≡ Download Free Held Hostage A Story of Love Mental Illness Bonnie McKeating Britanie Wilson 9781496006080 Books

Held Hostage A Story of Love Mental Illness Bonnie McKeating Britanie Wilson 9781496006080 Books

Download As PDF : Held Hostage A Story of Love Mental Illness Bonnie McKeating Britanie Wilson 9781496006080 Books

Held Hostage A Story of Love Mental Illness Bonnie McKeating Britanie Wilson 9781496006080 Books

"The relationship between James and Emily is equal parts wholly complicated and infinitely simple in it's capacity for love...overall I was utterly enthralled."
- L.

"...the finest, most emotionally resonant novel I’ve read in several months."
- Meghan

"No read is going to be perfect, but I would say that "Held Hostage" is pretty close."
- Jane Lavuire

"Compelling, Emotional, Suspenseful, Addicting, and Grand...a solid 5 star review for Bonnie McKeating."
-Micahel Beas

"It's hard to believe this is the author's first novel...splendidly written."
- Jay Douglass

"I would recommend Held Hostage to readers who enjoy contemporary fiction, especially fiction that uses an engaging plot to sensitively treats mental illness and characters that are usually marginalized."
- Erica Lovett

"The novel is intensely gripping, using emotional and dramatic writing to really pull readers into the story....well worth the read."
- PippeeLou

"It will keep you reading till the end."
-Ryuken


Tags : Held Hostage: A Story of Love & Mental Illness [Bonnie McKeating, Britanie Wilson] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Meet James: A secret agent trapped inside the dire confines of the Mayview Hospital, a mental health facility,Bonnie McKeating, Britanie Wilson,Held Hostage: A Story of Love & Mental Illness,CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform,1496006089,Adult & contemporary romance,Fiction,Fiction - Romance,Fiction Romance Contemporary,Romance - Contemporary,Romance: Modern

Held Hostage A Story of Love Mental Illness Bonnie McKeating Britanie Wilson 9781496006080 Books Reviews

There’s something so utterly compelling and “addictive” about Bonnie McKeating’s ‘Held Hostage’—I’m going out on a limb here when I say it’s the finest, most emotionally resonant novel I’ve read in several months. From the author’s writing, to the plot, to how the scenes and twists are sinewed with verisimilitude and woven seamlessly together—this book wins five stars in my opinion.

In ‘Held Hostage’, James struggles with his own mental illness. Trapped in a mental health facility, James’ sole mission is to set free the facility’s prisoners—but there’s the rub his paranoid schizophrenia does not exactly come to his aid in his “save the world” scheme, especially when that voice in his head, whom he calls Eve, fails to appear when he needs her most. What’s more, the implications of James illness is not always obvious to him—and often, to the reader, as well, which adds to this book’s charm—and when he meets Emily, you immediately feel he’s probably jumping down the rabbit hole.

I highly recommend ‘Held Hostage’ to anyone who likes an utterly well-written, expertly crafted tale. What’s amazing about it is how the author—through the subtle shifts in her narrative—manages to mirror the instability of James’ mental health sometimes you’re not sure if what you’re reading is part of James’ delusions or is actually what’s happening in real time. This mind-bending journey reminds me of ‘Shutter Island’, although Bonnie McKeating’s work stands out with its more compelling emotional gravitas. If you’re looking for a good read that will not only keep you entertained from start to finish, but also haunt you days after reading it, look no further. Get a copy of ‘Held Hostage’ today—read the first few chapters and see what I mean when I say skipping this one would be a huge loss for your own literary enrichment. A solid five-star rating for this one.
My first thoughts after reading this book – Wow !! What a splendid effort by a first time writer . Bonnie McKeating tackles, what is perhaps a most difficult and sensitive subject, one most of us are uncomfortable with – on mental health institutions and the people in it – nurses, doctors and in particular, the patients. How do people institutionalized in such a place think, behave, feel,love, interact; what makes them so different and unique, what are their hopes, dreams and aspirations,what are their fears ?

I found the entire book akin to walking into a quicksand, it grabs hold of you, and never lets you go, as I was completely immersed in this book, even though it often made for some really sad and painful reading – particularly as one gets emotionally drawn towards the deeply flawed protagonist of this book, getting hurt and increasingly exasperated with each bad decision taken by him, and particularly as one realizes the inevitability of what is, a slow moving train wreck. I suppose this is just the way most of us feel about our near and dear ones with serious mental health issues.

The character of James, the tragic hero of this book, is beautifully and lovingly fleshed out. All of 25, and afflicted with serious mental health issues, such as hearing voices in his head, which compel him to take the absolute worst decision in every situation in his life, James is most interesting and funny, yet sad and flawed, but 100% original. I've never come across a character in fiction quite like him. It's impossible not to sympathize with this young man.

One also feels for James' friends like Pepper, a perky young lady, his lady love and the equally flawed Emily, and the other unnamed patients in the Mayfield health institute, such as the 80 year olds fighting each other to death over little things like the remote control.

One admires the nobility, selflessness and sacrifice of Timothy, the powerfully built male nurse with a heart of gold, completely committed to his patients. Also, I felt a strong respect for Dr. Greenfield, the highly intelligent, stern yet deeply caring psychiatrist. Perhaps, they are the writer's way of offering a glowing tribute to the wonderful professionals who work in mental health institutions, giving so much for so little.

How do troubled young people in such facilities fall in love, and how do such relationships end up ? The love affair between James and Emily, the two troubled people at the center of this story, fascinated, moved and deeply touched me, only to leave me completely sad at the end, wondering at the senselessness of it all. But I don't want to give the readers of my review the impression that it's all doom and gloom with this exquisitely crafted and lovingly written book. It's incredibly funny at times, heartwarming and ends on a very satisfying, positive note for our hero James, who finally finds redemption and emerges as an independent, “normal” young man, venturing out into the “real” world.
For those who know what I'm referring to; be especially careful.
Great book. Very well written. Couldn't put it down and finished it within a day.
Very well done Bonnie!!!
Amy
Very realistic, mental illness is very sad. Past events can really influence the mind. It gave me an understanding of mental illness.
For a first novel! I can't believe I missed the magic of the butterfly conservatory before I moved. Most unfortunate.
"The relationship between James and Emily is equal parts wholly complicated and infinitely simple in it's capacity for love...overall I was utterly enthralled."
- L.

"...the finest, most emotionally resonant novel I’ve read in several months."
- Meghan

"No read is going to be perfect, but I would say that "Held Hostage" is pretty close."
- Jane Lavuire

"Compelling, Emotional, Suspenseful, Addicting, and Grand...a solid 5 star review for Bonnie McKeating."
-Micahel Beas

"It's hard to believe this is the author's first novel...splendidly written."
- Jay Douglass

"I would recommend Held Hostage to readers who enjoy contemporary fiction, especially fiction that uses an engaging plot to sensitively treats mental illness and characters that are usually marginalized."
- Erica Lovett

"The novel is intensely gripping, using emotional and dramatic writing to really pull readers into the story....well worth the read."
- PippeeLou

"It will keep you reading till the end."
-Ryuken