Laura MacLeod doesn’t need an intervention to know she’s in trouble. A paediatric nurse on an oncology ward, she has seen her share of suffering. But when tragedy touches her personally, she falls apart and accepts help in the form of pain killers. She becomes rapidly addicted, and her downward spiral is humiliating as well as life-changing. Fresh from rehab, she travels to the Okanagan Valley, where she has agreed to perform menial work at a winery for several months. F-18 fighter pilot Bradley Jamieson has witnessed the horrors of war in Afghanistan, resulting in the loss of his ability to speak. Weary from the aftermath of war, he accepts his friend’s invitation to visit his winery. Unable to understand how a beautiful woman like Laura could throw away her life by taking drugs, he is determined to avoid her. But the more he sees of this gentle woman, the more he’s attracted to her. The summer sun isn’t the only thing generating heat in the valley. Laura and Bradley battle their their growing attraction for one another while fighting their inner demons. Can these two troubled souls find the peace they desire, or will reality bring them crashing back down to earth?
Mona Ingram is the author of over 60 romance novels, including twelve novellas. Many of her stories take place in British Columbia, where she has lived since the age of twelve. In recent years she has lived in the Okanagan Valley and on Vancouver Island. In addition to reading and writing, traveling and bird watching are among Mona's favourite pastimes.
Too short and flimsy to carry the weight of everything the author threw into the book. This romance could've done without all the drama, and I think the relationship between Laura and Bradley was hurried and under-developed, as a result.
In order to properly address the serious issues of substance abuse and recovery, post war stress and the emotional/psychological problems very young, orphaned children face, the book needed to be twice the length, at least.
I'm no expert but would've thought a winery is one of the last places someone just out of rehab should be working.
Also, I wasn't keen on the kids (aged 5 and 7) calling Laura and Bradley "Mom and Dad" so soon after their own parents' death. It seemed like the author thought that would add to the Happily Ever After but I think it's unnecessary and insensitive.
Mona Ingram is in my woman's group on Goodreads. This is the first book I've read by her.
I'm in 'aw' at the talent we have in our woman's group. (many great writers). All the books I've read have been enjoyable to say the least. Each different --each worth my time.
"Fallen Angel" was a 'feel-good' book!!!! [VERY SATISFYING] I read this book yesterday -- a chilly-windy day -- here in Northern California...(in one sitting). I was swept away into my little world with this wondrous little novel.
Mona Ingram traces the connections between her characters with sympathy, strength, warmth, and love.
Wonderful storyteller! (I LIKED the story AND the characters!!)
This story revolves around a nurse just recently discharged from rehab and a war veteran without a voice. Both have baggage and are determined to NOT get involved. Well,you know how long that lasts.There are some bumps and twists along the way of course. Set in the wine country of Canada(I didn't know there was wine country in Canada) this was an engaging and very quick read. I enjoyed all the characters and plot moved right along.If you are in the mood for a light read, this is it.
Laura MacLeod doesn’t need an intervention to know she’s in trouble. A paediatric nurse on an oncology ward, she has seen her share of suffering. But when tragedy touches her personally, she falls apart and accepts help in the form of pain killers. She becomes rapidly addicted, and her downward spiral is humiliating as well as life-changing. Fresh from rehab, she travels to the Okanagan Valley, where she has agreed to perform menial work at a winery for several months. F-18 fighter pilot Bradley Jamieson has witnessed the horrors of war in Afghanistan, resulting in the loss of his ability to speak. Weary from the aftermath of war, he accepts his friend’s invitation to visit his winery. Unable to understand how a beautiful woman like Laura could throw away her life by taking drugs, he is determined to avoid her. But the more he sees of this gentle woman, the more he’s attracted to her.
I have to say I was very disappointed in this novella. After reading the summary, I thought it would be very good and it was a free book on Kindle. The only reason it got 2 stars was because the premise of the plot could have been great. I have several things about this book that led to my disappointment. First, physical intimacy was the only thing developing between the two main characters. There was no depth to the characters (and there really could have been), and there relationship was totally one dimensional. Second, when there was a chance for the characters to be developed it didn't happen. Finally, the ending was wrapped up in one chapter. This had the potential to be a great complete novel with a different focus and more character and plot development. But unfortunately it never happened.
I rarely give ratings of 1 or 2; but if you grabbed this one free, I don't recommend it.
In this story Laura is approached by her family and friends about her prescription drug addiction and agrees to go to rehab. The rehab part of the books is very quick and it seems as if the author just didn't bother doing research so she didn't write about it. While in rehab, Laura meets Faith and after they are released from rehab they decide to go to a program that helps recovering addicts with a job and a stable and peaceful environment. This program is a winery and the girls jobs are to be chambermaids for the hotel and general clean-up that is needed. Of course both girls meet the man of their dreams and they live happily every after.
But there is a problem with this whole set-up. One of the things addicts learn in rehab is to stay out of intimate relationships because they are supposed to be focusing on their recovery, not the needs of a boyfriend. Also the idea of any kind of addict working at a winery is simply not going to happen if that person is taking their recovery seriously. I just feel like the author didn't do her research in this area but needed something to set up her romantic plot and she chose addiction and recovery.
However, even with my criticism of the realities of addiction not being examined at all, I did enjoy the book. It was light reading and I read it in one sitting. I haven't read a romance in awhile and that part of the book is mild compared to what's out there right now (Fifty Shades of Gray). I also liked the happy ending even though part of it was a little hard to believe. All in all...it was an ok book for a freebie. 2 stars.
Addiction, divorce, trauma self discovery and just when it starts to come together the world explodes. A true vision through the eyes of people torn in different directions torn in pieces some lives seemingly destroyed while others thrive with the battle. A story of self discovery and a story of love a story of hope and triumph over demons and new beginnings. A terrific book very well written. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a heartwarming and uplifting read
Laura is an oncology pediatric nurse who succumbs to the grief of the job and becomes a prescription drug addict. Bradley is a fighter pilot who loses his voice due to the pyschological trauma he suffers after his accidental killings during friendly fire. Both arrive at the winery to heal and find that in the arms of each other. I loved the basic plotline but , with this being a mere 150 pages, I would have preferred more character and plot development. The ending seemed awfully rushed.
The development of the characters and storyline was so good that I did not question anything along this journey. Laura and Bradley have both gone through a lot, and they are cautious but they are drawn together. They seem to understand each other's pain. Halfway through the story it was obvious that they are kindred spirits. A very tender romance. I like the blue lagoon effect. This is the second book of the author that I have read and there is no doubt that I will read the rest of them.
Okay I was the director of admissions at a substance abuse facility so I am slanted in my view but I want to bang my head against the wall. Yes let's have a BARELY CLEAN ADDICT WORK AT A WINERY. I honestly don't think the author did her homework on this or she would have NEVER had that as a premise. I honestly couldn't get passed that ineptitude of the author for this book.
An okay book, though the plot felt quite unlikely - not to mention rushed -at times. I would have liked the story, as well as the characters, to have been more fleshed out.
The Kindle edition could do with some editing; there are some annoying typos.
This was a good book. Short easy read. I liked how it portrayed two people who had difficult situations; however, I wish it was longer. I wanted more info from these characters and how their lives had evolved to the present. We had glimpses, but I would've liked more from them. Overall a good book
Free.Kindle.Airplane reading. Wow - what a ridulous book! Almost shameful to have spent time reading it, but considering it was free, and I was passing time on the plane ...
This was a freebie thru Amazon, so I figured, what the heck! I was enjoying the story, and then it was suddenly over! I expected a lot more story yet to come! Short but sweet.
Romance between a recovering addict and literally dumbstruck fighter pilot--doesn't quite come together in the end, seems like it's trying to do too much in too short a book. 2.5 stars.
This was a great book. The characters were interesting and seemed to be real. The author did a magnificent job with the plot. I would recommend this book.