I don’t like to think of myself as broken, and maybe I’m not. Maybe I’m just…hollowed out. A shell of who I used to be, thanks to my abusive ex.It’s hard being a romance author when you no longer believe in love.Then one lonely night, I meet him: the mysterious military man whose scars go deeper than his skin. He’s gorgeous and enigmatic, and the pain in his eyes calls to my own. For a few … own. For a few blissful hours, we hold each other. He makes me feel that I’m worthy of something more than solitude and secret anguish.
When he shows up in my life months later, I know it can’t be coincidence. The connection between us tugs at my soul, and I can’t resist his allure.
I thought I no longer believed in soul mates, but this damaged man could be my happily-ever-after.
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This is an amazing addicting, highly emotional story of two damaged individuals, who are able to slowly grow together to fulfill the needs of each other, as well as their own.
Addison is a writer of BDSM/noncom/dubcon books. She is also a submissive. Because of her past issues including a demeaning marriage, she somehow thinks her life is worthless. Scott is a mystery – a vanilla mystery. We don’t know anything about him, except he is a strong man who can take control.
Somehow, when they are together, their connection is breathtaking. I love the way Addison is unselfishly willing to forego some of her needs to try to make his life better, and how Scott eventually learns when and how to become more dominant and demanding to give her the security and excitement she craves. And I love how, when they are together, they meld beautifully into a mutually satisfying whole.
This is the perfect book for any woman with a partner, who is reluctant to demonstrate sexual dominance, to read and then share with her hesitant mate. It is almost a guide for a couple tentatively beginning to experiment in the “lifestyle” but, unlike a how-to guide, this story is overflowing with love and beauty and care and protection and unbelievably exquisite eroticism. There were times I had to stop reading to luxuriate in the intense, soul satisfying gratification I experienced just reading these words.
Scott and Addison’s story does not end here, but will continue in another book. Most of the time, I find this annoying, but not here. If I am never able to read the next book, I will always be glad I read this one. It stirred my heart and invaded my soul. Thank you, Julia Sykes. With your words, you are a sorceress.
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~~ 4.5 BEAUTIFULLY BROKEN STARS!~~
Julia Sykes is one of my GO-TO authors for dark, spine-tingling romantic suspense tales with sizzling hot BDSM. So when she announced that she was writing WOUNDED HEARTS, an uber angsty love story tale about two lost, wounded souls who find sweet solace in each other’s arms, I knew it was going to be bit of a departure from her typical fare but just as exhilarating!
And how RIGHT I was!
THE STORY:
Erotic romance novelist Addison Burke, who is licking her wounds from a traumatic former marriage, enters the Nashville bar all alone at 1 a.m. looking for comfort among strangers to help her escape her mind numbing pain. And her fantasy comes true when she locks gazes with an enigmatic, pale blue-eyed mystery man named Scott whose emotional scars seems even more deeply entrenched than her own. These too lonely hearts share an intense, inexplicable connection, which leads to a passionate, soul-altering hookup that rocks both their worlds!
After their wickedly wanton encounter, Scott kisses her goodbye, disappearing to parts unknown, and she never expects never to see her ruggedly handsome lover again. But SURPRISE–ten months later fate brings them back together at a book signing in England . But Scott’s reentry into her life is shrouded in secrecy much like the man himself.
Passion ignites once again but as THRILLED as she is to have found him again, Addison is admittedly uneasy about the secrets he’s hiding. While she suspects that Scott is some sort of covert military operative, he remains emotionally aloof about his past and dodges her questions about the true nature of his line of work. However, in the bedroom they have NO problems connecting. This seemingly vanilla man gradually transforms into the strong and commanding, and DELICIOUSLY DOMINANT lover, that a sweetly submissive Addison craves, and in the process she slowly but surely comes alive again!
Scott not only makes her feels beautiful and cherished, but empowered too. And as she finds herself stripping herself emotionally bare to him , she longs to know every part of this clandestine alpha protector who keeps mysteriously disappearing from her life, yet somehow always shows up when she needs him the most. But Scott is still wrestling with many dark demons that may destroy them both in the end!
MY MUSINGS:
Julia Sykes penned a HAUNTINGLY BEAUTIFUL story about two wounded lovers who are brought together by fate but will love be enough to erase the darkness from their souls?
WOUNDED HEARTS held me enthralled from page one! And, as always, this author’s narrative is absolutely SPELLBINDING, brimming with sizzling sensuality, raw visceral emotion and stunning imagery. Speaking of the latter, in this story she truly transports you into the scenic European locales that the characters traverse, infusing the plot with a breathtaking romanticism and rich cultural ambience that took my breath away.
As for the romance, the chemistry between Scott and Addison is COMBUSTIBLE…loved their sexy, flirty banter and the kinky interludes are panty melting hot! But their magnetic attraction is so much more than physical! These two share an intense, soul-deep bond, and the tumultuous journey these two embark on together gives you the kind of gut-churning, knee buckling feels that leaves you both GIDDILY EUPHORIC and EMOTIONALLY AGHAST!
Sighhhh…I just love dark, broody men of mystery and Scott is that AND THEN SOME! This hero, who “lives in a world of secrets and solitude,” is such a tortured soul, but even though he is infuriatingly tight-lipped about his life, there is a fierce protectiveness and exquisite gentleness to him that I found utterly intoxicating!
And I especially adore how this chivalrous hero becomes the kind of commanding lover that his sweet Addison desires, and in doing so gratifies this quaking need inside of her to not only be dominated but treasured and cared for and so utterly adored. And he does it with such exquisite reverence and tender devotion that it made me SWOON !
The secrecy surrounding Scott’s life infuses the book with palpable dramatic urgency that kept me breathlessly turning the pages, anxious for answers! Only one small, personal quibble in that regard–since WOUNDED HEARTS is told solely from Addison’s POV, Scott remains an enigma throughout. And I was so fascinated by this hero that I really wanted to unravel all his secrets and glean more insight into the inner recesses of his broken and battered soul. And while I TOTALLY GET why the author took this approach, I feel that getting a few scenes from his perspective may have added even more layers to this emotionally provocative story. However, fingers crossed that we will get to be inside of his head in book 2!!
As for Addison, Ms. Sykes crafted a beautifully flawed, multi faceted heroine who also bears a lot of internal scars, and crippling emotional ailments. But she refuses to let her traumatic past—or her current struggles— define her, and despite everything she has been through, she still has an endearing sweet and trusting nature, with a dash of a reckless , saucy temptress thrown in!! I found the combo of her strength, aching vulnerability, tender-hearted nature and fiery, effervescent spirit a glorious thing to behold!
The palpable tension is sustained from start to finish and the author does a stellar job of weaving erotic romance, intrigue, heart wrenching angst and riveting drama seamlessly throughout! All of which builds up to a TORTUROUS ending that WILL leave you clamoring for more!
BOTTOM LINE:
WOUNDED HEARTS is a scorching hot, heart stirring story brimming with passion and pathos, soul-deep emotion and a thrilling aura of mystique!! Now after that excruciating cliffy, I am DYING for book two! Fortunately, the much-anticipated conclusion, MENDED HEARTS, is coming in September so we will be put out of our misery sooner than later!
Highly recommend!
This is one emotionally gripping read. I fell for Addison and Scott in the prequel, “Wounded Hero,” and tumbled even further with the continuation of their story. Ms. Sykes has a way of penning her characters in such a raw way that readers cannot help but be affected. Addison and Scott each have their fair share of past trauma and are struggling with how to deal with it. Each one has their own vices for coping. The question is will they be able to open up and share their tumultuous pasts to start to heal? If you can handle reading a dark romance with elements of bsdm, then this is one to add to your shelf. I highly recommend it.
I volunteered to read an advance copy of this book.
Wounded Hearts ended in a cliffhanger so I can’t wait to read what is coming!
Full of drama and excitement-wow
Scott and Addison~ both are damaged people, one crazy night
I did enjoy reading.
Can two lonely broken souls find healing?
Wounded Hearts is a heartbreaking story of two people who find each other, each a bit broken from their pasts. Scott and Addison’s story begin in Wounded Hero when they meet and spend a blissful one night together in Nashville. Two people who find an unexpected connection and ease the loneliness.
Ten months later, Addison Burke, erotic BDSM author, is surprised to see Scott at her author signing in York, England. She never forgot him after all those months. That one night together was memorable enough to sustain her. Addison puts up a strong facade, faking the confidence she doesn’t feel which hides her insecurities and loneliness. Though Scott knows he’s not good for Addison he can’t seem to stay away. His career is unpredictable. And Addison can’t help wanting him even though she knows there is no future with Scott. But when she’s with him all the pain goes away. Their short relationship is tenuous but intensely emotional and the chemistry sizzling.
“You left me. You’ll always leave me.”
Can two broken souls find healing together? Will Scott come back for Addison? My mind is left wondering what will happen next for these two. There is heartache and so full of emotion. Scott and Addison’s story continues in Mended Hearts. I received and voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.
Scott and Addison it was only going to be one night …that is the only thing that either one could commit to. Now these two emotionally scarred people continue to cross paths and they slowly begin to try to give a little more. It soon becomes overwhelming and Scott pulls back leaving Addison once again devastated and wanting to see him again. I am not sure if these two broken hearts can come together once again to heal one another but I am looking forward to finding out!
~~Michele McMullen ~~
We originally met Addison and Scott in the prequel Wounded Hero and their story continues in Wounded Hearts. Addison is an erotic novelist who is still healing from an emotionally abusive marriage. She and Scott had a one night stand with no expectations of anything further and is surprised to see him at one of her future book signings.
Scott is part of the Delta Force and is often required to leave at a moment’s notice and he cannot discuss where he is going or what happens on those missions. He hasn’t been able to forget his one night stand with Addison as he feels peace in her company.
This is an emotional and story as both Addison and Scott are damaged in their own way and the chemistry between them is hot. They have a deep connection but is it enough to overcome the past and the differences between them? It does end on a cliffhanger and leaves you wanting more of these wonderful characters.
WOUNDED HEARTS by Julia Sykes is the story of Addison and Scott.
There is a prequel called Wounded Hero that gives a short introduction setting this book up. You can read this without it but I think I enjoyed this one more because of it. This book does also end leaving us needing the next book to finish their story.
This was such a great, emotional romance. Two people both so wounded that only planned to have a one night encounter but couldn’t seem to stop their wanting of each other and the healing they brought to each other.
Just can’t wait for the next book…need it now!
5 WOUNDED HEARTS STARS!! Wow, Just Wow!! This story grabbed and yanked me into the story from the first word. Addison and Scott story was a fast and intense, but a page turner. The book has all the feels you could ever want. This is my first book by Julia Sykes and it will not be my last.
Let’s just say Scott isn’t going to win any awesome guy of the year awards with the way this ended.
He’s gorgeous and attentive but very aloof. He has secrets and isn’t able to share them. He is a wall…or he tries to be.
This is not the end;only the beginning. I hope that we get a glimpse of the real Scott.
Reviewed for Sweet Spot Sisterhood
I just finished reading Wounded Hearts and wanted to throw my kindle across the room. Not because the story was bad but, because it was so good and it ends in a ….. OMG I can’t believe you did this Julia Sykes moment!
Scott and Addison are both, for different reasons damaged people. Maybe that is why they found each other. It was supposed to be only one wild night. Addison is an author who writes erotic romantic books. Her pen name is Laura Krane. Scott had been in Delta Force and was now doing something top secret. He never told her what he did or that he would ever see him again. But he did turn up a couple of times. He was at her book signing that she was doing. That’s enough for now.
I felt this was an angst driven book to read. I love that when he did show up he only wanted to care for her. Scott very much was a giver but, then he could only give so much. He had commitments that he couldn’t talk about.
With an ending like the one at the end of this book Mended Hearts needs to come out like tomorrow!!!
Oh, there is no need to read Wounded Hero. Wounded Hearts starts off with the Wounded Hero story.
I loved reading this book and give it 4.5 stars. Now bring on Mended Hearts!
Addison is trying to find a reason for living after going through an abusive marriage and an even worse divorce. She is an erotic romance author caught in a depressive stage of her life and blocked from writing. In her loneliness, she seeks human interaction by going to a local bar late in the evening, in hopes to be able to interact with other adults and minimize her despair. This is where she meets Scott.
He is mysterious and yet so alluring. Addison can tell right away how introverted he is as if he were unable to share any part of himself. What little she is able to glimmer from their conversation, Addison realizes Scott must be in the military and work for a division where he is not allowed to share any information about himself or his work. What starts as a one night stand becomes more.
This is a story of two lost souls who are seemingly beyond reprieve. They somehow find a link that is seldom found by regular people. The question is will this be enough? Will they be able to overcome their pasts and make this a permanent relationship?
This is a haunting and erotic story that will leave you with a book hangover. I can hardly wait to read the conclusion coming soon!
I am voluntarily reviewing this book. Thanks to the author for sharing a copy with me.