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Sealed With a Kiss #9
My Voice Is Sealed
Ten seconds. Thirteen words.
That was all it took to reveal the skeleton in my closet. A dark truth that would doom me to a lifetime of misery: I was hopelessly in love with my stepsister.
When my mother and stepfather sent me packing the moment I turned eighteen, I should have taken the hint and backed away. But Sadie was fighting a battle that couldn’t be won alone. A battle against her father, the doctors trying to treat her epilepsy, and most of all, her own body. And I loved her too much to abandon her when she needed me the most.
Could I be what Sadie needed without giving in to my feelings, or would the pull between us end up being too strong to resist?
Trigger Warning: This book deals with the subjects of physical and psychological manipulation and abuse and suicidal ideation.
Note: My Voice Is Sealed is the ninth book in the Sealed With a Kiss series, but it may be read as a complete standalone.
That was all it took to reveal the skeleton in my closet. A dark truth that would doom me to a lifetime of misery: I was hopelessly in love with my stepsister.
When my mother and stepfather sent me packing the moment I turned eighteen, I should have taken the hint and backed away. But Sadie was fighting a battle that couldn’t be won alone. A battle against her father, the doctors trying to treat her epilepsy, and most of all, her own body. And I loved her too much to abandon her when she needed me the most.
Could I be what Sadie needed without giving in to my feelings, or would the pull between us end up being too strong to resist?
Trigger Warning: This book deals with the subjects of physical and psychological manipulation and abuse and suicidal ideation.
Note: My Voice Is Sealed is the ninth book in the Sealed With a Kiss series, but it may be read as a complete standalone.
513 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 15, 2021
About the author
Carmen Richter
27 books287 followersCarmen Richter is an old soul. Her words are like theater, masterfully spun to bring all the feels, interspersed with music that makes your heart soar. She needs her coffee to make the words flow, and some of her best writing is done in a caffeine-induced haze at one in the morning with a soundtrack that ranges from jazz standards to rock to show tunes and everything in between. When she's not writing, she loves going to live concerts and especially live theater, or just staying in and binging Criminal Minds or Law and Order: SVU for the zillionth time.
Carmen lives in Kansas City with her boyfriend, Brett, and their two fur babies, a bunny named Marty and a cat named Mal. In addition to writing, she also has two branches of a business that aims to provide quality services to independent authors at a reasonable price. CPR Editing deals with everything inside your book: editing, proofreading, and interior formatting. CPR Designs deals with, well, design: logos and branding, social media graphics, covers, and teasers.
Carmen loves interacting with her fans and will happily respond to all messages personally until she gets uber famous and gets a ton of them. Hey, a girl can dream, right?
Carmen lives in Kansas City with her boyfriend, Brett, and their two fur babies, a bunny named Marty and a cat named Mal. In addition to writing, she also has two branches of a business that aims to provide quality services to independent authors at a reasonable price. CPR Editing deals with everything inside your book: editing, proofreading, and interior formatting. CPR Designs deals with, well, design: logos and branding, social media graphics, covers, and teasers.
Carmen loves interacting with her fans and will happily respond to all messages personally until she gets uber famous and gets a ton of them. Hey, a girl can dream, right?
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
November 14, 2021
My voice is sealed is a real page turner. It’s gritty and the characters are unique. The step siblings genre is one I really like but I’ve now read one like this. We felt Sadie’s pain right from the start and Keith wanted to support her.
A great addition to the series. I don’t always like books with medical complications but it works really well in this. It gives depth to the characters and made you love them more.
Highly recommend.
*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
A great addition to the series. I don’t always like books with medical complications but it works really well in this. It gives depth to the characters and made you love them more.
Highly recommend.
*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
November 20, 2021
This is my first book by this author and I’m impressed. This book had a very taboo subject matter. I was wowed by the amount of details about the heroines disability that were given. I feel like I learned so many things.
I loved the angst and romance. I may have to go back and start at the beginning. I could tell there were a lot of stories I missed. I love Raven! Ohhhh she was precious. I love books where animals play a prominent role. I will definitely be reading more from this author.
I loved the angst and romance. I may have to go back and start at the beginning. I could tell there were a lot of stories I missed. I love Raven! Ohhhh she was precious. I love books where animals play a prominent role. I will definitely be reading more from this author.
November 19, 2021
This book was different in many ways and I loved it. Both these characters were layered emotionally and physically. What a great read.
November 14, 2021
This is a story about Sadie who has epilepsy, her father Hank who controls all of her Medical decisions and Keith [Sadie's Stepbrother]. Her father got her a Service Dog [Sadie named Raven] and had Raven trained in the German language so that the kids at school couldn't give the dog any commands. Sadie had no control over her own body as her father did everything to keep her sick. Any time Sadie said or did anything against what her dad did or said he would put Raven in the kennel in the garage to punish Sadie. Sadie's Stepmother was of no help either. When Sadie's siblings/step siblings turned eighteen Hank made them move out. No one else was allowed to go any of Sadie's Medical appointments and Hank did everything he could to have Medical Procedures done on Sadie. The you have Keith, Sadie's Stepbrother [he is not blood related] who has been in love with Sadie for a long time. One day Hank broke into Keith's apartment and put a naked choke on Keith and then he kidnapped Sadie and took her home and handcuffed her to her bed. Sadie thought that Hank had killed the man she loved and Hank had Sadie believing it. Keith did come to and called Spencer who drove to his dads to see if Sadie was okay and Hank broke Spencer's nose.
This book had me in tears a lot and I prayed that somebody could help Sadie. If you want to know how things turn out, you truly need to read this book!! I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC.
This book had me in tears a lot and I prayed that somebody could help Sadie. If you want to know how things turn out, you truly need to read this book!! I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC.
October 29, 2021
I really enjoyed this story. The characters are well crafted and their complexities enhanced the story. Sadie is not the typical main character as she has epilepsy. And I love this book because it shows the challenges of living with a chronic illness, highlighting some of the fear and isolation that tends to happen. Sadie's relationship with her father, her step brother and her small circle were well written. I really don't want to share much about the story so it isn't ruined. I will say, that the beauty of such a sheltered person finding not only her inner strength but love was a balm to my heart.
The author has a habit of putting her characters through absolute hell and then seeing how they fare. And in this book, she's woven a couple of big challenges for Sadie and Keith. A really good story and a worthwhile read.
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The author has a habit of putting her characters through absolute hell and then seeing how they fare. And in this book, she's woven a couple of big challenges for Sadie and Keith. A really good story and a worthwhile read.
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
November 14, 2021
This is a new author to me, and my word, I will be looking out for her work in the future. Sadie is an epileptic whose father Hank controls all aspect of her life especially the medical decisions, which have left her feeling isolated and fearful as she deals with the challenges caused by this illness. Keith is Sadie’s stepbrother, and he has loved her for a long time, but as soon as any of the siblings turn 18 Hank makes them leave their home. This is a well written story which is an emotional roller coaster, with secrets, truths, twists, manipulation, and love, which leads to a heartwrenching and riveting page turner. I look forward to reading more from this talented author, and just be aware that there may be triggers form some readers due to the sensitive content!
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November 24, 2021READ MY VOICE IS SEALED FREE IN KU: https://mybook.to/SWAKVoice
SNEAK PEEK:
Unfortunately, my stupid smile earned me an elbow nudge from my brother. I turned to look at him, and he just raised an eyebrow with a cheesy grin.
“What?” I asked.
Spencer chuckled. “Someone’s got it bad.”
Oh. My. God. If my brother had picked up on that…
Did Keith know how I felt?
No. He couldn’t have. Because if he knew, he would have started pulling away from me. He wouldn’t have wanted anything to do with me anymore. And that would have killed me. As toxic and twisted as my feelings for him had become, and as wrong and shameful as it was, I needed him. He understood me in a way no one else did, not even Spencer. He always knew exactly what to say or do to calm me down when I needed it the most. And he accepted me exactly as I was: quirks, flaws, epilepsy, and everything in between.
I would have given anything to make the sick feelings go away and just be left with love for a brother, but my brain didn’t work like that. It never had. Once I started loving someone, I didn’t ever really stop, and it was rare for the way I loved them to change. The way I loved Keith had already changed once, years ago. And if I was going to go back to loving him like a brother, it would require time and distance. A lot of both. But he was one of the only people who was always in my corner, no matter what, and I needed him too much to distance myself from him like that.
Spencer pulled me into his side and lowered his voice to a whisper as he put his mouth next to my ear. “Seriously, how long have you been in love with him?”
I wished a hole would open up in the ground and swallow me into the depths of Hell where I belonged as I looked at my brother with wide eyes. There was no point in denying it. Not with him. He’d be able to see the lie a mile away.
“Since I can remember,” I admitted, my voice breaking. “I know it’s wrong, and I’ve tried so hard to make it stop, but I can’t.”
I tried to swallow down the lump in my throat as I said those words out loud for the first time, but I wasn’t entirely successful. I’d been through too much today, and having to admit my darkest secret to my brother was the last straw. A couple of tears stung my eyes, and I quickly wiped them away, taking several deep breaths. If I started crying, I’d never stop. And I didn’t want to cry tonight. Not in front of everyone.
Spencer just kept smiling at me as he pulled me against him again so he could keep whispering. “Sade, you realize he’s not actually our brother, right?”
“Dad doesn’t see it that way,” I whispered back. “I swear to God, he was about to tear Keith’s head off when I called him for a ride, and he all but physically restrained me to keep me from getting into a car with him. Faye doesn’t seem to want Keith in the house either, and he’s her son. Shouldn’t that be enough to tell you this isn’t normal?”
“Dad and Faye are never going to accept that you’re an adult.” He pulled back from the hug and looked me in the eye. “They’ll always see you as a little girl because all they see is your disability. They can’t see the amazing woman you’ve grown into. But just know that I do and that I love you no matter what, and no matter who you love. You’re allowed to feel however you feel. Maybe it’s not conventional, but it’s not wrong either. We’re not actually related to him, not even on paper. Dad never legally adopted him and Kenn.”
Wait. He hadn’t? I’d always been under the impression that Keith and Kennedy were legally Dad’s children too.
But it didn’t matter. No matter whether or not we were actually siblings – genetically or on paper – feeling this way about Keith still wasn’t natural. Our familial connection still existed.
Not to mention the other major problem.
“Even if he wasn’t family, it still doesn’t matter how I feel. Or haven’t you noticed that we just spent the past few minutes hanging out with his girlfriend? Who I actually like,” I reminded him, still whispering.
He rolled his eyes. “Details.”
I shook my head. “Not to me. They’re happy.”
“Maybe, maybe not,” he said with a shrug. “But I want to see you happy, sis. That’s all I care about.”
SNEAK PEEK:
Unfortunately, my stupid smile earned me an elbow nudge from my brother. I turned to look at him, and he just raised an eyebrow with a cheesy grin.
“What?” I asked.
Spencer chuckled. “Someone’s got it bad.”
Oh. My. God. If my brother had picked up on that…
Did Keith know how I felt?
No. He couldn’t have. Because if he knew, he would have started pulling away from me. He wouldn’t have wanted anything to do with me anymore. And that would have killed me. As toxic and twisted as my feelings for him had become, and as wrong and shameful as it was, I needed him. He understood me in a way no one else did, not even Spencer. He always knew exactly what to say or do to calm me down when I needed it the most. And he accepted me exactly as I was: quirks, flaws, epilepsy, and everything in between.
I would have given anything to make the sick feelings go away and just be left with love for a brother, but my brain didn’t work like that. It never had. Once I started loving someone, I didn’t ever really stop, and it was rare for the way I loved them to change. The way I loved Keith had already changed once, years ago. And if I was going to go back to loving him like a brother, it would require time and distance. A lot of both. But he was one of the only people who was always in my corner, no matter what, and I needed him too much to distance myself from him like that.
Spencer pulled me into his side and lowered his voice to a whisper as he put his mouth next to my ear. “Seriously, how long have you been in love with him?”
I wished a hole would open up in the ground and swallow me into the depths of Hell where I belonged as I looked at my brother with wide eyes. There was no point in denying it. Not with him. He’d be able to see the lie a mile away.
“Since I can remember,” I admitted, my voice breaking. “I know it’s wrong, and I’ve tried so hard to make it stop, but I can’t.”
I tried to swallow down the lump in my throat as I said those words out loud for the first time, but I wasn’t entirely successful. I’d been through too much today, and having to admit my darkest secret to my brother was the last straw. A couple of tears stung my eyes, and I quickly wiped them away, taking several deep breaths. If I started crying, I’d never stop. And I didn’t want to cry tonight. Not in front of everyone.
Spencer just kept smiling at me as he pulled me against him again so he could keep whispering. “Sade, you realize he’s not actually our brother, right?”
“Dad doesn’t see it that way,” I whispered back. “I swear to God, he was about to tear Keith’s head off when I called him for a ride, and he all but physically restrained me to keep me from getting into a car with him. Faye doesn’t seem to want Keith in the house either, and he’s her son. Shouldn’t that be enough to tell you this isn’t normal?”
“Dad and Faye are never going to accept that you’re an adult.” He pulled back from the hug and looked me in the eye. “They’ll always see you as a little girl because all they see is your disability. They can’t see the amazing woman you’ve grown into. But just know that I do and that I love you no matter what, and no matter who you love. You’re allowed to feel however you feel. Maybe it’s not conventional, but it’s not wrong either. We’re not actually related to him, not even on paper. Dad never legally adopted him and Kenn.”
Wait. He hadn’t? I’d always been under the impression that Keith and Kennedy were legally Dad’s children too.
But it didn’t matter. No matter whether or not we were actually siblings – genetically or on paper – feeling this way about Keith still wasn’t natural. Our familial connection still existed.
Not to mention the other major problem.
“Even if he wasn’t family, it still doesn’t matter how I feel. Or haven’t you noticed that we just spent the past few minutes hanging out with his girlfriend? Who I actually like,” I reminded him, still whispering.
He rolled his eyes. “Details.”
I shook my head. “Not to me. They’re happy.”
“Maybe, maybe not,” he said with a shrug. “But I want to see you happy, sis. That’s all I care about.”
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews