Have you read it? Into the Fire

Have you ever had phantom pains? An ache in your body you just can’t seem to relieve?... This book causes those at your very core.. your heart and soul. I was enraptured at chapter two and had my own “binge read” episode because this novel, it devours... it is that passionate.. that heartbreakingly beautiful. It isn’t your typical “happily ever after” but a gripping, chest achingly, REAL fairytale.
— Amazon Review

I dare you to read this book. If you're a fan of From the Wreckage you should read it. If you're a fan of angst; read it. Like stories similar to Looking for Alaska, If I Stay, Before I Fall? Read it.

One book. 100k words. One beautiful tale. All platforms.
https://michelegmillerbooks.squarespace.com/ftwseries

I’ve told the story many times. The story of how I was finishing up Out of Ruins and I created a character named Dani:

“According to my therapist, I give up things I love to punish myself.”

“From what?” asks a small girl about his age. She’s twisted up; her slim legs crossed and wrapped around each other, her arms folded around her waist. She looks like a human pretzel. She wears long pants and sleeves, even in summer, and West guesses she probably has an issue with self-harm. He learned early on in his stay that many of the patients here have serious issues. More serious than he thought his ever were. He looks at the girl. Her brown eyes are huge, almost like a cartoon Bambi's eyes popping out of her head. They’re misplaced amongst the other, more fragile features of her tiny face.

“What are you punishing yourself for?” she asks, sitting straighter now. “What did you do?”

“Why are you here?” he counters snidely and leans back in his metal chair.

Without blinking, Danica pulls the sleeve of her long, black tee up and flashes her arm at West. Her forearm is covered in precise little lines of scars. Row after row of white scratches attesting to the fact that she does, or did, self-mutilate. She’s not shy about it, though. She leans over and pulls up one loose leg of her sweatpants and then the other. He holds his breath as he takes in the massive scars covering her calves. They look like burn scars. Old and healed over, but they still cover her shins and calves.

“I punish myself because I lived.”

That last line was all it took for me to NEED to know the rest of her story. Are you intrigued? Want to know how Danica Evans came to be in the same place as West? Want to know her past, her present, if she finds her fairytale future? Read Into the Fire today!

Once again, Michele has crafted a painfully beautiful story with characters that reach inside and pull on your heartstrings. This book will make you feel. It will devastate you but it will also heal you. So grab some tissues and prepare yourself for an emotional journey.
— Amazon Review

What I read: May 2019

Funny enough, as a writer I am NOT a very stingy reader. So many authors struggle with reading because they disagree with plots or the book isn’t “smart enough.” Sorry friends, I am totally in love with guilty pleasure reads. I get wrapped up in characters even if the writing is so-so or the plots are ridiculous. This month I finished A LOT of out there, crazy plot books. It was delicious!!!

The Rebel of Raleigh High (Raleigh Rebels #1)The Rebel of Raleigh High by Callie Hart

Ohhhh, how I love a good juicy, guilty pleasure, bad boy read.
Beware of triggers.
Filthy Rich Boys (Rich Boys of Burberry Prep, #1)Filthy Rich Boys by C.M. Stunich

The plot is so ridiculously far fetched that you can't help but hang on every single word. I'm a sucker for rich kids and bad boys/girls series.
Bad, Bad Blue Bloods (Rich Boys of Burberry Prep, #2)Bad, Bad Blue Bloods by C.M. Stunich

Yup, I'm still drinking the kool-aid. Sue me.
The Envy Of Idols (Rich Boys of Burberry Prep, #3)The Envy Of Idols by C.M. Stunich

I am so confused. Who do I love?
I cannot tell a lie, I am such a sucker for these freaking books. It's a train wreck you can't look away from.
More of You (Confessions of the Heart, #1)More of You by A.L. Jackson

Here's a case of the blurb not matching the plot. At all. However, I liked the book in the end so whatevsss...
Be prepared for a mystery and questioning the iffy timing of this romance.
Her Defiant Heart (Damaged Hearts, #1)Her Defiant Heart by Monica Murphy

Holy cliffhanger! I'm up in the air on this one—invested enough to want to read on and see what happens but not sure when I'll grab book 2
Jens bugged me with the way she used Rhett after he was so nice, but I have a feeling Rhett isn't what he seems either.
His Wasted Heart (Damaged Hearts, #2)His Wasted Heart by Monica Murphy

I needed answers after that cliffy!
Damaged Hearts (Damaged Hearts, #3)Damaged Hearts by Monica Murphy

Hmmmm. Didn't love it, didn't hate it.
Had this been one novel I think I would have been happier with it. Jens secret ended up being anti-climatic by the end.
The Perfect First (Fulton U, #1)The Perfect First by Maya Hughes

This sweet and sexy book is exactly what New Adult should be (IMO)
Switch Hitter (Jock Hard #0.5)Switch Hitter by Sara Ney

Fun little novella.
Rebel Born (Secondborn, #3)Rebel Born by Amy A. Bartol
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Love.
Rebel Born was a bit more scientific than Secondborn or Traitor Born, but because Amy has a way of writing sci-fi plots for the non-sci-fi reader it didn't overwhelm the story or my simple brain ;)
After that cliffy from book two, readers are rewarded with a fast-paced, questions answered finale.

Also, this romance lover was totally happy with the romantic resolutions.
The Moth and the Flame (When Rivals Play, #2)The Moth and the Flame by B.B. Reid

Good, bad boy fun but not as enjoyable as Ever and Four's story. This one felt repetitive, and a lot of the reveals (the ones that began as part of Ever and Four's story) were confusing bc everything was from Lou and Wren's POV.
The overarching storyline still has a lot of holes to fill which means Jamie and Bette's story is next... not sure how I feel about that, but I'm sure I'll be reading it.

Hidden Creek Secrets (Hidden Creek High Book 1)Hidden Creek Secrets by Jaxson Kidman

As the cover alludes, there are a lot of secrets in Hidden Creek. Trouble is you won't find many answers in book one.
Typical rival bad boys and drama-ridden girls in this guilty pleasure read.
Punk 57Punk 57 by Penelope Douglas

I hate that it took me so long to read this one. Loved Ryen and Misha's story.

What's on my shelf? February reads

I'm under some crippling writing deadlines but that didn't stop me from picking up a book each night before going to sleep. I might only read half a chapter, but at least I read!

This month saw me finishing the Remember When trilogy I began in January.
I re-read Secondborn to prep for reading my ARC of Traitor Born (so so good!).
I admit to ditching Tempt halfway through because it was an erotic read and I was looking for a different type of story. This is a taboo romance and super dirty, so if you're into that you should check it out for FREE
I read The Smallest Part and have to say Harmon has such a way with mixing biblical meaning into her stories. She has a very lyrical writing tone.
And last night I finished off the month with The Impossible Vastness of Us, a lovely first foray into YA by Samantha Young that I'd been holding onto for quite some time.

I had a HUGE book haul on the 27th with a ton of titles I've been dying to read so March will find me sharing some of those with you, hopefully! Still on major deadlines, but here's to reading a few pages every day! Happy reading!! 

FEBRUARY READS5.5 Books1 YA  ~  2 NA/Adult  ~  .5 Erotica  ~  2 NA SciFi/Dystopian1 New to me author, Remy BlakeAll available now, except Traitor Born which releases 4/17

FEBRUARY READS
5.5 Books
1 YA  ~  2 NA/Adult  ~  .5 Erotica  ~  2 NA SciFi/Dystopian
1 New to me author, Remy Blake
All available now, except Traitor Born which releases 4/17

What I read in 2016 . . .

Here we are at the end of another year! Can you believe it? Let's look back at my year in books, shall we?

I started out my year with a challenge to read the physical books on my bookshelves. You know, those books I bought because they were so, so pretty, but had yet to crack them because my Kindle is filled with more amazing stories.
 
How did I do? Well, I was supposed to read one book from each letter of the alphabet. I failed at that pretty quickly, BUT I did read from my shelves. Here's the list:

Everneath — After the Rain — The F it List — The Loose Ends List
We were Liars — White Trash Beautiful — Cinderella Screwed Me Over
The Shadow Society — Bright Side — Queen of Bright and Shiny Things
Zero Day — Afterparty — Just Listen — Of Poseidon — November 9 —
And I Darken — Never Always Sometimes — The Here and Now — An Ember in the Ashes

I also re-read the Throne of Glass series (all from my shelves) before book 5 released. AND bought A Torch Against the Night in hardback after finishing book 1

So those were my on my shelves, already owned/or recently bought books read.

In addition, I read a variety of other fantasy, romance, smut, and thrillers. I read a lot of authors for the first time. I LOVE doing that. I found gems and some 'not for me' books, but all in all I am happy with my reading tally for the year - 57

That is the official tally including my re-reads and books I wrote, which obviously means I read them ;) 

https://www.pinterest.com/chelemybelles/2016-reading-challenge/

Whatcha reading?

This year I pledged I would read books from my personal shelves more often. I buy a lot of books based on covers because I LOVE pretty things! It's been fun finally reading those pretty books. This week I devoured these three . . .

We were liars - This YA was nothing like what I expected. Amazing prose. Standalone
Zero Day - A YA political suspense/thriller that was fast paced and fun. Possibly a series, has an ending but could certainly go on.
The Shadow Society - Loved this YA alter-dimensional paranormal thriller. I guess that's what we call it. I read all 400 pages in one day. I wanted more in the end, but it seems to be a standalone. That cover tho! (drool!)

Have you read these yet? What did you think?

Want to keep up with my reading in 2016? I updated THIS Pinterest page as I go.