I fell in love with Manda Baker eight years ago, and I loved her to the core of her soul. We were supposed to have that elusive happily ever after and spend a lifetime together. But that was all before she was STOLEN from me.
Her best friend, Sarah Erickson, killed her. It wasn’t intentional. It was far worse. Everyone claims it was just an accident, but I can see through the lies. Even if it’s with my dying breath, I will make her pay for what she did.
Fate hates me. It robbed me of my first love and left me to navigate through this world emotionless and numb. Then, one day, spiteful fate gave me a woman to fill my shattered soul and make me feel again. It gave me Emma Jane Erickson. Now I spend my days searching for the answers that will ruin Sarah and my nights falling in love with her sister—the one person who is bound and determined to save her.
But what happens when everything you know to be true explodes around you? Who will be left to pick up the pieces, and who will need to be saved from the wreckage?
“Do you always act like a kindergartener when you like a girl?”
“Who said I like you?” I mock surprise.
Yeah, I gave myself away. She knows that I think she’s hot, but wanting to have sex with someone is very different than actually liking them. At least it is in my world. I’ve had sex with numerous women since Manda. Never once have I even thought twice about them though. That is until Emma ran into my life.
“You called back, didn’t you?”
Damn it, busted again! She’s right. I like her even though I know absolutely nothing about her. I need to remedy this without acting like a broody, sullen teenager. Who knows. Maybe I will be able to shake her once I get to know her a little better.
“What’s your favorite color, Emma Jane Erickson?”
“What is this, the get-to-know-each-other portion of the night? I never thought you would be so cliché, Detective Jones.” She laughs for a second before answering, “Orange.”
“Oh, come on. No one likes orange.”
“I do.”
“Why?”
“Why not? It’s different and bold. It stands out amongst a blank world of black, white, and gray. Orange is the early morning sun stretching across the sky and the color of a burning ember standing tall in the middle of a beach bonfire. It’s leaves in the fall, carrots in Nana’s vegetable soup on a cold winter day, tulips in the spring, and the ladybugs in the middle of the grassy park on a hot summer afternoon. Orange is life. It’s unexpected but beautiful.” She stops talking, and her depth silences me too.
I consider myself a very artistic person. I draw, paint, and build. Creation is my escape. And to listen to this woman wax poetic about a single simple color steals my breath. It embeds itself somewhere deep inside. A place where no woman, especially an Erickson, has any business being.
“Oh, and it’s my favorite flavor of candy too.”
And with those simple words, I know I’m in trouble. So fucking much trouble. I begin to laugh, and I mean really laugh. The kind that sticks with you even after the joke is long since forgotten, and I do it for the first time in almost five years. Fuck.
Before I begin my review, I do feel the need to say that while Stolen Course can technically be read as a stand-alone, I HIGHLY recommend reading Changing Course first. There is a lot of back story and character development that happens in the first novel that really adds to what will transpire here. Trust me; you’ll be thanking me later.
Caleb Jones is bitter and full of anger. He was in love once with a beautiful woman that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with, but all of that was stolen from him the moment that his best friend’s wife, Sarah, got behind the wheel of a car while intoxicated. It’s hard enough having to deal with Sarah after everything that had transpired, but he never expected to feel a connection to her sister, Emma, either.
Emma Erickson wasn't there for her sister much after the crash, but she’s looking to change all of that now. She knew that uprooting her life to take care of her sister wouldn't be easy, but she never counted on falling for the one man that hates Sarah more than anyone.
Will Caleb and Emma be able to push through the hurdles that surround them and find a way to be together despite everything? Or will the hatred that’s been brewing inside of Caleb prove to be too much, especially when long hidden secrets are finally revealed?
Let me start off my saying that this was amazing! Aly managed to one-up herself with this continuation and I am so beyond happy with the results. While it was nice seeing Brett and Jesse again, and I do love Jesse, it was Caleb and Emma who stole the show!
Caleb had been my favorite character in the first book and I loved him even more here. He’s a broken shell of the person that he used to be, but you slowly get to see him come to life once more as the story progresses. He’s hurt and angry and it’s very easy to side with him. You can see where he’s coming from and his course of actions are understandable.
Emma was a pleasant surprise, and I absolutely adored her character. She’s funny, sarcastic, spunky, and strong willed. She loves her sister and wants to be there for her, and she doesn't condemn Caleb for his thoughts and feelings. She only asks that he not express them to her. I can’t imagine being in her position and I thought she handled everything with grace.
And crap. Crappity crap crap!! Let’s just say that Caleb wasn't the only one left with his head spinning. Aly managed to make me feel guilty for some of the thoughts that I had once some things came to pass. And I rarely feel guilty when reading.
I give this book 5 gut wrenching stars. Stolen Course is a heartbreakingly beautiful story that is sure to stay with you long after you've read it.
I met Sarah Kate Erickson when I was twenty-one years old. I was lucky enough to keep her for seven years before a tragic accident stole her from me. She didn’t die, but sometimes I think it would have been easier if she had.
I lived in a haze for those four years after the accident. Catering to her every need, even though she hated the very sight of my face. I tried to hold on to her and the future that we were supposed to build together. But you can’t hold on to someone that doesn’t exist anymore.
It wasn’t until I met Jesse Addison, a barista at the local coffee shop, that I realized I didn’t just lose Sarah that tragic night, I lost myself as well. Jesse taught me how to let go of the past and learn to love again. But what happens when your past haunts your present, and the woman you used to love refuses to accept the woman you can’t live without?
I’m a 32 year old wife and stay at home mom to four kids under the age of five, including a set of twins. My life is crazy, which is probably why I drink entirely too much wine. Oh who am I kidding, I had a love affair with wine long before the kids came along. I was born and raised in Savannah Georgia, but we recently moved to Chicago. Let me tell you, this southern girl was not ready for the cold weather up here!
I’m an avid reader, but I haven’t always been that way. A few years ago my sister loaned me her Nook Color, and it changed my life forever. In the span of about two years, I read over 500 books. My newfound love of reading led me to start a book blog with two of my best friends. (Insert shameless plug here: WhiteZinBookends.com). Through WZ Bookends, I've had the opportunity to meet some of the most amazing authors, bloggers, and readers out there. Now that I have taken the leap into writing my own book, they’ve all shown me endless amounts of encouragement and support.
While driving home from Walmart one day in late October, a story embedded itself in my head and would not let go. It spiraled out of control until I finally opened my laptop and started writing. This journey has been a wild ride filled with tears, hand cramps, and tons of laughs. I love company, so follow me at one of the social links below and join me aboard this crazy train!
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Giveaway!
Awesome giveaway..thanks for the chance
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