Bend don’t Break
Irrevocable, #2
Skye Callahan
Available November 18, 2014
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.
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When I picked up Irrevocable I was glued to it from beginning to end. It was dark, sexual, and at times hard to stomach some of the things going on. However, it was also a phenomenal read. It stuck with me. So, when I picked up Bend Don’t Break, I was excited to get some events from the guy’s POV yet I was also leery at first because I hate reading the whole story over again but from the other person’s POV. So, I was pleasantly surprised and excited after reading Skye’s foreword about her approach to this book. There is so much insight into James’ mindset during the events of Irrevocable but also so much of what is glossed over that we get to see in this one.
James and Rose have this phenomenal connection and understanding of each other that many couples only attain after years of being together. Don’t get me wrong, there’s plenty that still have to work through and learn about each other but after what they went through together they have an intimacy and synchronicity with each other that is so moving to read about. They’re both dealing with a lot of internal struggles and healing so that they can work towards being together. I admire their strength and perseverance to find themselves and hold onto what is most important. I loved both of these characters so much.
As I said before, I was skeptical about a whole book from James’ POV but since it actually starts later and is more about James dealing with the aftermath with some flashbacks it was very easy to get wrapped up in the story. It is easily a whole other story since Irrevocable has about a 4 month gap at the end that I got to read about. The story line flowed really well and I found it easy to get sucked into James and Rose’s world. This dark romance is one that I highly recommend but you have to read Irrevocable first. It is definitely a dark romance with a sex slave organization as the setting. Don’t let it scare you away though. If you like dark romances, this is definitely worth reading. 5 out of 5 palm trees!
“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.
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.
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.
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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.
Irrevocable
Irrevocable, #1
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.
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What Reviewers Are Saying About Irrevocable
“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
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?
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Fractured Legacy
If Kaylyn stands any chance of defeating the spirit, she’ll have to accept that her fears are real and convince fellow investigators that she hasn’t lost her mind.
Beyond the Divide
After investing everything they have in a farm, an unsuspecting family discovers that their problems run much deeper than the poor upkeep of the house and land. Can Kaylyn and the other investigators uncover what’s behind the growing malicious activity? And how will they all deal with new warnings from beyond the divide?
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Thanks so much for reviewing and participating in the tour! I’m thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the approach to his POV.