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Blood and Sympathy
What would you do if you found yourself in love with the twin brother of the man who murdered your sister?
Claire Copeland has just graduated from high school with no plans for her future other than getting laid and partying the summer away on Devil's Fork Lake.
When her sister is murdered, Claire tries to understand why. Why the good daughter was taken, and she was left behind.
Now, she's found herself falling in love... with the twin brother of the man who murdered her sister.
Braden Sayer and his twin brother were incarcerated for murder when they were twelve years old. Braden's only connections to the outside world are through his uncle's visits and his pen pal Claire Copeland.
When Braden's released from juvie six months early for good behavior, his twin brother is less than happy about it and plots his revenge.
Now, he's fallen in love and by the time he figures out his brother's agenda, it may be too late.
****GRAPHIC LANGUAGE, SEX, VIOLENCE, AND ADULT SITUATIONS. TRIGGER WARNING - VIOLENCE AND RAPE****
Claire Copeland has just graduated from high school with no plans for her future other than getting laid and partying the summer away on Devil's Fork Lake.
When her sister is murdered, Claire tries to understand why. Why the good daughter was taken, and she was left behind.
Now, she's found herself falling in love... with the twin brother of the man who murdered her sister.
Braden Sayer and his twin brother were incarcerated for murder when they were twelve years old. Braden's only connections to the outside world are through his uncle's visits and his pen pal Claire Copeland.
When Braden's released from juvie six months early for good behavior, his twin brother is less than happy about it and plots his revenge.
Now, he's fallen in love and by the time he figures out his brother's agenda, it may be too late.
****GRAPHIC LANGUAGE, SEX, VIOLENCE, AND ADULT SITUATIONS. TRIGGER WARNING - VIOLENCE AND RAPE****
Kindle Edition
First published September 22, 2014
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188 people want to read
About the author
Lori L. Clark
19 books323 followersLori L. Clark currently resides in Hazelwood, MO with her fur kids... a two-year-old Min Pin mix named Rubble, a 5-year-old Min Pin named Mini, and an owner surrender affectionately known as Lacey the Biting Min Pin.
When Lori isn't listening to the voices in her head, waiting for the next creative inspiration to hit, she also loves to read, run, paint pet portraits and rescue dogs.
Email Lori at LLClark.author@gmail.com
When Lori isn't listening to the voices in her head, waiting for the next creative inspiration to hit, she also loves to read, run, paint pet portraits and rescue dogs.
Email Lori at LLClark.author@gmail.com
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
August 15, 2014
5 Bloody Stars
Blood and Sympathy chronicles the thrilling journey of Claire Copeland in a new adult/erotic telling of the heinous crimes committed against herself and her sister. An interesting caveat to the story weaves twin brothers into the fold both serving time in juvenile detention. This book is my favorite title from Lori L. Clark yet. The writing here delves a bit deeper in the minds of three distinct, intriguing characters.
From three points of view, the reader gets viewpoints of everything surrounding what's happening in this small Tennessee town. The entire balance walks a fine line between good and evil. A theme ever-present as this also reveals the question of nature vs. nurture. The psychological questions present themselves in such a way it's hard not to think about your own perspectives on the issues in regards to these characters. What makes one brother more evil than the next? One sister want to be a good girl and the other a rebel? How do those choices, if they are even choices, affect the outcome of our lives? How much of our personalities are based on the genetic makeup of our families? It's always interesting to me to analyze a book with these things in mind and that's exactly what the author has done here: make the reader think deeper in order to better understand the story.
The characters all possess intriguing qualities. Separately I don't know if any one of them stood out to me as great, but rather as a whole cast the way their stories intersect, connect, and as they each become of part of the others lives - both good and bad - totally worked for me. Claire Copeland and Braden Sayer were the main focus of the romantic relationship in Blood and Sympathy and their story inside the events directly affecting them is very sweet. Both of them crave a certain freedom they don't have in their young lives, both confide in the other about the desires they wish to fulfill through letters. The progression of their coupling naturally flows. I most liked Claire's strength as a young woman, in her convictions, in her fight, and in her heart. After conflict between her and Braden she's a woman who stands up for what she believes she needs at the time and has the bravery to admit to an emotional reaction.
This was an interesting world to visit. I had no idea what to expect when the author asked me to read this story. I know now I greatly appreciate the opportunity. Blood and Sympathy takes an age old debate over good vs. evil and makes it into a psychologically thrilling young love story. It's different and unique with characters who complement each other in the best of ways. Give it a try!
**Blood and Sympathy generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.**
September 23, 2014
☆ Complimentary copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review ☆
~ THANK YOU ~
MY RATING ☆☆☆☆ Blood and Sympathy by Lori L. Clark
4 SAYER SLAYER STARS
Once I started reading this and how the story just flowed flawlessly I found myself devouring it and getting so absorbed in the story I'd finished it in no time at all..
BLOOD IS NO REASON FOR SYMPATHY
Identical twins, Brogan and Braden Sayer have more in common than their genetics, both ended up in juvenile detention in 2009 at the age of twelve for a crime they had supposedly committed together, setting a fire which resulted in the death of their step father..
GOOD VS EVIL
Due to a correspondence programme where Braden is held Braden and Claire became pen pals..
"I'm not writing to some criminal, what if when he gets out he wants to meet me, then what?"
It started over bonding over letters written backwards and forwards, then Claire visited him and things progressed from there..
SYMPATHY FOR THE DEVIL
Upon Braden's release Brogan escaped!! And he had his eyes on one target!!
He had his eyes set on Claire, only things didn't exactly go to plan!!
"If god punishes us for our sins, why the hell am I still here?"
- Claire
THE WRONG SISTER
" We were as different as night and day, we were like salt in one another's wounds, she'd say white, I'd say black. No matter what our differences, no matter how many times I f*cked up, she always forgave me, and loved me in spite of it all." - Claire
So I'm guessing with the way this book ended we may be getting a follow up??
~ THANK YOU ~
MY RATING ☆☆☆☆ Blood and Sympathy by Lori L. Clark
4 SAYER SLAYER STARS
Once I started reading this and how the story just flowed flawlessly I found myself devouring it and getting so absorbed in the story I'd finished it in no time at all..
BLOOD IS NO REASON FOR SYMPATHY
Identical twins, Brogan and Braden Sayer have more in common than their genetics, both ended up in juvenile detention in 2009 at the age of twelve for a crime they had supposedly committed together, setting a fire which resulted in the death of their step father..
GOOD VS EVIL
Due to a correspondence programme where Braden is held Braden and Claire became pen pals..
"I'm not writing to some criminal, what if when he gets out he wants to meet me, then what?"
It started over bonding over letters written backwards and forwards, then Claire visited him and things progressed from there..
SYMPATHY FOR THE DEVIL
Upon Braden's release Brogan escaped!! And he had his eyes on one target!!
He had his eyes set on Claire, only things didn't exactly go to plan!!
"If god punishes us for our sins, why the hell am I still here?"
- Claire
THE WRONG SISTER
" We were as different as night and day, we were like salt in one another's wounds, she'd say white, I'd say black. No matter what our differences, no matter how many times I f*cked up, she always forgave me, and loved me in spite of it all." - Claire
So I'm guessing with the way this book ended we may be getting a follow up??
August 26, 2014
Wow, a very different storyline! Another romantic/thriller/suspense which will have you wondering where this story is going! There was an abundance of characters that I hated, but also loved! The main characters were wonderful and you root for them through this entire story! This book will keep you turning the pages until the very end!
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
October 13, 2014
The cover of this book is what initially drew me in. I found it interesting, it had me wanting to learn more about what was lying inside waiting for me to discover. They say you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but in this case - it worked in my favor. Blood and Sympathy was a fantastic read, one that captured and held my attention, that left me heartbroken in some places and on the edge of my seat in others. I found the concept of the difference and similarities that lie in the relationships of siblings to be unique. The book touched on nature vs nurture and how the upbringing of two children can result in two very different individuals, no matter what the circumstances. What happens when good collides with evil in the most horrible way?
Braden Sayer has been locked away in juvie for 6 years. An accomplice to a heinous act, he spends his childhood growing up in confinement. His twin brother Brogan is to thank for his fate, the mastermind behind a crime that landed them both in lock up. Braden is definitely the kinder of the two, the boy who always strived to make others happy, to do the best he could. Vowing to change his future when he is released on his 18th birthday, his only goal is to live out his sentence and get his life back on track as quickly as possible. When a letter arrives from a new pen pal, a girl he remembers from the life he left behind...things begin to change.
“I know he’s blood and all, but blood is no reason for sympathy.”
Claire Copeland isn’t the good daughter. The youngest daughter of Reverand Copeland, the pressure to live up to her perfect older sister’s image is high. Olivia is exactly the type of daughter the Reverand can be proud of. The two girls couldn’t be more different if they tried, Claire the typical rebellious girl, Olivia the upstanding good girl. Despite their varying personalities, the two are very close and that is something I loved. The sibling rivalry was well natured, at the root of it all, they counted on each other. When Olivia convinces Claire to begin writing to an inmate at the juvenile detention center as a pen pal, she at first protests. I mean really, what young high school girl wants to waste their time writing to some criminal? But after a few letters are exchanged with Braden, its clear there is more to him than just bad behaviour. It isn’t long before a bond is formed between the two. I found that I loved this part of the book most of all. Experiencing the two of them fall for each other through their letters was heartwarming and so unique. I was in a hurry to get to the next scenes with their letters to each other. Two souls who are seen as the bad, the good in them not recognized by those around them, they found each other in a time they needed someone the most.
Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending
Braden’s release sets in motion a turn of events that cannot be undone. Sinister forces and evil lurk in the shadows, there are people that would rather see them suffer than find the happiness they both desire. As the two explore a relationship beyond letters, will the bond they formed be strong enough to combat what’s coming? What do you do when the walls you built threaten to come crashing down? Is blood really thicker than water? This is a book that will keep you guessing with the suspense, warm your heart with love and shatter you with the unthinkable.
“By the strength within, I shall succeed.”
xo Cassia
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September 22, 2014“I know he’s blood and all, but blood is no reason for sympathy.”
Braden Sayer is the twin brother of Brogan Sayer. Implicated in Brogan’s arson scheme that killed their stepfather, Braden has also been incarcerated in juvenile detention since they were twelve. Now seventeen, Braden has his eye on early release for good behavior while Brogan has his eye on release by any means necessary.
Claire Copeland is only eleven months younger than her sister Olivia, and while their physical appearance often has them mistaken as twins, their personalities couldn’t be much different. 19 year old college student Olivia is the good girl, always intent to please their reverend father. 18 year old high school senior Claire is the “bad girl,” not above sneaking out and “borrowing” her sister’s car to party and have sex. But it’s Olivia who puts Claire in the orbit of the Sayer brothers through a pen pal program with the detention center.
Braden and Claire are matched as pen pals. The program’s policy is to state your intentions in the beginning whether a romantic relationship is part of the correspondence and despite Claire’s affirmed intentions not to make a love connection, she does. What Claire initially does out of obligation, soon become something they both look forward to. This part of the story is sweet and shows how simple friendship can lead to love. Braden’s letters even make Claire start to tire of her partying ways and her drunk, abusive lover.
They usual stereotypes of bad boy/good girl are switched up as Braden is the good twin, virginal, and a gentleman. In contrast, Claire is the experienced one who does what she wants, not caring what others think. Braden is a real sweetie. He’s caring, he’s gentle, and he wants to do the right thing. He’s definitely one to root for as he’s rather been dealt an unfair hand. Okay, he had my sympathy. Claire is a bit of a wild card. Sometimes that made her fun, other times her reckless behavior (unprotected sex, driving under the influence) was a turn-off.
The story has a good premise and potential. The family dynamics are interesting and lend further discussions of good/bad and right/wrong. Is Reverend Copeland really such an upstanding, holy man if he treats his daughters so differently and judges Braden without knowing him? Look also for the theme of mirroring: Braden and Brogan’s first time experiences post incarceration; Reverend Copeland and Uncle Jeb’s alliance with the good ones in their family.
Aside from the obvious themes in the story of good vs. evil and nature vs. nurture, guilt and blame also play a major role. Events in the story unfold in ways that responsibility could be analyzed and argued.
Should Braden carry blame for his “sympathy?” Is Claire’s lifestyle and choices at fault for putting her sister in danger? Or was Olivia Copeland’s innocent involvement in the pen pal program ultimately the first chain in the events leading to her demise? Who has blood on their hands?
There were times I found Braden and Claire’s actions confusing/out of character or perhaps more plot driven than anything else. To avoid spoilers I’ll simply say that maybe Braden under-reacted and Claire over-reacted. I really felt that Claire misplaced blame, and it affected my fundamental like of her character in the end. And the ending, while complete, and technically happy, leaves open the possibility for more mayhem to come.
But judge for yourself…pick up a copy today of Blood and Sympathy. Who will you have sympathy for?
Braden Sayer is the twin brother of Brogan Sayer. Implicated in Brogan’s arson scheme that killed their stepfather, Braden has also been incarcerated in juvenile detention since they were twelve. Now seventeen, Braden has his eye on early release for good behavior while Brogan has his eye on release by any means necessary.
Claire Copeland is only eleven months younger than her sister Olivia, and while their physical appearance often has them mistaken as twins, their personalities couldn’t be much different. 19 year old college student Olivia is the good girl, always intent to please their reverend father. 18 year old high school senior Claire is the “bad girl,” not above sneaking out and “borrowing” her sister’s car to party and have sex. But it’s Olivia who puts Claire in the orbit of the Sayer brothers through a pen pal program with the detention center.
Braden and Claire are matched as pen pals. The program’s policy is to state your intentions in the beginning whether a romantic relationship is part of the correspondence and despite Claire’s affirmed intentions not to make a love connection, she does. What Claire initially does out of obligation, soon become something they both look forward to. This part of the story is sweet and shows how simple friendship can lead to love. Braden’s letters even make Claire start to tire of her partying ways and her drunk, abusive lover.
They usual stereotypes of bad boy/good girl are switched up as Braden is the good twin, virginal, and a gentleman. In contrast, Claire is the experienced one who does what she wants, not caring what others think. Braden is a real sweetie. He’s caring, he’s gentle, and he wants to do the right thing. He’s definitely one to root for as he’s rather been dealt an unfair hand. Okay, he had my sympathy. Claire is a bit of a wild card. Sometimes that made her fun, other times her reckless behavior (unprotected sex, driving under the influence) was a turn-off.
The story has a good premise and potential. The family dynamics are interesting and lend further discussions of good/bad and right/wrong. Is Reverend Copeland really such an upstanding, holy man if he treats his daughters so differently and judges Braden without knowing him? Look also for the theme of mirroring: Braden and Brogan’s first time experiences post incarceration; Reverend Copeland and Uncle Jeb’s alliance with the good ones in their family.
Aside from the obvious themes in the story of good vs. evil and nature vs. nurture, guilt and blame also play a major role. Events in the story unfold in ways that responsibility could be analyzed and argued.
Should Braden carry blame for his “sympathy?” Is Claire’s lifestyle and choices at fault for putting her sister in danger? Or was Olivia Copeland’s innocent involvement in the pen pal program ultimately the first chain in the events leading to her demise? Who has blood on their hands?
There were times I found Braden and Claire’s actions confusing/out of character or perhaps more plot driven than anything else. To avoid spoilers I’ll simply say that maybe Braden under-reacted and Claire over-reacted. I really felt that Claire misplaced blame, and it affected my fundamental like of her character in the end. And the ending, while complete, and technically happy, leaves open the possibility for more mayhem to come.
But judge for yourself…pick up a copy today of Blood and Sympathy. Who will you have sympathy for?
October 5, 2014
I liked that this was a twist of a storyline of all those involved. Let's go over what I did and didn't like.
I liked that this was an original storyline. I liked the idea of where this could have gone. I liked the difference between out characters; brother vs brother, sister vs sister, dark vs light, good vs bad. I liked the opposite ends of the spectrum for our characters. And I liked that the good of one was paired with the bad of the other.
But let me discuss what I didn't like. To me there was parts where I just needed more. The story almost felt like it was choppy because parts needed more details, more time needed to be spent on certain aspects instead of just glided over. Like when the body was found, more of her reaction, her devastation. More of why her dad hated her so, he never really admitted to why. I just felt like it needed more.
All in all I thought it was a good book and a great storyline, I just didn't connect to it as well as I could have.
*arc provided for an honest review *
I liked that this was an original storyline. I liked the idea of where this could have gone. I liked the difference between out characters; brother vs brother, sister vs sister, dark vs light, good vs bad. I liked the opposite ends of the spectrum for our characters. And I liked that the good of one was paired with the bad of the other.
But let me discuss what I didn't like. To me there was parts where I just needed more. The story almost felt like it was choppy because parts needed more details, more time needed to be spent on certain aspects instead of just glided over. Like when the body was found, more of her reaction, her devastation. More of why her dad hated her so, he never really admitted to why. I just felt like it needed more.
All in all I thought it was a good book and a great storyline, I just didn't connect to it as well as I could have.
*arc provided for an honest review *
October 1, 2014
** arc was given to my blog for honest review**
This book was more than what I expected.. I loved everything. The story is very well written, it's told in 3 POV's and I think it was perfect. As I read along I couldn't stop asking when , when will it happen lol.. How will it happen and what will come out of all this. Yes this story is about a girl who has daddy issues. Her dad doesn't see her as a good daughter which makes her act up on that. Then we have the twins. Let me tell you these twins are hot!
The story has it all. The suspense the sex and the romance even the grief. Everything is so well told in this book that I have nothing bad to say about it it makes me happy to know that there are books out there that are well written and different. This story is about Claire falling in love with one of the twins. The problem here is what happens when she does fall for him and the things that come to be.
I really hope you give this book a shot. I swear it was amazing I couldn't put it down and when I did my brain wouldn't stop working out what was next. Read this book in a day!!!
This book was more than what I expected.. I loved everything. The story is very well written, it's told in 3 POV's and I think it was perfect. As I read along I couldn't stop asking when , when will it happen lol.. How will it happen and what will come out of all this. Yes this story is about a girl who has daddy issues. Her dad doesn't see her as a good daughter which makes her act up on that. Then we have the twins. Let me tell you these twins are hot!
The story has it all. The suspense the sex and the romance even the grief. Everything is so well told in this book that I have nothing bad to say about it it makes me happy to know that there are books out there that are well written and different. This story is about Claire falling in love with one of the twins. The problem here is what happens when she does fall for him and the things that come to be.
I really hope you give this book a shot. I swear it was amazing I couldn't put it down and when I did my brain wouldn't stop working out what was next. Read this book in a day!!!
August 30, 2014
Not what I was expecting, in fact so much better.
Blood and sympathy is a suspenseful read told from three points of view and it's written well. The author is unpredictable in the best way possible. I found myself saying " I didn't see that coming". I fell in love with the hero Brayden. He was just so lovable. The heroine Claire, I didn't care for much in the beginning but soon realized I did in fact like her. The supporting characters are written into the story well.
This book does have a love story but it's more about family and suspense. There is a cliff hanger and I definitely want to read part 2. I hope there is a hea and more romance.
This book was given to me by the author for an honest review.
Blood and sympathy is a suspenseful read told from three points of view and it's written well. The author is unpredictable in the best way possible. I found myself saying " I didn't see that coming". I fell in love with the hero Brayden. He was just so lovable. The heroine Claire, I didn't care for much in the beginning but soon realized I did in fact like her. The supporting characters are written into the story well.
This book does have a love story but it's more about family and suspense. There is a cliff hanger and I definitely want to read part 2. I hope there is a hea and more romance.
This book was given to me by the author for an honest review.
August 12, 2014
OMG! I don't know how Ms. Clark does it, but she continues to come up with new plots and story-lines to amaze & entertain me, then keep me awake at night turning the pages & wanting more :o lol ... This contemporary romantic suspense novel has the right amount of mystery & sex with characters you will love & hate!! ... I had the extreme pleasure to be given this early WIP for my honest comments & review :)... I honestly loved this and hope the ending means there will be at least one more book with these same characters?! :D ... This book is a MUST READ for everyone, so add it now to your own "To Be Read" list for when it is released in the near future! ... I promise you won't be sorry :)
September 8, 2014
A very romanceful erotic interesting story of claire her being the bad sister,and her good sister was murdered,this story gets more exciting as you go along as well with twin brothers.I really loved it and want more of it.
September 26, 2014
4.5 star rating. I really enjoyed this read and being able to skip between the 3 main characters. I thought Claire and Braden's love story was so sweet. He was too cute for words!
October 11, 2014
This was a pretty good book. An easy read with bits of darkness to it. I would have rated it higher but there were parts that felt rushed, especially the last 2 chapters. I also never really got an image of either twin. I expected at the very least for Claire to describe him when she went to visit him, but all I got was he was good looking. It wasn't until the epilogue that I read details of their looks. I also hope Alastair got what he should have coming to him, but we will never know. I did like the format of the story, the first person, a different character each chapter, I did skip the repeat parts that each character explained their version of what lead to their chapter. I loved part 1 the best and devoured it.
November 30, 2014
An original storyline, but unevenly told. Having all of the main characters POV was good, yet made it hard to follow at times, as well as a lot of overlap and retelling.
The romance was very sweet and tender. The drama in the tale was a bit much, the end was a wee bit predictable but done well.
The romance was very sweet and tender. The drama in the tale was a bit much, the end was a wee bit predictable but done well.
December 5, 2014
Started well but halfway through it grew monotonous and dull.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews