Review: From scars to stars!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 02 16, 2014
*ARC provided by the author in exchange for my honest reviewIt was the hot book cover that first drew me to this read and after reading the book I was amazed at how close it actually was to the characters. For most books the authors visual of a character is usually not mine but Ryker and Kaiya were exactly depicted as I saw them in my head.Now this was not an easy read, far from it. The underlying storyline was horrific, shocking and so dark a taboo it made my reading uncomfortable in the flashback descriptive parts. But I must say a job well done to the author as she did not shy away from the raw, hard core facts, there was no skimming over and tying them in a pretty pink bow like some books I have read touching on this subject have done. However before you go running for the hills please stop, as the romance and erotica of the love story that is Ryker and Kaiya totally balances out the darkness and makes this book a whole emotional but amazing read.Kaiya has lead a turbulent and abhorrent life in her youth, but now trying to overcome her past she is gradually burying her demons to enable her to live as normal a life as she can. She has a good job, a great home life with her brother, Kamden and even a regular hook up but everything is under her control. She doesn’t allow herself to step outside of her control. She lives in constant fear of the past of it catching up with her. Kamden is a regular at the local gym and to keep Kaiya safe and close by so he can protect her, he suggests she joins his rather than to the one she had been attending. She agrees and it’s here that she first sets eyes on Ryker, an instructor at the gym. After that incident she can’t get him out of her head and like fate they keep bumping into each other. She then signs on for the self-defence classes and is surprised to find that Ryker is running them.Ky has personal space issues and is afraid she won’t be able to get through the sessions but then Ryker suggests he be her partner and will take it easy with her. This is the start of the trust development which in turn leads to Ky letting Ryker in and shares her past, her fears and her issues.Ryker is also overcoming a past and although not as horrific as Ky’s , it still is a big issue he has that has controlled his life for the past 5 years. He doesn’t trust easily and as such no woman has ever got close and he looks for one night stands only. With this he has developed a reputation as a man-whore. But with his looks, his muscles and his tattoos the ladies are lining up to be the next notch. That is until Ky, his warrior, takes precedence in his emotions, thoughts and needs.The ensuing relationship of Ky and Ryker develops at a quick pace but as with all who are overcoming past demons there are plenty of angst ridden interludes that keeps the reader routing for the pair.However I just loved them both and they were an instant hit with me. I totally ‘got’ Ky and could understand the times where she was pushing Ryker away when to most they would be shouting ‘what the heck are you doing woman?’ As for Ryker – oh my – just look at the cover and see that man, he is delish and not only on the outside, he was gorgeous on the inside too. The way he instantly wants to protect and understand Ky just melts my heart and was beautiful to read. We all need a Ryker in our life!There were some inconclusive areas that I was left wanting at the end of the book and that is in reference to HIM. How did he escape and if it was so easy why had he not done so in the previous eight years? Also when Kamden comforted Ky was an ‘ick’ area for me. After all that she had gone through she would get into bed for cuddles with her brother? Hmm – it just didn’t sit right with me.Apart from those two areas this was a stellar five star read but overall a 4.5 stars. But very much worth it and I can’t wait to read more which the author has now announced this is to be a series. A beautiful story of overcoming a soul destroying depravity to learning to trust again and give your heart. Wonderful.