Blog Summer Read Spotlight

SAVING EACH OTHER 

by Stacy Mitchell 

Synopsis 

What would you do if the most important people in your world were suddenly and violently taken away from you? Two cars demolished, two families destroyed. Dani Adams and Ean Montgomery were each forced to see the same grief counselor on a one-to-one basis after a drunk driver killed Dani’s husband along with Ean’s pregnant wife and six-year-old son. The rules: Communicate only through text messages, and never reveal their real names or any other personal details. In an unconventional twist of therapy, Dani and Ean were each given a private cell phone and only the first initial of each other’s first names. They were then instructed to reach out to one another in order to share their grief…to heal. Neither planned to contact the other, but with all hope and the will to live gone… Over the course of a year, through texting alone, they form a unique bond. Friendship blossoms into something deeper. They were never supposed to meet, but fate had other plans. And in their world of loss and despair, something amazing began to grow. But can the love they found triumph over the deep, soul-twisting pain that never seems to fade? ***** Revised and re-edited for 2018. Saving Each Other is a full-length contemporary romance novel told from a dual point of view. And, while it's a story about hope, friendship, and how the power of love can piece you back together after you've been shattered into a million unrecognizable pieces, it's a story about loss, and may be a trigger for some people. No dogs were harmed in the making of this book, tissues are required, and wine, chocolate or wine and chocolate is highly recommended.

Excerpt 

The place D and I have been forced to go for counseling is called “OUR HOUSE Grief Support Center” and is about a half an hour away from my home. My mom insisted on driving me. And while she hasn’t read anything about the accident, she spent the entire ride, before my first session, alternating between trying to force me to read the articles flooding the Internet and trying to persuade me to attend the court proceedings. I’m not going to read what some scumbag has to say about my family and I’ve made everyone promise they won’t either. I’m also definitely not going to the trial. The minute I see the man who murdered my family, I’ll lose my shit and that wouldn’t be good for anyone, especially me.

“OUR HOUSE” usually holds group sessions, but because our sessions are court-mandated and high profile, D and I were able to meet separately with our counselor, Elizabeth Macintyre, on a one-to-one basis.

Since we’re both barely hanging on by a thread, Beth did something very extreme and very risky. She came up with the idea that connecting us with one another could help us get through the grieving process. Her thinking was that since we’re both going through the same thing, we could potentially help each other. She explained to us—that to her—this was worth the potential loss of her license.

She gave us each a new cell phone that contained only each other’s new phone numbers along with the first letter of our first names. She wanted us to have a dedicated line to one another and her only stipulations were that we only communicate through text message and never reveal our real names or other personal details. This I agreed to because I had absolutely no intention of ever contacting her.

Except today. Today I have to. So I turn on my phone and type:

D, this is E.

I can’t believe I’m actually doing this. I don’t see how it’s going to change anything but I can’t stand this anymore. I’m at my breaking point. I’m in constant pain. It feels like a huge band is crushing my chest and getting tighter every day. All I do is cry! Everybody’s been trying really hard to help get me through this, I know that. I just don’t have it in me to give a shit.

I lost it with my mom yesterday. Said things no son should ever say to his mother. All she did was ask me to move in with her, and I lost it. It got so bad that she ran out of the house crying with a very mad Riley on her heels. Sure she’s asked me before, but that’s no excuse. My dad laid into me, took Po, and left. I’m now truly alone; being sucked into an inescapable vortex of grief. I’m so lost.

They haven’t been by yet today and I hope they don’t come by at all; this way I can die in peace. I’m falling down the rabbit hole very quickly and that’s why I need to contact D, the only other person who could possibly understand what I’m going through.

So I continue.

I wasn’t planning on contacting you, but here I am. I’m sure you feel the same way since you haven’t reached out to me and I don’t blame you if you don’t respond. It’s been almost a month since my world ended, and let’s just say, unfortunately, suicide isn’t an option. Even though I really wish it were.

I push aside my tears but not my pain; it refuses to leave. I take a deep breath and keep typing.

I’m dying. With each second that passes, I keep dying more and more. I never leave my house, I just sit near the door waiting for their return. So yeah, I’m contacting you. Are you going through the same thing? Why did this have to happen? How am I ever supposed to move on or whatever the hell that even means.

Through my agony I type the plea that just might save my life.

I know I said I don’t blame you if you don’t respond, but at the same time, I really need you to text me back. I’m scared, sad, lonely, and extremely desperate.

About the Author

Stacy Mitchell was born and raised in Los Angeles, and lived in the South Bay for 20 years before moving to the Conejo Valley. She lives with her husband of 29 years and is the mom of two grown sons. When she’s not writing, she spends her time reading, hiking in the Santa Monica mountains or enjoying a glass of cabernet.

Connect with Stacy:

Website: http://savingstacy.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/savingeachother/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/sixmitchells/saving-each-other/

Blogs Review

It is hard to believe that is the first book for this author, WoW! Is all I can say. Many topics were discussed here and while it may be triggers for some, it may be a healing help for others that may be going through the same issues. You will cry, laugh and want to drink quite a few times reading this story. It is full of heartbreak and joy if it makes sense and you will see why once you read the book.

FATE is one word to describe this story. Though it was told as fate intervening twice I kinda say it was more like three times. I really want to say more and why I believe this; however, that would be giving you some spoilers in the story so I will just have to say read the story and see if you agree with me that fate was dealt a third time to these two wonderful characters.

Ean (E) and Danielle (Dani, D or Dee) both experience a tragic loss that no family should endure and it is heartbreaking. They are both put into therapy and the only contact they can have is a cell phone to text to try and help heal each other. They cannot give away any personal information or reveal who they are. You will see two broken people who were not surviving, help heal each other in a time of need just by communicating via text to a stranger. They become best friends (virtual) and each other’s lifeline. It almost reminded me of those bonds that pen pals shared years ago before electronic devices took over paper and pen.

There is yet another incident and you are gasping like “NO, how could any more go wrong?” But the key thing is that in all that occurred they didn’t realize that they knew each other and you go from sad to smiling when it is revealed. I’ve said it before and I will say it again, you can have more than one soul mate in your lifetime. Yes, the loss of their spouses and child were devastating to both, but after you meet these two even virtually you know that there is a connection between these two. It is ironic though the many times they didn’t realize fate or the past really put these two together. The support of friends and family is a key piece to healing and as the puzzle is pieced together you see more of the hand of fate and those watching above. I know it is kinda vague, but I don’t want to give away any spoilers. So, yes, you will cry and ugly cry, but you will laugh and be toasting right along with E and D. You will happy cry a few times especially when the names of some characters are revealed. The way I see this is D comes before E and F comes after so the Forever journey these two take is worth the emotional path these two have to bear to meet.

In all the tears that I endured in this story, you will fall in love and you will be patiently waiting for the next release in the Saving series. If I ever get a chance to visit the places mentioned in this story I will for sure be adding some stops to my travel plans. Join Ean and Dani on their journey and see how Fate and Hope intertwine.