Torn (Connections #2) by Kim Karr-Blog Tour and Giveaway

Torn (Connections #2) by Kim Karr-Blog Tour

TORN Blog Tour Banner

Torn
Connections #2
By Kim Karr
Release Date: October 1, 2013

Torn Cover HD

Click HERE for our review of TORN-Book #2 in Kim Karr’s Connections series

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO /

Rock star River Wilde brought Dahlia London back from the brink of hopelessness with his unwavering love and devotion. But their entangled history is about to test the strength of their relationship…

Dahlia was certain she had found true love and met her “Once in a Lifetime’ when she reconnected with River. But Dahlia’s world comes crashing down when someone from her past resurfaces, and all of River’s carefully hidden secrets are exposed.

River wants to show Dahlia that life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass—it’s about dancing in the rain. But how many times can one broken heart be mended? Will River and Dahlia be able to stay together or will they be torn apart?

_________________________________

Interview

1. What inspired you to write Connected and Torn?

The night The Voice premiered on NBC in April 2011, I watched it and fell in love with the show and Adam Levine. I started to think about his journey with Maroon 5 and the number of years it took him to gain fame. I had been thinking about writing a book but hadn’t come up with a storyline that intrigued me enough. For some reason, that night the story of Dahlia, River, and Ben came to mind. The name of book was different as well as character names, but the plot never veered. I always intended for these two books to be a duet and the ending of Connected was the very first thing I wrote.

2. Discuss your inspiration for Dahlia, Ben, River. How did they transpire?

Character inspiration for Connected evolved as soon as the concept of the book came alive in my mind, I knew I wanted a strong heroine and two heroes that loved her but in different ways. I created the characters from within, who they were, and then conveyed their personalities and appearances to the reader.

In my head, Dahlia had to be strong to weather the circumstances life threw her way, but I wanted her to be funny and loving with quirks and habits.

Ben’s personality, as well as his name, actually transpired from a character on a TV show I used to watch years ago. The character on the show was an avid basketball player and swimmer, but since Dahlia and Ben lived near the beach, I decided he should be a surfer. A surfer who has difficulty expressing his feelings, hasty in decision making, temperamental, and contemplative, somewhat of a contrast to Dahlia. But, Ben has true depth and sensitivity that Dahlia admires.

River’s character didn’t transpire as much—he just happened. He is who I would consider to be the perfect guy. I took all the traits I love and admire about men and lumped them into him.

3. Did you plan for your first book to turn into a series?

Yes I did. Just as I planned Connected and Torn to be a duet, my original plan was The Connections Series would consist of three duets for a total of six books. I have since changed my mind and the remaining books in the series will be stand alones. Of course they are part of a series and all characters will appear in all books.

4. You left Connected hanging with a major cliffhanger—will you do that in your next books?

Since I wrote the end of Connected before I wrote the beginning, I don’t regret the ending. Would I do again—absolutely! Would I write another book with a cliffhanger hanging—that I’m not sure about!

5. Do you have a specific writing style?

I think all writers do. We have a certain flow and sentence structure that rarely varies book to book. I have already plotted out the remaining books in the Connections Series and I’ve written the endings for each one.

6. What book are you reading now?

I try to keep up the latest releases as well as read releases in my favorite series. When I’m writing it’s hard to read but I try to set aside at least an hour a day.

7. What current project are you working on?

I am writing Mended. This is Xander Wild’e’s story and his brother does make an appearance.

8. What can readers look forward to in the future?

My plan is finish Mended then decide if The Connections Series will consist of 5 or 6 books. I am considering cutting one. The book after Mended is Frayed and I have already started that story. It was actually suppose to be released before Mended but I changed my mind.

9. Please explain the importance of music to you in books. You said something in your Author’s note about how important it was to you in writing and that the chapter titles have significance.

All chapters in my books are named after songs that inspired me. Bob Marley said, “One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain.” As a listener, I couldn’t agree more. As a writer, I think it’s better to say music is what feelings sound like when those feelings are written in print.

Music and writing are different, yet similar arts. They both tell a story. They both convey emotion. Yet, one can be heard and the other seen. If you can write a story and put music behind it, I believe you can convey feelings in a more impactful, raw, and emotional way. When trying to express written emotions, the tone of a certain song can allow the reader to feel the sentiments that the character is feeling.

I chose to have each chapter be titled by a song that best represented the events occurring within. My goal is that the reader will listen to the song before reading each chapter so they will feel the full impact of the scene.

In the words of Billy Joel, “I think music in itself is healing. It’s an explosive expression of humanity. It’s something we are all touched by. No matter what culture we’re from, everyone loves music.” I couldn’t agree more. Listening to the lyrics of a song and truly understanding them tells such a beautiful story. So, combining this with an emotional novel just helps bring it to life.

10. Do you have any advice for other writers?

My advice to new writers: plan out your story before you begin. It is so much easier to fill in the chapters than sit there with a blank screen trying to figure out what to write. Also, reach out, make friends, share your work, find a support group, and always have faith in your work.

_______________________________

Kim KarrABOUT THE AUTHOR: Kim Karr

I live in Florida with my husband and four kids. I’ve always had a love for reading books and writing. Being an English major in college, I wanted to teach at the college level but that was not to be. I went on to receive an MBA and became a project manager until quitting to raise my family. I currently work part-time with my husband and full-time embracing one of my biggest passions—writing.

I wear a lot of hats! Writer, book-lover, wife, soccer-mom, taxi driver, and the all around go-to person of the family. However, I always find time to read. One of my favorite family outings use to be taking my kids to the bookstore or the library. Today, my oldest child is in college and my twins are juniors so they no longer go with me on these outings. And although I don’t need to go to the actual store anymore because I have the greatest device ever invented—a Kindle, I still do. There’s nothing like a paperback. So now my four year old and I make dates out of going to the bookstore–it’s time I love and cherish.

I like to believe in soulmates, kindred spirits, true friends, and Happily-Ever-Afters. I love to drink champagne, listen to music, and hopes to always stay young at heart. 

Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Goodreads  |  Pinterest 

__________________________________

Giveaway pink

Kim Karr is offering an ebook copy of TORN to one lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

Please {like} Kim’s Facebook page for an extra entry-let us know in your comments:

Click HERE to LIKE Kim’s FB page.

1. Please register using the log-in at the top of the page or by using one of the social log-ins.

2. If you are using a social log-in such as Twitter or Facebook, please post your email address with your comment

3. Giveaway is open INTERNATIONALLY

4. Giveaway runs from October 1 to October 11, 2013

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Torn (Connections #2) by Kim Karr-a review

TORN (Connections #2) by Kim Karr-a review

Torn Cover HD

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date October 1, 2013

Rock star River Wilde brought Dahlia London back from the brink of hopelessness with his unwavering love and devotion. But their entangled history is about to test the strength of their relationship

Dahlia was certain she had found true love and met her “Once in a Lifetime’ when she reconnected with River. But Dahlia’s world comes crashing down when someone from her past resurfaces, and all of River’s carefully hidden secrets are exposed.

River wants to show Dahlia that life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass—it’s about dancing in the rain. But how many times can one broken heart be mended? Will River and Dahlia be able to stay together or will they be torn apart?

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

REVIEW: TORN is the second installment in Kim Karr’s contemporary new adult Connections series. Torn continues River and Dahlia’s story from Connected and proceeds to take the reader on a roller coaster ride of issues with trust, betrayal, love and walking away. When Dahlia’s past returns, it wants nothing more than to start back up where it ended six years earlier. The emotional and psychological fall out from a history of heart breaking secrets is enough to send anyone over the edge and in this, Dahlia and River’s relationship seems to bear the brunt of the anger, pain and well-meaning friends.

Kim Karr pulls the reader into an emotional abyss where everything and everyone is sucked into the darkness that is made up of lies and betrayal. And at every opportunity, when the stars begin to align themselves together, something or someone dares to make Dahlia and River’s tenuous hold on their relationship fracture and break. But we must also give credit where it is due, when our heroine continues to get pulled under when the past keeps calling her back. She is one woman whose head continues to be buried in the sand as it pertains to the people she once loved and knew. Dahlia placed herself in situations knowing that in the end, nothing good would come of it.

The premise focuses on Dahlia and River’s relationship as the past and current secrets continues to threaten their love and trust. And in time, everything and everyone is perceived as a threat to their relationship-whether intentional or not.

This is also a story of letting go. When sorrow and grief pull you under, there comes a time when everyone must resurface or find themselves perpetually at the bottom of an endless well of tears and pain. And just as Dahlia has finally learned to let go, secrets and the truth threaten to pull her under again.

The relationship between Dahlia and River is sensual, sexual and sometimes frightening with the love the two feel for one another; their connection to one another is threatened on many occasions but through it all, they still know that their heart and soul belong to each other.

The secondary characters are colorful and relatable; they all play major parts in the storyline as it pertains to Dahlia and River’s relationship as well as much of the necessary background information that leads to a major turning point in the story’s premise. Friends and family can either be your rock or your downfall.

TORN is an amazing storyline that will pull you into a well of emotions-from a haunted past that resurfaces to a family secret that was never shared. Kim Karr writes an unforgettable story of fractured family dynamics that are threatened when the past comes back to haunt those that you love.

Click HERE for our review of CONNECTED-book 1 in the Connections Series

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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Cover Reveal-TORN (Connections #2) by Kim Karr

Cover Reveal-Torn (The Connections Series #2) by Kim Karr

Torn Cover HD

Title: TORN (Connections #2)

Release date: October 1, 2013

Rock star River Wilde brought Dahlia London back from the brink of hopelessness with his unwavering love and devotion. But their entwined history is about to test the strength of that love…

Dahlia was certain she had found true love and met her ‘Once in a Lifetime’ when she reconnected with River. But Dahlia’s world comes crashing down when someone from her past resurfaces, and all of River’s carefully hidden secrets are exposed.

River wants to show Dahlia that life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass—it’s about dancing in the rain! But how many times can one broken heart be mended? Will River and Dahlia be able to face the turmoil together or will they be torn apart?

PRE ORDER: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / itunes

GOODREADS LINK: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17386062-torn

•••••••••••••••

Connected

Click HERE for our review of CONNECTED

ABOUT THE BOOK: Released May 7, 2013

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Barnes and Noble / KOBO

What if a ‘Once in a Lifetime’ could happen twice?

Suffering from a past full of tragedy, Dahlia London’s soul has been left completely shattered. Happily ever after is a far cry from reality in her world. But, when she is reconnected with her past, the bonds that form are irrefutable.

When River Wilde, lead singer of The Wilde Ones, comes back into Dahlia’s life, the intensity that fires their relationship combined with underlying feelings that have never died lead her to believe she has met her soulmate.

Struggling with confusion as old connections fade and new ones begin, Dahlia’s grief begins to lift–but guilt remains. River wants to be the one to mend all that is torn within her.

But with a past that is never really gone, can their future survive?

 

Kim Karr logoABOUT THE AUTHOR: Kim Karr

I live in Florida with my husband and four kids. I’ve always had a love for reading books and writing. Being an English major in college, I wanted to teach at the college level but that was not to be. I went on to receive an MBA and became a project manager until quitting to raise my family. I currently work part-time with my husband and full-time embracing one of my biggest passions—writing.

I wear a lot of hats! Writer, book-lover, wife, soccer-mom, taxi driver, and the all around go-to person of the family. However, I always find time to read. One of my favorite family outings use to be taking my kids to the bookstore or the library. Today, my oldest child is in college and my twins are juniors so they no longer go with me on these outings. And although I don’t need to go to the actual store anymore because I have the greatest device ever invented—a Kindle, I still do. There’s nothing like a paperback. So now my four year old and I make dates out of going to the bookstore–it’s time I love and cherish.

I like to believe in soulmates, kindred spirits, true friends, and Happily-Ever-Afters. I love to drink champagne, listen to music, and hopes to always stay young at heart. 

Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Goodreads  |  Pinterest 

 

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CONNECTED (Connections #1) by Kim Karr-a review

CONNECTED (Connections #1) by Kim Karr-a review

Connected

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Barnes and Noble / KOBO

ABOUT THE BOOK: Released May 7, 2013

What if a ‘Once in a Lifetime’ could happen twice?

Suffering from a past full of tragedy, Dahlia London’s soul has been left completely shattered. Happily ever after is a far cry from reality in her world. But, when she is reconnected with her past, the bonds that form are irrefutable.

When River Wilde, lead singer of The Wilde Ones, comes back into Dahlia’s life, the intensity that fires their relationship combined with underlying feelings that have never died lead her to believe she has met her soulmate.

Struggling with confusion as old connections fade and new ones begin, Dahlia’s grief begins to lift–but guilt remains. River wants to be the one to mend all that is torn within her.

But with a past that is never really gone, can their future survive?

••••••••••••••••••

REVIEW: CONNECTED is the first storyline in the contemporary romance duet series Connections by Kim Karr. Connected focuses on Dahlia London, a twenty something woman who has suffered terrible loss and heartache. When she is finally able to take those first tentative steps back into the real world she will come face to face with the man she felt a connection to several years before. He is her soulmate and the man to whom she will forever be connected.

River Wilde is NOT the epitome of the bad boy/rocker dude: he has eyes for only one woman and that woman disappeared from his life; she is his muse and the woman who stole his heart. Their first meeting was quick but emotionally powerful and one that neither River nor Dahlia has ever forgotten. River is the perfect mate-he is strong, protective, loving, romantic and for a musician, he is a one-woman man. Almost too good to be true, but in Connected, he is the ideal boyfriend, fiancé and friend.

The novel flash forwards in several spots to move the storyline along, which can be disconcerting for some readers but was required to show the passage of time. The attraction between River and Dahlia is instant and the sexual tension is strong. The relationship is loving; there is never any thoughts of betrayal or mistrust, but you know that in the end something will go wrong and the story epilogue ends on a cliffhanger that I for one suspected. There were a few hints throughout the story that led me to believe that the couple’s happily ever after was too good to be true, and the ending will bring the storyline full circle.

Kim Karr has written an emotional and engaging love story that at times will break your heart and put a smile on your face. Book 2 TORN is set for release in October 2013. Let’s hope she can bring happiness to everyone concerned because I for one do not like to see anyone walk away with a broken heart.

Copy supplied by the publisher.

Reviewed by Sandy

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