Reviews: Cracks in the Armor (Clipped Wings #2.5) by Helena Hunting / Burned (Miller Sisters #2) by Sarah Morgan

Series: Clipped Wings #2.5
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Series: Clipped Wings #2.5
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Pocket Stars
Publication Date: 6/23/14
Format: ARC
Pages: 72
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4 stars

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Chris, a sexy tattoo artist, tries to win the heart of Sarah, a grad student with little interest in him, in this second e-short and follow-up to Helena Hunting’s gripping love story, Clipped Wings—“twisted, dark, incredibly erotic…a love story like no other” (USA TODAY bestselling author Alice Clayton).

Part owner of the Chicago tattoo shop Inked Armor, Chris Zelter is a talented artist who decorates skin with gorgeous designs. He might look the part of the typical jacked-up, inked-up bad-boy, but underneath is a fiercely loyal, complicated man. Kicked out at sixteen, Chris has had to fend for himself for the last twelve years, making his Inked Armor crew as much family as they are business partners. For him, it’s enough—until he meets Sarah Adamson.

A grad student waitressing at the local strip club, Sarah is used to propositions and crude comments. The job is a means to an end—finish her MBA, pay off the tuition loans, and get a good job. Then she won’t have to rely on anyone to take care of her. So when brawny, tatted up Chris begins hanging out at the club, she rebuffs his advances. At first. But Chris isn’t like her usual clientele: despite his hard exterior, he’s almost…sweet.

Sometimes, the people with the roughest edges have the biggest hearts.

 

 

My Review 

I think it's well-established that I am a huge fan of the Clipped Wings series. I love Hayden. I love Tenley. I love the writing and all the characters. I love it all. I have been so anxious to get more of Chris and Sarah, so obviously I was pumped to start Cracks in the Armor.

It was great! I liked the brief glimpses of life since the end of Inked Armor, where Tenley and Hayden are now and how they're coping. I was both impressed and slightly sad to see that those two still struggle daily to grab a better life. It smacks of realism, which I love.

But on to Chris and Sarah! Cracks in the Armor gives us a picture of where Chris and Sarah are now. Sarah has gone back to waitressing at The Dollhouse, and Chris isn't happy. He wants more, but can't assume Sarah does. He pines for her. In Sarah's point-of-view, we see she isn't happy at The Dollhouse either, but doesn't see another choice. And....she wants more from Chris too. The ending leaves us in limbo, almost feels like a mid-scene break.

A couple of my friends read Cracks in the Armor on release day and immediately told me "I really loved it, but I need more!" I assumed they meant that they loved it and more would always be appreciated, but they most certainly mean I NEED MORE. I honestly thought Cracks in the Armor would be a cap to the Clipped Wings series, but having read it, I feel ninety-five (ish) percent certain that there will be more for Chris and Sarah. Please, please publishing decision-making people and Helena Hunting, give us more Chris and Sarah!

 

Favorite Quote 

  "You said she wasn't going to be home for a while. It's not like she doesn't know you watch it, right?"

  "That's not the issue." Heavy bass blared through the surround sound as a music video flashed on the screen.

  "Then what's the problem?"

  "How would it look if she walked in to find the three of us hanging out watching chicks get banged" Don't you think that comes off as a little disrespectful?"

  "He's got a point. I mean, if I'm going to watch porn, it's either going to be by myself or with Lisa," Jamie added.

  "Thank you," Hayden said, as if Jamie being on his side made it okay they'd both had their balls cut off.

 

  The Clipped Wings Series

      

(covers lead to GoodReads page)

My Reviews

Cupcakes and Ink and Clipped Wings   |  Between the Cracks  |  Inked Armor

About Helena Hunting

 

Helena Hunting lives on the outskirts of Toronto with her incredibly tolerant family and two moderately intolerant cats. She’s putting her degree in English Lit to good use by writing contemporary erotic romance. She is the author of Clipped Wings, her debut novel, and Inked Armor.

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Series: Miller Sisters #2
Genre: Contemp Romance

Publisher: Cosmo Red Hot Reads from Harlequin
Publication Date: 6/17/14
Format: eARC
Pages: 83
Source: Publisher
Rating: 3.5 stars

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Trainer and martial artist Rosie Miller's zen is seriously compromised when Hunter Black—her former coach and lover—becomes her new boss. And with all the sexual energy still crackling between them, her poor little zen doesn't stand a chance. So this time, Rosie is determined to play by her rules….

My Review of Ripped

 

 

 

 

 

My Review

 

My first Sarah Morgan read was Ripped, the first novella in the Miller Sisters series. Ripped contained a winsome heroine, a swoony hero and so many laughs. Needless to say, I was anxious to start Burned.

 

Burned follows Rosie Miller, a trainer and martial artist. I love that Rosie was so kick-ass. The story opens with Rosie being dumped by her boyfriend for being too strong. Can you believe that? The idiot literally wants someone more fragile to help his poor wittle ego. So what's even better than getting dumped in a restaurant? The fact your first love is at the next table and hears every word. Yeah. But luckily for Rosie, Hunter Black is back and he wants her back. Rosie is still angry at hurt at the way Hunter left her, but he's not having the dismissal and sets out to win back her heart. What follows is a sweet, sexy story about two people who were not right for each other in the past, but are perfect for one another now.

 

I enjoyed Burned. Like Ripped, my favorite aspect was the humor. Any story that makes me smile as much as it makes me swoon earns a solid thumbs-up.

 

 

Favorite Quotes

  A roomful of people enjoying an evening. People who were in relationships.

  And then there was me.

  Rosie the rejected.

  I could hold water in my hands longer than I could hold a man. Not that I wanted a long relationship but hanging on to him until the end of dinner would have been confidence building.

 

 

  "I'm proud of my scissor kick. I work hard on my scissor kick."

  "For the record, the last girl I dated liked baking and book club."

  Baking and book club?

  I stared at him, wondering whether to kill him now or wait until after dessert.

  It was chocolate brownie, my favorite, so I decided to wait. I wasn't hungry, but no woman ate chocolate because she was hungry.

 

 

 

 

The Miller Sisters Series

 

 

About Sarah Morgan

USA Today bestselling author Sarah Morgan writes hot, happy contemporary romance and her trademark humour and sensuality have gained her fans across the globe. She has been nominated three years in succession for the prestigious RITA© Award from the Romance Writers of America and has won the award twice, in 2012 and 2013. She also won the RT Reviewers' Choice Award in 2012 and has made numerous appearances in their 'Top Pick' slot.

As well as writing for Harlequin Presents, her first full length novel, Sleigh Bells in the Snow will be published by HQN in October 2013 and Ripped, her first title for the Cosmo Red Hot Reads from Harlequin programme will be out in November 2013.

Sarah lives near London, and when she isn't reading or writing she loves being outdoors, preferably on vacation so she can forget the house needs tidying

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