Kristen Ashley Extravaganza

So, I went on a total Kristen Ashley binge.  It started with anticipating her newest release, Raid, which was only a week out from release and then it just didn't stop.


First, I bought...

The Gamble [Colorado Mountain #1] - Kristen Ashley:  This is the first Colorado Mountain book but I had skipped it previously because it's set in a different town from the rest and has a completely different set of characters.  The first third or so of this book was rough goings for me.  Max stepped well over the line from demanding alpha to creepy control freak more than once and, frankly, the man gave me the willies.  He eased up, though, and Nina settled in more with the town and I really found myself enjoying the whole thing.  It also didn't hurt that Max is pretty good at apologizing and admitting he was wrong after being a jackass - something I appreciate mightily in an Ashley hero. I can't wait for Ashley to get back to Gnaw Bone now. (Amz||Grds)


So, of course, I couldn't stop there...

Heaven and Hell - Kristen Ashley: I liked this one but didn't love it.  My biggest issue was that I never really bought the heroine's authenticity as a domestic violence survivor.  I'm not sure exactly what felt "off" to me, but it stuck with me for the whole book.   (Amz||Grds)


Then, I still couldn't stop so I went back for a re-read...

Sweet Dreams [Colorado Mountain #2] - Kristen Ashley: Upon reread, this is my favorite Ashley after Motorcycle Man.  Gosh, Tatum Jackson is a sexy beast.  He's a badass biker/bounty-hunter/bar-owner.  He loves his woman and respects her to the core.  He also, quite frequently, pisses her off and causes her to say things like:

"Tatum Jackson, you're lucky you're a smokin' hot, badass, bounty hunter who looks good in jeans and is a good dad and I love you or you would seriously not be worth it."

Yeah, Sweet Dreams is the best. It's got older protagonists (early 40's), a vivid cast of characters, a solid suspense plot, and lots of genuinely tender and romantic moments.  Plus, it has Tate Jackson.  What more could you ask for, really?  (Amz||Grds)


Then, of course, four whole days had passed and the new release was finally available...

Raid [Unfinished Heroes #3] - Kristen Ashley:  I loved nice girl Hanna.  She decides to stop waiting around for life to happen to her and grabs it by the balls.  I liked Raid a lot less.  This whole series stars antiheroes but Raiden Miller just did not appeal to me.  He's too aggressive, too violent, and I was seriously worried for the heroine's safety at one point when he lost his temper with her.  (Amz||Grds)


I fully intended to stop at this point and read something, anything, else but the pull was just too strong...

Rock Chick [Rock Chick #1] - Kristen Ashley:  This was my favorite book in my Ashley binge. It's madcap as all get-out and there are about a gazillion colorful characters. Indy and Lee were great together.  She's an independent, confident woman and he's a badass extraordinaire.  My only major quibble with this book is that Indy often rushes into trouble and places her self in harm's way when it makes absolutely no sense for her to do so.  She gets better about this as the book went on, but learning curve was a little too steep for my taste.  (Amz||Grds)

And, of course, I couldn't stop after only one book...

Rock Chick Rescue [Rock Chick #2] - Kristen Ashley:  First, I have to say that nearly every scene that was set in the strip club, had strippers and/or former strippers in it, or even bothered to mention strippers at all was pretty much gold.  Everything else?  Not so much.  I thought Eddie was an ass in the first Rock Chick book and he didn't change my opinion here.  Jet being a martyr of the highest order didn't help things much.  It was nice to catch up with the Rock Chick gang but I never warmed up to either lead in this book.  (Amz||Grds)


And then I stopped!  For at least a week or so, anyways...


Next Up: My reading in March was all over the damn place and a lot of those places were really damn good.