Karen-Anne Stewart

My thoughts:
Wow! I truly enjoyed this book!
I was expecting "that" story, you know the one...broken man meets wonderful, innocent woman - turns romantic and she "saves" him. You know - that story.

What I got was so much more than that.
This story is "that"story, but it is also about courage (a lot about courage and bravery), choices, pride, self respect, belief, hope, friendship, family, faults, forgiveness, finding out who you are, accepting others for who they are, love and the power of love - so much about love.

All of the characters are fantastic. Created with a realistic eye for details and a human eye for flaws, the author has filled the book with a host of people that any reader might know or perhaps be. The main characters are rich in personality; they are damaged by their pasts, driven by their desires, hoping for a future and bonded by their fierce desire to survive. The secondary characters, although less detailed in the story, are still well built and draw an emotional reaction from the reader. I found myself laughing, crying, worrying, hoping, angry, on the edge of my seat more than once - - but throughout the book, feeling.

The world that these amazingly strong men and women live in is rife with challenges, some destined to make or break them. They are haunted and shaped by the past, daring to hope for the future.

I loved this story; the characters especially, but it is not for everyone.
It is violent and scary, brutal and raw. It is sexual and sensual, filled with emotions that run the reader ragged. It is not all realistic and reasonable. At times some of the ideas are larger than life. It has moments where we glimpse the honesty of the human creature - not all are impressive, but not all are ugly. My favorite parts of the book won't be anyone else's favorite parts. That of course is the best part of a well written book.… (més)

Emma has lived a sheltered life as a preacher's daughter. She leaves to try to make it on her own in Boston as an artist. Emma's best friend works at a club. Emma's first night out at the club brings her face to face with Breck. Breck goes through women like it is part of his daily routine of putting on a clean pair of underwear. Right away Breck is saying all kinds of inappriorate things to Emma that has her blushing.

I like the bad boy image in books. I myself do not have one. I have a really great guy. However the bad boy attracts attention and is never boring. Which Breck is not. I have to say however that I was turned off by his mighter than thou attitude. If someone had said the things he did to me I would have wanted to smack him in the face and never would have given him the time of day again. Thus for a good portion of the book no matter how high the sexual chemistry was, I could not get on board Breck's side. Luckily Breck's story involved more than just women and sex. He showed that he did have a heart and really cared for Emma.

Another thing that got old was all of the angst and turmoil that the characters were going through. Now I know that this does keep things interesting in the story and helps make the characters come alive but only to a certain point is this good. A good counterpoint to this is the other cast of characters in this book. They helped bring the party.… (més)

★★★★★ Saving Rain by Karen-Anne Stewart (Rain Trilogy book 1)

I was given this Saving Rain as a R2R, in exchange for my honest opinion. This is going to be tough because I don’t know that I can truly express it in words.

Every once in a while a book truly effects you. Whether, good or bad, it has lasting impressions that you will not easily shake. I still have an extremely strong love/HATE, with this book.

Right from the start, I was imprisoned in my own personal hell, along with Rain. Every emotion flooded my senses. I was hurt, mad, ashamed, anxious, happy, doubtful, hopeful, nervous, untrusting, resentful, sympathetic, all at once. It has been an emotional roller coaster that I am utterly trapped on. If only I could get the damn seat belt, lap bar, and shoulder harness off, I might escape it.

This book is the story of the “Survivor” Rain. She has fond childhood memories, until one fateful day. That is when all hell broke loose and began raining down on her. Since that day she has lived in a constant fear, she can’t hide from.

Rain, like all survivors, lives her life day to day, and they seem to get better. I love the way she has learned to cope with her problems, it shows real courage to persevere in the face of evil. She still holds an innocence, that can’t be broken and can find humor in things. But then it comes back to slap you in the face. Proving you can never escape the ghosts that haunt you.

Kas works for the FBI. He is the lead, in a task force against human trafficking. He has everything meticulously planned out because lives are in danger, if they fail. He is used to playing the role of, “Knight in shining armor,” and he does it well. So he is absolutely beside himself, when it comes to Rain. Years of being a top profiler, when it comes to emotions and human behavior, send up all kinds of red flags. He knows she is hiding a brutal past, but can either of them truly live with the memories.

At one point, I literally threw the iPad screaming, “Don’t you dare do it, Miss Karen-Anne. Don’t you dare steal one more thing from Rain, hasn’t she been through enough.” I was so infuriated that, I had to walk away from it. But curiosity brought me back, and I had to know, if there was any hope left.

I assumed there was going to be a cliff hanger, as this is the first book in a trilogy. But never did I expect one like that. Are you f&*$ing kidding me! The absolute despair will haunt me until I get my hands on book 2.

This was like a horrific train wreck, that no matter how hard I tried, the memories came flooding back, and I could not peel my eyes from. I would highly recommend Saving Rain, but know this was an intense read, that is not for the faint of heart.

Thank you to the author for reminding me there is still hope in the world.
… (més)

★★★★★Healing Rain by Karen-Anne Stewart (Rain Trilogy Book 2)

I was given this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

After reading Saving Rain, there was NO WAY I was missing book 2.

I don't even know where to begin with this one.

She was like...

Then he was like...

Then I was like...

Then...

But then...

And...

And my final thoughts...

Please...


Thanks to the author for the whiplash my emotions are giving me. I can't hardly contain myself waiting on book 3.


If I had to put it to words...

She was swooning all over the place.
Then he was panting at the sight of her.
Then I was fanning myself.
Only to start bawling my eyes out.
Oh no she did not just go there.
As I got to the end, my mouth was just hanging open
And my final thoughts, NO, NO, NO!
Please make it stop.
It's so unfair.

… (més)