Wasted Time by Mya O'Malley

Do you believe that some souls are destined to be together, even through hardship and deceit?

After 9-11, Declan’s heart is torn between wanting to stay with Morgan and needing to fight for his beloved country. Knowing that the future may be uncertain, he kisses his fiancée goodbye and focuses on his mission until that dark day from which he will never fully recover. Injured in Afghanistan, Declan has lost more than part of his leg; he’s lost part of himself, now plagued in grief and guilt. How could he possibly ask Morgan to take care of him for the rest of his life, being nothing but a burden to her? Which would be more heartbreaking, feigning his own death or bringing her unhappiness every day? If only he could eradicate her from his mind and be at peace with his decision.

Morgan prays day and night for Declan’s safe return, but when his letters stop coming, Morgan knows in her heart that she has lost him forever. Morgan has a hard time believing in fate and destiny after her fiancé is taken from her. With Declan gone, Morgan’s hope for true love is destroyed, but eventually she finds comfort in the arms of another, even though Morgan’s new love knows that her heart belongs to Declan.

Will Morgan eventually be able to move on, or will Declan haunt her dreams forever?

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If you enjoy watching soap operas, you will probably really love this book.  It had all things soap opera going for it.  Attraction, love, engagement, off to war, injury, she thinks he is dead, he is hiding from her, she moves on, he doesn't.  They reconnect in a dramatic way.  There is cheating, lying and stalking.  I am actually not a fan of soap operas, so this book wasn't my favorite, but there were a lot of good elements.

Two words that describe this book for me would be angst and DRAMA.  Both are very well done in this book.  The drama is like a constant swirl.  There are a lot of crazy things going on.

I really liked Morgan and Declan together.  They complimented each other well.  Even though there was still angst and drama, it felt like a real part of their relationship.  They definitely had a connection no matter what else was happening.  I couldn't help but admire Declan and his sense of duty to his country and the events surrounding 9-11.  He was a fantastic representation of the many men and women who gave so much for our country and our freedoms at that time.  (and still do)  It really leaves me so grateful for such brave people.

Content:  frequent mild swearing, profanity, implied sexual relations with no graphic details, sexual relations outside of committed relationship (cheating) with no details.  PTSD, depression, death, stalking

The Calm After the Storm by Mya O'Malley

The storm of the century raged through the northeast, causing destruction and despair, millions were left without power and hope. Weeks later, countless people were still devastated by the destruction of Hurricane Sandy, Emma Riley among them.

Determined she didn’t need the help of a man, Emma was convinced that she could brave the aftermath of the storm on her own. That is, until Jake came into her life.

After having suffered heartbreak and embarrassment, Jake Mack, a utility foreman, volunteered to travel north from small town, Georgia to assist with the aftermath of the storm. Jake was decidedly done with women. But he didn’t count on meeting Emma or falling in love so quickly. Can he trust this woman or will his past get in the way and ruin the relationship with the one woman he truly loves?

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I was immediately drawn into this book simply based on the setting and the events happening.  Emma and Jake meet because of a powerful hurricane that has left behind devastation.  Emma survived it and Jake is there to help people rebuild what was lost.

Emma and Jake meet and it's basically attraction at first sight.  They delve right into a physical relationship (sex but behind closed doors) without the friendship and trust any relationship needs to be strong.  I think this led to the crazy back and forth game that drove me nuts in this book.  One chapter they are together.  The next chapter they are not.  Then they are.  Then they are not.  It was so back and forth I wanted pull my hair out.  

Jake definitely has a lot of drama in his life.  A LOT of drama.  Emma gets sucked into the drama by default.  This book for me was more plot driven than character driven.  While there were many "things" going on, I lacked the emotional pull to the characters.  I just couldn't connect with them.  But, I did like the basic plot and Jake's devotion to his daughter.  I just wish there had been less of the back and forth game between he and Emma.

Content:  Sex behind closed doors between an unmarried couple.  Drug and Alcohol abuse, child abuse, mild violence and fighting.