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Damaged
Family. A group of people you are related to by blood or love.
Nora Schaeffer has come home to her family after twenty years working around the world as a photographer for National Geographic. She’s welcomed into the open arms of her father and siblings.
Family. A group of people who support you, lift you up when you fall.
Shannon, the youngest of the four Schaeffer siblings, has vanished, leaving her five-year-old daughter, Bella, terrified and alone. To help find Shannon, Nora has no choice but to turn to the dark-haired specter who has haunted her for twenty years. Along the way, she finds her own long-dead heart and uncovers chilling family secrets beyond imagination.
Family. A group of people who will stick together to hide the rotten soul at its core at any cost.
Who will live? Who will die? Who will be the most damaged? And who will learn to love again?
Words: 90,830
Nora Schaeffer has come home to her family after twenty years working around the world as a photographer for National Geographic. She’s welcomed into the open arms of her father and siblings.
Family. A group of people who support you, lift you up when you fall.
Shannon, the youngest of the four Schaeffer siblings, has vanished, leaving her five-year-old daughter, Bella, terrified and alone. To help find Shannon, Nora has no choice but to turn to the dark-haired specter who has haunted her for twenty years. Along the way, she finds her own long-dead heart and uncovers chilling family secrets beyond imagination.
Family. A group of people who will stick together to hide the rotten soul at its core at any cost.
Who will live? Who will die? Who will be the most damaged? And who will learn to love again?
Words: 90,830
319 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 1, 2018
11 people are currently reading
45 people want to read
About the author
Kim Pritekel
74 books152 followersKim Pritekel is a published author living in Denver, Colorado. She is also a very popular online author of many novels, novellas and short stories. She is the Royal Academy of Bards 2005 Hall of Fame Author.
Her love of writing began at age 9, and she wrote her first novel at age 12, wishing to follow in the footsteps of childhood idol, S.E. Hinton. She was published for the first time at age 24 with her novel, First.
Kim has followed her dreams right into the film industry, writing screenplays for production companies in Los Angeles, as well as for her own production company, Asp Films with business partner, Kelly Neal. Their first feature film, Self Portrait – written, directed and co-produced by Kim – premiered in Denver in June of 2013.
She enjoys spending time with her family, friends and her beloved cats. She is always adding to her ever-growing collection of swords and historic memorabilia. She is a huge fan of music, including musical theater. The "musical" love of her life is Sarah Brightman, who she tosses a mention of in every book she can.
Kim is a writing machine, so come back often to see what she's working on next!
Her love of writing began at age 9, and she wrote her first novel at age 12, wishing to follow in the footsteps of childhood idol, S.E. Hinton. She was published for the first time at age 24 with her novel, First.
Kim has followed her dreams right into the film industry, writing screenplays for production companies in Los Angeles, as well as for her own production company, Asp Films with business partner, Kelly Neal. Their first feature film, Self Portrait – written, directed and co-produced by Kim – premiered in Denver in June of 2013.
She enjoys spending time with her family, friends and her beloved cats. She is always adding to her ever-growing collection of swords and historic memorabilia. She is a huge fan of music, including musical theater. The "musical" love of her life is Sarah Brightman, who she tosses a mention of in every book she can.
Kim is a writing machine, so come back often to see what she's working on next!
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
May 5, 2018
3.75 Stars. I have only read two books by Pritekel, but they both have impressed me. This book was quite different than what I expected, but I still liked it. The best way to describe this would be a family drama. It is gritty and hard to read in parts, but it is well written.
After years of photographing the world for National Geographic, Nora finally returns home. Instead of reconnecting with her family, she is barely speaking to them. When Nora gets a call her youngest sister Shannon is missing, Nora knows something is really wrong. Shannon has had her problems but she would never leave her five year-old daughter alone. Nora must use the help of her family and the police to find her sister. Family secrets need to come to light even if some want them to stay buried.
This is an ensemble book. While you are in Nora and her sibling’s heads the most, the POV extends to other characters as well. I must admit I’m not always a big fan of bouncing between so many characters, but in this case I think it worked. For one thing I always knew whose head I was in. There was no getting lost with the jumping. The other is that you really got to know all the characters which added to the story. There were also some flashbacks in this book. I am not a fan of flashbacks. But once again I thought they worked well here and actually added to the story. There was a real reason for all the flashbacks, they were not just filler.
When it came to the relationship/romance for Nora, this is where I was a little disappointed. Nora finds herself back in the life of an ex. There were some flashbacks to give some backstory; I just felt like there needed to be even more. I like the idea of the two together, but I needed more chemistry. I almost found myself more interested in Nora’s sister Jill and her husband’s rocky relationship. While you read about multiple couples in this book, there are no M/F sex scenes, just one F/F.
This book deals with tough subjects. Different kinds of abuse, murder, suicide, this is definitely a drama book and this family is dealing with a ton. I can see how this might not appeal to everyone as it is tough to read at times. As Agirlcandream, a Goodreads friend, recently said to me “Sometimes the hard books are the best books. They certainly are the ones which stay with you.” I think that sums this book up perfectly. I look forward to seeing what Pritekel writes next.
An ARC was given to me by Sapphire Books Pub, for a honest review.
After years of photographing the world for National Geographic, Nora finally returns home. Instead of reconnecting with her family, she is barely speaking to them. When Nora gets a call her youngest sister Shannon is missing, Nora knows something is really wrong. Shannon has had her problems but she would never leave her five year-old daughter alone. Nora must use the help of her family and the police to find her sister. Family secrets need to come to light even if some want them to stay buried.
This is an ensemble book. While you are in Nora and her sibling’s heads the most, the POV extends to other characters as well. I must admit I’m not always a big fan of bouncing between so many characters, but in this case I think it worked. For one thing I always knew whose head I was in. There was no getting lost with the jumping. The other is that you really got to know all the characters which added to the story. There were also some flashbacks in this book. I am not a fan of flashbacks. But once again I thought they worked well here and actually added to the story. There was a real reason for all the flashbacks, they were not just filler.
When it came to the relationship/romance for Nora, this is where I was a little disappointed. Nora finds herself back in the life of an ex. There were some flashbacks to give some backstory; I just felt like there needed to be even more. I like the idea of the two together, but I needed more chemistry. I almost found myself more interested in Nora’s sister Jill and her husband’s rocky relationship. While you read about multiple couples in this book, there are no M/F sex scenes, just one F/F.
This book deals with tough subjects. Different kinds of abuse, murder, suicide, this is definitely a drama book and this family is dealing with a ton. I can see how this might not appeal to everyone as it is tough to read at times. As Agirlcandream, a Goodreads friend, recently said to me “Sometimes the hard books are the best books. They certainly are the ones which stay with you.” I think that sums this book up perfectly. I look forward to seeing what Pritekel writes next.
An ARC was given to me by Sapphire Books Pub, for a honest review.
May 5, 2018
*ARC provided by the publisher for an honest review*
The first thing I have to say to any potential readers is that this book is intense. If you have read other books by Kim Pritekel then you know how dark and gritty her work is.
This book was fantastic but when I say that, I am not talking about the relationship between Sarah and Nora, I am talking about the overall story.
Unfortunately I did not connect with Nora and Sarah's story as much as I did with Jill and Andrew's story.
A definite page turner
*4.5 stars
The first thing I have to say to any potential readers is that this book is intense. If you have read other books by Kim Pritekel then you know how dark and gritty her work is.
This book was fantastic but when I say that, I am not talking about the relationship between Sarah and Nora, I am talking about the overall story.
Unfortunately I did not connect with Nora and Sarah's story as much as I did with Jill and Andrew's story.
A definite page turner
*4.5 stars
April 6, 2018
The amazing part about reading is discovering new writers. Kim most definitively is brand new writer to me and this book “Damaged” is best book I have read so far this year. As far as I know I always say that about good book, but somehow this one took # 1. Wonderful story about family, destroyed by one person, united in end to be, what family should be! 5 stars with a plus!
February 27, 2018
I received an ARC from Sapphire Books, thank you!
I'm trying hard to figure out why I have never heard of this author before?!? I got sucked into this story. It was so easy to do, a great story, wonderfully placed and written flashbacks and glimpses into the future; surprising little bombshells tossed in to keep the reader engaged/angered/ ready to bark out load agreements. Things flowed very well. I am glad to see sex between the main characters wasn't the main motivation, but forgiveness and redemption. Characters seemed a little flat in the beginning but more emotions started to show and they grew into "people" as the story went along. I suck at writing reviews but I gobbled this book up faster than most I read. I'll definitely be looking into her other books.
@SapphireBooks #SapphireBooks
I'm trying hard to figure out why I have never heard of this author before?!? I got sucked into this story. It was so easy to do, a great story, wonderfully placed and written flashbacks and glimpses into the future; surprising little bombshells tossed in to keep the reader engaged/angered/ ready to bark out load agreements. Things flowed very well. I am glad to see sex between the main characters wasn't the main motivation, but forgiveness and redemption. Characters seemed a little flat in the beginning but more emotions started to show and they grew into "people" as the story went along. I suck at writing reviews but I gobbled this book up faster than most I read. I'll definitely be looking into her other books.
@SapphireBooks #SapphireBooks
November 14, 2018
I loved this book! Intriguing characters and a page-turning plot makes this a book you can’t put down. Strong leading ladies make it even more enjoyable. It had me laughing and it made me cry. There were twists and turns you didn't see coming. There were a multitude of characters all of whom were well developed. The ending was very sweet. This was my first book by this author but definitely won't be my last. I very much recommend this book.
April 26, 2018
I've wanted to read this author for a while, I'm so glad this was my first book of hers (absolutely will not be the last). This book is a wild, intense, sweet, heart-wrenching ride, from the past and future, all at the hands of the one who runs the family. Family sticks together through everything, but at what cost? Definitely worth the time, as you will not be able to put it down.
June 6, 2018
This book was so many different dramatic stories all rolled into one. Kim Pritekel did an amazing job intertwining all the different plot lines into one incredible stong novel. The characters where well developed and did not over power the overall plot or each other. It was a well woven tapestry.
March 30, 2023
Hard book to read, lots of family members to follow each with their own problems.
Hated Larry Sr, what a AH !
Hated Larry Sr, what a AH !
January 9, 2024
After her sister Shannon vanishes, Nora finds herself taking care of her daughter while navigating the issyes with her asshole dad and messed up family. Making things more complicated, the missing person's officer is her ex girlfriend.
Really good read. Interesting characters, interesting situation, good slow burn romance.
Really good read. Interesting characters, interesting situation, good slow burn romance.
April 10, 2023
Loved it
I ran across this book by accident and I'm so glad that I did I loved it the story line was great the characters were so interesting I couldn't put it down As I was going about my day I still was thinking about this book I will show you reading more from this author I recommend this book.
I ran across this book by accident and I'm so glad that I did I loved it the story line was great the characters were so interesting I couldn't put it down As I was going about my day I still was thinking about this book I will show you reading more from this author I recommend this book.
May 16, 2023
Wow, just wow
What an amazing story! So much going on and Very dramatic. Very entertaining and I loved the ending. Definitely a book I would read again.
What an amazing story! So much going on and Very dramatic. Very entertaining and I loved the ending. Definitely a book I would read again.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews