Review: Original story, shocking, awakening
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 06 26, 2014
Tumbleweed by Julia BramerI received a complimentary ARC in exchange for an honest review.Haley Hanson wants to be a photographer and luckily her parents are supportive enough to allow her to travel to Spain.  However, after a whirlwind romance with Mikel Garro, famous soccer player she is left with nothing.  Empty, depressed, and void of any emotion.  In turn Haley turns all of her emotions and actions in sexual conquests to try and dull the pain, it isn't a solution, and instead it turns into a disastrous spiral of destructive behavior.  Haley continues her travels to different countries and thrives with her photography and seeks out new places and events to document, landing her in Egypt, in a shocking turn of events Haley is taken captive and seeks to her memories of better times with Mikel to get her through, will she survive or will her erratic lifestyle finally catch up with her?First, I have to say this book was not at all what I expected.  The story line was fresh, and original.  The author has a real talent for describing the places and events that Haley travels too, so much that I had a little mini vacation in my head as I read further.  And I must have great timing to be reading about a hot soccer player while the real World Cup is on TV!  The story frequently goes back and forth in time but it's introduced well and is easy to follow.  Your heart genuinely breaks for Haley as you watch what she does and how she is treated both good and bad.  What I was not prepared for was the graphic, violent, and abusive matter that I ran smack into.  This needed a bigger disclaimer because I was caught off guard, and maybe that is what the author was aiming for.  Maybe she sought to shock the heck out of you to suck you in further.  The ending was just what I was hoping for, cliffhanger free and will leave the reader happy and content.  And I think there is room for another book, or maybe it's just me getting my hopes up!Thank you to, Julia Bramer, for the opportunity to read and review her book!  I will be adding more of her work to my Goodreads shelf!