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Save Me
Taryn wants to live a life of independence. There's only one problem, she's too afraid to leave her house.
Since she was sixteen and witnessed her father's murder, she's been tormented night after night by the same pair of
evil eyes. She is disabled by her fear, yet she wants nothing more than to be "normal".
Carter has just come home after graduating college and is looking forward to a summer with his friends. The last thing
he wants is an attachment to a woman, that is until he meets Taryn. The odds are stacked against them, but together they
find they can conquer the past. Until someone wants to make the past a new reality. Can they survive what Fate has in store?
* This book contains moderate language, moderate violence, and moderate sex. 17+ Recommended.
Note from This book has not been professionally edited. I have tried to fix mistakes as I came across them, however I am sure I have missed many. Please excuse the imperfections, and I hope you are able to enjoy the book regardless of my editing skills. Thank You.
Since she was sixteen and witnessed her father's murder, she's been tormented night after night by the same pair of
evil eyes. She is disabled by her fear, yet she wants nothing more than to be "normal".
Carter has just come home after graduating college and is looking forward to a summer with his friends. The last thing
he wants is an attachment to a woman, that is until he meets Taryn. The odds are stacked against them, but together they
find they can conquer the past. Until someone wants to make the past a new reality. Can they survive what Fate has in store?
* This book contains moderate language, moderate violence, and moderate sex. 17+ Recommended.
Note from This book has not been professionally edited. I have tried to fix mistakes as I came across them, however I am sure I have missed many. Please excuse the imperfections, and I hope you are able to enjoy the book regardless of my editing skills. Thank You.
222 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 28, 2013
11 people are currently reading
116 people want to read
About the author
Crystal Lee
1 book13 followersCrystal has always been an avid reader, enjoying almost every genre. She enjoys spending time with her husband and four children, along with her dogs.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
August 16, 2014
SPOILERS:
THE HEROINE:
This poor, poor girl is probably one of THE most unfortunate main characters I’ve come across, in terms of having to endure so much pain and suffering: physically, emotionally and psychologically.
Continuously.
Year in, year out.
Month in, month out.
Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.
She just doesn’t catch a break, the poor broken soul.
“The incident” - as she refers to it, 3 years ago @ age 16:
From a happy loving family environment to a life of misery after she sees her father being killed and she herself is shot by the same deranged person who killed her dad.
Surgery. Grieving. Moving to a new home.
Rehab to learn to walk again and deal with constant pain.
Seeing a psychologist, panic attacks, etc
After a month at home:
Twin brother of the now jailed killer kidnaps her.
Stripped her, beat her until bloody and bruised and then scarred her, by carving his mark on her back. He’s killed during her rescue.
6 months ago:
Her family don’t tell her, but threatening letters start arriving.
Presently @ age 19:
She has a noticeable limp, cannot walk for long periods, has panic attacks, cannot leave home, hates the dark, has severe nightmares, suffers suffocation and blackouts at any kind of violence, etc
Despite this she WANTS to move on. She has taken online college courses. Has attempted to leave the sanctuary of her home but after one really bad incident during which she actually wets herself in public, she’s been more wary.
But STILL determined to try.
Now she meets the hero, and agrees to her first date. They get as far as her driveway where she finds one of the taunting, threatening letters. Goes into a catatonic state which only an injection of Ativan (and the hero’s soothing words and touches) can bring her out of.
STILL she tries to move forward.
Even takes a flight to another city with the H. Spends time with his dad, in a public place, etc
And gets attacked by his crazy ex wife:
EXCERPTS:
I heard the slap before I felt it….holding onto my hair, pulling viciously…I felt some of my hair separate from my scalp…could feel pressure on my stomach……
She was lying on the floor shaking. She was so pale, her eyes wide with shock. Her right cheek was red and swelling, there were scratch marks on her neck, and her fists were clenched so tightly I could see blood oozing from under her fingers…
Back home she recovers from this ordeal. Learns to drive and reaches new milestones.
Goes on her first solo visit to the store: (Approx. 98% into the book)
Kidnapped by the father of abovementioned 2 criminals. He needs to punish her for the imprisonment of his 1 son, the death of his other son and his wife’s suicide. It’s all her fault.
EXCERPTS:
I saw the flash of a fist before pain exploded…I was lying on concrete…the tickling that was making its way down my nose, and I knew it was some kind of bug…covered in vomit…Cold water hit my face… struck me in the face… hit in the stomach… he rinsed my naked body off… roughly threw me face down on the floor… causing me to bite into my tongue…” I like my mark on you, right next to my son’s,”… burning registered in my back…forced my head into what looked like the opening of a dog kennel… booted foot pressed down on my shredded back… his boot still planted on my back, the one pushing and his hand pulling, it jackknifed my body…3 broken ribs…right hip extremely bruised and swollen…severe concussion…orbital fracture…CT scan shows bruising… the cuts on her back are severe…mental state taken a huge step back…nightmares..lifeless and flat (eyes)…
She tries to break things off with the hero. He deserves better, she says. He disagrees.
I’m hoping her brother, Ethan, gets his own book. Wouldn’t be surprised if Marcus, the killer’s brother has his own as well – that should be one heck of a story.
THE HEROINE:
This poor, poor girl is probably one of THE most unfortunate main characters I’ve come across, in terms of having to endure so much pain and suffering: physically, emotionally and psychologically.
Continuously.
Year in, year out.
Month in, month out.
Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.
She just doesn’t catch a break, the poor broken soul.
“The incident” - as she refers to it, 3 years ago @ age 16:
From a happy loving family environment to a life of misery after she sees her father being killed and she herself is shot by the same deranged person who killed her dad.
Surgery. Grieving. Moving to a new home.
Rehab to learn to walk again and deal with constant pain.
Seeing a psychologist, panic attacks, etc
After a month at home:
Twin brother of the now jailed killer kidnaps her.
Stripped her, beat her until bloody and bruised and then scarred her, by carving his mark on her back. He’s killed during her rescue.
6 months ago:
Her family don’t tell her, but threatening letters start arriving.
Presently @ age 19:
She has a noticeable limp, cannot walk for long periods, has panic attacks, cannot leave home, hates the dark, has severe nightmares, suffers suffocation and blackouts at any kind of violence, etc
Despite this she WANTS to move on. She has taken online college courses. Has attempted to leave the sanctuary of her home but after one really bad incident during which she actually wets herself in public, she’s been more wary.
But STILL determined to try.
Now she meets the hero, and agrees to her first date. They get as far as her driveway where she finds one of the taunting, threatening letters. Goes into a catatonic state which only an injection of Ativan (and the hero’s soothing words and touches) can bring her out of.
STILL she tries to move forward.
Even takes a flight to another city with the H. Spends time with his dad, in a public place, etc
And gets attacked by his crazy ex wife:
EXCERPTS:
I heard the slap before I felt it….holding onto my hair, pulling viciously…I felt some of my hair separate from my scalp…could feel pressure on my stomach……
She was lying on the floor shaking. She was so pale, her eyes wide with shock. Her right cheek was red and swelling, there were scratch marks on her neck, and her fists were clenched so tightly I could see blood oozing from under her fingers…
Back home she recovers from this ordeal. Learns to drive and reaches new milestones.
Goes on her first solo visit to the store: (Approx. 98% into the book)
Kidnapped by the father of abovementioned 2 criminals. He needs to punish her for the imprisonment of his 1 son, the death of his other son and his wife’s suicide. It’s all her fault.
EXCERPTS:
I saw the flash of a fist before pain exploded…I was lying on concrete…the tickling that was making its way down my nose, and I knew it was some kind of bug…covered in vomit…Cold water hit my face… struck me in the face… hit in the stomach… he rinsed my naked body off… roughly threw me face down on the floor… causing me to bite into my tongue…” I like my mark on you, right next to my son’s,”… burning registered in my back…forced my head into what looked like the opening of a dog kennel… booted foot pressed down on my shredded back… his boot still planted on my back, the one pushing and his hand pulling, it jackknifed my body…3 broken ribs…right hip extremely bruised and swollen…severe concussion…orbital fracture…CT scan shows bruising… the cuts on her back are severe…mental state taken a huge step back…nightmares..lifeless and flat (eyes)…
She tries to break things off with the hero. He deserves better, she says. He disagrees.
I’m hoping her brother, Ethan, gets his own book. Wouldn’t be surprised if Marcus, the killer’s brother has his own as well – that should be one heck of a story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 18, 2017
Crystal Lee has earned a spot on my All-Time-Favorites shelf with Save Me, and I cannot say enough good things about this book! Carter is a wonderfully protective and possessive hero, and while his and Taryn's feelings for each other happened almost instantaneously, their relationship was slow to develop and very believable. It was refreshing to read about a hero who is not a player; Carter is completely devoted to Taryn, and they are open and honest about their feelings for each other from the start. The hellish situations Taryn has suffered through are truly heartwrenching, but they are offset by several laugh-out-loud moments as we see her mischievous side with her Grandpa and Carter, too.
Ms. Lee has crafted an amazing (and well-edited) story and made me really care about the characters and what happens to them. Their close sense of family and friendship shines through and I will definitely be reading Elk Creek #2 whenever it is published. Well done and thank you, Crystal Lee!
Ms. Lee has crafted an amazing (and well-edited) story and made me really care about the characters and what happens to them. Their close sense of family and friendship shines through and I will definitely be reading Elk Creek #2 whenever it is published. Well done and thank you, Crystal Lee!
June 1, 2014
I judge a fiction book by two criteria: First, is the book interesting? Second, does the author move the story along so readers don’t get bogged down? I’m happy to say “Save Me” gets Four Star yeses on both counts.
The plot grabs you immediately and keeps you turning pages. The author skillfully ends each chapter daring you to stop reading. The characters speak to one another like real people and the story progresses with a nice allocation of narrative and dialogue. A minor critique would be the profusion of the f-word. I often felt that the obviously well-to-do and intelligent Carter was reduced unnecessarily to guttersnipe status simply so he could be portrayed as tough and commanding.
The characters in “Save Me” are real and believable with one exception. The male protagonist several times extricates himself from sexually charged situations, which I found too mid-Victorian. I would have preferred a leading man a little more like James Bond without the smirk. Perhaps the author uses self-denial to heighten the emotion of the inevitable consummation scene. Here the author gets it exactly right. When Taryn and Carter finally find themselves together in bed, and we know the time is right, the scene is wonderfully sexy but tenderly and tastefully rendered.
The villain was believable but could have been developed with a little more depth—perhaps with a chapter showing why he was so demented. And, while his sadistic treatment of Taryn was intriguing, the situation was ripe for further exploitation.
Read this book. You’ll be entertained.
The plot grabs you immediately and keeps you turning pages. The author skillfully ends each chapter daring you to stop reading. The characters speak to one another like real people and the story progresses with a nice allocation of narrative and dialogue. A minor critique would be the profusion of the f-word. I often felt that the obviously well-to-do and intelligent Carter was reduced unnecessarily to guttersnipe status simply so he could be portrayed as tough and commanding.
The characters in “Save Me” are real and believable with one exception. The male protagonist several times extricates himself from sexually charged situations, which I found too mid-Victorian. I would have preferred a leading man a little more like James Bond without the smirk. Perhaps the author uses self-denial to heighten the emotion of the inevitable consummation scene. Here the author gets it exactly right. When Taryn and Carter finally find themselves together in bed, and we know the time is right, the scene is wonderfully sexy but tenderly and tastefully rendered.
The villain was believable but could have been developed with a little more depth—perhaps with a chapter showing why he was so demented. And, while his sadistic treatment of Taryn was intriguing, the situation was ripe for further exploitation.
Read this book. You’ll be entertained.
June 7, 2014
Save Me really grabbed me right from the start. Taryn and her brother Ethan are appealing characters even before something incredibly tragic happens in their lives. Crystal Lee describes the encounter in such a compelling manner that my mouth was hanging open. I could imagine the entire interaction as it unfolded. After the tragic incident (which I will not repeat), we meet the siblings again a few years later. The author does a very commendable job of describing and analyzing Taryn's episodes of PTSD. Her psychological trauma was truly heartrending and the side effects were so sad. I was tearing up as I read of her daily struggles. I love the care that her brother Ethan shows her and his dedication to her welfare. WOW.
Then, of course, the lovely young woman meets and has a primal attraction to one of Ethan's acquaintances that is quite charming. His name is Carter Dalton and he's hot. The author changes perspectives from one to the other but I find that quite appealing in stories of this type. There's all sorts of tension because of Taryn's self-doubts and various crises that she encounters. I found Carter's care of Taryn more than touching too. Well-done!
Then, of course, the lovely young woman meets and has a primal attraction to one of Ethan's acquaintances that is quite charming. His name is Carter Dalton and he's hot. The author changes perspectives from one to the other but I find that quite appealing in stories of this type. There's all sorts of tension because of Taryn's self-doubts and various crises that she encounters. I found Carter's care of Taryn more than touching too. Well-done!
December 9, 2013
I loved this book. The creativity was amazing, the journey that Takes place is eye opening. I suffer from panic attacks as well (though not nearly this severe) so I could relate to some of the things that were happening. The story was beautiful. I will say that if you are a sensitive reader then make sure you read the warnings. I however am an avid reader and didn't find anything offensive. I couldn't put the book down! There are some very funny, sad, and hart felt parts in this book, which made me drawn that much more to the characters. Thank you for the Beautiful story!
April 30, 2014
I was so surprised and thoroughly enthralled with this amazing story....it was a total 5-stars from me!!!!!
I can't believe no one has recommended this one to me.
Sooooo here I am to push and pimp this book to everyone else :)
Looking back on it, I couldn't find anything wrong with it. Except I WANTED MORE!!!! More of Carter and more of Ethan, just to name a few.
It has the perfect balance of drama, a tragic past, a crazed stalker, and a sexy alpha male who saves the damsel in distress. Can't wait for more of the Elk Creek series. And a big kudos/bravo Crystal Lee!!
I can't believe no one has recommended this one to me.
Sooooo here I am to push and pimp this book to everyone else :)
Looking back on it, I couldn't find anything wrong with it. Except I WANTED MORE!!!! More of Carter and more of Ethan, just to name a few.
It has the perfect balance of drama, a tragic past, a crazed stalker, and a sexy alpha male who saves the damsel in distress. Can't wait for more of the Elk Creek series. And a big kudos/bravo Crystal Lee!!
May 29, 2014
I found Save Me by Crystal Lee to be an intriguing tale that kept my attention throughout. It was a very well crafted story that was a quick read. I really liked the characters and the connection that many of them shared with one another.
I found the story to be predictable at some points, but this wasn't a big issue, and was offset by a few surprises that were thrown in.
I enjoyed the story and would recommend it to anyone that enjoys a love story with a mixture of a little bit of action and suspense. 5 out of 5 stars. I look forward to reading other books by Crystal Lee.
I found the story to be predictable at some points, but this wasn't a big issue, and was offset by a few surprises that were thrown in.
I enjoyed the story and would recommend it to anyone that enjoys a love story with a mixture of a little bit of action and suspense. 5 out of 5 stars. I look forward to reading other books by Crystal Lee.
December 11, 2013
I absolutely loved this book! Its well written and has an excellent story line. Its full of class, humor, and romance! You really get drawn into the characters to the point you don't want to stop reading until your finished..then pick the book up and read it again! Great job!! Highly recommended. The lovemaking scenes are not raunchy but very nicely written and the profanity isn't as bad as in other books that I've read in this genre...all in all..i give it a 10.5!!
December 11, 2013
I found this book very exciting. I was amazed at the detailed descriptions through out the book. I wanted to keep reading, couldn't put it down. Very well done.
December 16, 2013
Amazing love story! Great suspense! I read this book twice and was just as riveted the second time!
dnf
June 28, 2019Might come back . Might not. Taryn is already unbearable. I like a strong heroine, but honestly she’s out the blue bitchy and I was shocked cause I wondered where it was coming from
August 16, 2019
Great read!
Wow this is a great read. I came across this book because an author I follow was looking for it to reread and couldn't remember the name. Once I read her description I just had to read it myself and I am so glad I did. It was amazing, but be prepared to ride a rollercoaster of emotions. I was ugly crying big fat tears and sobbing by 4% people. But there was a lot of love and support and pranks to offset the emotional dives too. And I ended the book with a big smile.
I wish the author had continued to write as the potential for more stories in Elk Creek is there and she did an amazing job with this story.
Wow this is a great read. I came across this book because an author I follow was looking for it to reread and couldn't remember the name. Once I read her description I just had to read it myself and I am so glad I did. It was amazing, but be prepared to ride a rollercoaster of emotions. I was ugly crying big fat tears and sobbing by 4% people. But there was a lot of love and support and pranks to offset the emotional dives too. And I ended the book with a big smile.
I wish the author had continued to write as the potential for more stories in Elk Creek is there and she did an amazing job with this story.
August 14, 2019
Saved andnoubed
Wow! To learn to recover and love and be willing to strive for more each day what a lesson we could all learn!!
Wow! To learn to recover and love and be willing to strive for more each day what a lesson we could all learn!!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews