{Review} Inked Armour (Clipped Wings #2) by Helena Hunting

Posted by Donna
Release Date: May 8th, 2014

Finished Date: May 8th, 2014
Publishers: Orion
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary, Romance 

Source: For Review
Format: Paperback
Pages: 272

Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US / The Book Depo

In this follow-up to Clipped Wings, the emotional love story continues between Hayden and Tenley; two young people who desperately want to love and be loved but are afraid to completely let go of their pasts.

In the wake of losing Tenley Page, tattooist Hayden Stryker's tumultuous past is haunting him. Plagued by nightmares about the murder of his parents, Hayden reaches out again to Tenley. Having run from the man she doesn't believe she deserves, Tenley finally lays her guilt to rest. Despite their intense physical attraction, Hayden and Tenley struggle to repair their fragile emotional connection. As Hayden gets closer to the truth, he must find a way to reconcile his guilt over his parents' death in order to keep the woman who finally cracked his armor, and found her way into his heart.

The Review: Inked Armour is the follow up to Helena Hunting’s debt novel Clipped Wings where we witnessed the love and struggles between Tenley and Hayden. This time around we see the aftermath of Tenley leaving and how both characters try and repair their love for one another that literally consumes their every waking day, but also try and overcome their terrible pasts. Can their love survive or will they be forced to live in the past? 

I absolutely loved Clipped Wings so as soon as Inked Armour became available I knew I needed it straight away, and boy was I in for an emotional ride. I was guessing the insensitivity and the emotions would be churning during this sequel, but I just didn’t know how much and I was surprised by how many times I was brought to tears. I’m not one to cry during a novel, I well up but, this did me over! Tenley and Hayden’s pasts darken their future so much and their issues are so delicate and fragile, that just one little thing can bring it all down on top of their heads – and this was the case a number of times. Even though Tenley and Hayden’s love shone throughout this story, their relationship isn’t easy – it’s a constant battle and I was rooting for them to get the happy ending they both deserved, because they both deserved to be happy. Their story is quite simply heart-breaking at times.

I did really enjoy Inked Armour though, even though I’ve made it sound like an emotional mess, it was just great to be back with these characters no matter the struggles. I love both of them and I adore the dual narrative. I think that’s why their story is so powerful because you get the impact of both characters issues and their feelings. I don’t believe it would have been the same if it was told from just one characters point of view. 

In all, Inked Armour was an absolute pleasure to read and I will definitely be keeping an eye out for more work from Helena Hunting! 

Favourite Quote: "Sometimes I feel guilty for having you," I whispered. 
"I get that. And I wish I could make that feeling go away for you. You know your family wouldn't want you to be alone, right? They'd want you to have people in your life to love you and take care of you. I don't know that they would have chosen me to be that person, but I want to be if you'll let me."

Thank you to Orion publishing for giving me the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an honest review. 

A Review for Clipped Wings (Clipped Wings #1) by Helena Hunting

Posted by Donna
Release Date: March 13th, 2014
Finished Date: March 19th, 2014

Publishers: Orion Books
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Source: For Review

Format: Paperback
Pages: 391

Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US / The Book Depo

The passionate and addictive love story of two young people haunted by their dark pasts. 

Hayden Stryker is a devastatingly handsome tattoo artist. Covered in ink and steel, his artwork acts as armour while he attempts to move on from a world-shattering loss.

Twenty-one-year-old Tenley Page is new to town and battling demons of her own. The chemistry between the two is instant and unlike anything they've ever experienced before.

When Hayden agrees to apply his art to Tenley's skin, the pair embark on an emotional and intense relationship that neither could have anticipated. But as Tenley's past threatens to destroy their fragile romance, Hayden must find a balance between his desire to protect her and his need to claim her as his.

For fans of J. A. Redmerski, Jamie McGuire and Fifty Shades.

The Review: Passionate, raw and completely gut wrenching, Clipped Wings tells a tale of two broken people coming together in an emotional and intense way.

Hayden Stryker, co-owner of Ink Armour tattoo parlour has had his life back on track  since his addiction to drugs and sex, thanks to good friends around him. Even though he has all that, he still can’t shake the feelings of being lonely. It’s not until the new girl in town starts working in his aunts bookstore does he finally find someone that grabs his attention, and he just has to get to know her.

Tenley Page is hiding a lot of scars. She lost all her family in a horrific accident that she can’t help but blame herself for. She’s made herself believe she doesn’t deserve anyone and that she deserves what she’s been dealt. But when Hayden Stryker does his best to get to know her, she finally sees a way that she can heal. She wants Hayden to tattoo her – one where she will relish in the pain. But with big tattoo like the one Tenley wants, it comes with emotional baggage she’s may not be prepared for, but it also brings her and Hayden together. Can Tenley overcome all her fears and open up to Hayden, or will she allow her past to destroy her future?

I’ve noticed lately that a lot of fan fiction stories are being published, and of course, I want to see what all the hype is about. I’m becoming to realize that some of the best stories have originally come from fan fiction, and Clipped Wings definitely fits into that category.

Told in dual points of view, we see the impact of the two characters that have lost so much in their lives, trying to move on. But Tenley and Hayden’s story isn’t as easy to fix as it would seem.  It’s beautiful the way these two come together, but while Hayden – from my opinion – is happy to try to overcome his issues, Tenley doesn’t find it that easy. She struggles and can only find real comfort while in Hayden’s presence. You would think she recognizes how Hayden makes her feels better, but she’s still hell bent on punishing herself. She does progress throughout the story, but unfortunately there isn’t a happy ending for Tenley just yet.  I loved both of the main characters, even with their issues, it’s impossible not to. The connection they have is beautiful and heart-breaking, and I loved how slowly everything developed between them. It added to the suspense and insensitivity of the story, so when it finally did happen, I was completely invested in these two together.

In all, Helena Hunting has written a great story. It’s one that’s captured my heart and I can’t stop thinking about what’s to come next. Luckily we don’t have to wait too long, as the sequel; Inked Armour is due to be released at the start of May, and I’m already counting down the days.

Favourite Quotes: "Everyone has scars, Tenley. If we're lucky they're only on the outside."

Thank you to Orion Books for the opportunity to review this book, in exchange for an honest review.