Title: Tethered by L.D Davis
Release Date: 4th April 2014
Donya Stewart’s chest filled with the soft beating wings of butterflies when she first met Emmet Grayne’s green eyes at the ripe age of five. Unable to identify the tugging pressure within her when in his presence, Donya moved through the first several years of her life addled by her feelings for the boy who was her best friend’s brother, and very much like her own sibling. But one cool autumn night in her mystifying teenage years, Emmet erases any ideas Donya has of him being anything like a sibling.
Donya and Emmet, unable to deny the invisible cord that fetters them together on an incredibly visceral level, begin a long journey on a road abounding with challenges, hurdles, and destructive forces. Their love for one another is absolute, and the emotional link between them is strong, but when they make a series of painful decisions and mistakes that pull them apart, the strength of that tether is challenged.
Donya’s career as a model took her around the world and away from Emmet who was working hard for his law degree. When Donya makes a hard decision for both of them, the tether between them stretches beyond what seems possible.
“The tether contorted and quivered and groaned in protest.”
This story I don’t mind telling you left me raw and emotional but in such a good way, it gave me a better understanding of what Donya and Emmet went through and how much of a connection they had and it showed that no matter how far apart you are, if you are bound to that one love, no matter what life throws at you, your love for that person will never die.
So Donya and Emmet, what can I really say about these two except Holy Cow what a ride. The connection between these two goes back to their childhood; they feel the pull even then but are too young to know really what it is. It is not until Donya is in her teens did she really start to feel the attraction and pull to Emmet but he was older and she was still classed as a minor not to mention an adopted part of his family so what could they do, well they did what they could only do, ignore it for a while and see if it goes away but a love that they have would never go away and that soon became apparent.
I loved how even in the prologue you are wondering “What is going on here”? with Donya’s words to Luke at Luke and Emmy’s wedding “ We would rather die than to hurt the ones we love, but we still do” and later her statement “It’s very easy to find yourself standing on the wrong side of the line without ever crossing it” those statements there and then set the tone for me as to what was to come, I knew this would be a roller coaster of emotions from there on in and I was not wrong.
I don’t want to spoil things for those who have not read the book yet but some of Emmet’s sayings at the beginning of the book made me realise how much he really liked Donya and what he felt for her, simple things like “Your special to my family, and your kind of special to me, too” things like that made me think hmmm something is going on here and I could not wait to find out.
There were times in the beginning of this book where I could have throttled Emmet, yes Donya was treated like a sister to him and Emmy by their family but sometimes I felt myself shouting at the book, ‘Stop being so nasty to her, tell her how you feel’ especially when he made Donya cry like when here “Your first kiss should be with someone who isn’t going to try to get into your pants immediately after”, I heard Emmet Say. I froze and stiffened. My tears continued to roll down my face, but I didn’t make a noise. “I know it doesn’t always happen that way, but that’s what I want for you. And Emmy,” he said more as an afterthought. When I didn’t respond, I heard him sigh, and I heard the telltale sound of the door closing as he left. This part of the book I can tell you made me cry. . Donya was just as bad at times with pushing Emmet away thinking she was doing the right thing rather than stopping to actually wonder what she was doing.
Later on we see Donya and Emmet realise that they are connected - I put my hands over his heart and said “We’re connected. Don’t you feel it?” He gently laid his hand on my chest. “ I’ve always felt it”, he whispered. Here I felt Yes finally they are going to realize they are meant for each other but life doesn’t work out like that does it There is so much in these two lives, so much that happens that will make you laugh, make you cry and make you raw with emotion. I want so much to say more about these two and I could, I could write and write but I know I would end up putting in spoilers which is not going to happen. LD Davis has captured a story about young love and the problems and hurdles that people have to deal with but she has also captured the true emotion of what your heart goes through when you find that ONE TRUE LOVE. Yes there maybe sacrifices to pay but in what relationship are there no sacrifices these days.
One of the quotes LD Davis put into her book is this:- “Great Achievement is usually born of great sacrifice, and is never the result of selfishness” – Napoleon Hill. This was such a great phrase for the book and one that will stick with me and is so apt for this story
Emmet and Donya do not have an easy path in life to lead, there are ups and downs, misunderstandings, happiness and joy but they still have their connection:- “I took one last look in the mirror and grinned. It was time for me to fulfil my destiny”
I loved this book, the in-depth into which LD David went about Donya’s family, her life, her want for acceptance and love and her thrill and joy, happiness and love she felt from Emmy and Emmet’s family, nothing was missed you felt everything and to me that is what makes a good book, the way you can feel what the character is feeling.
One quote that LD Davis put into this book I felt was so significant to the book I wanted to end my review with it :- “Sometimes you have to let go of the past to embrace your future”
L.D. Davis is the New York Times Bestselling author of the novel Accidentally On Purpose and the novella Pieces of Rhys. L.D. began writing at a very young age with consistent support from teachers and friends. When she was only thirteen years old, she wrote her first romantic novella. A few years later at the age of nineteen, she completed another. Always writing, but never attempting to publish, L.D. left many projects unfinished over the years, but when she was thirty-four years old, she self-published her first full-length novel, Accidentally On Purpose. L.D. is currently working on two more books to go along with Accidentally On Purpose, two more projects to go along with Pieces Of Rhys, and several other novels.
L.D. has a serious addiction to reading, especially contemporary romance novels. She also loves the work of Dean Koontz, Janet Evanovich and classics like Lord Of The Rings and Jane Austen’s novels. She lives in a small East Coast town with her five children and husband.
What made you decide to start writing?
It wasn’t really a decision…I’ve been writing since I was a child. When I found out I could self-pub, I did it more seriously.
How did you feel when your first book went live on Amazon?
Honestly, I was a little excited but otherwise went on with life. NOW when I release a book, I am nervous and paranoid and harassing Karleigh every other hour with words like: “It’s a failure! I suck at living! No one likes it!” She curses me out, tells me to have a seat, and we move on.
Do you put parts of your own personality into your characters?
All of my female characters have part of my personality. Emmy’s sarcasm and sometimes questionable decision making; Donya’s habit of keeping secrets and not letting anyone really know her and Lindsey’s humour in the face of devastating circumstances. Lily’s temper….
How long does it take you to write a book and send it to publish?
It depends. AOP took forever – like a year or more. Worthy of Redemption took eight long months. Pieces of Rhys took approximately seven weeks. Worth the Fight took about three months, but Tethered took about four months and it was more than twice the size of WTF. It depends on how I’m feeling about what I’m writing and other obligations.
Have you read a book by another author that stay’s with you no matter what other book you read?
Yes, plenty of authors. All of the Pyte books by R.L. Mathewson stick with me. Consequences by Aleatha Romig has permanently effed up a small part of me and will always stick around, and I am OBSESSED with the Fever series by Karen M. Moning.
Is there an author that inspires you?
All self-publishers who work with honesty and integrity inspire me.
Apart from writing what other activities do you enjoy doing?
There are other activities???!!! Shut up! Reading, obviously. I also enjoy relaxing times with friends, just hanging out with a few drinks and good conversation. My kids are highly entertaining, so I like hanging out with them, too. I use to love drinking, but it’s hard to be a true alcoholic when I have to write books.
Out of all your characters in your books, who would you like to go out with on a date (male only)?
Many of you will be shocked to know it’s Kyle Sterling!
If you had to name your favourite 3 authors who would they be?
In no particular order: Karen M. Moning, R.L. Mathewson, and Dean Koontz
How do you think up such great characters to write about?-
Overactive imagination? Sometimes I take real life situations and completely warp them! I can’t explain it entirely – my brain has always been filled with interesting characters that I use to play out as a child while playing House or Barbies. My childhood best friend and I made up a soap opera that we would act out on the phone! Later I began to put those characters on paper. It’s amazing that I am well rooted in reality considering all of the fiction in my head.
Were any of your characters in your books based on people you know or characteristics of friends?
Of course a few were, but I can’t say who!
Do you give sex scenes a trial run to test logistics before you write them?
Yes!
Do your family/friends know you write and have they read your books?
Most of my friends know and only some of my family.
Is there anyone who you don't tell(and why)?
Yes, because there are some people that do not need to know how depraved my mind is J
Do you write full time or do you have another job?
I am a full time writer!
Have you always written or did you have another job before you started writing?
I’ve always written, since childhood, but not as a career until last year.
Who or what inspires you?
Everyday people and everyday life. Well, okay, Donnie Walhberg totally inspired me for my next book….
What is your biggest ambition as a writer?
To make readers across the globe happy to read my work.
Do you have another project you are working on after Tethered?
Yes – I am always working. I have no less than a dozen projects going at once.
Who is your favorite character you’ve created?-Kyle Sterling, because he is so terribly flawed and proof that money does not buy happiness.
What scenes are you most excited about in Tethered?
Well, I can’t spoil this for those who haven’t read it yet, but all of those intense scenes, you know. When Donya’s and Emmet’s love for one another is hard and gritty and heart breaking all at once.
Do you have to adapt your books to cater for cultures around the world?
I wouldn’t even know how to do that. I would love to be a “cultured” person and to know how to adapt to cater to those other cultures, but I’m not, so I just write what I write.
I see on the social networks how readers see all the characters from your Accidently On Purpose books, like Kyle and Luke. I would love to know how you picture them.
Have you worked from a muse, and if so, give me pictures please!?
Kyle is one I always have a hard time with – I want someone who is sexy as hell but when you look in his eyes you may cower a little, or have the desire to punch him. In the beginning I use to think of Bradley Cooper for Luke, but not so much now. I don’t see Bradley when I see Luke. Sometimes I’ll come across photographs and think “He would make a good Kyle” or “He has Luke’s blue eyes” but I guess I haven’t narrowed it down to anyone exactly just yet.
Do your characters speak to you when writing?
When I’m writing, when I’m cooking dinner, when I’m driving, when I’m trying to sleep, when I’m having sex, when I’m watching television – ALL OF THE TIME.
Do you let them guide the story, or do you write how you WANT it to happen?
They totally run the show. I may have to step in as a ref from time to time, but it’s their show.
When you meet new people and get to know them do you think of them as one of your
Characters in your books?
Haha! Umm yeah maybe.
If one of your books could be a movie, which one would you pick and why?
Tethered, because I pictured it as a movie the entire time I was writing it. It’s such a great love story and I would love to see it played out on the screen.
When writing some of the more difficult scenes, do you get as emotional as we do when we read it?
Not quite…I get into it and my heart may race, but when I’ve finished it, instead of getting emotional as I read over it, I do a fist pump, or shout “Booyah!” or “Boom!”
Do you get nervous or anxious right before one of your books release?- With AOP I didn’t, but everything after that I have. It doesn’t lessen over time. I feel it more intensely with every book I put out.
How do you deal with any negative reviews and does it bother you?
Negative reviews bug the crap out of me, I can’t lie. I especially hate the ones where they can’t even get the names of the characters right, or the ones where they have obviously forgotten that it is a work of fiction, or they totally took everything out of context. However, not everyone will like the same thing. I respect that, but the only appropriate way to deal with it is to complain to a close friend and then move on.
What has surprised you and upset you the most about your success so far?
I am shocked by how much work is involved in this industry. I put in way more hours now than I ever did at any secular employment. What has upset me the most is how poorly a few others behave in the industry.
How long did you write before you were first published?
For like ever.
What advice would you offer to aspiring writers?
Write what you want to write, not what everyone else wants you to write, because the writing part isn’t supposed to feel like work. It’s supposed to be enjoyable. Also, behave, be kind, be respectful, and you’ll be shocked how many seasoned authors will be willing to help you along as one did for me. Also, edit. Edit. Edit. Edit. If you can hire an Editor, hire and Editor and edit. Edit. Edit. Edit.
I am curious about your writing process too...How does a story come to your mind and if you immediately put it down on paper or just the idea, or if you let it sink in your head more? And how the stories you do choose to put to life are chosen over other stories you might have thought about?
Okay, first, the only time a thought doesn’t get written down is if I forget it before I can write it down. I can’t explain how a story comes to my mind – it’s like asking you how does a random thought come to your mind? It could be from nothing, or it could be from something you don’t even remember seeing or hearing. I try not to wait to write it down though, because I forget things all of the time, but I will write actual dialog, not the idea. As far as bringing the stories to life…well, AOP was what I was passionate about when I was writing it, but Kyle’s story and Luke’s story were basically for my readers. There were other projects I was more passionate about at the time, but I did that for you guys! I was passionate about both projects, but there was at least one other story that I was REALLY feeling but put aside. Now, I could have finished that story I was really feeling, or finished Tabitha’s story, but Donya and Emmet were really talking to me and I was really feeling them, so that’s how they came to be next in line.
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