Title: Vivid
Author: Jessica Wilde
Release Date: Oct 11, 2015
Hosted by: Always Behind A Book
Add to Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25605272-vivid
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1QOxXfw
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“Hope is a funny thing. No one really pays attention to their ability to hope until it’s all they have. And even then, it’s not a guarantee for anything.”
HOLY WOW…just wow! This book absolutely blew me away and is by far one of the best books that I have read this year. I LOVE a damaged hero. There is something about them that and the way that they love that draws me in and doesn’t let go. Vivid is a beautifully written story that tugs on your hear strings, fills you with dome and demonstrates that love can see through anything.
Merrick & Grace both have demons that need to battle and put to bed. While one was a consequence of war that left a strong man scarred and broken, the other one is a consequence of fate. Bother were outside of their control but left them shells of who they were. Grace and Merrick both struggle to make sense of their needless tragedies and find a new equilibrium.
Yet, the road to recovery is often a painful journey with only glimpses of light and hope that keep you moving in the right direction. But when you have someone compassionate and understanding by your side that sees through the bullshit and hurt, it makes the journey all that more worthwhile. And thus is the journey of Grace and Merrick as they both navigate the turbulent road side by side, inch by inch until they realize it is the others faith that has healed them. Sometimes all you need is someone to see you to make all the difference. That someone to help you find peace again
I loved Merrick in this book. It was clear from the outset that he was struggling with the new limitations of being blind and broken. And when you add to this the guilt, it is understandable for him to be angry.
“Anger was the only thing I wanted to feel anymore. I could handle anger. I knew it’s weaknesses and its strengths. Plus, it welcomed me more than sadness ever did.”
He convinced himself that he was not worthy of anything, including compassion.
It is not until Grace enters his life that his perspective starts changing. When he starts to recognize the downright beautiful soul of Grace he starts to question everything. As time goes on and the relationship develops between the pair you could see Merrick start to let go of his demons and start focusing his energy on Grace.
“It was effortless to like her and too easy to fall her her.”
And it was with this change in attitude that he questioned himself.
“Why the hell hadn’t I noticed her before?”
But with this revelation come another issue for this once dominant, strong and able bodied military man. Never had he been one to question his confidence around women, so for him to comprehend that Grace could see past the physical and accept him was foreign.
“Would she run screaming if she knew I was attracted to her?”
It was once he came to terms with this that I truly fell in love with him. and the absolute way that he opened up, shared his vulnerabilities, doled out compassion and all round loved. The transformation and growth of his character was captured and portrayed so richly by Jessica’s words.
Grace has to be one of the best written female characters that I have read this year. The connection to her was almost instantaneous. Her unwavering compassion cemented her for me. It was evident from the way that she saw Merrick after his accident.
“His injuries were extreme, but it didn’t draw away from his attractiveness. In no way was his scars repulsive to me and my heart constricted at the thought of anyone feeling that way.”
As she spent more time with Merrick, she was able to break through the facade that he put up for the world. She never once exploited his vulnerabilities but rather, demonstrated to him over and over again that he was worthy and strong. And in no way did she allow his self pity a chance and set him straight in her no nonsense way.
“Stop trying to erase everyone from your life and stop trying to slowly kill yourself. You want to honor your fellow soldiers? Live for them. Get better for them.”
Her persistence and utter belief that Merrick was more than was giving himself credit for was what underpinned this epic love story.
I am a massive fan of a slow burn. Jessica built up the anticipation between this pair superbly. When these two finally got together it was explosive. I couldn’t get enough of the moments stolen from them. The passion was electric and magnetic. The pull was so strong. And I loved the change up between sweet and sensual and off the charts hot.
The writing in this book was flawless. Jessica took me on a journey that flowed easily and effortlessly. It drew me in and committed me to Grace and Merrick from the bery beginning. Days later I am still thinking about this wonderful story.
Vivid is a truly outstanding, inspiring and gorgeous read. Jessica Wilde hit this book out of the park with her words capturing every available space in my heart.
Purchase Vivid
Merrick Thatcher went through a hell that no one could possibly imagine. He fought to protect his country, his family, and the men standing at his side, but it wasn’t just being a soldier overseas that changed him. He watched his friends die in front of him, felt indescribable pain, and lost his sight in the very same moment.
Badly injured, blind, and angry, he’s done with war, but now he’s fighting his own battle. So, he’s waiting for it to end, spending his days and nights in a thick darkness no light can penetrate. Until Grace walks into his life and his broken eyes open to a woman that changes everything for him.
A story about two flawed souls finding love amidst the grief. A love that shines vividly, even in the dark, and discovering that sometimes being broken is how the light gets in.
For readers 18+ due to language, violence, and sexual situations
EXCLUSIVE AUTHOR INTERVIEW & CHAPTER REVEAL
w/ Panty Dropping Book Blog
AUTHOR INTERVIEW:
READ CHAPTER ONE:
DONATION: Special Operations Warrior Foundation
Like many other foundations, the Special Operations Warrior Foundation provides assistance to injured soldiers as well as their families. SOWF also focuses on one of the most important challenges those families face; ‘getting to their hospitalized loved ones as quickly as possible’. With grants immediately provided to the family, they can travel to be bedside with their loved one, especially for those crucial first days. SOWF also provides a scholarship program, family services (including clinical social workers, scholarship counselors, and family services counselors). With on-going support and helpful counseling to all families of fallen members in every branch of the military, they are able to help in all the ways that count. The SOWF was highly recommended to me by a recent veteran who served in Iraq. Therefore, I am thrilled to be able to help them in any way possible. Every little bit counts.
I felt her hand rest on my arm, stopping me from rolling away and getting the hell away from her before I said something stupid.
“I know you don’t remember me from before, but I …” Her words trailed off, her fingers constricting against my skin.
God, if I could just touch her, I wouldn’t need to ask questions. I would be able to feel every soft curve and edge, and I wouldn’t need anything more than that. If I could just touch her.
“I was never one of those girls that you found yourself with all too often.”
I frowned and leaned forward, waiting for an explanation. I had no idea what she was talking about. Of course she wasn’t one of those girls. She was real and sweet, compassionate and smart. Those other girls were just fake. The pretty was only on the outside.
“I was never really pretty. At least not the pretty that everyone would have seen. I was kind of awkward and nerdy, but rounder in areas where other girls were flat. Still am. Does that make sense?”
I hesitated before nodding my understanding, grinning when I envisioned her. “So you’re telling me that you look like a real woman and not a stick?”
She gasped and pulled her hand away from my arm. “I didn’t say that.”
I waited for her to continue. Anything that would give me a better picture of her. She stayed silent. I was starting to feel like the air around me was too thick to breathe.
Grace cleared her throat and shifted in her chair. I wanted to know what she was doing with her hands. Was she wringing them together? Were they in her lap? In her hair? Was she looking at me or trying to avoid that?
“I’m just me,” she said, quietly.
“You’re beautiful.” The words left my mouth without my prompting, but there was nothing inside of me that wanted to take them back.
She released a self-deprecating laugh and, again, I wondered what she was doing with her hands.
“I may be blind, Grace. But I can still see some things.”
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1QOxXfw
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I live in Morgan, Utah with my husband, beautiful daughter, and a couple of spoiled pups. If I’m not deeply involved in writing my next book, then I’m probably reading in the safety and quiet of my closet. I love yoga – which I now practice regularly – playing hide and seek with my daughter (only to have my hiding spots revealed by one of the pups), and I love Fruit by the Foot, Twizzlers and Peace Tea. These are great ways to bribe me into revealing secrets about what’s to come.
I have an unhealthy obsession with Supernatural, The Walking Dead, and The Big Bang Theory. I also enjoy talking about them, so if you like them, too, come find me.
Writing has become an enormous part of my life and every book I write holds a special place in my heart. If you read one of my books, I hope you have the same experience.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJessicaWilde
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Hosted By Always Behind A Book
RedHot Romance 
So amazing! Thank you so much for participating in the release blitz for Vivid and for your phenomenal review! I love it ❤ ❤ It means the world to me that you loved Vivid and I'm so grateful to you for taking a chance on me 🙂
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Thank you so much. This book was amazing. Merrick & Grace were so awesome
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