The Evolution of My Kristen Ashley Fangirling

Hi, Leftie here! (who else will it be, right?)

I thought I'd do a post focused on one of my new fave authors, Kristen Ashley, or KA as some of us fans refer her as, just because even I find it interesting that I didn't start out to be a fan when I first started reading her books, but here I am now, a huge fan to boot ...

Once upon a time, when I first started on Goodreads, one author kept popping up on my Goodreads recommendation. The next thing I knew, I also started seeing it on the pages of a handful of people on my Goodreads friends list. So I started paying attention and I noticed all these high ratings and raving reviews. And before I knew it, I picked up Mystery Man, the first one in her Dream Man series.

Well, let me tell you, I wasn't impressed with it, if I want to be completely frank. The first thing that that stood out for me was the writing. I wouldn't post my review, but all I want to say is that I recall repeating a paragraph to my sister on the phone and asking her if it made sense to her because it sure as heck did not make sense to me. And I also recall telling her that all the conjunctions are missing. What was up with that! I'm not even touching the run-on sentences... I got really confused. I started wondering where all those high ratings are coming from...

BUT, there was something in that story that, whether I admit it or not, made me want to finish the rest of the series. And in time, true enough, I did.

   

1. Mystery Man (2 napkins)

2. Wild Man (3 napkins)

3. Law Man (4 napkins)

4. Motorcycle Man (5 napkins, HUGE fave!)

Motorcycle Man, the last one in the series, is what sealed the deal for me. I finally got her style. I finally got why I kept reading, despite the "rocky start". As I said in one of my reviews, as I read more KA books, every new KA read shows me why I didn't give up on her stories. First I thought it was just her alpha men who just says and does the right things by their women in the most swoonalicious way. Then there're her heroines as well who she manages to give a quirkiness unique to each woman and a latent strong personality under all that quirkiness. Although I must add, maybe it's just me, but I don't always get how her heroines sometimes manage to have 2 or 3 other alpha men vying for her attention. Anyhoot...

Now, I want to say that there is definitely a certain charm to KA's writing, despite the run-on sentences, repetitive words and overly detailed descriptions. Because in addition to her awesome main characters (MC), I slowly started to appreciate the other stuff. One being the supporting characters like the MC's friends, to a point that I now enjoy what I call the Justice of League-style gathering, esp of the alpha men, in times of crisis, whether OTT ala Dream Man series style, or in the case of her other books, regular family drama. Then a couple of other things as well, like the family dynamics she weaves into the story and some of the most adorable children characters I've ever read.

And the rest, as they say, is history.

I've since read the Unfinished Hero series,

   

1. Knight (4 napkins)

2. Creed (5 napkins)

3. Raid (4 napkins)

4. Deacon (5 napkins, fave!)

3 of the The Burg series,

    

1. For You (5 napkins)

2. At Peace (5 napkins, fave!)

3. Golden Trail

4. Games of the Heart

4. The Promise (4 napkins)

and the first book in the Magdalene series,

The Will (5 napkins)

Luckily for me, there are still so many of her series that I haven't gotten to yet, so as far as my KA fix, I guess I'll be good for a while. Whew!

~Leftie

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Review: Last Light (Night Owl Series, Book 2) by M. Pierce

RATING: 4 napkins

Matt Sky is missing. After a solo ascent of Longs Peak that left only a large blood stain, tatters of climbing clothing, and the tracks of an animal in the snow, he is presumed dead ...

Hannah Catalano is guarding a secret ...

Tensions rise, secrets grow bigger, and passions run deeper in the highly anticipated second book in the Night Owl Trilogy.

Via

**Complimentary ARC received from publisher via Netgalley**

This is the second book in the series. Please note that this is not a stand-alone so you need to read the first one, Night Owl, in order to follow and appreciate Matt and Hannah's story. I really liked the first one, I rated it 4 stars on Goodreads (which according to Goodreads means 'I really liked it', duh!). Just to give you some context, here is my review of the first one, as posted on Goodreads:

GAH!!!!! What is up with that epilogue?!?! M. Pierce, were you probably thinking that ending Night Owl with HFN may not prompt readers enough who like/love this book to read the rest in the series, is that it?!?! Was that really necessary?!?! GAH!!!!!

Ok, rant over...

This book just caught me off guard. It wasn't what I was expecting at all. It got me glued to the pages right from the start but I didn't want it to end too fast either so I tried to slow down as well O.o

First things first, I hate cheating in any story I read, but every now and then, when the writer allows me to delve into the head of the character and can make me understand the character somewhat better, then I can see past it. With this one, for me to see past it even with a H like Matt who was a d-bag (with a capital D) for the most part, that's gotta' count for something in my book, for sure. 

I found Matt to be an unlikable H with hardly any redeeming qualities, save for his feelings towards Hannah, the h, yet I didn't hate him and on top of that, I rooted for him, how about that! Hannah put it perfectly when she said she found him infuriating and pitiful at the same time. That's what I felt for Matt at times, breaking my heart reading what he was going thru by the 70% or so mark onwards *sigh*

Hannah was just so-so for me. She doesn't quite stand out for me. I didn't get some of her actions or feelings. Part of the reason for the 1 less star rating, among other things. Other things that lowered the rating for me? Ok, granted I may not have read enough BDSM stories but that didn't feel right the way Matt just threw Hannah into it without much preamble. Then the 'slut' reference. Oh, and the 'pig' reference. Really?!?! And yes, the beginning just felt on the creepy side, maybe that was just me...

Oh but the heat b/w those 2! That's all... hehe...

There's something about M. Pierce's writing that speaks out to me. The story just flowed... 

And now, my review for Last Light:

(Originally posted on Goodreads)

3.5 ★

Hmmm... I had to think hard about this one... 

There were parts I didn't like or appreciate, or understand. There were parts that had me scratching or shaking my head. There were parts that put me off. Yet, There were parts that had me reeling. There were parts that I was just completely enamored with. There were parts that tugged at the heart string. And then there were the parts that got meself fanning. Now that last part, stayed consistent from the first book to here, just saying *grins*

At this point, I won't talk anymore about the epilogue from Night Owl, including my reaction to it or the direction that this book apparently did not go, fortunately. M. Pierce, I thought, did nicely tie that into the beginning of this book.

The story revolved around the "secret" that Hannah is keeping, and how she had to deal with things and the people in their lives. Along the way, conflicts arise from both sides as expected, some of them unnecessary if I may add. After all, that kind of secret can only be sustained so long. I think those were the parts I struggled with [SPOILER: the thing between Hannah and Seth, and Matt and Melanie END OF SPOILER].

Hannah didn't quite win me over in the first book and did she change my mind in this book? I'm not sure. I was starting to really like her but then she just did that stupid thing with Seth. And something about her dynamics with Matt's brothers felt unsettling for some reason. I didn't understand some of her thought process. But near the end, I thought she showed maturity.

Matt... hmmm... I thought I got him in the first book. I still think I get him but I felt like he was just really unhinged in some parts.

One thing that can't be denied however is the heat between these 2. M. Pierce, do you know how to write those scenes or what! And for all the craziness these 2 went thru, whether I understand it or not, I say they're meant for each other and they deserve each other.

If I may just say another thing, I've been meaning to say this even from the first book that I thought it's quite clever of M. Pierce weaving his/her(?) own pen name and his/her(?) books into the story to make it almost a circular story, in my head anyways. I can't help but feel though that somehow, somewhere in there, the joke's on us as readers, and it's a tad uncomfortable feeling.

My last thought, do I make that 0.5★ up my rating? Sure, why not. Regardless of what I've written, I know I'll be reading the conclusion to Matt and Hannah's story.


~Leftie

Review: Black Lies by Alessandra Torre

RATING: 5 napkins

Brant: Became a tech billionaire by his twentieth birthday. Has been in a relationship with me for 3 years.Has proposed 4 times. Been rejected 4 times.
Lee: Cuts grass when he’s not banging housewives. Good with his hands, his mouth, and his cock. Has been pursued relentlessly by me for almost 2 years, whether he knows it or not.
Go ahead. Judge me. You have no idea what my love entails.
If you think you’ve heard this story before, trust me – you haven’t.

Via

***Complimentary ARC provided by publisher via Netgalley***

Please note that I also own a copy.

(Originally posted on Goodreads)

I see what everyone's saying now when they say you need to go in blind with this one, and do not, for one sec, be tempted to seek out spoilers, coz there in lies the beauty of this book, with its twist, how it will take you for a ride.


Just as I was almost finished reading this, it was a lukewarm 5-star read due to my initial reactions to some scenes and the overall delivery. Interestingly enough though, as hours passed by, my brain, without volition, would go thru random scenes from the book and get me (re)thinking about it, so by the time I'm writing this, that 5-star in my head just keeps getting more solid.

This book had me borderline bored at first, then frustrated, then angry, then confused, then shocked, then incredulous, then sad, then wistful, then satisfied. And yes, color me clueless, in as much as I thought I kinda sorta knew what was happening, the big reveal did catch me off-guard.

So for the whole gamut of emotions I felt, thank you, Alessandra!

~Leftie

Agree to Disagree: This Man (Series) by Jodi Ellen Malpas

Leftie here. Before proceeding any further, please note we're covering a whole series here, so 3 books in total. Apologies ahead for the length...


RATING: ----

Via Goodreads

Leftie: I would've rated it lower or even say I didn't like it, but that would be totally hypocritical of me since I did end up finishing the book. And got me to read the next one too! Gah!

I'm not gonna focus on the minor editing issue (like "standing" is the progressive tense of "stand", not "stood", for starter), or the weak female character, or the over-the-top alpha male character who has extreme control issues, or the gratuitous sex, or the fact that it probably could have been 100 pages shorter, or the way it ended the way it ended leaving you hanging and no choice but to read the 2nd book, or the story (and the ending) giving me a feeling of "been there, read that" which made me less forgiving of the book... No I'm not gonna...

Like I said, yes, I did finish it and read the next one (I can only imagine how it would have been if I read this one with the 2nd one not published yet, with the way it ended... not even going there). Begrudgingly, despite it all, it hooked me in, so in my books, that's gotta count for something... *sigh*

Rightie: Despite the book's faults (mainly the repetitiveness of some phrases), I liked this book and is certainly better than some more-hyped books I've read in this genre. The author has a lot of potential and should definitely keep writing. Ava is not my favourite heroine, but I like Jesse Ward well enough;) Can't wait to read the second book!

Via Goodreads

Leftie: Again, I would've rated it lower or even say I didn't like it, but, again, that would be totally hypocritical of me since I did end up finishing the book.

Minor editing issue still there? Yup. Weak female character? Yup. And actually has gone more neurotic I thought. Over the top alpha male with control issues? Yup, still there, and has gone more over the top, if that's possible. Gratuitous sex? Yup, of course still there. They fought and have sex, fought and have sex, fought and have sex, get the idea? It was the only way he knows how to communicate, so went the explanation *raises eyebrow* Could the book have been shorter like the first one? Yup. HEA at least? Of course! Again, the story (and the ending) giving me a feeling of "been there, read that" which made me less forgiving of the book... 

Oh, and I don't get, in both books, the whole thing about him not liking when she swears and him swearing in the same breath. And I'm not even touching his issue with alcohol, and her issues, in general, nor his age issue, which made me brace myself, before it was revealed , in case he was in his 50's or something. There was an attempt to explain his behaviour near the end, a tad too late if I may add. If the characters were fleshed out more, instead of just the constant sex, that probably would have explained a lot of things. I guess that's the goal of the 3rd book. It is titled This Man Confessed after all. Not sure how to explain the female character though.

But hey, yes, I did finish it. Again, begrudgingly, despite it all, it hooked me in, again, even made me swoon a few times (how about that!), AND here's the kicker, I think I may just be looking forward to the 3rd one at that (just maybe), so in my books, that's gotta count for something... *sigh*

Rightie: I wanted to like this book. I really did, as I liked the first one. Alas, it was not meant to be. The constant fighting then making up, which I didn't mind in This Man, became quite tedious:( Some parts of the plot did not sit well with me ( ie. what happened the 4 days Jesse disappeared and the thing in the office with Sarah) although I will admit they are almost to be expected. Ava also irritated me to no end. 

I will point out that this was a fast read for me, which shows that Ms. Malpas knows how to tell a story. The build up to climactic events was well done.

Via Goodreads

Leftie: Considering the love-hate relationship I have with the first 2 books, the fact that I continued to read this last one is a testament to Ms. Malpas' writing, where I'm concerned.

Keeping this thought process along the same line as the other 2 books, let's see... Editing? Waaaay better. Ava, the h? Still neurotic, still don't like her. Jesse, the H? Still OTT but now has gotten just swoon-alicious, in a lovable alpha jerk way, for me anyway:p. Gratuitous sex? Not so much anymore, fortunately. Jesse berating Ava for swearing while he swears like a sailor himself? Not so much anymore either, fortunately. Could it have been shorter? Again, yes, but I didn't mind it as much this time around, maybe because I know it's the last in the series so it's the ending. 

This book...

~had me feeling definitely frustrated at times losing count the number of times I made a fist gesture in the air; 
~had me swooning for Jesse, for the most romantic lines I've read in a long while; 
~had me screaming at Ava up until the last 60 pages, didn't get her for the most part, real REAL shame that Ms. Malpas didn't create a better h; 
~had me rolling my eyes when it was showing that the characters were (still) barely growing;
~had me feeling hopeful to see their relationship starting to grow a little at least even though it was the most co-dependent relationship I've read in a romance novel in a while yet it worked perfectly for this couple (sigh); 
~had me shaking my head at all the drama, there were soooo many, just too much; 
~then back again to being frustrated because certain things I thought could have been said sooner rather than later (as in practically the ending) to make me better understand people's motivation, umm, like the lieS of omission on Jesse's part; 
~and finally, had me nodding my head when things finally worked out and just wanting to hug Jesse & Ava (yes, even her, albeit begrudgingly) for what they've gone thru and managing to get thru it.

So now in my mind, how do I rate this book?

1.5* 
-if it was just about Ava (really sorry but most of my frustrations in this book were because of her and I really did try to understand her but didn't for the most part).
4.5* 
-if it was just about Jesse (it would have been higher if we're only talking about the romantic lines that were coming out of his mouth... Oh Jesse, Jesse).
2.0* 
-for the weak h which just made me too tolerant of the H even though he's done jerk-y things to her; don't think that's fair especially when you give the best lines to the H already.
5.0* 
-or higher, just for the mere fact alone that Ms. Malpas put me thru so much emotions with this book and still got me sticking it out right til the end, which for me means that she writes well. And yes, I can see myself reading future stories from her.

Final rating: 3*
Again, considering the love-hate relationship I have with all 3 books now, and making me feel all over the place, taking the middle road once more for what it's worth.

Rightie: (did not bother to read, AT ALL)


Leftie here, again. Wait, what?!? Did that sound we agreed to disagree? Confoozling! Funny enough, there appears to be no middle ground with this series, either you hate it or love it. OR, either you love to have it or you hate that you love it. Ackkkkk!!! 

Review: Ruin (Songs of Corruption, Book 2) by CD Reiss

RATING: 5 napkins

**Ya gotta read Spin before you read Ruin**
Antonio is a killer. He's beautiful, educated, a prodigy of a thief and as violent a motherfucker as ever came of the boat from Napoli. 
Theresa knows it, but that doesn't stop her from getting emotionally and physically entangled with him, and this is how, maybe, she got it in her head that she can protect him.
But it's not her job to save him, and she's just not getting that. Every time she tries to protect him, she practically gets him killed, and the tighter he grips her, the more dangerous she becomes.
It's almost as if...well, he'd never admit this....but it's almost as if protecting her the way he does is the one thing he should stop. As if the only way he's ever going to find a moment's peace is to just embrace her as a partner, rather than a defenseless creature.
But he'd never do that. Not this violent motherfucker.
WARNING: This book contains delicious sex scenes with a hot man dirty-talking in Italian; women handling firearms and explosives; and scenes of violence with a crystal Virgin Mary cigarette lighter.

Via Goodreads

If there's a person or a thing that can get me out to blog again, I can't think of a better choice than CD Reiss and her writing. This woman has gripped me from her Songs of Submission and I don't see that grip loosening any time soon...

**Complimentary ARC received from publisher via Netgalley**

Please note that I have my own copy as well.

(Originally posted on Goodreads)

As always, every time I write my "reviews" on any of CD’s books, I feel like I need a moment to collect my thoughts, take a deep breath and let my emotions re-adjust and re-settle. That’s the kind of ride she takes me on every single time, seriously…

So the story of the Napoli prince and the LA princess continues. Antonio, bound by tradition and honor and obligation and guilt and responsibility who’s damned if he does (stay, leave, love, whatever it is he does) and damned if he doesn’t. And Theresa, lost in the jargon of Antonio’s world who’s coming to understand what her love for Antonio means and what it can do to both of them.

If I can simplify it, it’s all about them finding a way to keep each other in each other’s world, and safe at that, considering their backgrounds, what they’ve been through thus far, what having each other means to the rest of their respective worlds as they move forward. Ironically enough, it’s never been about how they feel about each other because that’s just a given, as guaranteed as the sun rising and setting.

”Love is its own decision.”

I will leave it at that because otherwise, I’ll end up giving away the entire story, the twists and turns it took/takes for them to achieve their ultimate goal. And seeing that their story continues, it does end on HFN note…

If I may just add one more thing, and I mean this in the most complimentary way, reading Ruin to me is what feels like if a soap is directed by a 1^st-rate director like Spielberg, or Coppola, or Boyle, or Nolan. There’s so much nuance to every action and thought. You can feel the magnitude of the emotions. It immerses you right from the very first word. And the levity thrown-in in the most unexpected time catches you off guard, then you realize after how much you needed it. I also love how she drops a nugget here and there about the Drazen clan which gets me really excited as I wonder if they’re possible insight to past or future stories of the other Drazens. In short, I am just in complete awe of CD and her beautiful writing.

Once again, hats off to you, CD!!!

~Leftie

Top 5 All-Time Faves (Leftie's Version)

Rightie did her version a while back. Got me thinking if I have one. I guess I do...


1.) The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery
This may be strange but I did not read this book as a child. Crazy, I know. But I'm also glad I didn't read this as a child. Knowing myself, I would have not appreciated this to the degree that it should be. So full of innocence and life lessons.

2.) The Alchemist by Paolo Coelho
I have lost count of the number of times I've re-read this book. This almost reminds me of The Little Prince with a touch of mysticism. The lessons sometimes may sound overly simplistic and cliche, but sometimes, there is comfort to be found in the simplistic and cliche.

3.) Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
Here's another childen's story that I'm enamored with, read as an adult (am I sensing a theme here?). Well, this did come out in my adult years, so...

4.) Confession of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella
ONLY the first in the series, if I may emphasize. I'm saying that only because the series did become repetitive eventually. But the first one had me in stitches! Almost reminds me of someone I know (hello, woman in the mirror O.o). I said just almost, ok? Fortunately for my wallet and hubby, I don't think I'm at the same level of neurotic as she is, but let's just say I may have made the same justifications in my head as the heroine have some of the times. Again, I said just some of the times, ok? hehe

5.) Crossfire series by Sylvia Day
Fifty Shades of Grey may have rekindled my interest in romance (yes, yes, no need to roll your eyes, I'm one of those women) but Sylvia Day's series is what sealed the deal for me as far as the new "breed" of romance genre is concerned.


Whew! How do you narrow down a list like this to just 5, seriously?!? Sheesh!... I guess by this list, I mean these are books of recent memory that I know I can re-read at any time and definitely a sure-fire way of taking me out of a book slump.


~Leftie

Review: The Craft (Teasdale) & Living In Style (Zoe)

Just thought I'd share with you two new fashion/beauty books I really love:

The Craft: DIY Hair and Beauty by Lou Teasdale and Living In Style by Rachel Zoe

Rating: 5 napkins to both

Different target audience, but I enjoyed both:)

 Rachel Zoe's book is filled not only with fashion advice, but also tips on hair &makeup,  house decorating and stuff like how to host a party and travelling. I'm a sucker for this type of books, and Rachel dispenses great advice in my opinion. The book also has gorgeous photos for inspiration.

I want this whole setup, guys!

Lou Teasdale is the hair and makeup person for One Direction, so I think The Craft is geared for teen-agers (I'm definitely not part of the target audience...ahem....), although there is a short section on tattoos, so I don't know.....I love this book just because it's filled with fun and non-traditional beauty tips. There are also product recommendations for different price points (most are UK products, but you can order them online). 

The book is also done like a small scrapbook, and who doesn't love that? (There are also stickers included...my inner tween is happy:D)

Have you read any of the two books? What hair/makeup/fashion books do you like?

-Rightie