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Because of You
Barrett and Kelly, two complete strangers, shared a harrowing experience where they were completely dependent on each other for survival. When Barrett is rescued and forced to leave Kelly behind, she returns several months later to free her from their captors. After returning home, they go their separate ways and try to pick up their lives, but circumstances and feelings they didn’t expect pull them together and threaten to drive them apart.
Can love overcome feelings of guilt, obligation, gratitude, debt, and responsibility?
Can love overcome feelings of guilt, obligation, gratitude, debt, and responsibility?
264 pages, Paperback
First published October 13, 2014
4 people are currently reading
110 people want to read
About the author
Julie Cannon
26 books159 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Julie Cannon is a native sun goddess born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona. She is a corporate stiff by day and dreamer by night. She has nine romance novels and five short stories published by Bold Strokes Books. A recent transplant to Houston, Julie and her partner Laura live on the lake with their two kids, two dogs and a cat.
Julie Cannon is a native sun goddess born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona. She is a corporate stiff by day and dreamer by night. She has nine romance novels and five short stories published by Bold Strokes Books. A recent transplant to Houston, Julie and her partner Laura live on the lake with their two kids, two dogs and a cat.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
August 12, 2021
An intense and interesting story of survival, under excruciating circumstances.
However the bond between the two women ended up being tip-toed around far too long, and the ending came far too abruptly to feel good about.
There were too many unanswered questions about how it could all work out. So it ended up being disappointing and a let-down.
However the bond between the two women ended up being tip-toed around far too long, and the ending came far too abruptly to feel good about.
There were too many unanswered questions about how it could all work out. So it ended up being disappointing and a let-down.
December 30, 2017
4.5 This could be my favorite book by Julie Cannon thus far. The first portion of the book has some parts that are hard to read about. There are no gratuitous details but it’s clear what these women (Kelly in particular) suffer at the hands of their captors. While I wish our world was one in which evil did not happen, I think it would be unrealistic to write a story like this one and pretend that sexual assault doesn’t occur.
But here’s why I thought this was a great book; the characters make it through the badness to the other side. They find healing, love, and a few other warm and fuzzy things. To me, it’s a story of triumph over adversity and I so appreciate that, because each of us needs to be reminded of the healing power of love every now and again.
But here’s why I thought this was a great book; the characters make it through the badness to the other side. They find healing, love, and a few other warm and fuzzy things. To me, it’s a story of triumph over adversity and I so appreciate that, because each of us needs to be reminded of the healing power of love every now and again.
November 2, 2014
What an amazing story! The journey of being a decent human - a daughter, a friend, a boss/colleague - performing a job you love... to being in the wrong place at the wrong time, being kidnapped and the horror associated with captivity in the jungle. The degradation of being treated like an animal, dealing with awful 'situations' and doing what 'must be done' to survive, all while thanking God each morning that you're still alive and praying for freedom.
Then, if you're lucky enough, being rescued and the process and adjustment associated with re-entering life as you once knew it. From dealing with the simple things of grocery shopping, giving family/friends a hug without flinching, not jumping at shadows and tensing up when strangers stand too close. Not to mention the fear every time you close your eyes and try to sleep. Reclaiming your life isn't as easy as one would think.
Barrett and Kelly's story is a saddening yet victorious read. The suffering and elation jump off the pages and keep you turning page after page until you reach "The End". What a great way to spend a few hours on a rainy weekend afternoon immersed in the Columbian jungle to the freedom of life back home in the USA.
My only gripe, I wanted more! I was disappointed when I'd turned to the last page. I have questions and I want answers, lol
This book is a solid read and I'd recommend it to anyone who likes a good adventure survival story with a minor mix of romance.
4.5 stars
Then, if you're lucky enough, being rescued and the process and adjustment associated with re-entering life as you once knew it. From dealing with the simple things of grocery shopping, giving family/friends a hug without flinching, not jumping at shadows and tensing up when strangers stand too close. Not to mention the fear every time you close your eyes and try to sleep. Reclaiming your life isn't as easy as one would think.
Barrett and Kelly's story is a saddening yet victorious read. The suffering and elation jump off the pages and keep you turning page after page until you reach "The End". What a great way to spend a few hours on a rainy weekend afternoon immersed in the Columbian jungle to the freedom of life back home in the USA.
My only gripe, I wanted more! I was disappointed when I'd turned to the last page. I have questions and I want answers, lol
This book is a solid read and I'd recommend it to anyone who likes a good adventure survival story with a minor mix of romance.
4.5 stars
August 29, 2021
3,5 stars
I liked it. I'd probably like it better if the author scrapped most of the romance and added more of the "dealing with traumatic experience and slowly getting used to normal life again" storyline, because I couldn't see much connection between the MCs except for shared trauma, but otherwise it was good.
I liked it. I'd probably like it better if the author scrapped most of the romance and added more of the "dealing with traumatic experience and slowly getting used to normal life again" storyline, because I couldn't see much connection between the MCs except for shared trauma, but otherwise it was good.
May 22, 2015
3.5 stars
June 10, 2016
Wow, what an intense story! The captivity part was hard, very hard, but the ending was beautiful.
March 5, 2016
I wanted to like this book more than I did, but I just couldn't bond with the character of Barrett. She spent the first third of the book being completely self-absorbed and snotty, and then she spent the remainder of the book trying to atone for something that wasn't her fault. Meh.
October 7, 2014
Kelly is held captive for many months before Barrett is kidnapped and the two women end up in the same camp. They are treated like animals, feed scraps and hosed down, and that was when they were being treated well!
The two gain strength from each other, and share stories of their lives to escape the reality of their dire situation. Barrett is a lesbian, out and proud. Kelly is a divorcee never been with a woman. I could literally feel the emotion and bond forming between the two of them.
Then Barrett is rescued and Kelly is left behind. Barrett tries to go on with her life but Kelly is never far from her thoughts, she is overwhelmed with guilt at having to leave her behind. Are the same people, that rescued Barrett, able to go back and rescue Kelly? Will Kelly return the same person? Will their bond be the same out in the real world, not under guard, lock, and key?
I’m not telling. Like me you will have to read the story to find out the answers to all those questions. What I will say is this story is one hell of an emotional journey! I loved the writing style and the story is exceptionally well edited.
The story alludes to rape and torture but the scene's are not vividly described, they didn’t need to be! The reference made it clear enough for the reader to draw their own picture of what happened.
Julie Cannon has crafted a beautiful, albeit heart-breaking at times, story!
Copy provided by Bold Strokes Publishing, via NetGalley
The two gain strength from each other, and share stories of their lives to escape the reality of their dire situation. Barrett is a lesbian, out and proud. Kelly is a divorcee never been with a woman. I could literally feel the emotion and bond forming between the two of them.
Then Barrett is rescued and Kelly is left behind. Barrett tries to go on with her life but Kelly is never far from her thoughts, she is overwhelmed with guilt at having to leave her behind. Are the same people, that rescued Barrett, able to go back and rescue Kelly? Will Kelly return the same person? Will their bond be the same out in the real world, not under guard, lock, and key?
I’m not telling. Like me you will have to read the story to find out the answers to all those questions. What I will say is this story is one hell of an emotional journey! I loved the writing style and the story is exceptionally well edited.
The story alludes to rape and torture but the scene's are not vividly described, they didn’t need to be! The reference made it clear enough for the reader to draw their own picture of what happened.
Julie Cannon has crafted a beautiful, albeit heart-breaking at times, story!
Copy provided by Bold Strokes Publishing, via NetGalley
June 25, 2015
Firstly - massive trigger warning on this book for people who have experienced any sort of violence. There are multiple scenes where multiple forms of violence (physical, emotional, sexual) are experienced by the characters -- either directly or not so subtle reference. The depictions of violence aren't gratuitous by any means - they are all appropriate and necessary given the setting of the book but. Despite the author's obvious efforts to allow the reader to understand the oppressive scene without going OTT (which she does very well), it is full. on.
In some ways, the author did such a fantastic job setting the scene so to speak, that the romance seemed shallow in contrast. I found it difficult to believe that the relationship was an emotionally healthy one and going to stand the test of time, no matter how hard the author seemed to work to convince me otherwise.
I usually quite enjoy books where a character (or both) has to overcome a psychological barrier / scarring experience etc to allow them to find their way to love... but usually this 'healing' so to speak occurs a fair period of time after the traumatizing event. In this book, the romance is part of / follows directly on from the traumatizing event itself and, for me, it was just too soon for me to believe in it.
It's well written. It's intense. I'm just not sure that I liked the feeling I was left with after reading what is billed as a romance.
In some ways, the author did such a fantastic job setting the scene so to speak, that the romance seemed shallow in contrast. I found it difficult to believe that the relationship was an emotionally healthy one and going to stand the test of time, no matter how hard the author seemed to work to convince me otherwise.
I usually quite enjoy books where a character (or both) has to overcome a psychological barrier / scarring experience etc to allow them to find their way to love... but usually this 'healing' so to speak occurs a fair period of time after the traumatizing event. In this book, the romance is part of / follows directly on from the traumatizing event itself and, for me, it was just too soon for me to believe in it.
It's well written. It's intense. I'm just not sure that I liked the feeling I was left with after reading what is billed as a romance.
August 17, 2017
3.5 stars
February 27, 2021
Well what can I say. I enjoyed the second part more then the first. I found that once they got home the characters swapped personalities. I didn't like how Barrett would question Kelly's feelings and try to make out that it was the ordeal which caused them. i also didn't like how she basically took over Kelly's life for her. I know that after everything she needed help but she didn't even ask she just did it all. I'm glad it all worked out in the end.
April 28, 2016
Amazing story had me from the beginning
August 6, 2016
We never get to know the reasons why these two fall in love. They just do, and that is not enough for me.
November 16, 2019
Heavy but good!
I have not seen a lesfic story quite like this before. I chose to read this because I like the way Ms. Cannon writes. What I got was a surprise. The story line was intriguing, interesting and intense. This book hit on a several heavy subjects. It was a bit hard in some places but it made the story stronger and more realistic and in doing so made the book all the better. Having to deal with some of the things that the lead characters faced, I can say that Ms. Cannon handled these subjects very well and authentically and I think that is another reason I liked this book. I could identify and relate to Barrett and Kelly.
Ms. Cannon's writing is wonderful, the story flowed nicely and the book ended up perfectly for me. I am so glad she chose to deal with such real issues.
Thank you Ms Cannon.
I have not seen a lesfic story quite like this before. I chose to read this because I like the way Ms. Cannon writes. What I got was a surprise. The story line was intriguing, interesting and intense. This book hit on a several heavy subjects. It was a bit hard in some places but it made the story stronger and more realistic and in doing so made the book all the better. Having to deal with some of the things that the lead characters faced, I can say that Ms. Cannon handled these subjects very well and authentically and I think that is another reason I liked this book. I could identify and relate to Barrett and Kelly.
Ms. Cannon's writing is wonderful, the story flowed nicely and the book ended up perfectly for me. I am so glad she chose to deal with such real issues.
Thank you Ms Cannon.
November 22, 2019
Exciting, entertaining book
About the discovery, uncertainty & passion of a relationship between two women— both traumatized & forever changed by the long-term kidnapping where they first met, suffering & surviving together— as they consider love & family in each other during the journey to overcome & heal their physical, emotional & mental wounds.
About the discovery, uncertainty & passion of a relationship between two women— both traumatized & forever changed by the long-term kidnapping where they first met, suffering & surviving together— as they consider love & family in each other during the journey to overcome & heal their physical, emotional & mental wounds.
September 4, 2014
I got an advance copy from NetGalley for an honest review.
Barrett, such an interesting name for an interesting woman. Barrett is rich and owns her own company, she’s on a trip in Columbia to do business when her guide leads her astray and she gets kidnapped. While trapped she meets an amazing woman, a nurse, Kelly who has been there for a year and five months. When Barrett is finally rescued six months later she not only has to leave the other hostages behind but Kelly as well. Not being able to cope Barrett hires the same people who got her out to go and get Kelly and the other hostages. When Kelly finally comes face to face with Barrett again and gives her a hug it’s been two years since she’s been gone and she’s come with a surprise as well.
Kelly has been in survival mode for so long that it’s hard not to be the docile woman she was and do what she wants to do. Being back in civilization is hard but she makes it work. As time goes on she and Barrett get closer and the real adventure begins.
I loved this book. Even though it skipped days, weeks and months you could still follow along and understand the story, Julie Cannon did not need to make a day by day account of what happened or was going to happen in Barrett’s and Kelly’s lives. The ending was beautiful and a great start to a new and happy beginning. I highly recommend this book.
Barrett, such an interesting name for an interesting woman. Barrett is rich and owns her own company, she’s on a trip in Columbia to do business when her guide leads her astray and she gets kidnapped. While trapped she meets an amazing woman, a nurse, Kelly who has been there for a year and five months. When Barrett is finally rescued six months later she not only has to leave the other hostages behind but Kelly as well. Not being able to cope Barrett hires the same people who got her out to go and get Kelly and the other hostages. When Kelly finally comes face to face with Barrett again and gives her a hug it’s been two years since she’s been gone and she’s come with a surprise as well.
Kelly has been in survival mode for so long that it’s hard not to be the docile woman she was and do what she wants to do. Being back in civilization is hard but she makes it work. As time goes on she and Barrett get closer and the real adventure begins.
I loved this book. Even though it skipped days, weeks and months you could still follow along and understand the story, Julie Cannon did not need to make a day by day account of what happened or was going to happen in Barrett’s and Kelly’s lives. The ending was beautiful and a great start to a new and happy beginning. I highly recommend this book.
March 1, 2015
I loved this book! It hooked me immediately, drew me in and tugged my heart strings, kept me on the edge and I began to love them as they began to love each other. When you can reach into a stranger's life and with a couple of sentences, then you have mastered your craft. But then too, I have never liked the stories that pay scant attention to the characters and provide an overly developed plot...I can get that in real life at work.
January 7, 2015
Very good, the character development was excellent and the story really did speak volumes about love and complex feelings. The ending was slightly sudden though; great book!
July 29, 2016
Good book
While this was a tough story to read in some respects it was a really good story and I enjoyed the ending and watching Barrett grow and become more self-aware and loving.
While this was a tough story to read in some respects it was a really good story and I enjoyed the ending and watching Barrett grow and become more self-aware and loving.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews