Pages in the wind by Sally Saylor De Smet

**I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book**
WOW! This book was really refreshing. There are tons of twists and turns which really made me happy. The description makes it seem like it is only the crime that she cannot remember but I got the impression that she completely lost her entire life's memories. I'm a sucker for books where characters suffer from amnesia so I was really excited to read this one. I liked that there wasn't "wasted time" between the sessions and we stayed on topic, until the end. I feel like the last 10% of the book wasn't sure how to end after the hypnosis had ended - this is where Sally lost one of the stars on me otherwise this would half been an easy 5 star.

Pages In The Wind held my attention really well for most of it. Em is charged for murdering her father and she is given the wonderful Dr. Liebermann to help her figure out all the details because she can't remember any of them. We go through her childhood with her starting at 8. Through the sessions we experience her joy and her pain. Sally does an amazing job of crafting together this character who keeps trying every time even when she is knocked down. 

Emily is your typical girl in her "situation". The need for being loved always out weighs the negative situations we are placed into (for a while). I was anxious to know where Penelope was going to fit in as she kept coming up. Even though she was dead I knew that wasn't going to be the end of it. I was happy with this twist and it brought out a big reaction from me. Obviously, I can't stand Dad and I'm baffled by Mom. As a mom of three I can't imagine resorting to the same ways she did and I'm really pissed off at her for that. As for Robert, kudos to him. Very few people would continue to make their way through life and thrive to become something like he did. The dream big brother, putting Emily before himself when he is dealing with that much pain, he is my favorite. Then we have Reid. I'm not sure what Sally's intentions were with him. Was I supposed to be wrapped up in him as much as Emily was or was I meant to be annoyed by him? Because I was REALLY annoyed by him. So much that I was sad when he came back into the picture. I begged her along side Robert to GET ON THAT PLANE! I was so angry when he came and ruined every possibility she could of had. Thank you Dr. Daniel Liebermann for being a concerned psychiatrist! I'm so tired of them always being portrayed as individuals that aren't really concerned for their patient beyond the hour they get every week or so. 

The Girl in the Rain by L.G. Davis

**I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Hidden Gems in exchange for my honest review. ** I am so angry. I cannot stand when women willingly subject themselves to abuse. As a survivor it pisses me off more to watch a woman voluntarily stay in her position than the man causing the abuse. As grown women we should have it figured out by now when a situation is toxic and stop being in fear of loosing somebody. With that said. I did enjoy this book. I wanted to read this book because I though the main character was going to get out of the abusive situation by shooting him herself. I guess I misread the caption. The cover is also beautifully done. Here we have the weak, guilt ridden, push over Paige Wilson. She has bent over backwards for her brother who uses her. Finally, ready to stand up to him and put an end to this. Attempt one ends with a bang. This turning her life into more misery. Fighting to pay the bills and her mother's debt, Paige is an Algebra teacher who comes home everyday to receive verbal abuse. Each step that she takes to better her life is knocked down three times as hard. including a knife to her best friend. Until finally, a gorgeous billionaire comes to town ready to open her world to all new possibilities. Dinners in Mexico and extravagant gifts she has the wedding of her dreams.... or does she. The book was great, there was a lull period near the end of the book that I was confused why it hadn't just ended long before but then when the twist comes I see how everything had to be set up but it still took a long time to set up everything for the twist. I don't think I quite understand the title to what is going on. I'm getting exhausted of all these books "The Girl ___" like can people not come up with their own titles anymore?? Obviously, I can't stand Ryan (Paige's brother), and I have a hard time with Paige as she is willing to deal with abuse because she is guilt ridden. Mr. Billionaire feels too good to be true, and thankfully Paige has an awesome friend who stands beside her and willing to be helpful in any way. Her I like a lot! This book is part of a 2 book series and I am excitedly waiting to see what happens in book 2 now that Paige has stepped up and defended herself!! 4 out of 5

Obscura by Jaden Wilkes

**I voluntarily reviewed and Advance Reader Copy of this book from Hidden Gems in exchange for my honest review. **

Well unfortunately I was not familiar with this author before reading Obscura. Let me tell you how disappointed in myself I am!!. There are a few reasons I chose read this book besides the cover being absolutely beautiful! I am a sucker for psychological thrillers that grab you and don't let go, the header promised a twisted mind f*uck so that was my first draw. I then read the description and it went through a story of how a young woman was attacked and fought her way to reclaim her life by punishing those who had hurt them. Then something happens...but what?!?! I had to know and I'm so glad I did!!!

Right away we face the reality of Gloria's attack and go through it with her step by step, thought by thought. (Warning this may be difficult to read through if you are a survivor yourself recently). Gloria then moves home with her mom where she receives mental help with her therapist and a great group of girls called the "Surviving Butterflies". This group is good for Gloria but I fear Zoe may be harmful for her. Of course the one girl I don't want her to become friends with she looks up to and follows and is willing to do anything for... or is she. Zoe and Gloria develop this second group after hearing about a group of women who deliver punishments on men who have abused women... The Kingmakers.

Ready to reclaim the power from the men who had destroyed them, Zoe and Gloria lead these girls delivering unheard of punishments upon men. Now, I'm not one that believes in feminism so I struggled with their intentions. Then Gloria says exactly what I was thinking through all of this, "Removing men from our culture wouldn't fix it. You couldn't heal by smashing it apart over and over again." This is something I truly stand behind. There is a huge feminist movement going on but it doesn't have anything to do with raising women, it has to do with lowering men. This is something I cannot support so I was happy to see that things were brought back to where I stand.

With all the lies Gloria was trying to keep together to her mom, her therapist, Zoe, the Surviving Butterflies and Adam. I wasn't sure how she was really "healing" after her attack. Then the big moment comes. Gloria's attacker has been found and his punishment has been assigned. Is Gloria ready? Will she finally follow Zoe beyond no return? One the edge of my seat I walked alongside Gloria through this test and what it would lead to. I was horrified and when the twist came about I was slapped across the face!!! So many emotions flooded through me and I was tingling as I discovered who Zoe really was.

There were a couple things that I found that contradicted themselves. I'm hoping that at some point Wilkes can clear up for me or if I'm just confused and not following along with the twist.
1 The name of the trainer girls went from "Lorelei and Trinity" to "Lorelei and Tiffany"
2. In the beginning she made a comment about having failed all the classes but then she discussed that everything came as incomplete

I liked Gloria, it may have a lot to do with the situation she had found herself in, maybe I felt more sorry for her than anything. I was really confused at where Zoe was leading her. I thought this was going to become either a love fantasy with Zoe since she was thinking of her while having sex with Adam, or was going to put her in a position to have her take the fall. (I was way off).  Adam annoyed the crap out of me. I  can't stand a lot of talking during the act so I just wanted him to shut up. Gloria's mom concerned me. She was a little too focused on work I felt. Having just had my family in a similar situation, my step-daughter didn't want to be alone a lot so someone is always home for her. I get she has to pay the bills but working really late I don't think was expectable as a parent.

I highly recommend this book and I am looking forward to reading more by Jaden Wilkes.
5 out of 5