REVIEW &GIVEAWAY~TORN By Kim Karr

 I have been sitting on this Review for months now but I needed to re-read a few times before posting. I will never post anything I am happy with and my Review is now something I was not satisfied with. Torn is AMAZING and I needed my review to reflect that without giving anything away.
Make sure you enter Giveaway below to win a signed paperback of Connected Book 1
                                                                                                                                                                                   

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?

BOOK TRAILER 

Prologue of TORN

Connections #2 by Kim Karr

© 2013 by Kim Karr

Published by the Penguin Group

Release date: October 1, 2013

Colorblind

Close your eyes and you can imagine what it was like. Hot, sticky, crowded. Smoke, flashing screens, and lighters flickering. Fans screaming, laughing, clapping, and crying. Bodies pushing, shoving, trying to catch a glimpse. Everyone wanting to see the stage—the lights, the equipment, the musician himself.

He was running back and forth singing, headbanging, and playing his guitar. The lyrics were jumbled. His movements out of sync. The sound of the bass thumped through the crowd so loud my body vibrated with every wrong note played. I just wanted it to end.

Nick Wilde had opened for the Counting Crows at the Hollywood Bowl. It was his second chance— and he blew it. The crowd was exhilarated at the start of his first song and he owned the stage but it didn’t last long. By the third song he was improvising, pulling notes, and forgetting words. He was lost in his own trance, soaked in alcohol, and no one could help him…not Xander, not my mother, and definitely not me. “Mr. Jones” started playing before he even finished his fourth song…and he never played onstage again.

Music was his soul. Music was in all of our souls. When we were younger he taught us everything he could…how to play, to sing, the right way to command a stage. We knew every song by every artist. We traveled to concert after concert. Music was his life and it became ours.

But he wasn’t happy just playing. He had a dream—he wanted to be famous. And somewhere along the way his dream became an obsession. I’ll give it to him, he got further than most do. By the age of nineteen he had been signed by a label and cut his first album. But after a disappointing run they released him. He spent the next fifteen years working the circuit—clubs, churches, weddings, birthday parties, as he waited for another big break. And then, just like that, he blew his golden opportunity.

Everything in our life changed after that. The drinking got worse, Grandpa came around more to check on us, and Mom went back to work. Every day left another kink in his chain as he lived in his own world. I was sixteen when his plan A became my plan B and, just like him, at a young age, I cut my first album. But unlike him I had Xander. He wasn’t going to let me fail. The band’s album had a slow start but after a year of touring, it started to gain popularity.

I remember the first time the Wilde Ones graced a real stage. We were restless. We had been sitting around for hours waiting. When we were finally up we strutted confidently across the stage like we had in rehearsal, but, really, we were nervous as hell. The lights were much brighter and the audience so much bigger than we were used to. When the guys started to play, soft, barely audible words flew out of my mouth so fast I forgot to breathe. The band was drowning me out and I knew it. Looking around, I adjusted the microphone height and took in the crowd. They were cheering me on with such enthusiasm that my voice finally soared over them. It was the same voice I’d grown up with, the one my dad had fostered. It was raw and present and soulful, and, in that moment, my music came alive. The crowd went crazy and just like that my life changed again.

Xander struck while the iron was hot. He arranged to go on tour. That was the beginning of the end for me. We started out small. Smaller venues, shitty hotels, crappy food, and a lot of drinking. We opened for band after band and the relationships I made…they kept me going, that and being up on that stage doing what I loved…it kept me going, wanting to make my dad proud…yeah, that, too.

But touring was a constant infringement on my personal space. I hated the cramped quarters, lack of privacy, constant strict schedule, never being in the same city for more than two nights, people following you everywhere, people always wanting something from you. Even the girls throwing themselves at you got old. It was the longest year of my life, but I did it for him because somewhere along the way his dream morphed into mine. What I came to realize was that his dream wasn’t mine—my dad thought being on tour meant you had made it. His dream was about being famous. Mine is about the music.

As the venues got bigger so did the crowds, the fanfare, and I could see how you could get lost in it, caught up in it—but I was determined not to end up like my father. He was addicted to the fame. I’m addicted to the creative process. I hope that difference between us is enough. The tour ended and we wrote, we played around LA, and as time passed life was good. But I had managed to put off cutting another album long enough. This time I was doing it for the band and for my brother and for me—because I love the music. Cutting the album—that’s the fun part. It’s the promoting I dreaded, at least until the day I saw her through the glass. The girl who inspired our song “Once in a Lifetime,” the girl Xander always referred to as my muse, the girl who stole my heart one night and then crushed it at the very same time.

She was as beautiful as I remembered and with one glance she took my breath away. She walked my way, pulling a suitcase behind her, and my heart skipped a beat. I knew immediately she was the one sent to interview me and suddenly any negativity I had about doing press was gone. I couldn’t help but watch her. I wanted her unlike anyone I had ever wanted before. I had to stifle a laugh when her briefcase fell off the top of her suitcase and she glanced around to see who saw. I wanted to yell, “Only me and don’t worry because everything about you is sexy as fuck.”

I rushed to grab the door for her, but she pushed it forward and fell into me—not that I minded in the least. I’d catch her over and over. There wasn’t a thing about her that I didn’t remember from the first time we met and even the awkwardness of the moment brought me to full attention. When her body pressed against mine, I knew in that instant…this time I wasn’t letting her get away so easily. I’d go on a thousand tours to have her in my life—there was just something about her, a light in her eyes that made everything wrong feel right. And just like my dad, I got a second chance—it was her. But unlike him, I wasn’t going to blow it.

When she extended her hand and said, “Hello, I’m Dahlia London from Sound Music. I’m so sorry I’m late,” I knew she had to be mine.

REVIEW

OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG breathe! hyperventilating! holy shit!

Kim builds you up slowly and gives you a little bit of hope then the rips it way from you leaving you gasping for air.

Dahlia I loved her strength and determination to prove to river how much she loves him and he is the one.

Chapter One; starts off going back to the events leading up to the end of Connected. At first I was like WTH but once I caught on that Dahlia was in the hospital I breathe a air of relief. I was so eager to get into the story again but I was grateful that Kym took us back a little and from Dahlia POV because the events that were about to unfold affected her the most. 

Ok, If you read Connected then you know that Ben is still alive and ready to rejoin society after being in witness protection (all due to his own fault trying to further his career). I am so happy that Kim has decided to swap the order of the remaining book because it is going to take a lot and a hell of a lot more time for him to redeem himself in my eyes. As you can tell I am totally in love with River and who wouldn't be? He is AMAZING, caring, sexy, sweet, protective, but not too over ALPHA he is the perfectly written lead male I fell hard in book one and the way Kim allowed him to grow, develop, and flourish in the most natural way possible I only fell even more in LOVE LOVE LOVE him.

Back to the story at hand, as Dahlia is about to fly to Vegas to wed the love of her life and finally start their happily ever after. She receive a phone call that will forever alter the course of her journey, including her relationship with River.

Imagine someone you loved dearly and spend majority of your life with died leaving you alone on the edge of nothingness deep in depression and despair. After years of grieving someone walks back into your life breathing new life into you, giving you a second chance at happiness and a love you never taught possible. 
Finally you have happiness and contentment then BOOM it all goes up into smokes because you discover the love you taught you lost and mourned for was never really dead and all the pain and suffering you went through was for fucking nothing. Well that crazy shit has just become Dahlia’s reality.

I have always loved Dahlia but in Connected she was a little on the weak and fragile side but now she has grown and matured she is a women who knows what and who she wants and the fights like hell for it. She went about sorting out the shit storm in the right way, I had to ask myself if I was in that situation what would I do and I can honestly say I would not do anything differently. 
The book was a whole lot of drama but not over the top Kim balanced it right. Her characters and writing Is more than enough to hold up the book. This is why I admire Kim Karr and her work. A lot of books these days just have shit written for shock value and this story could have gone two ways one of which would have been horrible wrong and over written with unbelievable shit. Kim got it so right every word was written with intent and purpose giving a real authentic believable story.

There was enough description for me to create their world around me losing myself in the ups and downs that is Dahlia’s and Rivers story. I say its descriptive but its NOT too overly so. As I said before Kim is the queen of balance. Her writing never fail to evoke true emotions, you can what feel all what the characters are feeling. Kim’s own passion is also very evident in her writing. She writes with soul. Some people can learn how to write and convey emotions and some are just born with the gift Kim karr is one of those people she IS BORN TO WRITE.

Comparing Torn to Connected; Connected was more raw and that special little thing which can’t really be explained sort of the raw pure magic of the book was more present in every page and word whereas TORN is more refined. 
That is not a bad thing it just depends on how you prefer your story when it comes to Kim I prefer her rawer style because she has so much passion and every word she produces shines with her love for what she does. 
I read the finished product even though I was given an Arc (I secretly hate ARC’s for reviewing I have ocd and everything needs to be perfect). I want to say it was over edited but it really wasn't if anything it was perfect but I just prefer Kim’s small imperfections (again wrong word to me they are imperfectly perfect) that’s what for me sets  her apart from the rest. Connected has her zealous passions slashed on every single page. 
Torn has that same excitement and love but it’s just more refined and there is nothing wrong with that. After reading Torn I tried writing a review infect I wrote several but I was not happy with any of them I felt the slight difference between the books so I went back to connected then Torn again until I could put my finger on what the difference was. It turned out to be no big deal but once I start something I have to finish. 

Enough of that back to the reason for this review Torn. In terms of plot an delivery Kim went above and beyond. I figured out a few things from book one so I taught I knew all that was coming……WRONG I was left going WTF how the hell did I not see that coming….well that was the whole point it was not in any way predictable I Loved every word. The sex was exquisitely written it left me a bit hot under the collar and in other places *Wink Wink

The blend, flow and transition from Dahlia to Ben’s POV were flawless, the music made the perfect accompaniment with each chapter One thing I messed the graphics and quotes, Torn is a divine read I enjoyed every beautifully written word.

I was over joyed by the way it ended. River also had this journey to choose and I taught he got it spot on. Perfect ending for the perfect couple. I cannot wait for the remaining books so I can see more of what the future has in store for them and the other characters I have come to love or hate in the case of Ben. 
I know I'm a nit picker but if its worth doing then I had to make sure it was done right. I absolutely love Kim and this series I'm sure it will only keep getting better and better.
When your a blogger/ reviewer a lot of books comes our way to be review etc. and let me tell ya I have to sit through some bullshit wishing I could throw it against the fucking wall. So when someone as naturally gifted as Kim Karr comes a long it helps to remind me of why I wanted to blog in the first place and reaffirm my love of good writing story telling and literature. 
Dare I say any more...I think not  if you want a really solid story with spectacular writing and a tremendous amount of emotions and depth then this is the story for you River & dahlia's story is written in a fashion that brings them alive in full HD technicolor you really don't want to miss out.
Writing 6+++++| Sexiness 5/5| Flow 5/5| Overall 6+++

EXCERPT

My brain is a bit hazy from the drinks I’ve had tonight but it’s not in the least bit clouded when it comes to this—I know what I want. And I know he wants the same. At the covered archway with the sign poolroom above it, he looks around then lifts the sheet of plastic and motions to me to slip under it. He quickly follows.

Once we’re on the other side he takes my hand and leads me down the hallway. It’s pitch-black and he has to hold his phone up to guide the way. Once we enter the room, I look around, but the only thing in here is the pool table covered by a white sheet. He sets his phone on it, and quickly hoists me up onto the table.

“You sure about this?” he asks with his heavily lidded eyes studying me.

Pulling in a shaky breath at the smoldering look in his eyes, I lean in to kiss the corner of his mouth and purr, “Absolutely.”

With a soft groan he slides between my legs and the feel of him pressed against me makes me tremble. My breath hitches and my pulse quickens. Cupping my face in one hand, he traces the seam of my lips with the other. Not wanting to wait another minute, I wrap my hands around his neck and our lips move against each other with fervent need, and a soft moan escapes my throat. I can hear the band playing “Feel This Moment” and I lose myself in the music.

Something almost primal overcomes me. I moan in his ear loud enough that he can hear me. Sliding my mouth back to his, we consume each other as our lips move faster, harder, deeper against each other’s. I don’t care if I fuck him on the floor, the pool table, or against the wall when he rocks against me. I squeeze my eyes shut, just needing to feel his skin against mine; trying not to dig my fingernails into him, I want him so badly.

TORN BOOK TRAILER TWO

BOOK ONE

INFORMATION ABOUT BOOK #1: 

Title: Connected (Connections #1)

CONNECTED SYNOPSIS:

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?

** CONNECTED ** (available now - first book of the series)

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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. <3

 Kim Karr

• Website: http://www.authorkimkarr.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKimKarr
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/authorkimkarr
• Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6644044.Kim_Karr

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

Title: Dazed (Connections #2.5)

Release date: April 1st, 2014

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’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…

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Aerie Daniels

There’s something deliciously perverse about staring through the clear glass. All of my senses engage as I wait in line—the fragrance that fills the air as the fire crackles beneath the foil wrapped treats wafts under my nose, the beauty in each and every small package as they line the shelves with tiny dots and colored sprinkles mesmerizes me, the sound made as the silver sheet is peeled back to reveal the magnificence it holds captivates me, and the anticipation of the taste makes my mouth water. Ummm… just thinking of the first bite into the moist brown exterior with its bittersweet Belgian chocolate complimenting the flavor of the Madagascar bourbon vanilla that oozes from its inside has me trembling. The black and white cupcake—it’s simply perfection.

Amidst the skyscrapers in Los Angeles’ South Park neighborhood, Sprinkles is agem tucked away for those of us who seek out a small piece of heaven. I don’t come here often, but when I do it’s for that one special treat. The menu describes it as, “Yin and Yang.” An ancient proverb that says, “Complementary opposites, such as light and dark, day and night, and masculine and feminine, seemingly may exist as contrary forces, but are actually interconnected.” Simply put, it says one gives rise to the other and it’s true—opposites attract. Without the vanilla inside, one could not possibly crave the chocolate outside—looking at the two parts united has me drooling.

“You know what they say about staring through the glass,” a deep husky voice says from behind me.

His words tingle my skin and my gaze snaps up. “Excuse me?” I stop short, in a daze, not even sure what he just said I was so lost in my thoughts.

He chuckles. “You know what they say about staring through the glass,” he repeats.

My eyes blink and come into focus on the upward tilt of his full lips. Then my eyes move to his smooth pale skin flecked with a light stubble, his nose seemingly sculpted even with a slight imperfection in its slope, large eyes with the most unusual gray color swirling from within, and chocolate brown colored hair framing his face in pieces—I’m not sure if he has just rolled out of bed or if product molds it just so. Either way, he is utterly beautiful.

“I’m sorry, I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Just be careful so you don’t fall in like Alice.” He smiles, displaying his bright white teeth.

“Again, I’m sorry but I have no idea what you’re talking about.” I notice his eyes sweep over me and my heart starts pounding.

“Through the Looking Glass,” he responds in a dangerously husky voice.

This time when he speaks I catch an accent, ever so slight but extremely sexy. It reminds me of how Robert De Nero talks, just not as loud or fast. I continue to stare, unable to respond. I notice that his physique is long and lean. He’s dressed in worn jeans that fit him perfectly. His orange laced hiking boots scream I don’t conform. A pair of tortoiseshell sunglasses hang from the V of his gray sweater, which clings to his body perfectly. And an outdoor vest tops the outfit. It throws me off. It makes him look more like an Abercrombie model than a James Dean type. It’s a navy blue down and quilted one with a silver zipper. I don’t know why, but something about his outfit, about this man, captivates me.

“Number 98,” calls the girl from behind the counter.

He steps closer. His warm breath whispers across my neck. “Through the Looking Glass is the sequel to Alice in Wonderland. When Alice gets too close to the glass, she falls in and starts on a crazy journey,” he tells me as his arm waves in the air with a green ticket on display. Stepping closer, his gaze cuts from mine to the glass case as he hands his number to the clerk whose wearing a cute brown apron with the word Sprinkles scripted across it.

“Can I have a dozen of the black and white cupcakes?” he asks.

Suddenly alarmed, my eyes dart to the case as I watch the single remaining row of beautifully crafted cupcakes diminish until there are none left. My irritation flares as I glance at my number—97.

The beautiful stranger hands the clerk his credit card and waits to sign the slip.

“I was number 97, my number was before yours,” I say as he’s handed the bag that holds his treasure.

“Oh, I’m sorry. Here let me get the sales clerk’s attention so you don’t have to take another number,” he says.

I want to stomp my feet. I want to scream. I don’t want her attention. I don’t want another number. I want the cupcakes that he stole from me.

“Miss,” he calls draping his perfectly fit body over the case. She looks his way and with a charming grin he says, “Can you help this lovely lady? She missed her number being called.”

“Of course, I’m so sorry. How can I help you?” the girl asks averting her eyes from the man who looks like he should be on the cover of GQ magazine, over to me.

He smiles at me with a face that belongs on a billboard. “Don’t fall in.”

I swear he’s goading me. But then he tips his chin and a sexy, smoldering grin passes over his lips and I’m not so sure anymore. He turns to look at me one more time before he exits, and excitement flushes over my face. I nod a slight cursory acknowledgement, then he disappears and disappointment washes over me—he’s gone. Crap. The cupcakes are also gone. Double crap. And now I’m left wondering if he saw me staring at that flavor? Did he distract me on purpose so he could purchase them first? Urrr…I’m so angry right now I consider walking out, but when the clerk asks me what I’d like I settle for the Vanilla Milk Chocolate cakes—they are the mirror reflection of the black and whites, with vanilla cake and chocolate frosting, but they are not nearly as good.

** DAZED **

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