Review: Thin Love by Eden Butler

Thin Love 
by Eden Butler
Series:  Thin Love #1
Pub. Date:  Aug. 18, 2014
Publisher:  Self-Pub
Pages:  481
Format:  eBook
Source:  Purchased


My Rating:  
Sultry Scale:

Love isn't supposed to be an addiction. It isn't supposed to leave you bleeding. 

Kona pushed, Keira pulled, and in their wake, they left behind destruction.

She sacrificed everything for him. 
It wasn't enough. 

But the wounds of the past can never be completely forgotten and still the flame remains, slumbers between the pleasure of yesterday and the thought of what might have been. 

Now, sixteen years later, Keira returns home to bury the mother who betrayed her, just as Kona tries to hold onto what remains of his NFL career with the New Orleans Steamers. Across the crowded bustle of a busy French Market, their paths collide, conjuring forgotten memories of a consuming touch, skin on skin, and the still smoldering fire that begs to be rekindled. 

When Kona realizes the trifecta of betrayal—his, Keira's and those lies told to keep them apart—his life is irrevocably changed and he once again takes Keira down with him into the fire that threatens to ignite them both.

This is a story about crazy love. It isn't pretty. It's sad, dramatic, explosive, and fills you up so full you think you'll drown in it. Keira and Kona were stupid for each other. But life tears them apart. Thin Love is a tumultuous roller coaster of love that you don't want to miss. We've all had that one relationship we were stupid over. And for the ones, like me, where the stupid only went one way, this story will resonate with your "what might've been" side.

Love is or it ain't. Thin love ain't love at all. - Toni Morrison, Beloved

First off, I loved that this book was set between Nashville and New Orleans. I like to read about places I lived. And this one, starting off in my current home, but with ties to my native Tennessee, that had me hooked right away. But don't get me wrong, I would have loved this story no matter the setting. It was very realistic... and Ms. Butler tells us at the beginning that the story is based on true events (with some embellishments). I found myself highlighting and noting as I read - a sure sign that this was an engaging read. (Well, so was the fact that once I started it, I couldn't put it down until I was finished at 2am!) I also listened to the music as it was mentioned - I love a book with a playlist.

As I said above, this book is very dramatic and angsty... and I am normally not a fan of angst. I get annoyed easily. But that was not the case with this book. The writing style did not generate annoyance, it made you feel like you were on the roller coaster right along with Kiera and Kona (who I pictured as Duane "the Rock" Johnson). And I could definitely see this book translating to the big screen. Kiera and Kona were very likeable characters, it was easy to get emotionally attached. And both of their mothers were psychotic freaks to the extreme - Kona's more so I think.

I met Eden Butler recently at the Nola Author Event... and man I wish I had read this book before that time. I will definitely be picking up a signed copy at the next event!

My Beloved by Eden Butler
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the story of Kiera and Kona's wedding. It takes place before the epilogue in Thin Love. If you couldn't get enough of Kiera and Kona in the first book, this may give you closure.

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Review: Bright Side by Kim Holden

Bright Side
by Kim Holden
Pub. Date:  July 4, 2014
Publisher:  Do Epic, LLC
Pages:  423
Format:  eBook
Source:  Purchased



My Rating:  
Sultry Scale:

Secrets.
Everyone has one.
Some are bigger than others.
And when secrets are revealed,
Some will heal you ...
And some will end you.

Kate Sedgwick’s life has been anything but typical. She’s endured hardship and tragedy, but throughout it all she remains happy and optimistic (there’s a reason her best friend Gus calls her Bright Side). Kate is strong-willed, funny, smart, and musically gifted. She’s also never believed in love. So when Kate leaves San Diego to attend college in the small town of Grant, Minnesota, the last thing she expects is to fall in love with Keller Banks.

They both feel it.
But they each have a reason to fight it.
They each have a secret.

And when secrets are revealed,
Some will heal you …
And some will end you.

This book made me want to be a better person. Seriously, I'm not being cheesy. Kate is probably the most likeable and inspirational character I have ever read. We should all strive to be more like her.

I'm warning you, this is a very emotional story. You pretty much know something bad is going to happen through the whole book, but knowing that just makes the person you are reading about all the more special. I'm finding it hard to put my thoughts down on this one... so I will just say - Read it. Now. Even if you are not into these types of books, read it anyway. You won't be sorry. I'm not. Be brave. Like Kate.

I am meeting this author at a convention this weekend. I can't wait to shake her hand.

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Review: Fading

Fading by E.K. Blair

My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Sultry Scale: 1 of 5 flames

Can a guilty conscience keep wounds from healing?

Fine arts major, Candace Parker, grew up with a mother who thinks image is everything, and her daughter’s perfection will never be good enough. About to graduate college and pursue her dreams of becoming a professional ballerina, Candace decides it’s time to let go and have a little fun. But fun is short-lived when a brutal attack leaves her completely shattered.

The memories that consume and torment Candace are starting to destroy her when she meets Ryan Campbell, a successful bar owner. He feels instantly connected and tries to show her that hope is worth fighting for. But is Ryan harboring his own demons? As walls slowly begin to chip away, the secrets that are held within start to become painful burdens.

At what point do secrets become lies?

This book is not what I was expecting. The story is about a young woman learning to live again after a brutal sexual assault. Candace, our female lead, is a ballerina in her senior year of college when she is attacked. The story is emotional, evocative and haunting. I never connected with Candace as a character, and I think that is because I did not like the way she handled things following the attack. That makes me feel like a huge judgy bitch because everyone would deal with this situation differently. But that is just my reading style. I tend to always envision myself as the lead character so, when I cannot connect, it detracts from the story for me. I find these books somewhat depressing, so I don't think I can continue on with the series right away. But I will probably pick the next one up when I am ready to read something emotional again.

On a side note, I love books that introduce me to new music. Early in this book, we learn that Candace will need to choreograph a solo to a piece of classical music: Lux Aeterna by Clint Mansell. Once the piece was mentioned, I went to youtube and pulled it up and let it play as I kept reading. It is a dark and haunting melody - and perfectly matches this story. I don't know what the full length of the composition is, but the copy I listened to was just over six minutes. It was as I was listening to this piece that Candace was sexually assaulted. And let me tell you - reading what happened in conjunction with the music was fah-reaky! It made the event all the more real, even though I disconnected with Candace after the attack. So if you haven't read the book yet, I encourage you to play the melody once it is mentioned in the book.



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