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: September 2019

I had a few misses this month where I read, then gave up when I found myself not fully invested in the story. Here are the ones I DID finish in September!

I Hate YouI Hate You by Ilsa Madden-Mills

A fun college read that balances angst, football, and sex pretty perfectly. Second chance lovers should love I Hate You.
Cruel Prince: Royal Hearts Academy #1Cruel Prince: Royal Hearts Academy #1 by Ashley Jade

I don't read bully romances because the MCs are oh so likeable. I read them for entertainment. Cruel Prince was entertaining—in a totally wacked way.


Where Good Girls Go To Die (Good Girls, #1)Where Good Girls Go To Die by Holly Renee

The cover and title might have you thinking you're in for a mystery or something dark but this is totally a brother's best friend/second chance romance. Though it wasn't as dark as I expected, it was totally addictive and I read this bad boy in one day. I really dig Holly's writing you should give her a try if you haven't yet.
Cruel Intentions (Rydeville High Elite #1)Cruel Intentions by Siobhan Davis

Okay, I tried to ignore this one but I'm weak for these dang bully/elite rules of the school books. I'm pathetic, I know.
This one is horrible—the characters are disgusting, the plot is over the top, the depravity has a capital D, so of course, I'm loving it.
If you're a sucker like me, you'll love it too.

*I want to clarify the writing is NOT horrible. Davis knows how to write a book. It's what's in the book that's horrible—in all the right ways. ;)
Twisted Betrayal (Rydeville High Elite #2)Twisted Betrayal by Siobhan Davis

If you think book one was over the top book two is over the top, on crack.
I'm still gonna have to read three to see how this all shakes out, tho.

Warning: LOTS of triggers.
AnotherAnother by Fiona Cole

Dirty. Dirty. Dirty Ian and Carina.
Read this sucker in a day. The characters are tied to the Voyeur series but Cole does a great job explaining anything you missed if you didn't read those books and Another stands just fine by itself. The plot isn't exactly new but if you're a lover of surprise pregnancy stories you should check this one out.
Fumbled Hearts (Tender Hearts #1)Fumbled Hearts by Meagan Brandy

Once the H got his act together he was ridiculously sweet. The hows and whys on this one are a bit convoluted but overall it was an enjoyable story with a few characters you really want to know more about.
Lots of girl on girl hate and player jocks here.

What I read: July 2019

July was a good reading month thanks to a pinched nerve that kept me away from my laptop much of the time.

Teardrop Shot: A Friends to Lovers Sports RomanceTeardrop Shot: A Friends to Lovers Sports Romance by Tijan

This one took longer than a normal Tijan novel for me to get into but once Reece and Charlie started hanging out, I loved it.
Transcend (Transcend Duet #1)Transcend by Jewel E. Ann

I love finding romances with a twist. These flawed characters make perfect sense by the time you're done with the duet. I recommend you give them a chance to tell their stories.
Epoch (Transcend Duet, #2)Epoch by Jewel E. Ann

Just read it.
The Truth About Lies (The Truth Duet, #1)The Truth About Lies by Aly Martinez

In truth, I struggled a bit with this one. Loved the concept and characters but it felt like it went on without much happening for a while. I trusted Aly though, and by the end, I was downloading book two without thought.
In hindsight, the lag was quite possibly my mindset at the time because in the end I'm happy with this duet and would recommend it.
The Truth About Us (The Truth Duet #2)The Truth About Us by Aly Martinez

Love it when totally screwed up lives get happy endings.
Pretty ScarsPretty Scars by C.D. Reiss

Talk about a binge read. Thanks to a pinched nerve in my neck, I was able to spend all day reading this wonderfully angsty Romeo/Juliet-esque tale.
Told in past and present, Gabriel and Carrie's story unfolds in perfect little clues and details until every jaw-dropping moment crushes you. Loved it.
The Wrong Prince CharmingThe Wrong Prince Charming by Holly Renee

In love with the best friend? check
New amazing -forbidden- guy walks in? check
College life? check
Football life? check
The Wrong Prince Charming hits a whole lot of tropes with a whole lot of steamy fun. This is a great one to read in one sitting.
The Bombshell Effect (Washington Wolves, #1)The Bombshell Effect by Karla Sorensen

Fun sports romance when you're looking for a book to cleanse the pallet after a hefty read. Would have loved to see more of the single dad aspect (and how he handled dad life with "dating" and football) since that was a compelling reason for me picking up the book in the first place. Still enjoyable, and I wouldn't rule out reading more of Sorensen's books.
Heartache and Hope (Heartache Duet, #1)Heartache and Hope by Jay McLean

Two teens with a bunch of sh#$ luck form a bond that helps remind readers young love is all like. Love this story and thank goodness book two was already published so I could jump right in.
First and Forever (Heartache Duet, #2)First and Forever by Jay McLean

Yup. I loved it.
Also, I loved the maturity Jay gave her characters while still allowing them to be stupid.
Highly recommend this YA romance.
StayStay by Tia Louise

Enemies (kinda) to lovers.
Single mom.
Second chance.
Relationship of Convenience.
Alpha, sexy billionaire.

This bad boy runs with all the tropes. Enjoyable, if not a tad bit (okay a lot) unrealistic. Sometimes you just need a fun dirty romance to get away from reality.
FYI: this isn't all fun. There is a key plot point that provides a lot of emotional meat.

**Bonus points to all the Blue Planet references ;)
One Little Lie: a hate to love rom-comOne Little Lie: a hate to love rom-com by Whitney Barbetti

This is a super slow burn, kind of second chance, love to hate romance that sees Adam and Hollis telling one little lie so they can both get what they need. The premise for the "hate" aspect is a bit flimsy (IMO) but it's a fun little read nonetheless.
DriveDrive by Kate Stewart
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

one woman and two epic loves. Three, if you count music.

My heart hurts. I was absolutely enthralled with this story of love and rock n roll. It's perfection, and now I have a hangover.