Review: Dee Tenorio nails it right on the head with this emotionally driven short story.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 02 1, 2011
Cardiothoracic surgeon Grant Sullivan's charmed life is to be a distant memory.  The accident that resulted in the death of his daughter drove a wedge between his beautiful wife and him that no amount of passion or love seems to be able to overcome.  They've grown further and further apart until divorce seems to be the only feasible option.With their hearts broken Grant and Julia Sullivan face off across a legal table.  Julia can't live with the grief she feels that only seems to drive Grant away.  A fresh start seems to be the only way to move on with her life and for that very reason she doesn't want anything from Grant.  Grant's emotional detachment and refusal to discuss his feelings left her feeling isolated in her grief and questioning if her marriage was ever as perfect as she once believe it to be.Grant insists on giving her some sort of financial support but Julia insists that all she wants is for him to sign on the dotted line.  Intent on talking sense into Julia, Grant follows her right onto the elevator.  Then the unthinkable happens and an earthquake traps them together for several hours.  This is Grant's last opportunity to try to make things right with Julia and sex isn't going to fix the problem.  Julia needs to connect with him on an emotional level - but in order to achieve that, Grant will have to trust her with his rioting feelings regarding that horrible night.Dee Tenorio nails it right on the head with this emotionally driven short story.  As a parent who did lose a child I can attest to the rioting emotions one experiences and further attest to the problems it can cause with acquaintances and loved ones.  Julia and Grant deal with their grief in very different ways. Grant shuts down which makes Julia feel isolated in her grief.  She needs for him to acknowledge his feelings and grieve with her, but Grant's unable to do so because underneath his emotional pain is a feeling that he failed his family.  SHAKEN is one of those must read stories - not just because it's well written but because it's insightful and gives readers an appreciation for what they have as well as an understanding of the feelings of those who have experienced a devastating loss.Chrissy Dionne (courtesy of Romance Junkies)