Will tug on your heartstrings and require a few tissues
594141
WAITING FOR SUNRISE, the second book in Eva Marie Everson's Cedar Key series, kicks off with a prologue from 1964. Patsy and her husband Gilbert have arrived in Cedar Key and are waiting to be seated at a restaurant they've never been to before. The hostess speaks to her boss and calls him by a name that Patsy instantly recognizes. She looks over, into a face she has never forgotten.

We're then taken back to 1946, when Patsy's story begins. She lives with her mother, Bernice Liddle; two half-brothers, Harold and Billy; and her violent stepfather, Ira Liddle, who regularly abuses them. From the look her stepfather gives her one day, when he happens to catch her wearing a sheer nightgown, it's clear he realizes she's becoming a woman. Patsy's mother suspects it won't be long before he acts on it. A few days later, Patsy comes home from school and her mother asks her to get in the car. Mama then puts her on a bus and sends her to live with a nice Christian couple who are also raising Lloyd, the brother Patsy barely remembers she has.

On the bus, Patsy meets Gilbert, who eventually becomes her husband.

WAITING FOR SUNRISE is a coming-of-age story of sorts, as it follows Patsy's life from childhood through motherhood. We see how the matters of her past, and the abandonment she feels from her mother, plays a part in her relationships with her husband and her children. Her childhood issues have had such a drastic impact on her, in fact, that she ends up doing the one thing she never thought she would (which I'm not going to reveal because I don't want to give anything away).

The story is told mostly from the perspectives of Patsy and Billy, the two half-siblings who were separated at a young age, yet never forgot the other. It is extremely well written, with sensitivity and heart. Although the tale spans many years and includes various points of view, it is not hard to follow, as dates and locations are highlighted in bold at the beginning of each changing scene, so you know who is "speaking." Everson has done a wonderful job portraying the separate journeys, and I enjoyed discovering how they eventually entwined.

A significant takeaway is the love that Gilbert has for Patsy. Even when jealousy and insecurity rears its ugly head and Patsy has a breakdown, Gilbert never once considers walking out, and is always gentle and loving with her. His love for his family is evident throughout, even though he experiences frustration and sometimes irritation (and who wouldn't?)

Lots of tough topics are featured in the book, including abuse, abandonment, dysfunctional families, sacrifice, death, pain and mental illness. If you've read CHASING SUNSETS, you'll find this one to be quite different, both in style and tone. It's a smooth read, heavy at times, but overall a well-written historical to contemporary story about disappointment, heartache, acceptance, forgiveness and grace.

I have to add that there isn't much about the actual town of Cedar Key in this book, so if you're looking for the "beach town" setting of CHASING SUNSETS, you won't find it here. What you will find is a story that just may tug at your heartstrings and require a few tissues. This is all leading up to the third book in the series, SLOW MOON RISING, which releases in 2013.

Reviewed by Lynda Lee Schab
4883422
I have to take a few minutes to figure out how to write this review.
There's a very heart wrenching emotional story wrapped up in the pages of this book that I wasn't expecting to read, I was truly not prepared for. I need to say that there should be a warning in the book. It may be a trigger for people as it was for me.
The writing was great, don't get me wrong. The emotion put behind the words was not glossed over too much. But again, a warning needed to be put out there, NEEDS to be attached, somewhere!
I don't know that I truly captured the story in it's entirety until the end. But some will say a good book will do that to you.
This book had a lot of storyline. More than one being told but it's all one together.
I did enjoy it, mostly.
I'm going to have to go with 3 stars, however.
4528078
4.5 Heartwrenching Sobbing Touching 

This book...this little book made my heart hurt so bad I wanted to hide in a hole and never come back out. I was in pain. I was suffering. I could feel the unfairness of life through the pages; through the emotions of the characters. This is one special story that will stay in my heart forever.

I knew when I read the blurb that this book will tear me up...but it was worse. It felt as if someone was poking me nonstop with a needle, right in my freaking heart.

This is not a love triangle... this is not about stealing someones girlfriend -It's the total opposite.
It's caring for the people you love. Cherishing the ones you care about.
About a friendship that runs deeper than anything else.

The book starts off with a prologue that made me already tear up:
Death. It is the only certain thing in life
I had nothing else to fight with because it had taken everything. ...
I couldn't save myself, but I could make sure the people I loved were taken care of.
This became less about what I was losing, and more about what I could gain.

You see, this came out of Andy's mouth... Andy has cancer and little time left. He loves his girlfriend, Em, dearly and it breaks his heart to leave her...and mine *sobs*

-...I love her with everything I have in me...she was my best friend, my lover, my confidante, my partner in crime, and there wasn't anything I wouldn't do for her. -

Andy has a plan and he's determine to fulfill it before he dies.

3 best friends that love each other dearly; who would do anything for the other are now facing to lose one of the most important people in their circle-their best friend. Andy and Zeth have been bff's since 15yrs and Em joined the group a few years later. The 3 of them were inseparable.
Andy and Em were a couple because Zeth never declared his feeling for Em and would never hurt his best friend or stand inbetween his happiness.

So when Andy had one last wish both of them didn't want to let him down and took him away for his last vacation with his best friends.

I can't spoil too much, but this book took a serious toll on me.
You see, this book broke my heart. Written in mostly in 2 povs, but on occasions Andy's pov is there as well and it was painful to read it. I'm still tearing up thinking about it -reading through my notes is a slow death to my heart.

-I'll always be with you, Emsky. No matter where you are, or what you're doing, I'll be right there with you.- ~Andy
Gosh, I was bawling my eyes out.

Andy so loving and thoughtful, wanting only the best for the girl he loves...even when he's gone. Even when she didn't quite understand his action or last wish. His whole plan was thought-out and I admired him for it. I could feel how hard it was for him, saying goodbye to the person he loves, and his best friend. Andy is the leading force to make things happen...between Zeth and Em.

This was the first book I've read by Missy Johnson and I was blown away. I don't do romance well because the recent YA/NA trend isn't mine but this was brilliant. I'll keep on checking her books in the future.

This book will stick with you for a long time -the characters emotions, actions and selflessness will touch your heart. Missy Johnson created an story packed with so many emotions that I was glued to my kindle.
2470115
It took me a bit to get myself together to even write this review. Just like the author warns in the beginning you will will need a box of tissues. The roller coaster of emotions were off the charts.  This is a must read, but one that needs to be read distraction free because you get sucked in and emotionally invested and then the ending...  Wow - I will say thank you for that, you will have to read it to find out!!!!
3140344
This books brings out emotions in your heart you never even knew were there.  It's well written and flows so smoothly, you forget you're even reading.  It touches on topics that are often very difficult to read about but the author weaves in so many beautiful and almost unearthly elements, you end up feeling more moved by the story than saddened.  I think all of us fall into different times in our life when we question our purpose and search for something to validate ourselves.  There is a little bit of Erin in all of us so this book is relatable on so many levels.  Even though this book isn't really a suspense type novel, you will be blown away by the twists unraveled during this story.
2638396
My Thoughts:

Tissues...Lots and Lots and Lots of Tissues Needed!!!!!!!

For me to say this is a heavy read is a total understatement.  I was not at all prepared for the emotional ache this book put me through.  The level of despair I felt moved me to my core.

I knew just by the title and cover that I was in for a deep, deep ride.

Ash's grief, despair and guilt were fabulously written.  I thought several times that this storyline could go south really quickly and become redundant...BUT I was sooo happy to say it DID NOT!  The author found every possible conceivable way to describe and express grief/guilt/despair.  I kept thinking..OH God...What's next?? But it would always be different...never the same...never repetitive.  I enjoyed that I was kept on my toes.

"So in fact, my life is far from normal, it's actually complete s***."

That's saying it lightly.  Connection with Ash's `not so normal life' was very easy.  I many not have felt her level of guilt, but I understood it on some level.  I may not have had her level of loss, but I have felt it.  That connection with her kept pulling me in.  I wanted her to overcome her emotional turmoil and every time she fell...I'd fall right with her.  I feel that Ash has some of the best character development I've read.  I know her, feel for her and want her to be happy.

I love, love, loved how the author wrote the `memories' of all the different losses Ash experienced.  It was a great way to do flashbacks.  Not only did we learn deeper into her past; each one was a mini-story that was wonderfully detailed and jammed pact.

I really feel that Luke was sent by Ash's angels above to help her work her s*** out.  He was so unbelievably patient and held her as if she would break at any moment.  He was so admirable and an overall great guy.  I love how Luke could see through Ash's mask and dig into her, but yet be so careful and patience with her.  It was so very endearing.

The entire book is written in Ash's perspective.  We get to swim in her sea of turmoil.  I would have loved to hear Luke's POV!!!!  That is the only downfall I have with this book.  I wanted inside his brain soooooo badly!  I wanted his feelings about everything going on.

Parts of this book were utterly gut-wrenching.  I went through a huge amount of tissues.  I even did the whole sobbing on my kindle thing..but don't let that detour you from reading.  A little crying is good for the soul!

I did love how each chapter outlined the music that went along with that chapter It helped me make a deeper connection with the book.  Music tends to do that.

Please do not go into this book thinking is a happy go lucky--because it is not.  It is dark, sad and grief ridden--but that said it is an awesomely written book with a great story line.  I would highly recommend reading it.
3379268
This is a thought provoking book about death, life and coming to terms with both. Almost immediately the reader learns that Tucker and Tammy have lost a child, Ethan, though the cause of his death isn't revealed until later in the book. Tucker has a need to return to his childhood roots, to live for a while with his grandparents, sans Tammy and their daughter Tory. Theres obviously a lot of pain surrounding the death of Ethan, and Tucker needs separation to work through some of it.

The parallel story is the death of Tuckers friend, Katie Cooper, years earlier when he and she were almost teenagers. As he reviews the circumstances of her death, as an adult, he sees there are a lot of holes in the story of her abduction and murder. He comes to realize the person convicted of killing her, didn't do it. Thus, Tucker plays detective, and ultimately arrives at who really killed Katie. While he cant right the wrongs done, he can confront the murderer.

The death of Ethan, and its circumstances were akin to those of my own younger sister, Judy, 65 years ago. In Hearts Left Behind, the pain of loss Tucker and Tammy and Tory go through is palatable. Its deep and agonizing. They question God, themselves and each other. And the description of their pain has given me insight into the pain my parents must have felt, but I never saw or heard expressed, over the loss of Judy. But now, I realize it had to be there, even though unseen.

Hearts Left Behind isn't a tearjerker. It is a thoughtful and thought-filled book. It reminded me of A Child at Dawn by Molly Fumia. Both books give readers insight into the gut-wrenching pain endured by parents, and others, at the death of a child, and at the same time finding ones way out of the pain and living with the loss.
4281338
Tugs on the heart strings without getting too full of itself and leaves you guessing how it will all end up until the end.
832162
Before I give you my review I must warn you. When reading Nopeming Shores make sure you have a box of tissue's handy. Trust me, you are going to need them. Margie weaves such a heart wrenching tale that you just can't walk away from. I too have lost someone near and dear to my heart and so I could totally relate to Lily's plight (could also be part of the reason I cried so much....^_^).

Lily Holliway is a widow grieving over the lose of her husband. Everywhere she turns she feels like she is drowning in a sea of despair. Her close friends Jana and Alex try all they can to help Lily through her pain but to no avail.

Shane Keefe  leaves his large veterinary service in Memphis to start over at his friend Alex's Leigha Acres Veterinary Service in Stevers. Shane has a successful practice but is unlucky in love. He is hoping the move to a new town will turn things around for him.

When Shane bumps into Lily at her job, Love's In Bloom, you can tell there is an unspoken attraction between the two of them but with Lily still grieving over her husband Gabriel, their timing is always off.

There is so much I have to leave out of this review otherwise it might not strike just the right note to tug at your heartstrings and make you cry your eyes out....lol. Not to mention it would give away some things that might ruin the overall story for everyone. Margie knows how to tap into peoples emotions and make you feel her characters pain, as well as, their joy. This story truly amazed me and I am so thankful I got a chance to read it. On a scale from 1-10 I give Nopeming Shores a MIND BLOWING 20. This month I have read two other books that have caused my scale to jump to 20, but I must say, this story of love and loss really called to me. If you have lost a loved one, believe in getting a fresh start, enduring love, or just love a book that can make you cry then Nopeming Shores is a MUST READ. Everyone needs to run out and grab a copy of Margie's book and let Nopeming Shores rejuvenate you.
4852757
Get the tissues ready with this book. My god i do not know if i need whiskey,coffee,chocolate or all three right now. I am writing this review after finishing the book and my head and heart hurt. In that emotional rollercoaster  of a read kind of way not in the K.C. Lynn i despise you way. No i want to worship this woman, this story is fab. Two people,very different and divided by actions and time. Katelyn is broken by Nick, god i kinda hated you how you made this gorgeous woman feel, but you came for her when she needed you. So therefore you have redeemed yourself. Nick a strong man but closed off you want to get inside him and see what makes him tick. There is romance, angst,emotion galore and some serious suspense and mystery. Basically the full package go buy it now, you will be disappointed if you do not.
3929045
I laughed but more often than not, I cried. This is a book I will recommend to everyone!  But keep a box of tissue handy.  And make sure you are by yourself with plenty of time to read. Because these characters will pull you in. And your heart will break.
3512714
3.5 stars!!!

I'm writing this with tears streaming down my face write now. This was such an emotional read. My heart kept breaking for all of the characters in the story and all the things they had to go through. The heroine battles depression who is in love with two best friends who happen to be cousins. While one was her first love and the other she married she loves them both fiercely with different kinds of love. Her first love comes back in the picture which makes things difficult for the heroine to resist her feelings. I really loved the children in the book. They were very cute. I did predict how the book was going to end and I'm looking forward to seeing how the series is going to turn out.

The book is the first in a series and told in dual POV
299685
"At the very least... there are about a quarter of a million words in the English language..." and right now I am having trouble finding the right ones to use to describe the love I have for this book. Oh, wow! There are so few books that touch you to the soul, but the struggles Owen and Elle go through will leave you with all the feels. The push and pull of wanting someone and trying to do what's best to prevent them suffering the pain you are going through. The defeated feeling and then the sense of hope then love then sadness and despair. The ending though is what grabs you and holds you until you can drag yourself up and comprehend what just happened.
4873796
There was so much emotion and depth in this story and it touch my heart in so many ways. The book dealt with some serious subject matters like grief, depression, illness and my heart ached so many times for the characters, but maybe this is the main reason why Will Hollister is one of the most layered characters I've ever met.

Will is a man who is constantly in battle with his daemons, and who carries the weight of the world on his shoulders. But at the same time Will is also a swimmer, an athlete who despite it's hard, so damn hard, doesn't give up and who swims not just for the gold medal but for himself and for the girl who in a way helped him to get up after the biggest fall in his life. A few years back Will have lost his parents and his brother in a plane crash where he was the only survivor. After the accident he lost the solid ground for a long time, and he broke all the connections with his former life.

Will was just a child when he found the swimming offered joy though the Woodsen family. He met with Maggie when her father became Wills and his brothers swimming coach. Wills little child heart immediately started to beat faster when he saw Maddy at the first time, yet in the senior year of high school she ended up with Easton. Now, after long years Will returns to the Woodsen house where memories, grief, ghosts and big challenges wait for him, but he feels that this is the only place where he will find his only and last chance for the Olympic tryouts.

This book was truly beautiful and so many times really sad. All of the characters were well developed but what amazed me the most was Will's fight with the past, his endurance and his selflessness. Maybe there was a little too much tragedy in the book and maybe this was the reason why it didn't convince me entirely that the future of the characters has been completely resolved at the end, but it was absolutely amazing.

Ginger Scott's writing style was outstanding and heart-touching as always. My only pain is that this cover cant justify this book, and cant show how much depths are hidden in this amazing story. This is not an easy read and it touches some serious topics but its truly beautiful and I honestly recommend it.
1038390
Learning to Breathe is a deeply emotional book, one that tugs at the emotions and draws the reader into the story.  The relationship between Micah and all the characters in the book is evident and when tragedy strikes, everyone is affected, although Michelle has the most difficult time. There was tenderness and sensitivity in dealing with a cruel topic and the group of close friends who make up this community of people are drawn together in adversity.  Although this book is a standalone, it does appear that it would be beneficial to read previous books in this series, as references are made to events of which the reader has no knowledge. I personally found the tense in which the book was written to be disconcerting.  It's the first time I have read a story written in present tense and I found it uncomfortable reading. Nevertheless, I found that the story jerked at my heartstrings and that I was mopping my eyes repeatedly in the middle section of the book.  This is a well worthwhile read and leaves one with a feeling of hope.  I received a copy of this book as a gift and this is my honest and voluntary review.
515317
You will be on an emotional roller coaster throughout the book...have a box of tissues handy for the tears of happiness, despair, hope, and assorted giggles.
3132594
This story is emotional and heartbreaking! This book had a lot of triggers for me, emotionally and personally. When you find that one person that consumes your every thought, that you can't imagine your life with out and that means more to you than yourself, you know you've found your soul mate. But life and love aren't always perfect or easy. Mistakes will be made, feeling will be hurt and love will be tested. But love is stronger than hate. To me that really sums up this story of Peyton and Nic.