*WEEKEND AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT* A Note from Michelle Grey + Review of "Unspoken Bonds"

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MICHELLE GREY

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Beautiful words from Michelle Grey:

Hi, and thanks for letting me come and hang out with you all at I’ll Be Reading!

I just released my second novel, Unspoken Bonds, and am having so much fun pursuing my dreams. The road to this place has been interesting to say the least, and if I can share anything of value today, I hope to encourage one person to dust off whatever dream has lain dormant and get after it.

In 2007, my mom was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer. There were many bedside hours, after it became obvious she wasn’t going to recover, where I had time to think about her life. At one point, I remember wondering if there were dreams in her heart that she’d never acted upon, which led me to ask that question of myself.

For me, the answer was a resounding “yes”. I’d always wanted to write, specifically romance. And I realized that I didn’t want to regret never trying, so in 2008 I sat down and began putting words on paper. Then, in 2009, I faced my own challenge with ovarian cancer, which only strengthened my determination and commitment. A year later, when I had what I thought was a completed manuscript, I joined a local writers group and met my critique partners. There I learned just how much I didn’t know. So I edited, rewrote, reworked and edited some more until I finally had a story I was proud to put my name on. Dangerous Ally was born.

The takeaway is that I’ve never felt more challenged, encouraged, or stretched by anything I’ve ever done professionally. I get some much joy and energy from the creative writing process, I know it’s what I’m supposed to be doing.

And while I wish the circumstances had been different, I’m so thankful I was prompted to reach for my dreams. I hope that today, you’ll do a heart check of your own and if there’s something drawing you to move…just do it! You’ll never regret it.

Michelle Grey on Facebook

I want to personally thank Michelle from the bottom of my heart for her amazing words, and her story. THANK YOU, thank you so much for sharing with us, and for following your dream, and in the end of it all, releasing your amazing books for all of us to enjoy!

- Marisa

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UNSPOKEN BONDS

Being summoned to the emergency room to interpret for deaf patients is nothing new for Rachel Mansfield. But finding herself interpreting for a scared, abandoned little girl with nothing but a note pinned to her shirt? Well, that’s a first.

An instant bond forms between them, and Rachel’s protective instincts kick into high gear as Lily’s mysterious past meets an uncertain future. As hours turn into days, Rachel’s biggest worry is that they won’t find Lily’s family. Until she meets Lily’s uncle, Garrett. Then he becomes her biggest worry.

Betrayed by his family, Garrett Staker knows his path. He’s plotted every step. And as he closes in on his most important business goal, one thing is certain -- his plan doesn’t include assuming responsibility for a niece who was presumed dead after his sister’s murder.

Despite the undercurrent of attraction, Rachel and Garrett are at odds over Lily’s future. But as Garrett’s business comes under attack from within, and the questions about Lily’s past loom larger, they must find a way to work together. Their lives, and Lily’s, depend on it.

Amazon * Kobo

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My Thoughts

So it's really no secret that I've been a super-mega Michelle Grey fan since I read "Dangerous Ally" (review here). Her style of writing keeps you turning page, after page, after page, not only wanting, but neeeeding to know what happens next. "Unspoken Bonds" delivered just that. An amazing book, a page turner, a love story, a back story, and the perfect twists to keep you wondering.

"Was there any harm in pretending, just for a minute, that this was her life? That she was the princess and this was her fairy tale?"

Rachel is no stranger to caring for others, so when Lily comes into the picture, she is more than willing and happy to help this abandoned, scared, deaf, child. But her mission to find her family proves much more than she bargained for. Cue business tycoon uncle, Garrett Staker. 

"I wasn't around when Lily was born. Didn't even know she existed until I went to her mother's funeral."

Garret, quite frankly, annoyed the hell out of me in the beginning (but don't worry, I eventually LOVED that man). He was obnoxious through and through, and didn't seem to have a "fatherly" instinct in his entire being. Rachel's hang ups on leaving 6 year old Lily with her uncle, were completely warranted in my eyes.  So when a compromise is made regarding Lily's future, which involves a lot of "Garrett and Rachel" time, there is no telling which direction it will go. Rachel and Garrett have to put their love-hate relationship aside to focus on Lily, and everything else threatening to bring them down.

"But today was a stark reminder of how susceptible she was to Garrett's charms - when he chose to be charming."

I can't express how much I really adored this book. It is an emotional, heartfelt, tear-your-hair-out, cry-a-little, mend-that-breaking-heart, read. Rachel is an incredibly strong, yet incredibly sheltered woman, who has spent more time over the years taking care of other people than herself. This is her time to break out of her shell, and explore her life for HER for once. It just so happens that her exploration lands her Lily, who is absolutely adorable in every way possible. Your heart will break for this little girl, and then you will smile watching just how amazing she truly is. And of course, there is Garrett, who didn't realize how much hurt he was holding on to his whole life, and we watch a cold man, grow into an amazing person with a heart of gold. The side characters in "Unspoken Bonds" add incredibly to this story as well (can I do a happy dance that Jack will be getting his own book? Please! Because I loved how that guy could put Garrett in his place with a single look!). 

Absolutely, 1000%, you need to read this book.

Favorite Quote:

"And for the first time in her life, right now was all that mattered."

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also from Michelle Grey...

DANGEROUS ALLY

Lacey Jordan is expecting dinner, and hopefully, an engagement announcement. Not her own, of course. After two serious screw-ups, she's all but sworn off relationships. 

When she arrives at her father's house to celebrate his future happiness though, he's nowhere to be found. As the hours pass, the worst scenarios Lacey's mind can conjure send her rushing into action. However, reality proves even more frightening as she discovers that her father's recent scientific breakthrough is one that people would kill for. 

To make matters worse, the source of the information is the one person she'd hoped to never see again. Caleb Mansfield, her father's former protege and her former lover, needs Lacey's cooperation, and the very trust he'd stolen years before.

But Lacey can't be certain if Caleb's working with her or against her. Running out of time, she has nowhere else to turn. As the trail leading to her father narrows, Lacey becomes a target, risking her life to save him. Too late, she understands that with Caleb back in her life, she's risking her heart as well.

Goodreads * Amazon * Kobo * Barnes & Noble

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