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Sammy and Sara #1
After the Dawn
For Lieutenant Samantha 'Sammy' Yates, leaving the Marines wasn't an option she ever wanted. Forced out of the service because of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, she tries to move on with her life-- putting up a good facade to those who don't know her very well. Alone, however; she is plagued with battle scars she can't shake even two years after her tour.
When successful psychiatrist, Sara Lawson, decided to move back to the only place she ever felt safe, the last thing she had on her mind was falling in love. Deciding to renovate the home she inherited from her grandmother, she crosses paths with Sammy, who is now working as a contractor. Sara spots something kindred in the woman's hardened, but kind blue eyes.
Each hiding their own secrets in the small Florida town, they both realize that the walls they had spent years perfecting have started to crack around one another. As they slowly build a friendship, can they keep each other safe from the danger that is speeding towards them?
When successful psychiatrist, Sara Lawson, decided to move back to the only place she ever felt safe, the last thing she had on her mind was falling in love. Deciding to renovate the home she inherited from her grandmother, she crosses paths with Sammy, who is now working as a contractor. Sara spots something kindred in the woman's hardened, but kind blue eyes.
Each hiding their own secrets in the small Florida town, they both realize that the walls they had spent years perfecting have started to crack around one another. As they slowly build a friendship, can they keep each other safe from the danger that is speeding towards them?
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 15, 2012
21 people are currently reading
217 people want to read
About the author
Stephanie Motes
6 books15 followersStephanie Motes lives in Central Florida with her partner Grace and their Pekingese, Princess and Pug, Chewy. She is a native Floridian hailing from Sumter County, where she spent her youth playing softball and enjoying life in the country. When she entered college, she studied theater and video production and was cast as a featured extra in the 2003 Oscar winning movie "Monster."
In her free time, Stephanie enjoys playing the guitar, biking, seeing historical sights and riding theme park rides. She has overcome many obstacles in her life, including a debilitating back disorder. The physical effects of severe scoliosis, however, were not enough to hamper her dreams. She has been writing since she was a child, finding it to be the one outlet that she could always turn to, especially in times of hardship.
With the completion of her first novel, "After the Dawn," Stephanie realized her dream of having a best-selling book. Look for more great books coming soon!
In her free time, Stephanie enjoys playing the guitar, biking, seeing historical sights and riding theme park rides. She has overcome many obstacles in her life, including a debilitating back disorder. The physical effects of severe scoliosis, however, were not enough to hamper her dreams. She has been writing since she was a child, finding it to be the one outlet that she could always turn to, especially in times of hardship.
With the completion of her first novel, "After the Dawn," Stephanie realized her dream of having a best-selling book. Look for more great books coming soon!
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
October 14, 2018
Great read.
I can't believe I didnt rate or review this book. I think I orginally read it a couple of years ago and just reread it every few months for certain scenes and such. This isna great read and enjoyable. It deals with some hard topics such as PTSD, abuse, and violence. The story was really well written and the characters were great too. A solid 4.5* for this one, why not a solid 5 honestly i just wanna be difficult but i did love it!
I can't believe I didnt rate or review this book. I think I orginally read it a couple of years ago and just reread it every few months for certain scenes and such. This isna great read and enjoyable. It deals with some hard topics such as PTSD, abuse, and violence. The story was really well written and the characters were great too. A solid 4.5* for this one, why not a solid 5 honestly i just wanna be difficult but i did love it!
May 24, 2017
I'm never quite sure what to expect with the books on Kindle Unlimited. Some are good reads, and well, some of them just suck. This is definitely a good one. I'm a sucker for these strong but scarred military women and Sammy is an endearing character. I liked Sara too who is also a strong female character that has endured trauma albeit outside the military. Be warned though. I started this book about 10 pm at night and I didn't go to sleep until I finished it.
October 8, 2013
I really enjoyed this story, it had a little bit of everything. A strong female character with a military background, creating a new life while dealing with PTSD. A budding relationship between two women; overcoming past trauma’s to accept their feelings for each other. Dealing with prejudice for their lifestyle choice, especially from one of the MC’s family! And a psycho ex lover thrown in to add cause chaos!
They were some yummy 'love scenes' but I would have liked to see the heat factor turned up a bit. They didn't quite light my fire, but then I am a seasoned erotica reader, so that is not a slur on the authors writing ability!
In summary - The author did a great job at unraveling an interesting plot and tying it up nicely by the end.
They were some yummy 'love scenes' but I would have liked to see the heat factor turned up a bit. They didn't quite light my fire, but then I am a seasoned erotica reader, so that is not a slur on the authors writing ability!
In summary - The author did a great job at unraveling an interesting plot and tying it up nicely by the end.
December 3, 2018
OK - I liked this book - kept me engaged and had characters I believed in. I moved between 4 and 5 stars - 5* means to me that I want to re-read and I do that so 5 it is, but it feels generous. Don't be fooled by No 1 in series - Book 2 is a short story sneeze, an epilogue really and to call it a book is disrespectful.
June 10, 2016
My first book by this author.
This is a rather neat little book involving two somewhat overly passionate women coming together somewhat unexpectedly. Both having traumatic experiences in their pasts which have given both a certain level of PTSD. Post-traumatic-stress-disorder. I think that's what PTSD spells out.
I say 'certain level' because one, the Marine who had fought in Iraq had a diagnose of PTSD, while the non-Marine didn't. Though both had times when they acted like they were suffering from PTSD.
The Marine's PTSD is directly related to her last mission in Iraq. When she, and her team, ended up under fire. Friends and fellow marines died or became injured. Sammy Yates feels especially bad about the whole thing because she was the Lieutenant, the one in command. And she wasn't able to save everyone, plus, maybe even worse in her mind, she survived to be able to come home. Once back in the States, Sammy gets a job as a contractor.
The book opens with Sammy arriving at a new site. Gazing at a house that she suspects should just be bulldozed. Out trots a short woman who owns the place. And wants it rebuilt/refurbished/rewhateverwordgoeshere. That woman being Sara Lawson.
Sara Lawson is a psychiatrist. It's harder to explain her backstory without getting into spoiler territory. So, mostly all I can say is that she became estranged from her parents when she was caught fooling around with another young teenage woman; though they seemed to get over it when she started dating a doctor; but broke apart from her again when that relationship ended. Sara's traumatic experience(s) is directly tied to that doctor girlfriend.
Sara and Sammy work well together. Solid characterization, at least with the two main characters. Plot kind of has a little too much melodrama in it, but is still better than what that might imply. There were several cliche's that got raised along the way, but they were handled better than I expected, mostly. I'll just mention one. Miscommunication as a plot device for conflict raised it's ugly head yet again in a romance novel. Though it was handled a lot cleaner than normal, and it turned out to be a lot less annoying than normal.
This is a rather neat little book involving two somewhat overly passionate women coming together somewhat unexpectedly. Both having traumatic experiences in their pasts which have given both a certain level of PTSD. Post-traumatic-stress-disorder. I think that's what PTSD spells out.
I say 'certain level' because one, the Marine who had fought in Iraq had a diagnose of PTSD, while the non-Marine didn't. Though both had times when they acted like they were suffering from PTSD.
The Marine's PTSD is directly related to her last mission in Iraq. When she, and her team, ended up under fire. Friends and fellow marines died or became injured. Sammy Yates feels especially bad about the whole thing because she was the Lieutenant, the one in command. And she wasn't able to save everyone, plus, maybe even worse in her mind, she survived to be able to come home. Once back in the States, Sammy gets a job as a contractor.
The book opens with Sammy arriving at a new site. Gazing at a house that she suspects should just be bulldozed. Out trots a short woman who owns the place. And wants it rebuilt/refurbished/rewhateverwordgoeshere. That woman being Sara Lawson.
Sara Lawson is a psychiatrist. It's harder to explain her backstory without getting into spoiler territory. So, mostly all I can say is that she became estranged from her parents when she was caught fooling around with another young teenage woman; though they seemed to get over it when she started dating a doctor; but broke apart from her again when that relationship ended. Sara's traumatic experience(s) is directly tied to that doctor girlfriend.
Sara and Sammy work well together. Solid characterization, at least with the two main characters. Plot kind of has a little too much melodrama in it, but is still better than what that might imply. There were several cliche's that got raised along the way, but they were handled better than I expected, mostly. I'll just mention one. Miscommunication as a plot device for conflict raised it's ugly head yet again in a romance novel. Though it was handled a lot cleaner than normal, and it turned out to be a lot less annoying than normal.
March 13, 2018
This book was just okay to me. There just wasn't any chemistry between the characters and then bam they're together. I need build up people! I also felt that some of the more important parts were rushed through and the story would have been better if they were more flushed out.
3.5 stars but I'm rounding down because I really can't give this a 4.
***Slight spoiler***This book is about 2 women both with PTSD. One is due to military circumstances the other is due to rape. There may be a few people wondering about triggers so I will tell you that the rape is not described graphically but it is mentioned as are the violent acts leading up to it. ***End spoiler***
3.5 stars but I'm rounding down because I really can't give this a 4.
***Slight spoiler***This book is about 2 women both with PTSD. One is due to military circumstances the other is due to rape. There may be a few people wondering about triggers so I will tell you that the rape is not described graphically but it is mentioned as are the violent acts leading up to it. ***End spoiler***
April 30, 2020
Well written
This is a well written story. Sammy is a former Marine, turned contractor, struggling with PTSD & survivor's guilt. Her starts a new project & immediately clashes with the home owner, Sara. As the story unfolds, both MCs are struggling with similar personal issues & find support & solace in each other. Great love story, well paced & includes some action & suspense.
This is a well written story. Sammy is a former Marine, turned contractor, struggling with PTSD & survivor's guilt. Her starts a new project & immediately clashes with the home owner, Sara. As the story unfolds, both MCs are struggling with similar personal issues & find support & solace in each other. Great love story, well paced & includes some action & suspense.
September 30, 2019
Excellent story of surviving trauma
It has 2 likeable characters fighting to thrive in tough situations. I would have like to see the doc challenged to seek professional help. Good glimpse into VA system.
It has 2 likeable characters fighting to thrive in tough situations. I would have like to see the doc challenged to seek professional help. Good glimpse into VA system.
July 28, 2019
Great!
I loved After the Dawn. It’s a good reminder for all of us of the effects of war on veterans when they come home. Loved the plot and the main characters.
I loved After the Dawn. It’s a good reminder for all of us of the effects of war on veterans when they come home. Loved the plot and the main characters.
December 28, 2019
Fabulous
This book has it all psyco exes, crazy besties,war heroes with PTSD and a wonderful warm hearted gentle heroine and most of all a beautifully written love story
This book has it all psyco exes, crazy besties,war heroes with PTSD and a wonderful warm hearted gentle heroine and most of all a beautifully written love story
June 13, 2014
This was my first time reading this authors work and I must say I will be checking out more books. I lovey he main characters as well as the the supporting ones, we should all have a best friend like Mary. ;)
kindle-i-own-to-read
December 11, 2012Amazon Freebie 12/11/2012
February 8, 2013
Notes has a grasp on grammar and vocab, it's just not a very firm one. the story line is not too bad but the writing is a challenge. It seems forced rather than a nice flowing easy read.
September 7, 2014
Great book and I love that the lead character is a war vet! I was sucked into the book and found myself pulling an all nighter to finish it.
November 1, 2015
2013 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention (5* from at least 1 judge)
Want to Read
February 15, 2016320pgs, Lesbian,
March 29, 2017
I found this an interesting read, although at times I became a bit annoyed, it seemed the author was ‘over egging’ the story, with almost every plotline you could think of. I suspect the author was just trying too hard, but at times I did feel like the author was trying to overwhelm with incidents rather than developing the story.
However, I thought it was an enjoyable read and would definitely read any sequel. I would have given this three and a half stars if this had been possible.
However, I thought it was an enjoyable read and would definitely read any sequel. I would have given this three and a half stars if this had been possible.
November 4, 2017
This is actually a neat kind of novel...it's was just sort of unnecessarily stretched. The characters and plot was solid...I did find the dialogue in some cases not fluid enough. For a first novel I think the writer did well, obviously room for improvement and I look forward to reading many more by her
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews