Category: Crime Publisher: Carol Gambill
ISBN-10: 1503015688
Type: Fiction
Pages: 444
Copyright: November 19, 2014
ISBN-13: 9781503015685
Price: $2.99 (eBook)
Reckless in his youth, Shaun MacGregor was never one to care about what people thought of him. But then he returned to the small coalmining town of Ashland, Pennsylvania after serving eight years in prison, and had a literal run-in with town socialite, Maria Bellicia. One night with Maria leads Shaun on a turbulent path to confront all the layers of his destructive past, and face all of the pain, guilt and regret that comes along with it. Each layer that Maria helps peel away reveals yet another adversary and complication that Shaun must either run away from, or fight against. As Shaun struggles to make the right decisions that will finally allow him peace of mind and approval as a citizen of Ashland, Shaun is catapulted to an ultimate crossroad where he must face the biggest obstacle of his life: flee Ashland once and for all, or stay and fight for the only woman who has shown him true love and acceptance.
Excerpt
The small metal slot of his confinement cell slid open to a sliver of light. “MacGregor, you’re gonna rot in there or what? You, my Irish friend need to rethink your attitude about playing nice with others,” the guard noted with a smirk. Shaun squinted at the light that pushed from the outside, but he could only see eyes that looked in on him with mockery. Silence filled the small, dark room where he had been placed after slamming another inmate’s head onto the dining hall table. Fortunately, the metal table surface had come in handy, considering the man had threatened Shaun for the last time. Shaun hadn’t given the man a chance to find him alone in some secluded area. Sure, Shaun had been out of control, but he felt vindicated. He was mad at the world. Although being in prison for killing Matt had been entirely justified, he would gladly serve his time for what he had done, but he would no longer put up with the aggression of other inmates.
He sat on the mattress, then leaned back against the concrete wall. He rubbed the back of his neck. Counting his meals so far meant that Shaun had only been in solitary confinement for three days. Strangely, the three days of quietness here and what was meant as punishment, now only seemed like relief. He could think here, but unfortunately that time was spent in other memories of that one day he tended to relive again and again.
A key at his cell door told him that the guard had been giving him a rash of shit and that he would very soon join the general prison population. He had been in Frackville Prison for just under two years, and yes, there were still eight more years to go, and he had been in and out of solitary confinement more times than he cared to remember. He knew his life had to change. He was tired of fighting everyone and everything.
Professional Reviews
Once Wild
Saturday, December 19, 2009
REVIEW: Once Wild, Breakin' Out Series | Carol Gambill | eXcessica Publishing
Posted by Alternative-Read.com reviewer: WitchGiggles
Title: Once Wild, Breakin' Out Series
Author: Carol Gambill
Publisher: (formerly) eXcessica Publishing
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publication Date: October 2009
Length: Super Novel
Format: eBook
Reviewer: WitchGiggles
Alternative-Read.com
When she clips a man with her car on a dark curve, Maria Bellicia learns that former bad boy Shaun MacGregor is out of prison and back in his hometown of Ashland, Pennsylvania. What she discovers is that not only can he turn her emotions into flames of molten lava, but he has become a man afraid to trust- in life, in love, in people.
Having spent the past eight years in prison, Shaun is unprepared for the impact that Maria has on both his emotions and his life. As she walks away with his heart, he has no idea the consequences loving her will have on him. But there is someone out to make sure that he will never stay in his hometown and the secrets are beginning to take their toll.
I'm not sure what I was expecting; perhaps a blithe treatment or gloss over of the time spent away. What I wasn't expecting was the real impact of what the incarceration would have, on him and other people. This is full of intense moments as well as some humor and steamy sex, but for me it was the intense struggle to find acceptance both within himself and society that made the story for me. I found it immensely satisfying.
Author John Walker's Review on Goodreads.com
http://www.sanctuaryinthedarkness.com/
The sins of Shaun MacGregor’s youth are far from forgotten when he is released from prison and returns to his home town in Ashland, Pennsylvania. We learn that he went wild in his youth for a reason: rebellion sparked by years of physical abuse. When he wasn’t being bullied by his father, he was being victimized by others. He’s already served eight years for killing his friend, but there are some in the town who still won’t forget – or forgive. Shaun is a marked man from the moment news is out that he’s back in town.
When Maria Bellicia literally runs into him, their status couldn’t be more different, poles apart in the eyes of society. However, it’s a case of opposites attracting; they can’t help falling in love with each other. What follows is a steamy mix of guilt, passion, sex, hatred and violence.
This is the first book in the Breaking Out series, and it’s a great read that reminded me of classic noir, steamy, pot-boiler thrillers like James M. Cain’s The Postman Always Rings Twice. I liked the setting and the characters. The pace is steady and the tension builds very well. I believed in Shaun’s struggle to find acceptance and redemption, along with Shaun and Maria’s struggle to stay together in the face of adversity.
I recommend it to readers who enjoy a love story with a hard edge.
Once Wild
Title: Once Wild
Author: Carol Gambill
Publisher: (formerly) eXcessica Publishing
Publisher URL: http://excessica.com/
ISBN: n/a
Genre: {M/F} Erotic/Suspense
Rating: 4 Nymphs
Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Goddess Minx
Being abused by his father, while growing up, caused Shaun MacGregor to become very reckless in his teenage years. When he returns after serving eight years for killing his best friend, he doesn’t know what to expect from the townspeople. Or why he even came back to Ashland, Pennsylvania. Now that he realizes who has hit him with their car, his feelings are mixed about Maria helping him get home. They do find comfort in each others arms and know that it will be difficult to keep their relationship private because of their different backgrounds. Knowing that she might hate him, Shaun will have to face his past as his love for her surfaces and that is not an option for two people from different cultures.
Maria Bellicia is one of the rich kids, who’s father owns a coal mining company, and she has longed for Shaun most of her life. She is determined to help him after she sees he’s injured, when she accidently hits him with her car. She gets him to his place, and is a little confused by the feeling of comfort in his presence. She has a made a change in her life by helping others, being rich made her vain, and blind to the plight of the less fortunate.
Once Wild is the first book in the Breaking Out series and I really enjoyed reading this story, because it told of what happens to people that goes through the prison system. I found it fascinating that the two main characters were able to work their way through each adversity, along with spending time together. Shaun’s behavior was driven by his father’s rejections, and of others bullying during his school years which caused him to react without thinking his plans through first. It turns out that there was more than one villain, and one in particular I wanted serious harm to come to them.
Ms. Gambill did a fantastic job of creating a realistic plot and scenes in the prison, and mines. I must say here that the sex is extremely explosive. It was so sad that Shaun was on the receiving end of so much hatred from so many people in town, who wanted him harmed or dead. These people went through great lengths to carry out that harm, and I was rooting for Shaun and Maria’s happiness. I found myself racing to the end to see what would happen to these two, and I will not give away the ending here. This is the first time I have read a book by Carol Gambill, and am looking forward to reading the other books in the series.
Once Wild
Reviewer Score: (5 out of 5)
Review Date: Nov 16, 2009
ISBN:
Publisher: (formerly) Excessica
Print Book Price:
E-Book Price: $5.99
Release Date: Out Now
Once Wild - Book Excerpt
Author(s): Carol Gambill Website
Genre(s): Spicy - A Night Owl Romance Review, Contemporary
Night Owl Top Pick
MacGregor...a name that the people of Ashland, Pennsyvlania know means trouble. For years the people there have shunned Shaun MacGregor. Getting out of prison was supposed to be a homecoming, freedom for Shaun. Instead it is just to come back to heartache, pain and a brother who wants vengeance by seeing Shaun dead. Yep, coming to Ashland was a bad mistake on his part yet he never expected to meet a woman like Maria Bellicia. She is far above his kind for she is rich, beautiful and so much smarter than him. Having her enter his life should have been good. Shaun will do everything he can to protect Maria even saying he has no feelings for her but just wants her for sex. Can Shaun just turn his back away from Maria?
Maria Bellicia has lived a life of wealth. She never expected though for a man like Shaun to show her that money is not the most important thing in a person’s life. Getting to know Shaun in every way has made her see that he is what has been missing in her life. She’s works hard in the mining company her father owns and having Shaun in her life is showing her that she needs to be wild once in a while. Yet Maria knows that Shaun is hiding something from his time in jail and in his past. As much as she tries she can’t give up on him, especially when other people in Ashland have done already. She knows it’s more than just sex with him but convincing him that it is real love will be a huge test to pass.
Maria and Shaun are two people from opposite sides of the tracks that they are destined for each other in every way. I loved that Shaun is a man who has been through so much pain. When something beautiful like Maria comes into his life he’s having a hard time coming to terms with it. Shaun has been through so much and it’s no wonder these two were perfect for each other. There’s just so much to say about this emotionally heart tugging book. Once Wild is definitely a recommended read. You will love Shaun and his generous heart.
This is a story of second chances and deep abiding love. Pick it up and be swept way. Fall in love again and again. I just loved it.
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