Friday, May 2, 2014

Review of "The Tangled Tears" by author S.M. Bjarnson

Locked in a tower, the prince arrives. Not a fairytale, but a new life.

You can purchase S.M. Bjarnson's novel, The Tangled Tears at Amazon.com

Bjarnson's, The Tangled Tears, is a most private and emotional journal, revealing the raw open wounds and demons of a teenager, who witnesses the horrible death of her best friend, her sister.

S.M. describes with intensity, how young Autumn (AJ or Jazz for short) Jazmine Moion, rejects the world with a variance of physical and major emotional disturbances. An orphan in many ways, AJ lost everyone at the age of four, when her only sibling, Winter (Winnie) Magnolia Moion (three years AJ's, senior), became AJ's, parent, sister and best friend. After Winnie's thrill seeking tragic accident, AJ now loses everything else, trying to fade away nearly forfeiting her own soul.

Following the fatality where Winnie participated in a locally historic, adrenaline induced stunt, death was the farthest thing from anyone's mind. Winnie was dead. AJ repels people at the scene, blaming herself for who knows what, and walks down the highway for hours in shock, both physically and emotionally wounded. When AJ crumbles along the roadside, she anticipates the end of her own existance. The incessant nagging in her pocket causes her to finally dig the phone from her rain soaked jeans. Schoolmates text their condolences, some with actual concern. One guy she barely knows, Jenkins (Jenks) Thurgood, has called and texted several times. AJ scarcely able to move, replys to him, to come get her.

AJ hears the car come to an ubrupt stop, a door opens and slams quickly. She hears a soft concerned voice and feels herself being lifted and gently placed in the car. She looks at Jenks through her wet hair, as he drapes a blanket around her. AJ can't make sense why a popular classmate would want to help her, but the lifeline gives a small comfort, one she truly believes, she doesn't deserve. Jenks says, he was wanting to make sure she was ok, considering the day's, events. He explains how he left his phone volume on high, and kept checking for her reply all during basketball practice. He told her he was glad that he found her, that others, besides himself were worried.

Jenks, qualifies as a comfort to AJ's, soul, as he bears witness to losing someone too, that day. His cousin, Chatt Thurgood. Chatt was engaged to AJ's, sister and died moments before her. After checking on AJ sitting next to him one last time, he can't meet her eyes, but turns the car around and tells her that he's taking her home.

Over time, Jenks understands AJ better than any of their friends, remaining family or AJ herself. Time is what AJ needs. Lots of time. She and Jenks provide much needed distractions for one other.

Jenk's, reputation as a player wasn't addressed in the gentlest of terms, but from the heart he admits that she's always been the prettiest girl he ever knew, quiet and smart, with her slender frame and long black hair, she was in direct contrast from her blond, no fear and totally optomistic, outgoing sister. Hard for him to explain, he doesn't know why he never before, made the attempt to tell her.

AJ's mind and body take in and drink Jenks's optimism and roguish personality and looks. She still can't figure out how a star athlete, witty and charming could possibly be interested, in someone who only sees ghosts and hears them in the wind. AJ studies Jenks, with absolute awe and a foreign feeling of trust and being treasured. She has had the opportunity many times now, to see the sun in his messy blond hair and blue eyes. She fantasizes about his athletic, chiseled body sculpted beyond perfection. AJ ceaselessly replays their first kiss, helping lull her to sleep after months of unattainable rest.

Their past losses never totally heal, but their courage to let them go dispels the clouds and the sun starts to shine.

For AJ and Jenks, it's time for a fresh life, as it was meant to be.

Join the few who can cope, as life gets in the way, and fall in love with AJ and Jenks by spending quality time with, S.M. Bjarnson's, The Tangled Tears.