Blog Tour Review
Title: Into The Storm
Author: Melanie Mooreland
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: November 25th 2013
Synopsis
For longer than he can remember, reclusive writer, Joshua Bennett has been trapped in a prison of his own making by the memories of his past. Traumatized and isolated, he's spent his days living a quiet, lonely existence, his only companion his dog, Bear.
Pain and Solitude are all he knows, what he's accepted to be his life, until one dark night, one huge storm, and one ice patch change his course forever.
When he finds an unconscious woman at his doorstep, Joshua Bennet has no choice but to bring the woman into his home and away from the dangerous elements that threaten to claim her life.
A stranger to herself and the man watching her, the woman has no memory, no identification, and no idea how she got there.
Trapped by the storm and isolated from the outside world, they both learn what it means to trust and love, slowly letting each other in and breaking down barriers.
Can they heal each other completely before the outside world threatens to shatter the fragile peace of their newly discovered love, and tears them apart?
A Review by Carol
Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Here we have two characters who need to find security and help in life.
Wrap Up
"I feel it, too, Rabbit. I finally found it as well.""What is it?"I lifted my head and locked my gaze on hers."Home, my beautiful girl. I finally found my home."
Here we have two characters who need to find security and help in life.
Joshua is a famous writer who after suffering a brutal attack has become an agoraphobic. He lives alone with his dog and a leg which was shattered during his attack. He suffers from debilitating pain if he uses the leg too much.
Elizabeth (Rabbit) lives in a world of submission (not sexual) to her husband. She is tragically beaten time after time if she oversteps any type of rules he has put into place. She has no clue who she is anymore besides being his steadfast arm candy molded into a "Stepford" wife.
These two lives collide together to form the most beautiful love story written presently. Rabbit helps Joshua overcome his fears and desire to be alone. While Joshua opens Rabbit up to living life fully with laughter and love.
It was after Elizabeth runs from her husband in a terrible snow storm that she loses her way and ends up crashing into a tree on Joshua's property. Joshua rescues her but then realizes she can't remember anything from her past or who she is. Rabbit is also beaten to a pulp over her whole body which wasn't caused by the accident. Joshua names her "Rabbit" because of how scared and skittish she is around him at first. They are snowed in without power or outside communication for days while Joshua tries his hardest to keep the relationship with Rabbit on a acquaintance level only.
"You will beat this someday, I know you will. Something will finally be reason enough for you to overcome what those bastards did to you."
That doesn't last long and the two shine while with each other. Rabbit brings out Joshua's need for companionship and love while Joshua brings out the pure love of life in Rabbit. It doesn't take long though that the snow stops and roads are cleared and lines of communication are back up. It is then that Joshua realizes that his Rabbit is actually married and her husband is looking for her.
My Rabbit was gone.I buried my head in her pillow and felt the bed shakingwith the intensity of my sobs.The dampness of my clothes soaked into the bedding.I didn't care.Nothing mattered now.
Even though Joshua loves Rabbit more than anything and wanted a future with her, he does the right thing and forces her to go back. But back to what? Rabbit still doesn't know who she is or what type of husband she is forced back to.
The story just unfolds from there on what will happen to Joshua and Rabbit when they are separated. What will happen when Rabbit remembers everything about her past? Will Joshua ever find out he sent her back to a monster? And if so, how will could he possibly rescue her if he ends up in a panic attack when venturing anywhere close to the property line?
How was I going to stop her heart from breaking when mine was breaking right along with it?
These questions and more are answered in this love story.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book for the first 85-90% but then it seemed there was too much fluff at the end. I believe if the author ended it before around that mark or shortened it a bit, it would be an instant success.
With that said, I still loved the book and the story of Rabbit and Joshua. It was a beautiful romance with a bit of suspense added in.
Interview with Melanie Moreland
Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?
I have always loved to read – to find a place to escape and lose myself in, a trait I think I inherited form my dear momma. I have also always had my own stories in my head. I would see something and make up a world around something that interested me. But I never thought to write them out—until one day, with the encouragement of a dear friend, I did. She was the push I needed.
What books/authors have influenced your writing?
There have been so many over the years. My mom was a huge Danielle Steele fan and she read them over and over again so I sort of fell in love with romance at an early age. They were her escape she told me—and with eight kids I think she needed one! Over the years my tastes evolved and changed, and I have read so many genres. I think all of them have influenced me. I still like romance though. Slightly more… edgier… than my mom used to read, but still a love story at the heart of the book. I want to forget real life and be somewhere else for a while—that is why I read. I love many authors from Nora Roberts, Jody Picoult, Maeve Binchy to JR Ward. And I admit to a soft spot for the classics including Bronte, Louisa May Alcott and one of my favorite book series ever – Lucy Maud Montgomery. Some of my older books are literally falling apart from being read so often and now I have loaded them on my kindle!
Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?
For this one—a small bit. So on occasion, yes. I have one story I have written that is very personal—part of my past. If I will ever publish it, I can’t say right now.
What was the hardest part of writing your book?
There was some stops and starts to the writing process. Characters that stopped talking, situations I couldn’t get to work, that sort of thing. The hardest part was this—putting it out there. Your book is like your baby and you have to let it go and see what happens. But it is a hard thing. It’s very personal.
While you were writing, did you ever feel as if you were one of the characters? and if so, which one and why...
Hmmm. That is an interesting question. I think we all put a bit of ourselves into our characters. A trait or a way of thinking and acting. I know some reactions Rabbit experienced would be my own if I was in her situation. We all experience pain and loss in our life as well as the great joy of falling in love. I think there is a little of me in her.
Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
That life does offer second chances. Love is a powerful gift and can bring so much healing with it. It did for me. My husband is the richest blessing in my life.
Are you working on any current projects?
I am currently writing another book, yes. It is still being sketched out and taking shape chapter by chapter.
About the Author
Melanie Moreland lives a happy and content life in a quiet area of Ontario with her husband and fur children. Nothing means more to her than her friends and family, and she cherishes every moment spent with them.
Known as the quiet one with the big laugh, Melanie works for the sporting teams of a local university. Her (box) office job, while demanding, is rewarding as she cheers on her team to victory.
While seriously addicted to coffee, and somewhat challenged with all things computer-related and technical, she relishes baking, cooking, and trying new recipes for people to sample. She loves to throw dinner parties and socialize, and also enjoys travelling, here and abroad, but finds coming home is always the best part of any trip.
Melanie delights in writing a good romance story with some bumps along the way, but is a true believer in happily ever after. When her head isn’t buried in a book, it is bent over a keyboard, furiously typing away as her characters dictate their creative storylines to her even more inspired tales, for all to enjoy.
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