Saving O'Connell

by Anke van Zweel

Brian O'Connell has lost everything even his will to live. That is until he sees Samantha Harrison, Brian realizes that he might not want to leave this earth without fully living his life.

Samantha Harrison was never a girl for romance but until a stranger offer up his seat on a train for her she starts to second guess her theory.

A chance encounter turn strangers into lovers.

Brian struggles with the battle between his heart and head, his fear of hurting Sam versus him not being able to live without her in his life.

Their love will be tested more ways than one but will it survive, will their love for each other be strong enough to save each other.

Does love really conquer all....

Genres: Romance

164 pages, Paperback

First published November 19, 2014

About the author

Anke van Zweel never thought that she would write a book in her life, but yet it crept up to her like a lion about to attack a Zebra.

Anke is a Fashion Communication Lecturer by day, a writer by night and a mother 24/7. Anke is a lover of good books, great movies and fabulous fashions, pretty much anything that will keep her inside. One thing she just doesn’t have the same flair for is Nature.

Anke being curious person by heart makes the saying a Jack of all trades but a Master of none true to her.

You can find Anke on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Anke book blog The A Word is available on Instagram and the podcast on Spotify and breaker

xoxo

Reviews

[warhawke · Rating 4 out of 5]

POV: First Person - Male (with 2 chapters of Female)
Rating:


Copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.


Brian O’Connell was a firefighter still reeling and dealing with a personal tragedy. He struggled with it so much that it robbed him of his will to live. He had made his choice when a chance encounter with a mysterious woman put his plan to a halt.

He saw her on the train on his way to his final destination. Her face haunted him and he just had to know who she was. And as if destined, they met again and started to hit it off.



Sam literally brought him a new lease in life. She brought him happiness that he hadn’t feel since the day of his personal tragedy. But what Sam didn’t know was that Brian had a personal demon that could shatter their bliss.

This book was a simple, uncomplicated quick read about finding love when you least expected. It was sweet with a tinge of sexiness. It was a commendable effort for a debut novella.

The storyline was decent, but I do wish for more intensity between the two characters. Brian’s concerns were understandable and realistic and his demons were fully explored. Sam’s however, felt incomplete.

I might have demons but I know Sam has hers also.

It was mentioned more than once that Sam has her own secret but I didn’t think I got it from the book. I was thinking maybe it was her encounter with that one person from his past, but it just didn’t make sense for that to be her secret because it wasn’t something significant that could put strain on their relationship. Also her issue with her parents wasn’t fully explored.

This is the first book that I’ve read with a firefighter as the main character and I like it. I like that we got to see a glimpse of his work, of how not only it was physically draining but emotionally also.



I also like that Brian was at times portrayed as a confident, cocky alpha, but he also had his vulnerabilities. I just wish the two sides converged more seamlessly.

One issue that I find to be distracting was the editing. It could use extra look to tighten up the sentences. There were sentences in a dialogue that were repeated immediately in a monologue that came after that. It was redundant. There were also more than several typos and incorrect spellings.

Overall it was an entertaining, quick and light reading. I could imagine someone reading it while waiting for/on a train – which would be really appropriate considering the scene in the book. Who knows, maybe you’ll meet your other half that way too :)

CLICK for Saving O’Connell Promo Tour + Excerpt.

For more reviews and promos visit:

[Tracy O’Sing · Rating 4 out of 5]

Saving O'Connell Anke van Zweel. *I received this book in exchange for an honest review*

A very quick read. An enjoyable short story that covered a couple of years, This story follows the life and relationship of Brian and Sam, the interaction between characters was sweet and the sexy moments were just that.. Sexy!!

I found I was wanting to know more, more about the relationship between Sam and her mother and more about other characters in the story specifically Matt, Brian's roommate /work colleague..

If you enjoy a story with romance, steamy scenes one which gives you that ahh feeling!!! then I say give this book a read..

[DawnMarie Carpintero · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Silly Stars

I was given this book for my honest review

Sweet and Sour chicken is always a good late night treat. Between the mouth watering flavors of the sweetness and the sourness our taste buds get a taste of a combination of delectable flavors of pure bliss. Who can resist the honey or is it sugar? The sourness of vinegar or is it soy sauce? The combinations that blend leave us with a mouthwatering, blissful taste that keeps us coming back for more.

Brian-firefighter, hunk and scarred

Samantha (Sam)-shy, pretty, and confident

Brian is a firefighter, hunk and the ole around great American guy but there happens to be one little problem when it comes to this well rounded man is he as great as everyone thinks he is? Brian carries a secret around with him with every rise and fall of the sun and the whispers in the night can this secret be revealed and when he happens to stumble on his saving grace will he have the strength to pursue her or walk away with the fears that are haunting him? Will he finally be able to put the haunting within him to rest and risk more with a saving grace?

Samantha is a wonderful, beautiful woman with a heart of gold. That loves deep within her soul. She lives every day for her not for others. She wants to find the love that comes from the lights on the horizon just before the night falls to the glowing of the glitter of the moon. Can one glance and a smile from a man be the one that sees her within the glow? Will one split second be enough for her to see her glowing glittering moon forever?

Brian and Samantha’s journey is not a simple one. The hidden fears that lie within Brian are fearful and threatening their relationship but not in away one thinks. Can Brian open up his fears to Samantha and let her into his fears or will he walk away and never let his heart feel the glow? Will Samantha stand by Brian and be there for him no matter what or will she walk away without her glow? They both know that inside and outside the bedroom that the hotness of being taken by one another is hotter than our favorite spice. Oh and as the spice is addicting so is their sex.Wooohoo Will these two find their glowing glitter or will they find total blackness? This is their journey.

To the author: This book took me on a journey that I have never come upon before. You have touched on a subject that I will admit can put a strain on a couple but with a little bit of this and a whole lot of that you created one awesome read. Blinders on us don’t always work we should open our eyes more to the world around us and within these pages that you have written you have created just that.

To the readers: This journey is one that you will want to read again and again.

Happy Reading

[Njkinny (Njkinny's Blog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

http://njkinny.blogspot.in/2014/12/bo...

Brian O'Connell has lost his will to live. That is until he sets eyes on the sweet, blue eyed Sam on a train. Is this love at first sight?
A chance encounter with Sam leads Brian hopeful of a life again but is it even possible because both Brian and Sam are hiding dark secrets.

Another one of my blogger friend is now an author and as soon as she told me about her book, I was more than happy to dive into it! :)

Saving O'Connell is a novella and Anke's first book. An intense story of chance encounters which can change the course of our lives, I enjoyed reading the book.

The cover is nothing too special but the blurb catches our attention. The book is written in first person mainly from Brian's POV but one or two chapters are written from Sam's POV also. Anke's writing style is simple, engaging and authentic. She made me visualize the scenes through her writing. There are a few words misused like instead of "off", "of" is used and several times words are skipped in sentences which could be handled through another round of editing.

The characters are beautifully developed and I could feel their emotions. The deep guilt and hurt of Brian sears the reader with its intensity. Similarly, his attraction towards Sam is sensuous and equally intense. Sam is opposite to Brian's serious persona. She is bubbly, ever smiling and even naive but they both complement each other beautifully. The romantic scenes between these two are hot and even erotic. Definitely enough to scorch you with their hotness. :)
The emotional struggle and journey of acceptance and support is admirably brought about by the author but I have one complain here. It is suggested that Sam has some dark secret which she is hiding but no clarity is given on it. Maybe there is a second book in works. Other than this, this is a short, quick and very intense story that will be enjoyed by all adult romance readers.

I give Saving O'Connell 4 out of 5 and recommend this book to all romance lovers above the age of eighteen years who read books with erotic themes. I look forward to reading more from Anke in the future and wish her the very best. :)

[Elsabe Van zweel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given this book in exchange for an extremely honest review.
When I first heard that Anke is writing a book I had my doubts. But she stuck to it and finally published. At first she didn’t want me to read it but eventually after I promised I will be objective she gave me the ARC copy to read.
What a great surprise this book was!! I was expecting a good read but this was way more than I anticipated. Written in first person from Brian’s perspective it was actually well done. The swear words, the short sentences, sometimes factual are what I thought made this book. Written like a man would if he was to tell his story.
What surprised me the most was the story line. It was intriguing. I sometimes forgot who the author actually was and in my book that is a good story teller. I couldn’t put the book down. The end came sudden although the last chapter was an indication that the story is wrapping up. I wanted the story to go on and on and on. Every time I had a few spare minutes I would read.
For your first novella I gave you the thumbs up, Anke, and like we say in Afrikaans …. Jy mag maar hoor!!! (you go girl!!!!!!).
I really cant wait to read your next book!!!!

[Shelly Wygant · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short sweet love story. Brian sees someone on a the train that he can't forget. She ends up saving his life. He then finds Samantha and it starts a sweet love story. This is a short novella so I don't want to give much away. You have two people that have had tragedy in their past. This is a story of how they find each other and fall in love. Not only are there love but some steamy love scenes. Even though it is a short story but you get to know the characters well. If you want a true romantic quick read pick up this book.

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

An amazing book -- connects brother to brother dad to son and fireman to fireman

This book about a fireman who looses his twin brother who is also a fireman at a call -- this shows that you can move beyond the loss of your twin and find love and a future in the least expected spot.

[Anke Zweel · Rating 5 out of 5]

[HeatherTX · Rating 3 out of 5]

A depressing start but turns into a sweet feel good kind of story.