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Broken Minds
For the last twelve years I’ve lived in fear. Fear of touch, fear of love, fear of the dark without the moon. But the letter I just received could put an end to it all—but not before pushing me to the edge one more time.
Twelve years ago my life was stolen from me. My heart led me to a place I never should’ve been because my mind didn’t know any better. Before that day, I was carefree and happy. I was excited about the future—a future that was blossoming with each passing day. A future with Trevor—my best friend and my new love. But what stood before us would break anyone, and what I didn’t know was that it had already broken him.
We would be held captive for ninety days. We weren’t allowed to think on our own, breathe on our own, or speak on our own. Our minds and bodies were pushed to the edge and eventually broke. By the end of our ninety days, we were both lost inside ourselves, but bound to one another. Even though Trevor smiled every day, his will was broken, his soul was sucked dry, and his mind was cracking with each passing day. But on this fateful day, I finally understood why his smile was sad because mine was also.
My name’s Keda Spencer and this is my story of survival, and the road that led to it.
**Warning: This novel may cause triggers and is meant for readers 18 years of age and older.**
Twelve years ago my life was stolen from me. My heart led me to a place I never should’ve been because my mind didn’t know any better. Before that day, I was carefree and happy. I was excited about the future—a future that was blossoming with each passing day. A future with Trevor—my best friend and my new love. But what stood before us would break anyone, and what I didn’t know was that it had already broken him.
We would be held captive for ninety days. We weren’t allowed to think on our own, breathe on our own, or speak on our own. Our minds and bodies were pushed to the edge and eventually broke. By the end of our ninety days, we were both lost inside ourselves, but bound to one another. Even though Trevor smiled every day, his will was broken, his soul was sucked dry, and his mind was cracking with each passing day. But on this fateful day, I finally understood why his smile was sad because mine was also.
My name’s Keda Spencer and this is my story of survival, and the road that led to it.
**Warning: This novel may cause triggers and is meant for readers 18 years of age and older.**
- GenresDark
Unknown Binding
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About the author
Nicki Rae
13 books52 followersNicki is the author of Lather: A Moore Love Novel and The Date: A Moore Love Short Story; The Perfection Series: Damaged and Resisting Perfection. She is a born Buckeye turned Hoosier who loves to spend time with her family. Along with being an avid reader, she also loves animals and the Indianapolis Colts!
You can also find information about Nicki Rae on Facebook at:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Nicki-...
Or, you can email her using the following address:
authornickirae@gmail.com
You can also find information about Nicki Rae on Facebook at:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Nicki-...
Or, you can email her using the following address:
authornickirae@gmail.com
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
November 28, 2016
This was all over the map. Keda and Trevor endured 90 days of torture together, and the story alternates between past and present and sometimes switches POVs between Keda and Trevor.
It starts with Keda, 12 years after she and Trevor escaped. She's been trying to get on with her life. She has a job and boyfriend, but she suffers from endless anxiety attacks still and misses Trevor. Everything hits her hard when she receives word that her attacker will finally be executed for his crimes.
Again, this switches from past to present a lot, including the notes Trevor wrote to her while the were being held together. The slightest thing for her triggers a panic attack, and she pukes. A lot. I felt like she was constantly vomiting in this book.
Keda's character was exhausting to read. While I felt sorry for her, it was a lot of talking and inner monologue about how much she struggled coming to terms with what happened. It's been 12 years, and she's made little to no progress. She also kept talking about how much she needed Trevor, how much she missed him, but she made zero attempt in that time to seek him out, soooo...
Trevor, when he did reappear, was another confusing point for me. The things he said, the way he behaved just didn't make sense to me. The whole story just seemed disjointed. The ending actually made the most sense, but then an epilogue to make it all rainbows and unicorns HEA was tacked on, and I was shakin' my head again...
It starts with Keda, 12 years after she and Trevor escaped. She's been trying to get on with her life. She has a job and boyfriend, but she suffers from endless anxiety attacks still and misses Trevor. Everything hits her hard when she receives word that her attacker will finally be executed for his crimes.
Again, this switches from past to present a lot, including the notes Trevor wrote to her while the were being held together. The slightest thing for her triggers a panic attack, and she pukes. A lot. I felt like she was constantly vomiting in this book.
Keda's character was exhausting to read. While I felt sorry for her, it was a lot of talking and inner monologue about how much she struggled coming to terms with what happened. It's been 12 years, and she's made little to no progress. She also kept talking about how much she needed Trevor, how much she missed him, but she made zero attempt in that time to seek him out, soooo...
Trevor, when he did reappear, was another confusing point for me. The things he said, the way he behaved just didn't make sense to me. The whole story just seemed disjointed. The ending actually made the most sense, but then an epilogue to make it all rainbows and unicorns HEA was tacked on, and I was shakin' my head again...
March 29, 2017
This book wasn't a good match for me. I like dark and emotional reads that deal with trauma but the style of this one just didn't work for me.
I felt that way too much time was spent in K's head listening to her inner ramblings, which were very repetitive. I would have like to have seen more time spent on the actual captivity, escape and healing. I also was really bothered by what struck me as inconsistencies in K's anxiety and behavior. I do get that anxiety is multi-faceted and can come out in many different ways in different people. But the description of her anxieties didn't match her behaviors or attacks. For example,
But the part of the book that really bothered me the most
For me all of these things acted as road blocks & distractions that prevented me from connecting with or getting deeply invested in this story.
I felt that way too much time was spent in K's head listening to her inner ramblings, which were very repetitive. I would have like to have seen more time spent on the actual captivity, escape and healing. I also was really bothered by what struck me as inconsistencies in K's anxiety and behavior. I do get that anxiety is multi-faceted and can come out in many different ways in different people. But the description of her anxieties didn't match her behaviors or attacks. For example,
But the part of the book that really bothered me the most
For me all of these things acted as road blocks & distractions that prevented me from connecting with or getting deeply invested in this story.
Read
March 16, 2017*DNF* May pick up later...
The writing style just didn't hook me and at about 10% I just felt too much action took place before the book and didn't connect with the flashback style.
The writing style just didn't hook me and at about 10% I just felt too much action took place before the book and didn't connect with the flashback style.
October 1, 2016
I received an ARC to give an honest review.
Wow this was a very powerful story that goes between Keda and Trevor and what they went through captured and how they are dealing with life now. This story broke my heart because these two kids had things done to them that should have never happened but overtime we see how both attempt to cope. Keda deals with so much that she can't have a normal relationship and her heart will always belong to Trevor. We don't see how Trevor is until towards the end of the story and let me tell you my heart stopped for Keda and I said oh no. The ending is a surprise one that I won't say anything about. This is a must read for older folks. It is dark, but we know with dark comes light.
The time frame was good and I didn't feel lost as we go from past to what led Keda being captured, to what is going on now within her life to the days leading up to the execution. It all flowed really well.
I really like Keda as a character because she really seemed to want to get over what happened to her but we see it was a struggle. It was good seeing a character not always be so tough when thrown into a horrible situation.
There was one part within the story that I really liked. " A park without children is a sad place of misplaced slides and lonely swings. When you walk up to an empty park, every swing, every set of monkey bars are staring at you, begging you to pick them and then grow sour as you walk to the swings. I'd guess the swings are the divas of the playground. No matter a person's age, they will always swing."
I really enjoyed this author's writing story and how she can make me as a reader fall into her story and not put it down. I plan on keeping my eye on her.
July 22, 2017
Woah. This book is intense, heavy, deep, dark, depressing, with a little light shining through. The darkness and sadness of this book was surprising, I was not expecting such a heavy read. At times, it was hard to read because of the tragic events that unfold before your eyes.
The author, Nicki Rae, did an absolute phenomenal job writing this story. It’s very dark and tragic but feels pretty darn real. As you read, the events and details are so realistic they will give you goose bumps on your arms and chills in your soul. The details and descriptions are incredibly realistic and chilling. They paint the picture for the past and the present. They give you a glimpse of the hell that the Keda faced for three months and the prison she was in for the twelve years following.
This was a good book and a good read. It left me guessing and left me hoping I was wrong. It’s not one of those books that you read in a light fluffy mind frame. It’s a book that might take you down a rabbit hole and will make you think and might leave you kind of broken. If you like dark heavy reads then this is absolutely the book for you.
The author, Nicki Rae, did an absolute phenomenal job writing this story. It’s very dark and tragic but feels pretty darn real. As you read, the events and details are so realistic they will give you goose bumps on your arms and chills in your soul. The details and descriptions are incredibly realistic and chilling. They paint the picture for the past and the present. They give you a glimpse of the hell that the Keda faced for three months and the prison she was in for the twelve years following.
This was a good book and a good read. It left me guessing and left me hoping I was wrong. It’s not one of those books that you read in a light fluffy mind frame. It’s a book that might take you down a rabbit hole and will make you think and might leave you kind of broken. If you like dark heavy reads then this is absolutely the book for you.
January 9, 2017
Child abuse
This was a good book. I had no idea that it speaks on child abuse. I felt really bad for Keada, her mind was truly broken. I'm happy that Trevor didnt die from the suicide!!. They got their happy ending after all... Wow.. I'm speechless..
This was a good book. I had no idea that it speaks on child abuse. I felt really bad for Keada, her mind was truly broken. I'm happy that Trevor didnt die from the suicide!!. They got their happy ending after all... Wow.. I'm speechless..
July 30, 2024
DNF
This book was far too much hard work to get through, it felt like pulling teeth.
The FMC was just a whinge! There's no progression or even attempts to be more than her pain. I'm all for the dark and captive but this just wasn't it for me
This book was far too much hard work to get through, it felt like pulling teeth.
The FMC was just a whinge! There's no progression or even attempts to be more than her pain. I'm all for the dark and captive but this just wasn't it for me
September 18, 2017
Love it!!!
I couldn't put it down. Was a though subject to write about but was done beautifully, can't Waite for more.
I couldn't put it down. Was a though subject to write about but was done beautifully, can't Waite for more.
October 10, 2016
This book was brilliant. Lots of emotions but brilliant nonetheless.
The story centres on two victims , two survivors but they both handle their journey very differently. Trevor and Keda, were held as prisoners for 90 days before escaping. However it seems their fight for survival starts once they escape. Initially I found myself to be really irritated with Keda because of the way she deals with things but as the story gets under way, the past is revealed and there is more understanding her behaviour. Trevor seems to be coping okay now but has he always coped, considering he suffered for much longer than her?
It's a powerful story, one of which is still playing on my mind now. The emotions it stirred within me were actually shocking but despite that I enjoyed the book very much. It was an easy read and the story flowed really well. Whilst there wasn't any cliffhangers at the end of the chapters, I really wanted to carry on reading to find out more. Plus the chapters alternate between now and then so that's when the story unfolds.
The story centres on two victims , two survivors but they both handle their journey very differently. Trevor and Keda, were held as prisoners for 90 days before escaping. However it seems their fight for survival starts once they escape. Initially I found myself to be really irritated with Keda because of the way she deals with things but as the story gets under way, the past is revealed and there is more understanding her behaviour. Trevor seems to be coping okay now but has he always coped, considering he suffered for much longer than her?
It's a powerful story, one of which is still playing on my mind now. The emotions it stirred within me were actually shocking but despite that I enjoyed the book very much. It was an easy read and the story flowed really well. Whilst there wasn't any cliffhangers at the end of the chapters, I really wanted to carry on reading to find out more. Plus the chapters alternate between now and then so that's when the story unfolds.
October 13, 2016
I CAN NOT put this book down! Love it ❤
October 10, 2016
Broken Minds is a standalone novel written by, Nicki Rae. Sooooo the title alone sets you up for an emotional roller coaster. We meet Keda, an attention chaser who carries pain. Meeting Trevor changes a lot of her self doubt. He becomes the one person she can count on, like the moon above; always appearing. He himself has inner demons he struggles with. A turn of events sends Keda searching for Trevor. What she doesn't know behind the door she thinks is her salvation ends up being her destruction. Becoming enslaved. Everything taken away, freedom, body, mind and soul. After being held a slave for ninety days the light is near the end of the tunnel. Trevor sets freedom in motion Twelve years go by before Keda and Trevor are reunified. Their electric pull is still current. The heart knows love and protection. They must face one more broken hurdle to endure; their captor’s execution. They want to survive unbroken and strong. It's truly a testament to love conquers all. There were events in this book that will hit home to some people; at the end of the day it's a story about, survival, challenges, love and forgiveness. The moon shines bright in this journey.
October 10, 2016
Read on behalf of a Book Lovers Emporium
This book was brilliant. Lots of emotions but brilliant nonetheless.
The story centres on two victims , two survivors but they both handle their journey very differently. Trevor and Keda, were held as prisoners for 90 days before escaping. However it seems their fight for survival starts once they escape. Initially I found myself to be really irritated with Keda because of the way she deals with things but as the story gets under way, the past is revealed and there is more understanding her behaviour. Trevor seems to be coping okay now but has he always coped, considering he suffered for much longer than her?
It's a powerful story, one of which is still playing on my mind now. The emotions it stirred within me were actually shocking but despite that I enjoyed the book very much. It was an easy read and the story flowed really well. Whilst there wasn't any cliffhangers at the end of the chapters, I really wanted to carry on reading to find out more. Plus the chapters alternate between now and then so that's when the
This book was brilliant. Lots of emotions but brilliant nonetheless.
The story centres on two victims , two survivors but they both handle their journey very differently. Trevor and Keda, were held as prisoners for 90 days before escaping. However it seems their fight for survival starts once they escape. Initially I found myself to be really irritated with Keda because of the way she deals with things but as the story gets under way, the past is revealed and there is more understanding her behaviour. Trevor seems to be coping okay now but has he always coped, considering he suffered for much longer than her?
It's a powerful story, one of which is still playing on my mind now. The emotions it stirred within me were actually shocking but despite that I enjoyed the book very much. It was an easy read and the story flowed really well. Whilst there wasn't any cliffhangers at the end of the chapters, I really wanted to carry on reading to find out more. Plus the chapters alternate between now and then so that's when the
October 10, 2016
Holy cow blew me away I read it in one day!
I honestly wasn't sure what to expect going into this book. Even as I was reading it I was still unsure whether I was going to enjoy it or not. Let me tell you. I LOVED this book. The emotions you read and feel in this book are out of this world. While some spots are a little dark it only adds to the emotions you feel. I have read other books by Nicki Rae and enjoyed them. I highly recommend this book. It was so wonderful to read something different instead of the same old over and over again.
I honestly wasn't sure what to expect going into this book. Even as I was reading it I was still unsure whether I was going to enjoy it or not. Let me tell you. I LOVED this book. The emotions you read and feel in this book are out of this world. While some spots are a little dark it only adds to the emotions you feel. I have read other books by Nicki Rae and enjoyed them. I highly recommend this book. It was so wonderful to read something different instead of the same old over and over again.
November 15, 2016
Loved it.
This subject of abduction and abuse is very difficult to approach, but the author did so with a gentle hand and I appreciated it. I read this story straight through and it walked a fine line between conveying hope and madness in the face of evil.
This subject of abduction and abuse is very difficult to approach, but the author did so with a gentle hand and I appreciated it. I read this story straight through and it walked a fine line between conveying hope and madness in the face of evil.
January 3, 2017
A Survivor's Story
I couldn't put it down once I started.
I was held so captivated , I read cover to cover in a few hours .
A Painful, but brutally honest journey about finding your way back from the darkness and finding hope again.
I couldn't put it down once I started.
I was held so captivated , I read cover to cover in a few hours .
A Painful, but brutally honest journey about finding your way back from the darkness and finding hope again.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews