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Secrets #1
Grave Bound
Emily Riddle has lived her entire life inside a patriarchal commune led by her father. There are many rules, but the most important one, 'keep it in the commune', is the most difficult for her to follow... especially since the only people willing to champion her cause live on the outside.
When Emily learns her father has promised her to Lorenzo, a perverted man who has plans for her that extend well beyond marriage and kids, she rebels. Regardless of the consequences, she refuses to marry someone who'd rather beat her than caress her.
A day of hooky that starts out as a tiny act of defiance - sneaking out of the commune for a swim - turns into a day filled with hope. After spending time with Levi, a man camping near the lake, she finds what true romance looks like and catches a glimpse into a future that's filled with love and admiration rather than hate and submission.
That tiny peek is enough to change the course of Emily's existence and makes it nearly impossible for her to go back to the commune and pretend she'll ever be able to tolerate the life chosen for her instead of the life she longs for. One that includes Levi.
Fighting to escape the commune, its leaders, and her fiancé proves to be more dangerous than Emily expected. The secrets she knows, as the leader's daughter, will either follow her to the grave or send her - and Levi - there.
When Emily learns her father has promised her to Lorenzo, a perverted man who has plans for her that extend well beyond marriage and kids, she rebels. Regardless of the consequences, she refuses to marry someone who'd rather beat her than caress her.
A day of hooky that starts out as a tiny act of defiance - sneaking out of the commune for a swim - turns into a day filled with hope. After spending time with Levi, a man camping near the lake, she finds what true romance looks like and catches a glimpse into a future that's filled with love and admiration rather than hate and submission.
That tiny peek is enough to change the course of Emily's existence and makes it nearly impossible for her to go back to the commune and pretend she'll ever be able to tolerate the life chosen for her instead of the life she longs for. One that includes Levi.
Fighting to escape the commune, its leaders, and her fiancé proves to be more dangerous than Emily expected. The secrets she knows, as the leader's daughter, will either follow her to the grave or send her - and Levi - there.
293 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 1, 2013
2 people are currently reading
635 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
March 20, 2013
I’m going to be honest… the premise of this book drew me from the get go. Which means when I first started reading it, I was almost immediately disappointed – I was sure I was going to hate it. In my opinion, girls living completely sheltered lives in a commune may occasionally sneak out, but I could not see her reacting the way she did upon meeting Levi for the first time.
HOWEVER – after reading more and learning about the characters, I see that her actions were completely in line with the kind of person she was. In fact, I found all of the characters to be completely different and exceptionally well written – to the point that I not only found myself laughing at some of their antics, but that I also genuinely found myself caring about them. I worried whether or not they would make it through – and I’m warning you now – not all of them do (and the death scene brought tears to my eyes, something not many books are able to do). It was definitely easy to be caught up in the emotions that the author conveyed, you could almost feel the fear/anxiety/happiness/etc as the characters did. Lorenzo is such as easily hate-able character (as are most of the men depicted as being “commune men”), that you can’t help feeling for Emily (as well as her Aunt Tess) and wanting them to find a way to get out of the horrible conditions that have found themselves in. The author is very clever in the way she writes; there are so many twists and turns – Grave bound will keep you glued to the very last page!
There is one line from this novel that stands out to me the most, and it is a line one of the main characters (Levi) writes “The day I met you is the day by which all others will be measured” -L.I.B. This one line is the one I would say sets the tone not only for this book, but for the others as well. And (unfortunately) without giving away too many spoilers, I can’t tell you why that is.
I am happy to say that I am completely 100% hooked on this series, and I can’t wait for the next novel – Underground (Secrets #2) to be released!
HOWEVER – after reading more and learning about the characters, I see that her actions were completely in line with the kind of person she was. In fact, I found all of the characters to be completely different and exceptionally well written – to the point that I not only found myself laughing at some of their antics, but that I also genuinely found myself caring about them. I worried whether or not they would make it through – and I’m warning you now – not all of them do (and the death scene brought tears to my eyes, something not many books are able to do). It was definitely easy to be caught up in the emotions that the author conveyed, you could almost feel the fear/anxiety/happiness/etc as the characters did. Lorenzo is such as easily hate-able character (as are most of the men depicted as being “commune men”), that you can’t help feeling for Emily (as well as her Aunt Tess) and wanting them to find a way to get out of the horrible conditions that have found themselves in. The author is very clever in the way she writes; there are so many twists and turns – Grave bound will keep you glued to the very last page!
There is one line from this novel that stands out to me the most, and it is a line one of the main characters (Levi) writes “The day I met you is the day by which all others will be measured” -L.I.B. This one line is the one I would say sets the tone not only for this book, but for the others as well. And (unfortunately) without giving away too many spoilers, I can’t tell you why that is.
I am happy to say that I am completely 100% hooked on this series, and I can’t wait for the next novel – Underground (Secrets #2) to be released!
February 4, 2013
Let me start the review of Grave Bound by saying this book is an adult contemporary written for audiences 18+. The genre is solid without even a hint of paranormal, fantasy, or Christian.
There were two reasons for me to make a change with this series. First, I was ready to explore new challenges creatively. Grave Bound absolutely satisfied that need. Second, as soon as I got into these character's lives and their minds, I knew there was no way to do justice to Emily's story - the inequalities, the passions, the betrayals she endured - without removing the boundaries associated with the young adult genre.
Without limitations, this story unfolded easily and every one of its characters instantly became multi-dimensional... layered in a way that made the characters more real (endearing, hateful, desperate, etc.) than they would have been if I'd have stopped the progression of the scenes or filtered the discussions in order to avoid offending. As soon as you begin reading Grave Bound, you will find there are no filters on this story, and I did not play it safe. It and its characters are frank, open, and real, and I hope the risky scenes are, at minimum, viewed as tasteful.
The Warrior Series will always hold a special place in my heart, but The Secrets Series is fast approaching my favorite. I began it for NaNoWriMo 2012, and successfully wrote >50k words in the month of November. Over the course of the next two months, I've made some significant changes, added voices, and finished the first part of Emily's story.
Everything about Grave Bound and its characters were a test in what I could do. 1) How fast can I write a novel? (Answer: 3 months while working a full time job, commuting, and being a mother.) 2) Can I write intimate scenes that don't feel rehearsed or sterile, taking the character's interactions with each other to a level that allows the reader to understand - maybe even feel - exactly how the character feels? (Answer: Of course, the verdict is still out on this, but I gave it the old college try, making sure to ignore my comfort zone and push through so the readers could see... truly... see what Emily was dealing with.) 3) Can I write a story that is not Allison La Crosse's? (Answer: Thankfully, I can. For me, Emily's story is as powerful as Allison's, but the two characters have different hurdles to cross and outcomes to maneuver. Regretfully, Grave Bound took me away from Dark Angels of the Cross, but I'll go back and finish that story. I promise.)
Now, let me talk about the characters. Emily is quietly desperate, determined, loyal, strong, and holds her feelings and opinions in until they can't be ignored another minute. Levi is Emily's knight and shining armor. Levi and Emily's attraction is immediate, and their passion is SUPER-HOT! Tope is strong, silent, and fiercely loyal. He loves Levi enough to give his life for him, and he hates the world Emily lives in enough to go against the grain and fight for what's right. Lorenzo is sick, twisted, and perverted. He's Emily's fiancé as determined by her father and brothers and without her input. Emily's need to get away from the commune has as much to do with getting away from him, as it has to do with anything.
I can honestly say that I love Grave Bound, its characters, and the chain of events we follow. I hope others feel the same. In fact, it is all I can do not to begin writing Underground, today. I want to see where Emily's fate takes her and how she's going to handle her next challenge.
T.R. Graves
Warriors of the Cross
Guardians of the Cross
Enemies of the Cross
Dark Angels of the Cross
The Warrior Trilogy Boxed Set
Underground
Grave Bound
Worth Dying For
Worth Living For
There were two reasons for me to make a change with this series. First, I was ready to explore new challenges creatively. Grave Bound absolutely satisfied that need. Second, as soon as I got into these character's lives and their minds, I knew there was no way to do justice to Emily's story - the inequalities, the passions, the betrayals she endured - without removing the boundaries associated with the young adult genre.
Without limitations, this story unfolded easily and every one of its characters instantly became multi-dimensional... layered in a way that made the characters more real (endearing, hateful, desperate, etc.) than they would have been if I'd have stopped the progression of the scenes or filtered the discussions in order to avoid offending. As soon as you begin reading Grave Bound, you will find there are no filters on this story, and I did not play it safe. It and its characters are frank, open, and real, and I hope the risky scenes are, at minimum, viewed as tasteful.
The Warrior Series will always hold a special place in my heart, but The Secrets Series is fast approaching my favorite. I began it for NaNoWriMo 2012, and successfully wrote >50k words in the month of November. Over the course of the next two months, I've made some significant changes, added voices, and finished the first part of Emily's story.
Everything about Grave Bound and its characters were a test in what I could do. 1) How fast can I write a novel? (Answer: 3 months while working a full time job, commuting, and being a mother.) 2) Can I write intimate scenes that don't feel rehearsed or sterile, taking the character's interactions with each other to a level that allows the reader to understand - maybe even feel - exactly how the character feels? (Answer: Of course, the verdict is still out on this, but I gave it the old college try, making sure to ignore my comfort zone and push through so the readers could see... truly... see what Emily was dealing with.) 3) Can I write a story that is not Allison La Crosse's? (Answer: Thankfully, I can. For me, Emily's story is as powerful as Allison's, but the two characters have different hurdles to cross and outcomes to maneuver. Regretfully, Grave Bound took me away from Dark Angels of the Cross, but I'll go back and finish that story. I promise.)
Now, let me talk about the characters. Emily is quietly desperate, determined, loyal, strong, and holds her feelings and opinions in until they can't be ignored another minute. Levi is Emily's knight and shining armor. Levi and Emily's attraction is immediate, and their passion is SUPER-HOT! Tope is strong, silent, and fiercely loyal. He loves Levi enough to give his life for him, and he hates the world Emily lives in enough to go against the grain and fight for what's right. Lorenzo is sick, twisted, and perverted. He's Emily's fiancé as determined by her father and brothers and without her input. Emily's need to get away from the commune has as much to do with getting away from him, as it has to do with anything.
I can honestly say that I love Grave Bound, its characters, and the chain of events we follow. I hope others feel the same. In fact, it is all I can do not to begin writing Underground, today. I want to see where Emily's fate takes her and how she's going to handle her next challenge.
T.R. Graves
Warriors of the Cross
Guardians of the Cross
Enemies of the Cross
Dark Angels of the Cross
The Warrior Trilogy Boxed Set
Underground
Grave Bound
Worth Dying For
Worth Living For
October 26, 2013
“Wow!” was my immediate reaction after finishing Grave Bound. This beautifully written, stirring, and bittersweet love story wrapped me up in such a turmoil of feelings: shock, outrage, pity, frustration, hope, dread, and sadness that I was emotionally exhausted by the end, yet still ready for more of the dramatic story that awaits in Underground.
The plot is built around a commune from hell, a patriarchal society that resembles a mafia organization heavily involved in criminal activity, and one that devalues and demeans women in every area of their lives. Women are treated as possessions to be owned, used, abused, and discarded whenever a man chooses. The pacing in the first part of the book is much slower compared to the second half which is filled with intense dramatic action, danger, and despair that consumed my attention and led to an astonishing cliff-hanger ending that left me feeling overwhelmed.
Graves spends a lot of time early on describing and explaining life in the commune from nineteen-year-old Emily Riddle’s perspective. Emily’s father, Owen, is the leader of this community, and as part of his family, she has personally witnessed the ruthlessness and level of brutality these men are capable of doling out to anyone who threatens their way of life. As a reader, I needed the detail from Emily’s observations, insights, and flashbacks in order to wrap my mind around the cruelty, violence, and injustice woven into the fabric of this insular group.
The women are isolated from the outside world, treated as slaves, and severely beaten if they say or do anything that might indicate disrespect to any of the men. Leaving the commune is not an option. Owen and his men have the power and the resources to track down and punish anyone who tries to escape. By the time the action picks up and the danger increases, I truly understand and believe Emily’s fears and predictions are real and justified.
Emily has been brought up to be subservient, to passively accept the abuse she experiences, but she also recognizes the injustice occurring around her and secretly disagrees with the dominant mindset of The Community. Emily has been fortunate enough to receive more education than many others in the commune due to her Aunt Tess’s influence although she never receives any formal schooling. However, I don’t think Emily has ever really considered her future and her options until she learns that Owen has promised her to Lorenzo, a man she despises and knows will make her life a living hell. The news of her father’s betrayal is the catalyst that motivates Emily to boldly lie and sneak out of the commune to enjoy a brief bit of freedom. With her father and most of the men away for three months on “business,” she takes advantage of the opportunity to temporarily escape her oppressive life.
While out alone, swimming, she meets two “outsiders” Levi and Tope who will change the course of her life. Emily accidentally meets Levi first, and the level of attraction between them is instantaneous, and although neither of them understands the intense level of chemistry between them, they are mesmerized by the hold they have on each other:
Levi is out camping with his cousin, Tope, the local DA whose main mission is to gather enough evidence to bring the leaders of the commune to justice. Through a secret connection with Emily’s Aunt Tess, Tope has learned much about Emily and communal life. He already knows of Emily’s impending forced marriage to Lorenzo, and he is in the process of planning to rescue Emily even though she and Levi are initially unaware of this.
The time Emily and Levi spend together is limited, and even though it seems like “insta-love,” the passion and tenderness between them moves me, especially after Levi expresses his sentiments toward Emily: “The day I met you is the day by which all others will be measured.” At this point, I want them to be together, to have the opportunity to allow those feelings to grow.
At the same time, I also feel bad for Tope, who seems to have fallen for Emily as well just based on what he’s heard about her and their limited interactions. However, Tope loves and respects his cousin, Levi, so he steps aside and does what he can to help them be together, even though he clearly isn’t happy about it.
The one weekend Emily spends with Tope and Levi pushes her to finally acknowledge her “true self” who can no longer remain silent, chaste, and subservient:
From this point on, the tension builds as Lorenzo grows tired of waiting for Emily and begins to force himself upon her as is his right as her future husband. Emily becomes more and more desperate to escape her life so she can build a future with Levi, and Tope is secretly working to keep Emily, Levi, and Tess safe until they can get the evidence needed for arrests. However, time is running out, forcing both Emily and Levi make choices that leave me biting my nails and shaking my head, and fearing the worst.
This was a powerfully moving story that will stay with me for a long time, and I can’t wait to continue with the newly released sequel, Underground.
I received a copy of this book from the author for an honest review.
The plot is built around a commune from hell, a patriarchal society that resembles a mafia organization heavily involved in criminal activity, and one that devalues and demeans women in every area of their lives. Women are treated as possessions to be owned, used, abused, and discarded whenever a man chooses. The pacing in the first part of the book is much slower compared to the second half which is filled with intense dramatic action, danger, and despair that consumed my attention and led to an astonishing cliff-hanger ending that left me feeling overwhelmed.
Graves spends a lot of time early on describing and explaining life in the commune from nineteen-year-old Emily Riddle’s perspective. Emily’s father, Owen, is the leader of this community, and as part of his family, she has personally witnessed the ruthlessness and level of brutality these men are capable of doling out to anyone who threatens their way of life. As a reader, I needed the detail from Emily’s observations, insights, and flashbacks in order to wrap my mind around the cruelty, violence, and injustice woven into the fabric of this insular group.
The women are isolated from the outside world, treated as slaves, and severely beaten if they say or do anything that might indicate disrespect to any of the men. Leaving the commune is not an option. Owen and his men have the power and the resources to track down and punish anyone who tries to escape. By the time the action picks up and the danger increases, I truly understand and believe Emily’s fears and predictions are real and justified.
Emily has been brought up to be subservient, to passively accept the abuse she experiences, but she also recognizes the injustice occurring around her and secretly disagrees with the dominant mindset of The Community. Emily has been fortunate enough to receive more education than many others in the commune due to her Aunt Tess’s influence although she never receives any formal schooling. However, I don’t think Emily has ever really considered her future and her options until she learns that Owen has promised her to Lorenzo, a man she despises and knows will make her life a living hell. The news of her father’s betrayal is the catalyst that motivates Emily to boldly lie and sneak out of the commune to enjoy a brief bit of freedom. With her father and most of the men away for three months on “business,” she takes advantage of the opportunity to temporarily escape her oppressive life.
While out alone, swimming, she meets two “outsiders” Levi and Tope who will change the course of her life. Emily accidentally meets Levi first, and the level of attraction between them is instantaneous, and although neither of them understands the intense level of chemistry between them, they are mesmerized by the hold they have on each other:
Emily: “With Levi’s nearness, an emotion-a longing I’ve never expected or experienced-bubbles to the surface. I want to be more to this man than a servant or a housekeeper. As if magical, Levi’s stunning small and tender handshake instigate a sense of belonging within me that warms me all over and makes me want to follow him to the ends of the earth.”
Levi: “When I finally see her eyes-those rich-chocolate eyes-I know I can never get enough of them. Of her. Something deep inside me is awakened. Whatever feelings I’m having go beyond physical attraction, but that’s there too. I’m so drawn to her, if I were a lesser man, I’d have her pinned between me and the tree, kissing her breathless. This woman makes me want to write poetry worshiping her, build monuments in her name, and dare other men to look upon her.”
Levi is out camping with his cousin, Tope, the local DA whose main mission is to gather enough evidence to bring the leaders of the commune to justice. Through a secret connection with Emily’s Aunt Tess, Tope has learned much about Emily and communal life. He already knows of Emily’s impending forced marriage to Lorenzo, and he is in the process of planning to rescue Emily even though she and Levi are initially unaware of this.
The time Emily and Levi spend together is limited, and even though it seems like “insta-love,” the passion and tenderness between them moves me, especially after Levi expresses his sentiments toward Emily: “The day I met you is the day by which all others will be measured.” At this point, I want them to be together, to have the opportunity to allow those feelings to grow.
At the same time, I also feel bad for Tope, who seems to have fallen for Emily as well just based on what he’s heard about her and their limited interactions. However, Tope loves and respects his cousin, Levi, so he steps aside and does what he can to help them be together, even though he clearly isn’t happy about it.
The one weekend Emily spends with Tope and Levi pushes her to finally acknowledge her “true self” who can no longer remain silent, chaste, and subservient:
“I’ve always been comfortable being by myself. Now that I’ve spent just a few hours with Levi, I realize a lifetime of dead-inside-isolation is not the future I want. He’s awakened something in me that can never be put back to sleep.”
From this point on, the tension builds as Lorenzo grows tired of waiting for Emily and begins to force himself upon her as is his right as her future husband. Emily becomes more and more desperate to escape her life so she can build a future with Levi, and Tope is secretly working to keep Emily, Levi, and Tess safe until they can get the evidence needed for arrests. However, time is running out, forcing both Emily and Levi make choices that leave me biting my nails and shaking my head, and fearing the worst.
This was a powerfully moving story that will stay with me for a long time, and I can’t wait to continue with the newly released sequel, Underground.
I received a copy of this book from the author for an honest review.
April 11, 2013
**4.5 stars**
First of all, I'm going to give y'all a tissue warning...as in you're going to need a few reading this book. Ms. Graves, you didn't warn me. But I'll let it slide because you've written such an engrossing novel! ;)
Grave Bound tells a compelling story. It revolves around a young woman, Emily, who has lived her entire life within the walls of a commune, and two young men, outsiders, whom Emily meets while engaging in an act of defiance against the rules she's always lived by.
Emily is enjoying a first taste of freedom after having snuck out of the commune. Her father, the leader of The Community, and all the men have left for the summer. This exodus by the men is an annual occurrence but Emily has never before thought to shirk her responsibilities and do something as selfish as enjoy a day of fun at the lake. But after receiving some rather disturbing news, she decides to take advantage of her father's and brothers' absence.
Tope Bryson is the District Attorney for the parish. He was elected primarily for his promise to rid the parish of The Community for their illegal drug/alcohol trade. He has an inside contact who has provided him with information not only on the illegal activities in the commune but also on the leader's daughter, Emily. Tope's made it his mission to save Emily and has developed an attachment to her despite never having met her.
Levi Bryson and his cousin, Tope, are as close as brothers. Both men were raised by their grandparents due to parents who were self-absorbed, to say the least. As a college student, Levi doesn't get to spend as much time with Tope as he once did. So a hiking/camping adventure together for some bonding time is what brings them both to the same lake Emily is enjoying.
When these three meet, there is an instant chemistry between Emily and Levi, yet a bond between all. The subsequent events and consequences of their meeting are nothing they could ever have expected.
Grave Bound is action-packed. I didn't realize it was going to be so suspenseful. I enjoyed how the action aided in the growth of the characters. I felt like each learned something about themselves while coping with adversity. The portrayal of life in the commune was so gritty and realistic feeling. The love triangle was also fascinating. And the suspense of wondering what secrets the commune is keeping from Emily and whether or not she and her cohorts will be caught kept me turning pages until the wee hours.
This was such an intense read. I had a hard time putting it down. I really liked the characters - I was so impressed with the strength of character Emily showed in the face of such hardship...well, I was impressed with Tope and Levi for the same reason. But Emily, in particular, was interesting to follow as she charts a course for living a life on her own terms. This novel packs a punch with action, suspense, romance and gut-wrenching heartbreak. *remember the tissue alert?* Ms. Graves doesn't shy away from describing the violence that is a part of the culture within the commune.
The only reason I'm not giving Grave Bound 5 stars is because of a few editing issues that bothered me. They in NO WAY detract from the story - it's just my persnickety-ness. :) Grave Bound is a fantastic read!
First of all, I'm going to give y'all a tissue warning...as in you're going to need a few reading this book. Ms. Graves, you didn't warn me. But I'll let it slide because you've written such an engrossing novel! ;)
Grave Bound tells a compelling story. It revolves around a young woman, Emily, who has lived her entire life within the walls of a commune, and two young men, outsiders, whom Emily meets while engaging in an act of defiance against the rules she's always lived by.
Emily is enjoying a first taste of freedom after having snuck out of the commune. Her father, the leader of The Community, and all the men have left for the summer. This exodus by the men is an annual occurrence but Emily has never before thought to shirk her responsibilities and do something as selfish as enjoy a day of fun at the lake. But after receiving some rather disturbing news, she decides to take advantage of her father's and brothers' absence.
Tope Bryson is the District Attorney for the parish. He was elected primarily for his promise to rid the parish of The Community for their illegal drug/alcohol trade. He has an inside contact who has provided him with information not only on the illegal activities in the commune but also on the leader's daughter, Emily. Tope's made it his mission to save Emily and has developed an attachment to her despite never having met her.
Levi Bryson and his cousin, Tope, are as close as brothers. Both men were raised by their grandparents due to parents who were self-absorbed, to say the least. As a college student, Levi doesn't get to spend as much time with Tope as he once did. So a hiking/camping adventure together for some bonding time is what brings them both to the same lake Emily is enjoying.
When these three meet, there is an instant chemistry between Emily and Levi, yet a bond between all. The subsequent events and consequences of their meeting are nothing they could ever have expected.
Grave Bound is action-packed. I didn't realize it was going to be so suspenseful. I enjoyed how the action aided in the growth of the characters. I felt like each learned something about themselves while coping with adversity. The portrayal of life in the commune was so gritty and realistic feeling. The love triangle was also fascinating. And the suspense of wondering what secrets the commune is keeping from Emily and whether or not she and her cohorts will be caught kept me turning pages until the wee hours.
This was such an intense read. I had a hard time putting it down. I really liked the characters - I was so impressed with the strength of character Emily showed in the face of such hardship...well, I was impressed with Tope and Levi for the same reason. But Emily, in particular, was interesting to follow as she charts a course for living a life on her own terms. This novel packs a punch with action, suspense, romance and gut-wrenching heartbreak. *remember the tissue alert?* Ms. Graves doesn't shy away from describing the violence that is a part of the culture within the commune.
The only reason I'm not giving Grave Bound 5 stars is because of a few editing issues that bothered me. They in NO WAY detract from the story - it's just my persnickety-ness. :) Grave Bound is a fantastic read!
April 17, 2013
Wow… This book is anything but what I expected. It is a love story, but a completely unexpected one. It was very disturbing and beautiful at the same time. My heart ached, my anger flared. I was left in awe and I was so torn while reading it.
I spent most of the book struggling to understand why more women in the commune were not like Emily, only to realize that most of them were just conformists. Emily was brave and bold and needed to stand on her own. She needed to be her own person. And the two people that can help the most with this goal are both on the outside looking in.
This story broke my heart into a million pieces. I felt so horrible for Emily and Tess through the entire book and I wanted to drop-kick my Kindle in hopes that my foot may find its way to Lorenzo’s ass…and Emily’s dad’s and brother’s and pretty much all the guys in this book. With the exception of those two that want so desperately to save Emily from the pain and struggle that she is living with on a daily basis.
This book caught me so off guard and as much as I wanted to hate it because of the contents, I simply did not. I loved this book. It showed not only true love between Emily and Levi but the love that Tope had for both of them. It was beautifully written and tackled such a horrific subject.
I was left with my mouth hanging open for most of the book constantly waiting for the next shoe to drop and I have to tell you, the ending was not the one I wanted, I hated it in fact. However, knowing that there will be a next book lightened my heart a little after it had been tormented through the entire book.
This book was well written and the story well crafted. It hit on emotions that I had never felt while reading a book and to me that speaks volumes of T.R. Grave’s ability to write a book that gets you right where it counts. It was masterfully written with such amazing detail.
I am looking forward to the next book to see where it takes Emily and Tope as the journey continues on.
*I received a complimentary copy of Grave Bound in exchange for an honest review
I spent most of the book struggling to understand why more women in the commune were not like Emily, only to realize that most of them were just conformists. Emily was brave and bold and needed to stand on her own. She needed to be her own person. And the two people that can help the most with this goal are both on the outside looking in.
This story broke my heart into a million pieces. I felt so horrible for Emily and Tess through the entire book and I wanted to drop-kick my Kindle in hopes that my foot may find its way to Lorenzo’s ass…and Emily’s dad’s and brother’s and pretty much all the guys in this book. With the exception of those two that want so desperately to save Emily from the pain and struggle that she is living with on a daily basis.
This book caught me so off guard and as much as I wanted to hate it because of the contents, I simply did not. I loved this book. It showed not only true love between Emily and Levi but the love that Tope had for both of them. It was beautifully written and tackled such a horrific subject.
I was left with my mouth hanging open for most of the book constantly waiting for the next shoe to drop and I have to tell you, the ending was not the one I wanted, I hated it in fact. However, knowing that there will be a next book lightened my heart a little after it had been tormented through the entire book.
This book was well written and the story well crafted. It hit on emotions that I had never felt while reading a book and to me that speaks volumes of T.R. Grave’s ability to write a book that gets you right where it counts. It was masterfully written with such amazing detail.
I am looking forward to the next book to see where it takes Emily and Tope as the journey continues on.
*I received a complimentary copy of Grave Bound in exchange for an honest review
March 23, 2013
OMG, OMG, I have never loved a book so much. I couldn't put it down. Tope, Levi and Em are wonderful characters. Fell in live with Em right away. Her strong sassy side and her love so openly. Love Tope and Levi feels although I was and still am pulling for Tope to hold Em up. Can't wait for the next one.
May 5, 2013
Original review here: http://offbeatvagabond.blogspot.com/2013/04/indie-book-review-grave-bound-secrets-1.html
Grave Bound is a story that follows a young woman named Emily. Emily has no life of her own, she is not allowed to voice her opinion and her only purpose is to clean and cook for the men in her life. She is so tired of this life and she wants to break away. So when all the men are out for the summer doing things that they are very illegal, she takes a chance to give herself a smidgen of freedom. She sneaks out of The Community and goes swimming. She usually can't without the supervision of a man and if she was found out, she will be beaten or possibly killed for her defiance. When she leaves, she happens to meet a man named Levi who she can't believe is actually being nice to her. He is an outsider and a man, but he treats her with respect and listens to her. Him and his cousin, Tope, treat her like an equal. After what is meant to be a one time escape turns into wanting much more when she knows that life has more to offer. He act of defiance has given her a new perspective. But due to the secrets she knows escaping will be even more difficult and dangerous than she thought.
Wow!!!! This is so going on my favorite reads of 2013. I loved this book so much. I couldn't put it down. I started early one morning and it didn't leave my hands until I was done with it. I finished it in a day. The story was intense, emotional and so beautifully written. I loved the main character Emily. She was a great lead character. You instantly feel connected to her and her situation. She is conditioned to be seen and not heard. She is conditioned to think she is nothing more than a servant and future baby factory. I love that when she gets the chance to have some freedom, her real personality comes out. She was smart and had a lot of spark. She has to keep herself in hiding, but being around Levi and Tope, she can be herself.
I loved Levi and Tope. Levi was freaking perfect. He isn't aware of how dangerous the men in her community really are. But he is willing to fight tooth and nail for her. Tope was a little harder to understand. He was a very complex character. He obviously had feelings for Emily as well. You can tell that was one of many things that made him seem upset. But Tope knows so much about Emily's Community and the very illegal things the men do during the summer. He has his own plans to help the women of the Community and take down the men and stop their illegal activities.
This story was well put together. Emily finds out that she has been promised to marry named Lorenzo who is one of the most awful and vile man in the Community. She doesn't know why her father has made this promise. She doesn't like that they make all these decisions without having a say. Emily finds out that Lorenzo is doing something behind the Community's back. There is so much more going on, but I can't say what. I love where this book went and just how intense it got. I had no idea this book would be as dark as it was, but it made me love it more. Graves really held nothing back. The book is action-packed and very gritty. I found myself holding my breath at some parts, it killed me. And there will be a few scenes where you will cry. When we learn really see just how life is for Emily and what she must endure just for being a woman, it is definitely hard not to feel sorry for her. Not to mention what happens to a certain family member in the house. This scene nearly killed me. That was just very sad and painful.
I loved the relationship between Tope and Levi. They were more like brothers than cousins. There was a bit of a love triangle in the book as well. But I didn't find it irritating. I loved how much Levi and Tope were willing to do for Emily and the people in the Community even if it meant their deaths. The adversity Emily and the women must face is just staggering and and scary. There were quite a few scenes that will make you a bit uncomfortable mainly when Lorenzo is around. The guy is a pervert with a capital P.
I highly recommend this read for anyone looking for one hell of a rollercoaster ride. This book was just incredible and I want more. This story will stick with you for a long time after you read it. You will be rooting for these characters up until the end. Even though what they are fighting against is bigger than them, they fight it whatever little way they must. They defy who they must to survive. This book is a must read. You really have no idea what you are in for, but boy is it worth. Buy it now.
Grave Bound is a story that follows a young woman named Emily. Emily has no life of her own, she is not allowed to voice her opinion and her only purpose is to clean and cook for the men in her life. She is so tired of this life and she wants to break away. So when all the men are out for the summer doing things that they are very illegal, she takes a chance to give herself a smidgen of freedom. She sneaks out of The Community and goes swimming. She usually can't without the supervision of a man and if she was found out, she will be beaten or possibly killed for her defiance. When she leaves, she happens to meet a man named Levi who she can't believe is actually being nice to her. He is an outsider and a man, but he treats her with respect and listens to her. Him and his cousin, Tope, treat her like an equal. After what is meant to be a one time escape turns into wanting much more when she knows that life has more to offer. He act of defiance has given her a new perspective. But due to the secrets she knows escaping will be even more difficult and dangerous than she thought.
Wow!!!! This is so going on my favorite reads of 2013. I loved this book so much. I couldn't put it down. I started early one morning and it didn't leave my hands until I was done with it. I finished it in a day. The story was intense, emotional and so beautifully written. I loved the main character Emily. She was a great lead character. You instantly feel connected to her and her situation. She is conditioned to be seen and not heard. She is conditioned to think she is nothing more than a servant and future baby factory. I love that when she gets the chance to have some freedom, her real personality comes out. She was smart and had a lot of spark. She has to keep herself in hiding, but being around Levi and Tope, she can be herself.
I loved Levi and Tope. Levi was freaking perfect. He isn't aware of how dangerous the men in her community really are. But he is willing to fight tooth and nail for her. Tope was a little harder to understand. He was a very complex character. He obviously had feelings for Emily as well. You can tell that was one of many things that made him seem upset. But Tope knows so much about Emily's Community and the very illegal things the men do during the summer. He has his own plans to help the women of the Community and take down the men and stop their illegal activities.
This story was well put together. Emily finds out that she has been promised to marry named Lorenzo who is one of the most awful and vile man in the Community. She doesn't know why her father has made this promise. She doesn't like that they make all these decisions without having a say. Emily finds out that Lorenzo is doing something behind the Community's back. There is so much more going on, but I can't say what. I love where this book went and just how intense it got. I had no idea this book would be as dark as it was, but it made me love it more. Graves really held nothing back. The book is action-packed and very gritty. I found myself holding my breath at some parts, it killed me. And there will be a few scenes where you will cry. When we learn really see just how life is for Emily and what she must endure just for being a woman, it is definitely hard not to feel sorry for her. Not to mention what happens to a certain family member in the house. This scene nearly killed me. That was just very sad and painful.
I loved the relationship between Tope and Levi. They were more like brothers than cousins. There was a bit of a love triangle in the book as well. But I didn't find it irritating. I loved how much Levi and Tope were willing to do for Emily and the people in the Community even if it meant their deaths. The adversity Emily and the women must face is just staggering and and scary. There were quite a few scenes that will make you a bit uncomfortable mainly when Lorenzo is around. The guy is a pervert with a capital P.
I highly recommend this read for anyone looking for one hell of a rollercoaster ride. This book was just incredible and I want more. This story will stick with you for a long time after you read it. You will be rooting for these characters up until the end. Even though what they are fighting against is bigger than them, they fight it whatever little way they must. They defy who they must to survive. This book is a must read. You really have no idea what you are in for, but boy is it worth. Buy it now.
April 22, 2013
I was provided an ARC of this book for an honest review and to be honest I did intrigue me at bit but I had no real expectations going into it that I would love it. I cannot say enough about this book about what a great story it is! It had me at the edge of seat the entire time and left me pissed off! It is the first book in a series but I don’t feel like I was left with a major cliffhanger. I am looking forward to see what’s next in this series!
The story is about Emily Riddel, the sweet and innocent women that father runs a commune that might as well be running in the late 1800’s. They believe that women have their place and it’s to cater to the men, do their cooking, cleaning, and take care of what other needs they may have, if you know what I mean. They are not allowed to date or marry who they like. They are promised to whatever man sees fit by the commune leader who just happens to be Emily’s father Owen. The men always leave for the summer on “business” so Emily takes advantage of this time to have some fun down at the lake with her girlfriends. That’s when she meets that man of her dreams that will change her forever. It was love at first sight for Emily and Levi Bryson. He was lost and looking for his cousin, Tope the local district attorney, when he stubbles across the beautiful Emily. They have an instant connection and spend the next two days together. In that short amount of time they fall deeply in love and decide they need to do what they can to be together. Sounds great, right??? But standing in their way is the man who Emily is promised to Lorenzo. She has feels nothing but hate for him and would rather die than to marry him. Emily has one ally at the commune, her Aunt Tess. When it comes to the women of the commune, she is the leader and keeps them all in line little does anyone know Aunt Tess has been working with Tope for years to bring down the Owen and the others so the women can be free.
Not only is does this book follow the love story of Emily and Levi but it shows the heartbreaking life of the women at the commune and what they must endure day in and day out. They do know any other life so to them getting beatings and being told who to marry is normal. I could not imagine living a life like this. These women have no freedom to make their own choices, it like the womens revolution never happened.
When Emily suddenly falls ill and is hospitalized, the men are forced to come back and that’s when all hell seems to break loose. I was on the edge of my seat and could not turn those pages on my kindle fast enough! I am a firm believer of doing a review without giving out the secrets of the book. From this point on I could not put it down! This book is a definite must read and I will be looking forward to the second book, Under-Ground.
The story is about Emily Riddel, the sweet and innocent women that father runs a commune that might as well be running in the late 1800’s. They believe that women have their place and it’s to cater to the men, do their cooking, cleaning, and take care of what other needs they may have, if you know what I mean. They are not allowed to date or marry who they like. They are promised to whatever man sees fit by the commune leader who just happens to be Emily’s father Owen. The men always leave for the summer on “business” so Emily takes advantage of this time to have some fun down at the lake with her girlfriends. That’s when she meets that man of her dreams that will change her forever. It was love at first sight for Emily and Levi Bryson. He was lost and looking for his cousin, Tope the local district attorney, when he stubbles across the beautiful Emily. They have an instant connection and spend the next two days together. In that short amount of time they fall deeply in love and decide they need to do what they can to be together. Sounds great, right??? But standing in their way is the man who Emily is promised to Lorenzo. She has feels nothing but hate for him and would rather die than to marry him. Emily has one ally at the commune, her Aunt Tess. When it comes to the women of the commune, she is the leader and keeps them all in line little does anyone know Aunt Tess has been working with Tope for years to bring down the Owen and the others so the women can be free.
Not only is does this book follow the love story of Emily and Levi but it shows the heartbreaking life of the women at the commune and what they must endure day in and day out. They do know any other life so to them getting beatings and being told who to marry is normal. I could not imagine living a life like this. These women have no freedom to make their own choices, it like the womens revolution never happened.
When Emily suddenly falls ill and is hospitalized, the men are forced to come back and that’s when all hell seems to break loose. I was on the edge of my seat and could not turn those pages on my kindle fast enough! I am a firm believer of doing a review without giving out the secrets of the book. From this point on I could not put it down! This book is a definite must read and I will be looking forward to the second book, Under-Ground.
October 6, 2013
I received an ARC of this book for an honest review
Wow first let me just start by saying that this is the first book that I get to read from Author T.R. Grave. And I have to say wow I love it couldn’t get enough of it. I am gone keep this short because I don’t want to give anything away.
I read this book in one day that’s how much I love it and enjoy it, I couldn’t put this book down, and when I say I couldn’t put it down I mean it, I stayed in my room with no plan to get out of it, in to I was finish with it and I love it.
This book made me cried and made me mad, cause of the way this story play out, the characters when through so much that it made you feel the same hurt and anger that they were feeling. it’s kind of scary to even think that they would be a world like that out there, and to think that sometimes their still some man that think like they think in this book, even though the story got me mad I have to say I also felt in love with it.
Emily Riddle has lived in a commune that is run by her father, that’s the only world that she known, they have many rules but the most important one is keep it in the commune. she is not allowed to go anywhere by herself and she always have to be accompanying by someone, her chores are to clean and cooked and teach her class at the union hall, that’s where everyone spend time, every summer the man of her commune go away for three months. And that happened at the beginning of the summer. one day she pretend to be sick, just for her to play hooky and go to the lake outside the commune and enjoy one day of freedom.
That’s where she end up meeting Levi and Tope. now what cant I say about this two, I love how they take care of Emily and how they trying to help her out of there. And also love it how they both love her so much that they would do anything for her.
I really did not like the ending. but I am so happy that I don’t have to wait to read for the second book, which means that’s another day or night spend in my room to read it just to see if she get a happy ending, and I’ll do that once I finish writing this review. :)
I really hope that you get to enjoy and love this book as much as I did.
Once again I want to thank Author R.T. Grave for introducing me to this amazing book and giving me the chance to read this great story can’t wait to read more of her books.
Wow first let me just start by saying that this is the first book that I get to read from Author T.R. Grave. And I have to say wow I love it couldn’t get enough of it. I am gone keep this short because I don’t want to give anything away.
I read this book in one day that’s how much I love it and enjoy it, I couldn’t put this book down, and when I say I couldn’t put it down I mean it, I stayed in my room with no plan to get out of it, in to I was finish with it and I love it.
This book made me cried and made me mad, cause of the way this story play out, the characters when through so much that it made you feel the same hurt and anger that they were feeling. it’s kind of scary to even think that they would be a world like that out there, and to think that sometimes their still some man that think like they think in this book, even though the story got me mad I have to say I also felt in love with it.
Emily Riddle has lived in a commune that is run by her father, that’s the only world that she known, they have many rules but the most important one is keep it in the commune. she is not allowed to go anywhere by herself and she always have to be accompanying by someone, her chores are to clean and cooked and teach her class at the union hall, that’s where everyone spend time, every summer the man of her commune go away for three months. And that happened at the beginning of the summer. one day she pretend to be sick, just for her to play hooky and go to the lake outside the commune and enjoy one day of freedom.
That’s where she end up meeting Levi and Tope. now what cant I say about this two, I love how they take care of Emily and how they trying to help her out of there. And also love it how they both love her so much that they would do anything for her.
I really did not like the ending. but I am so happy that I don’t have to wait to read for the second book, which means that’s another day or night spend in my room to read it just to see if she get a happy ending, and I’ll do that once I finish writing this review. :)
I really hope that you get to enjoy and love this book as much as I did.
Once again I want to thank Author R.T. Grave for introducing me to this amazing book and giving me the chance to read this great story can’t wait to read more of her books.
May 1, 2013
I am always on the look out for books that are out of the ordinary and have something different to offer other than the typical bad boy romance. I was immediately intrigued with reading Grave Bound based on the description alone. A young girl trying to escape her caged life and a perverted fiancé in a patriarchal commune had me sold.
Emily, the heroine of this story was so full of girl power despite the situation she was living in and I appreciate that in my female leads. Nothing is worse than a whiney, weak girl to drag a book down. With that said I still did feel that her personality was contradictory at times, wanting to leave the commune and get away form her oppressive father one moment and then wanting to stay in the commune and fight the next moment.
Levi was very sweet but suffering from what I like to call "knight in shining armor syndrome". Falling so quickly in love with Emily and wanting to do anything he can to protect her was a bit hard for me to connect with. While I enjoyed them both as a couple I would have liked to have seen their relationship develop more slowly to avoid my ever dreaded insta-love.
My absolute favorite part of this book was the perverted fiancé Lorenzo. He is perfectly evil and disgusting, the ultimate book villain. I hated everything about him and yet was oddly attracted to him at the same time. As much as I was all for Emily, I still think Lorenzo is what kept me hooked to the story.
Well written with interesting characters, Grave Bound definitely delivered in providing that "something different" I like so much. The vile Lorenzo and the intense dramatic cliffhanger of an ending left me ready and wanting to read the next book in the series.
Emily, the heroine of this story was so full of girl power despite the situation she was living in and I appreciate that in my female leads. Nothing is worse than a whiney, weak girl to drag a book down. With that said I still did feel that her personality was contradictory at times, wanting to leave the commune and get away form her oppressive father one moment and then wanting to stay in the commune and fight the next moment.
Levi was very sweet but suffering from what I like to call "knight in shining armor syndrome". Falling so quickly in love with Emily and wanting to do anything he can to protect her was a bit hard for me to connect with. While I enjoyed them both as a couple I would have liked to have seen their relationship develop more slowly to avoid my ever dreaded insta-love.
My absolute favorite part of this book was the perverted fiancé Lorenzo. He is perfectly evil and disgusting, the ultimate book villain. I hated everything about him and yet was oddly attracted to him at the same time. As much as I was all for Emily, I still think Lorenzo is what kept me hooked to the story.
Well written with interesting characters, Grave Bound definitely delivered in providing that "something different" I like so much. The vile Lorenzo and the intense dramatic cliffhanger of an ending left me ready and wanting to read the next book in the series.
April 25, 2013
I was surprised by Grave Bound, honestly (but rather stupidly!!) expecting some paranormal element because of the title, yet the story immediately intrigued me, and the need to know more about Emily's situation became imperative.
T R Graves creates a world which exists within the modern one, yet the community is dominated by the men and the women are treated like property and slaves. The men rule this world by fear and violence, and T R Graves expresses the emotions of characters like Tess and Emily so well, helping the reader to sympathise and respend to them.
The romance between Emily and Levi is intense but at no time did I doubt that it was genuine. Although Tope had initially expressed feelings for Emily I was glad there was no indication of a love triangle, just a protective instinct on his part, and this allowed the relationship between Emily and Levi to develop.
During Grave Bound T R Graves is very careful to concentrate upon the growth of her characters, particularly Emily, who finds her confidence, and also the development of her plot. The reader is never bored as the author has several side-plots taking place which eventually she ties together.
I admit Grave Bound is highly emotional and deals with difficult issues, but T R Graves is sensitive, yet at the same time challenging. This is a story about a young woman's growth, and I think the author tells it stunningly.
T R Graves creates a world which exists within the modern one, yet the community is dominated by the men and the women are treated like property and slaves. The men rule this world by fear and violence, and T R Graves expresses the emotions of characters like Tess and Emily so well, helping the reader to sympathise and respend to them.
The romance between Emily and Levi is intense but at no time did I doubt that it was genuine. Although Tope had initially expressed feelings for Emily I was glad there was no indication of a love triangle, just a protective instinct on his part, and this allowed the relationship between Emily and Levi to develop.
During Grave Bound T R Graves is very careful to concentrate upon the growth of her characters, particularly Emily, who finds her confidence, and also the development of her plot. The reader is never bored as the author has several side-plots taking place which eventually she ties together.
I admit Grave Bound is highly emotional and deals with difficult issues, but T R Graves is sensitive, yet at the same time challenging. This is a story about a young woman's growth, and I think the author tells it stunningly.
April 17, 2013
First off I won this book from Goodreads first read. Thanks...
This book was a very interesting book. The characters are well written. This book made me cry at times. I just just loved Em. She lives in a commune led by her dad and brothers. She is susposed to marry a man that she dispises. She decides to skip 1 day and meets Levi and Tope. Levi and Emily fall in love at first sight. Which is a BAD NO NO. Emily lives in the commune outsiders aren't welcome. What will he father, brothers, and finance do when they find out what is going on with Levi and Emily? Not everyone make it through to the end who live and dies, and why? This is a very good book. It was emotional and I cannot wait until the next in the series.
This book was a very interesting book. The characters are well written. This book made me cry at times. I just just loved Em. She lives in a commune led by her dad and brothers. She is susposed to marry a man that she dispises. She decides to skip 1 day and meets Levi and Tope. Levi and Emily fall in love at first sight. Which is a BAD NO NO. Emily lives in the commune outsiders aren't welcome. What will he father, brothers, and finance do when they find out what is going on with Levi and Emily? Not everyone make it through to the end who live and dies, and why? This is a very good book. It was emotional and I cannot wait until the next in the series.
March 18, 2013
I must admit this book was different. I love warriors and I always will. This book however took a different turn. In Warriors we kinda knew what was going to happen. Yes I cried in warriors. But this book Levi and Tope. Wow what a pair! The imagies you get from this book as you read, makes it feel so if you are there goofing off with them. I have never cried so hard while reading a book. Not only is it a great story and beautifully writen but the emotion behind it is amazing. Tina has out done her self once again with such a powerful series. I can not wait until the second part comes out.
April 18, 2013
Judging from the title of the book I thought this was going to be another vampire love story. Shame on me for judging a book by its title. I was pleasantly surprised and engrossed in the story and world the author presented to me. I felt strong connections of love and hate for all the characters and their complicated and cruel world. Recommended.
*This ebook was graciously provided by the author* I hope to read more from her in the years to come.
*This ebook was graciously provided by the author* I hope to read more from her in the years to come.
March 7, 2013
I loved this book and did not want to put it down!!! It is such a unique story...it really grabbed my attention right away. I became so emotionally involved in it I found my self yelling at my kindle and crying at times too. I highly recommend this book and can't wait for the next one in the series to come out!!!
"The day I met you is the day by which all others will be measured" -L.I.B.
"The day I met you is the day by which all others will be measured" -L.I.B.
February 11, 2015
Wow wow wow. Drawn in within pages and left in tears within the final chapters. Gripping! Pulls on your heart and emotions and sucks you right into the main character's world. Turned the last page and dove headfirst into the sequel! So well written and fast paced! It's a real life scenario that needs to be addressed fiction or not. It tells of a life so many live. Just wow
April 22, 2013
I loved this book! I was sucked right into this story and could not put it down! The story line was great. The characters were likeable & there is some very heart wrenching moments &. Can't wait for book 2!
March 10, 2013
Full review coming soon!
So excited for this new series! Get your copy today!!
So excited for this new series! Get your copy today!!
June 29, 2013
Not what I expected. Almost stopped reading after 11 pages but now I'm glad I didn't. "Grave Bound is a story full of romance, suspense, pain, and determination. I can't wait for the second book.
March 25, 2013
A very good read 3.8 Stars!!
Read this review and others @ The Book Wranglers This book was provided by AToMR Tours in exchange for an honest review.
There are so many things I want to say about this book.
I'm sure I've read worse things before, in fact I know I have, but something about this book took me to a different place. The complete and utter disregard for the value of human life and some semblance of civility took me by surprise.
Synopsis:
Emily lives in a world where women are beaten, raped, and even killed. A world where the boundaries are set by the men and enforced with threats and fists. This is a place where women are treated as second class citizens and are only good for keeping house and making babies. This world that Emily lives in, the world where each day could mean life or death, is The Community, and her father is the leader.
As the only woman living in the house, Emily has the tasks of taking care of her father and leader, Owen and three brothers Phil, Brian, and Joe. At 19-years-old she doesn’t lead the life of a typical teenager. Her responsibilities to her family and the community weight heavy on her shoulders. Life in the commune is difficult for several reasons, one being the brutality she and the other women receive at the hands of the men there. (specifically her father and step brothers). One slip, waking up late or speaking without being spoken to, and Emily's entire world is turned upside down. And like every woman in the commune, Emily walks on egg shells dreaming of a life outside of her prison.
Her world is turned on it’s axis when she receives news that her future will very soon include the very sadistic Lorenzo.
With this new information she decides to create her own little world of silent defiance for the rules of the commune. When she sneaks past the boundaries of the commune for an afternoon swim she doesn’t expect to meet the most beautiful man she’s every seen, Levi Bryson.
Levi and his cousin Tope (the DA investigating her community), are camping near the commune when Levi wonders off and bumps into Emily. Immediately these two are joined at the hip. Literally it’s like love at first sight for these two. Things progress fast between them and over the next two days (despite Tope’s apprehension), Levi and Emily are both willing and eager to see what can possibly become of them, never-mind the fact that she’s promised to someone else or that she lives in the private commune where outsiders aren’t allowed or welcomed.
As their relationships quickly heats up and becomes more serious Emily is fighting a silent war, trying to keep Lorenzo at bay. Friction between the leaders and the DA’s office puts everyone on alert at the commune and Emily and Levi’s relationship puts everyone in danger. What happens next can only be explained as bittersweet. Levi will do anything to save Emily from her current fate (marrying Lorenzo), Emily will risk everything to keep Levi safe from her crazy family, and Tope will attempt to juggle both Levi and Emily’s happiness and safety at the expense of his own happiness. Unfortunately, this bittersweet romance wouldn’t be tragic and mind-boggling if something traumatic didn’t surprise the reader and leave us wanting in the end.
I can’t wait to see what happens next when Emily decides to plan her revenge for the men in her life.
Emily's note to self!!
The Best Thing:
It took me a while to figure out what I liked best about this story. I have to be honest, the story was very slow in the beginning. Just when I thought I’d have to put it down though things got really good. The pace picked up (which is huge for me), I quickly became attached to certain characters and picked sides between Tope and Levi early on.
The Worst Thing:
I don’t mind reading stories that challenge ethics or morals and even human decency, however I kept finding myself ABSOLUTELY disgusted with the men in this book (except Tope and Levi).
Most of all, my irritation came from Emily. Her desperation and selfishness caused issues for everyone in the story. While I understand she was trying to survive and take advantage of a life that’s only been a dream, her actions really pushed me over the edge. She and Levi's patience was basically non-existent.
Read this review and others @ The Book Wranglers This book was provided by AToMR Tours in exchange for an honest review.
There are so many things I want to say about this book.
I'm sure I've read worse things before, in fact I know I have, but something about this book took me to a different place. The complete and utter disregard for the value of human life and some semblance of civility took me by surprise.
Synopsis:
Emily lives in a world where women are beaten, raped, and even killed. A world where the boundaries are set by the men and enforced with threats and fists. This is a place where women are treated as second class citizens and are only good for keeping house and making babies. This world that Emily lives in, the world where each day could mean life or death, is The Community, and her father is the leader.
As the only woman living in the house, Emily has the tasks of taking care of her father and leader, Owen and three brothers Phil, Brian, and Joe. At 19-years-old she doesn’t lead the life of a typical teenager. Her responsibilities to her family and the community weight heavy on her shoulders. Life in the commune is difficult for several reasons, one being the brutality she and the other women receive at the hands of the men there. (specifically her father and step brothers). One slip, waking up late or speaking without being spoken to, and Emily's entire world is turned upside down. And like every woman in the commune, Emily walks on egg shells dreaming of a life outside of her prison.
Her world is turned on it’s axis when she receives news that her future will very soon include the very sadistic Lorenzo.
With this new information she decides to create her own little world of silent defiance for the rules of the commune. When she sneaks past the boundaries of the commune for an afternoon swim she doesn’t expect to meet the most beautiful man she’s every seen, Levi Bryson.
Levi and his cousin Tope (the DA investigating her community), are camping near the commune when Levi wonders off and bumps into Emily. Immediately these two are joined at the hip. Literally it’s like love at first sight for these two. Things progress fast between them and over the next two days (despite Tope’s apprehension), Levi and Emily are both willing and eager to see what can possibly become of them, never-mind the fact that she’s promised to someone else or that she lives in the private commune where outsiders aren’t allowed or welcomed.
As their relationships quickly heats up and becomes more serious Emily is fighting a silent war, trying to keep Lorenzo at bay. Friction between the leaders and the DA’s office puts everyone on alert at the commune and Emily and Levi’s relationship puts everyone in danger. What happens next can only be explained as bittersweet. Levi will do anything to save Emily from her current fate (marrying Lorenzo), Emily will risk everything to keep Levi safe from her crazy family, and Tope will attempt to juggle both Levi and Emily’s happiness and safety at the expense of his own happiness. Unfortunately, this bittersweet romance wouldn’t be tragic and mind-boggling if something traumatic didn’t surprise the reader and leave us wanting in the end.
I can’t wait to see what happens next when Emily decides to plan her revenge for the men in her life.
Emily's note to self!!
"I'm on a mission. Lorenzo William Bijou. Owen James Riddle. Phillip Wesley Riddle. Brian Marques Riddle. Joseph Evan Riddle. These men are on my short list to exact revenge upon. My revenge will be served up cold, and no one-not even Tess or Tope- will ever see it coming."
The Best Thing:
It took me a while to figure out what I liked best about this story. I have to be honest, the story was very slow in the beginning. Just when I thought I’d have to put it down though things got really good. The pace picked up (which is huge for me), I quickly became attached to certain characters and picked sides between Tope and Levi early on.
The Worst Thing:
I don’t mind reading stories that challenge ethics or morals and even human decency, however I kept finding myself ABSOLUTELY disgusted with the men in this book (except Tope and Levi).
Most of all, my irritation came from Emily. Her desperation and selfishness caused issues for everyone in the story. While I understand she was trying to survive and take advantage of a life that’s only been a dream, her actions really pushed me over the edge. She and Levi's patience was basically non-existent.
May 4, 2021
On the fence
Obviously this book has been on my kindle for quite some time because it is no longer available. I am not sure that I would read the next book even if I could because I am unsure how I feel about this one. I guess the story and characters are okay, but I have an issue with Levi and Emily falling for each other so quickly. Levi supposedly had plenty of women interested in him, but somehow he falls for Emily immediately. Then there is Emily who has never really been in a situation to trust a man, but she puts everything into Levi. I understand that it may be some kind of 'knight in shining armor' situation, but I just have a difficult time believing it. I also feel for Tope, even though his feelings are basically for a ghost. Just not convinced.
Obviously this book has been on my kindle for quite some time because it is no longer available. I am not sure that I would read the next book even if I could because I am unsure how I feel about this one. I guess the story and characters are okay, but I have an issue with Levi and Emily falling for each other so quickly. Levi supposedly had plenty of women interested in him, but somehow he falls for Emily immediately. Then there is Emily who has never really been in a situation to trust a man, but she puts everything into Levi. I understand that it may be some kind of 'knight in shining armor' situation, but I just have a difficult time believing it. I also feel for Tope, even though his feelings are basically for a ghost. Just not convinced.
October 15, 2013
*I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review*
Grave Bound & Underground are books one and two in the Secrets series. Underground is a direct continuation, so be sure to read Grave Bound first. The reader is left hanging at the end of book two, and I sincerely hope author T.R, Graves is working on book three since I'm dying to know what happens. I'm combining the review, with no spoilers (not easy), since the books are essentially one story.
Emily Riddle has spent her entire life in a commune run by her rather sadistic father. This commune is every woman's nightmare, where they are treated as possessions, not people. One summer day, she escaped the compound to swim in a nearby lake, and there she met Levi and Tope. She fell quickly for Levi's looks and his sweet, loving nature. Emily amazed me at every turn. She was educated and sought to educate the children in the commune. Even when presented with insurmountable odds, she didn't back down, but chose to fight for what she felt was right. I'm telling you right now, if I had an opportunity to escape the hell of that commune, I'd run in a heartbeat. Emily would rather risk everything to bring her father and the commune leaders to justice, even though her life was at risk.
Levi- What can I say about sweet, adorable Levi? He taught Emily what love is, how life can be beautiful. His idealism shone through in every scene, though I wonder if he understood what he was getting involved in. Tope- The DA elected to bring the commune down. Everyone in the parish knew the commune was involved in all sorts of illegal activities, and Tope was determined to see the leaders behind bars. The fact that he was head over heels in love with Emily, well that may make things more difficult. Noah- Sexy FBI agent who's been undercover for a year trying to bring down the drug empire Caleb Preston ran through numerous communes. Too bad he has feelings for Emily too, making it much more difficult for him to keep his cover intact. That girl has three sexy men lusting after her. I'd say she was lucky except for the whole 'Hell on Earth' commune thing...
These novels are fast-paced, keeping the reader turning the pages, desperate to know what happens next. Not only that, but I came to adore the characters quickly and felt emotionally invested in their stories. One interesting aspect is the changes in perspective. The novel is written in first person, and jumps around from character to character giving a unique perspective we'd have lost otherwise. There were a few times when it jumped within pages which drew my attention from the story. Otherwise, I liked the multiple perspectives. I'm just glad we didn't have to see into Emily's father Owen's thoughts...I'm not sure my psyche would survive.
Be prepared to bawl when you read these books; there were times when I couldn't see my Kindle through the tears. I must stress that these are New Adult books. They contain language, violence, and sexual situations that are not suitable for younger readers. Trust me on this one as I think I'm more lenient than many, but some of the subject matter is hard to deal with. I definitely rate this book for the 18+ crowd. That said, if you like edgy, romantic suspense, add Grave Bound & Underground to your to-read list. If book three was out now, I'd be reading that rather than writing this review.
Grave Bound & Underground are books one and two in the Secrets series. Underground is a direct continuation, so be sure to read Grave Bound first. The reader is left hanging at the end of book two, and I sincerely hope author T.R, Graves is working on book three since I'm dying to know what happens. I'm combining the review, with no spoilers (not easy), since the books are essentially one story.
Emily Riddle has spent her entire life in a commune run by her rather sadistic father. This commune is every woman's nightmare, where they are treated as possessions, not people. One summer day, she escaped the compound to swim in a nearby lake, and there she met Levi and Tope. She fell quickly for Levi's looks and his sweet, loving nature. Emily amazed me at every turn. She was educated and sought to educate the children in the commune. Even when presented with insurmountable odds, she didn't back down, but chose to fight for what she felt was right. I'm telling you right now, if I had an opportunity to escape the hell of that commune, I'd run in a heartbeat. Emily would rather risk everything to bring her father and the commune leaders to justice, even though her life was at risk.
Levi- What can I say about sweet, adorable Levi? He taught Emily what love is, how life can be beautiful. His idealism shone through in every scene, though I wonder if he understood what he was getting involved in. Tope- The DA elected to bring the commune down. Everyone in the parish knew the commune was involved in all sorts of illegal activities, and Tope was determined to see the leaders behind bars. The fact that he was head over heels in love with Emily, well that may make things more difficult. Noah- Sexy FBI agent who's been undercover for a year trying to bring down the drug empire Caleb Preston ran through numerous communes. Too bad he has feelings for Emily too, making it much more difficult for him to keep his cover intact. That girl has three sexy men lusting after her. I'd say she was lucky except for the whole 'Hell on Earth' commune thing...
These novels are fast-paced, keeping the reader turning the pages, desperate to know what happens next. Not only that, but I came to adore the characters quickly and felt emotionally invested in their stories. One interesting aspect is the changes in perspective. The novel is written in first person, and jumps around from character to character giving a unique perspective we'd have lost otherwise. There were a few times when it jumped within pages which drew my attention from the story. Otherwise, I liked the multiple perspectives. I'm just glad we didn't have to see into Emily's father Owen's thoughts...I'm not sure my psyche would survive.
Be prepared to bawl when you read these books; there were times when I couldn't see my Kindle through the tears. I must stress that these are New Adult books. They contain language, violence, and sexual situations that are not suitable for younger readers. Trust me on this one as I think I'm more lenient than many, but some of the subject matter is hard to deal with. I definitely rate this book for the 18+ crowd. That said, if you like edgy, romantic suspense, add Grave Bound & Underground to your to-read list. If book three was out now, I'd be reading that rather than writing this review.
October 19, 2013
I received this book for a honest review, and as a part of the tour! Thanks!:) Original post on: http://nervidetoamna.blogspot.ro/
The idea of this book sounded different for me and that’s why I wanted to read it, and I really enjoyed it, even the beginning was slow and made me struggle to push through the book. I don’t like when a book that I like and I want to read bore me and make me want to read something else. Plus that, at the beginning, the characters sounded a little, I don’t know, flat and didn’t showed me emotions, real ones. But when you read more and you start to know them, to know the situation and how Emily was raised you start to understand things and put them in another light.
Even the beginning is slow, as I said, the book is good and the suspense begin to form like half through the book, like the beginning was kind of a acommodation for the reader. I liked when the characters started to feel and act like real, when Emily start to think and act how is good for her and not just for others. I liked that she had courage to fight the situation and fight direct and indirect with her dad, with Lorenzo, with the commune. She is a strong girl that become a woman, that fall in love and do everything it takes to keep the man she loves safe and near her. She protects her from Lorenzo, who was a real ass and I wanted to kill him with my own hands.
Talking about the other characters I want to say that Levi, Tope and Tess caught my attention. The others were like sheeps, doing how the rules say, the women were like furniture, they didn’t could talk, couldn’t do anything, just to please those idiots of men. I really don’t like that men threat women like that and I wanted to punch them, to know how it feels. I hope that in the second book the things get better and they pay somehow for being like that, some big jerks, assholes with the women. Levy was such a nice guy, cute and civilized comparative with those f*****, and I was so happy when he and Emily met. And Tope is the same, even is a little bad, or should I say more pessimist and realist than Levy, who is more a dreamer and a romantic. Both are real gentleman and I liked them, how they threated Emily and how they helped her. Tess is another strong character, even she had a few moments of weakness, but she helped Emily and she tried to protect her.
The end of the book…pff. When I thought the bad is gone and everything will be okay the author blow me… how could you do that? How? That broke my heart and I was so sad and so angry… I don’t know how the situation gonna change in the next book but I’ll wait and hope things get better for Em. And I hope that Tope and Tess help her.
4/5
The idea of this book sounded different for me and that’s why I wanted to read it, and I really enjoyed it, even the beginning was slow and made me struggle to push through the book. I don’t like when a book that I like and I want to read bore me and make me want to read something else. Plus that, at the beginning, the characters sounded a little, I don’t know, flat and didn’t showed me emotions, real ones. But when you read more and you start to know them, to know the situation and how Emily was raised you start to understand things and put them in another light.
Even the beginning is slow, as I said, the book is good and the suspense begin to form like half through the book, like the beginning was kind of a acommodation for the reader. I liked when the characters started to feel and act like real, when Emily start to think and act how is good for her and not just for others. I liked that she had courage to fight the situation and fight direct and indirect with her dad, with Lorenzo, with the commune. She is a strong girl that become a woman, that fall in love and do everything it takes to keep the man she loves safe and near her. She protects her from Lorenzo, who was a real ass and I wanted to kill him with my own hands.
Talking about the other characters I want to say that Levi, Tope and Tess caught my attention. The others were like sheeps, doing how the rules say, the women were like furniture, they didn’t could talk, couldn’t do anything, just to please those idiots of men. I really don’t like that men threat women like that and I wanted to punch them, to know how it feels. I hope that in the second book the things get better and they pay somehow for being like that, some big jerks, assholes with the women. Levy was such a nice guy, cute and civilized comparative with those f*****, and I was so happy when he and Emily met. And Tope is the same, even is a little bad, or should I say more pessimist and realist than Levy, who is more a dreamer and a romantic. Both are real gentleman and I liked them, how they threated Emily and how they helped her. Tess is another strong character, even she had a few moments of weakness, but she helped Emily and she tried to protect her.
The end of the book…pff. When I thought the bad is gone and everything will be okay the author blow me… how could you do that? How? That broke my heart and I was so sad and so angry… I don’t know how the situation gonna change in the next book but I’ll wait and hope things get better for Em. And I hope that Tope and Tess help her.
4/5
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