Title: ShameLess
Author: Mel Ballew
Genre: Romantic Suspense
~Synopsis~
"If all you can do is crawl, start crawling. Soon, you'll be able to stand."
S'renaty James lives a privileged life most her age only dream of living. She is beautiful and popular with her entire life ahead of her. Life could not get any better.
Until her life shifts, crashing around her...
Bound by devastation, persecuted by the ones she used to call "friends", haunted by disturbing nightmares, and filled with self-blame, she vows to overcome.
Stefan is everything S'renaty swears to avoid. He is carefree and charismatic. He is primitive, complicated and a total badass. He makes her melt like fine chocolate under a hot summer's sun the first time their eyes meet. There is something about him, and she makes it her mission to find out.
When he meets S'renaty James, he is not prepared for what comes over him because for the first time ever, a girl leaves him breathless. Now, his primary responsibility is to keep her safe.
He will do anything to protect her. Even lie...
Stefan is the one person she has trusted with her heart. After keeping an unforgivable secret, he could be the one to shatter it to pieces. In fact, he may even destroy her beyond repair. Will she overcome and forgive, letting go of the pain, guilt and shame? Or this time, will she be stronger than the hardest lesson of her life--and, become totally ShameLess?
~Excerpt~
On the heels of the truth surfacing in my head, my body reacts. Rapidly, I do a half-turn, lunging down and digging my right foot
"Who needs a rest now?" I cry out into the air now blowing at my back. Dazed, Stefan didn't see that one coming, and I chuckle as I continue racing down the beach.
In no time, he catches up to me as we near the house. He grabs my hand, halting me, pulling me to his side. Both of us are covered in sweat, and sex oozes off him. I just want to scream. Instead, I lean forward, placing my hands on each of my knees, gasping through huffing breaths. Damn that felt great!
Before I know what is happening, he whisks my entire body up slinging me over his shoulder, and takes off running. We both plunge straight into the ocean. The frigid water bitch slaps me; no cold shower needed. Together, we come up for air. Freezing water runs down our faces.
"What the hell, Stefan?" I stutter out through chattering teeth as shivers possess me. Between the cool breeze off the ocean, and the frigid water, I can't get warm. He pulls me to him, wrapping me in his arms, "I told you, you would be in my arms, Star. And, cheaters always get due punishment. I don't play." His words, playful, and firm, offer heated softness. I allow myself to welcome the warmth. Hos is there any possible way to respond to that? I can't.
Time halts.
In the next instant, Stefan takes both of his hands to each side of my face, saying, "You will always be in my arms," then leans in closer introducing his lips to mine in a more passionate kiss than any I have had with him or by anyone else.
In this moment, it feels like the first one. I'm dying inside. This icy water holds no refuge to the fervor his body offers mine. He attempts to pull away, but I bring him to me this time, and take all of him, seizing his lips with my own. I bite his bottom lip, sucking it in, nibbling a little harder, and letting him know I want all of him, not just his lips. I want all of him!
Time has a way of transcending. It surpasses more than the grandest of any of our unanswered prayers. It offers us gifts every single day. Pap is right. Each day is truly a gift. Our past is a gift for our present to open. I'm in the present with the most amazing guy. Right now, nothing else matters except for opening my gift, and accepting my present. God knows exactly what we need exactly when we need it. I thank God for giving me the strength to be here, in this moment.
Tomorrow may still be a mystery, but today is unraveling, slowly. It's like opening a gift, and one I have every intention of treating with care...unwrapping it gently to savor its blessing. Here is to the present; to us!
~Review~
ShameLess by Mel BallewMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
*3.5 Stars*
Twists and turns galore
SHAME- a painful emotion caused by consciousness of guilt, shortcoming, or impropriety.
S'renaty James feels guilty and this guilt she is carrying has morphed into shame, shame so thick that she carries it around like an armor. She is letting it eat away at the person she used be. After a tragic accident which resulted in her being persecuted by the people who used to be her friends, she was never the same. But she is trying to move on and trying to leave shame behind and lead a Shameless life.
"There are times in your life when you have to accept your past to welcome your future."
Stefan may not be the person S'renaty sees herself being with. He is a ruggedly sexy badboy that she should stay away from. But he may be exactly what she needs. Stefan comes with secrets, secrets that will hurt S'renaty when she finds out. Secrets that can break her even more. Is she willing to take that chance?
"Vulnerability is a powerful thing. By accepting weakness, it forces you to open yourself up. It supports the need to trust the other person, giving you strength."
Shameless was an interesting read. Super emotional in the beginning. Had me tearing up and hurting for S'renaty. Then it took a turn and I was left a bit unsure where the events that were happening were coming from. There were so many twists and turns that I was unsure which direction I was facing after a few too many. It did have some really great sexy scenes that I really--really enjoyed. Though, I felt something was a bit off with the story. I don't know if it was the connection between the characters or that sometimes the characters contradicted each other in when it switched POV's. Sometimes it seemed like the two story lines weren't matching up.
BUT...I did enjoy the story and for a while there I was sure it was going to be a 5 star read. One of the things that I enjoyed the most in the story was how Mel Ballew incorporated quotes (sometimes her own quotes and sometimes others' quotes) throughout the story. These quotes really added a lot to the story and I found myself looking forward to the next one while reading. It was a nice touch. So, overall, it was a very emotional story of heartbreak, loss, guilt, love and finally healing.
"You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough."
View all my reviews
~Buy it!~
It's My Life - Bon Jovi
Beaches - Bette Midler
Live Like You Are Dying - Tim McGraw
One Step At A Time - Jordin Sparks
Show Me What I'm Looking For - Carolina Liar
Acceptance In The Waves - Ice Nine Kills
Let's Get It Started - The Black Eyed Peas
Party Rock Anthem - LMFAO
Walk Of Shame - P!nk
Wild Boy - MGK
Purple Rain - Prince
When It Rains - Paramore
Get Lucky - Daft Punk
Crazy Train - Ozzy Osbourne
Between The Raindrops - Lifehouse
Sun Doesn't Rise - Mushroomhead
Crazy Bitch - L.A. Guns
Welcome to My House Party - Mill Creek
Losing My Mind - Daughtry
I'm that Chick - Mariah Carey
Cassanova - Frankie Paul
Because Of You - Kelly Clarkson
Lost In You - Three Days Grace
Touch My Body - Mariah Carey
Just A Fool - Christina Aguilera
Umbrella - Boyce Avenue
Home - Phillip Phillips
Rise Above This - Seether
Whatever It Takes - Lifehouse
Shout At The Devil - Motley Crue
Before I Met You - Usher
I Won't Give Up - Jason Mraz
Who Knew - P!nk
Light Up The Sky - Christina Aguilera
Neon Lights - Demi Lovato
Shameless - All Time Low
Shooting Star - Owl City
The Kill - Thirty Seconds To Mars
Stronger - Kelly Clarkson
Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart - Alicia Keys
Fix You - Coldplay
Hit Me With Your Best Shot - Pat Benatar
I Swear - All-4-One
More Than Words Can Say - Alias
What About Now - Bruno Mars
Just The Way You Are - Rachael Yamagata
Just Give Me A Reason - P!nk & Nate Ruess
~About Mel Ballew~
Mel Ballew resides in rural Pennsylvania with her husband and daughter, along with their two adorable cats. An avid, reader she has always had an equal passion for writing and has written her entire life, to date. Her mother initially birthed, inspired, and encouraged these loves. The two often discussed writing together but unfortunately, that dream never came to fruition.
Years later, this happened, that happened--life happened.
She stepped away from writing to place more focus on being a wife and a full-time mom. Today, she would not have changed a thing. The day her daughter was born became the first day she realized a significant rhythm to her heart was also born. Her daughter, now preparing to go off to college, has grown into a beautiful and responsible young adult.
A twisted turn of events in September 2009 left Mel unable to work outside of the home. Forced to consider other options, and while embracing a therapeutic approach of transcribing all of the challenges facing her, post-accident, she returned to journaling. Once again, the writer within her has been re-birthed--awakened from slumber.
Mel is a hopeless romantic. Blessed, she has her very own soul mate, which she calls husband, best friend, and lover.
She is a simple country gal, with a profound love of true simplicity. She is just as hopeless in her love of nature and regards many of her writing aspirations to appreciating its beauty, although every single story is birthed from her dreams. Sometimes, in life, simply enjoying a chilled glass of sangria on a warm summer's eve or indulging in her love of chocolate and peanut butter is an expression of enjoying such simplicity. For her, these moments are truly d'vine.
~Giveaway~
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