Etched in Shadows Paperback – November 26, 2013

KG Macgregor is an amazing storyteller. Her characters are flawed yet human. The love between the characters is not formulaic but real with just a twist of fiction, kind of like the martini Alice prefers.She brings up real issues such as brain surgery and weaves them masterfully into her tales.The underlying theme in each of her books, and I am proud to say I have read them all multiple times, is be true to yourself and your feelings. She also not to subtly sends a message that sometimes it takes a knock on the head to clarify those feelings though I am sure she doesn't want her readers to experience such hard knocks!!I am reading this novel for the umpteenth time and cannot get over the sensitivity, the passion and the skill with which the story is handled.

When I read the synopsis, I was unsure if I really wanted to read this or not. Don't get me wrong - in the past I've loved reading all of KG MacGregor's books but this synopsis made me wonder if the ending would be too brief, too cliche. So I hesitated. I debated with myself. Eventually I opted to buy the book and read it, remembering how much reading pleasure KG has given me in the past. I am so glad I did. The book is very well written. The characters are very well developed, the story line is created in a thoughtful and realistic manner. It's not a quick fix to a difficult situation. Life isn't glossed over. The struggles are not easily handled. I was very pleased to read the book, in fact, I had a hard time putting it down once I picked it up. Another winner by KG.

First lesbian romance I've read in a while that didn't have confusing grammar and fluffy, obscure words to pull me out of the story. Excellent!The book was an interesting story, somewhat implausible (though the best stories really are) and an easy read.The romance was short and decent, the buildup was halfhearted but the execution was well-written.I confess I found myself getting bored at certain points due to plentiful narrative.All in all, however, this is one of the best books in its very specific genre that I've read in quite a while and I look forward to more by the author.

From the beginning of the novel, "Etched in Shadows" introduces the reader into the lives of a seemingly 'normal/everyday' family and then instantly thrusts the plot into a heart-wrenching tragedy that keeps you turning the pages. However, in my opinion the story line that first captured my attention soon releases its grip.At the core, the plot is very well thought out; conveying realistic events and bubbling relationships between the characters. Each character has his/her positive attribute with a nicely paired (and necessary) flaw. However, despite the character development, the author was unable to maintain the strong characteristics throughout the book. The story became mundane and predictable.Despite holding my interest throughout the book, the author still illustrates talent in her writing!

KG MacGregor did a fantastic job in her writing of this book. Just love the slow progression of Johnelle coming to terms with the emotional changes the crash had wrought upon her life.Plus everyone's else's responses and actions came across very realistic.

The main premise of Etched in Shadows hits a bit too close to home for this reader,minus the plane crash. Those of us who conformed to society's expectations do and don't regret the choices we have made in our lives.My only beef with the book is the age old need to come up with unique names for the characters. Johnelle?! Dorky name. Annoyed me every time I read the name.

I was just seeing if I liked how it was written because I had never read this author before and was though I was just skimming lightly through the pages and before long I was in deep and couldn't put it down. I finished it in just two days and am delighted to find another author that brings you into the whole feel and sense of everything that in the story. I felt connected to the story emotionally and ready and waiting for the next move . . !!!

I enjoyed reading this book quite a bit. I didn't give it 5 stars because I thought a few of the scenes couple have been thought out a little bit better. But the characters were believable. The story was not as far fetched as it may seem. It had a decent ending. All in all I thought the book had great follow through. And is definitely worth picking up

Who is Johnelle Morrissey? Is she the successful wife, mother and career woman who seems to have everything, including the most amazing lesbian BFF? Her life seems complete, she is happy, she has everything she worked and planned for.But when her plane comes down shortly after takeoff she is left in a coma for weeks, while her husband, son and BFF Alice try to deal with the possibility of loosing her, or getting only a part of her back.When she finally starts to come round Alice is there for her literally 24/7 until hubby Dwight can get back from a sales trip and son Ian from Italy. Alice is, as always, conscious of her ‘place’ in the family and, not wanting to overstep the mark, works hard to help Johnelle remember her husband and son as well as their long term friendship.Johnelle and Alice have been best friends since 6th grade, inseparable and rock solid for each other. Alice knew early that she loved her friend, but she quickly realized Johnelle was 100% straight and vowed to always put her friendship first. So she wept on Johnelle’s wedding day but kept her pain to herself, living in the shadows of the happy family and being the perfect friend, the perfect aunt.Alice knows she is the outsider. Tolerated by Johnelle’s parents and useful to her husband as both a substitute parent and reliable resource. But her dedication to her friend mean she is the one who continues to visit twice a day over weeks when the rest of the family go back to their lives, she is the one who talks to the comatose patient, and she is the one who is there when Johnelle wakes up.As Johnelle emerges from the haze of jumbled memories and regains her self and her self will, a different woman emerges and the changes will impact all of them. Whether it is Alice’s presence, her words and tales or the near death experience, Johnelle no longer wants the status quo, and soon begins to realize she no longer wants her controlling husband to rule her life.-------------This is a romance with a twist. It certainly fits the “girl meets girl and baggage gets in the way” genre, and the “we had it then but life got in the way” genre, even the “lonely lesbian loves the hot straight girl” genre... but it turns them all on their heads.Johnelle and Alice are strong characters, well drawn and developed. They, as well as Alice’s feisty mother Dessie, the bewildered ‘man of the house’ Dwight, the sensitive son Ian and homophobic father form a cast which will be recognized by most. They form the backdrop of many American novels and soaps. KG McGregor has coloured them in with love and affection, even for those with whom we have little sympathy.The plot is simple, the recovery of a air crash victim from brain injury including hospitalization, rehabilitation and a gradual coming back into herself as her memories and emotions settle from the jumble caused by disorientation.But on top of this KG has layered a controlling father and husband who think they have the right to manage Johnelle’s life. A friendship which supersedes even the best of BFF’s. And a gradual realization from Johnelle of why she made the choices which seemed like the only ones available. And even more important, the choices she now has the opportunity to make.Excellent book, well written, well edited, thoroughly enjoyable read.

I read the summery of this book and thought great storyline, I read all the reviews and ignored the negative I read, what a mistake that was, I found myself getting really frustrated throughout I even started to skip pages to get to the exciting parts but to my disappointment I didn't come across any, I didn't feel the chemistry between the main characters the tension nor the buildup to a romance, eventually when it all fell into place I really didn'tcare or feel happy about the ending.......This was the first book I read from this author I was looking forward to reading the ready f her books but I guess I'll pass on that

I'm a big KG MacGregor fan but something about the notion that you have to suffer a catastrophic brain injury in order to either fall in love with or realise you're in love with your best friend just leaves a bad taste in the mouth. She's still a great writer but this is not her best by far.

The Story follows two strong southern woman. Alice owns a real Estate business that she runs with her Mother. She a lesbian and has been in love with her best friend Johnelle for all of her life. Johnelle seems to have the perfect life. She is married to her college sweetheart Dwight. They both seem to genuinely love one another and have a son Ian whom they both adore.Part of Johnelle’s job is to travel to other Cities. On one such work trip her plane crashes and she sustains some brain injurys. One of the side effects is her feelings for Dwight have changed and the feelings for Alice that she has hidden so deep for most of her life have came to the surface.Alice was the star of the book me. She’s caring, honest, courageous, respectful but above all she knows how to love unconditionally with no expectation of it being reciprocated! If I’m honest everything Alice is fits into the personality of my dream girl. My Mum would say she’s nice to a fault… but she has her devil may care side which completes the dream.I felt for Johnelle through her story but if I’m honest my heart went out more to Alice and Dwight. From the minute I understood what was happening my heart went out to Dwight. There is so many points throughout the book you can almost hear his heart breaking. He loves Johnelle so much. Don’t get me wrong there are also instances I thought he was too controlling and condescending but I generally felt like Dwight was a good guy.The love between Alice and Johnelle is beautiful. It’s not rushed (it’s taken most of their lives to get it together) but when it does happen it’s a beautiful love. Personally I think both women are courageous to choose there relationship over the other characters feelings because for most of the book both Woman especially Alice put everyone else before them.My only negative was that there is a little to much religion and church going for me but that’s a personal thing.I would definitely recommend this book but be prepared for a emotional ride.4 stars.

Normalerweise mag ich KG MaxGregor, wenn mir nach einer "zwanglosen", schnulzigen Abendbelustigung ist. In diesem Fall war ich nicht 100 % überzeugt. Wenn man anderes von ihr gelesen hat, weiß man, dass sie das besser kann.Die Charaktere waren irgendwie blass und teils ein wenig inkonsistent. Die Spannung bzw. Beziehung wurde irgendwie holprig aufgebaut und die (kaum vorhandenen) inneren Konflikte (Gefühlschaos, Amnesie, Unfall, Familie, Gewissen etc.) waren mir nicht drastisch genug und daher zu wenig nachvollziehbar. DIe Idee an sich fand ich interessant und ich glaube, dass es hätte intensiver sein können. Schade. Von daher etwas unbefriedigend.Insgesamt durchaus unterhaltsam, aber nun nicht das Beste, was man von KG MacGreger lesen kann.