidnapped, and he is once again in the clutches of his abusive family of necromancers.

Sarah uncovers not only Evan’s dark past he tried so desperately to protect her from, but also The Key of Solomon, an ancient text for summoning the dead.

Knowing her abilities are limited in the face of this ancient power, Sarah is forced to face the Malandanti in order to save him. However, one question remains: once he is found, will Evan be the same man she fell in love with?

About The Author Black and Purple

Joanne Brothwell

Joanne Brothwell lives in the country on the Canadian prairie where her stories are inspired by the dead things that appear at her doorstep on a daily basis.Of course, her two pets, a retired police dog with titanium fangs and a feral barn cat missing two toes, make the safety of surrounding wildlife, at best, uncertain.

Nicknames are something Joanne has in abundance; most notably “Grumpy Bunny” (her husband), and “Princess with a Sailor’s Mouth” (her friends). She’s known to daydream, and ever since grade school has been accused of having a poor attention span. The truth is, Joanne has an alternate reality inside her head, where characters speak to her, sometimes so loudly (and incessantly) she just can’t hear anything else!

Joanne is thrilled to see her alternate universe finally become real with the publication of her novel, Stealing Breath, and her prequel novella, Vicarious. Now, with the sequel Silencing Breath on the way, you can be rest assured you will see much more of Joanne’s writing in the future, as those characters in her head, having tasted the sweet freedom of release, simply refuse to be silenced!

Follow Joanne: Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter/ YouTube

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