Frayed (Connections #4) by Kim Karr-Review and Giveaway

FRAYED (Connections #4) by Kim Karr-Review and Giveaway

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FRAYED
Connections #4
by Kim Karr
Release Date: September 2, 2014
Genre: adult, contemporary, romance,

Frayed

 

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 2, 2014

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.

~~~~~~~~~~

REVIEW: FRAYED is the fourth full length novel in Kim Karr’s adult, contemporary Connections romance series. This is Ben Covington’s continuing story-one brought about by a night of indiscretion. Told from alternating first person POVs (Ben and Bell) a portion of the storyline is a look back into both of their lives from the previous six years.

The focus of the storyline follows Ben Covington and Bell Wilde. In the earlier books we were privy to Ben’s past-from faking his own death; entering the witness protection program and returning to find his fiancée had moved on and found a new love. Six years earlier, as a senior in college, Ben spent a wild one night stand with a woman he knew only as S’belle and everything about that night will change his life forever. Bell is his ex-fiancee’s new sister in law and a woman he has never been able to forget.

The storyline is a second chance, of sorts, for both Ben and Bell. At a benefit in honor of Ben’s journalism research, Ben and Bell will reconnect, and their attraction and desire for one another is hotter than ever-but Bell has limits-no relationship, no commitment, just fun. Ben is looking for something more. It is the something more for which Ben is unprepared when Bell reveals the truth about what happened after their one night together.

Saying that, there was plenty of angst and anxiety as it pertained to Ben and Bell’s relationship. Although the attraction was undeniable, Bell has issues that needed to be addressed. She is a woman torn between her desire for Ben and moving forward-her conflicted feelings made for some anxious moments. In this, the storyline decidedly faultered with Bell’s inability to commit or stay focused.

The secondary characters include Bell’s coworkers-some good, some bad, some down right evil. Everyone has an agenda and Bell is in direct line of conflict. Both Ben and Bell’s family play a major role in their lives and a presence throughout most of the storyline. We are reintroduced to Bell’s brothers River and Xander Wilde, as well as their mates, and get a more personal look at Ben’s extended family. I suspect Ben’s brother has a storyline in the near future.

Kim Karr is an amazing storyteller. Her Connections series brings together one family- all connected by a single couple-and therefore should be read in order. FRAYED is a story of forgiveness, finding love and moving forward. It is dramatic, intense and realistic in its’ presentation.

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley.

Reviewed by Sandy

Series Spotlight Black and White

CONNECTED (Connections #1)
by Kim Karr

Click HERE for our review of CONNECTED.

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

ConnectedABOUT 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.
_______________________________

TORN (Connections #2)
by Kim Karr

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 /

Torn Cover HDRock 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?

________________________

Dazed
Connections 2.5
by Kim Karr
Release Date: April 1, 2014
Genre: new adult, contemporary, romance

Click HERE for our review of DAZED

$1.99 ebook special-Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble /

Dazed CoverJagger 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’s not looking for love—he just needs to make a change.

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

To keep from losing the woman who’s changing his world, Jagger is willing to give up anything—including his career. But even that might not be enough to regain Aerie’s shattered trust…

__________________________

Mended Connections #3 by Kim Karr
© 2013 by Kim Karr
Published by the Penguin Group
Release date: June 3, 2014

Click HERE for our review of MENDED

 Amazon.comAmazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble

Mended*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….

_____________________

Blurred
Connections 3.5
by Kim Karr
Release Date: August 2014

Click HERE for our review of BLURRED

ebook special $1.99=> Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO /

BlurredABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 5, 2014

A Connection Series Novella featuring Ben Covington

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?

Giveaway -black and white

Kim’s publisher is offering a paper copy of FRAYED to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

1. If you have not previously registered at The Reading Cafe, please register by using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment.

3. LIKE us on FACEBOOK and then click GET NOTIFICATION under ‘liked’ for an additional entry.

4. LIKE us on Twitter.

5. LIKE us on GOODREADS 

6. Giveaway is open to US only

7. Giveaway runs from September 4-8, 2014

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Cover Reveal-Frayed (Connections #4) by Kim Karr

Cover Reveal-Frayed (Connections #4) by Kim Karr

Frayed

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 2, 2014

ADD to your Goodreads page.

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.

Preorder:
Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble / The Book Depository /

________________________

Series Spotlight Black and White

CONNECTED (Connections #1)
by Kim Karr

Click HERE for our review of CONNECTED.

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

ConnectedABOUT 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.
_______________________________

TORN (Connections #2)
by Kim Karr

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 /

Torn Cover HDRock 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?

________________________

Dazed
Connections 2.5
by Kim Karr
Release Date: April 1, 2014
Genre: new adult, contemporary, romance

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

Dazed CoverJagger 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’s not looking for love—he just needs to make a change.

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

To keep from losing the woman who’s changing his world, Jagger is willing to give up anything—including his career. But even that might not be enough to regain Aerie’s shattered trust…

_______________________

 

Mended Connections #3 by Kim Karr
© 2013 by Kim Karr
Published by the Penguin Group
Release date: June 3, 2014

PRE ORDER LINKS: Amazon.comAmazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble

Mended*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….

_______________________

About The Author Black and White

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. 

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Frayed by Blakely Chorpenning – a Review

Frayed by Blakely Chorpenning – a Review

Description:
Fray loves being a semi-pro fighter and free spirit. However, when a deadly faction begins abducting supernatural teens in the Blue Hills of North Carolina for excruciating experiments, she quickly learns there is more to life than glitzy opponents and late night trysts. Fray and a crew of unlikely allies must rescue the children before they are dissected alive. Being a leopard shapeshifter helps. Confronting personal prejudice and traversing feelings for a tempestuous ex do not mix. But Fray is willing to go all the way to stop her world from changing. That is, until the ultimate sacrifice forces her to realize just how overdue change is.

Her most shocking discovery: Everyone’s human. At least a little

Review:

Frayed is Blakely Chorpenning’s debut book.  It is a novella leading into her new Madison Lark Urban Fantasy series.

We meet Fray early on, when she is in the midst of a semi pro fight.  Fray is a leopard shifter, who likes to fight, to use up her restless leopard energies, and she gets paid for it.  Fray is a tough, hard ass heroine, who is not afraid to speak her mind openly, no matter if it hurts, and she is very independent.  But despite her stubbornness, she cares, and this makes her an excellent heroine. 

We also get to meet Fray’s friends and pack members, as she lives with some of them.  I will get back to this, as part of this bothered me a bit.  At the end of the fight, Fray is met by her brother Darien, who has a stranger with him.  She smells him, and knows he is Vampire and we all know that all shape-shifters hate Vampires.  Fray is nasty to Nash, the vampire, but is told to behave by her brother.  Nash is there for a reason. 

Fray learns there are more missing children from various local packs.  She cares about the children, and is determined to help find them. Blaire, the head of the pack, feels Fray is the best person to team up with Nash, who has also been assigned to help investigate why the children are disappearing. Fray puts aside her immense dislike for vampires, and is willing to work with Nash.  Willing does not mean she will treat him nice.

There is no real romance in this novella, though you know there is past history between Blaire and Fray.  Something that is still very much alive, but at this time Fray is trying to fight her feelings by staying away from Blaire, as she does not want to get hurt again.

Nash and Fray work together meeting families of the missing children to try and understand what and why this is happening.  Finally we meet Lucy, who is also a vampire and Nash’s ex.  At this point, we learn a bit more about who is taking the children.  The story for the last half of the book is very exciting, tense, even sickening.  But it is well written and flows very well, and at times pulls on your emotions.  Fray is a wonderful character, and you can’t help but like her.  She takes much of what happens to her heart, and she knows that prejudices must change, and people must work together, if they are to survive.

This story had a lot of action, character building and many tense moments for a novella.  On thing I had mention is the secondary characters.  I thought the introduction of many of the pack members, was a bit too much at the same time.  It was hard to know who was who.  I got to know Lucy a bit more then Fray’s own friends.  However that being said, this was an excellent novella by Chorpenning.  I want to know what happens to Fray, how much has this case changed her and what will she do to; will she ever try to resume her relationship with Blaire; what happens with the packs and children; Lucy and Nash are interesting and I want to know more.  So Chorpenning has gotten my attention in this excellent first book, and now I want more. 

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Author

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