Title: Ending a Broken Journey
Author: Melissa L. Delgado
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release date: August 3, 2013
We are so excited to be able to tell you about this book! Melissa is a dear friend of ours and we are just so extremely proud of her. We hope you enjoy the book as much as we did.
Blurb:
A childhood crush who moved away. An adult love that shattered her world. Twenty-seven year old Mackenzie Tillson hasn't been living for quite some time, rather, just existing. Life is passing her by and even with the love of her friends and family she can't quite seem to snap out of the disconnected bubble she has created around her. Moving day by day as a shell of a person who once knew what it meant to live.
Until one day, the boy who first had her heart comes back. With a vengeance...Drew Dean has been apart from the girl he loved all of those years ago for far too long and now that fate has provided them with a second chance, he will make it clear to her that she is, and always has been the one for him. But what Drew discovers in the process, is Mackenzie may just end up being completely unreachable.
Is it possible to get through to someone who has no intentions of ever letting anyone in again? Can a person find their way through the darkness and emptiness they've created? For Mackenzie, trudging along in life alone is where she feels she deserves to be. But will she find it in her to fight and break the barrier of the internal distorted view she has of herself? Or will she let everyone and everything slip away? As Mackenzie tries to piece together the remnants of her shattered existence, she inadvertently discovers life, love and loss are one in the same. A hopeful journey to be taken with an ending to fill the emptiness she's carried for too long.
Excerpt Pics!
Review:
Ending a Broken Journey by Melissa L. DelgadoMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
How do you go on when the person you see reflected in the mirror is not really you? No, this person you see reflected back at you is empty, broken, a person you loathe and that disgusts you. So much so, that you alienate those closest to you in hopes that they can't see just how damaged you really are.
Mackenzie Tillson is this broken, self-hating, shell of the person she used to be. Not able to let those around her help to unload this hatred she has for herself. She has a great support system from her family and friends, but she is too embarrassed and prideful to let anyone in.
"Do you know what I see when I look in the mirror?" She continues on without an answer, "I see hollowness where there should be a sparkle, I see fragmented pieces where there should be a whole person, and I see a lost little girl where there should be a found and mature woman. When I look at myself? I see hatred for the woman I've become; a woman who nobody can love because she doesn't know how to love herself."
That is until her childhood friends, the Dean Brothers- Drew and Jax, return to Florida after 11 years away. They make "Kennie", as Drew calls her, question what she sees in the mirror, maybe she can leave the baggage behind and become the person she used to be. Can she fully give her heart after it being crushed once making her the person she is today? Will secrets tear them apart when they are finally revealed?
This book is not a roller-coaster ride. This book, like the title says, is a journey; a journey of self-discovery and self-acceptance. They story is told in alternating POV's (who doesn't love alternating POV's?--I know I do!)which gives you so much insight into the characters. To add to the greatness that is this book the main character, Kennie, writes poems that she uses to express her feelings because she is unable to open up to others about her broken past. The poems are beautifully written and add so much to the story. There are flashbacks that give a lot of perspective into the events that happened that ultimately resulted in how the characters are today.
I can't say enough how much this story inspired and entertained me. Melissa did such an amazing job with the dialogue between the characters. Kennie and her best friends Ade and Cass are exactly how my friends and I talk and interact with each other. Kip, Kennie's older brother, is the big brother I never had but always wished I did. He is her protector, always there for her whenever she needs him (and whenever she doesn't need him too-- Oh Kip! LOL!). Jax provides such a great comedic relief to this story. He is undoubtedly a scene stealer. You are going to LOVE him. My heart is torn between which brother I want to keep for myself. Drew and Jax are both so yummy! Drew is strong, confident, sexy, sweet talking, and just plain dreamy. Jax, well... who doesn't love a smart, funny, tattooed up guy with a mysterious past?
Pleased to meet you, sugar. I'm not interested in anything long term, long waks on the beach, or talking about feelings. But, I'm definitely interested in you, and have a feeling you just might be able to change that about me." He winks at her.
See what I mean? People are going to eat him up! Rest assured he WILL be getting his own book, so you are going to have A LOT more of yummy Jax coming soon. But in the meantime, can I have them both? I know I being greedy, but sue me!
I have the privilege to call Melissa L. Delgado my best friend. So...yes I may be a little bias, but this book really speaks for itself. It pulls at your heart-strings and makes you go on the journey right along Kennie. This journey is not an easy one, especially when someone has made your self-esteem and self-worth so low that it seems almost impossible to get back to the person you used to be. But when ACCEPTANCE happens...it's such a beautiful thing. Watch out world, Melissa is coming and she is taking this world by a storm. Her writing is enrapturing, powerful, and real. You feel the depth of the characters without feeling completely overwhelmed by their issues. Her characters are loveable, sarcastically funny, and so very entertaining.
Andrew Trey Dean is on top of my book boyfriend list. He is absolutely swoon-worthy! I found myself with a goofy smile on my face whenever he came into the story.
"I see you and the insecurities you carry around." I put my index finger against her lips to assure her I'm not done, "and I want you to know, whatever did happen to you? Whatever delusions that last asshole put in your head, the one who helped to make you think so poorly of yourself, are wrong. The way you see yourself, Kennie, is wrong." I pause and lightly shake my head. "I know it's wrong, because I-whenI see you, I see so much more."
I mean come on! Isn't that swoon-worthy?
*Look for Ending a Torn Past-Jax's story expected to be released early 2014. Ohhh, one last thing...although this will be a series, all the books can STANDALONE!!! No dreaded cliff-hangers here. BUT it is best to read in order so you will have a better understanding into the characters. I can't wait for Jax's book. I will be hounding her like the rest of you. :)
Character Casting:
Author Bio:
I love anything and everything pertaining to make up or beauty. I love to write and shop. I love going to the movies and spending time with my friends and family. I love to dance. I love to laugh and to make others laugh. I'm inspired by dance, music, poetry, and photography. I feel there is beauty in everything. I believe to get respect you have to give respect and to treat others how you want to be treated. I love everything and anything vintage. I love Jesus and believe in having faith in the unseen and unheard. I love to have fun and make new memories. But mostly, I love life. Enjoying the road I'm on, and making the most of it.
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Fun Facts about Melissa:
2. I can rap the Busta Rhymes part in the song Look at Me Now!
3. I can draw and paint as well :)
4. I am a slam poet (next performance is in September)
5. I have an impeccable memory, most situations I can remember verbatim.
6. I am the middle child.
7. I am a HUGE fan of makeup. I watch YouTube tutorials almost daily.
8. I used to be a hip hop dancer.
9. I love anything dealing with interior design.
10. I didn't write my first actual legitimate poem until November of last year. That was inspired by a book I read: Slammed by Colleen Hoover.
Giveaway!
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Thank you for the giveaway! Reading the book now and LOVE it!
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