Monday, February 27, 2017

Desserts spelled backwards is Stressed

That moment when you see yourself in a book.

I may have disappeared from the internet, but not from reading. Over the last few months I've been reading a few series. I haven't always had time to read a whole series, even though I loved the initial book I had read. But over the last few months I have read several series.

I was drawn to a particularly dark series with a completely decadent hero: an assassin for a crime lord. Yummy stuff! Zeth defines Tall, Dark, and Deadly. An awesome physique. and Dayummmm can the man F#$@* like a beast. Deviant is the first book in The Blood & Roses series by Callie Hart. In the series, Zeth is drawn to Sloane, who is searching for her missing sister. The journey includes various encounters within the underworld. Sloane is an ER doctor at the local hospital. Her sister disappeared while she was in medical school. Zeth is her connection to the mystery, but he is also the only thing that makes Sloane feel alive.

Sloane looks around herself one day to realize that her life has become going to work and going home. No hobbies, No friends, No happy hours with co-workers. The stress of residency coupled with the stress of the search for her sister has narrowed her focus so much that she doesn't even notice the world continuing to live around her. When Sloane looked up one day and realized how narrowed her life has become, I felt like I was looking in a mirror. My life at home and work had become so stressful, I had cut everything and everyone else out of my life. Watching Sloane wake up encouraged me to look at my life. I saw how some of the stressful things in my life had actually improved and began to smooth out. I was able to breath and start adding some more to my plate.

Of course, my friends are incredibly supportive people and welcomed me back. But I should have taken better care of myself. The first step is recognizing when you are becoming overwhelmed. By shutting out my friends, I was losing an important support network. Books are great sources of escape, but they don't listen to you vent. I'm glad to have both in my life. I can't imagine coping with stress without good friends and books.

Zeth is drawn to Sloane because he sees himself mirrored in her eyes. Together they are able to provide each other with support and understanding. So if you have someone to help you through the hard times, even if it's just to lend an ear or a hug, hang on to them with both hands. Thanks to my friends TinkNCognito and the ladies at OBC (Outlander Book Club) who keep me sane.