Interview & Review: Unbeautifully Loved by Emma Grayson

Enjoy our  interview with Emma Grayson after my thoughts on Unbeautifully Loved.

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Author: Emma Grayson
Publisher: Self
Date of publication: April 25, 2013

In three words I can sum up everything I learned about life. Regardless of the shit going on in your life, this fact still remains.

It. Goes. On

Lexie Todd knew these 3 simple words. They were her mantra. So, after dealing with years of abuse at the hands of her boyfriend and the father of her son, she knows what needs to be done. With help from her best friend Mollie, they go on the run.

After months of being on the run they finally find the perfect town to settle in. Unable to trust and always having her guard up, the last thing Lexie wants is to get involved with Lukas Gunn.  Persistent, annoying, bossy, over protective and extremely hot, Detective Lukas Gunn.

After an incident leaves her vulnerable, Lukas knows there’s something haunting her. He’s determined to find out, wanting to protect her and make her his. But Lexie is determined also. Not wanting to give up her past, she pushes him away. Repeatedly.  But when history repeats itself, will Lexie finally be able to trust those around her to keep her safe? Will Lukas be able to save her? Or will Lexie succumb to only knowing what it’s like to be Unbeautifully Loved?

My thoughts:

I was engaged with this story from the first page.  I was intrigued by the prologue and wanted to know more about Lexie.   Lexie is running from an abusive boyfriend who happens to be the father of her son.  Her friend Mollie is helping her out. They settle in a small town and finally start feeling a little safe until Lexie starts getting anonymous presents.  For the most part, I enjoyed the book.  The mystery was pretty good.  I liked the twist in the end.  I thought I had it figured out when I really didn't.  The love scenes were well written and definitely steamy.  I liked that Lexie's son was acted and sounded his age.

There were a few things that bothered me about the story. Lexie just kept making stupid moves all over the place. When Lukas saves Lexie from almost being raped, he never tells her he is a cop, yet she gets into the car with him for a ride home.  Also, once she starts getting weird packages and letters, she keeps insisting that they aren't from her ex. When she knows she is in danger, she insists on leaving the house to go to the store.  None of these things seemed like the reaction of someone who had been through years of abuse and months on the run from said abuser. While I am all for a good strong alpha, I really felt like she might be trading one controlling man for another.  I would have thought knowing what Lexie had been through Lukas would back off a little.  The ending felt rushed to me.  I think I would have liked to see Lexie be more independent before moving in with Lukas and getting pregnant again.  
 
As I said, I did enjoy the story overall and I think it is worth reading.  I am intrigued to read Kane's story in Unbearable Guilt which comes out later this year.

Kari& Autumn: What inspired you to become a writer?

Emma:  I’ve always loved reading since I was very young and I remember thinking it would an amazing thing to write my own book, to have my name on something like that. I remember every time I finished a book I always wished that I could make someone feel the way I felt after reading an amazing book, to affect someone with my writing and my story and to hear about it after.

Kari& Autumn: Where do you come up with the ideas for your books?

Emma: They kinda just come to me. Like if I’m listening to a song a scene will pop in my head and I’ll think it through and see where it goes in my head and if it’s good I bank the idea till I can get to it.

Kari& Autumn: What exciting projects are waiting in the wings?

Emma: A few things! Right now I’m currently working on my new NA series, Blinded by Love, the first book is titled Take it All. I’m looking to have it out at the end of July and that series will have 2 possibly 3 books in it. Then I have this series, Breathe Again. Book two is Unbearable Guilt, and I’m hoping for a fall release. With this series I’m hoping to have more than 3 books, I’d love to make it a 6 book series actually – we will see how it works out!

Kari& Autumn: Who is your favorite literary character and why?

Emma: Oh boy... I don’t actually have a favorite... call me strange lol.

Kari& Autumn: Just for fun, if you could be any animal, what would it be and why?

Emma: First thought was Monkey because they are ADORABLE! Second was Dolphin cause I can not swim!

        

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About the author:

Emma Grayson is a Canadian author who resides outside of Edmonton, Alberta with her family and five year old son. 

She is currently working on Take it All, book one in her new series, Blinded by Love, as well as Unbearable Guilt, book two in her Breathe Again series. 

When she’s not writing she enjoys time with her son, going to movies, reading, or enjoying Starbucks latte’s with her girlfriends. She’s the lover of music, television, all things purple, Oilers hockey and doesn’t leave the house without her iPhone, Kobo, flip flops or a pack of gum.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Emma-Grayson-Author/275585212564824