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.