Simplicity

by Valia Lind

Driven, beautiful Alexis Sinclair lives her life to the fullest, following her dreams of running a big company. But when her world is torn apart by a storm, everything she has ever known disappears. Now, marooned on an island with a group of men, Alexis must learn to live in a world made up of simple things. Letting go of every known convenience, she realizes how insignificant her life has become. Filled with unrequited love for her rescuer she must battle the demons buried deep inside and she must look within herself and to her faith to find the strength needed to survive.
Strong and influential, Jacob Peterson, has done all he can to survive. When the fate turned its tables on him, he learned to cope with the inevitable. Plagued by his past and secrets buried there, Jacob exerts a rigid control, refusing to succumb to the joys, and torturous pain, of strong emotions. Without considering love a gift he may never receive, he believes--he chooses to live by strict set of rules. But when a strange beautiful woman washes up on his beach, the walls that he has put up long ago begin to crumble. Is she a punishment sent from God to torment his weary soul? Or is she a gift, sent from above, there to teach him how to trust? Who is this woman? And how will he stop himself from losing his heart?
Will he learn to forgive the past in order to save the woman he loves?

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Fiction, Christian, Adult, Contemporary

266 pages, Paperback

First published December 18, 2010

About the author

USA Today Bestselling Author. Photographer. Artist. Born and raised in St. Petersburg, Russia, Valia Lind has always had a love for the written word. She wrote her first published book on the bathroom floor of her dormitory, while procrastinating to study for her college classes. Upon graduation, she has moved her writing to more respectable places, and has found her voice in Young Adult fiction.
In 2015, her YA thriller, Pieces of Revenge, was the recipient of the Moonbeam Children's Book Award.
You can visit her online at http://valialind.com or follow her on Instagram, where she spends way too much time, @ValiaLind.
For a free book, sign up for her newsletter --> https://dl.bookfunnel.com/f0t1xi1qmr

Reviews

[Wanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

First I have to say that "Simplicity" was my first "win" in any contest or give away. So When Valia contacted me saying I won, I was ecstatic. And Valia is such a sweetheart. She's always on Twitter talking to her readers. She's such a down to earth and a funny person. I'll give her info at the end of the review.

Now I feel the first thing a person should know about this book is, that this book is a very spiritual book. It's a book about survivors and their faith in GOD and how their trials and tribulations never faulted their belief in their GOD. They believed that every thing happens for a reason and they never questioned as to why they were happening. Instead of complaining and wishing these things weren't happening. They prayed for strength to make it through another day. I loved it!

So in Simplicity, Alexis Sinclair was living the life she wanted. She had finally become manager of the West Coast Division on her company and she couldn't be more happier. But before she starts her position as manager, she had to take one more business trip. While on flight her plane was caught in a terrible storm and crashed. She ended up in an island with fifteen men. They all embraced her and taught her to live her life with just the simple things. While learning new things and adapting to her new life, she started falling in love with the one who rescued her, Jacob Peterson. A man who absolutely makes her emotions go wild.

But Jacob isn't giving into emotions and feelings. He has his reasons for holding back and he fears if he doesn't he'll hurt the ones he loves. Now with Sinclair on the island he has all these emotions surfacing that he thought he had under control. But he refuses to give into these new feelings. So he holds back and plays it safe. But while holding back and playing it safe, Sinclair is the one who keeps getting her feelings and emotions all mixed up.


Though Sinclair has lost her old life, in this new life she learns a lot more. She learns to open up to new people and learn how to live life without the every day luxuries we all are accustomed to. Always giving GOD the credit he deserves, thanking him and asking him for his strength. This story was such a sweet story. I read this story in three days. And every once in awhile, I like to pick up a book that reminds me of the blessings I have in life and to never forget to thank the one responsible for all good. If you're looking for a read that doesn't have to do with your every day crisis but focuses on what's important in life, such as love, friendship and survival then this is your book. I give this book a 5 out of 5 stars and a DEFINITE "Good Choice for Reading"

GoodReads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...

Twitter: VLSimplicity

Blog:http://wordsareinnermusic.blogspot.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?i...

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now this book is not within my typical genres of scifi /fantasy but I have been trying to read more contemporary fiction and this book was definitely able to hold my attention. I loved the concept of a plane crashing and Alexis waking up washed ashore on an island that had 15 other people living on it whose plane crashed 5 years ago so basically no hope for going home.

I just have to say how much I love Jake. A brooding lost soul who is conflicted by both his past and present, he has such a hard time expressing himself to Lexi. He reminded me a lot of Stefan from The Vampire Diaries in love with a girl but his past keeps catching up with him and makes him regret his choices. But Jake happens to not be a vampire a girl could only dream. LOL. Valia is such a great writer that she was able to make us simply despise Gabe he was just so annoying but I felt kind of bad for him after awhile.

I personally enjoyed the growth of the romantic relationship and friendship between Alexis and Jake. I loved and hated his overprotective nature and that he found a way to blame himself for every little occurrence. Especially since Alexis was always so clumsy. Definitely a hazard to herself. In many ways I liked that Alexis was the only female on the island she became a great mother figure to the men and most importantly Brandon. I thought he was just plain ole adorable.

I thought it was great that Jake was the person that saved Alexis it added just a bit more to their reasons to be together for me. I have to say that I would always laugh through out the book when Alexis would think things out loud and wouldn't realize it.

The story really begins to pick up pace during the large storm that passes over the island. This part held most of my favorite scenes. It forced Jake and Lexi to work together and I almost cried when Lexi got hurt from going to save and find Brandon.

I felt that the ending was great especially that the end wasn't when they left the island. I thought the idea of the reunion was great. Lexi and Brandon bonding was great. But I was so just err I wanted to just I don't even know hurt Jake he can be so clueless. I was so upset by his reveal of his past. So they got married and it was just wonderful. Plus she is now Brandon's step mom.

So overall I really enjoyed this book. I finished it several days ago and I just can't stop thinking about it which is making it hard for me to read other books, seriously now! Loved it so much!

[Paula Phillips · Rating 4 out of 5]

Are you a fan of books where the cast of the novel are stranded on an island ? Did you enjoy
Wrecked by Elle Casey or The Island by Tracey Garvis-Graves ? If so, then you may enjoy Simplicity which tells the story of Alexis whose life is looking up and getting better by the minute when she is offered a manager's position of a new branch for her job. The thing though, she has to head over to London and meet the new account she will be handling. During the flight though, tragedy strikes and the plane goes down - no survivors except for Alexis. She finds herself on an island which already has some other stragglers whose plane went down five years ago and they have been living on the island waiting for the day when they will be rescued. On the island, we read as Alexis makes friends with the other occupants including John , Brandon , Gabe and of course the hunky Jake whom she likes ALOT. One thing that didn't bother me as I am a Christian was the fact that I discovered when reading the book that it was heavily christian-like with quite a high number of references to Jesus, Prayer and Religion etc and the book does not pre-warn you. So if you are not keen on the religious side of things , then this really isn't the book for you. However , if you are like me and don't mind it, then you will be in for a Gilligan's Island journey with Simplicity. Another heads up though, in parts this book is not a fast-paced journey and can be quite a slow moving read but in the same time, an interesting read.

[Margarita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alexis is a strong minded woman who is driven to succeed at her job. And when she receives the highest promotion that you could ever get, she is ecstatic and just dives in head first and flies off to her first overseas meeting. And then disaster strikes, and she finds herself on a deserted island that already houses a few other survivors from a previous plane crash. Adapting to island life is a struggle for Alexis who is used to being independent and in charge. But with help from the others, her beliefs in God and her growing love for Jacob, she learns to adapt, slow down and discover her true self.

This book took me by surprise, in such a good way - and this rarely happens to me. It's eye-opening and thoughtful. Simplicity will touch your heart and make you think about the important things that matter to you. A definite must read for those who need a spiritual uplift.

[I Eat Words · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stunning, eloquent, and elegant. This is a beautiful story about spirituality during a terrible time and finding the way through strength and spirituality. Lovely read!

[Once · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simplicity is a contemporary Christian romance. It is the story of a very successful young woman (Alexis Sinclair) thriving in corporate America. She's just been given her dream job that comes with an immediate trip abroad in the company jet. Mid-flight her airplane is caught in a storm and crashes. Alexis is the sole survivor and is washed up on an island with the aircraft debris.

The island is already inhabited by 15 men that coincidentally survived another crash 5 years prior and have been marooned since. Alexis is saved by and is quickly drawn to Jacob. He is also immediately taken with her but on the surface only offers friendship. But as Alexis struggles with the Simplicity of her new life where physical work is mandatory for each person on the island, Jake struggles with demons from his past that affect his ability to show Alexis any feelings beyond friendship.

Religion and spirituality play a strong role in both Alexis and Jacobs thoughts and choices. As the book comes to a close you wonder if there will be a happily ever after for these seemingly star crossed lovers. The end of the story does not wrap up nice and neat with a rescue but leaves you in the real world where eventually faith and love are rewarded.

I thought that Valia Lind did a good job of weaving in the strong spiritual beliefs of her hero and heroine. There were aspects of this story that were spell-binding and parts, that for me, got a little hokey. I enjoyed her descriptions of the original storm that hits Lexi's airplane. The out of control airplane crash was a page turner for me. I know this was a love story...but the back and forth between Lexi and Jake went on a little to long in my opinion. Once I was done reading the book I had no problem separating myself from these characters. For me, the lingering thoughts and slight separation anxiety of leaving a good book is how I rate a story. That said, it was still a fast and enjoyable read.

http://www.onceuponatwilight.com/2012...

[Jo Notary]

266p Driven, beautiful Alexis Sinclair lives her life to the fullest, following her dreams of running a big company. But when her world is torn apart by a storm, everything she has ever known disappears. Now, marooned on an island with a group of men, Alexis must learn to live in a world made up of simple things. Letting go of every known convenience, she realizes how insignificant her life has become. Filled with unrequited love for her rescuer she must battle the demons buried deep inside and she must look within herself and to her faith to find the strength needed to survive.
Strong and influential, Jacob Peterson, has done all he can to survive. When the fate turned its tables on him, he learned to cope with the inevitable. Plagued by his past and secrets buried there, Jacob exerts a rigid control, refusing to succumb to the joys, and torturous pain, of strong emotions. Without considering love 14a gift he may never receive, he believes--he chooses to live by strict set of rules. But when a strange beautiful woman washes up on his beach, the walls that he has put up long ago begin to crumble. Is she a punishment sent from God to torment his weary soul? Or is she a gift, sent from above, there to teach him how to trust? Who is this woman? And how will he stop himself from losing his heart?
Will he learn to forgive the past in order to save the woman he loves?

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would love to give this 5 stars but I can't based on two different things. Let me start with the positive. This is a great story of how to let go of all the fast-paced modern life and learn to get in touch with God and to trust Him. I enjoyed all the action and the development of the characters in the story. Although the premise of living on an island for that long and surviving seemed a little far-fetched, the actions seemed realistic and I would hope that anyone could survive like this. Now for my criticism. There are many typographical and grammatical errors in the text. There are even words crossed out and re-spelled correctly. The use of the words "retard" and "retarded" are my main criticism. Yes, those words are just 3 of the many words, but to me it is not a good thing to use these words when there are so many more words out there that could be substituted. Many people use these words daily and do not see a problem with them, but in order to recommend a book, I must feel that the book is acceptable in all ways.

[Dena · Rating 4 out of 5]

First off this is a Christian read... I like something different so I am glad I received this book.

A guy with a secret who works underneath a pastor who has been stranded on an island for 5 years.
A woman who was on a fast track career that was heading to London when her plan crashed and was on the wrong path.

They make a very good couple and try to heal each other without any knowledge of doing so. She tries to figure him out by using prayer and understanding. He tries to push her away even though they are on an island. This story has a very interesting dynamic because it is not like they can disapear. I am still in the process of reading this book so hopefully I can get to the foundation of the story soon....

I just finished it and I was a little disappointed with the anti-climatic secret. Guilt is a powerful thing however to take it out on others and push them away is a little extreme. The characters seemed a little dense but the story was awesome, incredible and that is why I gave it 3 stars. The characters needed more development. Loved the ending!

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was one crazy story...first Alexis is a workaholic and gets stranded on an island full of men And one boy named Brandon. this is a story of how they survived. Brandon became attached to her and she became attached to Jake. it only took Jake a lot longer to see what he was losing by pushing her away!!!

[Tammy · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF! Ugh! This book was just awful. First of all I wish there had been a warning that this was a christian book. It was exhausting listening to the Thank God this Thank God that on every few pages. I probably could have gotten around that if the story would have been good. The book was painful.

[Jolene · Rating 1 out of 5]

Rated one star only because I couldn't rate it lower.
The book needs proof-read badly. The characters are as weak and pathetic as the plot. It sounded promising from the description, but it wasn't.