Tuesday, February 25, 2014

**Blog Tour & Giveaway ~ When I Break ~ Kendall Ryan**


Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for Kendall Ryan's When I Break. My stop includes all the details for the book, a teaser, my review, and a giveaway.


***
When I Break

BUY LINKS


Amazon † B&N † iTunes † Kobo † Smashwords



Knox Bauer's life has unraveled to the point of no return. Fighting to fill the emptiness inside himself, he seeks solace in unfamiliar beds with unfamiliar women. As guardian to his three younger brothers, he can't seem to do a thing right. But this can't go on...they look up to him in every way and all he’s done lately is prove how
messed up he really is. Needing a change, he attends a local Sex Addicts Anonymous meeting, where he finds himself tempted by the alluring instructor, McKenna.

Twenty-one year old McKenna is trying to make amends. After losing her parents in a horrific accident, she knows if she can just be good enough, maybe she can forgive herself for what happened. With her newly acquired degree in counseling, she begins leading a sex addicts group where she meets the troubled Knox and her life takes on complications she never bargained for. She doesn't have time for a bad boy who only wants to take her to bed, even if her body disagrees. The fixer in her wants to help, but trusting Knox's true motivations might take more courage than she has.

When I Break is book 1 in a new series by bestselling author Kendall Ryan. When I Surrender, book 2, will be available May 2014.

Warning: Contains a stubborn alpha male with addiction issues and loads of sexual tension between two damaged characters. Read at your own risk.

Due to mature content, it is recommended for 17+.





When I Break is a great start to a new series. The characters are likable and I enjoyed the story, for the most part. It is well-written but the pacing seemed rushed - especially in the beginning.

McKenna is a young woman still dealing with the tragic loss of her parents. She's completed her degree in counseling and moved to Chicago, hoping the make a fresh start. McKenna is a 'fixer'...the type person who needs a project. She uses work and volunteering as a means to 'fix' other people and thereby ignore having to deal with her own issues. Meeting Knox, a hunky patient in her recovery support group, provides her with the perfect distracting new project. 

Knox is a young man who's had to grow up far too quickly. But he's done it willingly and nobly. He takes care of his three younger brothers, works - he's very responsible. To release the pressure of all that responsibility, he loses himself in women. He knows he needs to clean up his act in order to be a better role model for his brothers, but joining a support group and meeting McKenna has him off-kilter.

Both McKenna and Knox are dealing with guilt over their pasts. They each cope in very different ways. McKenna hopes that by fixing others, she'll one day make amends for her perceived part in her parents' deaths. Knox believes he ruins everything he touches, aside from his brothers where he struggles to be what they need. He, therefore, steers clear of any woman wanting more than one night.

When I Break is an engaging read. I enjoyed getting to know the characters and the interactions between McKenna and Knox, especially when Knox's brothers were involved, were entertaining. However, there were a few things that seemed a little too fantastical for realistic fiction. The main thing was that I found it hard to buy the unprofessionalism of McKenna, as a counselor, becoming involved with a patient. It may be Ms. Ryan's purpose to show McKenna's weakness where Knox is concerned to further the plot in the future installments of the series, but was hard for me to swallow. I am invested in these characters though and I look forward to seeing both McKenna and Knox grow, individually and possibly as a couple.


**3.5 Bookworms**




Kendall Ryan is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the contemporary romance novels, HARD TO LOVE, THE IMPACT OF YOU, RESISTING HER and WORKING IT.

She's a sassy, yet polite Midwestern girl with a deep love of books, and a slight addiction to lipgloss! She lives in Minneapolis with an adorable husband, two naughty puppies, and a brand new son.

She enjoys being naughty, reading, and anything girly.


Facebook † Twitter † Blog




a Rafflecopter giveaway

This blitz was organized by Shh Moms Reading

16 comments:

  1. I can understand how it would be hard to believe McKenna would cross that line--- situations like that usually bother me as well (unless it is unknown on both sides). Glad you still enjoyed. Great review!

    Teresa @ Readers Live A Thousand Lives

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's probably something that won't bother everyone, Teresa. But I had to mention it because it bothered me. Although I'm twice their age! :) I did enjoy it though. Thanks!

      Delete
  2. I think that I would like Mckenna, I am a fixer in that I want to help others and almost try to even take their prbs as my own.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Then you'll love this book, Brandi. I hope you'll read it - then we can chat. :)

      Delete
  3. Hey I'm a Virgo too! LOL

    However, I don't think I'd be willing to introduce someone I know to McKenna. I agree, that is unprofessional but stories like this has to have a touch of forbidden to make it exciting

    ReplyDelete
  4. I've always been hesitant to read books about sex addicts bc I want the treatment or whatever to be real and responsible, not sexy. I know it seems silly bc it's fiction, but that's me. I'm glad you enjoyed this, despite McKenna's questionable behavior. Great review!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It IS group therapy, really. But I agreeing with you, Andrea. I felt I had to mention it because it bothered me. Of course, like I told Teresa, I AM twice their age...so I feel like I 'know better'?!? Braine's comment is right on. It does make for excitement...

      Thanks, Andrea!

      Delete
  5. hum... another book about sex addicts? I was curious about Kendall and her writing but I don't know... The last book I read about a sex addict didn't go well with me. I might give this one a shot eventually anyway due to broken characters. Great review, glad you liked it anyway!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I really wanted to read a book by Ms. Ryan, so I jumped on this one. I think you'd like this, Lily. It's really more about the characters' brokenness than the sex addiction. Thanks!!

      Delete
  6. I have only read one Kendall Ryan book before and unfortunately it was a miss for me. I am still interested in checking out some of her other reads though. I remember the book I read being a bit too fast paced and I wasn't able to get a good grasp of the characters. I am glad you still enjoyed this despite having a few issues that irked you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I felt like the beginning of WIB moved pretty quickly, Jessica. But then it slowed down and I feel like I got to know the characters pretty well. It's one of the reasons I enjoyed it. Knox and McKenna are really likable characters. But this is my first read from Ms. Ryan. Anyway, thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  7. Fantastic review!! This looks like a read to be swept away in. I love the name Knox!!! He sounds like such a sweet guy...

    Naomi @ Nomi’s Paranormal Palace

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much, Naomi! Knox is a knockout of a guy, that's for sure! ;)

      Delete
  8. I think both McKenna and Knox look like very interesting characters. We need to chat very soon, my dear, as you keep making me add those books to my TBR ;)

    *BIG HUGS*

    Lexxie @ (un)Conventional Bookviews

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm so glad we got to chat today, Lexxie! I know you'll adore McKenna and Knox! :) You'll be happy I added this to Mt. TBR. ;)

      *big hugs*

      Delete

Now you know what I think...what are your thoughts??