Clipped Wings

By: Helena Hunting

Narrated by: Jason Carpenter, Elizabeth Louise

Length: 12 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's Summary

Their body art is hot. Their chemistry is even hotter.

From her dark hair sweeping below her waist to her soft, sexy curves, Tenley Page intrigues tattoo artist Hayden Stryker in a way no one else ever has…especially when she asks him to ink a gorgeous, intricate design on her back. Yet for all her beauty, there is something darkly tragic and damaged about Tenley that, for Hayden, is everything.

Covered in ink and steel, Hayden is everything Tenley has never dared to want, awakening a desire to explore more than the art adorning his stunning body. Trapped by a past that leaves her screaming from nightmares, Tenley sees Hayden as the perfect escape. Although he has secrets too, if they both keep themselves guarded perhaps their intense physical connection will remain only that.

But nothing, not even passion, can keep them safe from their pasts….

©2014 Helena Hunting (P)2014 Simon & Schuster Audio

Dark, Complex, Primal, Deep Tattooed Love Story!

Let me just start off by saying that I’m a sucker for story with a classic yet beautiful plot about two broken people who help heal each other. The only requirement I have with these types of stories is it must have something unique that sets itself apart from the others. I can't stand a book that has no depth. I don't want to waste my time on a forgettable book! Clipped Wings without a doubt is NOT forgettable! There was just something about it that worked for me and it definitely stands out. These characters, Hayden and Tenley, don't have just your typical clichéd tragic romance that you tend to see in a lot of books. No, they were much deeper and heartbreaking. Helena Hunting created an emotionally charged love story that even with all the heartache had blissful moments of pure deliciousness. It's told from both Hayden & Tenley's perspectives in alternating chapters, it allows the listener to feel the emotions while following the thoughts of both characters. At 25yrs old, Hayden Stryker has already lived a full life. Once addicted to drugs, alcohol and sex, he's now got his life straightened out, working his own tattoo business Inked Armor. For weeks he's been enthralled by the new girl (Tenley) working in his aunt's used bookstore/coffee shop across the street. He can’t explain what it is about this scared mouse that intrigues him and how to get her to trust him enough for a conversation. Hayden, his past is not pretty. He's done things he regrets, but he's changed his life. He knows all about loss/pain and that is exactly what he sees reflected when he looks at Tenley. He has this desire to help fix her even though he can't even fix himself. Tenley Page is enrolled in a master's program at Northwestern University. After a tragic accident over ten months ago, she wants her life back on track. She struggles with horrific nightmares due to the secrets that continue to terrorize her. Tenley is convinced that getting a large tattoo on her back will help her cope with the pain she's been through. So begin a shaky friendship between Hayden & Tenley. Even though the attraction is obvious both seem to refrain from giving into the temptation. This becomes more difficult when Tenley finally decides to display her pain through the ink of a tattoo, there is only one man that she wants to do it. Her piece is complex and dark, showcasing just how deep her scars go. Henley knows that giving her this won't fix what's broken, but he understand the emotion release that comes with it. The only hiccup, this tattoo is going to take at least two months to complete. Two months of him touching her in private, two months of her pain being exposed and brought to the surface. Hayden can't seem to stop himself when it comes to wanting Tenley. He wants her to open up, wants to know her. Exposing his own pain in an effort to gain her trust. Hayden's troubled past is something he too can never forget, ashamed of how he chose to deal with it all, haunts him to this day. His past is never far from causing problems especially now that he finally found someone good to share his future with. He lives his life in control order for a reason but where Tenley is concerned he feels he has none. When their relationship goes beyond client & artist it is clear that they both need each other to help fill the emptiness that has been lurking for so long. Their need for one another is primal and deeper than any connection either of them have experienced before. These two together really are quite a pair!! Him fearless, impulsive and overwhelming with OCD tendencies and her being shy, emotionally unstable and completely lost. Even with these issues they both have an undeniable connection & extreme attraction to each other, fortunately, this story never turned into insta-love. (Sometimes the "insta-love" factor can become too cheesy and makes the story unbelievable which can ruin a book for me). Their fascination with each other was electric and at times very HOT! Hayden, swoon. This man is pure heaven. Just a bit of an alpha, but only with her. There was some definite sexy times in this book. At times, the banter between them was entertaining which helped keep a balance to the otherwise more depressive & heartbreaking parts in this the book.
Overall, Clipped Wings was an emotional love story about two people who are perfect for each other but kept apart by their own secrets. Wanting to be enough for each other, hoping that even though they are broken, together they can be complete. Knowing that they have to come to terms with their own past before they can help each other. Everything was nicely balanced and this book kept the right amount of intrigue to keep you engaged.The one downside, was the cliffhanger at the end. Worthy a credit? HELLZ YA IT IS!!

A Beautiful Tragedy

I loved this story. I find myself revisiting it a lot. I really felt for both Hayden and Tenley as the both suffered. Their chemistry was off the charts. I very much so found their relationship believable/ And the sex scenes? very hot. There was also a lot of depth to the characters. They all had some sort of baggage and it was nice to see them work though it together.

My only negative comment is the cliff hanger at the end, but luckily Inked Armor (the sequel) is available. You'll want to see how things end up.

The narrators effortlessly captured the attitude of the characters. They brought a lot of passion to the performance.

Tortured Birds!

I hate going into a story with high expectations because my fellow readers just LOVED this story. Although, I too enjoyed Tenley and Hayden's story, I just didn't love it. There was something missing for me, I just couldn't relate. Basically two twenty something characters who have each suffered great losses find each other and build a relationship using their similar experiences as the common ground. The unrealistic part for me was that the female lead is only 10 months out from 9 members of her family and friends dying in a plane crash and when we meet her she's working, teaching and completing a masters program - WHAT? At that point I kind of just checked out although I did finish the book and I did like it but overall it wasn't good enough for me to move on to the second book to find out what happens. The fact that I went on to another series instead of finishing this one said more to me than anything about this story (even though I wanted to love it). I may go back later and catch the next book but not today.

NEXT BOOK PLEASE!!!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes it is more than a romance it was about rebuilding oneself. Both Hayden and Tenley have some pretty big baggage that they both carry. Watching them learning to cope was such a satisfying experience.

What did you like best about this story?

The friendship. The romance. The characters. Plus all the drama I actual enjoyed more than I thought I would.

Have you listened to any of Jason Carpenter and Elizabeth Louise ’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, however I would listen to other things they've done because they work good together in telling a duel point of view story.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes. I just really wanted to know what was happening with both Henley and Tenley. It was also really sweet to see how they acted toward each other and how they finally came together.

Frustrated!! Hate a cliffhanger ending!!!

What did you love best about Clipped Wings?

story is well written, characters are well thought out. and story line is different enough to be thought provoking but believable. I didn't want to put it down!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Tenley and Hayden are both favorites. I believe I like Tenley because while she was a strong woman she needed someone to lean on because of all the trauma in her resent past. Seeing her grow stronger while dealing with the memories was believable, I like Hayden because he could relate to Tenley because of his own loss, but wanted some of his past to also be resolved as the author kept bringing the police officer into the story line but it didn't go anywhere. Of course, this may all come about if and when Ms. Hunting decides to finish the book with an actual ending to the story.!

Which character – as performed by Jason Carpenter and Elizabeth Louise – was your favorite?

Both main characters were performed well, were believable and likable even if avoiding talking to each other was carried to the extreme and caused a lot of needless heartache that a little conversation would have taken care of. There was enough going on in Hayden's and Tenley's past that needed to be dealt with that not sharing info and keeping secrets didn't make much sense, especially on Tenley's part. Being a man whore is something I can understand Hayden not wanting to share...

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

No end in sight

Any additional comments?

I am so tired of getting into books only to find there isn't an ending. I consume enough reading material that I want one story to end before I begin another. There wasn't even a hint that there wouldn't be an ending to this book. The book was long enough I thought I was safe. I avoid the new trend in book writing selling where you only get a chapter or two at a time when ever I spot them. This author is fantastic, however, if I find this is her writing style I'll avoid purchasing any more of her books!

I CONSUMED THE BAIT & WAS TOTALLY HOOKED

I completely lost myself in this tragic, dramatic and heartbreaking sexy love story as two people's devastating pasts haunt their days and return bringing havoc into their unstable lives. This is a gritty, emotional listen and you just know what's going to happen when both the hero and heroine keep powerful and potentially crushing secrets from each other and you're helpless to stop the heartache but still you mentally shake them whilst shouting "just tell him or her".

Hayden is a handsome, tattooed, pierced, bad boy turned good and he has got his life straight so for a year he's been the owner of Inked Armor a tattoo shop but when he meets Tenley his life, his thoughts and his desires are all consumed with her. Tenley is recovering from a traumatic past which still gives her screaming nightmares but when she sees handsome Hayden she knows she's met a kindred spirit. Their undeniable mutual attraction soon develops into a passionate, tender and touching hot romance but their newfound happiness is all too soon ripped away from them when past conquests and past lives come a knocking.

As I was firmly strapped in and on the ever spinning emotional roller-coaster of Hayden and Tenley's drama filled lives I felt nothing but their pain, their sorrow, their joy and happiness and I felt the hurt, the betrayals, the loss and the guilt as the ride and track came to a climatic crashing cliffhanger of an ending. I'm devastated that I have to wait months for the next instalment and I didn't realise this is actually part of the Clipped Wings series which starts off with a Novella (so I haven't listened to it yet) called Cupcakes and Ink which outlines their initial meeting etc.

Worth a credit? Yessiree but don't get this if you're looking for a sweet or light listen but if you want to be entertained by a well-written, richly described, hot 'n sexy, fun 'n sad, character filled journey of two besotted lovers and their despair and desperate hopes for more than life has previously shown them and think they may have found it in each other's arm.... then gladly use your credit. Then buckle up and wait for the emotional ride that'll carry you off, twist you around and around and after that it'll leave you spluttering and counting the days until you can get back on.

Frustrated

Here's the thing, I could not get into this book but I do not abandon books once I have started them. I think this whole "Alpha Male" thing is a craze right now, that really needs to end, but once I got into the book, IT ENDED. Now I feel inclined to get the next one just so I can have some closure to the storyline. Overall, Tenley bugged me because she didn't ever say what she wanted to and was just always silent about everything. Hayden was better I guess, but still a let down I think. If you're looking for a story with a complex story line, this is not it and you should move on. If you want to just listen to something that has some steamy scenes, go ahead and purchase.

A Story with So Much Feeling...

This book was amazing!!!
A story of tragedy, second chances, and learning to heal.
The story is deep. The characters are raw. The emotion is thick.
Tenley and Hayden are one of my favorite fictional couples.
Both have faced a past full of pain and loss. Stuck in the past, only going through the motions of their days, they carry secrets and scars that they hide behind on the inside and out.
This story is beautiful and will pull at your heart strings.
I highly enjoyed not only the story itself but all of the characters and how it played out.
This story does have a cliff-hanger but luckily Inked Armor is already out so I can't wait to see what happens next.
If your looking for a slower paced, heartfelt read that will draw you in, this is definitely the book you've been looking for!!
Authors Jason Carpenter and Elizabeth Louise sounded perfect together. Their voices are clear and easy to understand. They both have amazing voices that made it so easy to visualize Tenley and Hayden and feel like I was a part of the story.
I love it when narrators can hold my attention and open my mind to picture the story playing out in my head. Great Job!!!

Now I WANT a tattoo!

This type of book is not my usual read but this (and the sequel) were both beautifully written and narrated. I'm a fan of Elizabeth Louise and now of Jason Carpenter. They did a great job of portraying the intricacies of two very wounded and lost souls as they were drawn to each other, while scared to death of the connection. The story line is not terribly original but the depth of the character development and the emotional wrecks they both were had me riveted.Strong story, strong writing and strong performances.

Made for each other

This is a very good listen. The stoy is good and the sex is hot. My only complaint is I wish it was just one book! UGH! Now I'm going to have to get the next one to see what happens...