Blog Tour: Review + Giveaway: Connected by Kim Karr

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Title: Connected (Connections #1)
Author: Kim Karr
Format acquired: eBook (.mobi)
Publisher: Penguin Publishing
Publication date: May 7th 2013
Source: Received from the author for blog tour (Thank you, Lite-Rate-Ture Book Tours and Kim!)
Buy the book: Amazon / Barnes and Noble



What if a ‘Once in a Lifetime’ could happen twice? 

Suffering from a past full of tragedy, Dahlia London's soul has been left completely shattered. Happily ever after is a far cry from reality in her world. But, when she is reconnected with her past, the bonds that form are irrefutable.

When River Wilde, lead singer of The Wilde Ones, comes back into Dahlia’s life, the intensity that fires their relationship combined with underlying feelings that have never died lead her to believe she has met her soulmate. 

Struggling with confusion as old connections fade and new ones begin, Dahlia's grief begins to lift--but guilt remains. River wants to be the one to mend all that is torn within her. 

But with a past that is never really gone, can their future survive?

(Image and summary provided by Lite-Rate-Ture Book Tours.)

Review:

When I first read the summary of Connected I immediately knew that I needed to read it. It's not just because of my creepy addiction for rock-star themed novels that drew me to it, it's the emotions that were conveyed in that summary that reached out to me. Dahlia's grief plays a big part in Connected but it's not the overwhelmingly depressing I-want-to-kill-myself kind, it's the I-just-need-some-time-to-cry,-okay kind. But it was very authentic as well, it's the type of grief that really reaches out to you and gets you all choked up as well. Kim Karr was able to really bridge a connection between her characters and her readers, and that's a sure sign of a great author.

Dahlia may seem vulnerable and fragile because of all the things that she went through but she is so much more than her emotions. She's a strong and very fun girl and I was so glad to have been able to read that side of her in the latter part of the book. She didn't let her grief define her and she let herself be  the lady that she really was. I love Dahlia's quirkiness, she was cute and her quips and banter with River were just the sweetest. I felt kind of bad for Dahlia that she still held that underlying guilt over being with River after what happened to Ben. It was very refreshing finally reading a book about a girl who didn't immediately bounce back from a former boyfriend/fiancee/husband, Dahlia really took her time regarding her relationship with River. She didn't immediately jump on that ship even though they did have that super obvious connection the first time they met. Their chemistry with each other is so evident throughout the book that you can't help but cheer them on. Their love is the type of connection that most authors strive for when writing the romance aspect of their book. Absolutely "aww"-worthy.

I have found my newest book boyfriend in this book. River Wilde (I love his last name and his band name is called "Wilde Ones" #punny) is without a doubt one of the swooniest guys I have ever read about. If he wasn't so devoted to Dahlia, I'd totally just lock keep him in my Boyfriend Closet. But enough about my creepy love for him, let's talk about River and his magnificence. (But really, I was swooning over River throughout the whole book. Not kidding.) It really really cool being able to read the latter part of the book in his point of view because you really understand how deep his love for Dahlia runs. To River, Dahlia wasn't just a quick fix because he waited about 5 years for her. He speaks of a once in a lifetime but fate has a way of throwing a curveball at your face-- in a good way. I was kind confused as to why he acted the way he did when he finally saw Dahlia again (it wasn't that he was mean or anything but you'll see.) As the story went on though, the flow of River and Dahlia's romance started to slowly veer into one sweet direction. Like I said, their chemistry is really evident and it literally crackles between them so it was a huge relief when they finally happened. *fist pumps* River was a male equivalent of a temptress; seductive, charismatic and just plain swoony. I would've been on that ASAP. But it wasn't just his charm that made me love him, it was his devotion to Dahlia. He allowed her to grieve and he was patient with her. He didn't rush her or force her to do anything he didn't think she was really for, River let Dahlia take the reins in their relationship. The two of them make such a great couple because their personalities go so well together, their interests are alike but there's so much more for them to learn about each other. Every day is a chance for them to get know each other better.

Kim Karr has created a novel that starts off great and ends perfectly. Like when I got to the ending, I was trying to flip the book to see if there were more pages and when I found out that it was the end, I wanted to die. It was that good. It's the type of ending that you seriously won't be able to guess, it was unpredictable and I was left wanting more. I loved the fact that there were a few famous rock-stars from other books that were mentioned as well. (I swoon over those guys too. *swoons*)

Connected will enthrall you right from the very start and will get you addicted to the very end. You will be amazed with what you will experience while reading this book because it is just so surprising. I knew that I'd love this book but I was astounded by how much I did. I want to give Kim Karr the biggest penguin hug for writing this book because I am obsessed. Kim Karr has written a beautiful song with a sweet and smooth melody but has such a wild and hearty beat, her characters and the plot of the story turns this beautiful song into a Grammy winning track. I can't wait to read her future works and I just want to say... I am literally dying for Torn. I need, like, yesterday. *glares at October* You need to read this book.

Rating:

.5

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About the author:

I live in Florida with my husband and four kids. I’ve always had a love for reading books and writing. In college I majored in English and wanted to teach at the college level, but that was not to be. I went on to get my MBA and became a project manager until quitting to raise my family. I currently work part-time with my husband and recently decided to embrace one of my biggest passions - writing. 

 I wear a lot of hats! Writer, book-lover, wife, soccer mom, taxi driver, and just the all around go-to person of the family. However, I always find time to read. One of my favorite family outing when my kids were little was to take them to the bookstore or the library. Today my oldest child is seventeen and no longer comes with me on these now rare and infrequent outings, but honestly I don’t need to go on them anymore because I have the greatest device ever invented, a kindle.

I believe in soulmates, kindred spirits, and Happily-Ever-Afters. I have many favorite things ranging from books – to movies – to words. I love to drink champagne and listen to music. I hope to always stay young at heart. 

Connected is my debut novel and is currently available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble , iTunes and Kobo.I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Struggling with confusion as old connections fade and new

You can find her here:

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