Blog Tour: Branded by Abi Ketner & Missy Kalicicki

Branded

Series: Sinners #1

Authors: Abi Ketner & Missy Kalicicki

Pages: 252

Review by Rene

This story has such an amazing storyline! Imagine a future where there is no president, there is a commander. He is a very powerful and sadistic man. He created this prison strictly for sinners who have been branded with their mark. This is a story of a young girl named Lexi Hamilton and how false accusations landed her here and her struggle to survive in this godforsaken hole. Lexi was taken by the guards one night because she was accused of a sin. She was forced to live in this twisted society where there are no rules for sinners. The guards can do anything they please except for one thing......if a guard falls in love with a sinner they have committed the ultimate sin and the price the pay is DEATH.

Lexi has her own personal guard Cole, who is assigned to protect her no matter the cost. Even in a place as dark and evil as the hole Lexi finds love, friendship and strength.

I loved this book! Action, excitement, anger, lust, passion, sorrow and strength. There are many twists at the end of this story along with a killer cliffhanger for an ending. I cannot wait for the second book to be released!

"No one can know about us...I can't lose you. There's no way I can overcome that."

"So outside these walls, we can't stand each other." 

“I never planned on falling for you. You were just an assignment. But it just sort of happened and now... There's not a single thing I would change about you. When you smile, my entire world stops. All I see is you. I need you.”

Fifty years ago the Commander came into power and murdered all who opposed him. In his warped mind, the seven deadly sins were the downfall of society. He created the Hole where sinners are branded according to their sins and might survive a few years. At best. 

Now LUST wraps around my neck like blue fingers strangling me. I’ve been accused of a crime I didn’t commit and now the Hole is my new home.

Darkness. Death. Violence. Pain.

Now every day is a fight for survival. But I won’t die. I won’t let them win.

The Hole can’t keep me. The Hole can’t break me.

I am more than my brand. I’m a fighter.

My name is Lexi Hamilton, and this is my story.

Abi Ketner

Abi Ketner Is a registered nurse with a passion for novels, the beaches of St. John, and her Philadelphia Phillies. A talented singer, Abi loves to go running and spend lots of time with her family. She currently resides in Lancaster, Pennsylvania with her husband, triplet daughters and two very spoiled dogs.

Missy Kalicicki

Melissa Kalicicki received her bachelor's degree from Millersville University in 2003. She married, had two boys and currently lives in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Aside from reading and writing, her interests include running and mixed martial arts. She also remains an avid Cleveland sports fan. 

Website  //  Twitter  //  Goodreads

Book Review: Pieces Of You (Shattered Hearts Book 2) by Cassia Leo

Pieces of you (Shattered Hearts Book 2) By Cassia Leo

322 pages 
Published May 3rd 2013
To purchase this book click HERE

My review:

If you have not read the first book in this series then you HAVE to read it before you read this one. This book starts right where Relentless leaves off. Claire becomes conflicted about the adoption and Chris' need to find the baby causes Claire to go to this dark place. She starts to punish herself and doesn't feel like she deserves the love that people are trying to give her. She has many issues that she needs to confront. We also learn more about Chris and the fact that he never moved on from Claire and wants her back. Adam, who loves Claire very much, takes a job for his dad and leaves Claire with Chris. There are so many emotions in this book, plus there is a huge cliffhanger at the end!!! 

Goodreads.com description:
"Sometimes letting someone go is the ultimate act of love."

In Relentless, college student Claire Nixon and surfer Adam Parker each had a painful past too heavy to carry alone. Claire tried to push Adam away, but Adam's relentless pursuit of her heart and her secrets made her walls come crumbling down.

But now Claire's attending college a hundred miles away from Adam. With their new relationship already hanging by a thread, Adam is sent to Hawaii on business.

And Claire's first love, rock star Chris Knight, is back in her life.

Chris wants his ex-girlfriend back. Both he and Claire know that only Chris has the power to mend the final missing piece of Claire's shattered heart. But Claire's strength is tested as she is forced to confront the demons she's been running from for more than a year.

Now Claire must choose between a long-distance relationship with Adam and a second chance at true love, family, and home with Chris.

My favorite quotes:

“The quickest path to self-destruction is to push away the people you love.”

“Why? Why do you have to leave?” “Because sometimes you have to suffer without the things you want now so you can have everything you need later.”

“You’re my mess, and that makes you a beautiful mess

“You’re mine, and a piece of you will always belong to me the same way a piece of me will always belong to you.”

Bring Me Home (Shattered Hearts Book 3) By Cassia Leo

Published on August 06, 2013
To purchase this book click HERE
My review coming soon.... 


Goodreads.com description:

 “Sometimes letting someone go is the ultimate act of love.”

Claire Nixon is a college student with a past full of secrets and heartbreak. She was saved once by her first love, and rock star, Chris Knight. But when she encouraged Chris to leave town to pursue his dreams, both Claire and Chris didn’t realize it would be the biggest mistake of their lives.
After a devastating year apart and thousands of miles of distance between them, Claire met sexy surfer Adam Parker. With his awful jokes and profound patience, he helped Claire pick up the shattered pieces of her broken heart for the second time.But now Chris has returned and he is willing and determined to make Claire’s dreams come true—the same way she did for him when she let him go. With Adam’s former girlfriend in the picture, Claire finds herself torn between the new, passionate love she shares with Adam and the family she shares with Chris.

Cassia Leo is one of my favorite authors! Have you read any of her books? Did you read the Shattered Hearts Series? 

Do you have a favorite quote that you would like to share for my next book review blog?

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Book Review: Fade to Black (The Black Trilogy) By M.C. Webb

Fade to Black (The Black Trilogy #1) By M.C. Webb

350 pages 
Published November 6th 2012
To purchase this book click HERE
My rating: 5 Stars

My Description:

Fade to Black is an amazing story. It broke my heart many times, is was so riveting and moving. This is a story of 2 people and their struggles in life.

One story starts with an 11 year old girl named Piper who lived with her grandparents and her father. Her father passed away and was left to live with her grandparents. She does have a mother, but she was rarely in the picture. She drank, did drugs and had many men. Once she heard that her ex husband dies she decided it was a good time to be in her daughters life. She took her daughter and left. The moved around a lot so no one would know where they were. Her mother had a boyfriend, Daniel. He was a little slow, but he cared for her. The watched movies together all the time, they became friends. Things started to change. Daniel grew closer to Piper. He somehow, fell in love with her. Things went bad very quickly.

Piper lost her innocence at such a young age, sadly enough her mother held her down and watch it happen......made it happen.  Just when she got up the courage to escape, he treated her like a dog. Chained by a dog collar to her bed just long enough to reach the bathroom. Tired of being used as a sex slave and only 12 years old, she planed her escape. She did it! She got out! Unfortunately the damage has been done. In her mind is diseased, and thinks no one will ever love her the way she is supposed to. She is emotionally and physically scarred. Years pass and she eventually learns that she is worth loving. Tragedy strikes her over and over and over. Will she have the strength to go on?

The other story is about a boy named Ryan. Ryan is a musician and actor who hits it big. Overwhelmed from fame he turns to excessive drug use, loses his best friend to suicide and hits rock bottom. Before he hits his lowest point, he meets a girl named Livia. The instantly click, drive down to the beach to watch the sun come up and make love under the stars. Emergency strikes and they part ways, neither of them knew that they would never see each other again. Many years later their paths cross again, but under different circumstances. Who knew that their lives would lead back to each other. Now is the time that they need each other the most. 

Goodreads.com description:
A tale of unimaginable horror follows Piper Mitchell from adolescence to adulthood as she tries to escape the chains that hold her long after she is free. A chance meeting with one of Hollywood's’ biggest stars, Ryan Knox, will forever change both of their lives. Venture the unknown with beauty and the daring actor as they both are forced to endure the devastating acts of evil, yet continues fight the drowning current that threatens to pull them both under. Full of hair pin turns you will not soon forget.

 My favorite quotes:

"You're going to be all right, Piper. You just have to look beyond all this. It'll be sunny again someday for you. I promise."

"I understood we were both kindred spirits, broken in many different ways yet all were relateable."

"Matthew was such a bright light that he drowned a lot of the dark in me."

"If the music be the food of love, play on."

"In spite of having every reason not to, I dare to have the audacity to love you with all of my heart."

“I was murdered. Even though my heart continued to beat, I was very much deceased. All faded to black.”

Black as Night (The Black Trilogy #2)
 

Paperback, 412 pages

Published May 24th 2013
To purchase this book click HERE

My review coming soon

Goodreads.com description:
Sequel to "Fade to black" Black as Night by M. C. Webb Sex, Lies and Murder - all with good intentions. Book two is exciting with a touch of macabre full of sins of the worst kind yet human in nature. Piper has made a decision that she believes will save everyone, but will ultimately cost those she loves the most. Though the world has been tipped on its axis nothing is what it seems. As Ryan tries desperately to save his wife, death and betrayal show him no mercy as hard lessons of life turn the world black as night.

Have you read this series yet?

What did you think about it?

Do you have any favorite quotes?

Let me know and I will post them!