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Tough Scratches #2
Finding the Path
""Earlier that morning, Russell signed the paperwork mechanically. Upon Russell's completion, the security guard brusquely set a gray sweatshirt on the table, ushering him to follow him to freedom. Freedom... A concept previously so elusive was now his to grab. But with it came the fact he was starting from scratch. Freedom felt foreign. Scary, even. Russell walked out the gate feeling like he was walking for the first time, expecting to fall."" For seven years straight, the sole thought on Kayla's mind is the moment she would reunite with her husband. She looks at her daughter and dreams of the day she will have a father once again. When that day finally comes, however, many conflicts continue to plague her. What she doesn't expect is the type of life they will have after they are brought back together. When surprises and tragedy befall Kayla and Russell, they must look within themselves for strength once again. This time, life and livelihood are threatened like never before.
176 pages, Paperback
First published February 18, 2014
3 people want to read
About the author
Eichin Chang-Lim
10 books241 followersDr. Eichin Chang-Lim is a semiretired optometrist, a multi-award-winning author, a wife, and a mother to 2 children. She and her husband had a private optometry practice in Los Angeles. They live in Orange County, California.
In a recent interview, the author said, “You might have noticed that romance and inspirational are my niche genres. I write romance because I find it to be an intriguing genre. Relationships are quite involved in real life. Therefore, I use romance to depict the intricacies of relationships. Ultimately, it evolves into an inspirational and thought-provoking tale.
Readers will discover that I tend to tell love stories beyond the confines of romance. I strive to convey the kind of love that is much broader and more profound than romantic or physical love. I strongly believe that love is more than a four-letter word. It’s multidimensional. It involves sacrifice, forgiveness, trust, demoting one’s ego, or even ‘letting it go’ at times. I also like to encompass the love of friendship, family, and even little pets in my stories.”
“As a romance writer, I write with my heart and soul. My mindset is that if my story can make a difference in even one person’s life, it’s all worth it, and that’s what love is all about,” she added.
Eichin modeled during college in Taiwan and was in several short films, including a supporting role in the comedy Indy/feature film Winning Formula.
She has written five books: FLIPPING: An Uplifting Novel of Love, A Mother’s Heart: Memoir of a Special Needs Parent, Love: A Tangled Knot, The LoveLock, and YOUR PRECIOUS SIGHT: An Optometrist's Most Memorable Cases.
During the preorder period, YOUR PRECIOUS SIGHT hit the #1 New Release in seven categories at least once: Optometry, Physician & Patient Diagnosis, Eye Problems, Reference, Preventive Medicine, Aging, and Ophthalmology.
Besides acting and writing, she loves opera and a big bear hug. Learn more about the author at www.eichinchanglim.com
In a recent interview, the author said, “You might have noticed that romance and inspirational are my niche genres. I write romance because I find it to be an intriguing genre. Relationships are quite involved in real life. Therefore, I use romance to depict the intricacies of relationships. Ultimately, it evolves into an inspirational and thought-provoking tale.
Readers will discover that I tend to tell love stories beyond the confines of romance. I strive to convey the kind of love that is much broader and more profound than romantic or physical love. I strongly believe that love is more than a four-letter word. It’s multidimensional. It involves sacrifice, forgiveness, trust, demoting one’s ego, or even ‘letting it go’ at times. I also like to encompass the love of friendship, family, and even little pets in my stories.”
“As a romance writer, I write with my heart and soul. My mindset is that if my story can make a difference in even one person’s life, it’s all worth it, and that’s what love is all about,” she added.
Eichin modeled during college in Taiwan and was in several short films, including a supporting role in the comedy Indy/feature film Winning Formula.
She has written five books: FLIPPING: An Uplifting Novel of Love, A Mother’s Heart: Memoir of a Special Needs Parent, Love: A Tangled Knot, The LoveLock, and YOUR PRECIOUS SIGHT: An Optometrist's Most Memorable Cases.
During the preorder period, YOUR PRECIOUS SIGHT hit the #1 New Release in seven categories at least once: Optometry, Physician & Patient Diagnosis, Eye Problems, Reference, Preventive Medicine, Aging, and Ophthalmology.
Besides acting and writing, she loves opera and a big bear hug. Learn more about the author at www.eichinchanglim.com
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 17, 2014
Tough Scratches Book 2: Finding the Path finds Russell being released from prison and on his way back to Kayla and their daughter. Now they just have to figure out how to make it together as a family.
I think Tough Scratches Book 2: Finding the Path does a good job of touching on some of the issues that a couple might have once one of the pair is liberated from prison. Self-esteem is a huge issue, particularly for men who often have their identity wrapped up in being the breadwinner. It really can be devastating for them when, like Russell, it seems like no one will take a chance on them and hire someone with a criminal record.
I liked that this book was realistic in that it showed that Kayla was not perfect. She did not have blinders on and she did find herself attracted to other men. However, it’s what she did with those feelings that was important.
I also loved the importance of family values in Tough Scratches Book 2. I loved how not just the nuclear family pulled together, but the extended family worked together.
No relationship is perfect because we are not perfect. All we can do is make choices that will benefit the all the people involved or affected by that relationship. Communication was the key. When they weren’t communicating, things went downhill, but when they talked things out, they were able to work things out. Russell and Kayla show that despite the difficulties, it can be done, and if both parties are willing to work together, both parties can be happy.
I enjoyed this book very much. I think it might be a good book as a starter for a group discussion or counselling session on relationships. I gave this book 4 stars out of 5.
Thank you to the author for providing a copy of the book in exchange for a fair and honest review. A positive opinion was not required. All thoughts are my own.
This review was published on my blog Shelf Full of Books http://kathrynsshelffullofbooks.blogs...
I think Tough Scratches Book 2: Finding the Path does a good job of touching on some of the issues that a couple might have once one of the pair is liberated from prison. Self-esteem is a huge issue, particularly for men who often have their identity wrapped up in being the breadwinner. It really can be devastating for them when, like Russell, it seems like no one will take a chance on them and hire someone with a criminal record.
I liked that this book was realistic in that it showed that Kayla was not perfect. She did not have blinders on and she did find herself attracted to other men. However, it’s what she did with those feelings that was important.
I also loved the importance of family values in Tough Scratches Book 2. I loved how not just the nuclear family pulled together, but the extended family worked together.
No relationship is perfect because we are not perfect. All we can do is make choices that will benefit the all the people involved or affected by that relationship. Communication was the key. When they weren’t communicating, things went downhill, but when they talked things out, they were able to work things out. Russell and Kayla show that despite the difficulties, it can be done, and if both parties are willing to work together, both parties can be happy.
I enjoyed this book very much. I think it might be a good book as a starter for a group discussion or counselling session on relationships. I gave this book 4 stars out of 5.
Thank you to the author for providing a copy of the book in exchange for a fair and honest review. A positive opinion was not required. All thoughts are my own.
This review was published on my blog Shelf Full of Books http://kathrynsshelffullofbooks.blogs...
October 7, 2014
Those readers who enjoyed 'Tough Scratches Book 1' will no doubt be eager to see what happened next in Eichin Chang-Lim's romance series.
The first novel ended with Russell serving a jail term and Kayla struggling to survive on her own. Now Russell has been released from prison, but the course of true love seems destined never to run smooth...
Ms. Chang-Lim again employs a narrative style which feeds the reader bite-sized chunks of the couple's story - life minus the boring bits, one might say. This makes her romance novel into a page-turner. The prose is sparse and tight, the characters drawn with a few deft strokes of the pen (or taps on the keyboard, as the case may be).
'Finding the Path' is a quick read which should appeal to romance lovers everywhere and to those who seek inspiration to ward off the hammer blows of an uncaring world.
The first novel ended with Russell serving a jail term and Kayla struggling to survive on her own. Now Russell has been released from prison, but the course of true love seems destined never to run smooth...
Ms. Chang-Lim again employs a narrative style which feeds the reader bite-sized chunks of the couple's story - life minus the boring bits, one might say. This makes her romance novel into a page-turner. The prose is sparse and tight, the characters drawn with a few deft strokes of the pen (or taps on the keyboard, as the case may be).
'Finding the Path' is a quick read which should appeal to romance lovers everywhere and to those who seek inspiration to ward off the hammer blows of an uncaring world.
August 27, 2014
'Tough Scratches Book 2: Finding the Path' was, as a sequel, even better than the original story, 'Tough Scratches, Book One: Love, the Tangled Knot.' It's the continuing story of a couple's journey of self-discovery on a road that presented them with every obstacle ~ requiring each of them to find the reason and inspiration to go on, both separately and together... Enjoy! ♡ :) Mark
August 28, 2014
"Tough Scratches, Book 1" read like a delicious dinner; "Book 2, Finding the Path" follows suite leading the reader to a perfect dessert! After the first installment, I had so many questions, and I found myself rooting for the story to go a certain way; I saw how I wanted things to work out for Kayla. Chang-Lim delivered in answering all of my questions, but took Kayla on a different path than what I envisioned. Plot twists! True to Chang-Lim form, she kept the pace moving and engaging. I especially enjoyed getting to know Russell better, and watching the story develop when he returned to Kayla. Challenges continue to present themselves, but isn't that life? Chang-Lim keeps Kayla's story an honest reflection of everyday life.
"Finding the Path" is a reminder that the past is the past, and the present is a gift. What happened in the past shaped us, but we always have the choice to choose another path.
If you haven't read the "Tough Scratches, Book 1", I suggest brewing a French Press of your favorite brew, and taking a perfect day to yourself to indulge in Book 1 & 2 back to back; you will walk away feeling uplifted & reminded of how unexpectedly magical this life can be.
"Finding the Path" is a reminder that the past is the past, and the present is a gift. What happened in the past shaped us, but we always have the choice to choose another path.
If you haven't read the "Tough Scratches, Book 1", I suggest brewing a French Press of your favorite brew, and taking a perfect day to yourself to indulge in Book 1 & 2 back to back; you will walk away feeling uplifted & reminded of how unexpectedly magical this life can be.
December 29, 2014
"Tough Scratches, Book 1" read like a delicious dinner; "Book 2, Finding the Path" follows suite leading the reader to a perfect dessert! After the first installment, I had so many questions, and I found myself rooting for the story to go a certain way; I saw how I wanted things to work out for Kayla. Chang-Lim delivered in answering all of my questions, but took Kayla on a different path than what I envisioned. Plot twists! True to Chang-Lim form, she kept the pace moving and engaging. I especially enjoyed getting to know Russell better, and watching the story develop when he returned to Kayla. Challenges continue to present themselves, but isn't that life? Chang-Lim keeps Kayla's story an honest reflection of everyday life.
"Finding the Path" is a reminder that the past is the past, and the present is a gift. What happened in the past shaped us, but we always have the choice to choose another path.
If you haven't read the "Tough Scratches, Book 1", I suggest brewing a French Press of your favorite brew, and taking a perfect day to yourself to indulge in Book 1 & 2 back to back; you will walk away feeling uplifted & reminded of how unexpectedly magical this life can be.
"Finding the Path" is a reminder that the past is the past, and the present is a gift. What happened in the past shaped us, but we always have the choice to choose another path.
If you haven't read the "Tough Scratches, Book 1", I suggest brewing a French Press of your favorite brew, and taking a perfect day to yourself to indulge in Book 1 & 2 back to back; you will walk away feeling uplifted & reminded of how unexpectedly magical this life can be.
February 5, 2016
Those readers who enjoyed 'Tough Scratches Book 1' will no doubt be eager to see what happened next in Eichin Chang-Lim's romance series.
The first novel ended with Russell serving a jail term and Kayla struggling to survive on her own. Now Russell has been released from prison, but the course of true love seems destined never to run smooth...
Ms. Chang-Lim again employs a narrative style which feeds the reader bite-sized chunks of the couple's story - life minus the boring bits, one might say. This makes her romance novel into a page-turner. The prose is sparse and tight, the characters drawn with a few deft strokes of the pen (or taps on the keyboard, as the case may be).
'Finding the Path' is a quick read which should appeal to romance lovers everywhere and to those who seek inspiration to ward off the hammer blows of an uncaring world.
The first novel ended with Russell serving a jail term and Kayla struggling to survive on her own. Now Russell has been released from prison, but the course of true love seems destined never to run smooth...
Ms. Chang-Lim again employs a narrative style which feeds the reader bite-sized chunks of the couple's story - life minus the boring bits, one might say. This makes her romance novel into a page-turner. The prose is sparse and tight, the characters drawn with a few deft strokes of the pen (or taps on the keyboard, as the case may be).
'Finding the Path' is a quick read which should appeal to romance lovers everywhere and to those who seek inspiration to ward off the hammer blows of an uncaring world.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews