Sunday, October 6, 2013

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

Comment on this post by 10pm EST Today (Sunday, Oct 6) for a chance to win a $10 Giftcard from Michelle Grey
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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.


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.

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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.



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68 comments:

  1. awesome giveaway these look like great reads :)

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  2. These Books sound awesome!!!! I have added once again to my TBR....Thank you for the chance!!!!

    angelalove@uwmail.com

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  3. On my TBR list glowanialorie@sbcglobal.net

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  4. Definitely going on my tbr list. Thank you for the giveaway. bluepooh1 at hotmail dot com

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  5. I want to read all these books.... you are making it really hard for a girl to choose
    c.tuggle@comcast.net
    <3

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  6. Love finding new authors :) I added them to my TBR LIST :)
    Thanks for the giveaway!!

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  7. Added to goodreads! godlyprinces00 at aol dot com :)

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  8. Love finding out about new Authors and novels. : ))
    Thank you for the chance to win.
    <3

    stamper_sierra@yahoo.com

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  9. Love to find a new to me author! Thank you for featuring Michelle Gray, and thank you for the giveaway!

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  10. Sounds awesome!! Adding it to my tbr right now ;-) lilgpeach982@aol.com

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  11. Thanks for the giveaway!!! cmlavin@hotmail.com

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  12. Thanks for the giveaway! The book looks awesome! Nowischick@hotmail.com

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  13. Thanks for the giveaway!!
    terrysgirl_1974@yahoo.com

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  14. Wow, these books sound great and I am going to add them to my TBR as soon as possible! thank you for the giveaway! Ldg518@gmail.com

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  15. Great giveaway! Love your page! laurenturkel@yahoo.com

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  16. Awesome giveaway!
    lorimitchell257@yahoo.com

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  17. Super excited! Sparkig1rl@aol.com

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  18. Sounds like another book to add to my TBR pile. Thanks for the giveaway.

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  19. These look like great books. Im going to have to puchase these. I love finding about new author s. Thanks for the givaway
    Blondi1x4@yahoo.com

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  20. These books sound amazing! I'm going to have to get them all!.
    jessicahackett43@yahoo.com

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  21. Thanks for the giveaway, the books look amazing. ladym4u2c@yahoo.com

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  22. Thanks for the giveaway! I'll add your book to my goodreads.
    mhninjagirl@yahoo.com

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  23. Awesome giveaway ans great guest post <3 nicolahorner91@gmail.com
    Also added to my never ending TBR list :)

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  24. Thanks for this great giveaway and the chance to know another great Michelle!!! My email is mdodd2005@yahoo.com

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Michelle!! You have won!! I will forward your email address on to Michelle for your giftcard <3 Thank you for entering!

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  25. Thanks for the giveaway! My email addy is sarahlowery@sbcglobal.net

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  26. Great Giveaway, thank you. my email is yvonne_simpkins@yahoo.com

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  27. Both books sound very very interesting for read, I just added themm to my TBR list. Thanks to Michelle for sharing her life story, she seems to be quite a fighter of life, and thanks "I'll be reading" for the giveaway :)
    (romy_vbarrionuevo @ ymail. com)

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  28. Awesome! Thank you for the giveaway! My email is mikiajanaiATyahooDOTcom

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  29. It is always so nice to read an author's interview and a blog page helping us to get to them better. I am new to this genre, but have been checking books and authors, and your books are some of the most interesting and seem to fit my criteria for what I am looking for in books. Would be thrilled to be the recipient of your gift card to get one of your books too. Thank you.

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  30. How cool is this? Thank you! This is Candy Golden

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  31. Thank you for the giveaway! Toomuch872010@gmail.com

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  32. WOW, they both sound A-mazing. I TBR'd them both. Thanks!
    miminbennett(at)hotmail(dot)com
    Mimi

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  33. Looks good :) bobbyehopebooth at yahoo dot com

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  34. Just added to my to be read list. Thanks for letting me know about this book. sburgin43 (at) hotmail (dot) com

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  35. THANK YOU FOR THE GIVEAWAY
    sweetkathryn65@yahoo.com

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  36. Thanks so much for sharing your story with us <3
    stefaniekral26@gmail.com

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  37. Thanks for the giveaway...Would love to read...
    amwhitaker0112@yahoo.com

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  38. Thanks for the giveaway! That sounds like a great book!

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    1. ooops forgot my address! kdjohnston73 at yahoo dot com

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  39. Thank you for the giveaway , books have been added to my tbr list

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  40. Thanks for the giveaway. It's always nice to learn of other authors. I look forward to reading your books.

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  41. I never know what to say when commenting so.... hi!

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  42. I apparently don't know how to follow directions. Address is srosario315@gmail.com. Thank you again

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  43. thanks for the giveaway :) megan.bauder@gmail.com

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  44. Thanks for the giveaway foxyglow@hotmail.com

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  45. Thanks for the chance to win! nerdsrgood@msn.com

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  46. Putting it on my goodreads list,sounds good.Thanks for the chance to win.

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  47. These sound like great suspense books, I'd love to read them.

    seriousreader at live dot com

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  48. Thanks for the giveaway :) bobbyehopebooth at yahoo dot com

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  49. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  50. I'm so sorry to hear that your dream began from such terrible circumstances. I'm happy that your dream was realized, though. Congratulations on your success! Thank you for this giveaway. My email address is stephncaitlyn@gmail.com.

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  51. Thanks for the chance to win. crystalwarnick83@yahoo.com

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  52. I've got both of these on my wish list! Thanks for the heads up and the chance to win too :-)

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  53. Great giveaway!!!! Good Luck Everyone!!!!!

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  54. Both look great! Definitely adding them to my TBR!! Thanks for the giveaway :-)

    Jenn (McElroyJ@gmail.com)

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  55. I'm just learning about ebooks and reading online. I am going to have to check out Michelle and her books on GoodReads! Thank you!!!!

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  56. thanks for the giveaway !!!!!!
    rosemary.3133@yahoo.com

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  57. This sounds interesting! I'll have to check out her work. :)

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  58. Both added to my tbr list! Can't wait to read them and thanks for the giveaway!!

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  59. Thank you for the giveaway! These books sound great!

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  60. Wow! These sound great! Congratulations for having the strength to channel your life into words- I suppose, part of your bucket list!

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  61. Wow That sounds amazing I'm going to have to pick up a copy I don't think have never read a book like that where there is a child that brings a couple together and I wanna find out why they had thought she was dead man I'm going to have to get it tonight and start it next I hope it is as good as it sounds or better I'm glad I stopped by Thank you, also Thank you for the giveaway.
    mrscrabbyfan@gmail.com

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  62. This sounds amazing! I can't wait to pick it up. Absolutely going on my TBR list. shannonmduran@hotmail.com
    Thanks for the giveaway!

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