REVIEW ~Frayed by Kim Karr~

Title: Frayed

Author: Kim Karr

Series: Connections #4

Release Date: September 2, 2014

My Rating: 5 Stars

The Connections series continues with this spin-off novel.

He didn’t think, he didn’t question—he just acted.
What she wanted, she took—without regard.
It was only one night, but it changed everything.

After losing his fiancée, Ben Covington is unsure he’ll ever love again. But when he sees Bell Wilde, he’s so deeply drawn to her, that he’s thrown for a loop. Maybe it’s purely sexual chemistry that’s igniting this spark between them...or maybe it’s his second chance at love.

Bell has just gotten her life back on track and may not be up for the challenge of Ben Covington. But once they’re reunited, there’s no holding back—even if a secret from Bell’s past just might shatter them both.

From the very beginning on the Connections series I couldn't find enough redeeming qualities in Ben Covington. Did I feel for him, and hurt for him? Of course, but I also couldn't stand him. I have no idea why though. I wasn't just what he had done to Dahlia and his family, or his attitude. There was just something missing. After I read Blurred, the prequel to Frayed, I was still having trouble wrapping my head around Ben being the next hero in this amazing series. Don't get me wrong, I wanted, and to an extent, needed to love Ben. I just wasn't sold yet. And you best believe that chapped me. But, near the end of Blurred I could see a glimmer of what Frayed was going to turn into. I saw the redemption and healing about to take place. Leave it to Kim Karr to take a character that I had no connection to and didn't care for all that much and mold him into a special place in my heart. 

I've done a complete about-face where Ben is concerned. Thanks to Bell Wilde. She was his redemption, and he was hers. She was that missing piece I couldn't find in the earlier books. When they came together in Frayed, despite the devastation and heartbreak, they stole into my heart and made me feel every square millimeter of their love and strength. It may sound silly, but really you should be used to hearing me wax poetic about this series. Frayed is no exception to that rule. 

Bell and Ben come head to head to face their demons, heal their hearts and move on. Bell thinks she can move on without closure and without Ben. He's out to prove her wrong. To him, she's the best mistake he's ever made and he can't get enough. To her, he represents a past of pain, and emptiness. When Bell gives in to Ben's advances she finds the heat and all-consuming lust still there. When they begin to wonder if it's more, the past comes knocking and when the secrets are spread on the table it may catapult these two star-crossed lovers into an abyss they may never recover from. 

Bell struck a cord with me from the very first book. I knew she had a dark story to tell and a pain to heal. I never expected the emotional punch to the gut this book delivered though. It was one of those books where just when you think they destruction is over, it's not. True to her style, Ms. Karr puts you through the wringer. But with high risk of your heart being smashed to smithereens, comes a high payout of the ending these two deserved. With each book I fall deeper and deeper into this fantastical world of coincidences and heartbreak, love and fate. And I can't help but wallow within these pages each time I get a new one in my hands. Frayed will forever be the book that blindsided me with its brilliance. And at this rate I'm going to have to find some way to bribe Kim Karr to make this the never-ending series, because there it no way I will ever get enough!

Happy Reading!

*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

Links to Buy:

THE CONNECTIONS SERIES

Connected (#1): Amazon | B&N | iTunes

Torn (#2): Amazon | B&N | iTunes

Dazed (#2.5): Amazon | B&N | iTunes

Mended (#3): Amazon | B&N | iTunes

Blurred (#3.5): Amazon | B&N | iTunes

Frayed (#4): Amazon | B&N | iTunes

Connect with Kim:

BLOG TOUR + GIVEAWAY ~Mended by Kim Karr~

Title: Mended (aka This Blew My Mind)

Author: Kim Karr

Series: Connections #3

Release Date: June 3, 2014

Rating: 5+ mind-melting, gut-wrenching Stars!

MUSIC HAS THE POWER TO HEAL ALL…BUT NOT ALL BROKEN HEARTS CAN BE MENDED.

Always in control, Xander Wilde considered life on the road to be a perfect fit for him. But when disaster strikes on the Wilde Ones’ latest tour, fate intervenes…and a newly single Ivy Taylor, the only girl he has ever loved, steps back into his life.

After moving past her painful breakup with Xander years ago, Ivy was poised to become the next big name in pop music…when suddenly she withdrew from the limelight—the same day she announced her engagement to her controlling agent, Damon Wolf.

Xander knows he should keep his distance. But once they’re on the road, he can’t resist pursuing her for a second chance. Yet a jealous Damon can’t let her go—and he’s keeping dangerous secrets that could destroy them all. 

When the three of them come together, everything falls apart. But if Xander and Ivy can hold tight to the bond that connects them, they just might have a chance at reclaiming the powerful love they thought they had lost forever....

Kim Karr, can you please stop breaking my heart? You do it so well, and I really do enjoy it. However, you have the power to make me utterly distraught one minute, and happy as a clam the next. Really, my witchy author, you have a gift. 

On to the actual content that broke my heart- Mended is Xander, River's brother, and Ivy's story. This is a second-chance story, wrapped up tightly in lies, secrets, lust, and most of all the best kind of love. A love that prevails every obstacle- be it time, distance, people (or scum as I like to refer to a certain someone). Ivy and Xander's love affair will take you on this magnificent ride. You know, the ones that give you whiplash, but leave you feeling exhilarated? Best comparison to this book. 

Xander and Ivy had a teenage romance that was cut far too short when life and tragedy got in the way. Fast forward 12 years Ivy is not where either of them thought she would be, and Xander thinks he's happy, but he's fooling himself. They're the solutions to each others problems. Ivy needs to break out on her own and she needs the band that Xander manages to do that. While Xander simply needs Ivy. And Ivy will soon learn she needs Xander as well. You have not truly experienced foreplay, and sexual tension until you've read Mended. Honest to hotness, this book was a push and pull nightmare. I say nightmare, but really? I gobbled up every bit. It's not as frustrating as one would think. Ms. Karr gives you just enough to tide you over until Ivy and Xander find themselves in another twist of limbs, and whispered promises. So the push/pull and melancholy about their history gets you to about the 50% mark in the book. That's when I wanted to curl up in a ball, and cry. Everything went wrong. Everything. No worries, though our beloved author is good at making the best messes and fixing them in the most unforeseen ways. 

When Ivy and Xander finally come to terms with their past, their present decides to take over the reigns to hell-town. Hit after hit these two are served. From friends, to enemies, to family. Xander and Ivy's lives are on a quick downward spiral. They're torn apart, then mangled up a bit and left wondering how their worlds have been turned upside down. Xander's reality is completely altered. Ivy is in deeper than she expected. And the aforementioned scum is standing in their way of healing. It takes time to untangle the massive web of deceit, and evil. True to form Ms. Karr makes me believe nothing will be okay ever again. 

This is why I'm utterly obsessed with Kim Karr's books. She takes me on the highest of highs, and the lowest of lows. Every. Single. Time. Mended was no exception. Truthfully it may have hit me a little harder than Dazed did. I think it mostly had to do with the dynamic characters. We've seen Xander in the previous books, but we really get to know him in this book. Every asshole-ish thing you think he's done, he redeems himself. He's an alpha, lovable and truly endearing. He's so gruff with everyone, except Ivy. He will go through anything for her. Yet, his own demons haunt him and his world is upended and he's still  left standing. He's a stronger hero than 99.99% of the previous male leads I've read. Stronger by definition of his actions, morals and soul. Ivy is much like him. Stronger than most would be in her case, unflappable, and unwavering in her loyalty and love. She's the girl that will bend until she breaks. Thankfully, Xander is there to take some of the weight, and she returns the favor. This book, and its predecessors, came to life for me. I saw every character and action so vividly in my mind. It's a lusty contemporary, with mystery, sucks-you-in drama and infinitely weaved plot. It's truly astounding what the author has accomplished with this cast of characters. Trust me when I say this is the most devour-able book of the year. 

Happy Reading!
*ARC received by author/publisher in exchange for an honest review*

Links to Buy:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

THE CONNECTIONS SERIES:

Connected (#1): Amazon | B&N | iTunes (OUT NOW!)

Torn (#2): Amazon | B&N | iTunes (OUT NOW!)

Dazed (#2.5): Amazon | B&N | iTunes (OUT NOW!)

Mended (#3): Amazon | B&N | iTunes (6/3/2014)

Blurred (#3.5): Amazon | B&N | iTunes (8/5/2014)

Frayed (#4): Amazon | B&N | iTunes (9/2/2014)

Connect with Kim:

COVER REVEAL ~Blurred by Kim Karr~

Title: Blurred

Author: Kim Karr

Series: Connections #3.5

Release Date: August 5, 2014

The story before the love story….

When he lost the only woman he’d ever loved, it seemed there was nothing left to live for.

Even as a boy, all Ben Covington ever wanted was to spend forever with Dahlia London, the beautiful girl next door...then one life-altering decision tore them apart and he was forced to leave her.

Now, despite having returned to win her back, he’s still alone. She’s with someone else—someone she’s never going to leave.

Resigned to a future without his former girlfriend, Ben numbs his broken heart in a haze of liquor and women. But then the only woman who ever even turned his head while he was with his girl reappears unexpectedly. And he’s never forgotten their one incredible night together. But will Ben’s destructive behavior destroy his future with her before it even begins?

Read and EXCERPT on Kim's website HERE. Trust me you NEED to read it!

Links to Buy:

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BLOG TOUR + GIVEAWAY ~Dazed by Kim Karr~

Title: Dazed

Author: Kim Karr

Series: Connections #2.5

Release Date: April 1, 2014

Rating: 5 PERFECT Stars!

Jagger Kennedy never went looking for fame, he just fell into it. After scoring a major modeling contract, his clean-cut good looks and charm catapulted his career. But when his actress girlfriend breaks his heart, he moves to L.A. to try his hand at acting. He needs to make a change, and the last thing he’s looking for is love…

Aerie Daniels is a woman in control … until she meets Jagger. Her surprising connection with him leaves her stunned, and it’s unlike anything she’s ever felt. But just when she lets her walls fall, she makes a startling discovery about him that breaks her fragile heart into a million pieces.

To keep from losing the one woman he can’t bear to be without, Jagger is willing to give up anything—including his career. But even that might not be enough to regain Aerie’s shattered trust…

I will never, ever get tired of reading Ms. Karr's books. There is something inexplicably amazing about them. Dazed is just as captivating, and lovely as the other books in the Connections series. Kim Karr still managed to pack the same amount of punch in this novella, as in her full length books. Of course, I wanted more, but I always want more with any of her books. Jagger and Aerie did no disappoint. I felt like they kidnapped my heart and soul and wouldn't give them back. I endured every emotion, from bliss to heartbreak, with them. I don't know how she does it, but even when her characters cover just a broad spectrum the author was still able to make me feel connected to every one of them.

Dazed is quite simply the story of trust, and a love so deep it becomes part of who you are. Aerie Daniels is a woman in control. Of everything. She controls her future, her present, and has internally controlled her past by compartmentalizing is away. Yet, by doing so, she has also never dealt with the doubts and fears it carved into her soul when she had her heart broken. In walks Jagger Kennedy. He will undo all of Aerie's neat composure and make her live again. Even if he won't be there in the end. Within days of meeting Jagger he has already made an impact on Aerie. She is trying new things, and generally mussing up her life a little. That's what got me about these two. They may have off the charts chemistry but, not every second is ladened with lust. I saw that despite their romantic involvement they could be the best of friends. They bring out the best in each other. I may have only known them a short time, but their connection was so incredibly profound, it made my heart hurt in the best way. When Aerie begins to draw parallels between now and when she experienced the worst hurt of  her younger years, she balks. She finds every conceivable way to run. Jagger isn't going to let that happen. He may have found Aerie when he was running but, she stopped him dead in his tracks, and now it's his turn to return the favor.

I wish we could bottle an inkling of the magic that comes from Kim Karr's fingertips and mind. It's pure gold. This book hit me hard and fast. Leaving me satisfied and bereft all at the same time. The mind-boggling aspect of this book is that, it seems like a cookie-cutter book from the outside. However when I read it, it enthralled me and left me with no doubt that it was a diamond among rocks. Jagger, with is unfailing dedication and love. Aerie, with her strong will and big heart. Together, they were a recipe for love and forever. You'll just have to read to see if the chef was successful :) All kidding aside, this book is the whole package. Could not have asked for more... well I could have, but the story given is complete and wonderful. All I can do is hope to get glimpses in future books!

Happy Reading!
*ARC received by author/publisher in exchange for an honest review*

Links to Buy:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

THE CONNECTIONS SERIES:

Connected (#1): Amazon | B&N | iTunes (OUT NOW!)

Torn (#2): Amazon | B&N | iTunes (OUT NOW!)

Dazed (#2.5): Amazon | B&N | iTunes (4/1/2014)

Mended (#3): Amazon | B&N | iTunes (6/3/2014)

Frayed (#4): Amazon | B&N | iTunes (9/2/2014)

Connect with Kim: