Torn from You

Torn from You (Tear Asunder, 1)
by Nashoda Rose
Rating: 4 Bows!

Love is like an avalanche. It hits hard, fast and without mercy.

At least it did for me when Sculpt, the lead singer of the rock band Tear Asunder knocked me off my feet. Literally, because he’s also a fighter, illegally of course, and he taught me how to fight. He also taught me how to love and I fell hard for him. I mean the guy could do sweet, when he wasn't doing bossy, and I like sweet.

Then it all shattered.

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.

Dear Lord. I was so not expecting this. The novella was sweet and romantic and then this story did a 180 and went in a whole new direction. It's dark, scary, and hard to read, well most of it is. 

The first half was difficult to read but at the same time I couldn't but down the book. I hated Sculpt, I wanted to crush his head and kick him while he was down...that's how angry I was. But even worse? I started to hate Emily as well. 
Honey, you're being tortured, humiliated, and beaten, why in the world are you feeling "lust-full" to the man that brought you to this situation? I wanted to slap her so she could see what was going on around her. 
There's a difference in complying so you'll survive and being dumb and wanting someone who has harmed you. Ugh! 

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

But like all great authors, Rose turned us around again and soon I was starting to forgive Sculpt. I know it's like whiplash!

In the second half, you find out why things happened the way they did but even with the explanations (I won't give those away) I wasn't totally convinced they were justifiable. But that's just me.

Emily finally grows a backbone, Hurray!, and learns to trust those around her. It was great to see her mature and not be as whiny as she was in the novella. We have the old Sculpt back and he's just as swoon worthy and sexy as ever.

"What we had, we can't get back, Sculpt."

"We can, 'cause it never fuckin' left."

There's plenty of action, love, crying and redemption in Torn from You and even though the first half I loathed, the book was exceptional. I recommend this for everyone who wants to try something a little different, and out of their comfort zone. 

Collide

Collide (Collide, 1)
by Gail Mchugh
Rating: 3 Bows!

On the heels of college graduation and the unexpected death of her mother, Emily Cooper moves to New York City to join her boyfriend for a fresh start. Dillon Parker has been sweet, thoughtful, and generous through Emily’s loss, and she can’t imagine her life without him—even as her inner voice tells her to go slow.

Then she meets Gavin Blake. A rich and notorious playboy, Gavin is dangerously sexy and charming as hell. Their first encounter is brief, but it’s enough to inflame Emily’s senses. When their paths cross again through an unexpected mutual acquaintance, she tries to deny the connection she feels, but Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome won’t let go so easily.

As she discovers Gavin’s pain-filled past and Dillon’s true nature begins to surface, Emily knows she must take action or risk destroying everyone—including herself. But how can she choose when she can’t trust her own heart?

So I'm in a conflict with this book... It wasn't the story, because the story flowed great and was pretty intense to keep me interested. My conflict is with the characters. 

Gavin Blake, he was perfect. Handsome, polite, determined, and rich (not that that's why I love him, it just helps haha). He was always a gentleman and he was like Edward Cullen without the whole sparkly vampire thing. What's not to love. 

Emily. God I wanted to punch her in the face! I could not understand why she was so blind to what her boyfriend was doing and kept rejecting Blake even after he protects her over and over again. She was actually sort of a slut in this novel...It got to a point where everyone was apologizing to her and it was never her fault that I got so mad I stopped reading. 

That's never happened to me before! I usually just forget about it and keep reading but this was so bad that I couldn't content until the next day. I was sorta happy the way the book ended because it wasn't a pretty ending. I felt it was something Emily brought on herself and she deserved having Blake ignore her. That's what happens when your a dumb oblivious person! Ugh!! Sorry I get a little worked up when I think about everything she did.

Aside from that, the book was pretty interesting. I feel like the only reason I finished this book and the only reason I'll read the next one is to follow Gavin Blake. He is now a wounded man and I want him to be happy so I'll read to find out!

I would give this book a chance but be warned, if you're like me, you'll be screaming at this chick a lot!