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review 2014-02-16 04:38
The Scars of Us by Nikki Narvaez
The Scars of Us - Nikki Narvaez

Book – The Scars of Us

Author – Nikki Narvaez

Publication Date – February 9, 2014

Type – Stand Alone

Genre –Romance, New Adult

Rating – 4 out of 5 Stars

 

Book provided by Author (for Release Blitz) in exchange for an honest review.

 

Synopsis

Kaiya Marlow has always been cautious, precise in every decision she makes. When her dark past threatens to resurface, she decides to take precautions to protect herself by enrolling in self-defense classes at her gym.

 



Her instructor, Ryker Campbell, is the tattooed womanizer everyone warns about. Kaiya attempts to resist Ryker's advances, but the more time they spend training together, the harder it is for Kaiya to resist him.

Ryker's view on relationships is simple: strictly sex, nothing more. Haunted by demons from his past, he never allows himself to become attached to any woman. No attachment means no weakness, no vulnerability, no pain. He doesn't realize that his whole world is about to be turned upside down when Kaiya enters his self-defense class. Determined to have her, at least for one night, Ryker sets a plan into motion that will change both of their lives forever.

Will love be able to heal their scars, or are they too deep to overcome?

 

Review

I see-sawed back and forth between a 3 ½ and a 4 rating – where I loved the story and how womanizer, Ryker turned into a romantic hero, it was a bit annoying in the beginning with Kaiya running away and then changing her mind.

 

 

Ryker’s character was swoon worthy and just the perfect mix to bring Kaiya out of her depression and PTSD.  The author was able to dive into the psyche of two individuals struggling with past traumatic events that left scar upon scar on them.  In the case of Kaiya it wasn’t just the emotional scars she was dealing with but physical ones as well.

 

The author has the ability to draw the reader into the character’s feelings and experience the devastation of remembering along with the joyfulness of finding peace and happiness.

 

 

Re-Cap

Kaiya is plagued with nightmares, the inability to be touched along with not being able to form solid relationships living with her brother while trying to cope with her past.  She was abused throughout her childhood not only physically and mentally but also sexually by a family member.  It all surfaced with a knife held at her throat and death being the next move if her brother hadn’t come to her rescue.

 

8 years later Kaiya decides to change gyms and take a self-defense class in which she finds comfort with the instructor, Ryker.  Ryker has his own demons to deal with and is unable to form any type of relationship other than one-night stands.  Well, that is until he meets Kaiya but she continually dodges his advances and flat out tells him that she is damaged goods.

 

 

This stirs the challenge in Ryker to get what he wants, but he is in for a surprise because he never expected to feel the stirrings of love.

 

Experience the happiness, relief and healing Ryker and Kaiya go through in their own journey of love.

 

Wrap-Up

A heart-felt read that captivates the reader into an emotional turmoil that has you cheering and gasping.

 

Will Kaiya win against her past demons?

 

Will Ryker?

 

 

 

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review 2014-02-09 13:57
The Scars of Us - Review
The Scars of Us - Nikki Narvaez

You can read my full review at Sinfully Sexy and enter to win a copy or giftcards.



3.5 Stars


description


The Scars of Us by Nikki Narvaez is a new adult novel that explores how traumatic events in our past can deeply scar us. Some scars are more profound than others. Some leave deep imbedded fears that are not easy to overlook and move past. Both Ryker and Kaiya have been wounded. They are broken and scarred. Will love be enough to save them?





Kaiya Marlow did not have things easy growing up. Her dark past has molded her into a young woman who trusts no one, keeps her distance and essentially leads an emotionally closed off life. For Kaiya this is the only coping mechanism she is familiar with. This is how she survives day to day life. Her carefully erected walls are what keeps her safe and sane. As Kaiya is slowly trying to move forward and overcome her traumatic past, the demons that haunt her threaten to strike once again. Kaiya decides to enroll in a self-defense class as the desire to learn how to protect herself becomes urgent. Kaiya had no way of knowing that her instructor would be someone that throws her off balance in more ways than one. She could not fathom that she would finally meet someone that would make her wants to break her own rules.





Ryker Campbell has a past that has also closed him off from deeply connecting with someone. He no longer does relationships and is happy being that guy who hooks up with a woman and then walks away. He is who he is and makes no apologies for it. Trust does not come easy for Ryker and he is not willing to ever open himself up again. By keeping things simple and only focused on sex with members of the opposite sex, there is no chance that he can get hurt again. When he meets Kaiya at the gym he works at, for the first time in a very long while Ryker finds himself wanting more than one hot night.

As Ryker and Kaiya begin to see each other in and out of the self-defense classroom and gym, the more the pair have a hard time ignoring the sizzling attraction they seem to have for one another. Ryker’s advances soon wear Kaiya down and they begin a tentative relationship slowly working their way into a delicate trust. As both Kaiya and Ryker get more immersed with one another, their walls start to dissolve leaving them both vulnerable and open. When Kaiya’s past come barreling forward pushing its way into her present life, can either Ryker or Kaiya unchain themselves from old scars long enough to stand strong. Or, will the fragile relationship that they have built be engulfed in the fire and become nothing but embers?

All in all, The Scars of Us was an enjoyable book. Despite the fact that the “wow” factor was missing for me, I still remained engrossed in the book and wanted to see Kaiya and Ryker get their happy forever. This is a book about how two individuals face their fears, something that is not easy to do as it leaves you exposed and vulnerable. As much as I loved how Ryker was so committed to helping Kaiya overcome her demons while also facing his own, that deep emotional connection that I was hoping to feel for both characters was somehow lacking on my part. While this book is good, there was nothing that truly made it stand apart from other NA novels that I have read. Do I recommend this book? Yes, I think many who read this one will enjoy it. I did. Just because that powerful punch was missing for me does not mean that it won’t be a book that deeply touches you.






***An advanced reading copy of The Scars of Us by Nikki Narvaez was generously provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
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text 2014-01-08 01:51
Cover Reveal for The Scars of Us by Nikki Narvaez
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SynopsisKaiya Marlow has always been cautious, precise in every decision she makes. When her dark past threatens to resurface, she decides to take precautions to protect herself by enrolling in self-defense classes at her gym.
Her instructor, Ryker Campbell, is the tattooed womanizer everyone warns about. Kaiya deliberately avoids Ryker outside of their classes together, but the more time they spend training together, the harder it is for Kaiya to resist him.
Ryker’s view on relationships is simple: strictly sex, nothing more. Haunted by demons from his past, he never allows himself to become attached to any woman. No attachment means no weakness, no vulnerability, no pain. He doesn’t realize that his whole world is about to be turned upside down when the stunning Kaiya enters his self-defense class. Determined to have her, at least for one night, Ryker sets a plan into motion that will change both of their lives forever.
Will love be able to heal their scars, or will they be too deep to overcome?
 
Excerpt
My arms wrapped around her waist, lifting her to where her toes barely touched the ground. My hands began to roam lower, and I knew if we didn’t stop, I was going to end up taking her right there on the mat like our first time. The problem was that there were still people in the gym, unlike before when we were the only two there.
Breaking away, I set my forehead against hers as I said, “If we don’t stop, I’m going to take you right here, right now.”
Reconnecting our lips, she whimpered with desire, “I need you.”
Fuck me. There was no way that I could say no to that. Picking her up, her legs wrapped around my waist as our mouths collided. I walked towards the door before fumbling with the handle and locking it, then headed to the closet.
Kicking the door closed, I maneuvered around most of the boxes and equipment inside before positioning us against one of the bags that lined the walls. No one should find us, unless one of the other employees happened to come in for some reason, but I really didn’t give a fuck at the moment—I had to have her.
As I moved her shorts and panties to the side, she grabbed my cock and pulled it out, eager for me to enter her. Guiding me to her, her hands placed my head at her opening, which was already wet with her arousal for me.
Slowly, I pushed myself inside her, gradually filling her until her pussy surrounded my length. We groaned in unison as I began to roughly pound her against the bag, grasping her hips for deeper penetration.
My mouth found Kaiya’s neck as she continuously moaned, her cries of pleasure becoming louder and louder with each of my thrusts. Savoring her skin, I began to push her shirt up, needing to feel her flesh against mine. Kaiya maneuvered to help me remove her top before taking off her sports bra, letting it fall to floor.
My shirt was added to the pile as Kaiya eagerly pulled it off. Her hands roamed over my shoulders and arms as my mouth claimed her breast, my tongue ring flicking over her hardened nipple. She arched against me as I moved to her other tit, sucking it deep into my mouth.
Wrapping her legs tighter around me, she forced my dick deeper inside her sex. Growling my approval, I thrust harder as her nails dug into my biceps and her head tipped back against the bag.
“Ryker?” a voice called out from outside the door. Shit.
MeetTheAuthor
1452073_684007307547_1988925780_n
My name is Nikki Narvaez. I was born and raised in San Antonio, TX, where I currently live with my husband, our two dogs, Bella and Oreo, and our cat, Cupcake. I have been teaching for four years, but I hope to become a full-time writer and stay at home mom one day. I am 27 years old, and have three older sisters who have blessed me with four nephews and one niece. In my free time, I love to write and play Texas Hold ‘Em poker.
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Source: angelswithattitudebookreviews-joelle.blogspot.com/2014/01/cover-reveal-for-scars-of-us-by-nikki.html
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review 2013-10-30 21:18
Review - Emblazed by Nikki Narvaez
Emblazed - Nikki Narvaez

*I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review*

 

Envisioned & Emblazed are books 1 & 2 in The Elemental Prophecy series. Neither are standalone novels, so be sure to read Envisioned first or risk being hopelessly lost. I am combining the review for these books since Emblazed picks us exactly where Envisioned ends, making it one story. Both books end in epic cliffhangers, so all I can do is hope Ms. Narvaez is diligently working on book 3.

Brielle is in for the shock of her life when on her eighteenth birthday she meets the man of her dreams (literally) and suddenly develops magical powers. She learns that not only is she an Elemental, able to wield the elements, but she is the one prophesized to save the world. Brielle accepts this quite well, though I think the fact that Jace comes with the deal makes it easier. The girl is crazy powerful, maybe a tad too powerful.

Romantic interest Jace is one of those would-be alpha males (a UFC fighter...yum) that is so soft hearted he treats Brielle like a pampered princess. It must drive him crazy that not only is she more powerful than he is, but she's the center of a very dangerous prophecy. Poor guy tries to protect her, but she doesn't really need any protection. I liked Jace (though the constant lovey-dovey stuff between the two threatened to make me ill after a while).

These books contain non-stop action making them fast-paced reads. The fight scenes and the elemental training scenes were well written and interesting. I also really enjoyed the Greek mythology sprinkled throughout the story. All the characters have major potty mouths which sometimes make the dialogue seem like the script to an R rated movie. Jace and Brielle can't seem to keep their hands off each other which leads to many graphic sexual situations.

Envisioned & Emblazed are New Adult novels and suitable for ages 18+. They contain coarse language, multiple sexual situations, and graphic violence. If you like mythology mixed with modern day paranormal romance, consider adding these books to your to-read list.

Source: onceuponayabook.blogspot.com/2013/10/blog-tour-elemental-prophecy-series-by.html
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review 2013-10-30 21:17
Review - Envisioned by Nikki Narvaez
Envisioned (The Elemental Prophecy #1) - Nikki Narvaez

*I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review*

 

Envisioned & Emblazed are books 1 & 2 in The Elemental Prophecy series. Neither are standalone novels, so be sure to read Envisioned first or risk being hopelessly lost. I am combining the review for these books since Emblazed picks us exactly where Envisioned ends, making it one story. Both books end in epic cliffhangers, so all I can do is hope Ms. Narvaez is diligently working on book 3.

Brielle is in for the shock of her life when on her eighteenth birthday she meets the man of her dreams (literally) and suddenly develops magical powers. She learns that not only is she an Elemental, able to wield the elements, but she is the one prophesized to save the world. Brielle accepts this quite well, though I think the fact that Jace comes with the deal makes it easier. The girl is crazy powerful, maybe a tad too powerful.

Romantic interest Jace is one of those would-be alpha males (a UFC fighter...yum) that is so soft hearted he treats Brielle like a pampered princess. It must drive him crazy that not only is she more powerful than he is, but she's the center of a very dangerous prophecy. Poor guy tries to protect her, but she doesn't really need any protection. I liked Jace (though the constant lovey-dovey stuff between the two threatened to make me ill after a while).

These books contain non-stop action making them fast-paced reads. The fight scenes and the elemental training scenes were well written and interesting. I also really enjoyed the Greek mythology sprinkled throughout the story. All the characters have major potty mouths which sometimes make the dialogue seem like the script to an R rated movie. Jace and Brielle can't seem to keep their hands off each other which leads to many graphic sexual situations.

Envisioned & Emblazed are New Adult novels and suitable for ages 18+. They contain coarse language, multiple sexual situations, and graphic violence. If you like mythology mixed with modern day paranormal romance, consider adding these books to your to-read list.

Source: onceuponayabook.blogspot.com/2013/10/blog-tour-elemental-prophecy-series-by.html
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