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.