What do you think?
Rate this book
Alabama Secrets #1
Just in Case
Work hard. Play hard. Love hard. That’s the Southern way.
Revell Marshall has built a life and career working with objects as fragile and damaged as Scarlett while reassembling the delicate stained glass windows that saved the small town of Crossroads, Alabama from ruin. He’s determined to do whatever it takes to lure the one girl he’s always loved back to Alabama, even if he has to rid the town of someone keeping her away. Once Scarlett returns, he’ll do anything to win her heart. Even if he has to help her piece together the facts of her mother’s past and expose old secrets he’d rather leave buried.
Stay clear of the past to protect the future. That’s the survivor’s way.
Scarlett Marbry a child prodigy, and an acclaimed Sacred Harp singer until the day her mother committed suicide knows she’s never been good enough for Revell. In the aftermath of tragedy, she refused to sing another note, running away from Crossroads and whatever pushed her mother over the edge. Seven years later family obligations and a long lost letter lure her back, but she’ll have to face the one she left behind and a horrible truth she never intended to encounter.
What if the love you thought would always be yours turns out to be forbidden?
You better hold tight to your heart…
Just in case.
Alabama Secret Series
Each book is a stand alone novel with crossover characters, they are numbered in the order they were written, not in chronological order.
Just in Case Book 1
Just Close Enough Book 2
Revell Marshall has built a life and career working with objects as fragile and damaged as Scarlett while reassembling the delicate stained glass windows that saved the small town of Crossroads, Alabama from ruin. He’s determined to do whatever it takes to lure the one girl he’s always loved back to Alabama, even if he has to rid the town of someone keeping her away. Once Scarlett returns, he’ll do anything to win her heart. Even if he has to help her piece together the facts of her mother’s past and expose old secrets he’d rather leave buried.
Stay clear of the past to protect the future. That’s the survivor’s way.
Scarlett Marbry a child prodigy, and an acclaimed Sacred Harp singer until the day her mother committed suicide knows she’s never been good enough for Revell. In the aftermath of tragedy, she refused to sing another note, running away from Crossroads and whatever pushed her mother over the edge. Seven years later family obligations and a long lost letter lure her back, but she’ll have to face the one she left behind and a horrible truth she never intended to encounter.
What if the love you thought would always be yours turns out to be forbidden?
You better hold tight to your heart…
Just in case.
Alabama Secret Series
Each book is a stand alone novel with crossover characters, they are numbered in the order they were written, not in chronological order.
Just in Case Book 1
Just Close Enough Book 2
388 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 20, 2013
7 people are currently reading
772 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Marx
19 books499 followersWindy City writer Elizabeth Marx brings cosmopolitan flair to her fiction, which is a blend of romance and fast-paced Chicago living with a sprinkle of magical realism. In her past incarnation she was an interior designer--not a decorator--which basically means she has a piece of paper to prove that she knows how to match and measure things and can miraculously make mundane pieces of furniture appear to be masterpieces. Elizabeth says being an interior designer is one part shrink, one part marriage counselor and one part artist, skills eerily similar to those employed in writing.
Elizabeth grew up in Illinois and has also lived in Texas and Florida. If she’s not pounding her head against the wall trying to get the words just right, you can find her at a softball field out in the boonies or sitting in the bleachers by a basketball court. Elizabeth resides with her husband, girls, and two cats who’ve spelled everyone into believing they’re really dogs.
Elizabeth has traveled extensively, but still says there’s no town like Chi-Town.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
June 12, 2015
★★★★ 3.5 - 4 Stars ★★★★
This was a very interesting and different read for me, I enjoyed the mystery of the hidden secrets and the second chance love aspect very much.
Set in the mountains of Alabama, Scarlett Marbry has returned to her birth town from Chicago after the death of her grandparents. Scarlett left when her mother committed suicide and has always hated the hill-billy town that housed her mean old grandfather, but now she is back and she is hell bent on finding out why her mother could no longer bear to be alive.
Revell Marshall is the man she left behind when she was fifteen and he was a good few years older, but he is determined to finally lay claim to his woman, even if it does mean that she first goes through a nightmare to find her answers.
The descriptions and the way the author showed me the way of life of the deep south was fascinating and I was glued to the pages. Scarlett had a lot to deal with and it was hard to read when the family secrets were finally revealed, but the relationship between her and Revell was great, he was adorable and it was clear from the get go that he was the man who could bring her back to where she belonged.
Review copy gratefully received from the author in exchange for an honest review
This was a very interesting and different read for me, I enjoyed the mystery of the hidden secrets and the second chance love aspect very much.
Set in the mountains of Alabama, Scarlett Marbry has returned to her birth town from Chicago after the death of her grandparents. Scarlett left when her mother committed suicide and has always hated the hill-billy town that housed her mean old grandfather, but now she is back and she is hell bent on finding out why her mother could no longer bear to be alive.
Revell Marshall is the man she left behind when she was fifteen and he was a good few years older, but he is determined to finally lay claim to his woman, even if it does mean that she first goes through a nightmare to find her answers.
The descriptions and the way the author showed me the way of life of the deep south was fascinating and I was glued to the pages. Scarlett had a lot to deal with and it was hard to read when the family secrets were finally revealed, but the relationship between her and Revell was great, he was adorable and it was clear from the get go that he was the man who could bring her back to where she belonged.
Review copy gratefully received from the author in exchange for an honest review
August 20, 2013
BOOK REVIEW: Stained (Carpetbaggers, Rebels, & Yankees Series #1)
Stained is a very intricate, deeply profound and captivating story of one girl's mission to uncover hidden family secrets; to dig up underlying roots and examine in excruciating detail the reasoning's behind a loved one's actions. So many questions, so much confusion, darkness and hatred stem from one single source: Preacher Man - Scarlett's cold and elusive Grandfather. However, uncovering truths that have been painstakingly buried by a ruler with an iron fist comes with its own set of consequences, because sometimes, finding the truth does not set you free...but seeks to destroy.
*
Staring at the mahogany coffin of Preston `Preacher Man' Marbry should have elicited an array of emotions, yet all it gave Scarlett was a sense of peace, as her whispered parting of `good riddance' contrasted deeply to `god rest her soul' relayed to Oglear, her beloved Mamaw, who's coffin rested soundly next to that of her Husband.
Having fled this small town in Marshall County many years ago with her beautiful, yet damaged Mother, Mazey Grace, a famous Sacred Harp singer, as they started a new life in Chicago, she swore never to return, but it seems Preacher Man, even in death, has other ideas.
An envelope in her Mother's delicate scrawl is all that stands between her and freedom. When Preacher Man's will and testament is read to the Marbry brood which account for most of the residents in Crossroads, Scarlett is horrified to learn that most of his estate, including the church, Copperhead Tabernacle, are to be left to her, along with the envelope. There is just one snag; she has to stay in Crossroads, Alabama until Easter, the following April in order to read it! If she leaves, she forfeit's everything, including the information she so desperately seeks.
Revell `Trax' Marshall has been pining for Scarlett to come back to Crossroads for years. They fell in love over the summer of her fifteenth year, even though the age difference proved a problem for the locals, including her Grandparents, he accepted the fact that when she fled with Mazey to Chicago, it was never to return.
So when Scarlett walks into The Three Sips bar that he is currently managing, the surprise of seeing her again brings home all the affectionate sentiments he once held and it's not long before they start to reform a connection.
With the town folk content in making Scarlett's life as difficult as possible, Revell invites her into his home and back into his life. With his stained glass business starting to take-off and provide a lucrative income into the town, Scarlett spends her days supporting Revell's business by working at `Scarlett's Heart' - its namesake not gone unnoticed...
However, with this blossoming `old to new' friendship comes many unanswered questions. Revell and Scarlett take it upon themselves to do a little investigating of their own, but they could never have imagined the journey in which it would take them. Conspiracy theories and town secrets slowly reveal the hidden façade of Preacher Man as his iron fist control starts to crack; it soon becomes apparent that his manipulative ways held no boundaries, not even in death.
*
Elizabeth Marx amazes me with her talent. Her writing flows so beautifully, her words poetic and structured with unwavering ardour as they paint vivid pictures across every page.
Stained is a captivating story with a southern backdrop that, at times made for uncomfortable reading. It spoke of true `old fashioned' family values, and at others, it projected a closed, tight-lipped community that frowned upon `yankee doodle dandy,' outsiders. If you were born in Crossroads, you stayed in Crossroads, anything less and you suffered derision and scrutiny; this `backwards' notion surprised me, even though it gave the story extra angst, adding to Scarlett's plight, I wasn't quite prepared for it.
I had problems with some of the character names and there were a few elements I just couldn't seem to connect with, but I put that down to sole `Britishness.' Overall though, this is an intelligent, intricately woven story that kept me entertained until the end.
Oh, and `Trax' wasn't too hard on the eyes either. I absolutely loved him! If you like your book boyfriends Southern Style with a side of hot sauce, then you can't go far wrong with this guy!
September 18, 2013
OH MY GOD! that blasted letter! the little pandora's box that has unleashed an evil i couldn't quite handle. i knew it!. i had a strong suspicion on who scarlett's father is. but nothing has really prepared me for the truth, to have my suspicions confirmed. damn!
wow...just wow...this is really a profound story.set in one of the southern states in the US, depicting a certain cultural backwardness and the hostile attitude of the southerners towards the northerners because of the civil war. the people in marshall county are, in a way, old-fashioned since they really adhere to their culture. and one could expect that in a small place like that, power struggles between families is commonplace. they actually forbid marriages with outsiders, thus, they perform intermarriages which would explain why majority of the population in crossroads are related to each other.
quite frankly, i was fascinated at the same time appalled by their culture. don't get me wrong, if this is still being practiced today, then i solemnly respect it. i guess, i still can't quite grasp their ideals and beliefs.
this book was definitely intriguing. scarlett's goal, whether she liked it or not, was to unravel the mysteries behind Mazey Grace's death and maybe to understand the enigma that is her mother and her loathing towards her grandfather. and revell is just the sweetest, most thoughtful guy ever, being by scarlett's side and loving her no matter what happens. and he's the perfect southern gentleman, if i may add.
it is because of that letter that i kept on turning the pages and reading the lines until i discover whatever the hell it contains. all throughout my reading of the book, my mind kept on forming weird connections and assumptions that would actually explain some of the puzzles. it was mind-boggling, i daresay. and up until the point where the contents of the letter were revealed, i haven't quite understood the depth of preacher man's evil. he's just so dishonorable, vile, immoral, hypocrite, nefarious and all the synonyms one can come up with the word 'evil'. the things he did were horrifying that even in his grave, it would seem that he still has a hold over the county because his evildoings still linger among the people.
in the end, guess the challenge for scarlett and revell is to start over, paint the place anew, create memories that would overshadow the evil that has lodged itself up on the place, and not let the stain of the past blemish the hope for the future.
i am so excited for the next installment.i just can't wait.
wow...just wow...this is really a profound story.set in one of the southern states in the US, depicting a certain cultural backwardness and the hostile attitude of the southerners towards the northerners because of the civil war. the people in marshall county are, in a way, old-fashioned since they really adhere to their culture. and one could expect that in a small place like that, power struggles between families is commonplace. they actually forbid marriages with outsiders, thus, they perform intermarriages which would explain why majority of the population in crossroads are related to each other.
quite frankly, i was fascinated at the same time appalled by their culture. don't get me wrong, if this is still being practiced today, then i solemnly respect it. i guess, i still can't quite grasp their ideals and beliefs.
this book was definitely intriguing. scarlett's goal, whether she liked it or not, was to unravel the mysteries behind Mazey Grace's death and maybe to understand the enigma that is her mother and her loathing towards her grandfather. and revell is just the sweetest, most thoughtful guy ever, being by scarlett's side and loving her no matter what happens. and he's the perfect southern gentleman, if i may add.
it is because of that letter that i kept on turning the pages and reading the lines until i discover whatever the hell it contains. all throughout my reading of the book, my mind kept on forming weird connections and assumptions that would actually explain some of the puzzles. it was mind-boggling, i daresay. and up until the point where the contents of the letter were revealed, i haven't quite understood the depth of preacher man's evil. he's just so dishonorable, vile, immoral, hypocrite, nefarious and all the synonyms one can come up with the word 'evil'. the things he did were horrifying that even in his grave, it would seem that he still has a hold over the county because his evildoings still linger among the people.
in the end, guess the challenge for scarlett and revell is to start over, paint the place anew, create memories that would overshadow the evil that has lodged itself up on the place, and not let the stain of the past blemish the hope for the future.
i am so excited for the next installment.i just can't wait.
July 20, 2013
Another amazing series by Elizabeth Marx! I'm always blown away by how smooth and well-written her books are, but this book to it to another level. This is a deep, thought provoking series! I was able to connect with the main character, Scarlett, on a few levels. And I hope to one day meet a "Trax" of my own. Phew is he h.a.w.t. Can you say fictional crush?! If your a fan of "not your average cookie cutter romance" you MUST read this book.
January 5, 2014
Review to Follow.
Refreshingly unique, thought provoking.
Refreshingly unique, thought provoking.
April 23, 2016
Totally baffled by the high ratings this uneven and rather boring book enjoys. The book cannot decide whether it wants to be a light romantic comedy or a dark angsty drama. And since these two cannot mesh, not by this writer or any other I have read, we just have a series of rather repetitious episodes put together as the writer went along with an obligatory climax tacked in in the last 30 pages or so. The result is that the book has a very long section where the main characters interact as if they are in a light second rate romantic comedy (as if they had not already had big tragedies in their young lives, as if they needed to wait for the not so shocking, to a seasoned reader , revelations that come 75% in) and then for about 30 pages or fewer they are in a dark story of mental collapse and helplessness (itself badly handled). Since for most of the story the pseudo-charming annoying banter dominates, this reader was put to sleep on more than one occasion (took me 10 days to read this, as I was dreading going back to it), and when the breakdown happens one feels nothing as a result of the terrible style and pacing of the book. One immediately knows that such a terrible event as mental collapse will be swiftly resolved with some excruciatingly stupid 'talk' a character or two will have with the heroine and she magically will be restored to wholeness (the levity with which the writer treats mental break-downs, for the heroine is only 20 yet she has had three such episodes already!!!, is shocking).
The hero is sappy straight off the bat and gets sappier and sappier as one wearily turns one kindle page after another, and the heroine instead of eliciting sorrow for her woes makes you want to find a door and slam it in her face. Oh, she is supposedly intellectually gifted but like everything else in this book we are told that without any proof of her talents. She is supposedly 20 years old but the writing is so erratic that at times she sounds like a middle aged woman while at others she feels like a 14 year old on a date with her school crush (she sounds more mature as a flashback-15 year old). Given that the writer tries to capitalise on the time lapse between the younger heroine and hero (15 and 20 respectively) and their 'present' selves (20 and 25), it is strange she went for such a short period of separation for such young people. The time is too short for any of them to have developed a personality, or have had accomplishments or achievements. They sprang out of the womb fully formed, it seems. One of the reasons they are never convincing either as individuals or as a couple.
Furthermore, and this is a big big fail, this book that is supposed to be filled with passions and tragic loves all around is peculiarly flat and unerotic. There's absolutely no scene of passion that a reader could remember or want to revisit. There's only one stab at a sex scene and it is instantly forgettable. Sex is always stated and never ever shown (I too will join the prudes and demand publisher warnings -'no sex' clearly indicted on the cover- so I can stay away from romance books that think you can have romance without sex scenes).
If this was Elizabeth Marx's idea of writing a 'traumatised' heroine she should go and do some research on trauma, for her elaborations on the theme are unbearably crass. And if the writer thinks that the love of a man or a few encouraging aunts (who are supposedly of Cherokee heritage -a fact that is simply stated and nothing comes of it. And let us not start on the hotchpotch religiosity of 'wise women leading the tribe', Methodism and Catholicism) can cure this kind of mental and emotional collapse she knows absolutely nothing about these things, and she should leave the subject alone. Even accepting this ridiculous premise, though, there's no great therapeutic love SHOWN. All we have is a complete dope of a hero stating every second paragraph how he has loved the heroine forever and ever and will do so until Armageddon (obviously these things are decided at 15 in Alabama). The result is that one gets so bored with the constant statements of his feelings that one starts suspecting that the man doth protest too much. Also, the heroine's feelings for the hero are written in a way that convince no one. Not even the heroine. She is not only resisting the hero (which she does for almost the length of the book for some ludicrous reason or other, simply to fill in the pages with the non-consummation of their 'love') while having, supposedly, loved him all her life (she's only 20 ffs!) she puts all her energy into inventing reasons to leave him and never see him again. One of the reasons she invents is love for another man -she even believes her own ploy (right up to 4 pages from the end, where the obvious has to be explained to her!), and all that is revealed is a half-arsed attempt at that bloody awful device called a 'triangle'. Another downer for this reader.
A vast number of characters come in and out of this book (all the men and the women are described as gorgeous, which means the writer plans a long series for each one of these drips) simply to bulk up a story that is at once overblown and deflated. We get lengthy scenes with people (aunts, great-aunts, mothers) whose significance is never felt. They are just there to fill the scenes in between the scenes that repeat again and again (and again) the hero's undying love for the heroine and the heroine's undying love him-love him not-but-definitely-will-leave-him routine. For the greater part of the book things go at a snail's pace and then in the last 30 pages everything and the kitchen sink is thrown in to end the story with a supposed spectacular explosion. Five day's old champagne has more fizz that the ending of this book.
To summarise, a different pace, a tighter plot, more (much more) passion and less (much less) verbiage would have made this a rather interesting and very angsty story to read. What you get instead is a string of half-baked gestures towards the outline of a story and a disappointing, passion-free 'romance'. where passion is stated and never shown. And the tiny tiny amount of it that is shown (about 80% in) is too little too late to ever be convincing.
And before I go, the 'sacred harp' ploy goes nowhere and plays no significant part in the story. It is just stuff thrown in. The many problems of this book are crowned with a terrible cover, where the hero looks like he is suffering from achondroplasia. The cover alone should have been warning enough to avoid parting with my money. Unfortunately, remembering my enjoyment of Elizabeth Marx's ' Cutters vs. Jocks', I bought this book together with the second one in the series (and from what I saw of them in the first book, I have absolutely no interest in the Pollyanna/Alex couple whatsoever. They are a repetition of the hero and heroine of this book, i.e., Alex= bathetic and drippy and Pollyanna= an erratic, irritating, perception-free zone). So now I'm stuck with a double whammy of paid for acreage of boredom and of passionless, always stated and never shown, romance. My money I cannot get back but at least I can stop wasting more time on this series.
The hero is sappy straight off the bat and gets sappier and sappier as one wearily turns one kindle page after another, and the heroine instead of eliciting sorrow for her woes makes you want to find a door and slam it in her face. Oh, she is supposedly intellectually gifted but like everything else in this book we are told that without any proof of her talents. She is supposedly 20 years old but the writing is so erratic that at times she sounds like a middle aged woman while at others she feels like a 14 year old on a date with her school crush (she sounds more mature as a flashback-15 year old). Given that the writer tries to capitalise on the time lapse between the younger heroine and hero (15 and 20 respectively) and their 'present' selves (20 and 25), it is strange she went for such a short period of separation for such young people. The time is too short for any of them to have developed a personality, or have had accomplishments or achievements. They sprang out of the womb fully formed, it seems. One of the reasons they are never convincing either as individuals or as a couple.
Furthermore, and this is a big big fail, this book that is supposed to be filled with passions and tragic loves all around is peculiarly flat and unerotic. There's absolutely no scene of passion that a reader could remember or want to revisit. There's only one stab at a sex scene and it is instantly forgettable. Sex is always stated and never ever shown (I too will join the prudes and demand publisher warnings -'no sex' clearly indicted on the cover- so I can stay away from romance books that think you can have romance without sex scenes).
If this was Elizabeth Marx's idea of writing a 'traumatised' heroine she should go and do some research on trauma, for her elaborations on the theme are unbearably crass. And if the writer thinks that the love of a man or a few encouraging aunts (who are supposedly of Cherokee heritage -a fact that is simply stated and nothing comes of it. And let us not start on the hotchpotch religiosity of 'wise women leading the tribe', Methodism and Catholicism) can cure this kind of mental and emotional collapse she knows absolutely nothing about these things, and she should leave the subject alone. Even accepting this ridiculous premise, though, there's no great therapeutic love SHOWN. All we have is a complete dope of a hero stating every second paragraph how he has loved the heroine forever and ever and will do so until Armageddon (obviously these things are decided at 15 in Alabama). The result is that one gets so bored with the constant statements of his feelings that one starts suspecting that the man doth protest too much. Also, the heroine's feelings for the hero are written in a way that convince no one. Not even the heroine. She is not only resisting the hero (which she does for almost the length of the book for some ludicrous reason or other, simply to fill in the pages with the non-consummation of their 'love') while having, supposedly, loved him all her life (she's only 20 ffs!) she puts all her energy into inventing reasons to leave him and never see him again. One of the reasons she invents is love for another man -she even believes her own ploy (right up to 4 pages from the end, where the obvious has to be explained to her!), and all that is revealed is a half-arsed attempt at that bloody awful device called a 'triangle'. Another downer for this reader.
A vast number of characters come in and out of this book (all the men and the women are described as gorgeous, which means the writer plans a long series for each one of these drips) simply to bulk up a story that is at once overblown and deflated. We get lengthy scenes with people (aunts, great-aunts, mothers) whose significance is never felt. They are just there to fill the scenes in between the scenes that repeat again and again (and again) the hero's undying love for the heroine and the heroine's undying love him-love him not-but-definitely-will-leave-him routine. For the greater part of the book things go at a snail's pace and then in the last 30 pages everything and the kitchen sink is thrown in to end the story with a supposed spectacular explosion. Five day's old champagne has more fizz that the ending of this book.
To summarise, a different pace, a tighter plot, more (much more) passion and less (much less) verbiage would have made this a rather interesting and very angsty story to read. What you get instead is a string of half-baked gestures towards the outline of a story and a disappointing, passion-free 'romance'. where passion is stated and never shown. And the tiny tiny amount of it that is shown (about 80% in) is too little too late to ever be convincing.
And before I go, the 'sacred harp' ploy goes nowhere and plays no significant part in the story. It is just stuff thrown in. The many problems of this book are crowned with a terrible cover, where the hero looks like he is suffering from achondroplasia. The cover alone should have been warning enough to avoid parting with my money. Unfortunately, remembering my enjoyment of Elizabeth Marx's ' Cutters vs. Jocks', I bought this book together with the second one in the series (and from what I saw of them in the first book, I have absolutely no interest in the Pollyanna/Alex couple whatsoever. They are a repetition of the hero and heroine of this book, i.e., Alex= bathetic and drippy and Pollyanna= an erratic, irritating, perception-free zone). So now I'm stuck with a double whammy of paid for acreage of boredom and of passionless, always stated and never shown, romance. My money I cannot get back but at least I can stop wasting more time on this series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 19, 2013
Seven times I went down
six times I walked back.
And I don't fear the dark anymore
'cause I'm become all that.
I will be rocks, I will be water.
I will leave this to my daughter:
lift your head up in the wind.
When you feel yourself grow colder
wrap the night around your shoulders
and I will be with you even then
even when I cannot see your face anymore.
Don't forget the time
I wooed him with red wine.
The devil he wore such a fine, fine shirt
and it stayed so clean while he dragged me through the dirt.
Now, honey, don't trust anyone who looks you in the eye
don't take any kindness, it's a demand in disguise.
I have seen such things child
on this, and the other side.
Words cannot show you
the midnight owl it does not know you.
You will see for your sweet self
by and by.
And I will be rocks, I will be water
I will leave this to my daughter.
This book ought to be read with the Sacred Harp song humming in the background.
What I loved the most in Stained is the southern theme, southern wisdom and southern charm. It's South- where the sweet southern belles are crafty and greedy, chivalrous gentlemen are sneaky and perverse, and righteous preachers are manipulative and evil.
Elizabeth Marx created the beautiful story about suffering, guilt, redemption and forgiveness.
6 stars. Seriously.
six times I walked back.
And I don't fear the dark anymore
'cause I'm become all that.
I will be rocks, I will be water.
I will leave this to my daughter:
lift your head up in the wind.
When you feel yourself grow colder
wrap the night around your shoulders
and I will be with you even then
even when I cannot see your face anymore.
Don't forget the time
I wooed him with red wine.
The devil he wore such a fine, fine shirt
and it stayed so clean while he dragged me through the dirt.
Now, honey, don't trust anyone who looks you in the eye
don't take any kindness, it's a demand in disguise.
I have seen such things child
on this, and the other side.
Words cannot show you
the midnight owl it does not know you.
You will see for your sweet self
by and by.
And I will be rocks, I will be water
I will leave this to my daughter.
This book ought to be read with the Sacred Harp song humming in the background.
What I loved the most in Stained is the southern theme, southern wisdom and southern charm. It's South- where the sweet southern belles are crafty and greedy, chivalrous gentlemen are sneaky and perverse, and righteous preachers are manipulative and evil.
Elizabeth Marx created the beautiful story about suffering, guilt, redemption and forgiveness.
6 stars. Seriously.
Want to read
July 26, 2013Love this author!!
September 16, 2013
Review to come!
September 29, 2013
Oh my goodness I just finished reading one of those wonderful books that really pulls at your heartstrings and has a mystery so well formed that I could not help myself from being completely enthralled and turning the pages as quickly as possible! Stained By Elizabeth Marx is a very interesting, yet traumatic story, that has some laughter, tears, and drama all wrapped up in one nice little package. Speaking of the package oh my goodness did you see the beautiful cover over there? That is probably the very first thing that attracted me to this book. I was able to host a cover reveal and I totally fell in love with this cover!
Scarlett has been through so much in her life. She doesn't know who her father is, she lost her mother in a very traumatic way when she was a teenager, she has kept herself from the love of her life because, well I don't think I'll tell you anymore about that. You must pick this book up so you can read the whole story for yourself
Revell Marshal has loved Scarlett as long as he can remember. When she left after her mother's death she never returned. Now that her grandparents are both gone (another mystery to solve), she has returned home for their funeral. This is Revell's chance to try to win Scarlett's love once and for all. I loved Revell, this guy has a huge heart, is super sensitive, a talented artist, and has love for only one woman. He's just a great guy!
Scarlett and Revell try to unravel some of the mysteries of their pasts. The more they learn the more questions seem to form. The deeper they dig the more unsure they are if they really want the answers, but they must find out. This is one of those books that I sat on the edge of my seat reading, wondering what could possible happen or go wrong next.
I really really enjoyed this book. There is a lot of emotional, traumatic events that are uncovered. So beware before you read this book that it will pull on your emotions and there are some totally unexpected events that take place.
I have to say that I truly enjoyed Elizabeth Marx of writing and I look forward to reading more work by her. She has a nice flow of writing that made this story a very enjoyable reading experience. This book is the first book in the Carpetbaggers, Rebels, and Yankees Series and I am anxious to see what Ms. Marx has in store for the other characters. I'm sure she has some great stories to tell.
I was very lucky to receive a copy of this book to read to share my thoughts with you. As always it has been my absolute pleasure to share my thoughts.
Scarlett has been through so much in her life. She doesn't know who her father is, she lost her mother in a very traumatic way when she was a teenager, she has kept herself from the love of her life because, well I don't think I'll tell you anymore about that. You must pick this book up so you can read the whole story for yourself
Revell Marshal has loved Scarlett as long as he can remember. When she left after her mother's death she never returned. Now that her grandparents are both gone (another mystery to solve), she has returned home for their funeral. This is Revell's chance to try to win Scarlett's love once and for all. I loved Revell, this guy has a huge heart, is super sensitive, a talented artist, and has love for only one woman. He's just a great guy!
Scarlett and Revell try to unravel some of the mysteries of their pasts. The more they learn the more questions seem to form. The deeper they dig the more unsure they are if they really want the answers, but they must find out. This is one of those books that I sat on the edge of my seat reading, wondering what could possible happen or go wrong next.
I really really enjoyed this book. There is a lot of emotional, traumatic events that are uncovered. So beware before you read this book that it will pull on your emotions and there are some totally unexpected events that take place.
I have to say that I truly enjoyed Elizabeth Marx of writing and I look forward to reading more work by her. She has a nice flow of writing that made this story a very enjoyable reading experience. This book is the first book in the Carpetbaggers, Rebels, and Yankees Series and I am anxious to see what Ms. Marx has in store for the other characters. I'm sure she has some great stories to tell.
I was very lucky to receive a copy of this book to read to share my thoughts with you. As always it has been my absolute pleasure to share my thoughts.
September 9, 2013
Stained was the first book that I had read by Elizabeth Marx, and trust me she had me cover to cover so it will not be the last! Elizabeth knows how to spin a story to keep you transfixed in the lives and stories of the characters.
In Stained we meet the lovely Scarlett, whose life took a dramatic turn when her mother committed suicide in front of her. She left the town she grew up in to get away from the darkness of her past. After years away of building a new life, she must once again return to the scene of her youth for her grandparent’s funeral.
While Scarlett was building a life away from it all, Revell was also building a life. A life in glass. His delicate work on stained glass windows is putting the small town of Crossroads back on the map, while he stays close to his roots, never forgetting the beautiful Scarlett whom he has never stopped thinking of for all these years.
When Scarlett returns, Revell sees his chance to show Scarlett how he feels about her and is determined to win her heart. Wanting to be whatever Scarlett needs he sets out to help her piece together the details of what happened in the past while constantly showing her, that he has always been the one for her and that he always would be.
Together they experience the ups and downs of what revelations about the past can bring. Can they both come to the other side of this and not be to “Stained” for there to be a way to move into the future?
Elizabeth has outdone herself with this story. The writing style is smooth and captivating and the emotions that the characters show are ones with which so many of us can relate. This book will draw you in and hold you until the final page and even then…you will be wishing there was more.
In Stained we meet the lovely Scarlett, whose life took a dramatic turn when her mother committed suicide in front of her. She left the town she grew up in to get away from the darkness of her past. After years away of building a new life, she must once again return to the scene of her youth for her grandparent’s funeral.
While Scarlett was building a life away from it all, Revell was also building a life. A life in glass. His delicate work on stained glass windows is putting the small town of Crossroads back on the map, while he stays close to his roots, never forgetting the beautiful Scarlett whom he has never stopped thinking of for all these years.
When Scarlett returns, Revell sees his chance to show Scarlett how he feels about her and is determined to win her heart. Wanting to be whatever Scarlett needs he sets out to help her piece together the details of what happened in the past while constantly showing her, that he has always been the one for her and that he always would be.
Together they experience the ups and downs of what revelations about the past can bring. Can they both come to the other side of this and not be to “Stained” for there to be a way to move into the future?
Elizabeth has outdone herself with this story. The writing style is smooth and captivating and the emotions that the characters show are ones with which so many of us can relate. This book will draw you in and hold you until the final page and even then…you will be wishing there was more.
August 21, 2013
Lately it's been small towns and country boys that I want to read about and this book had that and the cover was pretty. Revell sweet lord in heaven that boy can make any girl drop her panties, and I fell in love with him the first time he and Scarlett got in a little tizzy, "the cheerleader lost her map to Crossroads the summer I had to come back here and help out when my daddy died," Revell whisper-hissed leaning over the bar toward me. "What your sorry excuse for not coming back." I mean there wasn't any 'hanky-panky' in the book but there was lots of sexual tension which I liked, "oh darlin', just remember I'll tan your backside bare and enjoy every moment of it if you leave Crossroads ever again without saying good-bye to me." To say Scarlett has issues is kind of an understatement shes lost, not sure of herself and just needs some guidance and well Revell is just the man to help her out even if there is some complications, "cursing me out, slapping me sideways, trying to thwart my chivalrous moves...how much was a southern gentleman supposed to take before he went all Appalachian cave man?" He's also determined and won't let anything stand in the way of getting the girl he loves, "I love you, Scarlett, I only wanted to see you survive it. It certainly wasn't going to make me love you any less." I don't think their story is complete but only just the beginning so I'm really hoping to see more of Revell and Scarlett.
September 7, 2014
I was given a copy of Stained by Elizabeth Marx to read in exchange for my honest opinion and I LOVED it! There aren’t really any words to explain all the emotions I felt while reading this book. I couldn’t put it down and read it from start to finish in almost one sitting (I had errands that interrupted…..boo!!). Scarlett “Sissy” Marbry was an amazing character and I totally felt her pain throughout the story. Revell “Trax” Marshall is absolutely awesome I LOVED him. He fell in love with Scarlett when she was fourteen and still loved her six years later. He proved and showed his love on basically every page of the book and it was amazing to see what he would do for her. This book had a powerful message and hit cords with me all along the way. I can’t wait for others to read it so I have people to talk to about it. I highly recommend this book to any and every one. There might be some aspects that are disturbing but it totally plays into the story and makes sense. It wasn’t just thrown in there for shock factor it was amazing! Thank you Elizabeth for another amazing read!
October 15, 2013
Wow this book was so good. I loved Cutters vs Jocks and Binding Arbitration and have been looking forward to the release of Stained. Elizabeth Marx's books bring out strong emotions in me. Stained gave us Scarlett who had to learn about herself and her past and find a way to deal all while having Revell at her side not her just in case. I could truelly picture his stained glass works of art while reading this and cant wait for more of their story. Scarlett still has a lot of healing and I hope there is more along with more about Mandy as well as Polly Ana and Alex.
September 23, 2013
This book was very intriguing. Although, every uncomfortable dilemma was present in this novel the author did a good job developing a story that was classy and true to its setting. The writing style was great. I felt like I was in the south viewing the town drama first hand. I also enjoyed the mystery of that stupid letter! I love the main characters Scarlett and Revell. The cast was also well developed and multi dimensional.
Very good read! 4.5 stars
Very good read! 4.5 stars
October 6, 2013
This is one book you won't want to put down. Thank you Mrs. Marx for another master piece!
November 9, 2015
There are secrets that we all keep close to us, those we don't want anyone else to know. The things that we feel that would be a burden to others if they knew, and we would do anything in our power to shield others from ever finding out. But what happens when the truth behind those secrets is exactly what our loved ones seek, what happens when they find out? Can they handle the weight of the burdens we have kept secret for so many years? Should we create a back-up plan, just in case?
The secrets that Scarlett's family harbored for so many years caused so much pain over so much time that when they finally came to the surface it was more than anyone was truly prepared for. Scarlett was born in Alabama where she and her mother lived with her grandparents, but left for Chicago shortly thereafter. While she was growing up she would spend her vacation time visiting with her grandparents and her friends who were more like family. And as the years passed they still remained close, that is until the year Scarlett's mother took her life. Scarlett couldn't find it in herself to ever return to the place that held so many secrets and bad memories.
Though when Scarlett's grandparents were killed in a fire on the anniversary of her mother's suicide, she returned for their funeral services. She didn't realize when she returned that her life would change forever and it didn't matter how many 'just in cases' she prepared for. The man she had always pined for, Revel, that she felt was out of her league showed her how much he truly loved her in many ways and tried to build up what was lost over the years she was away. He knew some of the secrets that had been hidden from her for so long but still didn't know everything that would be revealed.
After the light shined through the glass on the horrible things that lurked in the shadows, Scarlett found it to difficult to cope and ran away. Revell had built his own just in cases in hopes that one day she would return. However there are some things that people just have to deal with on their own, stains they must remove in order to move forward. And for Scarlett finding out the truths that were hidden from her for so long may just be her demise. But she was a wise woman with Cherokee blood running through her veins and if she could just fight the demons head on and love more than hate she would come through the other side a much stronger woman than she ever thought she could be. But was it too late, was she stained forever?
The secrets that Scarlett's family harbored for so many years caused so much pain over so much time that when they finally came to the surface it was more than anyone was truly prepared for. Scarlett was born in Alabama where she and her mother lived with her grandparents, but left for Chicago shortly thereafter. While she was growing up she would spend her vacation time visiting with her grandparents and her friends who were more like family. And as the years passed they still remained close, that is until the year Scarlett's mother took her life. Scarlett couldn't find it in herself to ever return to the place that held so many secrets and bad memories.
Though when Scarlett's grandparents were killed in a fire on the anniversary of her mother's suicide, she returned for their funeral services. She didn't realize when she returned that her life would change forever and it didn't matter how many 'just in cases' she prepared for. The man she had always pined for, Revel, that she felt was out of her league showed her how much he truly loved her in many ways and tried to build up what was lost over the years she was away. He knew some of the secrets that had been hidden from her for so long but still didn't know everything that would be revealed.
After the light shined through the glass on the horrible things that lurked in the shadows, Scarlett found it to difficult to cope and ran away. Revell had built his own just in cases in hopes that one day she would return. However there are some things that people just have to deal with on their own, stains they must remove in order to move forward. And for Scarlett finding out the truths that were hidden from her for so long may just be her demise. But she was a wise woman with Cherokee blood running through her veins and if she could just fight the demons head on and love more than hate she would come through the other side a much stronger woman than she ever thought she could be. But was it too late, was she stained forever?
December 22, 2014
Well... I can say that I literally enjoyed this book. I don't know if it's because through this book I remain trapped down there somewhere in the south with all these wise women
"It's better to give the devil you don't know the keys to the larder'... That way you'll always know here he is."
...
"The secret of keeping a southern man happy is very simple: keep his belly full and his nuts empty."
...
"You're staring off as if your mind's busier than a cat covering shit" , or the way of storytelling, you know writing, because I have found this method only in a few books, in which the action of the story also takes place somewhere in the south, obviously there is something in all these people, their lives and always has something to do with the past, civil war, former lovers, would-be lovers, fierce women, rejected children, illegitimate children ...this book is much more than all that.
"My love for Scarlet was like a steady downpour that soaks you through to the bone, no matter how you try to dry your saturated skin you can never get yourself completely free." , and that's why you wan me Revell, your perseverance and patience, most of all.
"Revell, you're playing with fire."
"Od, darlin', no one knows that better than the man with his hands in the flames."
The only complaint I have is that there was a little bit more, you know ... at least a little more than a few sentences, and after so much waiting ...
I do not want much to write, because the thing is I don't want to reveal much, because the beauty of this book lies in the discovery, the letter that reveals so many things, uncertainty and hope on the one hand, and the confusion and despair on the other, which is present throughout the whole book.
And please, I wonder when they will resume ....
"It's better to give the devil you don't know the keys to the larder'... That way you'll always know here he is."
...
"The secret of keeping a southern man happy is very simple: keep his belly full and his nuts empty."
...
"You're staring off as if your mind's busier than a cat covering shit" , or the way of storytelling, you know writing, because I have found this method only in a few books, in which the action of the story also takes place somewhere in the south, obviously there is something in all these people, their lives and always has something to do with the past, civil war, former lovers, would-be lovers, fierce women, rejected children, illegitimate children ...this book is much more than all that.
"My love for Scarlet was like a steady downpour that soaks you through to the bone, no matter how you try to dry your saturated skin you can never get yourself completely free." , and that's why you wan me Revell, your perseverance and patience, most of all.
"Revell, you're playing with fire."
"Od, darlin', no one knows that better than the man with his hands in the flames."
The only complaint I have is that there was a little bit more, you know ... at least a little more than a few sentences, and after so much waiting ...
I do not want much to write, because the thing is I don't want to reveal much, because the beauty of this book lies in the discovery, the letter that reveals so many things, uncertainty and hope on the one hand, and the confusion and despair on the other, which is present throughout the whole book.
And please, I wonder when they will resume ....
November 14, 2016
Elizabeth Marx absolutely blew me away again. I have long held Binding Arbitration on my short list but I think it may have been usurped by Just in Case. It was a beautiful story written in such a polished style, I am in awe. I know this is a book I will be thinking of for weeks and months to come.
I went into Just in Case thinking I was going to get a book with a little bit of heavy and a lot of sweet; I was wrong, happily so. The secrets and lies that comprised Crossroads, Alabama were more than I could have ever anticipated. The webs perpetrated by the residents, so complex I feel I could spend years reading about them and never unwind all the threads. I am still in awe of the intricacies that Elizabeth wound throughout this book.
Every second of Scarlett’s story tore my heart to shreds. As she picked through the past she knew and the one she was just discovering her pain was palpable. Every revelation she came to shattered another piece of her soul; it was harrowing to watch, especially knowing there was still more pain coming once the contents of the letter were revealed. I was so completely and vitally moved by her destruction and resurrection it will be hard for any heroine to live up to her for quite some time.
Just in Case is a story that must be experienced for yourself, any plot points I give would take away from the experience that is Crossroads, Alabama. The world that was woven by Elizabeth Marx so vivid and rich I can’t properly convey the way that spending time in it made me feel. By the time I finished this book it felt so deeply personal to me it is hard to think of another person reading it and experiencing it in the same way I did. There is a part of Scarlett that will always live in me, just as I am sure there is a part of me that I left in the pages of Just in Case.
I went into Just in Case thinking I was going to get a book with a little bit of heavy and a lot of sweet; I was wrong, happily so. The secrets and lies that comprised Crossroads, Alabama were more than I could have ever anticipated. The webs perpetrated by the residents, so complex I feel I could spend years reading about them and never unwind all the threads. I am still in awe of the intricacies that Elizabeth wound throughout this book.
Every second of Scarlett’s story tore my heart to shreds. As she picked through the past she knew and the one she was just discovering her pain was palpable. Every revelation she came to shattered another piece of her soul; it was harrowing to watch, especially knowing there was still more pain coming once the contents of the letter were revealed. I was so completely and vitally moved by her destruction and resurrection it will be hard for any heroine to live up to her for quite some time.
Just in Case is a story that must be experienced for yourself, any plot points I give would take away from the experience that is Crossroads, Alabama. The world that was woven by Elizabeth Marx so vivid and rich I can’t properly convey the way that spending time in it made me feel. By the time I finished this book it felt so deeply personal to me it is hard to think of another person reading it and experiencing it in the same way I did. There is a part of Scarlett that will always live in me, just as I am sure there is a part of me that I left in the pages of Just in Case.
September 16, 2013
I have read many books by this author and I have to say that I am never disappointed every time I am finished. Each one deals on a subject that can send chills down your spin and give you another way of thinking.
Yes this book talks about some things that people would call taboo, I thinks that is what gives a book character. Things that happen in this book really happen and yes we would love to think that it doesn't. I hate to even say that it has happened in my own family. I was born in raised in Virginia and there are times that I would like to disown my family and run away. They always come back anyway.
Scarlett is a young woman that has the love of a man but has had a lot of things happen to her. Her mom committed suicide, the family that she had adopted in Chicago is killed in a wreck, and then her grandparents are in a house fire that looks like it was set on purpose. She just wants to visit Alabama and never return again.
Revell has loved Scarlett almost from the first time he saw her. He wants to marry her even thinking that he knows some of her families deepest, darkest secrets. He makes a living working with stain glass and he named it after Scarlett. There seems to be a lot of secrets going on in this town and there are many that don't want secrets to see the light of day.
I can't wait to read the other books in this series. I have found a great book that will forever be one of my favorites. I read this book awhile back but just couldn't seem to find the right words to write. It took a little bit for me to get over the emotions of the characters in this book and pull myself back into the real world.
I will just say to that read this book and keep an open mind.
Yes this book talks about some things that people would call taboo, I thinks that is what gives a book character. Things that happen in this book really happen and yes we would love to think that it doesn't. I hate to even say that it has happened in my own family. I was born in raised in Virginia and there are times that I would like to disown my family and run away. They always come back anyway.
Scarlett is a young woman that has the love of a man but has had a lot of things happen to her. Her mom committed suicide, the family that she had adopted in Chicago is killed in a wreck, and then her grandparents are in a house fire that looks like it was set on purpose. She just wants to visit Alabama and never return again.
Revell has loved Scarlett almost from the first time he saw her. He wants to marry her even thinking that he knows some of her families deepest, darkest secrets. He makes a living working with stain glass and he named it after Scarlett. There seems to be a lot of secrets going on in this town and there are many that don't want secrets to see the light of day.
I can't wait to read the other books in this series. I have found a great book that will forever be one of my favorites. I read this book awhile back but just couldn't seem to find the right words to write. It took a little bit for me to get over the emotions of the characters in this book and pull myself back into the real world.
I will just say to that read this book and keep an open mind.
June 19, 2015
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Scarlett Marbrey returns to her small Alabama town after the deaths of her grandparents. She just wanted to letter she had thought her mother wrote after her suicide. Otherwise she would have never stepped foot back in Crossroads again. Chicago was her home now and she had every intention of returning as soon as she got ahold of that letter. She never expected to be stuck there until Easter by the terms of the will. If she leaves she doesn't get the letter or the estate. Now she could care less about the estate. With being around Revell again was even harder then she thought. She just had to keep her wits about her so she didn't fall for him again. Even though he was determined to pick up where they left off.
So many twists and turns in this book. Just when you thing you have one thing figured out it opens a whole new can of worms. As Scarlett unravels the mysteries of her past. Revell is determined to be right there beside her. He isn't letting her get away thin time. The deeper they dig, the more it seems there are secrets that they are better off not revealing. But for the truth to be found they have to keep looking. Wonderful book full of mystery, intrigue, lost love and found love. It is amazing how many things can be kept a secret in such a small town.
Scarlett Marbrey returns to her small Alabama town after the deaths of her grandparents. She just wanted to letter she had thought her mother wrote after her suicide. Otherwise she would have never stepped foot back in Crossroads again. Chicago was her home now and she had every intention of returning as soon as she got ahold of that letter. She never expected to be stuck there until Easter by the terms of the will. If she leaves she doesn't get the letter or the estate. Now she could care less about the estate. With being around Revell again was even harder then she thought. She just had to keep her wits about her so she didn't fall for him again. Even though he was determined to pick up where they left off.
So many twists and turns in this book. Just when you thing you have one thing figured out it opens a whole new can of worms. As Scarlett unravels the mysteries of her past. Revell is determined to be right there beside her. He isn't letting her get away thin time. The deeper they dig, the more it seems there are secrets that they are better off not revealing. But for the truth to be found they have to keep looking. Wonderful book full of mystery, intrigue, lost love and found love. It is amazing how many things can be kept a secret in such a small town.
July 8, 2015
This book follows Sister Scarlett Marbry who was a young girl when she found her mother hanging in her grandfather's church. Since then she has long since buried what happened in Alabama and thrives in Chicago, or so you think. When she gets called back to Alabama when her grandparents are found dead a fire in their house.
Revell Marshall is going about business as normal when he finds Scarlett in his bar, the girl who got away from him but he never forgot about her. They had a close relationship but when Scarlett's mother died Scarlett was sent to live with friends in Chicago.
Returning home for Scarlett has brought up all sorts of issues for people in town who believe that Scarlett's grandfather is a wonderful man and a great preacher but Scarlett knows otherwise. Now Scarlett has to come face to face with the horror of what she remembers from her childhood but can she trust Revell to be her just in case, and to build something with him?
My Just In Case:
I loved this story so much it was so addicting while I read it I felt drawn to the characters and couldn't put it down and like Revell in the book my just in case is my wonderful husband of over 13 years. He has been there through so much good and bad and I know that when times get hard I can turn to him and he supports me and guides me when I need it but doesn't take away from choices I make.
Revell Marshall is going about business as normal when he finds Scarlett in his bar, the girl who got away from him but he never forgot about her. They had a close relationship but when Scarlett's mother died Scarlett was sent to live with friends in Chicago.
Returning home for Scarlett has brought up all sorts of issues for people in town who believe that Scarlett's grandfather is a wonderful man and a great preacher but Scarlett knows otherwise. Now Scarlett has to come face to face with the horror of what she remembers from her childhood but can she trust Revell to be her just in case, and to build something with him?
My Just In Case:
I loved this story so much it was so addicting while I read it I felt drawn to the characters and couldn't put it down and like Revell in the book my just in case is my wonderful husband of over 13 years. He has been there through so much good and bad and I know that when times get hard I can turn to him and he supports me and guides me when I need it but doesn't take away from choices I make.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 15, 2013
I received an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
This is the journey of a young woman whose life is filled with questions and ghosts. It is a pilgrimage through rape, incest, murder, anger, betrayal, heartbreak, depression and ultimate love. Sister Scarlett is thrown into discovering the answers to these questions and uncovering these ghosts following the deaths of her grandparents. You are invested within the first 5 pages.
Revell is her “just in case” person. In His own words, “…Maybe I’ve always loved her because that’s what she needed-she needed me just in case things went wrong- just in case she found out the truth. Just in case she couldn’t handle it on her own.” He is her anchor in what is good, beautiful and loving in the world. He is there to help her find the person she can be, if she is strong enough to try.
Reading this book I was angry, outraged, depressed, happy, filled with sorrow and in the end joy. I needed tissues and cheered out loud. This is not my usual genre, but I will now include Elizabeth Marx in my authors to watch for and read.
This is the journey of a young woman whose life is filled with questions and ghosts. It is a pilgrimage through rape, incest, murder, anger, betrayal, heartbreak, depression and ultimate love. Sister Scarlett is thrown into discovering the answers to these questions and uncovering these ghosts following the deaths of her grandparents. You are invested within the first 5 pages.
Revell is her “just in case” person. In His own words, “…Maybe I’ve always loved her because that’s what she needed-she needed me just in case things went wrong- just in case she found out the truth. Just in case she couldn’t handle it on her own.” He is her anchor in what is good, beautiful and loving in the world. He is there to help her find the person she can be, if she is strong enough to try.
Reading this book I was angry, outraged, depressed, happy, filled with sorrow and in the end joy. I needed tissues and cheered out loud. This is not my usual genre, but I will now include Elizabeth Marx in my authors to watch for and read.
June 17, 2015
This book started out a little bit slow for me. I was not sure I was ever going to really like Scarlett. She comes off a spoiled girl that used her mother's suicide as an excuse to do whatever she wanted. This was just my first impression of her. I wasn't that taken with Revell at first either. I was annoyed with him but as I kept going I had to give him some credit for putting up with Scarlett's shenanigans. Scarlett actually grew on me as the book went on. She was really smart and honestly I would not have stayed in that town either if I had to deal with all the nonsense that she did.
I was sick to my stomach towards the end and everything unraveled. It takes a really great author to make you feel that much about characters. I really ended up liking this story and I think that it was very powerful. I totally recommend it. There are several parts that are really funny. I actually laughed several times. Then of course I was on the total opposite side of things really upset through parts.
I am giving this book 4.6 stars out of 5. Go get it and stick with it even if you are a little bored in the beginning.
June 16, 2015
A very emotional read. Not just the main characters, but the citizens of Crossroads have gone through so much. There are many secrets being kept and soon one by one they are revealed. Scarlett has experienced so much in her young life I don't know how she can handle anymore bad news. The death of her grandparents has her coming back to Crossroads for the first time in years. Revell has loved Scarlett for his whole life and has hoped she would come back. The love he has for her is so unconditional that you can't help, but root for him. It's heartbreaking as well when the answers Scarlett is looking finally answered. I enjoyed watching Revell woo Scarlett with his easy going charm and acceptance, but is it enough to keep Scarlett with him. I definitely shed a few tears in this one because it just pulls out the emotions in me. The title fits this book so well. Also liked the secondary romance going on between Alex and Polly Anna.
June 18, 2015
I'm not sure how to write a review for this. To try to explain it would be to give too much away, and this is the kind of book where the secrets need to be uncovered as you read it. To give away spoilers would be to lessen the impact of the story.
This story is very southern, which is as foreign to me as China, but it fascinated me nonetheless. The entire region seemed to be composed of people from just three families, and everyone is up in everyone's business.
Scarlett and Revell have plenty of secrets between them, and plenty of hurt, but I couldn't help but want them to find their way back to each other. The supporting characters ranged from crazy to funny to evil, but none of them were boring.
I loved reading the stuff about the Sacred Harp singers and the stained glass, it just made the story that much more interesting.
There were a few typos/wrong word choices, but they were few and (for me) didn't detract from the story.
This story is very southern, which is as foreign to me as China, but it fascinated me nonetheless. The entire region seemed to be composed of people from just three families, and everyone is up in everyone's business.
Scarlett and Revell have plenty of secrets between them, and plenty of hurt, but I couldn't help but want them to find their way back to each other. The supporting characters ranged from crazy to funny to evil, but none of them were boring.
I loved reading the stuff about the Sacred Harp singers and the stained glass, it just made the story that much more interesting.
There were a few typos/wrong word choices, but they were few and (for me) didn't detract from the story.
June 14, 2016
Secrets, secrets and more secrets. Questions with no answers because most of the secret keepers are dead. Scarlett was born in Crossroads, Alabama but was taken by her mother at an early age to live in Chicago. Scarlett returned to Crossroads for the summers where Revell realized that he was in love with Scarlett when she was only 16 and he was 5 years older. He waits patiently for her to return every summer even when she stopped coming after her mother's death. He and his sister even move to Chicago for a while until their father dies and Revell returns to settle his estate.
It is difficult to summarize this story without spoiling it for new readers. All I can say is this book covers almost all of life's emotions expertly since Ms Marx is an exceptionally good writer.
I received an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
It is difficult to summarize this story without spoiling it for new readers. All I can say is this book covers almost all of life's emotions expertly since Ms Marx is an exceptionally good writer.
I received an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
June 17, 2016
Have you ever picked up a book you could not put down? Well, here’s another one. I got this book by an author I’d not seen before as I’m always on the lookout for new reading material. It was awesome. It is the perfect blend of reality and romance. One minute you are so upset because something is not going right, and you want to reach through the pages and fix it. The next minute you are seeing a romance that all of us want to find. It is so great to find a book where it is not filled with cookie cutter characters. Revell and Scarlet are like people we know, people we run in to in the community. These are characters you could hug one moment and hit the next. It is a great book, and I’m eagerly waiting to read the next one. Thanks for a great book!
June 17, 2016
I loved this book!!!!!! I do not want to give away too much of the story but I will say this book drew me in from the first sentence! Scarlett and Revell are both lovable and realistic. They met when they were both young but Revell never stopped loving her! Will he still feel the same when long buried secrets come out? What secrets is he hiding? This book had my emotions all over the place but I did not want it to end! I cannot wait to read the next book! This story does deal with the powerful topic of incest so be warned if you do not want to read about it.
I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
June 16, 2015
Small Southern towns are full of charm and full of secrets. Just in Case by Elizabeth Marx shows that Crossroads is definitely a small Southern town that has both charm and a ton of secrets. The secrets that eventually come out may destroy Scarlett or may destroy the entire town.
Get a more detailed review at my site: http://wp.me/pa8co-2cP
Get a more detailed review at my site: http://wp.me/pa8co-2cP
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews