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Beautiful Mess #7
Heart of Light
RECOMMENDED FOR AGES EIGHTEEN AND UP DUE TO EXPLICIT SEXUAL SITUATIONS, STRONG LANGUAGE, AND GRAPHIC VIOLENCE.
Twelve years ago, Jolene’s adoptive mother died. Twelve years ago, a man showed up at Jolene’s door and promised to take care of her. Twelve years ago, Jolene was happy. Then it all changed…
Jolene Bergio has spent the last twelve years of her life asking one question… Why? Why was she left in the custody of a man who would sell her each and every night to the highest bidder? After a few years, she shut off, giving up hope that anyone would ever find her. Until her luck changed one night and she escaped.
Twelve years later, she finally feels something she hasn’t felt in a long time… Free.
Almost.
Scared that her past will find her unexpectedly, she hides away in a rented beach house, trying to distance herself from everyone… Until Dr. Cameron Bowen enters her world and slowly tears down the walls that she has built up over the past twelve years of her captivity. Jolene begins to learn to love again.
And trust again.
But when a man from Jolene’s past emerges, will she be able to keep her identity hidden? When lies are told and hearts are broken, will the truth surface in time to bring Jolene back from the shadows that threaten to expose who she really is?
Twelve years ago, Jolene’s adoptive mother died. Twelve years ago, a man showed up at Jolene’s door and promised to take care of her. Twelve years ago, Jolene was happy. Then it all changed…
Jolene Bergio has spent the last twelve years of her life asking one question… Why? Why was she left in the custody of a man who would sell her each and every night to the highest bidder? After a few years, she shut off, giving up hope that anyone would ever find her. Until her luck changed one night and she escaped.
Twelve years later, she finally feels something she hasn’t felt in a long time… Free.
Almost.
Scared that her past will find her unexpectedly, she hides away in a rented beach house, trying to distance herself from everyone… Until Dr. Cameron Bowen enters her world and slowly tears down the walls that she has built up over the past twelve years of her captivity. Jolene begins to learn to love again.
And trust again.
But when a man from Jolene’s past emerges, will she be able to keep her identity hidden? When lies are told and hearts are broken, will the truth surface in time to bring Jolene back from the shadows that threaten to expose who she really is?
434 pages, ebook
First published August 13, 2014
204 people are currently reading
2404 people want to read
About the author
T.K. Leigh
64 books4,500 followers
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T.K. Leigh, otherwise known as Tracy Leigh Kellam, is the USA Today Bestselling author of the Beautiful Mess series, in addition to several other works. Originally from New England, she now resides outside of Raleigh with her husband, beautiful daughter, three cats, and special needs rescue dog.
When she’s not writing she can be found training for her next marathon (of which she has run over twenty fulls and far too many halfs to recall), having impromptu dance parties with her daughter, or planning her next trip to parts unknown.
JOIN MY READER GROUP
SIGN UP FOR MY NEWSLETTER
FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM
T.K. Leigh, otherwise known as Tracy Leigh Kellam, is the USA Today Bestselling author of the Beautiful Mess series, in addition to several other works. Originally from New England, she now resides outside of Raleigh with her husband, beautiful daughter, three cats, and special needs rescue dog.
When she’s not writing she can be found training for her next marathon (of which she has run over twenty fulls and far too many halfs to recall), having impromptu dance parties with her daughter, or planning her next trip to parts unknown.
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August 31, 2014DNF @ 21 Percent
Jolene escapes from being held captive and used for sex for 10 brutal years. She flees to Amelia Island, Florida and scores a beach house to rent.
On her first day hiding out:
1. She breaks and tells people her real name because she trusts these new people after 24 hours.
2. Makes a bff and spills all her dark secrets.
3. Falls in love with a guy named Cam and visce versa.
The instant love was preposterous and thus I stopped because this story wasn't for me.
Jolene escapes from being held captive and used for sex for 10 brutal years. She flees to Amelia Island, Florida and scores a beach house to rent.
On her first day hiding out:
1. She breaks and tells people her real name because she trusts these new people after 24 hours.
2. Makes a bff and spills all her dark secrets.
3. Falls in love with a guy named Cam and visce versa.
The instant love was preposterous and thus I stopped because this story wasn't for me.
August 26, 2014
ARC provided by authors in exchange of honest review
☆☆☆☆☆ 5 “Tomorrow” Stars ☆☆☆☆☆
The Beautiful Mess Series by T.K. Leigh will always hold a special place in my heart. This was the first time I was introduced to this talented author and of course I cannot forget Mr. B and his Olivia. But I must say T.K. Leigh has truly outdone herself once again in her newest novel, Heart of Light. Heart of Light absolutely 100% stole my heart. In this touching, breathtaking, and heartfelt story, Ms. Leigh spellbinded me with her ability to bring awareness in the matter of human trafficking. Intense, dark, raw and gritty, Ms. Leigh does not sweep under the rug of how important this awareness must be raised to the public. Not only does she weave layers of this subject matter but she brought life to her characters in Cam and Jolene. The journey of their love has no words. It’s one of those rare love you can only hope to find. A love that has no bounds. A love that is light. A love that brings hope. A love that heals. And most importantly a love that cannot be extinguished. They say the eyes are useless when the mind is blind and so Ms. Leigh will open our eyes to an emotional, raw and vulnerable story of Jolene Bergio. Human trafficking and monsters exists. The truth hurts. Nothing is black and white. Hope is a beautiful thing. Love is not perfect. And without darkness one cannot know light. They say the truth will set you free. And so begins the journey of Jolene as she claws her way out of the dark with the help of Cameron Bowen. And behind their eyes is a story to be told on how they discovered the HEART OF LIGHT.
Fear. Pain. Alone. Gritty. Sick. Raw. Dark. Monsters. These are a few words that come into my mind when I think of what Jolene Bergio had to endure for 10 years of her life being held captive as prisoner. As a victim of human trafficking, her life and innocence was stolen from her. Happiness, love and freedom ripped out from her. For 10 years, she endured what no one wants to experience where monsters still lurk in the dark. The lost of hope was inevitable but luckily for Jolene, an angel came to her rescue. With her help, Jolene was finally able to escape and run away from the monsters she feared. For the first time in 10 years, Jolene saw hope shining through.
Fearful and alone, Jolene found herself in Florida in a small coastal beach town of Amelia Island. With the little money she had, she rents out a beach cottage.In that one moment, Jolene found solace and peace with her newfound freedom. Not wanting to be found, she is hesitant to give out her name to people. Little did Jolene know, another angel was sent her way in the form of Cameron Bowen, who happens to be the owner of the house Jolene is renting.
Two years has passed since Olivia walked out on Cam’s life. The once cheerful and happy Cam was replaced with a man just going through the motions. But that all changes, when Cameron meets Jolene. For so long, Cam thought Olivia was the one but as it turns out, the one who truly owned his heart was the blue eyed brunette renting his beach house. Cam knows there is something that is burdening Jolene since she is fearful of letting people know her name and being touched. As a therapist that works with victims of sex and human trafficking, Cam has his suspicions of why Jolene is fearful.
Being the ultimate sweetheart, Cam aka Dr. Surfer Man tries to befriend Jolene since there is something in her that ignites him. He is drawn to the beauty of Jolene inside and out. Cam knows that he must take baby steps with Jolene since he doesn’t want to scare her. Slowly, Jolene begins to let her guard down and let Cam and his friends enter her life. For the first time, Jolene begins to FEEL. Feel the hope and love shine through her darkness.
Let there be light…. And so, begins the journey of Cam and Jolene. What a beautiful, emotional, and touching journey it was. Trust was one major step that Jolene had to overcome and luckily for her, Cam made it easy. He brought back life to Jolene. Sparks of happiness and love soon began to radiate off both them. Pieces of brokenness, darkness, and emptiness were slowly beginning to crumble and fade. Jolene finally saw the light. And Cameron Bowen was her light. His love burned so bright that it was fire to her heart and soul. So what happens when the monsters Jolene feared comes back haunting her and threatens to erase the traces of the light Jolene tried so hard to find. Will the darkness takeover? Or will Jolene find the strength in Cam’s love to guide her way out of the darkness?
What can I say but I absolutely LOVE CAMERON!! He was the shining knight. He was prince charming. He was Dr. Surfer Man. And most importantly he was Jolene’s light. They say love heals and he did just that with Jolene. He slowly mended and erased all the shattered pieces of Jolene’s heart. He was her sun. He was her protector. Simply, he was hers and he did everything in his power to make her see that their love will save them. He was just simply perfection. <3
One word to describe Heart of Light: Beautiful!!! This book blew my mind and I loved it. Ms. Leigh is such an amazing talented author. She literally took her readers on a roller-coaster ride of emotions. Not only did she take her readers on emotional ride, Ms. Leigh raised awareness on human trafficking. She did not sugacoat it but expose the raw and gritty side of where darkness and monsters exist. Intertwining layers of public awareness, she was able to incorporate a beautiful love story. Cam and Jolene love was breathtakingly beautiful It was so honest, raw and vulnerable. It was a love that stole my heart. A story that made you believe that heroes are real. For Jolene, she found her hero in Cameron Bowen. The pain, emptiness, and fear that Jolene felt literally gutted my heart. Jolene was a woman exposed. Her sadness and brokenness was written all over her face. I truly felt every ounce of her heartbreak, loss, fear, pain, love and happiness. What I truly love about this book was that Ms. Leigh made Heart of Light, a book to EXPERIENCE. A journey of finding love and letting it heal you. A journey of letting light in. And most importantly a journey of hope. A hope for tomorrow. And a reminder to us all that there’s light even in the darkest places.
T.K. Leigh
☆☆☆☆☆ 5 “Tomorrow” Stars ☆☆☆☆☆
The Beautiful Mess Series by T.K. Leigh will always hold a special place in my heart. This was the first time I was introduced to this talented author and of course I cannot forget Mr. B and his Olivia. But I must say T.K. Leigh has truly outdone herself once again in her newest novel, Heart of Light. Heart of Light absolutely 100% stole my heart. In this touching, breathtaking, and heartfelt story, Ms. Leigh spellbinded me with her ability to bring awareness in the matter of human trafficking. Intense, dark, raw and gritty, Ms. Leigh does not sweep under the rug of how important this awareness must be raised to the public. Not only does she weave layers of this subject matter but she brought life to her characters in Cam and Jolene. The journey of their love has no words. It’s one of those rare love you can only hope to find. A love that has no bounds. A love that is light. A love that brings hope. A love that heals. And most importantly a love that cannot be extinguished. They say the eyes are useless when the mind is blind and so Ms. Leigh will open our eyes to an emotional, raw and vulnerable story of Jolene Bergio. Human trafficking and monsters exists. The truth hurts. Nothing is black and white. Hope is a beautiful thing. Love is not perfect. And without darkness one cannot know light. They say the truth will set you free. And so begins the journey of Jolene as she claws her way out of the dark with the help of Cameron Bowen. And behind their eyes is a story to be told on how they discovered the HEART OF LIGHT.
Fear. Pain. Alone. Gritty. Sick. Raw. Dark. Monsters. These are a few words that come into my mind when I think of what Jolene Bergio had to endure for 10 years of her life being held captive as prisoner. As a victim of human trafficking, her life and innocence was stolen from her. Happiness, love and freedom ripped out from her. For 10 years, she endured what no one wants to experience where monsters still lurk in the dark. The lost of hope was inevitable but luckily for Jolene, an angel came to her rescue. With her help, Jolene was finally able to escape and run away from the monsters she feared. For the first time in 10 years, Jolene saw hope shining through.
Fearful and alone, Jolene found herself in Florida in a small coastal beach town of Amelia Island. With the little money she had, she rents out a beach cottage.In that one moment, Jolene found solace and peace with her newfound freedom. Not wanting to be found, she is hesitant to give out her name to people. Little did Jolene know, another angel was sent her way in the form of Cameron Bowen, who happens to be the owner of the house Jolene is renting.
Two years has passed since Olivia walked out on Cam’s life. The once cheerful and happy Cam was replaced with a man just going through the motions. But that all changes, when Cameron meets Jolene. For so long, Cam thought Olivia was the one but as it turns out, the one who truly owned his heart was the blue eyed brunette renting his beach house. Cam knows there is something that is burdening Jolene since she is fearful of letting people know her name and being touched. As a therapist that works with victims of sex and human trafficking, Cam has his suspicions of why Jolene is fearful.
Being the ultimate sweetheart, Cam aka Dr. Surfer Man tries to befriend Jolene since there is something in her that ignites him. He is drawn to the beauty of Jolene inside and out. Cam knows that he must take baby steps with Jolene since he doesn’t want to scare her. Slowly, Jolene begins to let her guard down and let Cam and his friends enter her life. For the first time, Jolene begins to FEEL. Feel the hope and love shine through her darkness.
Let there be light…. And so, begins the journey of Cam and Jolene. What a beautiful, emotional, and touching journey it was. Trust was one major step that Jolene had to overcome and luckily for her, Cam made it easy. He brought back life to Jolene. Sparks of happiness and love soon began to radiate off both them. Pieces of brokenness, darkness, and emptiness were slowly beginning to crumble and fade. Jolene finally saw the light. And Cameron Bowen was her light. His love burned so bright that it was fire to her heart and soul. So what happens when the monsters Jolene feared comes back haunting her and threatens to erase the traces of the light Jolene tried so hard to find. Will the darkness takeover? Or will Jolene find the strength in Cam’s love to guide her way out of the darkness?
What can I say but I absolutely LOVE CAMERON!! He was the shining knight. He was prince charming. He was Dr. Surfer Man. And most importantly he was Jolene’s light. They say love heals and he did just that with Jolene. He slowly mended and erased all the shattered pieces of Jolene’s heart. He was her sun. He was her protector. Simply, he was hers and he did everything in his power to make her see that their love will save them. He was just simply perfection. <3
One word to describe Heart of Light: Beautiful!!! This book blew my mind and I loved it. Ms. Leigh is such an amazing talented author. She literally took her readers on a roller-coaster ride of emotions. Not only did she take her readers on emotional ride, Ms. Leigh raised awareness on human trafficking. She did not sugacoat it but expose the raw and gritty side of where darkness and monsters exist. Intertwining layers of public awareness, she was able to incorporate a beautiful love story. Cam and Jolene love was breathtakingly beautiful It was so honest, raw and vulnerable. It was a love that stole my heart. A story that made you believe that heroes are real. For Jolene, she found her hero in Cameron Bowen. The pain, emptiness, and fear that Jolene felt literally gutted my heart. Jolene was a woman exposed. Her sadness and brokenness was written all over her face. I truly felt every ounce of her heartbreak, loss, fear, pain, love and happiness. What I truly love about this book was that Ms. Leigh made Heart of Light, a book to EXPERIENCE. A journey of finding love and letting it heal you. A journey of letting light in. And most importantly a journey of hope. A hope for tomorrow. And a reminder to us all that there’s light even in the darkest places.
T.K. Leigh
August 30, 2014
This is pretty much what I kept saying to myself over and over as I read this book: "um...what?" There are contradictions on almost every page, it made my head spin. Jolene is broken and fearful, yet feisty and strong. She afraid to be touched, until she turns into a seductress. Huh?
The story started out good, Jolene escapes her life as a prostitute after 10 years and takes a bus from Chicago to SC to find a new life. She dyes her hair, is watchful, and finds a place to rent. Then it all goes downhill. She won't tell anyone her name, or anything about herself. That is until about 24 hours have passed, then she has a new BFF and a guy she's pretty much in love with. So of course she's spilling her guts almost instantly.
Sure, Jolene's been forced into having sex with hundreds of men and cannot stand to be touched, but Cam has sexy silver eyes and great abs, so of course she can totally trust him! I mean, it's already been like 2 days since she's been free, surely that's enough time to get over 10+ years of abuse. Plus, he calls her cute nicknames like "tomorrow", "baby steps" and "peaches".
Apparently Cam was in love with someone named Olivia (from another book I think), and has been in a funk for TWO YEARS since she's been gone, but within 24 hours of meeting Jolene he's practically planning their wedding. He's a 38 year old doctor, who acts like he's a teenager in love for the first time. I didn't understand what he saw in Jolene, who pretty much spends all her time overreacting and running away. I found her exhausting.
The reason I'm giving this two stars instead of one, is that when Alex (again from another book I think) enters the picture and the story gets more action focused, it's much more tolerable. At least until Jolene turns into Sarah Connor and I'm once again rolling my eyes.
Finally, while there were hardly any typos in the book, there was one glaring exception. One cannot shoot heroine into their veins. It's HEROIN!
The story started out good, Jolene escapes her life as a prostitute after 10 years and takes a bus from Chicago to SC to find a new life. She dyes her hair, is watchful, and finds a place to rent. Then it all goes downhill. She won't tell anyone her name, or anything about herself. That is until about 24 hours have passed, then she has a new BFF and a guy she's pretty much in love with. So of course she's spilling her guts almost instantly.
Sure, Jolene's been forced into having sex with hundreds of men and cannot stand to be touched, but Cam has sexy silver eyes and great abs, so of course she can totally trust him! I mean, it's already been like 2 days since she's been free, surely that's enough time to get over 10+ years of abuse. Plus, he calls her cute nicknames like "tomorrow", "baby steps" and "peaches".
Apparently Cam was in love with someone named Olivia (from another book I think), and has been in a funk for TWO YEARS since she's been gone, but within 24 hours of meeting Jolene he's practically planning their wedding. He's a 38 year old doctor, who acts like he's a teenager in love for the first time. I didn't understand what he saw in Jolene, who pretty much spends all her time overreacting and running away. I found her exhausting.
The reason I'm giving this two stars instead of one, is that when Alex (again from another book I think) enters the picture and the story gets more action focused, it's much more tolerable. At least until Jolene turns into Sarah Connor and I'm once again rolling my eyes.
Finally, while there were hardly any typos in the book, there was one glaring exception. One cannot shoot heroine into their veins. It's HEROIN!
September 2, 2014
No just no. Spoiler involved. I have never read any of this author's work before, and sadly I probably won't read any more. I wanted to DNF so badly, but I didn't. I think everyone of my book friends did so I said I would take one for the team to star it. The main event in this book is the instant love factor. Here we have a girl who has been held captive and sold as a sex slave since her eighteenth birthday, however she has found a way out. She jumps on a bus and immediately heads to a beach island in Florida. There she meets Cam who immediately hates her upon hearing she has rented "the" house that the girl he is in love with stayed at, which he also owns. After a little berating from his friends he suddenly changes his tune and wants to know more about the mysterious stranger whom is living in his beach rental. They both within a twenty four hour period can't be away from the other, and are all each other think about. Meanwhile here comes one of her Ex rapist senators that follows her all the way down to the island while she was on a bus, plotting his exploit. He rapes her one night and threatens to send her back to "him" (her old owner). The very next day she is in Love with Cam and thinking about how hot he is and how much she wants him. Are you Fing kidding me? You just got raped and you want to go sleep with someone else? I wouldn't even want to look at another man let alone think about one no matter how much I loved him. You can't do this it doesn't even seem real when you do this. Yes I know this has tons of 5 star reviews, but mine isn't one of them. The ending predictable. Sorry if this seems harsh, but I know my group of readers won't like it. To much eye rolling from me, and to much instant love.
September 5, 2016
Did I read the same story?
This story was all over the god damn place.
I am going to rant and probably give away spoilers. Consider yourself warned. It isn't going to be pretty.
I do not recommend this.
This story was all over the god damn place.
I am going to rant and probably give away spoilers. Consider yourself warned. It isn't going to be pretty.
I do not recommend this.
August 20, 2015
So many problems... So little time
Writing
I'm immediately not a fan of the narration here being in third person omniscient, meaning that I've already had the thoughts and feelings of Jolene, the MC; the housekeeper, Rosa; and a random guard; Rosa's husband, Patrick; a Senator; a gas clerk; and a guy renting out a house by just 5% in the book. It's just too much.
Believability
Setting is Chicago. That's a problem! I'm supposed to believe that this girl was kept in a staffed hotel in lockdown, never allowed to leave, FOR TEN YEARS against her will as a sex slave? And, there are apparently other sex slaves on lockdown there as well?!? Nah, I don't think I care for your oceanfront property in Arizona:/
"He had friends in some rather high places. Her photo could already be plastered all over the news."
I'm sorry but I don't give a fuck who this "him" is, no way is a sex trade kingpin going to go to the news with a pic of the chick he's held captive 10 + years. Again, you can take that oceanfront property somewhere else.
Jolene has escaped captivity in Chicago and has set out to hide in Florida. She calls about a rental and agrees to meet the landlord.
Now, this chick can't stand for the guy that helped her escape to touch her because she's so traumatized and all, but yet she gets in the car with a random stranger to go look at the rental property? Wth kind of sense does that shit make?!
Jolene is described like a wounded baby deer, but her first interaction with a stranger shows her to be aggressive:
"Fine. You can give me a ride. But keep your hands to yourself," she retorted rather snidely.
She wants peace, freedom, and to lay low. So, when landlord dude asks her her name, she replies "I'd rather not say.." When he asks where she's from, she says "I'd rather not say... The less you know about me, the better off we'll both be."
Well hell! Of course! It's not like those kind of answers would peak vs diminish the guy's interest, much less be not be a huge red flag not to rent his property to some nameless chick that insinuates just knowing her name could be dangerous.
I digress, but...
The above interaction also features him saying multiple times what a good guy he is and how she should "trust" him. Ooookay, yeah, I tell random strangers all the time 'hey I know I just met you literally five seconds ago but you can trust me'
DNF
Didn't take long for this to be a clear no-go for me.
August 29, 2014
First off I will say that I am a huge fan of the Beautiful Mess series and Cam was my favorite character when it was all said and done. He was such an nice and understanding guy, you just wanted to see him get a HEA of his own.
In the Heart of Light Cam is still in Florida, still feeling the loss of Olivia even after a couple of years. In his heart he knows she belonged with Alexander, however that doesn't mean it was easy to let her go. Cam has a great job, is good looking and wants to share his life with someone special. Thinking that isn't possible, he meets the beautiful Jolene at his beach rental.
Jolene is finally free. After escaping a hellish situation, she has landed in Florida, in Cam's beach house. Jolene has spent the last ten years in the worst way possible, so to say she's a bit cautious is stating it mildly. Jolene has zero trust for anybody, especially men. All of her life she was either let down or used by men and she has had enough. Hiding from her past, Jolene is trying her best to be "normal".
Befriending Benny, Cam's bestie and Benny's girlfriend Elsie, Jolene starts to actually feel a bit of the freedom she craves. Of course things aren't going to be easy and the drama ensues. Her past is catching up to her, she is running out of options, including Cam. She's gone from dark to light, back to the dark.
In true T.K. Leigh we get action with our romance. While I liked the story, I didn't like it for Cam. I felt like the romance was rushed and would liked to have seen him with a different type of girl. I didn't feel any connection to Jolene while reading, although I felt for her plight towards freedom.
In the Heart of Light Cam is still in Florida, still feeling the loss of Olivia even after a couple of years. In his heart he knows she belonged with Alexander, however that doesn't mean it was easy to let her go. Cam has a great job, is good looking and wants to share his life with someone special. Thinking that isn't possible, he meets the beautiful Jolene at his beach rental.
Jolene is finally free. After escaping a hellish situation, she has landed in Florida, in Cam's beach house. Jolene has spent the last ten years in the worst way possible, so to say she's a bit cautious is stating it mildly. Jolene has zero trust for anybody, especially men. All of her life she was either let down or used by men and she has had enough. Hiding from her past, Jolene is trying her best to be "normal".
Befriending Benny, Cam's bestie and Benny's girlfriend Elsie, Jolene starts to actually feel a bit of the freedom she craves. Of course things aren't going to be easy and the drama ensues. Her past is catching up to her, she is running out of options, including Cam. She's gone from dark to light, back to the dark.
In true T.K. Leigh we get action with our romance. While I liked the story, I didn't like it for Cam. I felt like the romance was rushed and would liked to have seen him with a different type of girl. I didn't feel any connection to Jolene while reading, although I felt for her plight towards freedom.
August 7, 2014
This amazing author has done it again. She's written another awesome suspense story with romance wrapped all around it.
Cam is a fantastically sweet surfer man (not boy) who loves with his whole being. Which is why I loved him so much in the Beautiful Mess series. I love his character. #GirlBoner. Does that say it all or what!
Jolene. Wow. Where do I even start. To think what has happened to her in this book actually goes on in this world of ours in unreal and will draw you in and keep you there. Right next to Jolene.
I loved this story. Human trafficking isn't something you read a lot about and T.K. Leigh wrote about in a way that sticks you right in the middle of what it could be like from many angles. From the victim, and the people who love them, to the creeps behind it all. This book gutted me but in the most awesome way. Get your tissues stocked and ready. Sometimes in your darkest moments ya just need a little light. This book reminded me that no matter what your "dark" is always look for the "light" and you will find it.
Heart of Light
You can get to know Cam a little in the Beautiful Mess series as well.
The Beautiful Mess Series
Cam is a fantastically sweet surfer man (not boy) who loves with his whole being. Which is why I loved him so much in the Beautiful Mess series. I love his character. #GirlBoner. Does that say it all or what!
Jolene. Wow. Where do I even start. To think what has happened to her in this book actually goes on in this world of ours in unreal and will draw you in and keep you there. Right next to Jolene.
I loved this story. Human trafficking isn't something you read a lot about and T.K. Leigh wrote about in a way that sticks you right in the middle of what it could be like from many angles. From the victim, and the people who love them, to the creeps behind it all. This book gutted me but in the most awesome way. Get your tissues stocked and ready. Sometimes in your darkest moments ya just need a little light. This book reminded me that no matter what your "dark" is always look for the "light" and you will find it.
Heart of Light
You can get to know Cam a little in the Beautiful Mess series as well.
The Beautiful Mess Series
September 25, 2014
Favorite Quotes:
“He made a mental note to stop giving Elsie so much crap for saying that he only went for the troubled girls. She was spot on, and it took him running on the beach past midnight after a girl wearing wet underwear to make him fully realize what she had been saying for years.”
“I’d rather suffer from blue balls because of you than be with anyone else. I have a feeling you’ll be worth the wait.”
My Review:
This is my virgin voyage with T.K. Leigh, although I have been hearing about her books and beloved characters since she started spinning her tales over a year ago. I am relieved to say – I get it now. I was actually a bit hesitant and afraid to start this book, as it sounded heavy and intense. And while the subject matter is a weighty and scary one, Ms. Leigh’s writing made it palatable and human. Her narrative flows well, and is easy to follow – an amazing feat for a lawyer – smirk… Maybe it is finally time for me to check out her earlier works so I can enter into those fierce Facebook debates with other bloggers and devotees, and decide whether I am Team Cam or Team Alex, although I suspect I would be a bit biased having started with this one. I have a feeling I cannot lose with either team, and look forward to reading her backlist as well as any future works she cares to scribble.
“He made a mental note to stop giving Elsie so much crap for saying that he only went for the troubled girls. She was spot on, and it took him running on the beach past midnight after a girl wearing wet underwear to make him fully realize what she had been saying for years.”
“I’d rather suffer from blue balls because of you than be with anyone else. I have a feeling you’ll be worth the wait.”
My Review:
This is my virgin voyage with T.K. Leigh, although I have been hearing about her books and beloved characters since she started spinning her tales over a year ago. I am relieved to say – I get it now. I was actually a bit hesitant and afraid to start this book, as it sounded heavy and intense. And while the subject matter is a weighty and scary one, Ms. Leigh’s writing made it palatable and human. Her narrative flows well, and is easy to follow – an amazing feat for a lawyer – smirk… Maybe it is finally time for me to check out her earlier works so I can enter into those fierce Facebook debates with other bloggers and devotees, and decide whether I am Team Cam or Team Alex, although I suspect I would be a bit biased having started with this one. I have a feeling I cannot lose with either team, and look forward to reading her backlist as well as any future works she cares to scribble.
September 24, 2014
“Yes, I need it. To be free from the darkness. Please, Cam. Be my light.”
If that isn’t a quote that breaks your heart, then don’t fret, Heart of Light has a million more to choose from that are sure to twist you and your soul up into tiny little pieces. This book was a turbulent wave of emotion for me. I cried, I laughed, I had my heart broken more times than I can count, but most of all - I felt hope. Hope for the beauty of love, for the power of a strong spirit, and hope that good really can triumph over evil. T.K. Leigh touches on some very real, horrific crimes that unfortunately, a lot of females fall victim to. After finishing this story, I found myself completely in awe of her and her writing ability. The way that she managed to portray the seriousness of the topics without glorifying or romanticizing them in any way, well to me, that truly is a gift. While its no secret that I am a fan of darker reads, the truth of the matter is, the subjects in this book are issues that are often ignored everyday in the real world.
Jolene is a survivor. Held captive and forced into prostitution for 10 years, she has become an expert at survival, protecting herself the only way she can. Retreating into the darkness and closing herself off from the heinous acts she’s forced to commit. Freedom comes in the form of a caring couple that work tirelessly on a plan to smuggle her out of her prison. To everyone’s shock, the plan works, and soon she is on the run. Jolene was the girl more heavily guarded than any other, considered the “princess” to the boss, a fact that haunts her days and nights with the most inconceivable nightmares. Desperate to put as many miles between herself and the Hell she lived through as possible, she runs until she can go no farther. Landing in quiet Amelia Island, she begins the torturously long process of healing.
Cam Bowen is a jerk. Or is he? Suffering from the pain and humiliation of losing the one girl he thought he loved, he’s been closed off and a cold version of the man he used to be. Nothing his best friend Benny says can get through to him. He spends his days focused on his patients in his practice, and his free time out on the water enjoying the Florida surf (yes, insert mental image of hot surfer man here). Discovering that Benny has rented out his beach house is not news he takes lightly, and when the occupant bears a startling resemblance to her, he explodes.
Jolene learned the hard way that men can’t be trusted. When Benny rents her the quaint little beach house, she warily trusts puts her trust in him while stubbornly refusing his attempts at friendship. The affectionate way he called her “Tomorrow”, and promised to look out for her, while the words and actions warmed her on the inside, they hit the steel wall on the outside. Her freedom was dependant upon no one getting close to her, on her being invisible. When Cam shows up and throws a fit about her living in his house, that’s all it takes to send Jolene running.
Cam knows his harsh reaction frightened Jolene, but what he didn’t expect was the ball of fire she turned into – her sharp tongue has him stumbling, and causes a physical yearning he hasn’t felt in years. Convincing her to stay after he all but threw her out becomes one of his greatest challenges, but the more he spends time wither, the more he knows the rewards will be profound. I enjoyed the way Cam and Jolene slowly began to open up to each other and to heal the broken bits of themselves. She is a woman running at full speed to catch up with her own life, dying to experience everything at once, but terrified at the same time of letting anyone too close. Cam feels himself come back to life when he’s with her, slowly remembering the pieces of himself that heartbreak stole. He falls for her and he falls fast. Some may say that seems a little unbelievable, but for me – I’ve always trusted that the heart doesn’t need time, it can recognize its soul mate in an instant. These two are the perfect example of that.
“You need time. But know this, I will kiss you. And after that, you’ll never want anyone else’s lips on yours for the rest of your life.”
Happy ending for them right? Jolene escaped and found someone who loves her. Well, before you call out the parade – you should know that T.K. Leigh is a brilliant mastermind. The dark, sinister monsters never truly disappeared, they simply laid in wait for the opportune moment to reclaim Jolene for their own.
Is love enough to protect her? The past meets the present in a war that started years before Jolene was born. Secrets. Deceit and treachery. Devastating loss and unthinkable pain. This is a story that will affect you with the simplest of phrases, the smallest of words. Keep the tissues handy – you’re going to need them.
xo Cassia
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March 12, 2016This book was beyond amazing! TK Leigh is a master story teller. I didn't think she could top the Beautiful Mess books, but boy was I wrong!
We got to meet and fall in a love/hate relationship with Cam in A Tragic Wreck. I wanted to love him but my love for all things Alexander and Olivia kept me on team Alex. In the Heart of Light you will be 100% team Cam.
The Heart of Light is a stand alone novel. You do not need to read the Beautiful Mess series to read this book.
It's been 2 years since his heart was broken by Olivia and he hasn't been able to put her out of his mind, no matter how hard he tried. That was until he saw the beautiful woman standing on the porch of his beach house, her beach house. Cam was furious at his best friend Benny for renting out the house, especially to someone who looks so much like Olivia. Cam was a total rude ass to Jolene when he met her.
Jolene was finally able to escape the evil she had been forced to live for the past 10 years. She just hoped she was safe at Amelia Island. Jolene couldn't imagine going back to that man and being forced to do all the terrible things. She wanted to "feel" again and not be numb. Just the thought of being touched made her sick.
Cam realized that he was being a jerk and he found himself drawn to her amazing blue eyes that held so much emotion. Emotions he'd seen in his own sisters eyes. He knew she was hiding from something causing her so much pain. Cam is able to slowly build Jolene's trust and allow her to "feel" for the first time in 10 years. Will that be enough?
Jolene's past wasn't far behind and all her fears were becoming a reality again. She is forced to do unthinkable things to protect those she has become close to. This is causing the light to slowly burn out that Cam had pulled from her darkness.
Will Cam be able to save her, or will he lose the one person to make him feel love again?
This book put me thru a wonderful emotional ringer. It is heart stopping, gut wrenching and beautiful. I am suffering from a horrible book hangover with puffy eyes from crying so many tears.
We got to meet and fall in a love/hate relationship with Cam in A Tragic Wreck. I wanted to love him but my love for all things Alexander and Olivia kept me on team Alex. In the Heart of Light you will be 100% team Cam.
The Heart of Light is a stand alone novel. You do not need to read the Beautiful Mess series to read this book.
It's been 2 years since his heart was broken by Olivia and he hasn't been able to put her out of his mind, no matter how hard he tried. That was until he saw the beautiful woman standing on the porch of his beach house, her beach house. Cam was furious at his best friend Benny for renting out the house, especially to someone who looks so much like Olivia. Cam was a total rude ass to Jolene when he met her.
Jolene was finally able to escape the evil she had been forced to live for the past 10 years. She just hoped she was safe at Amelia Island. Jolene couldn't imagine going back to that man and being forced to do all the terrible things. She wanted to "feel" again and not be numb. Just the thought of being touched made her sick.
Cam realized that he was being a jerk and he found himself drawn to her amazing blue eyes that held so much emotion. Emotions he'd seen in his own sisters eyes. He knew she was hiding from something causing her so much pain. Cam is able to slowly build Jolene's trust and allow her to "feel" for the first time in 10 years. Will that be enough?
Jolene's past wasn't far behind and all her fears were becoming a reality again. She is forced to do unthinkable things to protect those she has become close to. This is causing the light to slowly burn out that Cam had pulled from her darkness.
Will Cam be able to save her, or will he lose the one person to make him feel love again?
This book put me thru a wonderful emotional ringer. It is heart stopping, gut wrenching and beautiful. I am suffering from a horrible book hangover with puffy eyes from crying so many tears.
September 11, 2014
5 intensely bright stars
Wow just wow!! Talk about a book hangover! Not sure what I just read, but wow!! This was an intense mind blowing type of book. This will be a book that sticks with me for quite awhile. I will definitely be needing a recovery book after this one.
Now after all of that being said I think the only negative I found was some repetitive phrases, and though it got a bit much for me (ie: "show me you love me" "show me how much you love me"), but it wasn't enough to make me stop reading. I just sort of rolled my eyes and moved on.
In this book you meet Jolene. She belongs to a human trafficker that is masquerading as a savior of women and a hotel owner. He has his hands in everything; FBI, police forces around the country, government, pretty much everything. With the help of a very sweet older woman that works as head of housekeeping as well as many others she is able to escape, but for how long she doesn't know. She does everything she can to conceal who she is and where she is going.
Then you meet her light in the darkness Cam or Dr. Bowen. She and he both try to keep their distance and fight things, but struggle tremendously. They both keep their distance for different reasons. Cam because she looks like a past love and Jolene because she doesn't want to be found out and various others.
This book is suspenseful and intense and there many other characters that are entwined within this story. There were lots of intense moments mixed in with lots of sweet & tender moments. Definitely not for the tender of heart though.
Wow just wow!! Talk about a book hangover! Not sure what I just read, but wow!! This was an intense mind blowing type of book. This will be a book that sticks with me for quite awhile. I will definitely be needing a recovery book after this one.
Now after all of that being said I think the only negative I found was some repetitive phrases, and though it got a bit much for me (ie: "show me you love me" "show me how much you love me"), but it wasn't enough to make me stop reading. I just sort of rolled my eyes and moved on.
In this book you meet Jolene. She belongs to a human trafficker that is masquerading as a savior of women and a hotel owner. He has his hands in everything; FBI, police forces around the country, government, pretty much everything. With the help of a very sweet older woman that works as head of housekeeping as well as many others she is able to escape, but for how long she doesn't know. She does everything she can to conceal who she is and where she is going.
Then you meet her light in the darkness Cam or Dr. Bowen. She and he both try to keep their distance and fight things, but struggle tremendously. They both keep their distance for different reasons. Cam because she looks like a past love and Jolene because she doesn't want to be found out and various others.
This book is suspenseful and intense and there many other characters that are entwined within this story. There were lots of intense moments mixed in with lots of sweet & tender moments. Definitely not for the tender of heart though.
August 25, 2014
Cam stole my heart in TK Leigh's Beautiful Mess series, after reading Heart of Light he's permanently imprinted as one of my favorite book boyfriends! Move over Mr. B, you've got some serious competition with this hero.
This story is a nightmare of epic proportions that plagues our world today, though Leigh has written it in the fictional sense, human trafficking is very real. I love the way she has educated readers as to what happens right under our noses yet not many people know about.
Nail biting, edge of your seat suspense and a beautiful and heart wrenching love story. Readers who love romantic suspense should snatch this book up. Cam and Jolene are really put through the wringer. You're in for one hell of a great ride. You may want to buy stock in Kleenex when you read this one. Absolutely amazing.
~ Erin, 5 stars
This story is a nightmare of epic proportions that plagues our world today, though Leigh has written it in the fictional sense, human trafficking is very real. I love the way she has educated readers as to what happens right under our noses yet not many people know about.
Nail biting, edge of your seat suspense and a beautiful and heart wrenching love story. Readers who love romantic suspense should snatch this book up. Cam and Jolene are really put through the wringer. You're in for one hell of a great ride. You may want to buy stock in Kleenex when you read this one. Absolutely amazing.
~ Erin, 5 stars
October 17, 2014
3 stars
Is it weird that I like the senator and Anthony for Jolene? The senator was obsessed with her and Anthony calls her Jo-Jo Bear, which is quite endearing.
The story's kind of dark, but not dark enough.
I breezed through some parts coz It was just too serious, borderline boring. Usually, the dark novels that I've read, they're serious but there's excitement, this one, not so much.
Is it weird that I like the senator and Anthony for Jolene? The senator was obsessed with her and Anthony calls her Jo-Jo Bear, which is quite endearing.
The story's kind of dark, but not dark enough.
I breezed through some parts coz It was just too serious, borderline boring. Usually, the dark novels that I've read, they're serious but there's excitement, this one, not so much.
September 23, 2014
There are a lot of high ratings for this book, but a lot of DNF's also. So I thought I would see for myself. I read it (admittedly skimming along many times) and have to totally agree the DNF's have got it right. I didn't care for it at all.
October 18, 2014
I really loved this book. I started reading this morning and kept going until I finished. I just couldn't bring myself to stop. It was great. I loved the story and the way it was written. I totally recommend it :)
August 31, 2014
I got bored, skimmed, didn't hold my interest whatsoever so it's a DNF @ 18%.
Again, all my DNF gets one stars.
Again, all my DNF gets one stars.
on-sale-to-read
April 10, 2017
August 27, 2014
This was an amazing tale of a beautiful young woman who has suffered unspeakable horrors but has managed to reclaim her life and find true love.
Human trafficking is one of the most horrific tragedies that plague our world today. Jolene is a victim of this, having been deceived as a young teenager. When she turns 18 the horrors of her future unfold before her. After suffering the most horrible of abuses for 10 years she manages to escape with the help of some wonderful people. She lands on a small island in Florida to begin a new life.
Cameron is a Psychiatrist who has basically been minimally living his life for the past few years, having lost the woman he thought was the love of his life. When he finds out that his friend has rented his beachfront cottage to a woman who bears a striking resemblance to his lost love, he comes across as quite a jerk when he meets Jolene for the first time. They start off on pretty rocky ground, but they both feel an attraction to each other that neither thought they were capable of.
What follows is a heartbreaking but inspiring story of what Jolene has been through, the psychological scars she carries, but the strength she possesses that helps her on the road to healing. Cameron is right there every step of the way, doing everything he can to help her, even though she is very reluctant to let anyone enter her life. All the while Jolene is terrified that the evil in her past will find her and take her back to the hell she lived through.
I thoroughly enjoyed the way T.K. laid out this story. We read about Jolene and Cameron, then we switch gears and read about Jolene's father and parts of his past and how it was possible for Jolene to be taken. We also get snippets of Jolene's captor and the bad men who surround him. The story flowed very smoothly, in my opinion. Jolene is deeply scarred and it takes her a long time to trust and allow anyone in her life. Cameron was an absolute saint with more patience than I've ever seen.
As painful as it is to read of the horrors that Jolene suffered, as well as all of the other girls who had been taken by her captor, the story is also one of hope and healing and intense emotion. This story will stay with me for a very long time to come.
Human trafficking is one of the most horrific tragedies that plague our world today. Jolene is a victim of this, having been deceived as a young teenager. When she turns 18 the horrors of her future unfold before her. After suffering the most horrible of abuses for 10 years she manages to escape with the help of some wonderful people. She lands on a small island in Florida to begin a new life.
Cameron is a Psychiatrist who has basically been minimally living his life for the past few years, having lost the woman he thought was the love of his life. When he finds out that his friend has rented his beachfront cottage to a woman who bears a striking resemblance to his lost love, he comes across as quite a jerk when he meets Jolene for the first time. They start off on pretty rocky ground, but they both feel an attraction to each other that neither thought they were capable of.
What follows is a heartbreaking but inspiring story of what Jolene has been through, the psychological scars she carries, but the strength she possesses that helps her on the road to healing. Cameron is right there every step of the way, doing everything he can to help her, even though she is very reluctant to let anyone enter her life. All the while Jolene is terrified that the evil in her past will find her and take her back to the hell she lived through.
I thoroughly enjoyed the way T.K. laid out this story. We read about Jolene and Cameron, then we switch gears and read about Jolene's father and parts of his past and how it was possible for Jolene to be taken. We also get snippets of Jolene's captor and the bad men who surround him. The story flowed very smoothly, in my opinion. Jolene is deeply scarred and it takes her a long time to trust and allow anyone in her life. Cameron was an absolute saint with more patience than I've ever seen.
As painful as it is to read of the horrors that Jolene suffered, as well as all of the other girls who had been taken by her captor, the story is also one of hope and healing and intense emotion. This story will stay with me for a very long time to come.
September 28, 2014
This can be read as a standalone, but I highly recommend you read A Beautiful Mess, A Tragic Wreck, and Gorgeous Chaos first. It is an incredible story and will help you see a bit more in to Cam and what a beautiful person he is. Though he was not in the whole series, he was a stand out character when he was present and I am so glad he got his own story.
Well, T.K. Leigh has done it again. She delivered a story full of suspense, action and emotion. She did a fabulous job of giving you an inside glimpse of forced prostitution and cracking a cold case all while delivering a beautiful love story. A love that Cam needed and a love Jolene deserved.
I loved Cam when I first met him in The Beautiful Mess series. He was so sweet that you couldn't help rooting for him and his happily ever after.
For a broken woman, I enjoyed Jolene and I liked seeing beyond her fragile exterior to hear her thoughts and know she was tough enough inside to pull through the torment she was subjected to for years.
There is also a great cast of secondary characters that will tug at your heart and a great appearance from a character from The Beautiful Mess series....sorry you will have to read it to find out who. I hate spoilers! You will enjoy this surprise as much as you will be flipping the pages to find out what happens next, who did what, who betrayed who and need to fan yourself with the romance, making for a well rounded read. Well done!
Well, T.K. Leigh has done it again. She delivered a story full of suspense, action and emotion. She did a fabulous job of giving you an inside glimpse of forced prostitution and cracking a cold case all while delivering a beautiful love story. A love that Cam needed and a love Jolene deserved.
I loved Cam when I first met him in The Beautiful Mess series. He was so sweet that you couldn't help rooting for him and his happily ever after.
For a broken woman, I enjoyed Jolene and I liked seeing beyond her fragile exterior to hear her thoughts and know she was tough enough inside to pull through the torment she was subjected to for years.
There is also a great cast of secondary characters that will tug at your heart and a great appearance from a character from The Beautiful Mess series....sorry you will have to read it to find out who. I hate spoilers! You will enjoy this surprise as much as you will be flipping the pages to find out what happens next, who did what, who betrayed who and need to fan yourself with the romance, making for a well rounded read. Well done!
August 26, 2014
I'm probably going to be the only person to admit this but I fell in love with Cam in A Tragic Wreck. If you haven't read The Beautiful Mess series, #1 you don't know what you're missing and #2 it's not necessary to have read that series in order to follow Heart of Light.
Two years after having his heart broken by Olivia Adler, Cameron Bowen is still a broken man. Jolene Bergio has just escaped from a nightmare life and finds herself renting Cam's beach house. She slowly allows him to break down the walls that she kept up to protect herself. He allows himself to fall for Jolene, harder than he's ever fallen for someone before. Their relationship is tested again and again but will their love for each other be enough?
T.K. Leigh has hit another homerun, look - baseball reference since you love the Red Sox, with this book. Even though the book deals with human trafficking, a tough subject, she writes the words on the pages with a sensitive touch. There were so many emotions running through me from the first page of Cam and Jolene's book. I was in tears by the end of the one chapter and then I was laughing during the next. Seriously, I just want to read this book over and over again. There were a few times that I was scared to turn the page because I wasn't sure what to expect. Leigh's books are always tearjerkers and this one is no different. She had me sitting up all day reading this book because I needed to know what happened.
This is definitely a book that everyone should read and I feel like T.K. Leigh did such an amazing job with it. I'm definitely leaning a little more towards Team Cam now but I'm sure that will change when Vanquished is released.
Two years after having his heart broken by Olivia Adler, Cameron Bowen is still a broken man. Jolene Bergio has just escaped from a nightmare life and finds herself renting Cam's beach house. She slowly allows him to break down the walls that she kept up to protect herself. He allows himself to fall for Jolene, harder than he's ever fallen for someone before. Their relationship is tested again and again but will their love for each other be enough?
T.K. Leigh has hit another homerun, look - baseball reference since you love the Red Sox, with this book. Even though the book deals with human trafficking, a tough subject, she writes the words on the pages with a sensitive touch. There were so many emotions running through me from the first page of Cam and Jolene's book. I was in tears by the end of the one chapter and then I was laughing during the next. Seriously, I just want to read this book over and over again. There were a few times that I was scared to turn the page because I wasn't sure what to expect. Leigh's books are always tearjerkers and this one is no different. She had me sitting up all day reading this book because I needed to know what happened.
This is definitely a book that everyone should read and I feel like T.K. Leigh did such an amazing job with it. I'm definitely leaning a little more towards Team Cam now but I'm sure that will change when Vanquished is released.
September 13, 2014
2.5 stars DNF :(
Never thought I'd be saying this, but this book just did not do it for me. Which comes as a shock bcas i was a HUGE fan of T.K Leigh's A Beautiful Mess series. I mean, I rated that book as one of my all-time-fav series, thats how much I loved it.
The things that bugged me about this book:
1. Was it just me, or did it not feel like this was the same Cam from a beautiful mess? He was still the same sweet guy, who tries to fix something or someone should I say that's broken...but I just didn't get the same feel from him as I did from the other book he was in.
2. I am a sucker for cheesy lines, but these two were just cheesy, with a capital C. It was page after page in some scenes, where they would declare stuff for each other, and I sound like a bi*ch, but yea yea get on with it, and can we move onto something else like the actually story. But hey, maybe it's just me, since i'm in the minority here with the ratings.
3. I feel like in every sentence, they would say each others names. That gave off a incoherent feeling to the writing in my opinion. I could understand the dialogue, without them having to say each other's names continuously.
However the storyline and concept, was headed in a good direction, but this book just wasn't my cup of tea. I am not trying to put the author down in any form, with my harsh comments, this is what I just felt about this book.
Never thought I'd be saying this, but this book just did not do it for me. Which comes as a shock bcas i was a HUGE fan of T.K Leigh's A Beautiful Mess series. I mean, I rated that book as one of my all-time-fav series, thats how much I loved it.
The things that bugged me about this book:
1. Was it just me, or did it not feel like this was the same Cam from a beautiful mess? He was still the same sweet guy, who tries to fix something or someone should I say that's broken...but I just didn't get the same feel from him as I did from the other book he was in.
2. I am a sucker for cheesy lines, but these two were just cheesy, with a capital C. It was page after page in some scenes, where they would declare stuff for each other, and I sound like a bi*ch, but yea yea get on with it, and can we move onto something else like the actually story. But hey, maybe it's just me, since i'm in the minority here with the ratings.
3. I feel like in every sentence, they would say each others names. That gave off a incoherent feeling to the writing in my opinion. I could understand the dialogue, without them having to say each other's names continuously.
However the storyline and concept, was headed in a good direction, but this book just wasn't my cup of tea. I am not trying to put the author down in any form, with my harsh comments, this is what I just felt about this book.
August 20, 2014
What can I say. I fell in love with Cam in The Beautiful Mess Series. He was such a sweet guy who always seemed to be trying to help others, even if it meant sacrificing his own happiness. In this book he is no different. We start off with a girl escaping a hotel where she has been being held against her will for quite some time. With the help of a loving staff member from the hotels staff she manages to flee. But to what? Getting as far away as she can she ends up on a beach.. Where she meets the owner of the house she is renting. When she looks into his eyes she can feel the safety and comfort she longs for. Now don't let me fool you into thinking this is all sugar-coated happily ever after kind of story. Jolene is a strong woman but she has a lot of issues and distrust especially when it comes to the opposite sex. She is a feisty one and I loved the bickering back and forth between her and Cam. There is some darker issues in the story-line but T.K. did a wonderful job with the story and I fell in love with these new characters. The story line was gripping and the character's were very relate-able. There are some ups and downs through out, and a very special guest shows up!!
There is so much I want to tell you but I don't want to ruin it for you... you will just have to read it and see. ;)
There is so much I want to tell you but I don't want to ruin it for you... you will just have to read it and see. ;)
September 2, 2014
I don't even know where to start. T.K. captured me with her first series, A Beautiful Mess. After reading those, I could not wait for Cam's story. And wow, she delivered.
T.K. writes with so much passion that it jumps off the pages to you, ropes you, and drags you into the book so deep that you feel as if you were living the story with the characters. She took a chance writing about human trafficking, and I am glad that she did. You can tell she really did her homework on this. It's heartbreaking to know that this is actually happening, and yet we are so unaware that this is taking place in our own backyards.
There are situations that happen in this story that make it extremely hard to read, especially when I knew that this tragic act is happening. The heartbreak and pain you feel for Jolene only makes you want to be her friend, give her support. When Cam steps in to care for her, as the reader, T.K. gives you no other option than to have profound happiness for this couple. Cam is pure, and his love is everlasting. He will sweep you of your feet and save you from the heartbreak you will endure. He was Jolene's light and in return, she was his.
Together, this couple as shone brighter than any other.
This story is a must read!
It can also be read as a stand alone.
T.K. writes with so much passion that it jumps off the pages to you, ropes you, and drags you into the book so deep that you feel as if you were living the story with the characters. She took a chance writing about human trafficking, and I am glad that she did. You can tell she really did her homework on this. It's heartbreaking to know that this is actually happening, and yet we are so unaware that this is taking place in our own backyards.
There are situations that happen in this story that make it extremely hard to read, especially when I knew that this tragic act is happening. The heartbreak and pain you feel for Jolene only makes you want to be her friend, give her support. When Cam steps in to care for her, as the reader, T.K. gives you no other option than to have profound happiness for this couple. Cam is pure, and his love is everlasting. He will sweep you of your feet and save you from the heartbreak you will endure. He was Jolene's light and in return, she was his.
Together, this couple as shone brighter than any other.
This story is a must read!
It can also be read as a stand alone.
February 24, 2015
I bought a signed copy of this book from the authors store on etsy. I was looking for a serious read, a book that made you think. This is not it. We start off with Jolene the daughter of Angelina, all I could think about was Angelina Jolie. Then we get the kidnapping/forced romance, which is the point of the book. But then the author shows her escaping and falling in love with a man in one day. I find it highly impossible for a woman who has been beaten and raped by every man she has ever dealt with to fall head over heals in love and trust with a man that quickly. I mean seriously? Let's deal with the true issues of human trafficking, not selling a book that is supposed to be hard hitting on this topic, but then turns into a trashy romance quickly. The book needs to be edited as well, if she would have said don't stop one more time I would have thrown the book across the room. Almost kisses? Barf, the whole book made me nauseous. If you are looking for a serious read, with a hard hitting story line, than quickly pass on this book! I think the author tried to do a brave thing by speaking about human trafficking, but man did it jump ship quickly. I am just disgusted that authors think we have to have a romance in every scene. Some books are better off without forcing "love" down the readers throat.
August 25, 2014
T.k. Leigh's best work yet! We met Cam in the beautiful mess series and most of us didn't like him so much, but then we see him in this tragic and beautiful story and fall in love with him.
This book is not for the faint of heart, it deals with some very heavy subject matter and is pretty dark in some places, but Jolene's story (even if fictional) is one that needed to be told.
This book had me ugly crying, yelling, and falling in love. You will be all over the place with your emotions and not be able to put this book down!
This story is gripping, beautiful, horrific and tragic all at the same time. You will question things, people, and you will be guessing all the way to the end.
Yes this is a romance, but more than that this is a story of surviving the most horrific things anyone should endure and finding your light!
If you haven't read t.ks books yet, start with Heart of Light! I didn't think she could top the beautiful mess series, but oh my god she did! I absolutely 10000% loved this book!
This book is not for the faint of heart, it deals with some very heavy subject matter and is pretty dark in some places, but Jolene's story (even if fictional) is one that needed to be told.
This book had me ugly crying, yelling, and falling in love. You will be all over the place with your emotions and not be able to put this book down!
This story is gripping, beautiful, horrific and tragic all at the same time. You will question things, people, and you will be guessing all the way to the end.
Yes this is a romance, but more than that this is a story of surviving the most horrific things anyone should endure and finding your light!
If you haven't read t.ks books yet, start with Heart of Light! I didn't think she could top the beautiful mess series, but oh my god she did! I absolutely 10000% loved this book!
September 10, 2014
I've cannot recall a time when I have ever been so conflicted to read a book. Subscribing to all the "pre-hype" pre-release information, fb postings etc. When I finally downloaded my copy I found that, although I desperately wanted to read it, I had all the "pre" hype stuff floating around my head bumming me out. This is a story meant to be told. It's difficult to imagine anyone you might know living life like this let alone someone you don't. It's a beautiful story. Beautifully told and beautifully written (as always T.K. Leigh). I find myself thinking that if this was a biography the subject would be more than satisfied with how her story was told to us all. I did cry when reading this book. Whilst I would like to think I did not "ugly" cry, truth be told I probably did. So glad I read this book and I cannot emphasize enough how much I would recommend you to read it too.
August 10, 2014
TK Leigh has outdone herself! Heart of Light was amazing.
We meet Cam who was left with a broken heart two years prior and Jolene who walks into his life when she rents his home in Amelia Island. Jolene is broken and running from the terrible life she has endured the last ten years. Even though Cam is not to fond of Jolene at first sight, he eventually has a change of attitude/heart and Cam becomes everything you would want in a man. You will be swooned by his love, and attentiveness for Jolene.
This book was suspenseful and very emotional. (Get the tissue ready!) It was like no other and touched a subject that many others never have. (Human Trafficking)
Read Heart of Light to find out if Cam will be able to save Jolene and get the happily ever after he deserves?
We meet Cam who was left with a broken heart two years prior and Jolene who walks into his life when she rents his home in Amelia Island. Jolene is broken and running from the terrible life she has endured the last ten years. Even though Cam is not to fond of Jolene at first sight, he eventually has a change of attitude/heart and Cam becomes everything you would want in a man. You will be swooned by his love, and attentiveness for Jolene.
This book was suspenseful and very emotional. (Get the tissue ready!) It was like no other and touched a subject that many others never have. (Human Trafficking)
Read Heart of Light to find out if Cam will be able to save Jolene and get the happily ever after he deserves?
July 3, 2019
Ugh. Just terribly written unrealistic story. The villains were doing everything except stroking their beards and saying mwahhaha, Jolene is incredibly damaged and yet gets into a serious relationship 2 weeks from escape with no therapy or confronting her trauma. Just a cute guy with beautiful eyes and a six pack. The story was horribly written. This author doesn't know the concept of show, don't tell. Everything was explicitly written out. Also, a guy earnestly saying "I'm one of the good ones" is a HUGE red flag. Good guys just don't say that. And every single one here did. "You can trust me after 12 horrible years of trauma, because after all, I'm one of the good ones." And then Jolene just... did. I did not enjoy this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 31, 2014
Hmmmm, OK what I like... the plot and concept. interesting with subplots but no twist that you couldn't easily guess.
what I DIDN'T like... the dialogue, beyond bad! no real people talk like this!
Secondly, the psychology of abuse victims... I'm sorry but forced sex slaves aren't walking in broad daylight the day after escaping, they are not telling their real names two days after escaping. No way are they looking to make love a day after being raped. There are many other ways examples.
What saves this book from a DNF was the storyline that was interesting and made you want to read more. To find out what happened.
what I DIDN'T like... the dialogue, beyond bad! no real people talk like this!
Secondly, the psychology of abuse victims... I'm sorry but forced sex slaves aren't walking in broad daylight the day after escaping, they are not telling their real names two days after escaping. No way are they looking to make love a day after being raped. There are many other ways examples.
What saves this book from a DNF was the storyline that was interesting and made you want to read more. To find out what happened.
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