These stories are about strong women and their fight to live and love.
The blog post started out being about books about woman with Breast Cancer because my book INSTANT CONNECTION main character Lorelei has breast cancer. This isn’t in the description of the book so this is a big spoiler that I am reluctant to give away. For the sake of peoples understanding of this post, I will spoil it.
In addition to the romance stories I’ve read about cancer survivors I’ve also been inspired by some amazing books about woman who are fighting with MS, leukemia and other diseases. I decided to widen my list to cover all the strong woman out there dealing with these sort of struggle every day and shine a light on it.
I wanted to spread the word about these special stories cause they changed my outlook on life and my opinion on story telling. They made me want to be a better writer and live my life better. Trust me you will enjoy these stories but you will need tissues and possibly chocolate.
There’s a book included call Tattoos & Tata’s that 100% of the proceeds in October go to Breast Cancer Awareness. Many of these books proceeds are going to a charity or have recommended you donate to specific charities. For this reason alone, you should buy them. I’ve included book and social media for you to support these authors.
Thanks ladies for helping to inspire me to be a better human, writer and family member.
Please send me your recommendations for other books that are about women fighting for their lives.
Enjoy!
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE LIST.
During the month of October, 100% of the proceeds from Tattoos and Tatas will be donated to breast cancer awareness.
Tattoos and TaTas, Tara Sivec, @TaraSivec
DESCRIPTION: Claire and Liz have always had a friendship that defied the test of time, but when one of them is diagnosed with a disease that every woman fears, their bond is put through the wringer. How do you cope knowing your soul mate could be taken from you?
Filled with memories of their life long friendship, inappropriate behavior, bad tattoos and shaving cats, the two friends will realize that laughter really is the best medicine.
Tattoos and TaTas is not your typical love story; it’s a story of friendship and learning how to let go when something is beyond your control.
MY THOUGHT
S ON INSTANT CONNECTION: This is a spoiler so if you’d like to read my book and avoid a big plot twist then I suggest you don’t finish this sentence. My main character Lorelei has breast cancer and had planned to kill her self the day she met Holden. Her sickness is not revealed until half way through the book and is meant to be a shock to the readers as well as some of the characters in the book. I am reconsidering putting it in the description cause I think maybe more people might read it. Maybe burying my lead might be doing Lorelei’s story a disservice. What do you think? Would it change your opinion? Would you rather know?
Instant Connection: Volume 1 (Connection Series) SL Marshall @marshall_sl
DESCRIPTION: Lorelei Prince is self professed Anglophile with a love for all things English, Star Wars and The Walking Dead. During the day she runs a successful veterinarian practice in an up-market neighborhood of San Francisco, minding her own business, trying to get on with her life. She’d given up on love a long time ago. As she waits for her morning train like any other day, she almost falls in front of a speeding train. Just in time, Holden McCaffrey heroically pulls her out of its way and saves her life—in more ways than one.
Holden moved to the US from England when he was a kid, but he’s managed to keep his hot English accent. He spends his days at a job he doesn’t love, but it pays the bills. Holden believes his real passion is photography—until he meets Lorelei. Holden’s stunning combination of his smile, intelligence, charm and accent often gives women pause. He’s young, attractive and 25 years old.
Lorelei and Holden can’t stop thinking about each other, and they begin a relationship with roots in social media but blossoms into something much more. Holden’s floppy hair, enchanting green eyes and love of all things Star Wars has Lorelei bewitched. She finally feels the connection she’s waited for her entire life. Lorelei’s insecurities and secrets might catch up with her, but she’s decided she’s going to let Holden into her life, if only briefly. The hard part will be not letting him into her heart and denying their instant connection.
Their brief whirlwind relationship takes them to the other side of the world. Their affair is perfect, as Holden pushes Lorelei to open up sexually and try to find herself. Unfortunately Lorelei knows their relationship will have to end.
What happens next will test their unconventional love and their future together.
For better or worse, Lorelei and Holden’s life will be changed forever.
MY THOUGHTS ON BRIGHT SIDE: The top of my list is Bright Side, to say this book changed my look on life would be an understatement. I don’t want to spoil anything about this book but it will change your life too. I recommend a box of tissues and a large bag of donuts will be consumed while reading this book. You should also make sure to read this back during the daytime, if you read this at bedtime you will be up all night and crying your eyes out. You’ll want to call your best friend and kiss your husband when you are done. I can’t recommend this book enough!!
Bright Side, Kim Holden
DESCRIPTION:
Secrets.
Everyone has one.
Some are bigger than others.
And when secrets are revealed,
Some will heal you …
And some will end you.
Kate Sedgwick’s life has been anything but typical. She’s endured hardship and tragedy, but throughout it all she remains happy and optimistic (there’s a reason her best friend Gus calls her Bright Side). Kate is strong-willed, funny, smart, and musically gifted. She’s also never believed in love. So when Kate leaves San Diego to attend college in the small town of Grant, Minnesota, the last thing she expects is to fall in love with Keller Banks.
They both feel it.
But they each have a reason to fight it.
They each have a secret.
And when secrets are revealed,
Some will heal you …
And some will end you.
MY THOUGHTS ON BENEATH IT ALL: This is a very honest and beautiful account of what it’s like to be diagnosed with breast cancer from start to finish. Victoria has to deal with her cancer as well as her cheating husband leaving her. She had to survive her illness as well as her life being turned up side down. Victoria is not a victim and you’ll love being on her journey and take strength from her. She’s a true surivior!
Beneath It All (Beneath Series Book 1), Tori Madison, @AuthorToriMadis
DESCRIPTION:
You.
Have.
Breast.
Cancer.
I wasn’t prepared to hear those words. Neither was my loving husband, family or friends. And none of us were prepared for what life had in store after they were spoken.
I should have seen the signs all around me. I should have paid attention to the people who supposedly loved me, the people who I’d always trusted. But I was blind to what was going on. The effects on my flourishing career, passionate marriage, and carefree lifestyle would be insurmountable.
It was time to take control of my life and the overwhelming chaos. Time to make the choices that were right for me. Right for my future. The future I hadn’t planned on.
My life didn’t stop when I heard those four little words . . . it was only just beginning.
MY THOUGHTS ON ALL OF ME & ALL OF YOU: These two books are about sisters one with breast cancer and the other with MS. Both stories are vivid, funny and sexy stories about strong woman who are fighting against their diseases while trying to keep their lives together. Unlike the other stories the men are sexy and alpha’s in these stories too. These stories also have a rich family backstory which are there for their support. You will fall for the entire family. I think we’ll be hearing more from the other sisters in future books.
All of Me, Gina Sorelle, @GinaSorelle
DESCRIPTION: Stella Ciaramitaro spent the last year battling a disease that tried to take her life…and take her away from her four crazy, pain-in-the-butt sisters, occasionally suicidal father, and career as an Emergency Room nurse. Stella’s disease wreaked a lot of havoc, leaving her with visible and invisible scars, but she’s hanging in there. Doing just fine, actually.
Or she was until HE showed up.
Nathan Drazek is a mess and he knows it. A childhood full of mental and physical abuse, four tours in Afghanistan, and ten years policing one of the toughest beats in East Cleveland have left him aloof and nearly incapable of interpersonal relationships. But that’s okay, because Nathan isn’t interested in anything more than just getting by.
Or he wasn’t until SHE showed up.
From the moment Nathan nearly arrests Stella on, sparks fly, limits are tested, and boundaries are shattered. A tenuous, tender friendship quickly evolves into something powerful and passionate they cannot wish away or control. But as they grow closer, new issues arise and old hurts resurface, threatening to destroy their fragile new beginning.
With everything at stake, Nathan and Stella must ultimately decide which runs deeper: their scars or their love.
All of You, Gina Sorelle
DESCRIPTION: Brilliant geneticist Kat Ciaramitaro is the only level-headed one in a big Italian family where crazy reigns supreme. A life-altering medical diagnosis seven years ago changed a lot of things, but most days, Kat handles the emotional and physical baggage just fine. Because that’s what strong women do – they stand and they deal. Alone.
Cleveland Police Officer Danny MacDonough is broken. A childhood spent in foster care has left him feeling unwanted and unlovable, but Danny’s been making up for lost time – grabbing happiness where he can, when he can…all the while making sure no one gets too close to see the cracks in his well-honed façade.
Eighteen months of simmering attraction finally explodes into an all-consuming, passionate relationship. But Kat is ill, Danny is wounded, and nothing about what develops between them is easy or neat. So with their hearts and souls on the line, Danny & Kat must ultimately decide what will win: his past, her future, or their love.
MY THOUGHTS ON Love Always, Kate: I have to be honest I’ve not read this book because I have cried too much reading lately. I had to read a few sexy books with no one dying or almost dying then I’ll read it. However, I read a 5 star review of the book and its now on my Kindle for when I am feeling up to it. I think it should be on this list! Check out the description I think you’ll be sold too.
Love Always, Kate (Love Always Series Book 1), D.Nichole King, @dNicholeKing
DESCRIPTION:
Dear Diary,
Leukemia’s been my life since I was eleven. Now, six years later, I want my life back. Only I’m not sure what that is. The test results came back today. 22,000. Which means I’m officially out of remission—again. I have three options:
1) Another round of chemo.
2) A super-new experimental drug.
3) Dump it all— forget the meds and treatments and enjoy the time I have left.
I think I know what I want. Then, in walks Damian, changing everything.
I mean, everything…
He’s got his own set of issues. It binds us together, you know? We understand what it’s like to lose what matters most in seconds. Still, the last thing I need is to have someone else to crush if I can’t fight hard enough. And the last thing he needs is someone else to grieve.
Never mind. I’m down to two options now.
Somehow I know that whichever one I choose, the result will be the same. With the sand in my hourglass seeping to the bottom, I hope there’s enough left to show Damian that life’s worth living.
Worth fighting for. Worth dying for.
Love Always,
Kate
MY THOUGHTS ON GRAVITY: I just finished Gravity and I can’t spoil anything about this story other than it’s an amazing story. This story is about second chances, and a little bit of magic. A powerfully written and heartbreaking story that you won’t be able to put down. You will cry your eyes out but by the end but it will be happy tears.
Gravity: A Novel, L.D. Cedergreen, @LDCedergreen
DESCRIPTION: After years of trying unsuccessfully to conceive a child, Gemma Walsh finds her husband in bed with another woman. Unable to face his betrayal, she retreats to Priest Lake where her family owns a small cabin. But Gemma finds that she is not the only one hiding away at the lake to avoid an ugly truth.
Andrew Monroe was once an essential part of Gemma’s life but tragedy and misunderstanding shattered their bond, separating them. Now twenty years later, Gemma questions the coincidence of their newly intersected paths as she struggles to resist the sparks that ignite between them.
Just when Gemma feels that she has found her second chance at happiness, she is faced with a shocking truth as her reality spirals out of control. She can’t deny the powerful force that brought Andrew back into her life anymore than she can defy the same force that now threatens to pull them apart.
An emotionally-charged, heart-rending story that will leave you to question the freedom in truth and the existence of fate in its deepest sense.