Book title: Because of Ellison
Author: M.S. Willis
Genre: NA Contemporary Romance
Release date: January 14, 2014
When I was nineteen years old, I lived for sex, drugs and a good party. I had it all - good looks, a fast car and a hot girlfriend. Nothing in life was more important.
That was, until I met Ellison James….
Since the moment I first saw her she was a raging bull; tackling me in the mud and throwing out insults as fast as her tongue could form the sound.
She was snarky
She was rude
And she pissed me off like no other woman could.
I lived beside her for a summer and in the three months that I walked by her side...
She opened my eyes
She changed my life
And she made me a better man.
That was, until I met Ellison James….
Since the moment I first saw her she was a raging bull; tackling me in the mud and throwing out insults as fast as her tongue could form the sound.
She was snarky
She was rude
And she pissed me off like no other woman could.
I lived beside her for a summer and in the three months that I walked by her side...
She opened my eyes
She changed my life
And she made me a better man.
“Why do you keep chasing after me, Hunter?” I could tell how raw her throat must have been by the scratch in her voice. I was thrown off by her question and it took me a minute to formulate a response.
I didn’t answer her immediately because I felt like everything, all the times we’d spent together, all the smiles we’d shared and the tears that had fallen, and all the years I wanted to share those types of moments with her in the future hinged on my response. Why did I keep chasing after her? To most, she was just another girl in small town who was struggling like the rest of us in an attempt to find a place where she belonged in this world. Most of those people weren’t lucky enough to know her like I’d known her – they hadn’t talked to her, hadn’t been shown the depths that existed within her. Much like the moon and stars that hung above us tonight, Ellison was a light that wasn’t easily contained. She burned bright enough to break through the dense fog I’d walked in my entire life. Because of her, I’d opened my eyes when I hadn’t even been aware they’d been closed – and for that, I’d chase her forever.
Clearing my throat, I reached up and pulled her hand from my cheek when I turned to look her in the eyes.
Speaking quietly, I confessed, “Because you are a dream and someone once told me that if I had a dream, I should chase it.” It was a simple explanation, but somehow I knew Ellison would understand the honest weight of what I’d said.
Her eyes blinked slowly as she studied my face and as usual, she did something unexpected. She laughed. The corners of my lips turned up when I tried to suppress my grin. Her laughter sounded fragile, as if something so tiny could come along and break it apart - but it was there and my heart raced against my chest to hear it.
“That is probably the strangest thing I’ve heard you say yet.”
I’m ashamed and a bit sad to admit that this is the first book that I have read by M.S. Willis. After finishing Because of Ellison my only question was what reason could I possibly have for waiting so long? I’m aware that this particular book is far different than her usually dark stories but the eloquence as well as the beautiful and striking description was astounding and had me instantly devouring every word.
The characters were well developed and fascinatingly complicated. My feelings on Ellison were all over the place. Were there times when I despised Ellison? Sure. Were there times when I could understand the way she was acting and how she was hiding behind her words and actions? Yep. Were there also times when my heart went out to her and all her wrongdoings and misdeeds were forgotten? Absolutely. Ellison’s attitude and actions were also a true testament to Hunter’s growth as well as his commitment. No matter what, there is no denying the number and significance of lessons that Hunter learned because of Ellison.
“Ellison was the light that wasn’t easily contained. She burned bright enough to break through the dense fog I’d walked in my entire life. Because of her, I’d opened my eyes when I hadn’t even been aware they’d been closed.”
I think it’s fair to say that this book was not exactly action packed. There were few dramatic twists and turns and very little actual conflict. Does that mean there was nothing going on? Not even close. Between the beautiful writing, the philosophical nature of the lessons learned, Ellison’s outlook, and the heartbreak endured it was exceedingly intellectually stimulating, inspiring, and tear-jerking not to mention a beautiful and touching love story that could make Nicolas Sparks green with envy.
“I’d learned that obstacles would happen and that roadblocks were a normal part of life. Character was built in jumping those obstacles and crashing through those roadblocks.”
While I can’t say with any certainty that I will love the other books in M.S. Willis’ arsenal, I can say that I definitely loved Because of Ellison and cannot wait to experience her skill when she is in her element.
“Our lives are like books, Hunter. Each day is a new page – each year, a new chapter. Just like books, our lives end; but our stories…those are never forgotten. We live in the hearts and thoughts of those who loved us.”
5 FMR stars!!
~Review by Michelle T.
M.S. Willis is a romance novelist whose debut novel, Control, was released in 2013. Although currently writing in the romance genre, Willis has plans to expand her literary pursuits into multiple genres and has no fear conquering difficult subject matters in her writing. Willis is a native Floridian who is also a photographer and musician. When not absorbing herself in written, visual or musical expression, Willis is an adrenaline junkie, a ‘closet’ video game enthusiast, and an avid outdoors person and nature lover.Visit M.S. Willis on her author page, Follow on Twitter, join her mailing list.
