Pretty Baby by Stormy Glenn

Pretty Baby by Stormy Glenn
Wolf Creek Pack 7
Publisher: Siren Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal
Length: Full Length (199 pgs)
Other: M/M, Anal Play
Rating: 5 Cherries
Reviewed by Edelweiss

Elliot Spencer has spent his entire life trying to live up to his father's strict ideals and make him proud. When he meets a sexy man at a bar, he decides that for once in his life, he's going to live by his rules, and that includes going home with Tommy Nash. He just doesn't know until it's too late that going home with Tommy will mean changing the way he sees the world.

Tommy Nash is captivated by the chatty little man he meets at the bar where he works. Taking the man home for a night of wild sex is a no-brainer, especially when he recognizes that Elliot is his mate. What Tommy doesn't realize until it's too late, however, is that Elliot is a wolf-shifter like him, and Elliot doesn't know it. By the time Tommy is able to get Elliot calmed down, it's too late. He's attacked someone, and Tommy's family doesn't want him to become involved with Elliot.

Together, they have to fight his family, Elliot's family, and a few people in between who believe they shouldn't be together. Tommy's biggest obstacle is proving to Elliot that they belong together, and by the time he does, it may be too late. Someone is after Elliot, and Tommy doesn't know if he can save his mate, even with his pack's help.

Fate herself seems to conspire against the sexy bad boy Tommy Nash and his chatty twink mate Elliot. Prepare yourself for a diverse and intense emotional experience with Pretty Baby as it goes from heart wrenching, to tender and then to hot as a firecracker at breakneck speed.

My heart broke for Elliot as he struggled to fit in to Tommy's world. Surprisingly, he must first fight Tommy's family who should have been first in line to support the bond between mates. This really upset me because Joe, Nathan, and every single other couple we've met in Wolf Creek had first hand knowledge of how precious the mating bond is. I almost got a cramp in my forehead from the worry lines produced by my concern for Elliot's well being.

If you have read any of the other Wolf Creek stories, you will be pleased to know that most of the characters previously featured, return in Pretty Baby. Joe is still overprotective of Nathan to the point of utter frustration. Still, it's sweet to read about their happily ever after even as we meet Joe's brother Tommy and his new mate. Ms. Glenn is exceptional in weaving together all of the characters and places in her series books. You'll find that Pretty Baby is a prime example of this mad skill as the relationships between the protagonists and characters introduced six books ago are immediately recognizable.

I admire that Tommy and Elliot went through overwhelmingly difficult trials, but had to first learn to trust each other in order to face their foes. These trials serve to strengthen their love. You'll find the impregnable bond is beautifully portrayed and will melt your heart with it's tenderness.

Stormy Glenn really spices things up with this story. It is by far, the sexiest and most erotically intense of all the Wolf Creek books. Right out of the proverbial gate Tommy and Elliot's attraction to each other is all consuming. I loved that everything else faded away as their worlds collided.

While more complex than it's predecessors, Pretty Baby is truly the perfect culmination of all the Wolf Creek books. I highly recommend reading Full Moon Mating (Joe and Nathan's story) before delving into this tale. This is the longest of the Wolf Creek collection at 199 pages, but its story line wrap-up was spot on.

I am giving this book five cherries because it is not only the best in the series, but also is what I consider to be one of Ms. Glenn's personal best. The characterization is consistent, the plot is filled with unexpected twists and turns, and the love between these men is truly palpable. If you're looking for some serious chemistry between two extremely sensual, strong, and loving men...look no further. I'll end with my favorite quote from Pretty Baby: “...and I'm not about to do anything that puts your life in jeopardy. You mean too much to me.”

Clouds and Rain by Zahra Owens

Clouds and Rain by Zahra Owens
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (245 pgs)
Other: M/M, anal sex
Rating: 4.5 cherries
Reviewed by Tiger Lily



Flynn Tomlinson has drifted for several years, working odd jobs when he needs the money and moving on when he doesn’t. He’s content with his freestyle life, not tied down, not responsible for anyone but himself. Then he comes across a Help Wanted ad in a post office in Idaho and meets Gable Sutton. Gable can’t pay Flynn until he sells his horses, but a serious accident has left him unable to work his ranch alone.

Working with horses beats stacking shelves at the supermarket, and so Flynn agrees to Gable’s terms. What Flynn doesn’t bargain for is being captivated by this gentle, lonely man who captures his heart and moves Flynn to take on an incredible burden: saving Gable’s ranch.

Two guys, totally different circumstances...one chance at love.

I love a story where the characters are somewhat the same, but essentially different. Such is the case with Zahra Owens’ book, Clouds and Rain. I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this book. From page one, I was drawn into the story and needed—yes, needed—to know what would happen next. I fell in love with both Flynn and Gable.

The things I loved about Flynn and Gable are many. For one, they are both flawed men. Flynn’s flown by the seat of his britches because there was nothing better to do. Gable’s been cheated and hurt by the idea of love, so when it’s thrown in his lap—no pun intended—he’s got no clue what to do with it. It’s realistic. I felt like I knew the men and knew men like them. And to see the love begin to grow between them...that was a thing of beauty. Sure, there were times when both characters came off as a little less than stellar. Gable has moments of weakness and comes across terse—but people tend to hurt the ones they love all while trying desperately to show their love for the person. He’s got a past like anyone else and it was interesting to see him struggle on the road to healing.

This isn’t a syrupy, quick, easy to read love story. No way. But that’s the great thing about the story. It’s compelling. It’s intricate. You have to sit down, really pay attention and hang on for the ride. Oh and yeah, this book certainly has steamy scenes. You’ll want a cool drink while reading. Trust me.

If you want a book that will stay with you far after the last page, then you need to read Clouds and Rain. I give it 4.5 cherries.

Cabin on the Hill by Shae Connor

Cabin on the Hill by Shae Connor
Publishing: Dreamspinner Press
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Short Story (48 Pages)
Other: M/M, anal sex
Rating: 3.5 Cherries
Reviewed by Canterbury Bell

Jesse hadn’t planned for anything more than a break from the noise and heat of Atlanta when he returned to the cabin he rented each year in the Smoky Mountains - but that was before he met Eli, the handsome man renting the other side of the cabin. Eli’s plans to mix a little hiking with his relaxation match Jesse’s perfectly, and before long the two men are sharing more than just a wall and a view. Jesse’s not one to let an opportunity like this pass him by, though it remains to be seen whether the weekend encounter can turn into something more permanent.

Vacation…weekend getaway…holiday….time away is a special and savored opportunity. Enjoying the time with someone is momentous but going it alone opens all types of possibilities.

Jesse Cutler is a hard working man who looks forward to his alone time during his weekends away in the mountains of Atlanta. Lucky for him the other side of his rented duplex is occupied by a friendly, sexy stranger named Eli Gordon. Eli is on the same mission..to de-stress and enjoy the quiet of his surroundings. After some getting acquainted time, the neighbors decide to enjoy the time with each other hiking, cooking and more a more personal getting to know you.

Finding each other is more than just plain dumb luck, it is Karma. And these two men realize just how lucky they really are. These are two very kind, caring and generous men that you would want to know in your life. They represent all the single people out there trying to make that ultimate, intimate connection. The majority of this story is conversation -- conversation between two intelligent and caring men. It is thoughtful, interesting and explores the minds of people just meeting and getting to know each other, what they really want to know about the other and what they want the other to know about themselves.

It is such a nice trip to take with Jesse and Eli and experience their weekend away and know that it will continue long past Monday.

Crescendo by Leah Brooke

Crescendo by Leah Brooke
Publisher: Siren Publishing
Genre: Contemporary
Length : Full Length (443 pages)
Other: M/F, M/F/M, menage, BDSM, toys, anal play/intercourse
Rating : 4.5 Cherries
Reviewed by Honeysuckle

Hired by Nick Morietti and Steve Vanguard to decorate their newest hotel, Julianna Lovette is determined to make a name for herself. Nick and Steve’s raw sexuality, however, draws her like a moth to a flame--irresistible, but potentially lethal.

When she becomes their lover, she’s tossed into a world of passion she’s always searched for but thought she’d never find. Dominant and strong, they take her in ways she’d never imagined and earn a submission from her she never thought she’d give.

When passion comes at a price, she has to depend on them to keep her safe from an enemy from Steve’s past. An enemy who’s waited for years for a chance to get revenge. An enemy they believe she works for.

She learns that trust comes at a steeper price--but offers the biggest rewards.

“Be careful what you wish for…” you may not be prepared for the overwhelming attention and intensity of two alpha men. Julianna Lovette is confident in her ability to coordinate the redecoration of a multi-million dollar hotel but in not so much in dealing with the enigmatic owners, Nick Morietti and Steve Vanguard.

Julianna’s story is one that is easily relatable. She was the tall gangly goose that lived in the shadow of a shallow pampered swan of a step-sister. Julianna has developed into a beautiful person inside and out. That personal growth is conveyed thru the confidence in her work but she struggles to comprehend that she is a beautiful, sexually submissive being.

Luckily for Julianna both Nick and Steve are very interested in teaching her just how desirable she is, how being a submissive doesn’t mean she’s weak and how loving two men is the fulfillment of her deepest wishes.

Welcome to the incredibly unique and imaginative mind of author Leah Brooke. If this is your first “taste” of Ms. Brooke’s work you are in for a treat. Be prepared to be drawn into the story from the first chapter and still be fully invested 400 pages later. Her stories are always multilayered and sexually intense. One of the hallmarks of Ms. Brooke’s characters is strength. Not just physical strength but confidence. While some characters, like Julianna, may need some convincing of their worth and ability to love, you can see those characters standing so much straighter by the end of the story.

Crescendo is a beautiful romance that lives up to its title. The relationship between Julianna, Nick and Steve has many ups and downs but it’s ever building throughout the story. When the three of them finally come together as one unit I could almost imagine an opera singer hitting a high A note. It’s pretty intense to say the least.

There’s more than the incredible romance to this novel. There is a sinister evil that is lurking in the background for a large portion of the book but makes itself known in a huge way by the end of the book. So, will Nick and Steve be able to convince Julianna that the three of them together make the perfect family? Will the evil that is hunting Steve destroy their chance for happiness? Okay, so you can probably guess the answers but believe me when I say you want to read this book. Leah Brooke is one of my favorite story tellers and with good reason. Her stories never fail to entertain and keep me waiting anxiously for her next book. Pick up a copy of Crescendo and be prepared for some serious heat, heart stopping adventure and breathtaking romance.

Southern Exposure by Kendall Grace

Southern Exposure by Kendall Grace
Publisher: Ellora’s Cave
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Short Story (134 pages)
Other: M/F
Rating: 3.5 books
Reviewed by Iris

A quick trip to visit her hospitalized mother is lasting longer than Anna had expected. About twelve weeks longer. It’s not that she isn’t used to taking care of her mom—Anna took over that job when her father died—but it’s a little stressful vying for partnership in her New York law firm from Liberty, Alabama. Fortunately the neighbor, a hot Southern charmer, is willing to help her take the edge off.

Since Trey breached her defenses, he and Anna have been burning up the sheets…and the side of the house…and the garden. The woman he’s coming to know is a far cry from the uptight lawyer he first met. And he likes the new Anna. A lot.

As her feelings for Trey deepen, Anna is torn between duty and desire…what she wants versus what she thinks she needs. Returning to New York, reverting to the formidable attorney her father molded, is the responsible thing to do.

Too bad that’s not the woman Trey wants…

Despite the sexual heat and hot love scenes, this story is, at heart, a romance. Parental meddling causes a change in our heroine’s point of view and allows her to reclaim part of her “lost self”. Not only that, but it gave her the opportunity to connect with the hero, re-explore connections with childhood friends, and basically, re-discover her “southern side”.

The story’s eventual outcome is predictable – even the twists and turns and the obstacles thrown into our main character’s lives, are expected. The wonderful, unexpected twist was even though I knew it was following the “romance novel” formula, I enjoyed the story, rooting for Anna and Trey to reunite after their “bump in the road”.

The payoff for me was the happy tears that came to my eyes when they had their final reunion at the story’s resolution.

One unexpected twist was an additional obstacle for Anna and Trey to overcome. It added a sense of confusion to the reader and made me want to keep reading. I wasn’t quite sure what was up, and the resolution was quite nice to read!

The intimate scenes were plentiful and hot (and admittedly, made me daydream about a southern handyman of my own...), but don’t think that’s all he’s good for! Our hero has a sense of humor and a healthy work ethic. It makes for a drool-worthy hero! The sexual tension between the hero and heroine is consistent throughout the book. I think the most original phrase describing Anna’s reaction to Trey was ”Her girly bits stood up and cheered...”.

I found the sections of the book where our heroine was soul-searching and trying to plan her life very difficult to get through. They are necessary for plot development, but you just want to get back to her interactions with the hero.

Honest, realistic characters, spicy sex scenes, and a sweet ending. What more could you want from your romance? Grab it when you get a chance!.

Love Revisited: Nash and Paul by H.C. Brown

Love Revisited: Nash and Paul by H.C. Brown
Publisher: Noble Romance
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Short Story (18 pgs)
Other: BDSM, M/M, Multiple Partners, Spanking, fetish, voyeurism
Rating: 3.5 cherries
Reviewed by Tiger Lily

Everything is going well for badass dom, Nash Mage, and his sweet sub, Paul, until Nash does a favor for Rio, the owner of Floggers' BDSM Club.

Expecting Paul to trust him implicitly, Nash's world falls apart when he finds his confused, innocent sub in the arms of his nemesis, Frank. Teetering on the edge of sanity and out of control, Nash is looking for revenge.

What do you do when the love of your life passes you by?

I love a little kink in my reading and this book certainly delivered. But beyond the physical relationship between Nash and Paul, there is a ton of heart. H.C. Brown writes complex stories and this one is certainly complex. Fact is, I had a hard time writing this review. The situations in the short little bit of this story are not for the faint of heart. I read Flogger Holiday Sale: Dominate Me and I really enjoyed the relationship between Paul and Nash. I loved that I got the chance to see them again.

The Dom, Nash is the tough guy. No one crosses him. He’s got a reputation to live up to. I liked that he was so up front and blunt, but I actually found myself more than once not really liking him. The crux of the book is a situation that, while I understood Nash’s need to go through with it, I didn’t like it. Trust me, I’m not keen on vanilla Doms, but I seriously wanted to grab the guy by his meaty arm and bop him on the head. As much as that sounds like I didn’t like the story, it’s quite the opposite. The fact that I was so emotionally involved is the mark of a good story in my opinion. And yeah, I thought about him far after the last page of the book.

The virgin, Paul, has only ever been taken by Nash. He trusts Nash. Really. The trust is a plus and minus for this man. I can’t say it was fun to read the series of emotions Paul goes through in this story. There were moments where my heart bled for the guy. Again, I thought about him long after the last page and if I could’ve stepped into the pages, I might have.

The sex in this story both repels and sizzles. Confused by that statement? Well then you need to read Love Revisited: Nash and Paul to find out more. I’m not telling any spoilers, but I guarantee it’ll be worth your read.

Stolen Passions by Crystal Jordan

Stolen Passions by Crystal Jordan
Publisher:Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal
Length: Short Story (61 pgs)
Other: M/F, Spanking
Rating: 4 cherries
Reviewed by Morning Glory

Enemy mine…

Forbidden Passions, Book 1

Lyra Marcus tries to avoid her werewolf family’s political entanglements. Instead, she heals the wounds of the never-ending border skirmishes between lycans and wereleopards. It’s a bitter irony that she’s about to die in that war.

When she awakens after an attack, the horror of her situation dawns. She’s a wounded werewolf in the middle of wereleopard territory. And standing over her is a son of its most powerful family, Zander Leonidas. Her fate may be a swift and bloody end, but she intends to go down fighting.

Zander has no plan to fight the little she-wolf who’s landed at his Refuge Resort, a place where shifter species are free to be what they are—except wolves, of course. Yet Lyra fits him in a way she shouldn’t, and the urge to mark her as his mate is irresistible. A match like theirs, though, would rock the foundations of their world.

He intends to find out who left Lyra for dead on Leonidas land. And keep her safe from whoever wants to finish the job—not to mention the werewolf alpha who wants his niece back at any cost…

A tale of forbidden love and attempted murder.

Lyra is a werewolf left for dead in were-leopard territory. Fortunately for her she's to strong-willed and stubborn to actually die. A strong alpha-female she goes head to head with the alpha-males in this book. I love how she gives them what-for, yet is still able to channel her feminine side when needed.

Zander is your typical strong, sexy, alpha-male. The connection between these two is instant and hot. Yet for the good of their families and species they try to fight their attraction leaving it at smoking hot sex and nothing more. I thought the war aspect was interesting, having the were-leopards and werewolves fighting. It reminded me of cats and dogs. I liked all the different types of were-creatures incorporated, it was a nice change from just werewolves.

The only thing I didn't like about this book was I didn't feel closure at the end, but this is the first book in the series so I hope it is explained in a later book. Still it had an HEA ending which did make me smile. The plot line was intriguing, I had to keep reading to find out how Lyra ended up half-dead in the desert and why. I wanted to know why an assassin was after her. Ms. Jordan had her timing perfect dropping hints and tidbits but never revealing her hand completely. This was an enjoyable book and I'm looking forward to the next one in the series.

Stripped Bare by Lacey Thorn

Stripped Bare by Lacey Thorn
Publisher: Ellora's Cave
Genre: Contemporary, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Short Story (97 pages)
Other: M/F
Rating: 4.5 cherries
Reviewed by Fuchsia

Stace needs help finding her missing sister. What she gets is Donavan Shepard. Shep is everything a woman could ever desire in a man and much, much more. Hell, he reminds her of a Viking; all she wants is to be ravished over and over again.

Shep wants to find a woman who he can bare all with, keeping nothing hidden. Stace seems to be the one. Can he help her find her sister and convince her to give them a chance? One taste of her lush flesh and he’ll do whatever he can to achieve both.

Bare … hmmm. Well Stace did spend a good bit of time “bare”, but in this title I think bare refers more to an emotional state. This love in this book was purely accidental on Stace's part. Shep started out as just a really gorgeous piece of man flesh that she wanted try out but soon got to her on a totally different level.

Although this book is part of a series for Ms. Thorn it was a marvelous read all on its own. There was plenty of background info fed into the story so that I, as a new reader, didn't feel as if I had missed something vital. A couple from a previous story does make an appearance and I'll just warn readers now that it will make you want to go back and read their story. I myself plan to go back and start at the beginning with this series. I can only hope that the “villain” in this story will soon become the hero of his own story in this series.

Ms. Thorn delivered a delightful read and has managed to make a new fan for herself. This book could be an excellent suggested title for almost any reader of romance. The sex, while scorching and fairly in depth crossed no controversial boundaries and the story was done so well as to catch my attention and hold it well past the time when I should have been sleeping.

Going Wilde by Chloe Lang

Going Wilde by Chloe Lang
Publisher: Siren Publishing
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Short Story (94 pages)
Other: M/F, M/F/M, M/F/M/M/M, Menage, anal play/intercourse
Rating: 4 Cherries
Reviewed by Honeysuckle

Wilde, Nevada is remote, rugged and rough. Jessie feels like she's walked straight into the wild west, complete with some of the hottest cowboys she's ever laid eyes on. But she has a job to do and it doesn't include getting close to the Wilde brothers.

The minute Jackson Wilde sees Jessie he knows she's the one for him and his four brothers, Phoenix, Dallas, Denver, and Austin. The gorgeous city girl calls to him like no one before, but she's convinced she doesn't belong in a place like Wilde. With danger lurking around every corner, Jackson will have to prove that she's finally come home.

“When in Wilde”…be prepared for hunky cowboys that come in groups, mysterious accidents that are becoming more frequent, and an unconventional love that investigator Jessica Green never realized was possible.

Are you ready for some LoveXtreme Wilde, Nevada style? Jessica certainly has the confidence to think she can handle anything the small mining/ranching town can throw at her. She doesn’t anticipate that including four of the Wilde brothers or almost being run over by a mining cart during her investigation of recent accidents. While the Wilde bunch want only to show her pleasure times four (times five if they can get oldest brother Austin on board) Jessica is there to do a job and doesn’t imagine that the fun will last past the end of her investigation.

Siren’s LoveXtreme line has been a lot of fun for this reviewer. There are some terrifically talented writers contributing to the new line and Ms. Lang is one of them. The Wilde, Nevada series looks to be a fun, sexy and exciting adventure. This story is different from the other LoveXtreme books I’ve read because it doesn’t have a paranormal aspect. The men have reasons for wanting to share a single woman and it plays out very realistically for this story. The romance between the men and Jessie is at the forefront of this first book but you get a taste for the underlying plot, being the mysterious accidents that have started happening at the Wilde mines.

Youngest brother Jackson gets most of the action (literally and figuratively) in Going Wilde. There’s good chemistry between he and Jessie from the first time they meet. Ms. Lang has a clever writing style that keeps the reader engaged from the very beginning. Other brothers, Phoenix, Dallas and Denver make a pretty good impression on Jessie for her first days in Wilde as well but I’m really looking forward to seeing how Austin reacts to meeting her. Austin is portrayed as the loner who plans to get out of Wilde at the first opportunity. Also, he’s into the BDSM lifestyle so that should prove interesting.

I’ll be keeping my eyes open for the next installment from Ms. Lang’s exciting new series. I hope you’ll join me on Jessie’s adventure that is guaranteed to be Wilde!

A Dillon Sandwich by Joyee Flynn

A Dillon Sandwich by Joyee Flynn
The O'Hagan Way Book 1
Publisher: Siren Publishing
Genre: Action/Adventure, Contemporary, Paranormal
Length: Short Story (129 pgs)
Other: M/M, M/M/M, Ménage, Anal Play, Toys, Spanking
Rating: 4.5 Cherries
Reviewed by Edelweiss

Shane O'Hagan has never seen a warrior before. When one comes to the family farm, he's shocked at how sexy the large warrior is. But not as shocked as he is by the knowledge that this gorgeous man is his mate. Well, his and his twin Sean's mate, that is.

When Dillon Dragos is sent to Ireland by the council to help with a suspected demon nest, he's in for the ride of his life. Dillon is thrilled to find out he has sexy little twins as his mates. But will they be willing to leave their family and Ireland to come back with Dillon to America? Or will he have to leave them behind?

There's just nothing quite as sexy to me as a hot vampire with an accent. I was completely charmed by the Irish twins introduced in A Dillon Sandwich. While this is the first in The O'Hagan Way series, it is an extension of the beloved Marius Brothers books. If you've not had the occasion to check these books out, you really have missed out on a fantastic series and will want to rectify that as soon as you can.

The beginning demonstrates in a humorous way that Dillon Dragos is completely out of his element in Ireland as the big, bad, American warrior receives the equivalent of a clown car at the airport's car rental stand. This scene was written so well that I could actually picture the expression on Dillon's face when he first sees the vehicle.

The Marius and O'Hagan families are so different, but share the same loyalty and devotion. I enjoyed meeting the Irish counterparts to the loving Marius bunch. The dialogue between members of the family is real and relaxed. They deal with common familial issues such as sibling rivalry, being busted by the folks for swearing, laughing, crying, celebrating and mourning with each other as a unit. Ms. Flynn is unerringly consistent with her character development. The reader becomes familiar with the personalities of the individuals so much so that it's easy to know how they will react to any given situation. I found myself bracing for impact when Riley (from the first Marius book) had a rude comment directed toward him. I just knew he was going to go nuclear, and he did not disappoint.

I find it refreshing to read about uncommon relationships. While Dillon's mates are smaller than him they fight vehemently to protect their warrior mate. Shane and Sean O'Hagan show Dillon how to be a real family through demonstrating amazing and unconditional love. Both twins also show Dillon the wild side of mating, with fire code violating sex scenes that melt right off the page.

The Irish brogue is written phonetically which worried me at first glance. It ceased to be a concern when I laughed like a school girl at the comment made by Shane's father when Dillon pulled up in the “clown car” mentioned above. “Welcome to Ireland, where we stuff ya inta our wee cars.” As you can see, the spelling really adds to the realism and hilarity of the scene. As this is a new branch of an ongoing series, Joyee Flynn ensures it can be read by itself by giving a recap of events and roles established in previous books.

A Dillon Sandwich is about so much more than the special bond shared between Dillon and his mates. I adored this tale about family, true family, and the lengths these people will go to in order to preserve the values they hold dear. A healing love through demonstration is illustrated with real emotion and attention to detail. I have recommended this book to others, and have re-read it several times. I'm confident you'll be eager to read the next book in this series, as you come to care for the family as much as I do. I'll end with my favorite quote from the book: “You and Sean are my solace, my reason for living and fighting with everything I have in me.”