Different But Amazing Side of Kristen Ashley!
924609
I didn't think anything could make me love Kristen Ashley, but I swear, reading this book was like discovering her all over again. This book was electric, romantic, and intense. You could still feel the Kristen Ashley flavor, but it also felt really fresh and new. And now it's one of my favorite KA reads. I highly recommend, it's such a great reading experience!
2826315
I have listened to EVERY Kristen Ashley book available. So I have been salivating for this story. All I can say is that I belong to a Kristen Ashley Group and many times those of us who have read/listened to all of her books have been almost envious of new readers who are just discovering KA goodness. So for us "Old Timers," HERE'S ONE FOR US!!! For those who have never read a KA book, This story is Kristen Ashley in TOP form. You will fall in love with the main characters and as always, Kristen writes the best secondary characters and epilogues EVER!
399005
It's Kristen Ashley...enough said. I will read anything and everything by her and know I will love it. For You did not disappoint!
1237439
I will start off by saying that I love all things Kristen Ashley.  Her books are straight up amazing and her Alpha-Males are smokin' hot!!  Grayson Cody is no exception.  He is kind hearted but, don't mess with him because he will kick your butt!!  Ivy is such a great heroine that you connect with her immediately.  Their story is not full of flowers and unicorns but, in the end it proves to be all worth it.  Read this people!!
1489772
The first book I read by Kristen Ashley was 'For You' and I was instantly hooked, it was a romance, my preferred genre but it was so much more, so much detail and the characters were fantastic, I was hooked. After this I read 'At Peace' which is one of my all time favourites, I've lost count of how many times I've actually read it, and Joe, don't get me started on Joe.
Kristen soon became one of my favourite authors and with books like 'Motorcycle Man,' 'Golden Dynasty' and 'Until the Sun Falls from the Sky' she could do no wrong, or so it seemed but then her new books seemed to be missing something. I'd been waiting for Shy and Tabby's story but when it came out it wasn't what I'd expected, I put this down partly to the fact that the characters were younger than Kristen normally writes about, but then 'Fire Inside' was released and again I was disappointed, Hop was basically Tack and Lanie blew so hot and cold she drove me crazy. Since my first Kristen book was a 'burg book I have a soft for them and I loved Mike in 'At Peace' but I have to say not as much in 'Games of the Heart' but I did fall in love with Finn and Reesee although the worst thing about this book was 'little dusty' I was sick to death if hearing about 'little dusty' Fantastical just wasn't for me, I've read it twice but it's the weak book in this series but then 'Golden Dynasty' was so good it's a hard book to follow, 'Broken Dove' again disappointed and I have to admit I stopped looking for Kristen's new books and I never even considered reading 'Jagged' 'Kaleidoscope' or 'The Will'
This brings me to this book 'The Promise' I couldn't let this one pass I mean it's Frankie and Benny, this one I had to read not only do we get Frankie and Benny but we get loads of Joe, Vi and the girls plus loads of other favourites.
If ever a couple were meant to be together it's Frankie and Benny but they have one major stumbling block and that's the fact that seven years ago Frankie was dating and in love with Benny's brother Vinnie, now while this is generally a no-no for me it's easier in this case since we've no actual relationship with Vinnie in fact the only information we have on him is through other peoples comments and memories, so while I'm still not totally happy with the brother thing it's not as bad as it could have been. I love Frankie and Benny, Sal and Mrs Zambino plus the rest of this huge cast of characters, they made me laugh and Gary made me cry, a couple of times so what was the problem with this book, well for me it was boring, simply boring I mean everything was set for a fantastic book, we'd all the characters, hot fiery Italians with so much past baggage, but where was all the tension the fight and well plot that made Kristen's early books so good. I mean I loved Frankie, who wouldn't and Benny...wow...Benny what can I say apart from I love Benny, I feel gutted I can't understand what went wrong.
I struggle with rating Kristen's books because even a bad book for her is generally still a good book and it doesn't seem fair to give this only 3 stars, the past characters alone, I mean Joe and Vi.....but I just can't bring myself to give 4 so I'm settling for 3.5 stars.

*******SPOILERS********

##############
 When picking names it seemed odd to have so many 'B's' yes we've got Benny, no one's going to mistake him but in Frankie's office we have Bierman, Berger and Barrow....why?

When Frankie is asking Tandy for all the information they've got she says no until Frankie says she's got a guy watching out for Peter, that's it no proof at all she could be saying anything to get what she wants and yes suddenly everything is handed over.

Roxie and Hanks wedding colours this is the answer needed to prove someone's who they say they are, I mean with a little bit of technical knowledge and Facebook how difficult is it to get someone's wedding picture.

While I'm moaning why did Frankie forgive everyone instantly, I know she's a great person with a big heart but seriously seven years of shit!!!
3621481
**ARC provided by publisher for honest review***
WOW! KA has done it again. I adored the way High and Millie fought at the beginning. It came from both sides not just you will be mine, no I won't but true actually annoyance. But you know what they say about there being a thin line between love and hate. They totally crossed it. I didn't think I would love this as much as the others, not because I expected a bad book, but how can you top something that is already so great? But of course in true KA style, I totally love it. I loved the kids and their antics. OH and lets not forget about how wicked cool it was to see that an EX can actually be coo without having another motive. I would LOVE to see Deb get her story. Find her passion and her lover. She seems so mysterious on the inside. Also Hound and Keely WHAT!!! Freaking great, can their story be next PLEASE. The only part about this is that I felt like Venezuela was left without enough of an ending. I get that we are going to see more to this story line later, but I wanted better closure on that part. Any Way as Always Kristen Ashley = one click!
4660491
I've never read a Kristen Ashley book that I haven't immensely enjoyed and this one is no different! I can easily say that she is one of my favorite authors, if not my favorite author!  I love how she is so descriptive in her books. There is no way not to be able to visualize the setting in her books, the places, the people. I love that she always gives us a complete story. I love the long, full books! No waiting months for a second part/completion  of a book!
So, here we have a PNR series, which is my favorite type of story. Doesn't everyone need a little magic in their life? I think, yes!
If you like a bit of fantasy and paranormal in your reading, then I highly recommend this story. You won't be disappointed. I think you will fall in love with the love story that is of Finnie & Frey.
4956861
I loved this book! The characters were so three dimensional. The story was heartbreaking but at the same time inspirational. Kristen Ashley at her best!
1431695
Couldn't get into it at first.  Didn't know why...  then I came back to it.  The subject matter was too close to home for me.  Walked around out of sorts during it.  Then I had to keep reading, had to know... I was right.
Another beautiful book.  Kristen Ashley writes such Real characters.  They are well thought out.  Mature.  Her books take you through real lives.  The story lines are interesting and adventurous.  Another book for the re-read shelf.  Great job, Kristen!
1431857
I'm so glad I decided to pick this book up! Kristen Ashley is the QUEEN of writing alpha males! All her men are super hot and the sex scenes are fantastic. I've never been disappointed in a Kristen Ashley book and this book is no exception.

Carson "Joker" Steele has been in love with Carissa Teodoro since high school. But in his mind, he's not worth the dirt she walks on. About 8 years after he runs away from his abusive, ***hole father, Carson meets Carissa again when he sees her and her baby son on the side of the road with a flat tire.

I absolutely LOVED Joker! Despite the truly crappy childhood he had, he grew up to be a wonderful man who does very well in life. Not only does he have a job doing what he loves (designing and building cars/bikes) but he's also found a true home and family in the Chaos Motorcycle Club. After all those years of beatings, pain, and loneliness, Joker has the support of all his brothers in Chaos. I loved watching him realize that he deserved good things in life and was so much more than his father always told him he was.

Soooooo I totally have a thing for men with children...specifically men with babies. I think it's the hottest damn thing in the world! So seeing Joker with baby Travis just made my heart melt Every. Single. Time!

I'm usually never a fan of, shall we say, girly girls. The cheerleaders, the popular girls, etc. I like my heroines with a little less pink ruffles and a lot more black leather, ya know? That being said, I absolutely ADORED Carissa! Sure she wears frilly pink stuff and I had a really good laugh when she walked into the Compound wearing a pink butterfly dress, but her character is sooooo much more than the pompoms and homecoming crowns (Seriously though, that scene where she first walked into the compound amused the HECK outta me! Who walks into a biker's hangout wearing a pink butterfly dress with matching butterfly sandals?? I love it...).

Carissa is beautiful, and I don't just mean physically. She has a good heart and a strong character. She gives everything for her son who is her entire life and I have mad respect for her. It was nice to see Chaos take care of her and ESPECIALLY nice to see Joker take care of her. Together, Joker and Carissa are able to heal each other's emotional scars and make a life together with Travis.

The one complaint I have about this book is the Valenzuela subplot...besides giving us an excuse to see Knight, Hawk, and some others, I really didn't see the point...speaking of which, HOLY CAMEOS BATMAN! I haven't read many of Ashley's books but I know enough to realize that there were a ton of cameos in this book which is pretty freakin cool! So if you're a big fan of this author, you can look forward to a lot of characters you already know.

I also listened to this audiobook for a bit and Kate Russell does a GREAT job at narrating!

(Originally reviewed 11/13/15)
1450700
I mean absolutely NO disrespect to any other author when I say this, but no one, and I mean NO ONE, writes a book like Kristen Ashley! If you asked me to tell you my favorite part of a KA book, it would have to be the dialogues she writes. Her dialogues can have me laughing out loud one minute and in big, gulping tears the next.  But honestly, it's the whole package. If I didn't have 6,000,000 books on my TBR, I would be sorely tempted to do a whole KA re-read, because getting to see so many of our favorite past couples me realize how much I missed them all. So, once again, I bow down to you, oh Queen, and say "thank you" for being your awesome self and giving us so many ah-maz-ing stories.
3624287
I was just speechless at the end of this book.  I love Kristen Ashley, a self admitted Rock Chick addict, but this book was awesome. The authors notes say that for a while she thought about titling the book, "Sylvie" and I can understand why.  Two very strong characters in this book.  I loved the history of the characters, I loved their journey to be together in the present, I even loved the heartbreak of the secondary characters because it added to the love story that was Creed and Sylvie. Just an amazing, wonderful story. Kristen Ashley knocked me on behind with this one, and I'm so glad!
4225699
I was really on the fence reading the blurb for this one.
An Alpha Submissive?  This seems like an oxymoron.  But, come on, I love Kristen Ashley.
I love her mastery of Character development.
This is not That.
These characters connect on the most base level of sexual desire and power exchange.  The relationship begins as play partners at a BDSM club.  There is only Domme and Sub.  She treats him as her toy and doesn't even know his name.  The display of dominance and submission is put forth at its finest.  Experiencing the battle as Oliver, in all his Alpha glory, allows himself to submit to his needs was fascinating.  Eventually this blooms in to more.  Not the normal KA more, but more.

I applaud Kristen as she wades in to this genre/series that I haven't seen anyone else writing about.
The kink and eroticism in this book is off the charts and had me blushing at times.
I will definitely be continuing this series!
51632
Shhhh. Kristen Ashley (KA) is the author that is my dirty secret guilty pleasure. Ive said this before and Ill say it again, I shouldnt like her books. The dialogue is sometimes ridiculous with clipped sentences, silly alpha gruffness and pet names. Often she includes extra character details of side characters that aren't necessary (more with The Burg series than her others) and she likes to describe clothes and setting BUTI love her stories. KAs blend of romance with uber alphas has this balance of angst, sweetness, drama and decent plots that I always get dragged in and I love it.

Raid is no different once I started I didn't want to stop until the end. Hannah is a cute small town girl that takes care of her grandmother and has had a crush on the same boy most of her life. Raid is ex-Military and really has no clue that Hannah existed. Hes dated some wild girls but never fathomed settling down until he met her. He has a dangerous not so legal job and a past to deal with, but once he sets his sights on the good girl next door there is no stopping him.

***Im tellin you, Hanna, you be careful. You go forward cautious. Hard to guard your heart from a man like that wholl do nothing and everything to win it in a way youll want him to own it forever. But mind this, child. Raiden Miller doesnt find a way to beat back the danger lurking within, hell go down and hell take you down right along with the blaze of hellfire hes got burning inside, he battles that and wins, you will know nothing for the rest of your life, no taste, no experience, not even the birth of your children that will be sweeter than the love hell have for you.***

Everything between them is more intense than Hannah ever thought it could be. But to keep him she will have to find a way to help him heal the hole he has inside him and learn how to stand tall against him when she pushes the walls he has built up around himself.

Hannah is easily likable and the relationship she has with her great-grandmother was so adorable. I always like the family relationships that KA includes in her stories. She likes to write about places with a small town feel to them where everyone knows everyone else and it is a place you would love to visit. Raid, well while for the most part I liked him he had some crap to work through and could be dick from time to time. But you never question what he feels for Hannah and how much he wants to be a good man for her and protect her.

The unfinished hero series isn't my favorite of the KA series but it is a good shorter fix in-between some of her longer books like those of The Burg or Fantasyland series and sometimes a girl just needs her KA fix.
2616129
I am absolutely and completely in love with Deacon! One thing I love about Kristen Ashley's contemporary books is that there are no crazy plot twists, no trying to one-up other books in this genre in order to stand out, it's just great story-telling.

The story begins with Cassidy, a wide-eyed twenty-three year old living her dream and filled with hope. She purchased a string of fixer-upper cottages in Colorado with dreams of running a homey little resort while hiking and hitting the slopes in her downtime. It's a lot of work, work she's willing to put in. Her first customer is a handsome, scary, empty man. Deacon. Over many years Deacon comes and goes. All with very little interaction with Cassidy. He gives her nothing but little does she know she gives him so much. Until one night everything changes.

I loved these characters so much. Cassidy is a classic KA heroine. She's gorgeous, sweet, goofy, and feisty. She's so good for Deacon. She slowly brings him back to life. Most of this book feels like it belongs in the Colorado Mountain series, which is not a bad thing. But around the 80% mark or so we begin to get the feel of Knight and Creed. Oh man! This is the second hottest sex scene in KA history (Apollo, Maddie, and adela tea is still #1 in my opinion). Holy hell that was amazing! I also felt a little warm every time Deacon growled, "Here." Oh my heart.

And once again Ashley makes good use of characters from her other series. I also liked the connection between the cottages and The Gamble. Very clever. Well done!
2432976
I had seen this book a few times before finally getting a copy.  I am so glad I did!  Though it did start out a little slow, once the characters were introduced and the back story set up, it moved right along!  I really enjoyed it, and found it to be very different than anything I have read before!  Love the characters, especially Evan.  Though the book does leave you hanging at the end, it's in a good way, because you know there are more good things to come in the next book!
2567504
Kristen Ashley books are a love/hate relationship for me.  Those I love, I really love and those I hate....well you get the gist. There is no middle ground it seems for how I feel about her books. Therefore, I was lucky that this is one I absolutely adored. Although Belles' character is a little too perfect, it is balanced out with how imperfect the other players in the drama are. It gives these characters a chance to really shine in their own right without taking over the story. The supernatural element is well done until the end where it becomes a little over the top which is why this book is not a five star review. That aside, it's a great read and well worth the reasonable price.