Review: Captured Again

Captured Again (Let Me Go #2)
L.L Akers
New Adult

Ink doesn't fade, but bad memories do. Gabby, Olivia and Emma have stumbled through the ashes of their past. They've happily moved on when disaster strikes again, and one heart breaks when another stops beating--forever. Olivia must help her twin sister, Gabby, keep her tentative grip on reality when the happily ever after she and Jake fought so hard for is threatened.

And Emma's all grown up these days. Now that she's a junior in college, she's determined to hide her old ink and write a new story. Anyone who remembers that girl she used to be is where they belong--in her past. However, after a rough night, she's detoured by Dusty... he's almost too good to be true. He's hot. He's sexy. But the smoldering gray eyes don't hide the fact he's not Emma's typical bad boy. He's a cop. One who's always colored between the lines--until the day he arrests Emma, the troubled girl from long-ago with the dragonfly tattoo. But she's not a girl anymore. Dusty falls hard for her fiery blue eyes and spitfire personality. For her, he's willing to risk getting burnt.

In hot pursuit of Emma, Dusty enters a dangerous game of hide and seek. Emma's stubbornness and refusal to surrender may just get one of them killed, before he's able to capture her heart.

I featured the first book in this series, Let Me Go, back in September and hosted an interview with LL Akers. You can read it here. It occurred to me now that I never reviewed it, because my blog tour stop didn't require it - but basically, I really liked it and it kept me thinking for awhile after I finished. I'm happy to say I loved Captured Again! 

Book #2 takes up a few good years since book #1 left off. I loved getting to read about Emma as an adult, and this time the book centers on her. I also loved seeing Olivia with her life on track- in general, the girls' lives are much better than when they were younger, and that took courage and hard work that was beautiful to see.

You think a book all about girls won't make you swoon? Think again. Dusty alone made me all smiley. And towards the end a certain someone shows up... warning: There are some steamy, steamy scenes(;

Gabby is not doing well. However, unlike other books that feature troubled heroines, she isn't whiny at all and lives and learns and is, in other words, a survivor. (Survival is a running theme in the series)

Lastly, some cover love. Just how gorgeous is this novel?? 

Highly recommended!!
Rating: 

Love,
Esty

Let Me Go Blog Tour- interview with LL Akers!

Let Me Go
New Adult
Release date: July 5th 2013
Publisher: SmArt Group Consulting, LLC
Purchase: Amazon

Hi everyone! This week I was privileged to take part in the Let Me Go tour hosted by  the lovely Shane at Itching for Books (link to tour post) Thank you Shane for the tour and LL Akers for your time! 

Book Description: 

A scarlet dragonfly tattoo—meant to be a beautiful, family mark of freedom, but instead becomes a prophetic brand for those who wear it, to forever be suffering. Wounded and broken, they find themselves flittering back into the cycle of abuse that relentlessly clings to their family, a reality they can never seem to escape. 

One mother and her daughters, bound by blood—torn apart by abuse. They begin their lives intertwined but are forced to fight for their survivals separately, struggling to hide their fear and undeserved shame from each other and the world. One of these women finds herself trapped—alone—and she battles to survive the terrifying darkness. With long hours of nothing to do but wait in fear, she grapples through her obscure dreams and memories of the past, sorting which memory belongs to whom: physically harmed, mentally damaged, raped, sexually abused, an unwanted pregnancy… and even the vivid memory of a dangerous dance with death in a last attempt to escape the shambles and horrors of a seemingly unchangeable situation.

Twin sisters, Gabriella and Olivia, dive blindly—and much too early—into adulthood. They are soon followed by their younger sister, Emma, all running from a not-so-idyllic past; chasing the happiness they believe they will find, by abandoning their childhoods to be “grown-up” and start their own lives. 

Deeply evocative, Let Me Go is a coming-of-age story: the struggles of one mother and her daughters trying to survive life—marred by abuse and misplaced blame—and their need to reach peace, forgiveness, and reconciliation.

Interview with LL Akers, the author of Let Me Go:

 Can you give us a brief explanation about [your book title]?

The words in the book title, Let Me Go, are spun throughout the book. The reader will find it many times. Not only is it the underlying theme, whereas the young ladies are trying to evade their abusive situations, but correlates directly to the prologue where there is a girl in a box, screaming the words “Let me go!” as she is held captive, remembering her life and the lives of the other women in her family. Similar words are also used (“let her go…”) in a heated argument between Gabby and her mother at a pivotal moment in Gabby’s life when her twin sister is taking her first steps away from her, and into a serious relationship… which Gabby does not approve of, and again in discussing her little sister with her father.

What was the inspiration for Let Me Go?

The words ‘let me go’ are often used by victims of abuse... even if they are too afraid to say them aloud, you can bet they are thinking those words.

Are any of your characters based off of real people?

Gabby holds the attention throughout the majority of the book—and she and her storyare inspired by a real person.

 Who was your favorite character to write?

Uncle Jackson… I always wanted to say ‘the spittin’ end of my gun!’

What is the best piece of advice you would give new authors?

I am a new author… but what I can tell other newbies is to be prepared for the marketing. The accomplishment of finishing the book and punching that publish button is an amazing feeling. But if you feel that was work… wait until you start the social networking, promoting and trying to get your book noticed out of over a million+ available books! I wish I had my own little army of techy-elves to help me. I’ve been blessed with a few successful authors giving great advice, both privately and on KBoards/Writer’s Café.

In comparison to cases like these in real life, do the girls in Let Me Go have it good or bad? 

In comparison... You can find 'real' stories just like these on dozens of Facebook Abuse Support sites; some situations are much worse, some not as bad, but even the mildest case of abuse is unacceptable.

What can be done to help people in abusive situations?

 To help people, once you know or think they are in an abusive situation, the best thing you can do is listen first. Don't doubt their stories. Be a part of their support net, and help them find a way out. Sometimes just having one person believe in you and encourage you, can give a victim all the encouragement they need to get away from their abuser.

Why do some victims' reactions to abuse differ so much? (i.e. Olivia thinks it's ok to marry at 16 because her parents did, Gabby sees it exactly the opposite) 

 Why do reactions differ? Because sometimes people who are raised in a dysfunctional family don't have any higher expectations for themselves. They see their mother or sister 'just deal with it,' and they accept it as the way it is. They cannot see the tree for the forest.

What is the last book that you read?

Pearl, by C.E. Weisman, and I loved it. I believe it was her debut book, also.

What is your biggest dream?

That my first novel will inspire other new adults to make better decisions when coming-of-age. But if they don’t… and they find themselves in abusive situations—get out! Don’t wait. Don’t take excuses. Be a survivor! Those years are too precious to spend cowering and wasting your life away unhappily—you can’t get them back!

About the Author:

L.L. Akers is a married mother of: one very intelligent and handsome tween, a chubby beagle who looks like a mini-cow, and a deranged terrier, as well as five very elegant Koi fish, a herd of tiny but boastful lizards and dozens of obnoxiously loud, but beautiful frogs. She left a twelve-year career in the human resource arena—and eventually dipped her toes into the world of writing: beginning with proofreading/beta-reading, and content-editing while contemplating writing her own novel. She has made huge efforts (and progress) at becoming a professional recluse; happy to hang out in her pajamas all day with just her laptop, iPad, Burt’s Bees lip balm and posse of creatures. Regardless of her recent self-isolation from the world, she can still be lured outside for brief moments by the scent of freshly mowed grass and a bowl full of cherries. Let Me Go is her first novel.

facebook.com/AuthorLLAkers | @Akers_ll

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