Sliding

The Stone #1

by Kitty Berry

Brooklynn Taylor stands in front of her mirror, looking at her reflection. She’s happily married to Tate Taylor, her adolescent crush and the wealthy and powerful music executive at Taylor Studios, Inc. Well, she was happy until tragedy struck and Tate fled to the West Coast under the disguise of business. Now, faced with a decision, she’s not sure about anything and must make an impossible choice that will throw her into the center of two significantly different trajectories.
The question is…which is the one meant for her?

Genres: BDSM, Romance, Contemporary Romance, Erotica, Chick Lit, M F Romance, Marriage

468 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 5, 2013

About the author

Kitty Berry grew up an only child who never wished for a sibling in a small town in Connecticut. After graduating with a degree in Early Childhood Special Education, she began teaching in the field and started to raise a family. Her literary influences happened later in life when she stumbled upon The Pilot’s Wife by Anita Shreve after seeing it featured on the Oprah Show. It was her late mother’s (whose name she uses as a pen name) desire of becoming a writer that prompted Kitty to create a contemporary romantic series.
Being a creative person by nature who came into writing during a time in her life when the busy balance of career and family made her crave an escape into the world of romance, Kitty took that desire and turned it into a romantic series that offers the reader multidimensional characters.
In 2013, she published her first novel from The Stone Series, Sliding. Since then she has written 10 other novels in that series, among them Stoned, Second Chances, Surrender, Starting Over, and Silence. The final installment, Survivor was released in 2016. A holiday edition was released in late 2018.
Since then, Berry has released a trilogy titled, The Anatomy of Love and written a carry-over stand-alone novel, Vines of Ivy. In 2019, she released the Compatible Companions Trilogy.
Because angst-ridden, plot-driven, women's contemporary romances mesmerize Kitty, Berry writes only in that genre. While each book in The Stone Series can stand alone with its own story, Berry’s intention was to create carry-over characters to satisfy the need of the reader to know more after each novel ends. As an avid reader herself, Kitty enjoys the feeling of being there with the characters inside the story and often finds herself wanting to know more about them, missing them when the story is over, and becoming excited all over again when she discovers those familiar characters in subsequent novels. It is her hope that The Stone Series will do the same for her readers.
Kitty is married to a man she met in graduate school and has three boys who are almost men.
Kitty recently founded RomantiConn (a romance author signing event annually held in CT) and is currently working on the Falls Village anthology hybrid with her fellow RomantiConn authors.
Visit Kitty’s website @ www.kittyberryauthor.com

Reviews

[Kelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC received for an honest review

3 Stars
ATTENTION CONTAINS SPOILERS, I can't hide them all or my entire review would be hidden

I started off reading got to 10% and was like "ho hum, ho hum"


But it was still early right?!?!

Got to 20% and was like "ho hum, ho hum"


Again still early right?!?!

So I keep reading and as I'm "ho humming" along I start to get a feeling of deja vu.
The story goes back and forth between Tate and Brook's childhood and the present. So we get these flashbacks of how they got together as kids. And this is one of the areas of deja vu for me. I thought there was a good possibility that I was reading Dusty again. Attention Spoiler Here Tate's drinking, smoking pot and doing lines of coke. He has a line where he says "the drinking and the drugs make everything else disappear and I need that kind of clarity sometimes." for those who have read Dusty tell me that doesn't sound like something Dusty would have said? End of Spoiler

Then I keep reading and I'm overcome with even more deja vu. Tate is giving her expensive gifts, wanting to buy an over the top house and can only express himself by giving her a playlist.....um does that sound familiar? I'll give you a hint his initials are CG.


How about a deja vu moment from the movie 'Sliding Doors'?
You see Brook has a choice to make stay and answer a phone call or leave and head to the airport.

In case you don't remember the movie Sliding Doors here is a brief description:
Helen Quilley (Gwyneth Paltrow) gets fired from her public relations job. After she waits for her train on the London Underground, the plot splits into two parallel universes, one in which she catches the train, the other detailing the separate path her life would have taken had she missed that train.

So we have a little Dusty, a little FSOG and a little Sliding Doors all rolled into one. Interesting right?
It had it's moments. Then around 70% I thought well this concept just may work.

Then I get to the end and I'm left shaking my head and a bit confused. Another Spoiler Here So everything was her subconscious, dreams? Hold on they weren't separated for 6 months he was just gone for a month for work, and if she was pregnant how close to her actual due date was she? Because we know she had the twins but were they premature? I ask because, now grant it I have never had kids but if she was close to her due date should she have been getting ready to get on a plane? Just curious! And was Tate drinking or on drugs or was this all her mind playing tricks on her? End Of Spoiler UGH, I'm feeling really confused!! Which means that now I'm going to have to read the next book and hope like hell I get the answers to all my questions!

PLEASE LET ME GET THE ANSWERS!!


Now I know the next book is Damian's story but I'm told that Tate and Brook's relationship continues to develop. That better be true and I better get my damn answers or I may have to cut a bitch!



http://www.rebelbookchicks.com/blog-t...

[Paula (Poll) Conway · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow what a book full of twists and turns , really had me hooked from page 1 , loved it 5 amazing stars from me .

[Kitty Berry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am my own worst critic so I had to go with 4 not 5 stars! Because I created the characters they all have a very special place in my heart. My first work exploring love/erotica/domination is unique in that it tugs at the nostalgic heart strings of the 40-something demographic by reflecting on a childhood growing up in the 1980’s when Tate and Brooklynn began their relationship. I hope this backdrop will draw the reader into my characters’ stories while conjuring up relatable memories of their own young adult/first love memories that our current age group all experienced during the neon-clad, half-shirt wearing, Madonna-loving, everything 80s era.

Once drawn into the main characters’ lives, I hope it will be an easy transition to read my second novel, which explores deeper, slightly darker relationships with newer characters taking the lead.

Sliding is my first try at writing so please be kind with comments.

Watch for the second book in this series coming soon…Stoned by Kitty Berry.

[Samantha ♔ Sam's Book Basket · Rating 3 out of 5]

☆ 3 – 3.5 STARS!!! ☆

✓ FULL REVIEW HERE → Clickety click ;)

The characters in Sliding were the perfect and ultimate representation of teenagers facing pressures put upon them from parents, friends, lovers, and the process of growing up and the complications that come with the package. It was an intense book about two lovers as they struggle to overcome their difficulties. Beautifully written and heart-wrenching.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book really made me feel. I couldn't put it down. It's sweet, sexy, heartbreaking and beautiful. Their love is so beautiful. I don't think I can reread it because I got really emotional. I look forward to reading Stoned.

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (2/17/2020)! 🎁

[Sirenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

6 out of 5 Stars please! This book was amazing I had such a hard time putting it down, I kinda felt a little hung over the next morning because I stayed up all night finishing it. I LOVED this book. Music is such an integral part of who I am, it felt like the author had taken a part of my soul and put it on paper with the way she had the main characters communicating through music. The ups and downs as Brook remembers her and Tate’s past were gut wrenching, and heart warming at the same time. I felt like I was IN Brook’s shoes as she was listening to the playlist and the memories that each song brought up. I thought the segue into the flashback through a song was brilliant. Often times I find that books that flash back to the past too frequently a little disorienting, this book was definitely not the case, the memories were so palpable it was like you could see them in a crystal ball, part of Brook but at the same time separate. The parts written in the “present” were also just as well thought out and impassioned that it made it easy to get lost in the story, it made you want to root for Brook and Tate to overcome their difficulties and work things out. The second half of the book, where Brook now faces the “alternate reality” of what answering that phone call could have meant was just as realistic and tangible as the first half of the book. After having read the first half of the book it was soul destroying to have to go through that difficult journey with Brook and Mac. The ending was a little shocking, and I have to say a bit confusing, but that was just a reflection of a well written character. I would recommend this book to anyone! It was steamy, intense, emotionally charged and incredibly well written.

[Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a freebie back in July and I kept overlooking it when moving onto my next book. It didn't have many reviews on goodreads so I wasn't sure what to expect. Wow, am I glad I read it. I agree it took a little bit of time for me to get into the writing style of going back and forth in time but once you get used to it, it is an enjoyable read. I could relate with all the music references as I was a teenager growing up in the '80's and tend to relate memories with music also. About 70% into the book you get your curveball with selecting door #2 in life. The ending of the book had me happy, mad, sad, laughing and slightly confused (in a good way).
This is a love story that spans the test of time. A majority of the book is about young, innocent love. About half way through the book you are introduced to Damian who will be the center of book #2. (Wow, is all I can say about that book right now)!!!!!
I hope this series is read by many more readers. This author knows how to write romance with erotica thrown in big time. Tate is a strong Alpha male and more readers should have the privilege of "meeting" him.

[R. Matthews · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 enthusiastic stars!

I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This book has a lot of heart and heat! What I love about it is the very long journey of developed love that we see with the two main characters. They meet as (essentially) kids and the author takes us through their love from an immature bud to something deep and emotional. It's very easy to become invested in these characters and root for them as they overcome their personal hurdles.

As much as I love the characters and story, you will find their are editing issues that need to just be read past and there is also some confusion towards the end, but aside from all that, we are left with a great, sexy love story.

[AngelinaT · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely wonderful love story!!! It pulls at your heart from the start. It was so emotional and well written. The story had a few twists that I didn't expect. It makes you question the choices we make in life and how a simple decision as to whether or not to answer a phone call can set us up for a different path in life. The story of Tate and Brook brought tears to my eyes and also made me smile. There is nothing quite like first love. I also loved that there were so many flashbacks to the 80s and the music from that era...brought back many memories for me and it will for everyone who was a teen back then. This is a must-read! I can't wait to read the next book in this series:)

[Krystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved how the author had the characters use music to tell their 20+ year love story. I also liked how the flashbacks were done. This book had an interesting concept- it was like a YA/NA book combined with a contemporary romance. I'm just not sure about the execution of syncing everything together. The last few chapters threw me off a bit- it felt rushed. One thing that really irked me...some of the editing. Overall, I liked this book, but I'm not entirely sure I would continue with the series.

[Taisheena Rayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved that I could read this series back to back without waiting for the next installment. It starts with the story of Brooklyn and Tate a love story that definitely came to life in the telling. I couldn't stop reading as Brooklyn relived the relationship, I felt that this technique by the author gave so much insight and depth to the characters that they were alive to me. I really thought I could just go and watch Brooklyn dance or talk to Tate about a band.

Book was given in exchange for an honest review

[B-M · Rating 2 out of 5]

This story just wasn't for me. I found the jumping back and forth from present to past just confusing. Had I known that large chunks of the story were about adolescent love and dramas I would have passed up on it then and there. It just got weird for me when at 70% the story shifted into a parallel universe existence where the main protagonist gets to see what her life would be like had she taken a phone call.
Just not my cuppa tea but looking at other reviewers who liked it makes me think it's just me. Read it yourself, you might just disagree with me...or not.

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! Very emotional read, at times I hated, loved, laughed and cried. I was able to connect with the characters and feel their story. I liked that it was written to both POV and even though in the present, had flashbacks of how it all began. I really enjoyed the book and look forward to Stoned.

[Rumpled Sheets Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review 15.11.

[Stephannie Tolitsky- Seppyreadsbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting and different book which leads us down two different paths with what if.. Review to be found swoonworthybooks.com

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book in the Stone Series. Having read the two series after this, where some of the same characters appear and loving this author's work, I was delighted with this one as well. It is a beautifully written, well-thought-out story about the relationship between Brook and Tate. The author very creatively blends the beginnings of their relationship when they met in high school with the present day. After a tragedy Tate a wealthy music exec leaves their Connecticut home for his business on the west coast. 6 months later Brook makes a decision to join Tate not knowing what to expect. The story has drama, heartbreak, danger, a steamy romance, and twists and turns you do not see coming. It really deserves a 10.

[Linda Rea · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story sucked you in immediately and kept you guessing from beginning to end. Brooklyn Taylor has a decision to make if she should go to California to be with her husband Tate or stay in Connecticut and does he even want her anymore. The story explains how they got to this point and you just can’t help but be swept away by all of it and each story can be read as a standalone but the characters carry over so I can’t wait to read the next story.

[Nicki - The Overflowing Bookcase · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of those books that you just fall in love with the characters from the opening pages and hope with every turn of the page that they make it to the end together. With every twist and turn my heart broke for Brooklyn and Tate. Can you really find your soul mate at 14? Beautifully written and I am now hooked on this series.

[wrkatreading · Rating 2 out of 5]

confusing

The back and forth time wise was confusing. The books main plot was if you make the wrong choice your whole life changes. At 70% in this book it stops going back in time and the consequence of the MFC decision is on page. I don’t know how it happened because the author didn’t execute her story telling well.

[Patti Ro · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story line was good, but the book was hard to follow. I found myself rereading pages at times to try and orient myself through your the book. One chapter would sometimes cover long periods of time with no real segway in between so it was hard to keep track of timelines at some points. The whole second part of the book I was confused as to who the “she” character was.

In the end it all made sense and was a good story.

[Mani · Rating 2 out of 5]

I struggled to finished this book.



I actually enjoyed it more after about 70% in.

Mostly before that it's going between their past and "present" constantly.

The epilogue threw me completely off. I know the main theme of the book is small decisions can changed everything. Just didn't work for me I guess.

Seriously? So, the end of the book is saying we don't know their adult relationship at all. I actually liked her and Mac together.

[Indy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Disappointing read. Very choppy writing, not a logical unraveling of the plot - goes back and forth from past to present constantly, mainly focusing on unimportant drama from early high school days. Uniquely shows half-way through what would have happened if one circumstance had been different, so two endings, with the epilogue showing which path she took. However given quality of writing, fell short in having the intended impact.

[Karen Oliver · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dual story/dual POV

I gave this story 4 stars because I appreciate the authors attempt to give the book some depth by switching between the past and present in the story BUT it could've been done in a way that wasn't so confusing. There were also one too many editing errors, and the writing was a bit elementary. Loved being reminded of some great songs from back in the day. Great potential, would recommend.

[Aղցela W. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was not at all what I thought it would be. I liked Brook and Tate the story was just boring I had to stop and read other things. The next book in this series sounds better then this one. I think the problem for me was the back and forth past and present maybe I was still lingering in the mmf I was reading. Hopefully the next one will be better

[Sylvia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I started off really enjoying this book. Part two was a mind fuck and I did not enjoy it anymore. The ending felt confusing and rushed. It could have been so much better with the aid of a good editor. I thought it had a lot of promise and look forward to the next in the series.

[Socially Book Nerd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ever wonder if you just did something differntly you might be sitting in a McMansion instead of our home? We make tough choice. Getting a second chance to fix some of them may or may not be the for the best.