Bend don’t Break
Skye Callahan
Genre: Dark Erotic Romance
Available November 18, 2014
Synopsis
I thought I was done.
my End
I couldn’t take my eyes off her as the bullet tore through me, leaving me with nothing but the hope that I had done enough to save her. The darkness tried to engulf me—to brand me as its own and drag me to my fate.
my Darkness
Waking to see her tear-stained face above me was enough to make my heart stutter. I was alive and free from that place—but not from the toll it had taken on my mind and body.
my Strength
My story should have ended, but one woman kept standing in the way of that. The only way I could have her was to find a way to put the darkness to rest.
Purchase Links
Amazon US | Amazon UK | B&N | Kobo | iTunes | Amazon AU | Amazon CA
Review
In Irrevocable, readers were thrust into the dark world of the Retreat and witnessed Silver’s (Rose) forced submission to her Master, Kirk (James). For survival, for perseverance, in order not to break, Silver submitted to Kirk’s will as he vowed to protect her. But his protection came at a price to both of them, and now, as readers get inside James’ head in Bend, Don’t Break, we realize that his suffering was just as intense; in fact, in a way, he perhaps was closer to breaking than Rose ever was.
Skye Callahan takes readers back to those major incidences in the Retreat that irrevocably changed Rose because she was victimized but also altered James in such a severe way that as he tries to process everything, weeks removed from that hellish place, his reality is fogged over with the actions and decisions he made while a part of that devilish world. It’s an intense alternative point of view because now readers are in the captor’s head, but it’s deeper than that because we know that James doesn’t have a choice; he’s in too deep and he’s too close to taking everyone down to play his hand too soon, so he does what he has to do – he holds steadfast to his Kirk persona, but as he tells the events in his therapy sessions, we witness the torment and we watch his resolve weaken with every heinous act he commits against Rose. In his position as Master, James’ control is essential to maintaining his cover, but as his time with Rose goes on and his connection to her becomes much more than just a girl he’s trying to save, his true nature comes through, which actually might be what ended up saving them both.
But Bend, Don’t Break is not simply a retelling of James and Rose’s time at the Retreat; it’s a firsthand look into the aftermath of that situation and how it nearly destroys two people’s lives because the trauma is hard to overcome, especially when so many people are telling James that he needs to stay away from Rose. Skye Callahan gives readers the part of James and Rose’s story between leaving captivity and reuniting at Rose’s sister’s wedding, and it’s just as intense and emotional because there are still loose ends to tie up; James and Rose are still not safe and the only way for them to move forward is to take back their lives and find a way for the past not to dictate their future, which is easier said than done when both the mental and physical scars are still fresh.
James’ point of view adds a necessary facet to his and Rose’s story. It allows readers to understand the position he was put in and why his choices weren’t really his own. It exemplifies his torment both during and after his experience in the Retreat, and it solidifies the depths of his feelings for Rose and how even though many may not understand their relationship, they are better together, working as a team than suffering alone.
A complimentary copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.
4 poison apples
Excerpt #1
“She’s fine,” Dr. Combs assured me. “But I don’t think it would be in the best interest for either of you to see each other. You put yourself in a dangerous situation with her.”
Put myself? Last I checked I wasn’t the one to drag her into the Retreat. “I kept her alive and slightly less broken than she would have otherwise been.”
“The two of you adapted to a horrible situation, found comfort in each other—”
I didn’t want to hear it.
Stockholm Syndrome.
I wondered if the captor could get it, too. Was I even the captor? It seemed like I’d lost control of the situation long ago.
But I’d still been the one to beat her, rape her, bend her will.
Just like she’d bent mine.
I wanted her back so bad I couldn’t breathe. The more we talked about it, the worse it got. The harsh reality of it all forced me to face the possibility that I had to walk away if I wanted to do what was in her best interest.
“How long until I can talk to Trent?” I tried again, drawing back a modicum of control by changing the course of the conversation.
Dr. Combs sighed and snapped her portfolio closed. “If it’ll get you to talk, I’ll make the arrangements on one condition.”
I’d already sold my soul, there weren’t many more concessions I had left to give.
“I need to know you’re not going to try to reach out to Rose—or anyone else.”
Did that mean there was a chance she’d see me? Or was Dr. Combs convinced I’d stalk and abduct her anyway? That was quite a laughable possibility, but some sick-as-fuck part of me considered it.
Book Trailer
Excerpt #2
She came around the corner on hands and knees, and I saw her face visibly pale as soon as she saw the chain in my hands, but she approached anyway. Stubborn, belligerent, and brave.
Three traits that’d get her killed.
I dropped the chain to the floor next to the bed. “Come up here.”
She paused, but finally climbed onto the bed and straddled my lap as I directed, and damned if I didn’t feel like I was losing it. The bruises from her encounter with Gabe’s buffoons were starting to set in, but she pulled back and shut herself off as I examined her.
Such a degrading way to make sure nothing was broken, but if she didn’t believe my act, no one else would either. I realized the plug in her ass was probably growing even more uncomfortable with time, especially if she hadn’t experimented with them before.
Not that I could ask since I wasn’t supposed to care.
“Hate me all you want, Sugar,” I said, hoping to get her to walk a fine line between trust and fear where she might listen. “I’m the only ally you have.”
“Ally…?” she whispered, “You’re going to hurt me.” Her eyes filled again, but she blinked it away and held back just like she had in the basement, and I couldn’t face her any longer.
“I am,” I lifted her off of me, flipping her over. “Ass up.”
Even though she kept up her protective walls, I saw her body visibly relax when I pulled the plug free and sat it on the side table. It was going to be hard enough for her to kneel through dinner. I hoped the threat of it might make her more compliant.
The mix of vulnerability countered with her impossible stubbornness had an aphrodisiac effect on me. I had been convinced this was the only way we’d survive, but for the first time, I truly considered the effect it was going to have on both of us.
Playlist
Ten Fun Facts
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I love cars, and I write most of my books while watching Top Gear. I’d prefer the sound of an Aston Martin over any music sound track.
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I once based a character in a story on my husband, and the character died. He never lets me live it down, but don’t bother trying to figure it out, I never released that book.
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I’m not terribly good at being girly–I don’t wear makeup, only own 4 pairs of shoes, and I’ve never had a manicure.
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I learned to handle a gun before I learned long division.
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While most of the people in my graduate research classes were buried in books, I was glued to the TV researching the evolving portrayal of “Indianness”.
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I have a phobia of crickets.
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Yuengling is my weakness.
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I have penguin stuff everywhere–even a penguin snuggie because I couldn’t resist.
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I enjoy long walks in the cemetery.
- Nearly everyone in my family has seen a ghost in the hallway in the house I grew up in, and I was told by a Bigfoot expert that the sounds I used to hear outside my bedroom at night were likely the cries of Bigfoot.
Synopsis
Sometimes when you can’t go back, the only way out is to descend into the darkness.
my Captor
When I woke in that place, I just wanted to survive. But survival came at a cost, for which they demanded my will and body.
my Master
With pain came acceptance. Fully-dependent on the man who claimed me, I learned to appreciate what I had-life and relative safety.
my Protector
I watched him spill blood and tend my injuries. With betrayal came a revelation.
The only way out was to bring them all down or die trying.
Purchase Links
Reviews
“Not only did Irrevocable gut me, it took me on a roller coaster ride full of emotions that I usually don’t experience while reading romances…. You start to hate, you start to sympathize, and you begin to fall in love in every way. Ms. Callahan has turned my world upside down with her writing. Dark, sensual, and at times overwhelming, Irrevocable will bring you on a dark journey that you will never forget.” Shayna Renee’s Spicy Reads TOP PICK of 2014!
“You HAVE to read this book. It really is one of the best that I have read in a while, and definitely one of the best of 2014. It has everything I look for in a dark read. The twist that the author throws in is, just wow. I just cannot emphasis just how much I love this book!” Alicia, Mean Girls Luv Books
“Finally a good DARK read, that has it ALL…!! Overall – the characters drew me in, the situation jangled my nerves, the sexy scenes were HOT, and the story just blew me away.” Shelby, Wicked Reads
“Beautifully written! Great characters and story line. Skye made me a fan of dark reads. A must read for all who dare to step out of the light and into the darkness!” Summer’s Book Blog
About the Author
Skye Callahan was born and raised in rural Ohio and has had an insatiable love of reading and writing since she was young. Thanks to the encouragement of teachers, family, and friends, she has found her passion in immersing herself in the imaginary worlds of the characters who live in her head.
Most of her early stories were paranormal, and although the paranormal world still has a special place in her imagination, her interest in BDSM and dark romance has led her to expand her writing endeavors.
Before she began writing full-time, she earned a M.A. in Public History and worked for a non-profit business consulting center. When she’s not indulging the voices in her head, she’s enjoying life with her husband and two ferrets.
Contact Skye Callahan
Other Works from Skye Callahan
Bound and Unbroken
Genre: BDSM Romance
Lena is about to discover pleasure in the things she can’t control.
To get even with her roommate for dragging her to a sports bar on a Friday night, Lena begins flirting with the handsome stranger who sits at the bar next to her. Their anonymous conversation leads to a shared cab ride, but Lena’s conscience puts a damper on the evening—leaving the near-fling to become a memory. Until she finds him roaming the halls of the school where she teaches.
Will she submit to his desires?
Eric’s only reason for returning to his hometown is to care for his recently orphaned nephew. He knew the return would involve dredging up his past with family and friends, but he didn’t expect a lone girl to capture his interest and offer an escape within his new life.
Will his binds be enough to keep her?
Purchase Links
Fractured Legacy
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Beyond the Divide
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