Creed - Kristen Ashley

Book Blurb:
Way too young, eleven year old Tucker Creed and his six year old neighbor, Sylvie Bissenette, find they have something awful in common. Creed then decides he’s going to do everything in his limited power to shield his Sylvie from her ordeal. So he does and Creed and Sylvie form a bond that grows and blossoms with their ages.

They plot to leave their lives behind, the town they live in that will hold them down and the histories they share that, unless they break free, will bury them. Sylvie goes to their special place, Creed never shows and she doesn’t see him again until it’s too late.

With Creed gone, Sylvie is forced to endure a nightmare and do the unspeakable to end it. To deal, she develops a hard shell with sharp edges that very few can break through. So when Creed again finds his Sylvie, he discovers the girl he loved is locked away and he has to find his way back into her heart without getting shredded in the process.

In My Own Words:
Is it possible to be grown by the age of 6?  Sylvie Bissenette proves that she is well beyond her age while running from an abusive father in to the arms of much older and from the wrong side of the tracks Tucker Creed.  While sharing in their own misery over the years, a strong unbreakable bond is formed. On Sylvie's 18th birthday, the day they planned to leave all of the evil behind, Creed left...without her.  Sylvie left on her own must endure her own brand of hell until she finds her own brand of strength.  Many years later, Creed is back with one thing on his mind.  Win her back, at all costs.

Review:
This is the second book in the series and I just loved it.  I liked that you get bits and pieces of the history as the main story goes along, you aren't hit with all kinds of history at the beginning.  Sylvie is sassy and smart and tough as nails, but she has a soft side that only the ones closest to her get to see.  Creed is wounded, and needs to be put back together.  The two of them together is dynamic and great reading.

Golden Trail - Kristen Ashley

Book Blurb:
Tanner Layne and Raquel Merrick fell in love young, hard and fast and both of them knew a beautiful life they thought would be forever.

Until Rocky left Layne, no explanation, no going back.

Layne escapes The ‘Burg only to come back years later because his ex-wife has hooked herself to the town jerk and Layne needs to make sure his sons get raised right. Layne manages to avoid Rocky but when Layne gets three bullets drilled into him while investigating a dirty cop, he can’t do that because Rocky stops avoiding Layne. They make a deal to work together to expose the dirty cop but they have no idea the strength of their enduring attraction or the sheer evil at work in The ‘Burg.

As Tanner Layne and Raquel Merrick play their game and dance around the pull that draws them together, Layne has to discover the dark secrets buried so deep in Rocky’s heart she doesn’t even know they’re there at the same time untangle a sinister web of crime so abhorrent it has to be stopped... at all costs.

And to do it, Layne has to enlist everyone, including his ex-CIA mentor, Rocky’s detective brother, the town’s unpredictable informant and Layne’s two teenage sons all the while stopping Rocky from doing something crazy and keeping their game secret so Layne won't get himself dead.

In My Own Words:
Rocky and Tanner have been broken up for 17 years.  In that time Rocky has been married and became a teacher.  Tanner was married had to sons did the military thing and is back to open his own private agency.  What Tanner doesn't expect is Rocky showing up on his door step asking for him to be her partner in bringing down a dirty cop.  What Tanner doesn't further expect is to actually take the job, along with a list of others.

Working with Rocky is one thing, but pretending to be her rekindled beau may be harder than it looks because just being near her make his heart skip a beat but he knows getting involved with Rocky could be...rocky as she left him with no word and broke him in to a thousand pieces.

Trying to find out Rocky's big secret, while keeping the teen girls safe in town and keeping his ex-wife's looser boyfriend from screwing up his kids lives all the while trying to not get killed, proves to be a lot to handle, but never boring.

Review:
I loved this story.  When Rocky's secret was revealed and she broke down, I was crying right along with her.  Talk about a hard time to come to terms with.  I enjoyed that Rocky wasn't your typical romance girl, she has balls, and she was sassy when she needed to be but she didn't need to be rescued, she needed to be a part of the operation no matter what that operation was.  I enjoyed getting to see some of the past characters from the Burg series and seeing what they were up to.  Next up...Mike's story.

Rock Chick (Renegade) - Kristen Ashley

Book Blurb:
Jules has got a score to settle against the drug dealers of Denver. Vance has made it his mission that Jules won’t get dead while dishing out vigilante justice. Jules doesn’t have time for romance, she’s too busy saving the world and she enlists Zip (the gunstore owner), Heavy (an ex-PI) and Frank (a mysterious recluse) to help.

The Rock Chicks of Fortnum’s Bookstore get involved to provide romantic advice and guidance, none of which Jules accepts at first. The Hot Bunch of Nightingale Investigations adopt Jules as one of their own. Even though Jules tries to hang on to her inner Head Crackin’ Mamma Jamma, the Rock Chicks; Hot Bunch; Jules’s long-suffering Uncle Nick; Jules’s friend the rotund, African-American, Jackie-O wannabe, May; and especially Vance will stop at nothing to wear her down.

But Jules makes some bad guys pretty angry and one is dedicated to taking her out. Vance and the Hot Bunch have to pull out all the stops to keep her alive. At the same time, Jules and Vance learn the true meaning of home but once they find this precious entity they’ve been searching for all their lives, will Jules’s enemies tear it away?

In My Own Words:

Jules is a social worker by day and kick ass momma jamma by night.  Losing one of her kids to drugs, twisted something in her, knowing she had to do something, she decided to start messing with the dealers.  Nothing big, canola oil in their BMW, plastic wrap on their doors...just stuff to annoy them an let them know there are people out there not going to take their crap.  Jules (Law is her street name), got the attention of Lee and his boys during a shootout in front of Indy's bookstore.  Vance decides after his first meet with her, she will be his.  Something about her, turns that big hard man in to a big softie and he liked what he felt.  Jules has made some very bad enemies, and Vance has taken to keeping her safe, thus marking her as his own, THUS, bringing in the Rock Chicks, who come to offer moral support, sex tips and friendship.  Keeping her kids safe is her priority, but when they chips are down, Vance is the one she depends on, and that scares her....to death.

Notable Quote:

"I see you didn't break up with Vance last night," Jet said, smiling at me.

"I did," I told her, "he just kinda ignored me."

Review:

I think this is my favorite of the series so far (I know I have said that before, but I mean it this time).  Jules is a kick ass, sassy and smart vigilante with a heart for her kids.  She isn't going to let anyone stop her from wrecking havoc on the drug dealers.  Vance is smart enough to know, he can't stop her, so he wants to get her trained by his boys, the best in the business.  I loved that, he didn't want to change her, he wanted to help her stay safe.  We had lots of great characters in this one too....May, works with Jules, and is fiercely protective of her.  Nick, he uncle and only living family member.  And of course the Rock Chicks and all the mayhem they bring along with them.  I was on the edge of my seat a few times, and holding my breath at others.  I felt sad, and laughed out loud too.  I love to connect with characters, and this book did JUST THAT!!

Rock Chicks (Rescue) - Kristen Ashley

Book Blurb:
Jet McAlister has a secret. Eddie Chavez has the hots for Jet (not to mention, Eddie's just, plain hot). Jet has too many problems to realize that Eddie's interested. Eddie loses patience when Jet ends her waitressing shift at a strip club with a knife at her throat. Since Eddie's a cop, he figures he can help. Since Jet's used to solving everyone's problems, she doesn't want Eddie's help.

Throw in a Dolly Parton look-alike, a gruff but lovable strip club owner, Jet's ne'er-do-well father, his ne'er-do-well friend, Bear, Bear's long-suffering, chain-smoking wife Lavonne and the crew from Rock Chick and you've got Rock Chick Rescue.

Rock Chick Rescue takes you on a wild ride with Jet, Eddie and the gang as they wrestle bad guys in a bagel shop, hit Denver's backstreet poker tables (with big hair), and help the strippers at Smithie's take down a would-be murderer.

Through this, Jet's got to learn that, even when life made you give up your dreams, you can still end up with the (hot) guy. Eddie's got to rescue Jet from a bad man (so he can do better things with her) and teach her that some dreams can come true.

In My Own Words:
Jet has a lot on her plate already.  A mother that is recovering from a stroke, and all of the troubles that go along with that.  What she doesn't need is more to deal with.  When her father blows in to town, trouble is exactly what she gets.  Eddie has been checking Jet out for several months now, only she is to busy dealing with her own issues to even notice.  When the heat is turned up on the danger, Eddie thinks he is the only one that can keep her safe.  Being claimed by Eddie, means she is also brought in to the Rock Chick group, and thus giving Jet something else to deal with...friends.

Notable Quote:
"Chiquita, if you tell me it's none of my business, I swear to God, I'll shoot you."

Review:
I find that I love this series more and more as it goes on.  Eddie and Jet's chemistry is electric, even if she tries to deny it for most of the story.  Watching her cave and accept him, plus accept the friendships that are offered to her was quite amusing.  Of course, as always, the secondary cast was also wonderfully entertaining.  I am in love with the friendships that are formed in the Rock Chick family, and also the bonds that Lee's boys have with each of the "pains in the ass".  Smithie was a new one for me, I wasn't sure how to take him, but he ended up on of my favorites of the book.  You have it all in this one, a little suspense, mean sharks after the little prey, hot macho guys, storybook friendships and a love story that was fun to read.  So many parts of this book I felt like I was in the room watching the action, great writing.

Rock Chick - Kristen Ashley

Book Blurb:
Indy’s a former wild child (okay, maybe not so “former”) and now used bookstore owner. Lee’s a former bad boy and now runs a private investigation service. Toss together a quiet barista with a not-so-lawful side-business, a crazy Vietnam Vet, a pothead, a drag queen, family and friends who will NOT mind their own business, a few stun guns and a bag of diamonds and mix it up with some shootings, a high speed chase and car bombs exploding and you’re on the first Rock Chick wild ride.

In My Own Words:
Indy is living her life by Indy's standards.  Sometimes that includes rock concerts, sometimes it includes disobeying direct orders, and sometimes it includes missing diamonds and people shooting at her.  When the heat was turned up and a gun pulled on her, her best friend set her up to sleep at her brother's house while he was out of town.  Unfortunately, he didn't get the memo that he was supposed to be out of town.  When he comes home to find goldilocks in his bed, and a stranger on his couch, some explaining needs to happen....and fast.

Lee was the love of Indy's life and since she was 5 she had done everything possible to catch his attention.  But 10 years ago, Lee said the words that cut through her core and had her avoiding him at all costs. "I think of you like a sister." Now 10 years later, she is in need of his certain expertise but isn't willing to admit it to herself let alone him.

Notable Quote:
..."Your grandmother used to say that you were two souls separated in heaven.  She mainly meant you were both trouble and deserved each other."

Review:
This book had everything.  There was mystery as to who actually has the diamonds.  There was a love lost story, she had loved him for so many years, and he just pushed her away.  You had drag queens and rock and roll.  There was cars exploding and people getting shot, blown up and handcuffed.  And finally a creepy stalker mob guy that won't catch a clue.  I loved this story.  There was action and adventure and a great love story all wrapped up in one little pink package.

For You - Kristen Ashley

Book Blurb:
Lieutenant Alexander Colton and February Owens were high school sweethearts. Everyone in their small town knew from the moment they met they were meant for each other. But something happened and Feb broke Colt’s heart then she turned wild and tragedy struck. Colt meted out revenge against the man who brought Feb low but even though Colt risked it all for her, Feb turned her back on him and left town.

Fifteen years later, Feb comes back to help run the family bar. But there’s so much water under the bridge separating her and Colt everyone knows they’ll never get back together.

Until someone starts hacking up people in Feb’s life. Colt is still Colt and Feb is still Feb so the town watches as Colt goes all out to find the murderer while trying to keep Feb safe.

As the bodies pile up, The Feds move in and a twisting, turning story unravels exposing a very sick man who has claimed numerous victims along the way, Feb and Colt battle their enduring attraction and the beautiful but lost history that weaves them together.

In My Own Words:
Being the town couple has its drawbacks, especially when you break up with the town's golden boy and leave town for 15 years.  February came back to town to help her brother take over the town's bar, a local hangout that has been around forever and the family plans to keep it that way.  Coming back means facing a town that she believes she let down and the man she broke up with, and gave no explanation.  He plan now is to avoid him at all costs.  For 2 years, that plan works great, well not so great, but good enough to keep her sanity.  BUT, when a dead body is found behind the bar and it turns out that the body is a gift of sorts to Feb, Colt is called in and takes his protectin' seriously.  Colt has been best friends with Feb's brother since he was 5 years old.  He moved in and adopted the family in his teens.  Now that the love of his life is back, and someone seems to be looking for reasons to kill for her, he decides the best thing to do, is keep her close.  With her being that close, old feeling resurface.  Can the survive each other AND a psycho killer?

Notable Quote:
There were so many quotes in this book that made me chuckle, but I went with my absolute favorite.
"Sometimes, it's rare, but sometimes...men learn."  (Wisdom from Feb's mom)

Review:
This isn't your normal murder mystery kind of book.  You know early on who the crazy axe man is.  What takes times is finding out why and where he will strike next.  It was kind of refreshing to get to know who the bad guy is and back track to find his stressor and his reasoning.  Along the way, you get caught up in the family dynamics with the parents visiting, a brother trying to mend his marriage, friends that are there no matter what, and a town that is a gossip haven.  I enjoyed the story a great deal, what I didn't care all that much for was the editing, which I am seeing as a trend with this author.

Wild Man - Kristen Ashley

Book Blurb:

While filling her display case in her bakery, the bell over the door sounds and Tessa O’Hara looks up and sees the man of her dreams. Within thirty seconds he asks her out for a beer. Thirty seconds later, she says yes. But after four months of falling in love, she discovers he’s an undercover DEA Agent investigating the possibility she’s involved in her ex-husband’s drug business

Obviously Tess decides this means it’s over.

But DEA Agent Brock Lucas disagrees. A man on a mission who’s really committed to his job, he’s spent years in the underbelly of Denver with the dregs of society. And spending four months with Tess who’s as sweet as her cupcakes, he seriously enjoyed his job. But during Tess’s interrogation, Brock learns the devastating secret Tess is carrying and he’s determined to be the man who helps her heal as well as take her back as she walks on the wild side.

As wild and sweet mix, they face challenge after challenge of family struggling with history and terminal illness. Not to mention, Tess’s ex-husband, the drug lord and Brock’s ex-wife, who has a very big playbook are scheming to tear them apart.

But Brock Lucas has wild in him and once in his past on the trail of vengeance he let that wild loose, making a mistake that he would have no idea years later will put his sweet Tess in the position to pay his penance.

In My Own Words:
Going about her business as a successful baker and owner of a popular bakers, Tessa likes to greet her customers, but when the door chimes and in walks Jake, she thinks God is being very kind to her that day.  Good looking and a smile that could bring a nun to her knees.  After dating for several months, Tessa finds out that "Jake" isn't really who he says he is and her heart is broken.  As she tries to mend her heart and go on about her life, Brock Lucas (Jake) walks back in to her life and isn't prepared to take no for an answer.  He knew the minute that he laid eyes on her, that she was more to him than an assignment. Now all he has to do is convince Tessa he is the man for her, and she needs to take ANOTHER chance.

Notable Quote:
"Would it piss you off to know that right about now I'm wondering if I walked in here yesterday because I missed my Tess or if it was because I missed her cupcakes?"

Review:
We met Slim in Mystery Man, he was the undercover agent that Hawk screwed up the investigation.  I was intrigued by him the moment I knew he was protecting Gwen in Mystery Man.  I was happy to see him get his very own HEA.  I am getting more disappointed in the editing of this series.  There tend to be a lot, as I am trying to overlook them, there seems to be an abundance, which, sadly does take away from the story.  I really liked Slim and Tess' story, they had it coming at them from every angle.  You had an ex-husband that wants his wife back, an ex-wife that makes it her lifes goal to be the biggest pain in the ass around and a family that needs glue to keep them together.  I loved the cast of girl friends, Elvira made me laugh out loud several times.  All in all a pretty good book, but lousy editing.

Mystery Man - Kristen Ashley

Book Blurb:
While drinking cosmopolitans, Gwendolyn Kidd meets the man of her dreams. Then she takes him home. Then she wakes up alone. But her fear that she lost her dream man turns into a relationship with a mystery man when, night after night in the dead of night, he comes back for more. Hoping it will blossom into something real, she lets him.

But she doesn’t even know his name.

Gwen’s struggling with the decision to end their crazy non-relationship when her sister-from-hell, Ginger’s best friend pays a visit and warns Gwen that if she and her sister don't get smart, they'll both get d-e-a-d, dead. Gwen has no clue what’s going on but she’s used to Ginger’s antics and decides to lay the problem on her sister’s biker boyfriend's doorstep. Bad choice. She hits the Denver Underground radar with a big, loud ping.

This means Gwen’s Mystery Man, Cabe “Hawk” Delgado has to step in to keep her safe. But when Hawk gets a dose of Gwen in the daylight, he makes the decision that he finally wants real with Gwen. However when Gwen gets a dose of badass, bossy, straight-talker Hawk in the daylight, she decides she’s done.

Thus begins the head-to-head of the Commando vs. Cosmo Girl as Hawk woos Gwen in his own unique way, Gwen survives firebombs, drive-bys, kidnappings, hot pursuits by biker hotties and gorgeous police detectives and discovers the heartbreaking reason why Hawk kept her at arm’s length.

And as all this happens, Gwen finds that her sister’s troubles are serious trouble and she must decide who to keep alive: her sister-from-hell or the man of her dreams.

In My Own Words:
When Gwen's sister finds herself in deep trouble, Gwen realizes that her sister's trouble has now become hers as well.  Turning to the only man that is in her life, and by that she means the only man in her bed, she finds out just how serious this situation really is.  Until the police arrive, she doesn't even know her mystery man's name, and at a few points, she wishes she could forget it.  But, when the bullets fly, Hawk makes it his mission to keep Gwen safe, but is she safe with him??

Notable Quote:
"Woulda made a deal with the devil to get my wife and daughter back." He was still whispering and my breath stilled. "Don't have that chance so nothin' I can do about that. But I darkened your door, baby, and you lit up my life again so I'm not lettin' that go."  (*sigh*)

Review:
This was my first Kristen Ashley book, and you will see from reviews coming up, it wasn't my last.  I really loved this story.  The writing style took me a just bit to get used to, but once I did, I loved it.  Hawk is Alpha to the 10th degree and Gwen us just as stubborn.  I loved all of the secondary characters, Tack and Lawson...plus who can forget Dog?  Gwen had backbone and grit, Hawk is learning that is what he likes in a woman, but when her backbone gets in his way, he also realizes she has options, which kinda pisses him off even more.  Her sister, wasn't my favorite person, but I came to understand her in the end.  And not to give away spoilers, but in the Epilogue....I laughed, cried and giggles and finally the names made me cracked up.