Closet Geeks and Slow Mo

Kristen Ashley and I have a rather long-wound and complicated relationship. Well, actually not Kristen herself- her books and I. My first book of hers I read under duress by a reading- buddy. It was someone else's brilliant idea that I should read a book of my friend's choice as a birthday gift to her.

Now what you need to know about her- she doesn't read YA and she doesn't read fantasy. She mainly reads romance novels- and mostly the contemporary one's. Definitely no PNR. Knowing that she would make me read Fifty Shades or Avoiding Commitment, I did cleverly put in a clause, that I'll read anything but any book written by James and Linde. I felt seriously clever, until she came up with Sweet Dreams by Kristen Ashley. It was really not my cup of tea, way to long for me, to much drama and while i thought it was written alright, I didn't care for the plot. It was also one of my first contemporary romance novels I've ever read. I was convinced I was done with the genre and the author.

Well, then about a year ago, same reading buddies decided that we should read Rock Chick as the BotW. I grudgingly joined them- basically I ran out of excuses and was forced to join them- again under duress. To my surprise I enjoyed it. It was fun! Still it's a romance novel and I had my usual issues with it. 

Then a few month ago, I was given the audiobook of Mystery Man. The Dream Man series not only being infamous in said circle of friends- some of them compared my DH to Tack.

You got to understand I can be a tad stubborn and am seriously rebellious. There was no way I was going to read that series- at least that's what I had told them... but I do like audiobooks and I did enjoy Rock Chick, so I gave it ago.

AND the result? I got the DH to buy me all the audiobooks of the series. I love the audiobooks of the Dream Man series. Honestly you have to listen to them. I truly believe that a Kristen Ashely book need to be read to you by Kate Russell. Naturally I didn't stop at the Dream Man series, after I was done, I listened to Own the Wind- being the spin-off series of Dream Man I had to give it ago even though Kate Russell isn't reading it.

So when I was offered an ARC to review Fire Inside I actually pondered for a bit. Because see this was released on March 25th as an audio read by non-other than Kate Russell.So I was worried. SERISOULY I was. Because I wasn't sure how I would feel about reading this myself...

WELL the long intro-novel cut short. Personally I will tell you- go get the audio! It's still is my favorite way to 'read' an Ashley novel. But I did enjoy reading it way more than I thought I would.

Ashley's writing style lends itself to be read out loud. It's sometimes long-wound and at other times, rather simplified. It's not your gorgeous or beautiful writing- no it's more like someone actually tell you the story, now right in front of you about themselves. Honestly it's not my favorite prose, but I don't mind it either. Which is more than enough for me keep reading Ashley books. 

The story line was fun, the usual romance formula was used. Let's just face it, if you don't like Kristen Ashley's previous stories, you won't like this one. It has her MO all over it. It is your hot alpha dude going for the chick he likes- being all possessive and bossy about it, but surprisingly tender and supportive. . And there is some drama, some danger, some action and in this one a lot of back and forth.

But what surprised me while reading this is, that I have grown attached to the characters. The whole crew makes a reappearance and I was more than pleased about it. Besides that Ashley added more aspects to them, I saw different sides to them all. I was intrigued by how much I care about them. I think it speaks volumes about Ashley's character building. I shouldn't have surprised me, but it did, simply because it's done rather subtly, kinda covered by the direct way the story is told and the dramas that are unfolding. 

To be honest Lanie was never my favorite character and she got seriously on my nerves at times in this as well. But I also got her, and I felt for her.. and I am looking forward to seeing her in the next installment for Chaos. Which makes me wonder, when is it going to be released? Who is it about? Is there going to be another one?!

So yeah I officially have joined the Kristen Ashley Reading Crew. Sort of- I am still more of a audio-booking kind of a gal. Which leaves me wondering if there are plans on recording Rock Chick? Let Kate Russell just read all of the Ashley books and I'll be happy as pie.

A great spin-off series and I am seriously hoping there will be more in either series!

We part of the Release Week Blitz for the Paperback. Visit Closet Geeks and Slow Mo to read an excerpt from Fire Inside and enter the giveaway