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Five Series #1
Maggie's five
I had a great life. Not perfect, but really good. I was happy.
I had a husband and two children. But now I've got Red.
He’s using me but, that’s okay, because I’m using him too, only for a different reason.
He wants sex and leverage. I want numb.
But then Luke came back.
Don’t be stupid. Luke’s not my husband. My husband is dead, like my children.
Luke came back and things have started changing. And I think, maybe, that I’m okay with change, but I’m worried it’s too late, that I might be too far down the Rabbit Hole.
I’m Maggie Cartwright, and this is my story. But be warned, it may not be the happy ever after you dream of.
I had a husband and two children. But now I've got Red.
He’s using me but, that’s okay, because I’m using him too, only for a different reason.
He wants sex and leverage. I want numb.
But then Luke came back.
Don’t be stupid. Luke’s not my husband. My husband is dead, like my children.
Luke came back and things have started changing. And I think, maybe, that I’m okay with change, but I’m worried it’s too late, that I might be too far down the Rabbit Hole.
I’m Maggie Cartwright, and this is my story. But be warned, it may not be the happy ever after you dream of.
266 pages, Paperback
First published July 5, 2014
324 people want to read
About the author
Sandra Fitzgerald
6 books11 followersI'm just a girl that had a dream, and turned that dream into words.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
July 14, 2015
My star rating for MAGGIE'S FIVE is: 4 out of 5 stars.
My ‘Blogging Reader’s Review’ after reading an ARC
Copy of ‘MAGGIE'S FIVE'(Five Series #1)
(via:BooksMoviesFandoms.wordpress.com):
This is my full review for “Maggie’s Five” which is the first novel of the Five Series by Sandra Fitzgerald. This novel is a blend of suspense, romance, with dark twists. Readers may find themselves wondering if the main female character, Maggie, will ever deal with the major loss she’s faced with. This novel is written mostly from the main character’s P.O.V.(point of view), Maggie Mae Cartwright with a short second P.O.V. from Luke Andrews.
Maggie Mae Cartwright has a good life. It’s exactly where she wanted it to be, being married to the love of her life Brendan who adores and loves her to no end and the beautiful family they have which includes two beautiful daughters, Mattie and Ella. On what started as a beautiful Christmas Day morning, one of Maggie’s favorite holidays, it quickly turned into a tragic and horrific nightmare at the hands one foolish person’s mistake. The blood curdling sounds that came from the front yard of their home, would be the end to every beautiful thing that mattered in Maggie’s life. Her world would never be the same…now that her husband and beautiful daughter’s lives have ended and hers painfully continues.
Brendan’s brother, Jon Cartwright tries his best to help Maggie out while he can but the biggest help came from an unexpected person. Luke Andrews, and old classmate, friend and someone she hasn’t seen in so many years. Seeing him there, helping her, showing her so much support, it was the only thing helping her to not lose it completely. Luke has his own life in New York but Maggie Mae needs him so he tries to be there for her for as long as he can. But before long, his life and job back in the big city beckon him to return, leaving Maggie to try and pull herself through her grief on her own. Luke promises to return as soon as possible but Maggie is quickly finding herself falling into a dark hole that numbs her more than actually helps her grieve for the family she has lost.
On her own, she ends up meeting a really attractive bartender named Red. He quickly lures her with his seductive words, flirty-friendliness and promises to help her escape what’s “real”. Maggie begins to entangle her life with Red’s in the many dark and twisted ways that he offers to her which include partying at night clubs, while he offers her methods to numb her mind and heart, as well as entices her with sexual exploration. Maggie’s life is quickly spiraling downhill and the numbness seems to be her only form of peace from the heart-wrenching pain she feels every minute of every day. Even if it’s not healthy or good for her, she keeps digging herself deeper into Red’s twisted lifestyle.
Will Maggie ever find her way back from the downward spiral that her life seems to be headed? Will Maggie be able to find a way to grieve that doesn’t bring danger and risk to her health and life? What kind of secret does Luke hold about his past? Will Maggie keep Red in her life? Can Luke help Maggie or will his life in New York pull him away from her for good? This was an emotional journey about a woman who is dealing with the tragic loss of her family. Her imperfections make her seem real because everyone grieves differently and some choose to numb the pain instead of what most would consider healthy grieving. The storyline had interesting moments and there were some strong scenes that are very emotional. The story in general was dark and keeps you hoping that Maggie pulls herself from the dark path she’s on. It’s hard to rate this novel because it has great moments that captivate the reader but there were a couple of moments that left me wanting more. I did however, appreciate the second P.O.V. from Luke in the epilogue. But all in all, this was a decently enjoyable novel. Check this one out if you are looking for a deep story that touches on some very tough issues. Note: Recommended for mature readers due to drugs and sexual situations. Pick up your copy readers.
My Star Rating for MAGGIE'S FIVE is: 4 out of 5 stars.
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October 8, 2014
Note: I was provided a copy of this book for review.
The first book in the Five series, this story is about Maggie, a woman who tragically loses her family in a freak accident and tries her best at dealing with the aftermath The story drags you in to Maggie’s world almost right away, a world that starts off as being about family, love, and great memories and is replaced by one that is filled with pain and loss.
The way Fitzgerald has constructed Maggie is wonderful. She isn’t anything too special, she is a mum and a wife, and she is a regular person who has a tragedy in her life and must find a way of dealing with it. This makes her real and someone who was never expecting to have to deal with something like this.
I really liked how Fitzgerald depicted Maggie’s grief and how she was coping. She makes it clear that there is no overnight downfall, nor is there an overnight recovery. People do not succumb to temptations and bad situations in one week and we see this slow decline in Maggie and in how she acts and how she feels as the days pass on.
By telling the story through Maggie it allows you to see the reasons and justifications for her actions and really get a deep sense of the emotions and the hollowness she is feeling. I loved that Fitzgerald doesn’t even make it terribly complex, but the emptiness is evident and it is clearly portrayed that Maggie is at a loss of what to do and shuts herself down and becomes a shell of herself.
Fitzgerald never takes the reader’s sympathy away from Maggie, even when she gets worse, because we understand it so well from her point of view and we know what she is feeling and why she does what she does. There is no third party judgement, and even other characters like Luke do not judge, he lets her go through what she needs to go through without making her recover too quickly.
As Maggie begins to lose control of her pain she turns to drinking and bad company to numb it but it still isn’t something that you judge. You pity her and hope she won’t go too far but it isn’t stereotypical behaviour either. While it may seem that way, the way Fitzgerald has written it doesn’t come across as a cliché reaction. Instead, we see the pain and torment Maggie goes through and the reasons why she goes down this path and it is entirely justified, and as it continues it’s clear how it gets out of control which, in a way, is through no fault of her own. Influenced and controlled by the company she has sought comfort in rather than her own destructive forces.
By the end of the book it feels like you have been through as much of a journey as Maggie, one that is never certain there will be a light at the end of the tunnel. Fitzgerald offers a chance of hope and redemption but she makes sure that it is worked for and not freely given which is something that makes this book that much better and unforgettable.
A longer version of this review was posted on my blog http://lostinagoodbk.wordpress.com/20...
The first book in the Five series, this story is about Maggie, a woman who tragically loses her family in a freak accident and tries her best at dealing with the aftermath The story drags you in to Maggie’s world almost right away, a world that starts off as being about family, love, and great memories and is replaced by one that is filled with pain and loss.
The way Fitzgerald has constructed Maggie is wonderful. She isn’t anything too special, she is a mum and a wife, and she is a regular person who has a tragedy in her life and must find a way of dealing with it. This makes her real and someone who was never expecting to have to deal with something like this.
I really liked how Fitzgerald depicted Maggie’s grief and how she was coping. She makes it clear that there is no overnight downfall, nor is there an overnight recovery. People do not succumb to temptations and bad situations in one week and we see this slow decline in Maggie and in how she acts and how she feels as the days pass on.
By telling the story through Maggie it allows you to see the reasons and justifications for her actions and really get a deep sense of the emotions and the hollowness she is feeling. I loved that Fitzgerald doesn’t even make it terribly complex, but the emptiness is evident and it is clearly portrayed that Maggie is at a loss of what to do and shuts herself down and becomes a shell of herself.
Fitzgerald never takes the reader’s sympathy away from Maggie, even when she gets worse, because we understand it so well from her point of view and we know what she is feeling and why she does what she does. There is no third party judgement, and even other characters like Luke do not judge, he lets her go through what she needs to go through without making her recover too quickly.
As Maggie begins to lose control of her pain she turns to drinking and bad company to numb it but it still isn’t something that you judge. You pity her and hope she won’t go too far but it isn’t stereotypical behaviour either. While it may seem that way, the way Fitzgerald has written it doesn’t come across as a cliché reaction. Instead, we see the pain and torment Maggie goes through and the reasons why she goes down this path and it is entirely justified, and as it continues it’s clear how it gets out of control which, in a way, is through no fault of her own. Influenced and controlled by the company she has sought comfort in rather than her own destructive forces.
By the end of the book it feels like you have been through as much of a journey as Maggie, one that is never certain there will be a light at the end of the tunnel. Fitzgerald offers a chance of hope and redemption but she makes sure that it is worked for and not freely given which is something that makes this book that much better and unforgettable.
A longer version of this review was posted on my blog http://lostinagoodbk.wordpress.com/20...
September 17, 2014
** DEBBIE'S 4 STAR REVIEW **
Maggie had the life we all dream about. The house, two kids, and the husband of her dreams. Maggie and Brendan grew up together and their relationship was every girls dream until one day her life was shattered and it was all taken away.
“My family has been taken away from me. Three precious lives cut far too short and all that is left to show for it are hollow words and lifeless forms.”
This is a story about Maggie’s journey after losing everything and having to pick up the pieces and move on. I was drawn in from the beginning and devoured the book in one day.
“I’ve come to learn that there is only one thing harder than picking out the casket to bury your husband in. It’s choosing out two additional caskets to bury your children in.”
Maggie was a strong woman but after the crappy hand she was dealt she turned to drugs and sex to escape. It took her time to realize that Luke who was there trying to help her put her life back together again was what she needed.
“I’m so sick of myself. So sick and tired of being me.”
“My life has become filled with turbulent highs bursting with lust and escape and bone crushing lows so dark and overwhelming my life could end and bring a smile to my face.”
Luke grew up with Maggie and went through a life-changing event too and he understood her pain like no one else could. He knew he had to stand back and be there but let her learn on her own. The chemistry between them was amazing and once they got together Holy Cow it was off the charts HOT!!!!!
“He’s not trying to help me forget, he’s trying to help me remember and cope.”
The book flowed really well and I loved how there was no insta-love. The relationship took time to grow. You felt Maggie’s pain along with her and I was praying that she would realize that Luke was perfect for her and stop torturing herself. Maggie needed to learn to accept what happened and move on.
“My family was killed in a horrible accident. And now they are all gone. No matter how much I beg or bargain, how angry I may get or how many tears I shed nothing is going to change the fact that they will be forever gone. At least in their forever they get to spend it together.”
Maggie had the life we all dream about. The house, two kids, and the husband of her dreams. Maggie and Brendan grew up together and their relationship was every girls dream until one day her life was shattered and it was all taken away.
“My family has been taken away from me. Three precious lives cut far too short and all that is left to show for it are hollow words and lifeless forms.”
This is a story about Maggie’s journey after losing everything and having to pick up the pieces and move on. I was drawn in from the beginning and devoured the book in one day.
“I’ve come to learn that there is only one thing harder than picking out the casket to bury your husband in. It’s choosing out two additional caskets to bury your children in.”
Maggie was a strong woman but after the crappy hand she was dealt she turned to drugs and sex to escape. It took her time to realize that Luke who was there trying to help her put her life back together again was what she needed.
“I’m so sick of myself. So sick and tired of being me.”
“My life has become filled with turbulent highs bursting with lust and escape and bone crushing lows so dark and overwhelming my life could end and bring a smile to my face.”
Luke grew up with Maggie and went through a life-changing event too and he understood her pain like no one else could. He knew he had to stand back and be there but let her learn on her own. The chemistry between them was amazing and once they got together Holy Cow it was off the charts HOT!!!!!
“He’s not trying to help me forget, he’s trying to help me remember and cope.”
The book flowed really well and I loved how there was no insta-love. The relationship took time to grow. You felt Maggie’s pain along with her and I was praying that she would realize that Luke was perfect for her and stop torturing herself. Maggie needed to learn to accept what happened and move on.
“My family was killed in a horrible accident. And now they are all gone. No matter how much I beg or bargain, how angry I may get or how many tears I shed nothing is going to change the fact that they will be forever gone. At least in their forever they get to spend it together.”
January 18, 2015
As soon as I read the description for this book I knew I had to read it. I was in the mood for an emotional read and this book was that and more. Maggie’s Five made me cry and really think about how I would react if some of the events that happened to Maggie happened to me. I LOVE books that make me think and reflect on life in general.
The book starts out with Maggie and her family. She has a loving husband Brendan and to beautiful daughters. Her husband loves her dearly and her life is perfect. Then BAM its all gone in the blink of an eye. Tragedy has ripped Maggie’s world apart and she has lost her family. No one is sure how she is going to move on or what she is going to do. Luke was there for her. He never really pushed her but was just around. They aren't involved romantically but he helps her begin to move on. When he has to leave to go deal with his company Maggie feels like everyone leaves her and spirals downward. She feels everyone will eventually leave her so why bother trying anymore. She meets Red. Red uses her for sex and money but Maggie really doesn't care she just wants to feel nothing. Red helps her do that. He keeps her drugged up on who knows what and she feels numb. This is when I really started to wonder how I would react if I lost my husband and children. While I was upset with Maggie’s choices I can’t say that I would not want to feel numb as well.
When Luke returns he finds Maggie a mess and reveals that he understands all too well about lose. He seems determined to help Maggie and keep her safe. But, Maggie is not sure she can return and recover from the things she has done with Red. This is when I started wondering- Will Luke be able to help Maggie recover? Maybe even find love? I don’t want to ruin the book for readers so I will stop right here. Pick up this book today and you won’t be disappointed!! Thank you Sandra for writing an amazing story about love and lose.
The book starts out with Maggie and her family. She has a loving husband Brendan and to beautiful daughters. Her husband loves her dearly and her life is perfect. Then BAM its all gone in the blink of an eye. Tragedy has ripped Maggie’s world apart and she has lost her family. No one is sure how she is going to move on or what she is going to do. Luke was there for her. He never really pushed her but was just around. They aren't involved romantically but he helps her begin to move on. When he has to leave to go deal with his company Maggie feels like everyone leaves her and spirals downward. She feels everyone will eventually leave her so why bother trying anymore. She meets Red. Red uses her for sex and money but Maggie really doesn't care she just wants to feel nothing. Red helps her do that. He keeps her drugged up on who knows what and she feels numb. This is when I really started to wonder how I would react if I lost my husband and children. While I was upset with Maggie’s choices I can’t say that I would not want to feel numb as well.
When Luke returns he finds Maggie a mess and reveals that he understands all too well about lose. He seems determined to help Maggie and keep her safe. But, Maggie is not sure she can return and recover from the things she has done with Red. This is when I started wondering- Will Luke be able to help Maggie recover? Maybe even find love? I don’t want to ruin the book for readers so I will stop right here. Pick up this book today and you won’t be disappointed!! Thank you Sandra for writing an amazing story about love and lose.
Read
July 2, 2015My rating is 3.5 out of 5.
This was a very emotionally charged novel about dealing with
the huge loss of loved ones. The main female character is
also trying to survive the dark lifestyle she entangles herself
with in order to numb her pain. "Maggie's Five" pulls you into
the story during the beginning and midway but kind of lost me
a little toward the end. All together, this was an interesting and
decent read.
Full blogging-review coming soon:
BooksMoviesFandoms.wordpress.com
This was a very emotionally charged novel about dealing with
the huge loss of loved ones. The main female character is
also trying to survive the dark lifestyle she entangles herself
with in order to numb her pain. "Maggie's Five" pulls you into
the story during the beginning and midway but kind of lost me
a little toward the end. All together, this was an interesting and
decent read.
Full blogging-review coming soon:
BooksMoviesFandoms.wordpress.com
October 5, 2015
Brace yourself for an emotional rollercoaster and a journey through grief. One minute I was feeling flushed, then the next I was sobbing. What starts as a romantic happy story, twists and turns into something darker. I just wanted to wrap my arms around Maggie and take her somewhere safe, but I had to take a step back and simply travel along her beside her as her heart healed.
October 6, 2014
Loved this book. I couldn't put it down. I read it in one day. Omg the kitchen scene was freaking hot!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews