Every Year by Kristen Ashley

“Every Year” 

Chaos 2.5 

by Kristen Ashley

Christmas with the Allens and Cages

Christmas, the happiest time of year, brings back memories of childhood, family, love and traditions. But for some, the memories may not be so pleasant. That’s the case for Parker “Shy” Cage and his brother Landon. Early in their lives, they suffered the brutally tragic loss of their parents, which led to years filled with heartaches...

    

Shy Cage

“Me and Lan, we aren’t used to happy.”

Landon Cage

       

However, in the bosom of the Allen family, Shy and Landon have found what was missing in their lives. They once again become part of a family - experiencing the joys of what it means...to love and be loved, to find peace and comfort, to share the good, the bad and to belong.  It was heartwarming experiencing the Cage brothers relive their few happy memories through Rider and Cutter (Tack an Tyra’s boys).  It rekindled a spark in their eyes and touched their souls.  Shy finally finding his peace and comfort with Tabby and the Allen's, carrying out old traditions and beginning some new.

Tabby Allen


“Sometimes, something so beautiful happens, you can’t process it and it builds up inside so big, you can’t do anything but cry.”

   

A family tradition that was once though lost, has now been found through his love for Tabby.  Like his father before him, each year, Shy’s Christmas gift to Tabby will be a pair of earrings symbolizing a promise of eternal love.  **SWOON**

Tack:

Having a glimpse into anything Tack, is a special treat. He is the ultimate KA alpha - the top literary motorcycle dude for me (Really... he IS the sexiest, sweetest, gentlest, badass growler - YUM).  Tack will make you laugh, with all his wise cracks and cursing on Christmas Day, as well as melt you heart with all his sugary sweetness. 

Tyra:

Tyra, the family matriarch, is still the feisty smart-ass red head, who barely manages to keep everyone in line.

"Nothing, is more important than family. So it's a blessing when that family grows. Shy, Lan, welcome to our family”.

Rush, hope to see his story in the future....

I truly enjoyed revisiting some of my favorite storybook characters. Kristen Ashley dazzles us with yet another emotional tale filled with laughs, tears and sizzling scenes. (Yep, even in a short story, KA manages to squeeze in some hanky-panky).  I’m looking forward to future sequels to the Chaos Series. Perhaps Rush and Landon will get their turn.  

Rush, hope to see his story in the future....

    Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a blessed New Year to all!

Reviving Izabel by J.A. Redmerski

WOW, “Reviving Izabel” was an an action packed, angst filled read!!  This sequel to “Killing Sarai” quickly catches us up on the ‘normal’ life that has become Sarai’s world.  She can not handle normality and the lack of adventure in her life is slowly driving her insane.  Sarai craves a life that promises anything but the norm.  She craves the thrill, the action, the intrigue and all that is Victor Faust.  It’s her desire for adventure that causes Sarai to set herself on a path that strays from the ordinary and straight into Victor’s open arms.

Izabel Seyfried, the girl formerly known as Sarai

Although the story’s primary focus was Sarai morphing into a new life as Izabel and re-inventing herself, to me, it was also the ‘humanization’ of Victor Faust.

Sexy, charismatic, murderous Victor Faust

In the first installment of this series, the character of Victor was casted as a sexy but icy cold blooded killer.  Here, we delve further into the life of Victor.  His childhood experiences, his past, relationships with his ‘family’ and an insight as to how he was molded into a calculated killer for hire.  But, as the story progressed, a different Victor emerges.  Yes, Victor is still a product of his tough upbringing. However, he develops feelings for Izabel (and to some extent his brother Niklas) and learns how to express them.  It is touching to see how much Izabel has affected Victor, and how important she is in his life.

“I’ve…Sarai, I’ve never felt this way before...Sarai, you are important to me,” I say desperately through an urgent whisper. “You’re more important to me than anything or anyone. To have you here, with me, isn’t a burden. I want to train you. For as long as it takes. I want to wake up every morning with you next to me. I need you in my life more than I have ever needed or wanted anything.” “But just know this…if you leave, you will become a burden. If you think that by being here you’re fucking up my life, you have no idea how true that will be if you set out on your own. Because I will spend every waking moment of my life trying to protect you!” My heart is racing. “I won’t be able to sleep, knowing that you’re out there, trying to fit into a life that’s nothing but a death sentence when you’ve not had proper training! Sarai…IT WILL KILL ME! DON’T YOU SEE? YOU’LL KILL ME IF YOU CHOOSE TO LEAVE!” 

Well, no one can say Victor can’t speak his feelings now, can they??

I thoroughly enjoyed this story.  Would loved to have seen more interaction between Victor and Izabel, especially in the bedroom, as well as more of Victor’s past.  I liked reading the story from both POV’s and the character’s of Niklas and Fredrik (who are sarcastically funny as they are ruthless).Hopefully, these two will get their own stories in the near future. J.A. Redmerski, as always, delivers an intriguing, well written story.  So, if you are looking for a fast paced, nail bitting read with some spicy scenes, “Reviving Izabel” is a must.  Thanks J.A. for another good read.

 

Rock Bottom by R.K. Lilley

5+++ Heart breaking, gut wrenching stars

I knew going into “Rock Bottom” that I was in for one hell of a roller coaster ride.  As much as I tried to brace myself, I was not prepared for the intense emotions Danika and Tristan’s love story invoked.  And, finally, the two most important questions that I pondered since the “Up in the Air” trilogy have been addressed! What caused Danika’s limp? What severed these two lovers apart?  The answers lie within this powerful story of two lovers that were destined to be together, yet ripped apart by the tragic circumstances that surrounded their lives..... their journey shredded me.

"Their love had the power of a runaway freight train, and the potential to be just as destructive. “ 

Freight train is an understatement.....their love was.....

Fiery hot, intense, explosive, lethal, toxic and catastrophic. 

Tristan. 

Beautiful

She was the one.  
If I’d ever had a doubt, I didn’t now.  She was the one I’d be thinking about, longing for, until I took my last breath.  If I lost her tomorrow, I’d pine for her like a lovesick fool. 

“...This is forever for me, sweetheart.  I want it all with you.  You’re the thing that gets me up in the morning and lets me rest easy at night.  I wouldn’t have survived some of the shit these last few months if it weren’t for you.  You’re my rock, Danika, and I need you to trust me.” 

His name alone oozes raw sex and machismo.  He is a smooth, sexy rocker with a deliciously dirty mouth and the sexual appetite of a beast. 

“Want me to pull your hair and give you a rough ride, sweetheart?  Fuck the angst out?”

“Gonna fuck you ’til neither of us can walk straight tomorrow”

“I’m going to pin you to that table when she’s done with you and fuck your brains out.”

My poor broken, beautiful, passionate man - I was both totally in love and infuriated with you. There is absolutely no doubt that Tristan adores Danika.  His love for her is true.  BUT, UGH!!!  All I wanted for him to do was...

SNAP OUT OF IT!!!!!!

Tristan's character was an absolute contradiction - He is a powerhouse. A physically strong, larger than life charismatic man, yet so emotionally weak he seemed childlike.  Tristan's love for Danika was all consuming, absolute and unconditional.  With a love so powerful, it should be all a man needs in order to survive....But,

Tristan is a slave to his addictions, which eventually consumes him and dims the light that Danika shines.  As much as he loves her, he is selfish.  And the longer they are together, the more toxic their relationship becomes.

Plunging into darkness, Tristan's soul is constantly tormented by the demons that plagued his past as well as the nefarious bastards he surrounds himself with.  Life for Tristan is too much to bare.  He is lost in a vicious cycle of drugs and alcohol, which added to his agony. Prolonged separations from Danika added to his misery.  He made horrible decisions, which led him on a self-destructive path, annihilating Danika along the way.  By the time Tristan comes to his senses, it’s too late.  He had caused Danika so much pain and hardship, she is forced to turn away and salvage what little is left if her broken life and shattered heart. 

Danika.

“You’ve got me.  And I’m not going anywhere.  Not ever.”  

I meant the words when I said them, but life had other plans for us.

I’d have given my life for that fight.  In fact, I very nearly did. 

How much tragedy can one woman endure?  At what point does she realize that sometimes love is not enough?

Danika was devoted to Tristan and has literally given all of herself to him.  The suffering this woman has endured in the name of love was inconceivable.  Tristan's destructive behavior was such a powerful, cataclysmic force, it shattered Danika to her very core, leaving carnage in place. She is one of the strongest literary female characters I have come across. However, I wanted more from her.....I needed Danika to display more of anger.  I needed to see her lash out and show Tristan exactly how much torment, physically and emotionally, he has caused.   He was blissfully unaware of all wreckage left in his wake - little does he know just how much his love had cost her. It was tragic and poisonous. Hopefully, Danika will get her due in “Lovely Trigger”.

And yes, I was overjoyed and flipping cartwheels when Dean received his just desserts. Dean, you are a rotten son of a bitch bastard.  Wanted to cut you DEEP.  You are one of the dirtiest scumbags ever.  You reaped what you sowed. I could not have wished for a happier ending for you.  Twatalie, you’re such a stupid transparent ho. You got what you deserved as well.

Bravo R.K.!!

“Rock Bottom” was well worth the wait.  It was a beautifully written, emotional charged, heartbreaking love story. Both Tristan and Danika’s stories had me reeling to the point I was in the fetal position, bawling. There is no real cliff-hanger, but no happily ever after either.  I love reading both Tristan and Danika’s POV - seeing them bare their souls was an experience I won’t soon forget.  I am counting the days until the last installment.