Review: Knocked me out!
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 01 31, 2014
“If something or someone is presented to us once, we will often dismiss it as being nothing more than happenstance. If that person or situation is presented twice, it is God slapping us in the face and telling us to pay attention. It is fate.”Since she was sixteen years old,  Kace knew that love hurt, literally. Like most relationships, her boyfriend showed her nothing but affection, the affection turned into hurt and isolation and fear. Now at twenty six years old, Kace is realizing that this isn’t love nor a healthy relationship. No matter what she does it is never right. Knowing what is happening to her is wrong but fearing the unknown of leaving, she lies to herself and tells herself that things will be better today. One day a horrible argument with her boyfriend has her meeting an unlikely hero.“I’m coming for your heart, Kace,”Shane Dekkar is a cocky but modest unknown fighter. Growing up in Compton, California, he knows what it takes to be tough and street smart and how to fight. He fights his inner demons by fighting in the ring and he has never lost a fight, EVER. After losing his grandfather he moves to Austin where he meets Kace. He witness’s an argument between her and her boyfriend. When he tried to intervene, they play it off as a little disagreement. Shane knows there is more to it, he sees the pain and fear in her eyes and watches as they drive away. There is something about her and he can’t get her out of his head.They say things happen for a reason so when two years later he runs into Kace again. Both of their lives change.“He could take advantage of me at any point in time that he preferred; the fact that he didn’t made me both admire him and hate him both.”Shane is an upcoming fighter with a fantastic future but his past has damaged him. Preparing for the fight of his life, he doesn’t have time for a relationship.It took almost losing her life to finally move on with it and make a choice she has feared for years. Not knowing if she is strong enough to be on her own, Shane helps her through it.This story is about two people with devastating pasts, finding the strength to be better and stronger, learning from mistakes and moving forward.“When walking away from something we were once committed to, we often hesitate. Deciding to make a major change in life is difficult. But we all reach a point when we’re done - done giving to a world that only takes. Until then, you’ll want, you’ll wait, and you’ll contemplate change. When you’re truly done, you’ll know. You’ll know when the time comes.”This story touched me and yes, although there were some disturbing situations, I was able to see the message or at least the message that I interpreted which was, no matter where you come from or the situations you suffered through or witnessed, you can break the cycle! You aren’t a product of your environment. You can be that change. Abuse is no joke and people think “why doesn’t she just leave? She is lame for staying with him for so long.” Although this is just a story the abuse in this story is a very real problem that people live with daily.Scott Heldreth did a fantastic job. It was heartfelt, kind, disturbing and romantic but what I loved most was that it showed Bravery, Courage and Respect.It is a fantastic must read!