Laura’s Review of Soaring (Magdalene, #2) By Kristen Ashley

Synopsis

American heiress Amelia Hathaway needs to start anew.

Her husband cheated on her, and when everything she wanted in life slipped through her fingers, she fell apart. When she did, she took another heart wrenching hit as she lost the respect of her children.

When her ex took her family from California to live in the small town of Magdalene in Maine, Amelia decided it was time to sort herself out. In order to do that and win her children back, she moves to Cliff Blue, an architectural masterpiece on the rocky coast of Magdalene.

Her boxes aren’t even unpacked when she meets Mickey Donovan, a man who lives across the street, a man so beautiful Amelia takes one look at Mickey and knows she wants everything from him.

The problem is, she finds out swiftly that he’s friendly, he’s kind, but he doesn’t want everything back.

Amelia struggles to right past wrongs in her life at the same time find out who she wants to be. She also struggles with her attraction to the

handsome firefighter who lives across the street.

But Amelia will face a surprise when her friendly neighbor becomes not-so-friendly. As Amelia and Mickey go head to head, Amelia must focus on winning back the hearts of her children.

She soon discovers she also must focus on winning the heart of a handsome firefighter who understands down to his soul the beautiful heiress who lives across the street is used to a life he cannot provide. 

What I Loved

        The book begins with Amelia starting her life over again in Magdalene, Maine with a new house and a new attitude.  I immediately loved Amelia because she laid it all out there for you, she very quickly tells the reader that in the past she’s messed up, made mistakes but is ready to make a change and then goes about proving that.  For me, it became very easy to become emotionally attached to her because she was so easy to relate to.  I’m a huge fan of change so watching her get rid of all her old crap and start anew was quite thrilling for me in a way and I got to live vicariously through her. 

        I also loved the first time she meets Mickey because he saves her, he steps right into her life and exudes all this hot alpha male sexiness.  The chemistry between them is sizzling, and even though they try to fight it for some time, which was fun to watch it was even better when they finally rip each other’s clothes off. 

        No Kristen Ashley book would be complete without drama and heartwarming scenes and Soaring is packed full of that.  I loved the families coming together and the relationship building between Mickey and Amelia.  It was heartbreaking to see how damaged Amelia’s relationship was with her at first but it made it more rewarding as the story progressed and their relationships became stronger.

Not So Much

        I really have no complaints about this book I loved it so freaking much.  I mean hello, it’s a Kristen Ashley book! I will say I do wish that maybe there was a scene or two involving Amelia and her parents.  They seemed to have been huge influences in her life and they are talked about a lot throughout the entire story but they are not really in the story and I thought that was a missed opportunity in my opinion.  Amelia’s ex served as a great foil for her character, but I think her parents would’ve done a better job at stirring up even more emotion as a reader.

To Sum It All Up!

        Overall this was another amazing heartwarming story by Kristen Ashley.  I am falling more and more in love with the little town of Magdalene with each book in this series so I can’t wait to jump into Coert’s story when it comes out.  Of course, you get to see Josie and Jake’s story continue in this book as well so if you miss them don’t you worry! What I love about Kristen Ashley books is not only do you get to know the characters you get to know the town and culture around them and Magdalene shines through in this book. 

        I was certainly intrigued by Mickey in The Will so I was excited to get to know him better in Soaring and I was not disappointed at all!  He was one sexy construction worker/firefighter! I think there is nothing this man can’t do because he literally does everything in this book.  I fell head over heels in love with him almost instantly and I’m so happy that Amelia was the woman he fell in love with.  She might be this American heiress with a crap ton of money, but it doesn’t define her and it never was a priority in her life.  The most important things to Amelia are her kids, family and friends and everything else are minor in comparison.  If you haven’t yet started this series, start it now! I know these are long book but I literally couldn’t stop thinking about them and I blew through both in record time.  Soaring was such an amazing that I would recommend to anyone and everyone.

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Laura’s Review of Sebring (Unfinished Hero #5) By Kristen Ashley

Synopsis

Nick Sebring has issues. Born feeling like an outsider in his own family, growing up under the shadow of a brother who could do anything, Nick isn’t that great of a guy. But when this culminates with Nick lashing out to hurt his brother through the woman he loves, Nick turns inward and makes some decisions about the man he intends to be.

And as he does this, he falls in love and truly learns the man that he’s grown to be.

When his love is murdered right before Nick’s eyes, Nick knows he has to avenge her. He knows how he’s going to avenge her. And he has no qualms using Olivia Shade to exact that vengeance.

Olivia Shade has grown up on the outside of her family too. Her problem is that they don’t want her outside. They want her all the way in, right under their thumbs. She pays the price for seeking escape and learns her lesson—she’ll never see a dawn where she wakes up free.

Then she meets Nick Sebring, and even as she fights it, the hope that died years ago starts to blossom. She can find love. She can have a man of her own. She can be happy. She can be free.

Olivia hopes while Nick schemes.

However, as Nick peels back the layers of all that is Olivia Shade, he finds something surprising. He understands its fragility. He falls in love with its beauty. He seeks to protect it.

But he forgets to protect his Livvie from one thing: Nick Sebring.

What I Loved

               First of all, the Unfinished Hero series is one my favorite Kristen Ashley series because there are more rough around the edges and bitter then her other series and that’s what sets them apart.  Creed was probably my favorite because of how bitter sweet the entire plot was and I love books that can stir up that much emotion in me.  Sebring might not have brought as many emotions to the forefront but it certainly brought a lot.  There was point in the story that I was close to bawling and my heart was just completely shattered.  Then there were times my heart was racing and I had a stupid smile on my face.

        Olivia Shade immediately appealed to me because she was a smart poised woman in a horrible situation and saw no end in sight.  You learn as the story continues that she has tried in the past to escape her reality only for it come violently back to her.  She is a woman you can fall for instantly and I just wanted her to find her happy ending so badly. 

        I also really loved that from the first book in this series, you seriously hate Nick Sebring and want him to die.  But as the story continues his character development goes from one end of the spectrum to another and by the time you get to his story you are absolutely in love with him.  It kind of reminds of the Consequences series by Aleatha Romig.  You start out hating Tony then by the end you are completely in love with him.  Nick was that for me, a person who grows into a hero and completely changes your opinion.

        I truly loved that not only do we learn that there is more to these characters than what we thought but along the way they learn that about themselves too.  Nick didn’t think he was capable of falling in love again but he did.  Olivia never thought she could find happiness in her life but she stumbles head first into a whole new wonderful life.  Together they discover one another but also discover themselves along the way.

Not So Much

                I think I disliked the lack of dialogue between Nick and Olivia in the beginning because in a way it kind of stalled the plot.  It was just too much of wham bam thank you ma’am for it to completely hold my attention.  After a while though the plot continues and they do build a relationship but it was just a step too far for me in the beginning.  Also like all Kristen Ashley novels it’s very wordy and once again I found myself speed reading whole paragraphs so I could just get to the point of all of this.  It’s always been a hang up I have with Kristen Ashley stories so I wasn’t too disappointed to find it again in this one.

To Sum It All Up!

           I once again have fallen in love with a Kristen Ashley character and that my friend is Nick Sebring.  There are no words to describe how hot this dude is and all the things he does for Olivia just made him even better! Olivia stood out to me from most of the heroines in a Kristen Ashley novel because she was truly alone in this world.  Most leading ladies have a solid family or best friend but Olivia was on her own.  She recognized her life for what it was and tried to carve some piece of happiness just for herself.

        Of course no story would be complete without some sort of devastation and when it hit I was in pieces.  I’m not going to give anything away just have Kleenex near you when it happens….trust me! Although this story followed similar Kristen Ashley models it deviated at times making the plot feel fresh, keeping me hooked.  I really loved the ending because it definitely made Oliva and Nick’s story unique and all the more heart felt.  I am so sad to see the end of this series, it is truly one of my favorites but what a wonderful way to end it! Thank you so much Kristen Ashley for giving us these characters, I will always remember them. 

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Laura’s Review of Walk Through Fire (Chaos, #4) By Kristen Ashley

Synopsis

Millie Cross knows what it's like to burn for someone. She was young and wild and he was fierce and even wilder-a Chaos biker who made her heart pound. They fell in love at first sight and life was good, until she learned she couldn't be the woman he needed and made it so he had no choice but to walk away. Twenty years later, Millie's chance run-in with her old flame sparks a desire she just can't ignore. And this time, she won't let him ride off . . .

Bad boy Logan "High" Judd has seen his share of troubles with the law. Yet it was a beautiful woman who broke him. After ending a loveless marriage, High is shocked when his true love walks back into his life. Millie is still gorgeous, but she's just a ghost of her former self. High's intrigued at the change, but her betrayal cut him deep-and he doesn't want to get burned again. As High sinks into meting out vengeance for Millie's betrayal, he'll break all over again when he realizes just how Millie walked through fire for her man . . . 

What I Loved

        I think what I love most about Kristen Ashley books is that each one is so bittersweet about real gritty people that have lived hard lives.  Walk Through Fire is no exception to that and the minute you meet Millie you know she’s made hard decisions in her past that made the sweet in her life pretty bitter.  We all know how difficult it can be to run into an ex, but to run into the love of your life and learn he has a family is probably devastating.  I think that’s what drew me to Millie the most and made it easy to fall in love with her.

        There were a lot of times that I had tears in my eyes while reading because my heart just broke for Millie over and over again.  I loved that I not only got to see what Logan and Millie are like presently but what they were like in the past and how it all started between them.  I especially loved it because not only did I meet a young Millie and High but also got to see what Chaos used to be like back in the day and how much things have changed.  

        The chemistry between High (Logan) and Millie sizzled the instant they lay eyes on each other again which explodes into one of the hottest scenes in the book.  But the hate and bitterness High feels for Millie resurfaces in the most heart wrenching of ways.  It was so hard to see not only Logan treat Millie like crap but the rest of the Chaos as well because you know deep down she doesn’t deserve this. 

        I absolutely loved this book, Walk Through Fire added another love story this already amazing series.  I didn’t want Logan and Millie’s story to end because they proved that no matter how much time has passed true love is still true love and that can never die.

Not So Much

        I really have no complaints about Walk Through Fire, Kristen Ashley has created this amazing world of the Chaos MC and Walk Through Fire added another layer of hotness to Denver.  I do wish at times the stories weren’t so wordy because I find myself speed reading through some paragraphs because the plot got a little too slow for me, but that’s my hang up with Kristen Ashley stories overall.

To Sum It All Up!

        Overall this was another amazing story to add to the Chaos MC series.  Millie was an easy character to love.  You know immediately that she loved Logan hard and it broke her when he walked away but it was for his own happiness.  She was such a real down to earth gritty woman who tried to live her life without the one person in it that matter the most.  It was great to see Logan’s walls break down as well.  He’s always been this rough around the edges character that you knew had a story but was never sure what that was.  I loved how much he loved Millie and it was wonderful not only seeing them come back together but to see how they started out too.  I also really liked that the point of view switched throughout the book so I got see some of my favorite past characters.

The massive details in every Kristen Ashley book gives the plot depth and complexity that immediately sucks you in and Walk Through Fire was no exception.  The overall storyline in this series has continued and this book raised the tension another notch between Chaos and Valenzuela. I cannot wait to see how all this will end, I dread and anticipate it at the same time.  The sexual chemistry between Logan and Millie sizzles the entire time, I couldn’t wait for them to tear each other’s clothes anytime they were alone together.  I’m a sucker for alpha males that know how to act all protective and sweet and Logan fits that bill to the tee.  Another awesome story to add to this already amazing series and I can’t wait to see what happens next! 

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Laura’s Review of Hold On (The ‘Burg, #6) By Kristen Ashley

Synopsis

Since she was young, Cher Rivers knew she was not the kind of girl who got what she wanted. A girl who could hope. A girl who could dream. She knew a happily ever after just wasn't in the cards for her.

In love for years with the last bastion of the 'burg's eligible bachelors, Garrett Merrick, Cher worked hard at making him laugh. Being one of the guys. Having him in her life the only way she could. All this knowing he was in love with another woman.

The Merrick Family is known for loving deep. So when Cecelia Merrick was murdered, it marked the Merricks in a way none of them recovered. Both Cecelia's children found love. Both turned their backs on it. But Garrett "Merry" Merrick knew in his soul the woman he divorced years ago was the one for him.

Until the night when Cher took Garrett's back and things changed. The Merrick family loves deep. They also protect fiercely. And with his eyes finally open, Garrett sees the woman who truly is for him and he goes after her. 

What I Loved

          Wow, well I don’t even know where to begin with how much I loved this book.  I went into Hold On knowing that by the end of it I would balling like a baby, saying good bye to a series that I love so much.  I was so excited to start reading yet at the same time not wanting to read too fast because then it would be over too soon.  But the plot immediately sucked me in and I couldn’t put it down! 

          Both Cher and Merrick are characters we’ve come to know in the past ‘Burg series books, so it made it all the more heartwarming to finally start reading their story.  I already had a vested interest in their happiness and my love grew for them as the story went on. 

         What makes Kristen Ashley books so amazing is she writes these very really very gritty characters that make the story come to life and grow from there.  Cher is a survivor, knowing she’s made stupid decisions in the past but believes after every turn she will make it through somehow.  She will fight to the death for her son Ethan and shows him unconditional love every second she can.  I think what I love so much about her is she is such a strong female, even though she’s made bad decisions she picks up the pieces and moves on.  I think the same can be said for Merrick as well in a lot of ways.  He’s a rough around the edges cop, who failed at his first marriage and has pushed love away ever since. Even though he lives with a constant fear, he’s brave enough when it’s important to push through it to find his own happiness.  Merrick is a man in every sense of the word, his masculinity pours off the pages and I just couldn’t get enough of his alpha mindset.

Not So Much

          I think my only main complaint is that there were times that I felt like the rambling got a little bit on my nerves.  I know it’s the way Kristen Ashley writes so I expect in her books, but this one to me had a little bit more than the usual.  I found myself skipping some sentences just to get the point.

          Also, and it’s not really complaint, it’s probably just a testament to how much I love these characters because I get mad at myself for forgetting some of them.  But I kind of wish there was either a companion novel or something on KA’s website that has like a glossary of all her characters.  Since there is so much crossover from book to book in a series and crossover from series to series it’s sometimes hard to keep everyone straight. I would like to have a reference guide I guess!

To Sum It All Up!

          This was such an amazing and heartfelt story, about finding love when it might seem hopeless.  Cher has accepted her lot in life, she’s made bad decisions in the past which has led her to being in some pretty shitty circumstances.  Merry finally pulls his head out of his ass, realizes what’s been in front of him for years and becomes Cher’s white knight.  Merry might be aggressive and stubborn at times but is exactly what Cher to show her she deserves so much more in life.  It was so wonderful to experience the love growing between them and create a new life together.  Of course no Kristen Ashley story ends without some edge of your seat action, and there was definitely some of that.  On top that there were some pretty hot and steamy sex scenes that were very fun to read. 

          As I began the epilogue I had tears in my eyes knowing that this was the end.  I have been reading the ‘Burg series for a long time now and I wasn’t ready to say goodbye.  Even though the epilogue made me cry even more because it was so amazing, I ended this book with a bittersweet smile on my face.  I don’t think an author has ever given me such a great sense of closure to a series as Hold On has and I truly thank Kristen Ashley for that.  It’s hard to say goodbye to all these amazing characters, but I’m sure I’ll come around and meet them again when I start this series all over again one day. There are no words to express just how much I loved this book and how much I truly love this series.  

Laura’s Review of Ride Steady (Chaos, #3) by Kristen Ashley

Synopsis

The ride of her life . . . 

Once upon a time, Carissa Teodoro believed in happy endings. Money, marriage, motherhood: everything came easy---until she woke up to the ugly truth about her Prince Charming. Now a struggling, single mom and stranded by a flat tire, Carissa's pondering her mistakes when a vaguely familiar knight rides to her rescue on a ton of horsepower.

Climb on and hold tight . . . 

In high school, Carson Steele was a bad boy loner who put Carissa on a pedestal where she stayed far beyond his reach. Today, he's the hard-bodied biker known only as Joker, and from the way Carissa's acting, it's clear she's falling fast. While catching her is irresistible, knowing what to do with her is a different story. A good girl like Carissa is the least likely fit with the Chaos Motorcycle Club. Too bad holding back is so damned hard. Now, as Joker's secrets are revealed and an outside threat endangers the club, Joker must decide whether to ride steady with Carissa---or ride away forever . . . 

What I Loved

          

           Once again Kristen Ashley has created a heartfelt gritty love story that steals your heart immediately and doesn’t let go.  The prologue sucks you in to Joker’s story and makes it impossible not fall in love with him immediately.  Carissa as well grabs your heart and you instantly became her number one fan.  Kristen Ashley has such a magical way of writing characters, making them seem so real and down to earth.  It allows the reader to get sucked in to each and every story and it stays with you for a long time afterwards.  I can definitely add Ride Steady to that long list of Kristen Ashley books that will stay with me for quite some time.

      We first meet Joker/Carson and Carissa in high school, both having a hard life but for very differ reason and then we meet them again years later trying to settle into their lives.  I loved that this story kind of broke away from the typical Kristen Ashley mold; boy meets girl and girl being in denial of a new relationship.  I love that Carissa met Joker and realized quite quickly how amazing this man was and that she was going to become someone important in his life.  Joker might’ve put up some walls at first but Carissa liked the challenge and went at him full throttle. 

          There is nothing not to love about Joker, growing up hard but finally finding support and a family in Chaos.  He is such an amazing character and there wasn’t a chapter that would go by that he wouldn’t amaze me.  I loved watching these two people fall in love with each other and build a happy life together.  

Not So Much

          

My only complaint about this story is that there were many times I felt like the plot kind of stalled and there was too much rambling going on.  I know it’s the way Kristen Ashley writes and I totally understand that so I’m not trying to knock it.  But there were a couple times to me that I felt like the plot got kind of boring and I wish the characters would just get to the point.

To Sum It All Up!

         

Another awesome Kristen Ashley story! I especially love the overall arc to this series, it adds to the anticipation of the climax and it is very different from other Kristen Ashley series.  We aren’t quite there yet but I have a feeling it’s coming soon and I’m not going to lie, ’m freaking scared when it finally does (but only in the best of ways)!  I love that not only did we get to see more of the Chaos family, we also got some Rock Chick action as well as a little Knight Sebring and of course Hawk.  It makes me miss these guys so much and at the same time adding to the plot and to the emotions of the reader.

          This was such an amazing story built around truly awesome characters.  The foundation was laid out immediately in such amazing detail and I loved the character development.  Kristen Ashley books have always been my measuring stick of details in other books because she writes them in so exquisitely and thoroughly.  Ride Steady gripped my heart; Joker and Carissa’s love for each other poured off every single page and these two will stay with me for a long time.

Laura’s Review of The Will (Magdalene, #1) by Kristen Ashley

Synopsis

Early in her life, Josephine Malone learned the hard way that there was only one person she could love and trust: her grandmother, Lydia Malone. Out of necessity, unconsciously and very successfully, Josephine donned a disguise to keep all others at bay. She led a globetrotting lifestyle on the fringes of the fashion and music elite, but she kept herself distant.

While Josephine was trotting the globe, retired boxer Jake Spear was living in the same small town as Lydia. There was nothing disguised about Jake. Including the fact he made a habit of making very bad decisions about who to give his love.

But for Josephine and Jake, there was one person who adored them. One person who knew how to lead them to happiness. And one person who was intent on doing it.

Even if she had to do it as her final wish on this earth.

What I Loved

          This story had all the makings of an amazing heart felt Kristen Ashley story and to me, it totally delivered.  I have always loved Kristen Ashley stories because she just seems to understand what will reach out and grab a reader’s heart and from the very beginning of this story, the character of Lydia does just that.  Lydia thought she figured out how she could be content with her life, only to be thrown for a loop after her grandmother’s funeral.  It was so wonderful to watch Lydia pick up the pieces of her life and then eventually find her own happiness. 

          I think what I loved most about this story is the overall message; finding your happiness and not settling.  No one should ever settle for contentment, they should try and reach out to grab their happiness no matter what it may be. 

Also, I loved the way Lydia talked, it was funny watching her interact with Jake’s children and then to see her old fashioned vocabulary rub off onto them.  As much as I liked Lydia though, I’ve got say the hot alpha male that is Jake Spear was even better.  Seriously, when it comes to Jake Spear what isn’t there to love?  He’s a fierce fighter, a fierce father and of course a fierce lover.  The attraction between Jake and Lydia was immediate and it was so much fun to watch them get to know each other and then eventually fall in love with each other. 

Not So Much

          This was such a gripping heartfelt story so there isn’t much I didn’t love.  My biggest complaint would be that at times I felt like their inner monologues were long winded and became kind of boring.  I just wished during some scenes they would kind of just get to the point and at times I felt like it weighed the plot down rather than moving it along.

          I love Kristen Ashley books, each story is so amazing; sometimes bitter sweet, sometimes just bitter and pretty much always sweet.  But each book no matter the series all kind of follows the same story line.  Hot alpha male falls for a woman who is denial of her feelings for said male but then eventually sees the light and they live happily ever after.  Of course there are some pretty hot sex scenes, sad scenes, mystery and action thrown into mix, but overall the same.  I love these books and I love this author but bigger picture wise I would like to see more variation.

To Sum It All Up!

       

          This was such an amazing book, there is nothing not to love about Jake and Lydia’s story.  The details were so amazing that at time I felt like Lavender House was the third main character in the story rather than just some background the characters lived in.  Kristen Ashley always knows how to paint a picture of beauty not only with the plot but the characters and background as well.  Lydia was such a great female lead and I admire her more than I would most female leads.  Not only is Jake one hot father, but he is an even hotter boxer which made this book very enjoyable at times.  I definitely had tears in my eyes at certain points and a stupid smile at others.  The Will is one hell of a roller coaster then I just didn’t want to get off of!