I want to hear what YOU have to say about True Surrender! (And it’s always helpful, as an independent author, to have reader reviews on my Amazon Page and Goodreads Page as well!)
I loved this book! I read it in one sitting, and that was (even!) in the middle of the night! It was riveting enough to keep me up until 5:00 a.m.! – C. Tower
I love the way you rounded out the story. I thought you did a great job with all the different elements. You just keep getting better. – Amy
Just finished reading your book (instead of cleaning my house!) and wanted to tell you how much I liked it. You’re a very gifted writer and I hope you write more stories like this! It was very hard to put down! – Trish
Kathleen at Jersey Girl Book Reviews Says: True Surrender was everything that I could ask for in a book: a captivating mixture of romance and suspense, what a combination! In a time when Afghanistan is always in the news and our military is stationed there, author Tracey Cramer-Kelly provides her readers with a very realistic and intriguing contemporary military romance suspense thriller. As I followed Aaron and Holly’s story, I couldn’t help but hope that this book would be made into a movie made for television, it was that good. The storyline is well written, realistic and fast paced. The characters are realistic and believable, I could actually see them being my neighbors since I live in a military town. As a healthcare provider, I enjoyed the author’s description of the medical and rehabilitation portions of the story, this is a wonderful attribute from her own real life medical and military experience. The military suspense portion of the story had me sitting on the edge of my seat, holding my breath waiting to see what would happen next. But most of all, I absolutely loved reading about Aaron and Holly’s relationship journey, it was sigh worthy! There is not enough words to say how much I enjoyed reading this book. Read the full review here.
Suzie Housley at romancejunkies.com says: TRUE SURRENDER is one EXCEPTIONAL book!!! Mere words cannot express how impressed I am with this novel. Tracey Cramer-Kelly has out done herself on this military romance. This book is so well developed it would make an excellent candidate for the Lifetime movie channel. This author has fully convinced me that she is a voice that will quickly earn her high marks in the book world. Read the full review here.
Reviews by Molly says: Aaron’s character comes with all the emotions of a traumatized military soldier….head strong and independent despite the amputation of his leg, learning to accept that he will be forever scarred. Holly’s character is one that will tug at your heart. Aaron left her over 10 years ago, yet when he’s brought to her hospital for his surgery she ultimately takes the dive into his care and is there to help him. She’s there to show him that life can still go on, that he can still be the man he was when she was with him. This is one greatastic military romance!!! Read the full review here.
Words of Wisdom says: Between the physical pain and mental heartache is a man [Aaron] that hits rock bottom only to build himself back up again through the love of a good woman and a belief in a higher power. Holly is a strong heroine who’s supportive of Aaron and doesn’t let him give up. No matter how low things get for him, she’s still there. Once they finally decide on having a relationship, their sexual interludes are nicely paced throughout the story and sweetly natured with just a hint of steaminess. Read the full review here.
Tawania at Wicked Readings says: This novel was very well written. The plot, and characters draw you in and, and don’t let go until the end of the story. I literally didn’t want to put this book down. This story will cause you to examine your own faith, and believe in the blessings you receive everyday. Before I read this story, I wouldn’t have thought I could be as strong as these two characters were. I wouldn’t have believed that anyone could endure like that. They are true examples of the will of the human spirit. If you want to read an inspirational novel, that will leave you breathless, and uplifted. I highly recommend True Surrender. Read the full review here.
Sunflower at Long and Short Reviews says: True Surrender has an outstanding plot that holds on tightly to the readers emotions, strong characters that you won’t be able to forget, and intense situations that will either make or break it for this couple. It’s a contemporary romance with light inspirational aspects. Aaron must come to terms with life and God and accept what has become of him even thought he fails to understand why. And Holly, despite the things she’s lost, embraces life as a blessing. As light and dark join forces, it’s only a matter of time before love finds its way into their lives once again. Read the full review here.
Cocktails and Books says: When I finished this book, I felt extreme gratitude to those serving in our Armed Forces. [Aaron’s] everyday battles seemed incredibly real and made you appreciate the spirit and rebuilding of faith in himself and others that got him to where he was at the end. Holly was more of a half glass full, rather than empty type of girl. She knew when to take a tough stance with Aaron and when to open her heart up to him. A nice read that shows the resilience of the human spirit. Read the full review here.
Bea at Bea’s Book Nook says: “True Surrender” is heart-breaking, tear jerker of a story. This is not a bad thing by any means. It grabbed me from the beginning and held my attention right to the end. It’s about faith, love, courage, duty, and honor. Aaron Bricewick has been through a lot and his troubles are not over. He has to learn how to live, physically and emotionally, with only one leg; cope with the emotional after effects of what he and his teammates endured in captivity; and deal with the consequences to his military career. In the midst of all this, he also re-unites with a former lover, discovers God, and loses a friend. Read the full review here.
I mostly read books that are romantic comedies or paranormal romance/urban fantasy. And I found the beginning of this military romance nearly too intense to continue. Author Tracey Cramer-Kelly’s stark descriptions were emotionally hard to read, but ultimately her strong, believable characters and a storyline rich with heart and determination kept me reading. At first I couldn’t get over her heroine, Holly Rossiter, putting the welfare of this injured soldier before her own feelings, but that even though he’d left her to pursue his career, she more than just forgives him, she helps heal him body and soul. The scenes with Holly’s child were cute and heartwarming, and I felt a belly-full of disgust for Aaron Bricewick’s superiors. The lengths they would go to for subterfuge and to employee this poor, stalwart hero in their deceitful plans. But, luckily, in good romantic form the hero of the piece chooses the girl instead of his career…this time. I was expecting one of those terrible suffering Nicholas Sparks ending, and was relieved with the outcome. The only problem I had with the novel was Aaron’s asking Holly to marry him. It was not only a little hokey, but it was over so quickly that I felt like I didn’t get to savor it at all. Overall, though, True Surrender is a powerful novel by an excellent writer. – Michael C.
Sue Lawford, bikerhotline.com says: In her second published novel, Author Tracey Cramer-Kelly crafts a tale of terrorism, intrigue, and spirituality. Drawing on her experiences as an Army Reserve paramedic and licensed helicopter pilot, Cramer-Kelly creates solid scenes with characters whose struggles with both inner and outer conflict engage the reader from the first line. Aptly titled, True Surrender explores the many facets of truly surrendering oneself, physically and/or spiritually, to life experiences. At what point does physical pain and bodily injury force an individual to either fight back or throw in the towel? At what point does an individual who has lost faith in God recover it, if ever? And once an individual discovers the answer to any or all of these, how does one proceed forward from that point? These facets and more are subtly examined within the pages of the novel. Read the full review here.
