by Brenda Rothert
I’m
falling.
Faster.
Further.
Deeper.
Sometimes you fall so hard you can’t get back up. My closest companions now are shame and loss. But a sliver of hope lies in the only person I have left in this world – the one who’s growing inside me.
Survival becomes living again because of my child, and the town where I begin anew. That’s where I meet the man who starts to melt the ice inside my heart.
As we get closer, reminders of my past become sharper. Clearer. To confront the pain, I have to discover what’s deep down inside me. Is there enough left there to become whole again, or am I too wounded to heal?
**Warning** This book has mature content that some readers may find troubling. It is intended for readers 18 and up.
Today I’d eaten lunch in a closed bathroom stall at school to avoid
the stares. And instead I got to listen to Mandy Barton telling two other girls
that she’d slept with Levi last night to comfort him over what his slutty girlfriend
had done to him. They’d speculated about who the father of my child was,
eventually deciding on Mr. Schultz, a teacher and coach at my school whom I’d
never even spoken to.
I was on the outskirts of our small city, walking past a rusted, abandoned factory, when a car slowed to a stop nearby. I turned to see a marked police car. A familiar sick taste rose in my throat. My dad was giving me a puzzled glance from a rolled down window, his elbow resting on the door.
“Ivy, what are you doing out here? It’s the dead of winter and you’re miles from home.”
“What are you doing here? Are you following me?” My icy tone was challenging. What was there to be afraid of now? He’d stolen the vulnerable, trusting part of me. He’d shown me that there was no one in my life I could count on.
“I was on patrol and I saw you,” he said, glaring at me. “Get in the car and I’ll drive you home. We need to talk.”
“Talk? Is that code?” I spat out bitterly.
His face was a mix of contrition and anger. “Ivy. Let’s not do this. Get in the car.”
“No.”
“What’s this I hear about you being pregnant? Is it true?”
A powerful wave of nausea swept through me. He didn’t deserve to know, and he certainly didn’t deserve to ask me about it.
I was on the outskirts of our small city, walking past a rusted, abandoned factory, when a car slowed to a stop nearby. I turned to see a marked police car. A familiar sick taste rose in my throat. My dad was giving me a puzzled glance from a rolled down window, his elbow resting on the door.
“Ivy, what are you doing out here? It’s the dead of winter and you’re miles from home.”
“What are you doing here? Are you following me?” My icy tone was challenging. What was there to be afraid of now? He’d stolen the vulnerable, trusting part of me. He’d shown me that there was no one in my life I could count on.
“I was on patrol and I saw you,” he said, glaring at me. “Get in the car and I’ll drive you home. We need to talk.”
“Talk? Is that code?” I spat out bitterly.
His face was a mix of contrition and anger. “Ivy. Let’s not do this. Get in the car.”
“No.”
“What’s this I hear about you being pregnant? Is it true?”
A powerful wave of nausea swept through me. He didn’t deserve to know, and he certainly didn’t deserve to ask me about it.
~ Marlene's Review ~
Deep Down is an extremely emotional story. It’s very important that you take the warning attached to the blurb seriously. “This book contains strong subject matter which may be difficult for some readers.” The subject matter is icky. Once I realized what was happening, I needed to brace myself for what was to come. Getting through the first chapter was tough. Having said all that, it was so well written that I believe that anyone can get through the icky-ness and truly enjoy this story of survival and the kind love that everyone hopes to one day find.
Not only is the subject matter handled and written so well, all of the characters in this journey were fantastic and contributed greatly to the story. Ivy is such a strong character that was forced to mature quickly. She remains guarded with walls that are not easily broken. However, she has a beautiful spirit and it is difficult for others to not fall in love with her. Reed is not only handsome, but he is kind, patient, and determined. April is an unexpected friend and major supporter in Ivy’s life. Margie and Gene are wonderful friends and parenting figures when they were needed the most. The Lockhart brothers have spiked my interest with their own stories to tell. And Walter, the grumpy old author, full of wisdom with a warm heart that is well hidden. I loved each and every one of them!
Not only is the subject matter handled and written so well, all of the characters in this journey were fantastic and contributed greatly to the story. Ivy is such a strong character that was forced to mature quickly. She remains guarded with walls that are not easily broken. However, she has a beautiful spirit and it is difficult for others to not fall in love with her. Reed is not only handsome, but he is kind, patient, and determined. April is an unexpected friend and major supporter in Ivy’s life. Margie and Gene are wonderful friends and parenting figures when they were needed the most. The Lockhart brothers have spiked my interest with their own stories to tell. And Walter, the grumpy old author, full of wisdom with a warm heart that is well hidden. I loved each and every one of them!
This
story is a complete standalone with a HEA. However, I am delighted to
learn that we will be hearing more from these characters in future
releases. I am very anxious to see how Mason Lockhart’s story plays out!
These days Brenda writes New Adult Romance in the Contemporary and Dystopian genres. She loves to hear from readers by email at bjrothert@sbcglobal.net.
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