Surviving Raine

This book is currently my best read this year! I freaking enjoyed it, I did not want it to end. Sebastian Stark is one of my top Alpha males ever. He's normally not my type because he was such an ass. I mean really surly, crass and rude. He's an alcoholic in withdrawal and just plain mean but I effing loved him. I don't know why. I think this worked really well because the book was written from his POV so you can actually hear his thought process and it was really hilarious. Let me back up a bit. The heroine, Raine, I effing loved her too. She was the perfect combination of strength and vulnerability. She was perfect for the broken man that was Bastian. Throughout the book, you'd realize that despite Bastian's tough exterior, beneath him is a very needy, insecure man. And Raine, gosh that girl has so much understanding in her. Don't get me wrong, she was not a pushover. I mean, about 20% into the book I had to put it down because I laughed so hard. There was a scene wherein Bastian said something really crude and Raine let him have it and I mean HAVE it. Oh my god I love her. There was also another intense scene in the book where Bastian officially became my #1 non-paranormal Alpha badass. As you all can tell by now I'm gushing. There was a bit of a slow part around 3/4 of the way, but I did not mind because I was just happy to read along how these two great characters fall in love. I think the underlying intrigue of the plot is also what kept me turning the pages. This book was a mixture of survivor, castaway and hunger games with a heavy dose of romance. Yes, hunger games. This book ends with an HFN. I hate books that do this because we normally get plots getting dragged out. But seeing how rich Surviving Raine was plot-wise and what the epilogue has set up for, I'm sure we'll get a book that will be as page-turning as this one. I hate that the next book will be in 2014. :(

Rating: 4 Stars Creative story about Sebastian (aka 'Bastian', alpha personality, ship captain, addictions) and Raine (Young, innocent, ship passenger)as they try to survive on the high seas after an accident on a ship. The story is told from Bastian's point of view, which was refreshing and well written. Because Bastian and Raine are stranded, 90% of the dialogue is only between the two of them. As a result, both characters were very well developed. You came to understand Bastian's personality and triggers. You came to understand how Raine was able to connect and deal with him. Let me say, the dialogue between these two had me laughing so hard! Bastian has the cursing and dirty talk down to a tee. It took Raine's personality to deal with him (he would have thrown me to the sharks, cause Mo don't play that). Through the use of flashbacks and current conversations between them, you were able to get the backstory on both characters prior to the accident. Bastian, Bastian, Bastian...he is not a good man (anti-hero) and has some serious social issues. If you are offended by the use of the F-word, you will be very offended by this book, because it is Bastian's favorite word. As Raine would say, he's 'crass'. He also has a few addictions (booze, sex and cigarettes). Raine, on the other hand, is young and inexperienced. You can imagine the tense dynamic between these two being stranded together for a long period of time. There's not a lot of action in this book. However, there's a scene where we get to see Sebastian's promise to keep Raine safe play out. This scene rocked! He held nothing back and I fell more in love with his character. Looks like a sequel is planned and hopefully we will get to see more action and drama. The epilogue was a good introduction into where book two would take us. Overall, this was a great book with strong and likeable characters! I can't wait for the next installment. Why Not 5 Stars? This was slow going. Since 90% was dedicated to only Bastian and Raine's interactions, it moved at a very slow pace. I kept wanting some serious action to take place so I could see Bastian in the zone. I found myself drifting/dozing off while reading this on a few occasions. The ending left me wanting more. While I'm glad a good choice/decision over 'it' in the final scene was made, I wanted more interaction/commentary/discussion about it! I'm being careful how I word this to keep the ending spoiler free.

I have always loved Shay's "men" she creates - they are often enigmas, and none more so than Bastian Stark. He is somewhat a handful at the beginning of the story, but you just know so much more lurks beneath the surface of this fascinating man. Bastian really brought out my protective side, and even though this man can obviously take care of himself physically - he really makes you want to protect him from the hurt he has been subjected to in his life - and even though we don't see Raine's POV in this story, I am pretty sure that is exactly how she sees it too. Surviving Raine is a wonderful story that will keep you reading and reading. Its an Adventure not to miss!

This author writes an incredible story. I've been an avid reader for some time and as such, a few paragraphs of a book tell me if a story is going to be absorbing. The hero is a tortured individual and his story is not presented in a typically 'romantic' way. The story is emotionally raw. The heroine is perfect for him. She is warm and compassionate and very mature for someone so chronologically young. There is a sequel coming later this year which I eagerly anticipate. This author is going to be very successful so long as she continues to create stories of this calibre. The major publishing houses should consider taking her on as a client. I just finished 2 more books of hers which are part of a series entitled, "The Evan Arden Series". These books were just as riveting as "Surviving Raine". I highly recommend this author to Amazon readers.

Looking for a story which has everything? Look no further. In 'Surviving Raine' you'll find excitement, intrigue, jeopardy and eroticism, all set against the backdrop of a vast and hostile sea. Like the best ever game of pass-the-parcel, you will slowly unravel the mystery of Captain Stark, and the path which has led him to a poorly equipped raft in the middle of an unforgiving ocean. His companion will test his patience and his restraint to the absolute limit, but in the end, who will save who? As ever, Shay Savage has constructed a taut, absorbing and believable tale of survival at sea, and her research is absolutely spot-on. Like that proverbial parcel, it has so many layers, each one pulling you deeper into a story which is so much more than a simple romance. I promise you that, like me, you will be hooked from the first page, and unable to stop reading until you reach the highly intriguing denouement. Overlaying the thrills and edge-of-seat perils is Shay's trademark dark humour, which always enhances, never jars. This is a terrific book, and my only complaint is that I wanted more. Can we expect for a sequel in the not too distant future? I very much hope so.

Dieses Buch ist einfach eins der Besten, dass ich seit langem gelesen habe!!! Ich fand es toll, das die Autorin in diesem Buch den Charakteren nicht nur Tiefe gegeben hat, indem sie deren Probleme, Ängste, Sucht ect am Rande erwähnt und dann unter den Teppch gekehrt hat. Nein in diesem Buch wurden sie als Teil der Geschichte realistisch und detailreich beschrieben. Das mag wahrscheinlich nicht jeder, aber für mich sollte eine Liebesgeschichte nicht nur aus Regenbögen und Einhörnern bestehen. Also ich würde dieses Buch einer Freundin empfehlen. Ja,ich habe auch den zweiten Teil gekauft und bin auch von diesem begeistert.

j'adore le style et l'écriture de Shay Savage depuis que j'ai lu par hasard «transcende». Elle rentre dans les relations femmes/hommes avec une grande sensibilité même si elle expose ces relations dans leur absolue nudité. ses personnages se retrouvent toujours isolés et se construisent contre l'adversité et trouvent le moyen de s'aimer, grâce ou à cause de leurs différences.