Total Pageviews

Thursday, February 11, 2016

#ReleaseBlitz & #Review: Flawed by Cherry Shephard


Title:  Flawed
Series:  Blaze of Glory, #2
Author:  Cherry Shephard
Rating:  4 Stars
Told in the first person.

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received this book for review from Saints and Sinners and the author.  I was not compensated nor was I required to write a positive review.  The opinions I have expressed are my own.  I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255:  "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising".



Behind the brightest smile, can lay the darkest truth . . . 

KEETS:

I watched in horror the day the World Trade Centre collapsed, taking with it my fiancee and unborn child. As a firefighter on the scene, I blame myself for not rescuing them. Enlisting in the United States Army did nothing to dissuade my guilt, it only proved to me what I knew all along: The world is too cruel, too dark and twisted to live in any longer.
So I'm taking the easy way out. On the 14th anniversary of 9/11, on my 40th birthday, I will return to Ground Zero, where I will finally be reunited with my loved ones. Forever.
I have just three weeks left to live.

NATALIE:

It would destroy my sister if she ever found out why I really came back home. She thinks I'm just here to help out with Saddles, but the truth is I have a secret, one that tears me apart and threatens to consume me. It was just one night. One stupid, messed-up, drunken night.
The consequences will live with me forever.

When these flawed hearts collide, will they heal one another . . . or burn together in a blaze of glory?


Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1X4lEPK 

Imperfect (Blaze of Glory #1) :http://amzn.to/1PsHyqe

My Thoughts:

Damien Keets is on top of the world and then it all comes crashing down.  Natalie Harper’s life seems to be crumbling down around her.  They both have scars but not all of them are visible.  The book has a very sad beginning so make sure you have some tissue near by.

One thing you will see in this story is that it’s not just the female character that is broken.  Keets has a pain that most of us will never experience but his way of wanting to cope is not healthy.  Natalie’s pain is physical but what is behind this need to inflict it on herself.  Even though they are both going through a lot of pain they seem to gravitate to each other once they meet.  The author also doesn’t reveal anything until almost the very end so you can do no less than to keep turning the page.

If you are someone that is very sensitive to others around you, you may find this hard to read.  But if you believe in strength in the face of adversity, and finding love along the way, this book may be for you.  Sex scenes are hot so be warned.  It’s a book that also shows that it’s hard to see the warning signs when someone really needs our help.  We need to keep in touch with loved ones and make sure that they are both physically and mentally healthy.  You can consider this a stand-alone but if you want to understand some of the characters consider going back and read Imperfect.






“Damien?” Liz’s voice in my ear is full of panic.
“It’s okay, baby, I’m here,” I pant as I climb the stairs. “I’m coming to get you.”
“No, Damien, I-"
A loud noise shakes the earth, and people all around me start to scream as the building sways. Instinct kicks in and I shout at the civilians who seem to be frozen in fear. “Get the fuck out of here!”
“Damien,” Liz screams in my ear.
“It’s okay, baby, hold on," I yell, grabbing a support beam as the windows in the lobby blow inwards. I stare in horror as the South Tower seems to implode and comes tumbling toward the ground, spraying a pile of debris through the shattered windows. 
“Oh, my God!" Liz screams, and my thoughts echo her fear. But after the storm comes the calm, and all is still as people slowly get to their feet, covered in dust as they cry helplessly. The entire South Tower is gone, decimated in a fraction of a second, reduced to nothing more than a pile of rubble.

“Are you okay?” I ask Liz, straightening myself and starting up the stairs. It’s slow work as a stampede of civilians come running down, anxious to get the fuck out of here before this tower falls. And it will, I know that now. 
“Keets!” I turn as the lieutenant grabs my arm and yanks me forcefully back down the stairs. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
“I’m going up,” I answer, wrenching my arm away from him. “I have to get up there. Liz is-"
“I’m afraid that’s a negative,” he says, shaking his head. “Orders are to evacuate the area immediately.”
“Evacuate?” I question, not quite sure I’ve heard him correctly. “You mean, leave these people to die?”
“Keets, now is not the time for your fucking morals. If you stay here, you will die. Do you understand that? This building is going to collapse at any moment.”
“I don’t care!” I yell, starting back up the stairs. “I can’t leave her.”
“Damien,” Liz’s quiet voice comes through the phone. “You need to get out of here.”
“Not a chance,” I answer, out of breath as I climb the stairs in my heavy gear. “What floor are you on right now?” 
“101,” she answers. “But Damien, I-"
“No, Liz,” I answer firmly, pressing my back against the wall as a group of people squeeze by me on the stairs. “Don’t you dare ask me to leave you.”
“Babe,” she says quietly. “I’m above the plane.”

I freeze on the balcony of the second floor, my heart thudding in my chest so hard I can hear it. Liz is above the impact zone; no matter how hard I try, there is no way I’ll be able to get to her in time... and she knows it. “Babe." My voice catches on a strangled cry. “I can’t leave you here. You’ll die.”
“If you stay, we’ll both die.”
I lean against the wall and slump down to the ground, all fight leaving my body. “Then we die together.”





Posted by at
Labels: , , , , , , , , , , ,

No comments:

Post a Comment

Please leave your comments below.

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)