Heaven and Hell

This book is amazing. I love Kristen Ashley. I love how she doesn't mess around and wait half the book to get me hooked. If you have never read one of her books start here! I've read this multiple times and it's great every time.

Love this book! In saying that I really love the style of writing that is uniquely Kristen Ashley. This book not only made me laugh, it also made me cry, more than once! Great story great characters, it was a wonderful journey. Thank you Kristen Ashley for yet another wonderful journey!

So far I have really enjoyed all of the books that I have read by Kristen Ashley, and this one is no different. I was up waaaayyyy past my bedtime just so I could finish it, crying the whole time. I really like how despite her background Kia tried hard to look at things in a positive way and she made an effort in her relationship - she didn't let every little thing that she didn't like get to her. I can say that I truly love the writing style of this author and I never seem to get bored.

OMG, I hate to review this book because I just do not like it. I haven't even finished it. I'm half way done. I cannot bring my self to keep reading. I don't know what the problem is. I love Kristen Ashley and I have read most of her books, but this one just isn't doing it for me.

Every time I sit down to read it, I end up rereading a book on my kindle that I've already read. I don't like the characters. Kia's self esteem was too low for me and Sam was just too much. I get why Kia had low self esteem, she came from an abusive relationship, but it was still annoying. I was thrown off by Sam because when she described him before they met, I thought he would be different. Turns out he is bossy, curses constantly and speaks in these long rambling sentences that make no sense to me. I know this is how most of Kristen's heros are, but for some reason Sam was too much.

Also, it just seem unrealistic that she would meet someone that she had internet stalked for years at a table in a restaurant somewhere in another country. I had to roll my eyes at that.

Hopefully, I can finish it. If I change my mind after completing the book, I will come back and revise my review.

Another great read!!! Kristen Ashley continues to please! Heaven and Hell was such a good book. Kia and Sam were such an awesome couple and both of their (individual) stories were so emotional..REAL! Really enjoyed this book & I continue to look forward to others from Ashley!

I laughed. I cried. I yelled. This book was beautiful. I love reading a book that I can identify with parts of my own life. I grew up in Indiana and Kia' s mother reminded me of my own. The characters in the book showed real pain, longing and happiness.

Another great book by Ms. Ashley...one where you keep reading regardless of the late hour...I couldn't put it down. Loved Sam & Kia and loved all the secondary characters (hope we get Luci & Hap's story). I did not want this book to end. Read it, you won't be disappointed.

Very disappointed in this book. My husband plated pro ball and also served in top units in the military as a ranking NCO. He never used the foul language the so called hero in this book used when with me or other women. Neither did our many military friends. I’m sure when on deployment or in training their language was crude, but they, for the most part had too much respect to be that crass.
The main character came across as an uneducated buffoon using words like wanna and gonna and cursing with every utterance. I’m not a prude...but the language made me stop reading. Do not reccimend. Will probably not read another book by this author.

This is a really good book, Kia was a different character than some of KA's others, but I liked her. How Kristen can continually put out book after book that are funny, in depth, addicting among other things, is beyond me. You won't be disappointed.

Love ALL Kristen Ashley's books! Most authors can't pull off first person writing, but Ms. Ashley certainly has a nack. After reading her books the store recommends Fifty Shades of Grey. They have nothing in common. I think I'll stick with KA's writing.

First, I need to say: Thank you Kristen Ashley for keeping your book prices in the $4-5 range!

Okay, so sorry have to move on to the negative, but I will end on the positive :)

Negative: The hero just talked too crudely for someone who at the same time had the manners to stand up when a lady seats herself. Also, it seemed out of character for him after the initial meet, to not try to hook up with her the next day. Like other reviewers, I thought he got off waaay too easily for being uncommunicative to her and the reunion was too easy for him. While I liked the epilogue, thought it was low class for him to proclaim "she's having my baby" to everyone as opposed to "we're having a baby."
I have to say that it didn't ring true to me that such close family and friends who knew she was being abused for seven years, didn't try a more head-on intervention to get her the heck out of there - she's from a small town, everyone knew, everyone liked her and hated the husband, doesn't make sense people looked the other way.

Positive: Really liked the heroine's response when she realizes her insurance windfall and that she's smart enough to realize right away that her husband had planned to kill her. I just about loved everything that was written about this female lead - her Cinderella adventure, her try at being patient and then having enough self respect to pull out of the relationship. Other positives: unlike other Ashley books, this one was not overloaded with too much action/side plots nor were there the stupid annoying "friends/family" - Luci and the gals from the hometown got close, but quickly backed off. I really liked the character Celeste who was like her fairy godmother - nice touch.

This wasn't a favorite of mine ("Wild Man" and "Law Man" still hold those spots) but still an okay read.

Can you say sexy American man? Oh yes please, cannot get enough of this Sam! Probably my favorite so far. Enjoy Italy, Greece, and beach love. Need to get a big dog though. Apparently, a doggo Argentino. Enjoy it.

I loved this book. The characters are very real and reminded me of the time my husband was in the military. I recommend this book to anyone who wanted to be able to understand the demons a man who served his country lives with. I have read it twice already and will most likely read it again!

I guess I don't get the Kirsten Ashley hype. This book was just OK. -1 star for all the "babe" and "baby"ing--even immediately after the hero meets the heroine. -1 star for the heroine having an (in my opinion) unrealistically easy time jumping into intimacy and a new relationship. -1 star for the writing, such as: a few paragraphs that I had to reread 3 times since I didn't understand what was being described, "ran like the fraught heroine in a romance novel" being used about 5 times in a row, etc.

I just couldn't get past this supposedly wonderful man who couldn't speak (even in public) without saying f***. I just don't get it. When authors use curse words as often as the word 'the' or 'and', it loses all meaning and just makes the characters seem unintelligent and very low class. I couldn't finish it.

Yikes! I hate to write a bad review, but this was plainly the worst book I've purchased on the store and the first I returned for a full refund. I couldn't bring myself to finish it.

First, the prose is in serious need of editing...SERIOUS need of editing. The run-on sentences are such a distraction. I found myself reading and re-reading entire paragraphs trying desperately to decipher the meaning.

Second, I felt I couldn't connect with the main characters. The "Hero" is a slang-slinging, foul-mouthed, ex-NFL player - with a college degree. You would think he'd have mastered English before he graduated. I can't imagine a grown man, approaching middle age, uttering a single word that this man said. Not. One. Word. "Are you feelin me?" (Yes, he wraps up many conversations with that gem.) He also exhibits a lot of aggressive behavior and tends to man-handle our heroine. She tells him to back off and he moves closer; she asks that he let her go and he holds tighter. This is NOT romantic - it's our heroine falling into a pattern of abuse.

The "Heroine" is battered which is unfortunate. She is damaged and also spectacularly stupid. As in LITERALLY stupid. Again, what grown adult says "awesome" more often that my 9 year old niece?

This author's books obviously appeal to some - it's just not my thing. Too bad, I found the premise compelling and there is a lot of room for healing, growth and redemption in this story. The editing and characters were just too great a distraction for me to get past.

Lousy dialog. The author lost me in the first chapter by gratuitously describing the hero as "half white, one quarter black and one quarter Hispanic" (really? This is about RACE, not romance?) and making him incapable of saying anything other than "F_ _ _." This is the second of her books I have tried. There will not be a third.

This story had a chance to be a story of growth and redemption. But the writing completely eliminated all that. The heroine went from one abusive, controlling, demeaning relationship to another. Instead of learning to love herself, then finding the right man to love, she just jumped into the first relationship that came along and let him call all the shots. If she had ever had a self-identity, she immediately gave it up to this new man.

The prose was awful, too. It was so long and I felt like nothing really happened. I have no idea how I made it through this book. And I have no idea how any semi-intelligent person could give this more than 2 stars. The praise for this book makes me lose faith in the future of the human race, specifically the future of strong, confident, and intelligent women in our society.

This book didn't grab me at all. I tried hard to like it but I didn't connect with any of the characters, the dialogue was poor, and I didn't appreciate the comedy of her inner monologue. I really wanted to like it but, I didn't.

I tried really hard to like this story. I have read over the 5 star reviews, and so I am sure it is just my personality and generation, however I find that when I read a novel I stumble over the "F" word, profanity, and cliches. They pull me right out of the story.

Realizing that, I went back and started over thinking that I didn't give it a fair chance, but I can't seem to get past chapter 4, so am giving up.

The main female character in the story thinks that football players are "stars," and so I had to overlook that and try to get into her mind. I just never could. I expected this to be a "romance novel" but since the football star and the main character ended up in bed on their first date, the romance went out the window.

However, I truly wish this author all good things.

I am honest in my reviews, yet I am not saying that this is poorly written. The subject is just not for me.

I do recommend that you read the 5 star reviews to see what the story is all about, as there isn't any reason for me to repeat. I plan to check back to see what other readers are saying about this book.

Another wonderful book and another super-hot alpha from Kristen Ashley.

Kia is an abused wife but, when her cheating husband is offed by an incensed husband of one of his lovers, she is suddenly left with a life insurance payout she didn't expect. The cheating ex had taken out a massive life insurance on her and planned to kill her. Kia collects her unexpected windfall and takes herself off to Europe for some Kia-time.

Whilst by Lake Como, she meets Sampson Cooper, an ex-football star she has borderline internet stalked for years. She falls hard for him as he drags out all her secrets and feelings. They find out that the hit on Kia's life has not been called off and Sam morphs into all out protective alpha male.

Kia is falling in love with Sam, giving him everything but Sam is not reciprocating. He obviously cares for her but he is holding back his feelings and not sharing with her. Eventually this all comes to a head.

The book takes us on an emotional journey for both of them - Kia from an abused wreck of a woman with battered self-esteem to one who is ultimately able to call Sam on his emotional barriers and Sam from a man in denial of his deepest feelings to one that is eventually able to give everything he has to find his HEA.

As always, we have a beautiful epilogue - Kristen Ashley really does give good epilogue!! There are appearances, albeit small, of other KA heroes to satisfy the readers.

I'm not one to write a review for a book that has been reviewed like crazy, but I have to say a few words about Heaven and Hell. If you are a regular reader of Kristen Ashley's books, you are then familiar with KA romance stand-by's: Alpha hero; troubled, but strong and usually funny heroine; a bad guy or two; lots of amazing secondary characters and relationships; and finally Rock Chick, Colorado Mountain, and/or 'Burg cameo(s.) Although not a part of any series (yet,) there were some fun cameos of some KA favorites. To fully enjoy the cameos, make sure you have read (at least) the first 7 RC books, the first 2 CM books, and the first 3 'Burg books.

Kristen Ashley is always a favorite of mine to read, but I don't always give 5 stars. Heaven and Hell was definitely a 5 star for me. I didn't enjoy the epilogue in this one as much as I have other books, but I do love that she most always gives us that glance into our MC's future. What I most loved about this story was the vulnerability of Sam. You don't often see it in KA's alpha hero's . Yes, Sam was overt alpha, straight talking, highly skilled in nearly everything, etc, but when he retreated and the darkness of his past enveloped him, I was heart-broken. I have not felt this emotionally invested in one of KA's heroes before. Mace, from Rock Chick Reckoning, came close. I enjoyed the change and can't wait to get into the next book. (

I'm not overtly keen on books with a Southern female narrator as it were, but this takes the cake. What a horrible representation of Southern females. The main character, Kia, begins in a horrible, physically abusive marriage, and seemingly transitions to a verbally abusive relationship, but somehow, the author tries to sell you on the idea that because her abusive husband was a deadbeat and unattractive, that it's somehow worse than the wildly successful, heroic, and handsome, new partner. I made it to chapter 20 and had to stop. I'm usually on board for the carefully placed steamy scene, particularly the slow burn type, but these scenes were strangely placed and gratuitous. Character development was lacking and it was often difficult to follow the recounted scenes. Overall, I was just disappointed, as Kristen usually leaves me wanting more.

Without knowing whom the author was, I would have been able to guess that it was Kristen Ashley within the first few chapters of the book. There is something about her writing style and skill that just stands out. While all her plots are different, there is something so familiar about them: alpha male, witty woman, troubled pasts, amazing family and friends, and we can’t forget danger. Heaven and Hell was exactly this.

Kia’s abusive husband dies, leaving her millions of dollars and the ability to travel. While romping about in foreign lands, Kia sits across Sam, her crush of all crushes. Of course, attraction ensues, however for the couple it is a bumpy road throughout the entire book.

Let’s talk about a few of these bumps. Kia finds out that her dead husband took out a huge life insurance plan on her and hired a hit man to take her out before he died. Once Sam finds out, his entire role is to be her protector over everything else. But he also becomes her lover and confidant. Sam coats her to open up about all that she has been through, to let all of her well-hidden secrets out in order to help her heal but never delves into his past, his pain, or his fear until around 94% into the book. This is where everything goes down. I found myself getting goose bumps because it was so pivotal and monumental that all these feelings swept through me and I couldn’t help but physical react.

Kristen Ashley was born to write alpha males that want to live life, protect their women, and love their women. She was also born to write stories that suck you in and embed you in the world until the very last page. KA succeeded all of these and more in Heaven and Hell
~MC

Sam is a former NFL star and a former Army Ranger. He is an all-around good guy. Kia is a good woman; beautiful, kind, and the widow of an abusive husband. The two meet and sparks fly. Like typical K.A. books, there are some serious alpha males and some strong females. There's a lovable dog. There are children. There is danger lurking in store for the heroine. This was a good read, but a bit too long, and unnecessarily so. I almost didn't read it because of the title--thought it was a paranormal book. Well, it isn't. Luckily I checked out a few reviews and one of them specifically stated that it is not a paranormal novel. Although the characters were likeable, something was missing from this book. It just didn't feel like other K.A. books that I've read, so my attention wandered at times. I recommend the book, but like I did, you might want to check it out from a neighborhood library rather than purchase it. I give it a 4-star rating. This is the first time I've rated a Kristen Ashley book below a 5.

I wasn't real sure how into Kia Clementine I would get....kinda thought her a lightweight.....fluffy. Once her story unfolds however.....understanding comes to the patient reader. She's had a horrendous marriage - wasted ten years with a louse.
Enter, events that free Kia Clementine. Through those events she meets-up with Sampson Cooper (Sam). It's like a fairy-tale come true - at least it is so until Sampson's demons keep him from opening himself to Kia. At the same time it is Kia who is unraveling due to her past catching up with her psyche. She's fighting for her own mental well being while Sam is coming apart.

This is a very dramatic story. It has romance. It has plenty of the HOT stuff that Kristen Ashley thoughtfully writes for her characters. Angst? Oh yes......there be angst in this story. It is a story that has the reader hoping/praying that it can all work out for the H/h. As usual....wonderful side characters, as well.

I'd recommend this story and in its own fashion it's as good if not better than MOTORCYCLE MAN (which I adore). I'm hoping there will be more in this series (this is the only one so far.....?). A book like this is so different than other KA books - this and PLAY IT SAFE (another really fine story). These types of books prove the range Ms. Ashley has in her writing talents. It is this type of book that sucks in the reader and doesn't release that interest until the final word is read......and then for days afterwards the reader is still considering all that went on in the story.

Fantastic story. Thank you dear authoress.

Kia Clementine made a horrible decision when she got married and spent years in hell. Then suddenly, with a shotgun blast everything changes. When Kia takes a well deserved vacation she meets her celebrity crush, Sampson Cooper. A man everyone adores, respects, and is very much the complete opposite of her dead husband. As Sampson and Kia begin their relationship Kia starts to notice that Sam has demons of his own. Although he gives Kia beauty he withholds his trust.

OMG! loved this book. After everything Kia goes through she still stands strong and now refuses to have nothing less than everything she deserves. Kia is strong, smart, and beautiful. KA has an amazing way of pulling you into her story, her world and making you feel everything her characters are going through. I have fallen for each and every character she has created and not been let down.

Heaven and Hell by Kristen Ashley

5 Stars

This is another Kristen Ashley hit! I've had it stored on my kindle for months and just got a wild hair to read it. I am so glad I did! I really didn't know what to expect, but this was awesome!

Brief Summary:

Kia Clementine is a woman abused. She had a terrible marriage to a terrible man. When we meet her she is no longer in this situation. She begins living her life for the first time in seven years and takes a European vacation. This is where she meets Samspon Cooper, an ex-football player (for the Colts, Woohoo!) and a beloved American hero. She catches his eye as only a Kristen Ashley heroine can do for a Kristen Ashley hero.

Kia has demons from her past that follow her into this new existence with Sam. Like a good little Kristen Ashley hero, Sam does his darnedest (which is considerable) to ensure her safety. But Kia soon realizes that Sam has his own demons and while he expects 100% of Kia he isn't willing to give her 100% of himself and Kia must decide if this is enough for her.

Thoughts:

As always, the secondary characters are wonderful: Luci, Celesta and Thomas, Hap, Skip, and Marisela. All wonderful. I could have used a little bit more action (I am partial to the plot lines of the Rock Chick Series). I always loves when KA brings in people from previous books: we get to briefly see (through Kia's eyes: Lee Nightingale and Tanner Layne and brief discussion of a few more.

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I LOVED this story!! These characters were interesting, engaging &believable. Kristen Ashley is my new favorite author. Very few writers can tell a tale with such realistic dialogue! Just a great story of love, loss, & making the most of opportinities. I’m always a little depressed when i finish her books, i just love her characters & want the stories to keep going!

I just re-read this last night because KA is finishing up a story about 2 side characters in this book and I wanted to reintroduce myself. And as with every KA book I've ever read, it was fabulous. But this one is a little different in some ways...but you'll love them all. And for longtime KA fans, you'll see a few familiar faces. Totally worth the read as you prepare for Hap and Luci's story.

This is a very moving story about Kia and Sam; it is emotionally lovely and heartbreaking. The words on my Kindle were blurred from my tears at the emotion this book brought forth. The combination of beauty, passion, heartbreak, love, pain, humor, friendship and loss made this story one you will never forget. These things are some of the reasons why I absolutely adore the writing of Kristen Ashley. This story is a special one and one I truly fell in love with.

I love Kristen's books although I admit I've been disappointed in her more recent ones. I'm going back and picking up the books I've missed this being one if them. This book was recommended by a friend but I must admit I struggled at first, I'm not a fan of abuse of any kind, even though it's mild and necessary in this case (by mild I mean not graphic or awful to read and by necessary I mean the story needs it) so it took me several attempts before I really got into this book, then of course once I did I was hooked and couldn't put it down. I loved the characters, one of Kristen's strengths I know, and the story as with all her books it's easy to lose yourself. It was a nice touch having familiar characters popping in and it's a beautiful book, not in my opinion one of her best but a nice enjoyable read.

Kia Clementine is finally free!

Married at a young age with her high school boyfriend she quickly discovered that he wasn’t as good as she thought. That she has made a big mistake by marrying him. She tried a few times to go away but he always found her. So year after year she lost a little of herself. But then one day the sheriff comes at her door with the news that her husband is dead. Not only did he abused her but he also cheated on her! He was killed by the husband of the woman who he cheated her with. And then she discovers that her husband has taken a life assurance on both their lives. She isn’t only free of her abusing husband but she’s now also rich! So Kia decides to make a new start in life. That’s how she is in Italy when she meets the famous Sampson Cooper. A celebrity that she admired and had a crush on for years. She never thought that she would find him sitting at a table next to hers! She doesn’t know what to do so she decides to ignore him but she didn’t counted on an old Italian man with a romantic heart. To her surprise Sam shows interest in her. Kia doesn’t know what to do with this but with the help and advice from her new friend Celeste she decides to go out with him. And that’s the start of a relationship between them. A relationship where both must face the past with dark secrets and with heavy pain. Where they both most learn that love can heal many wounds but not before Sam breaks her heart. Because Kia wants everything. She wants all of Sam.

I love Kristen Ashley her books. Every time I have a dip or I don’t know what to read next I always read a book from Kristen Ashley. Because she has never disappointed me and that was the same with this book. An alpha man, a woman who loves him but who isn’t afraid to tell when he’s wrong. A bunch of friends and a lovely family. I love it and I hope that she will soon write Luci and Hap their story ! I can’t wait to read it.

It seems every time a read another book by Kristen Ashley, it becomes my favorite. This story takes the reader through an emotional journey and I loved ever minute of it. Sam and Kia both are trying to recover from their pasts when they meet. Sam is a hot, successful, controlling, alpha male who won me over from the moment Kia meets him. Sam is such a wonderful guy who is both vulnerable and macho and I loved how he treats Kia. Kia is a strong, good hearted person and it's easy to understand why Sam is attracted to her from the moment he meets her. Sam and Kia are surrounded by colorful friends and family, which only adds to this story. This story is intense, emotional and of course, full of funny moments, that only Kristen Ashley can write. This book is perfection, thank you Kristen Ashley!

Heaven and Hell is the story of Kia and Sam. Be forewarned that this book has a lot of "broken" characters dealing with abuse, deceased siblings/husbands/friends/children, and a jealous archenemy that wants Kia dead. Regardless of all the drama, you'll definitely be rooting for Kia. At moments she may seem annoying as she tries to push Sam away, but honestly I get it. She's broken, still working through things, and Sam Cooper actually liking her sounds too good to be true. Luckily she figures it out. Unluckily Sam does end up messing things up, but in the end they have their happily ever after. Now we just have to wait for KA to work her magic, to finish Luci and Hap's story.

One thing I noticed was that this book didn't seem to be as funny as her Rock Chick series. So if you're looking for a laugh, I'd read one of those instead.

This is one of the Best finds of the year. I read a lot and this was simply awesome. The writing and the flow of the writing was simply awesome. The story flowed from beginning to end. The characters so well developed. Sometimes if a book can't hold my attention I may skip some parts but this was too good to skip anything. The book was so well written and the story realistic that I didn't want to, no couldn't skip one word or page. If you read only one book this year this one has to be it. If you don't you will really be missing something so special it will be your loss. This is a story of pain, love, growth and so much more. It will have you smiling, laughing, sad, anxious but in the end leave you so satisfied but still wanting more. Don't miss this awesome read I promise you want be disappointed

Just wow! I forgot how amazing this one is. Sam was freaking awesome. The subject was serious, but I adored how this author handled everything. Plus it's everything you love about Kristen Ashley in a book.

Kia's life was hell, then suddenly that all changed. Here she is in an expensive hotel having breakfast sitting opposite Sam Cooper ex sports star, soldier and national hero. From that moment her whole life changes, it becomes a rollercoaster ride taking her breath away.
As usual with this authors books a lot happens in this story, so I don't want to give any more away. The hero Sam is the usual alpha male who takes charge of Kia's life, while making her dizzy with his personality and looks. Kia has not always had things go her way since she made a terrible mistake when she was twenty. This is a hot and passionate read, with funny and sad moments as well. Ms. Ashley takes her readers on an emotional journey, leaving us at the end feeling all the better for having gone along for the ride.

Kristen Ashley is my favorite author in this genre since I discovered Nora Roberts at a young age. I love the crossover characters, and the dialogue. I like the situations the characters find themselves in, the flaws they reveal, and the friendships they share. They feel very real to me. No, it's not "literature". The stories are similar, and follow a pattern. But it's a great pattern, very well written, and an all around great read. Feel free to labor through the overwrought moors with soggy Heathcliff and twit Cathy. I'll take Sam and Kia any day.

This was my first book by this author and I had a bit of difficulty getting into the writing style, but once I did, man oh man, was it worth it. I flat out loved this story and found the characters interesting and the storyline refreshing. There are definitely some word choices ("cottoning" is used alot) and dialogue structure that took some getting used to, but I am soooo glad I set my preferences aside on that stuff. I have since read the Dream Man series and adored those books as well.

I have to say, while I loved this book, I didn't love it as much as any other KA book. Sam made me mad for more than 3/4 of the book and I feel like he swooped into her life way too quickly and took over. Nonetheless, it was still a great story.

I wanted to like the book and felt it could have worked with a unique story but the dialogue was SO poorly written and how the author made a point of Sam being 1/2 white 1/4 black and 1/4 Hispanic. Who does that??? To make matters worse, the 1/4 black and 1/4 Hispanic apparently were the worse parts of him and his mother. Only positive parts were what was derived from his White heritage, it was offensive. So much I couldn’t finish the book besides the fact that he was controlling and spoke in one or 2 word syllables as if he was a neanderthal. I won’t even comment on Kia- just bad. I rarely write reviews but the way race was displayed negatively and the profanity that didn’t contribute to the story line was well...terrible.

Wonderful characters, great story of how two people meet, overcome and discover about themselves and each other. Loved the supporting cast of friends, esp. Luci. Enjoyed seeing Cal and Tanner from the Burg as well as Lee Nightingale-- oh boy!!! KA has done it again. Couldn't put it down, a satisfying read!

This author is freaking awesome. Each and every one of her books totally ROCK!!! Highly recommend anything written by this author. All of her books are sexy, fun, and totally enjoyable. Each series is well worth the read!!!

I really loved Ashley's Fantasy Land series. However, this novel didn't do anything for me. The plot was great, it was really only the dialogue. Everytime time she would think she would repeat herself or say "I know this because" or "the reason for this was" in every other sentence. Nothing really flowed. I also never truly got a sense of who she was as a person. Yes she went through an abusive marriage, but who was she before that? What defines her? The relationship between her and her new man Sam went so quickly it shocked me a bit. What type of man goes for a woman that quickly? I was only part of the way into the book and they were intimate. Sam, although interesting doesn't sound intelligent, his sentences were so choppy. It could have been so much better.

I love this author but this book was difficult for me to get through. I absolutely hated Sam! Poor Kia, her first relationship turns out to be abusive, then she ends up with Sam. He keeps everything back and all her friends tell her to be patient! She doesn't know how to be in a healthy relationship; she sees them around her but being in one is different. And Sam's reasons for holding back are confusing. He's scared she'll lose him so he continues the dangerous work when he doesn't need the money. OK... If this has been my first Kristen Ashley book, I wouldn't have continued reading her books. Skip this one if you like her writing.

Thank you Kristen - thank you for delivering one of the most wonderfully romantic books. The characters are so wonderful - I do love alpha males...and Kia is such a dream.

More like this please. You made my weekend reading so worthwhile.

This felt like it was a really long book. While it was pretty good I found the plot to be tiresome at times. I will still without a doubt read anything kristen Ashley writes. One "blah" read doesn't phase my adoration of her overall work.

I'm giving this a two star rating because I usually love Ashley's work...but not this time. I could not get into this story. I usually like something about her characters but I didn't like the H or the h. I typically devour her books in one day, but I fell asleep while reading this book. I thought it was boring and not up to par with the other books she has written.