When the spotlight dims, the real battles begin. For Tristen Levisay, guitarist of The Seethers, life is finally coming together. The band is on the brink of stardom, and soon he'll be a rock star instead of the poor, small-town boy from Kentucky. But when his twin brother Talon, the band's frontman, abruptly leaves to join another band, Tristen's life quickly falls apart. Forced to start again, Tristen returns home where he discovers his former addict mother is on the verge of losing her house. To save her, and himself, he returns to his old life of underground boxing. Just a few fights to save some money, and then he’s out. But returning home inevitably means revisiting old family secrets and memories. Soon Tristen finds himself fighting both in and out of the ring to salvage his family and reclaim his future. BENDED LOYALTY is a powerful story of betrayal, resilience, and the mendable bonds of family. As Tristen navigates the shadows of the boxing world, he learns the age-old adage that true loyalty comes with a price. Will he find the strength to forge a new path, or will the weight of his brother's betrayal knock him down for good? Five Stars! "Bended Loyalty" will appeal to readers who love novels about self-discovery and resilience. Everyone loves a comeback story; Tristen's story is one worth sticking around for. The book is brimming with familial drama, sibling rivalry, and intriguing character evolution, and readers will be engrossed in the trials and tribulations of Tristen Levisay. Stay tuned for the second installment! - Reader Views Book Review blog Five stars! — "Caldwell creates complex characters that challenge her readers' moral compass....The ending is fitting for the overall story and could stand alone as a complete story; however, it is part of a series, and a new character is introduced in the final chapter, setting the stage for Tristan's continued journey for self-discovery and self-acceptance." — Rachel Dehning for Reader Views 'A gritty, skillfully plotted drama with an underdog protagonist you can't help but root for. Highly recommended!' I do enjoy a gritty family drama; and that's very much what we have here. The author, Kat Caldwell, is a strong writer capable of not only developing her unpredictable plot, but also keeping the focus on her characters. And it's the characters who are this novel's greatest strength. There's a lot to enjoy in this strongly-paced, character-led novel. Tristen, the protagonist, is a rare gem; a bit broken, battling to find a life for himself in music. To me, he's the sort of character who, no matter how often he rolls the dice, he never gets a six. He's, in every way, the underdog - and we all love rooting for underdogs! The author also works confidently with speech; it reads very authentic, driving the plot forward whilst, at the same time, helping to develop the characters. All in all, I'm very happy to recommend this compelling, character-led novel. I think readers will enjoy getting to know Tristen and, like me, they'll be rooting for him to save his family and to find a way of coming to terms with who he is. I suspect coming-of-age fans will particularly love this book, and they'll be keen to check out the second book, Bended Love. -A 'Wishing Shelf' Book Review "A raw and compelling look at the cost of self-sacrifice and personal growth." Bended Loyalty is dramatic, entertaining, and thoughtful. Caldwell's skillful writing builds tension, leaving readers turning the pages with gritted teeth, hoping for Tristen to finally find the redemption he so desperately seeks. This book is a must read for those who feel trapped in the self-destructive cycle of obligation and people-pleasing. -Samantha Hui of Independent Book Review