GRR Reviews Pieces by Mary Crawford

Katelyn is a police officer, and she thought she loved her fiancee... Until he got controlling and demeaning, and she had to do a runaway bride on the day of their supposed wedding. She got drunk and passed out, and woke up in a stranger's bed... // Logan is a former army medic and now head of security for one of the biggest pop stars in the Northwest. He "rescued" Katelyn, still in her wedding dress, after she had passed out. He normally wasn't the white knight kinda guy, but something about Katelyn called to him. But someone is stalking Katelyn... Was it her deranged ex-fiancee? Someone related to her officer-involved shooting that almost killed her? Some criminal she helped put away? Will their past continue to haunt them or will they unite and bear them together?

Nice how Katelyn was tough, but not "too" tough, and yes, you'll learn why he ex-fiancee turned psycho. Logan, however, feels a bit on the bland side.

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 4/5

NOTE: Tropes are now in the "Labels" below.

GRR Reviews Freedom by Mary Crawford

Phoenix Wolf is a high-functioning Aspie. He prefers computers to real people, prefers known to the unknown. When his boss told him to take a month off (since he NEVER took a vacation in 3 years), and visit Oregon and look into a promotion there, he decided to take a motorcycle road trip, but the trip barely started when he had to rescue a dog... And met Zoe. // Zoe works for a rescue dog training service and is not a vet, but when the call came in, she had to perform a dog rescue for Phoenix. Her brother had been accused of unspeakable crimes against women, and she had been subpoenaed. She planned to tell the truth, but her parents refused to believe her and all but threatened to disown her if she testified... and her brother had threatened her. And Phoenix cannot walk away, from either "his" dog... or Zoe. But when her brother escaped custody, what will happen to this star-crossed couple?

The threat didn't quite work. Police are obviously incompetent to let an accused kidnapper escape, even if it's in a courtroom. And cops don't seem to take witness tampering seriously. And the ending was way too simple and neat. But the bits about aspie in relationship is good, and didn't resort of aspie tropes (i.e. Spock in Love, or "literal Data").

Category: Contemporary / Romantic suspense

Overall Rating: 4/5

NOTE: Tropes are now in the "Labels" below. 

GRR Reviews Rectify by Mary Crawford

Tayanita "Anita" walked away from motherhood when she developed a severe post-partum depression that bordered on psychosis, leaving her ex-husband to raise their daughter... alone. Years later, her daughter, a high-function autistic, wants to be back into her life... In a moment of panic, she confessed everything to a telephone salesman... a man she never hoped to meet in real-life. His name is John... and somehow, he knew her better than anyone else... a man that never saw her... But is that enough to build a relationship on?

Spoiler:
John is blind, ex-coast-guard pilot, now stuck at a telemarketer desk, after an accident that took away his vision.

This is a linked universe book and while each book can be read alone, there are shared bits that makes more sense when read in order. I like the way the relationship developed.

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 5/5

NOTE: Tropes are now in the "Labels" below. 

GRR Reviews Love is More than Skin Deep by Mary Crawford

Shelby just graduated and joined an international teaching program, due to leave in a month. She already settled her lease and everything else. And she walked into a tattoo parlor, wanting a dreamcatcher for her back. Then everything changed. The senior designer pointed her to a dermatologist... and the diagnosis... Melanoma: skin cancer. She can't go, she has no place to live, she has no job, and since she had been a foster kid, no parents. // Mark is a single dad and a senior partner in a law firm known for taking on seemingly hopeless cases. He's busy, but an encounter with this woman breaking down just brought out all his protective instincts... but can he convince a girl who was taught to rely on no one that it's okay to lean on someone?

Ah, how two wounded souls come together, but there's not TOO much for Mark to do. He doesn't have big huge wounds, and his problem is convincing Shelby to let him in. Still, it's got good touches.

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 4/5

NOTE: Tropes are now in the "Labels" below. 

GRR Reviews Love Claimed (A Hidden Beauty) by Mary Crawford

Love Claimed is about love and acceptance, of a guy's attempt to win a gal's heart despite her reluctance toward his profession.

Jaxson Shepherd is an ortho doctor, and he's in love... He goes to work for coffee, and he's smitten with this one woman, on the same road, taking what's probably her son to school. When a teenager rammed her car by accident, he went into doctor mode and rescued her... But Donda Whitaker does not take kindly to doctors... Or being rescued. But Donda's son Gabriel reached out to Jaxson... His mom had been hurt before and is worth the risk for Jaxson. But Donda was sure that Jaxson will be running away once he knew her past... Can Jaxson convince her otherwise when he has his own problems, including a vengeful sister? Can they teach each other about trust?

I won't get too much into the names, other than the names are obviously African-American names, but the characters are surprisingly race-neutral. Once I got into the story, I completely forgot about the ethnicity of the characters. This is about how to let go of the past and embrace love.


Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: Can a doctor convince a career single mother who hated doctors to give him a chance by helping her son?

Tropes: doctor, single parent, scars, family drama

Overall Rating:  5/5

GRR Reviews Until the Stars Fall From the Sky by Mary Crawford

WARNING: This book contains description of horrific child abuse, viewer discretion is advised

Until the Stars Fall from the Sky is an emotional tale of two damaged people, one physically, one emotionally, coming together, defying all barriers, and united in their quest to love children and each other.

Jeff is a summertime lifeguard. His life was forever changed when a beautiful redhead, in a wheelchair, jumped off the boat to rescue a little boy right under Jeff's nose. The redhead's name was Kiera, a former swimmer, now social worker dedicating her life to save abused children. Jeff grew up in a dysfunctional family and his stepfather is a foul-mouthed abusive SOB that beats wife and kids. This fueled Jeff's passion into going into criminal justice, esp. prosecutor's office. Jeff fell for Kiera hard. She's smart, witty, and vivacious, despite being in a wheelchair, and she challenged Jeff to be more than he is. When Kiera had to rescue a 6-year-old and her baby sister (only a few months old) can Jeff and Kiera become instant parents and declare their love for each other?

Some of the abuse described were horrific and it was great to see that the perps got their karma, and the couple realize together they heal each other and can be parents to the children.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: Man in prosecutor's office training falls for children's advocate, who also happens to be wheelchair-ridden

Tropes: interracial, law enforcement, wheelchair

Overall Rating:  5/5