Reading Writing and Book Reviews

Rescued

Book 2 (Wrecked Book Two)

Author Priscilla West

Publication Date: February 22, 2014

Synopsis

The conclusion to USA Today bestselling author Priscilla West’s New Adult Novel Wrecked.

Wrecked should be read before this book. Lorrie’s semester started off hopeful but ended in disaster. Now, she’s even more lost and confused than she was at the beginning of the year. As Lorrie flees to the only family she has left, she has to come to terms with how things ended with Hunter. Hunter has fought for so long to keep the truth from Lorrie in an effort to protect her, but that has only caused more heartache and pain. Realizing his mistake, Hunter has made a vow to get Lorrie back, but is it too late? Will Hunter be able to overcome his own demons and help Lorrie through her pain, or are they destined to keep hurting each other?

Excerpt

Uncle Stewart’s charcoal gray Buick sedan had pulled up to the curb when I came out. The sky was gray and sprinkling early April rain, so I was relieved he pulled up rather than parking in the lot and making me walk.

“How was it?” he asked, as soon as I was safely inside. He was wearing a black fleece with his company’s logo over a white oxford shirt and pleated chinos. It was his work outfit. He had just gotten off. “Pretty good,” I answered, deciding to simplify things. In reality, my mind was in a million places and I felt like my body had been emptied of tears.

He nodded, pursed his lips, and began driving me the twenty minutes home. My uncle was typically a quiet man, so for him to even ask me about my appointment was a little unusual. He and my aunt were very worried about the way I’d been acting since I got back to their house. I could almost hear my aunt asking me delicately if I might be sleeping too much.

I looked over to see if he was going to say anything more, but his eyes were focused on the road. Uncle Stewart was a salesman who had to do a lot of driving for meetings. Normally he appeared very comfortable behind the wheel, but today he was a little more on edge. His forehead had wrinkled and his grip on the steering wheel was viselike.

I decided to tell him a little more to see if he would relax. “I think Dr. Schwartz actually gave me a lot to think about,” I said, trying to sound cheerful.

“Good!” he said, glancing over at me before returning his eyes to the road. I couldn’t tell for sure, but it did seem like he relaxed a little bit. I turned to look out the window. Living with my aunt and uncle had its smothering moments, but I was glad to have somewhere to go. They loved me as one of their own, and I was very thankful for that. I got back to thinking about what Dr. Schwartz had said. Was I thinking about Hunter the wrong way? I wished I knew what he was dealing with, but he’d refused to tell me. Whatever it was, it was in the past now. I let out a deep breath. “What’s for dinner?” I asked my uncle. “Not sure what your aunt is cooking,” he said. “Probably won’t be ready for a while though. She just got home. Joel and Billy had something after school and she was helping out.” He seemed to think for a moment. “If you’re hungry we can stop or something on the way home.” I shook my head. “No, that’s okay. I don’t want to fill up before dinner.” “Are you sure? You haven’t been eating much lately.” His words made my stomach sink and I grimaced. My poor aunt and uncle were obsessively worried about me. “Yes, I’m sure,” I said. “Eating Aunt Caroline’s home cooking will make me feel better than stuffing my face with fast food.” He shrugged. “You’re right. Just trying to make sure you don’t feel like we’re starving you, that’s all.” I laughed. My aunt was constantly pushing food on me. Anything so long as it was rich and smelled good. I just hadn’t been hungry since I’d gotten back from Studsen. “Not sure how I could ever think that.”

My uncle smiled. “Looks like talking to Dr. Schwartz really did help. This is the most lively I’ve seen you since you came back.”

I pursed my lips. “Yeah, maybe. I still have a lot to figure out.” He seemed to consider this. “Okay. Well, your aunt and I just want the best for you. If there’s anything we can do to help, we will.” It was my turn to nod. This wasn’t the first time we’d had this talk. “Okay. Thank you. I’ll let you guys know if there’s anything you can do. Right now I think I just need a little space to think.” “Okay. If there’s anything else, don’t hesitate.” I turned and looked out the window at the passing houses, each one mostly like the last. The roads were still wet, but it looked like the rain had at least stopped. In fact, the sun was even beginning to peek out. I was pretty sure we were getting close to the Perkins house. Or home, I still couldn’t decide. I didn’t really have a place that felt like home at that moment.

How long was I going to be living in Eltingville with my aunt and uncle? It was wonderful to be able to come back here when I was having a hard time, but I couldn’t stay forever. At some point I had to become a self-sustaining adult with a life of my own, even if I never totally got over what happened to my parents.

This was a rut I needed to get out of, and part of getting out was going to be cutting myself free of everything unresolved that had happened in the last few months. There was no point in having yet more baggage dragging me down. Maybe talking to Hunter one more time would be for the best. I took a deep breath, my heart racing already at the prospect. “Actually there is one thing. I should probably get a new phone soon, so I don’t completely lose touch with the friends I made at school.” “Good idea,” my uncle said quickly. “Maybe we can go to the store after dinner tonight. If not tonight, tomorrow. Don’t want to keep you from your friends.” “Sounds great,” I said, leaning back in my chair. “Thanks so much.”

A chill ran through my body. Was it too late to work stuff out with Hunter? Probably, but I could at least make sure he was okay. There might even be a chance to find out what had happened the last couple weeks. Maybe I could call him the next day. Or that weekend. Soon, anyway.

We turned onto the street the Perkins lived on. I was feeling pretty hungry, actually. Maybe I would have a tiny snack before dinner. Just some chips or something. Nothing big. I didn’t know what the Perkins family usually had for snacks. “Wonder whose car that is,” my uncle said. I snapped out of my dreams of salty goodness and looked out the window. There was a beat-up old car the size of a small boat parked in front of the Perkins house. My stomach churned with dread. I knew who it was before we even pulled up. He was standing at the front door talking with Aunt Caroline, his head down. From the expression on my aunt’s face, the conversation looked serious. It could only be one person.

About the Author

Priscilla West

Priscilla West is the author of the Sandstone Affair and the Surrender series. She likes to write stories with sassy heroines and strong but flawed heroes.

She enjoys: cuddles, men in suits, eskimo kisses, life-sized teddy bears, and eggs over medium. You can find her at priscillawest.com

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

Review

I would advise reading Book 1, Wrecked first in order to get  the back story of the Hero and Heroine. Important to read the two novels in order.  New Age Contemporary which contains adult themes.

Two young adults, trying to live normal lives — whatever that is, despite what  challenges life threw in their way. Will these challenges, which remind  that life is a precise gift not promised from one day til the next, keep this couple apart or bring them together ?

Rating

4.0 Rosebuds of Writing Raves

Novel is New Age Genre and writing depicts this age group in content and style. Descriptions bring the characters and action to life. In one scene an alcohol pad is being used. When reading, it felt as if this reviewer could smell said alcohol in the air. Time frame was consecutive, easy to follow. The subject matter surrounding the plot of the story is real  and could be a part of nearly anyone’s life at any time. Yet, with the cloud of  past and possibly future traumas, the  Hero and Heroine have each other, but will that be enough to get them through everything?  Readers can definitely feel the emotions in all there  highs and lows throughout this novel.

2.5 Tear Drops

The novel contains sensitive issues that both the Hero and Heroine have to deal with in their lives. Both have had sad situations to happen , deal with and work to overcome in a time in their young lives so far. All this in a time when futures should be thought of, not just the thought of how to make it from day to day. But what do I want for my future type of thoughts. Both the Hero and Heroine have  hearts that need to be mended.  Will love win, can they mend each others hearts and create a life, a future together?

4.0 Romance Rave

This novel was not about Hot and Steamy Romance. Instead it was about true, real relationships. A love built on trust, being there for one another through thick and thin, happy times and sad times. A love where the Hero and Heroine learn about each other all over again, no secrets, so that the real person can shine through. Tender moments, adjusting to changes. Just simply appreciating each day as it comes, supporting one another, and living life to the fullest in order to enjoy it. As long as there is someone who loves you by your side, anything is possible…