What is True Love

Light Unshaken : A Review

As young girls, we dream about our perfect mate and wedding day. We don’t understand that love is not easy. It is never a perfect fairy tale. We only learn this important lesson when heartache hits.

Crystal Walton’s latest book touches upon this theme. Light Unshaken is the second book in her Unveiled Series. The series starts with the book:

In this book, Eyes Unveiled (Unveiled Series) (Volume 1),
the love story of Emma and Riley unfold. If you want to know how they meet and fall in love, you will have to read it. As part of the launch of Light Unshaken, the Kindle version is free at Amazon. Just click on the link above to get your copy.

Spoiler alert: Do not read further if you want to read the first book. I did not like the first book as much as I liked the second because it took a long time for the plot to unfold.  Also in the first, the writing was too unnaturally, flamboyant and the characters seemed too one dimensional. I think as debut novel, the author still was working on discovering her voice, and the plot lost out.

The second novel in the series, however,  showed maturity and more depth. I really highly recommend this book. I cried and was moved deeply as I read it.

Light Unshaken opens with Emma engaged to Riley, but her heart is crushing because Riley who is a musician has been offered the dream opportunity of a life time, a contract with a Nashville music production company.  The catch is that he has to move to Nashville and leave Emma for more than six months to produce his album.

Emma is a scholarship student at Reed University in Portland, Oregon. After struggling to find an internship and keep her scholarship, she finally finds real direction for her life. Following Riley is out of the question because she is committed to finishing her senior year in college and has accepted an internship at the Portland Center, a non-profit after-school program in one of the roughest sections of the city.

Riley leaves to go to Nashville, and Emma begins her senior year of college full of hope and love. Reality though hits hard. Emma struggles to write grants for the center; has to contend with A.J.,  a friend who wants more than just friendship; and suffers a vicious attack by a gang leader who wants to see the after-school program fail.

This second part of the series is more action packed and moves much quicker. The writing is tighter and more realistic. I know first-hand the struggle involved in working for a non-profit center in the middle of a rough downtown district. After graduating from college in 1990, I was an assistant administrator at a homeless center. I left the job for my first newspaper position. I learned a few months later that my replacement had been severely attacked with a bat. God’s provision moved me just in time; so, when Emma gets attacked at the center, I know this is a very realistic scene.

If the attack is not enough, the center director has his own personal issues with which he is dealing.  The center is one bill from closing because there are no funds for the rent or mounting bills.  Emma writes a grant for the center and it may come through, but many obstacles are in the way: namely the vandalism and neighborhood violence.

When more tragedy strikes, Emma world is turned upside down. Plus, her relationship with Riley is in jeopardy because of jealously and distance.  Will her engagement and love with Riley survive the turmoil and tragic events swirling around her?

Emma discovers that in life you have to fight for the people you love. Even then, your life can go in directions you never dreamed.

I recommend both books. You need to read the first to have a good foundation for the second. The first is not as well written, but you will find a lot of great quotes and lyrical language.  The second book is much better written and worth reading.

You can use my affiliate link below to buy your copy of Light Unshaken. If you use the link, I will receive a small portion of the sale, which I use for blogging expenses. Thanks for your support.

Note: I received copies of both books from the author in exchange for my honest review.

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Linking up with these hops this week: The Book Nook – Blog Party For Book Lovers! , What to Read Wednesdays, Cozy Reading Spot linkup, Booknificent Thursday, and Saturday Soiree & Social Media. Also be sure to check out my link-up parties page. I will be linking up this post on many hops listed there.