KIM'S REVIEW ~ TORN FROM YOU by Nashoda Rose

Torn From You was recommended to me by a friend, and once I read the blurb, I was completely sold.  It's dark, twisted, agonizing, and all-consuming.  From start to finish, I was detained by Nashoda Rose.  

Torn From You picks up right where With You (novella) leaves off.  With You gives us Sculpt and Emily's background. So I highly recommend reading the novella first. This is where we first meet Emily and Sculpt and really get to know them...or do we?

Ah, Sculpt.  Sculpt (Logan) is an underground fighter and a hot/sexy tattooed rocker, who happens to be the lead singer in the upcoming band, Tear Asunder. Enticing. Delectable. Distinctive. Dominant. 

Emily ( Eme, Mouse) is sweet, caring, strong and with personality. I really liked her character. She was a little insecure in the beginning, but being attacked by a man after work would cause insecurity for anyone, which is why she reached out to Sculpt for help. 

Sculpt teaches Emily self defense so she can take charge of her life and feel like she can protect herself if the need should arise. Sparks fly between these two a long the way and their love is undeniable...or is it?

What I liked most about Emily was that she wouldn't back down. No matter what she faced, she fought with everything in her. Emily also had a very special talent.  She loved and trained horses... and she was soon to be known as 'the girl who speaks to horses.'

The prologue is candied and romantic where we get the delightful story of Logan and Emily, which also brings us to the out of nowhere dramatic ending of With You!  The story takes a huge shift spiraling into a dark and gritty world of violence. 

I. DID. NOT. SEE. THIS. COMING.

Kidnapped.

Starved.

Beaten.

I was alone and fighting to survive. When I heard Sculpt's voice, I thought he was there to save me.

I was wrong.

Emily is thrown into a dark world of inconceivable acts upon women.  A sex slave industry where nothing is prohibited. Women are tortured, humiliated, starved, abused and thrown around like rag dolls. Emily is fighting to survive. 

Emily's hopes come crashing down when she discovers that the man she had fallen in love with, and the man she is hoping to rescue her is there...but is not there to save her.

"I wanted him to carry me away...and then...then I wanted to kill him."

"I'm scared."

"You should be."

"You will fear me, Emily. And if you don't…I will make you."

The first half of Torn From You is twisted, dark and intense. The second half is totally different, but at the same time, still intense and gratifying. This is where Emily is trying to get her life back on track.  She's focusing on what she loves...saving and training abused horses.

Two years have now passed and Logan has  returned. He wants a second chance with Emily. He loves her and he wants to try and rebuild what they had. Will Emily be able to allow Logan back into her life? 

"I can't lose you again. I have to do whatever it takes to win you back."

"You wrecked me. I was scared of you. I...I still am."

I loved the second half of the book just as much as the first. Watching Logan and Emily trying to repair what had been lost between them was almost as excruciating as Emily's kidnapping and what happened after. But I loved every second of it.

This book was a surprise to me.  I was not expecting it to have everything that I love in a a book. If you love dark romance books with twists and turns, then I recommend you read this one.  It will take you on one heck of a ride. I promise you that.

I am now a huge fan of Nashoda Rose and I can't wait to read more from this author.

I give Torn From You 5 Crazie Stars!!! ~Kim

KIM'S REVIEW ~ NORMAL by Danielle Pearl

Danielle Pearl's Normal is captivating, spellbinding and heart-rending all rolled into one. It's a delicate written novel that deals with issues of abuse. It's dark, abrasive and intense, so be aware that this book does contain violence and may not be suitable for everyone.

Normal is also a story of  suspense, love and hope and is revealed through Aurora's (Rory) POV. The story takes place in the  present with flashbacks from the past.  It was a little irksome in the beginning, but then I was grateful for the flashbacks, because they made us aware and gave us an understanding of Rory's frame of mind and why she is so despondent and dispirited.

Aurora Pine has moved from a small town in Florida to a new larger town in the state of New York to get a fresh start. She will attend a new high school right in the middle of her senior year where she is hoping to just blend in. But little did she know that she would capture the eye of the hot football star and most sought-after man on campus...Sam Caplan. "Cap"

Sam is complete perfection. He's sexy, patient, loyal, loving, affectionate and kind...and Rory takes notice.  Her intentions are not to make friends, but to stay well under the radar...but now it's too late.  Their connection is undeniable, and as bad as Rory wants to fight it, their chemistry is too magnetic. 

Sam and Rory start out as friends. Neither one are looking for a relationship and they both share painful pasts.  Rory has triggers originating back from one year ago where she went through an abusive relationship with her then boyfriend, Robin, the town hero and the Mayor's son.  

For some reason, Sam is able to connect with Rory like no one else ever has...except for maybe her childhood friend, Cam, that she loved and adored.  This connection is calming for her and is a stepping stone for Rory and Sam's friendship, which in turn, jump starts the healing process for Rory.  For the first time in over a year, she is actually starting to feel some normalcy.  Thanks to her good friend, Sam.

"I got you, Pine."

This newfound friendship and connection with Sam has allowed Rory to open up her heart and finally FEEL. She's feeling emotions that she has never experienced before with anyone. She has fallen and fallen hard.

"I'm in love with Sam, and somehow, in the short time I’ve known him, he has become the center of my universe-my anchor to it. I’m no longer just surviving, as he said, I’m living."

But what happens when Rory's past comes back to the present and threatens her? Will she fight back or will she cave and give in to her past demons?

This novel truly did captivate me.  I just happened to discover this book and I'm so impressed with this author. She had me from start to finish.  Yes, the book was long, but I see now that it was necessary in order to experience Sam and Rory's heartbreaking and uplifting story. There was no insta-love and we get to follow right along with them on their roller coaster ride of life. We get to travel back in time, and relive right along with Rory, her horrific past and her struggle to find her NORMAL.  

It's practically impossible for me to continue reviewing this book without giving key parts away.  I definitely recommend NORMAL and I do believe that every teenage girl should read this emotional heart-wrenching story.  It's an epiphany for abusive relationships. 

I give NORMAL 5 Crazie Stars!!! ~Kim

KIM'S REVIEW~FEAR YOU by B.B. Reid

Fear You is the second book in the Broken Love Series by Author B.B. Reid and the conclusion to Keiran and Lake's frivolous love affair. Book two gives us more understanding of Kerian's thinking and why he is the way he is. I love that we get dual POV...I love being in Keiran's head.  We get more regarding his past, his past with Lily, and why he treated Lake the way he did. 

Fear You picks up pretty much where book one left off. We follow Keiran and Lake through their final year of high school, where Lake is still trying to figure out Keiran and trying to fight her feelings for him. Keiran is torn between harassing Lake and protecting her. His obsession and addiction to her outweighs his need to stay away.  He craves the domination over her because of his possessiveness toward her.

"I was as much her sexual prisoner as she was mine. Those would be the times I took her the hardest and unleashed my cruelty on her."

"When Keiran came back into my life he came with a vengeance."

Lake finally found courage and has a backbone in Fear You.  She is no longer afraid of her tormentor. She wants answers and she's not afraid to demand them.  She may not get all  the answers, but that doesn't mean she stops demanding them.  She stands up for herself and fights back...and that I absolutely loved.

There was a particular time in Fear You that I wanted to smack Lake, though.  I was so mad at her.  I think because we did have Keiran's POV, and with that, giving me a better understanding of his feelings and what his intentions were, I wanted to strangle her. I mean, I wanted to ring her neck...I was so frustrated.  But in her defense, she was doing the right thing for what was happening around her.  I know I'm probably confusing you, but the way it "looked" to her, she was in the right doing what she did.  But, she was also out for revenge.

"You don't want to hear the truth. You want the fairytale. I want to ruin you."

Getting to know the man behind the mask of Keiran Masters, made me love him even more.  I felt so guilty wanting more of Keiran.  His actions were horrific at times and I was fighting within myself to keep reading. It felt so wrong but it felt so right too.  I was struggling and conflicted with my emotions.  I wanted to whip his ass and tell him to get over himself but then I wanted to hug his neck and kiss his face off.  It was a roller coaster ride with my emotions.  Up and down...up and down.

I loved the banter between Keiran and Lake.  It made me crave more.  My stomach was in knots and I was nervous most of the time, but that's what I crave and love the most about books. Bring on the angst...my favorite kind of reads.  

This series has a story to tell and it's not rushed...it's not drug out...it's perfection.  But, I must say, the first part of this book was a teeny tad slow for me, but I think that was just me. I was on such a high from book one that I was so ready... adrenaline was pumping and my heart was beating a mile a minute...

Book one will leave you with many questions but thank goodness that book two is out. Your questions will be answered in book two. ;)

It's really hard for me to write a review for Fear You and Fear Me without giving away spoilers and ruining this series for you.  All I can say, is read both of these books.  If you love dark reads an angst, then I definitely recommend reading both. This series is one that you will not forget. It's one of those that will linger in your mind from now on.  I know it will for me anyway.

I promise that once you start reading, you will not want to put it down.  I have the kindle app on my cell, so any chance I got, I was glued to my phone. That's how B.B. Reid held me prisoner for a couple of days.  I wanted to be glued to my kindle. When I wasn't at home reading, I was on my cell reading every chance I got.  

B.B. Reid is definitely on my radar now. I'm looking forward to future reads from this author. I'm super excited for the next book in this series... Fear Us, which will take us on a journey with Keenan and Sheldon, and hopefully the rest of the cast. I.CAN.NOT.WAIT!!! This series has fantastic supporting characters.  I fell in love with Keenan and Sheldon. I'm super excited to read their story!!! 

ANGST...ANGST...& MORE ANGST!!!

I give Fear You 5 Crazie Stars!!! ~Kim

KIM'S REVIEW~FEAR ME by B.B. Reid

This book came highly recommended to me.  When I was told that it was a lot like Bully by Penelope Douglas but darker...SOLD!!!  B.B. Reid...Where have you been hiding?

Lake Monroe is getting ready to start her senior year of high school and ready to get on with her life...but Keiran Masters, her tormentor for 10 years, is back.  And he's back for blood, sweat and tears. 

"I don't believe in fairy tales and Prince Charming.

I believe in fear.

He taught me how to be afraid."

Keiran Masters is a troubled, dark soul, who has nothing but Lake Monroe and revenge on his mind and he won't let anything or anyone get in his way. He blames her for the year he spent in Juvi thinking she is the one that set him up. He also blames her for circumstances that occurred long ago that she absolutely had no control over. He hates her and he never stops letting her know it. But his actions and words are contradicting, because he wants to own her and only he can have her. And God Bless the soul of anyone who tries to get in his way or tries to get close to Lake.

"I've watched you, and I've studied you. I've memorized you. I know what makes you hurt...I know what makes you sad...I know what makes you cry. And all your deepest fears, I will know. I'll take your so-called strengths, and I'll make them your weaknesses."

What I love about Lake is that she is strong.  It may not appear that way but she is. She takes everything that Keiran dishes out. She doesn't like it but she takes it. What she hates the most is that her body betrays her when her mind is telling her to run far far away.

I really don't want to give too much away so I'm not going to go much into the storyline.  But this book really did blow me away.  I'm so glad Cami suggested I read it...She never steers me wrong ;)

The supporting characters in this book are kick ass.  I loved  Quentin, Dash, Willow, Sheldon and Keenan.  Sheldon is one of my favs...she is a true friend through and through. The stuff that comes out of her mouth is epic.  She doesn't care what she says or who she says it to.  Everyone needs a SHELDON as a friend ;)

I truly was blown away by this book.  The biggest thing for me is that it was such a dark read. At first, I was so torn regarding reading FEAR ME.  I felt guilty for being so engrossed with this dark story.  It felt wrong...so so wrong.  I was questioning my morals to be honest.  How can I be so engrossed in a book that is so dark? But I was so intrigued with Keiran and Lake...I had to know where their story was going. It was a mystery puzzle that I just had to solve. I kept rooting for them.  I wanted them to fall in love...I wanted Lake to tell Keiran the truth dang it!!! I didn't want to put it down. It was all I could think about.  I didn't even want to go to work the next day after I started reading it...I had to know!!! Then UGH......Cliffhanger...but thank goodness book 2 is already out ;)

This is a book I would definitely recommend.  It's so dark and mysterious.  If you can make it through the first half of the book, you'll get some answers in the last half. So so worth it.

I give Fear Me 5 Crazie Stars!!! ~ Kim

KIM'S REVIEW~BREAKING NOAH by Ashley Suzanne and Missy Johnson

Anyone who loves teacher/student romance books, this one is for you.  Anyone who knows me, you know I'm all over these books. When I was offered and ARC for BREAKING NOAH, you can bet your sweet cheeks that I jumped at the chance.

Ashley Suzanne and Missy Johnson did a great job co-writing this book.  I could not tell the difference in their writing style...It flowed effortlessly.  

"What happens when you start falling for your worst enemy?"

Zara had her life pretty much figured out until the day her cousin died.  Everything changed for her from that day on.  Revenge is what she had in mind and nothing or no one was going to stop her.

In order for Zara's plan to work, she has to transfer to the college of the professor that she blames for her cousin's death, enroll in his class, and start her process of revenge.  Zara is determined to make him pay.  She is determined to "Break Noah."

"First I’ll seduce him. Then I’ll ruin him."

What Zara was not prepared for was the twist in her plan once her recorded evidence falls in the wrong person's hands. This course of action causes a downward spiral in her plan for revenge.  She also wasn't prepared for her heart to overtake her head.  Was she falling for the man that she set out to destroy?

Will Zara follow her heart or will she listen to her conscience???  

This story has many twists and turns...some I predicted and some that caught me off guard...& that I loved...but I needed more!

I must honestly say that I did not like Zara.  I didn't feel a connection with her...but NOAH...I connected 100%.  I connected with him right from the start. I just wanted to yell at Zara and shake some sense into her...at times I just wanted to rip her hair out!!! Ugh!!

I definitely recommend this book...I just needed more.  I love Ashley Suzanne and I love her passion for writing.  You will not be disappointed in this book. Read it now!!!

If you're looking for a story of revenge, betrayal, heartbreak, and then eventually love, then this is the story for you!!!

I give Breaking Noah 4 Crazie Stars!!! ~Kim

KIM'S REVIEW~CARTER REED 2 by Tijan

Tijan has written another great book.  This lady is one talented author.  The way she captivates you from beginning to end is pure talent.  I was truly blown away after reading CR2 and the book flowed flawlessly.

Once I started reading CR2, I was completely hooked!! The story picks up right where CR1 left off but with a lot of twists and turns. Right when you think Carter is done with the mafia, he is getting lured right back in. When Emma's life is threatened, nothing will stop Carter from protecting her. NOTHING!!

"Why is it that your presence can calm me? Your touch can make me alive, and one little sigh from you makes me want to sleep for days in your embrace?"

Carter Reed is one of those characters that draws you in and holds you captive. He's addictive and you crave him.  He makes your heart race while at the same time he is melting your heart. His love for Emma is so deep and you feel it!!  He would move heaven and earth to protect her...He was given the name THE COLD KILLER  for a reason.

I love Emma's character as well. She is one strong heroine and I love that about her.  She is badass and she doesn't care who knows it.  She loves her man and she would give her life to protect him.  She protects what's hers and what she loves...including her family and friends.  She's not going down without a fight. 

'She was a fighter, my fighter.'

 You will think of Carter for days to come and you can bank on that!!  He is just one of those characters that's special. I can't really explain it...just read it and then you'll know what I'm talking about.  The way Tijan pulls you in and makes you fall for a freaking mob boss (The Cold Killer)...that's just truly amazing to me.   

You will also love the secondary characters...the bodyguards as well as Emma and Carter's friends. 

I'm serious when I say this...You are missing out if you don't read these 2 books.  Read them now...you will be so thankful you did. 

I give Carter Reed2 5 Crazie Stars ~ Kim

KIM'S REVIEW~JADEN by Tijan

Tijan is freaking amazing. That's the only way I know how to start this review. I stayed up until the wee hours of the morning finishing this series. I'm still sorta numb.  I'm not sure how Tijan does what she does. She draws you in and keeps you held captive. You're like her freaking slave. Your mind is constantly on the characters. They're all you think about.

When I started reading this series, I didn't know what to expect.  I should have, but I didn't, because Tijan only puts out great reads. I know that!! She hasn't disappointed me yet.  I never dreamed that the Fabulous Threesome, which consists of Bryce (Team Bryce), Sheldon and Corrigan (loved him too) would capture my heart like they did.  For the past couple of days, they are all I've thought about. Still thinking about.

"I shouldn't have to try to force myself to feel a certain way, and right now, I want to be with him."

It's hard to put into words what I'm feeling about this series because of my emotions right now.  I don't want to give anything away.  I read a review that had given Sheldon's choice in the end away and I was like "what the heck!"  That didn't keep me from reading Jaden though.  Even though I knew who Sheldon chose in the end, the book still took my emotions  on a roller coaster ride from hell.  I fell for both of those boys...hard!!! My heart hurts so much for the one she didn't choose.  

I cried...

I ugly cried...

My heart still hurts but I'm also happy at the same time. Yes, Tijan has gutted me, but how she pulled the series together has me just stunned.  How in the heck can she make you love all her characters like she does? It's a freaking love triangle.  I always have my choice and I root hard for that choice...but this triangle was different for me. I had my choice, don't get me wrong, but I was fine with the fact that if my choice wasn't who Sheldon chose in the end, I knew I would be okay with her decision. My heart was going to hurt for whoever she didn't choose. I knew that was a given. 

"Whoever she chooses is the one she can't be without, but she loves both of us." 

"My fairytale was the neglected princess who fought for her own survival."

If you crave angst, suspense, love, betrayal, and lasting friendships, then this series is for you.  It's my kind of series... I crave it all when I read and this series was exactly what I needed. My book slump is no more!!!   My emotions are running high right now because I'm still on my book high.

Kudos to you, Tijan. You are the Queen and I salute you! Well done!!! 

I give Jaden 5 Crazie Stars!!! ~Kim