Virtual Book Tour for Scarred Love by M.S. Brannon

Welcome to my stop on the Virtual Book Tour for Scarred Love by M.S. Brannon.  Please leave a comment or question for M.S. to let her know you stopped by.  

How do you avoid the rejection blues by M.S. Brannon

Determination is a huge factor when you’re ready to publish your manuscript. Initially, I had a horrible experience with my first beta reader, who agreed to read my manuscript during a certain time frame and found out later she did not give her honest opinion to me, the author, but was more than happy to share it with others.  The first editor I hired did not adhere to any of her deadlines. Promised me written report in which I never received and responded to my email approximately 3-4 weeks after they were sent. But I was unwilling to give up on my new found dream.

I was determined to get my book published and began really researching various author pages, blog sites, etc.  When I came across one of my favorite author’s blog page, Jessica Sorensen, and read the advice she gives to aspiring writers, a deeper passion was fueled for getting my manuscript published. I came across her editing team, C&D Editing, and a great working relationship was soon formed.  They helped me learn the ins and outs of self publishing, as well as marketing Scarred Love.  Utilizing blog sites I was able to find not only my editors, but my beta reader and cover designer.

Another major factor in fighting the rejection blues is hearing supportive words from my friends and family. This has proven to keep my head up in times of frustration and rejection. My husband is amazingly supportive and is always willing to give me positive words of encouragement to keep me moving forward.  I have a very close relationship with my sister, Cindi, who is always willing to dissect plot ideas with me and is my shoulder to lean on when writing gets stressful. I could not do this without either of them.  

Scarred Love
by M.S. Brannon
Sulfur Heights, Book 1 

Publisher:  M.S. Brannon
Release Date: June 5, 2013

Genre: New Adult 
Length: 418 Pages

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Book Description: 

Darcie Claiborne spent several years of her young life living with a monster, always fearing what he would do next. Clasping onto her last ounce of hope, Darcie releases a scream. It’s her final attempt to live; to survive the villain of her reality. Sweeping her up in his arms, Darcie’s knight in shining armor rescues her from the hell she’s been living; from the stepfather she's feared for all those years.

Reggie Evans has been forced to grow up before he’s ready when his mother dies of an overdose, leaving him responsible to raise his younger brothers. One fateful night, Reggie jogs by an old, run down house and discovers a young girl clinging to life as she screams for help.

Three years later, Darcie is healing and always protected by the man who saved her, but now she's fighting with something she isn't prepared to face. The growing love for the man who saved her life three years ago, the same man who’s nine years older. All the while, Reggie fights to protect Darcie from the demons of her past and new ones of her present.

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Excerpt:  

Darcie

Suddenly, I am transported back in time to three years ago. The feeling of being pinned down by my arms and legs, the feeling of a man’s weight restraining me and the inability to breathe flashes into my mind. I start to violently shake my head from side to side. My breathing gets short and fast. Without even realizing it, I start to scream; just like I did the night he planned to touch me.

Jake freaks out and quickly releases my body from under his. 

“Shit, Darcie, I’m sorry. I forgot how you get.”

I’m still screaming, unable to move. I’m frozen to the carpet. I’m still in that house. Lying on that urine soaked bed.

Salvation arrives.

Reggie appears out of the nowhere. He kneels down beside me. His hands are wiping the anger away from my face as he whispers into my ear, “Shhh, Darcie. It’s okay. I won’t let him hurt you again, never again. As long as there’s breathe left in my body, he will never harm you again.” His voice is all I need to hear. My eyes begin to focus. My brain begins to register the only true protector I’ve had in my life.

M.S. Brannon

M.S. Brannon was born and raised in the Midwest. She still resides there today with her wonderful husband and son. When she is not writing or reading, M.S. Brannon spends time with her family, watching movies, and discovering new music. She writes romance because she believes love and heartache is the rawest emotion one can experience.


Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/MS-Brannon/361712440596820?notif_t=page_new_likes

Blog: http://msbrannonblog.blogspot.com/


Twitter: @MSBrannonAuthor

Email: MBrannon16@gmail.com

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7103293.M_S_Brannon

My Review

An emotionally angst filled book, highlighting the struggle today’s teens face on a daily basis, Scarred Love by M.S. Brannon gives us the story of an abused young girl falling in love with the young man who saves her.  Well developed characters, frank and adult language, violence and a mystery of sorts kept me turning the pages to discover what was going to happen next.  Gritting and realistic, with the action taking place in the “wrong part of town”, Ms. Brannon’s book is both haunting and captivating.   

Physically and verbally abused from the time her mother got remarried, Darcie Claiborne was rescued from the monster by a young man she considers her “savior” and “knight in shining amour”.  Now a junior in high school; Darcie lives with “Reggie”, her 27 year old savior, and his three younger brothers.  Still physically and emotionally damaged from her experiences in life, Darcie has become a survivor and refuses to be anyone’s victim again.

Having to become responsible for his family at the age of 18 has made Reggie Evans the man he is today.  Rescuing Darcie from the monster who was abusing her was second nature, taking care of her, while not always easy, is something Reggie excels at.  Keeping her safe from the demons of her past and her present is something he intends to continue to do.

The scenes between Darcie, Reggie and his siblings are well written, filled with emotional angst and showcase their struggles to make it through life as best as they can.  Ms. Brannon does a good job developing their characters and showcases their strengths and weaknesses.  She also shows us a young woman who’s falling for the man who’s always taken care of her, even though he’s older and has struggles of his own.   

Ms. Brannon does a very good job showcasing what today’s teens face today.  A public school system that’s failing them, adults busy with their own lives who either can’t or choose not to intervene when they need to and too many of society’s vices which are readily available (alcohol and drugs).  Giving us insight into how some teens are dealing with the challenges they face; violence against themselves and others, promiscuity and addiction, Ms. Brannon paints a grim but realistic picture.

The secondary characters all contribute to this book and the “monster” of Darcie’s past continues to play a part in Reggie and Darcie’s life from the start.  I think Ms. Brannon does an interesting job drawing out the mystery of how the monster will be dealt with.

Will Darcie be able to convince Reggie their age difference isn’t important and that he’s the only man she’ll ever be able to love?  Will Reggie be able to make life safe for Darcie and provide a future for them together?  You’ll have to read Scarred Love to find out.  I enjoyed it and look forward to seeing where Ms. Brannon takes us with her new series.

My Rating: 4 out of 5 Crowns

FTC Disclosure:  I received a complimentary copy of this book as a part of a book tour in exchange for a fair and honest review.  I did not receive any additional compensation for my opinion of the reading material.