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Book Review – Heaven and Hell by Kristen Ashley with Giveaway

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Heaven and Hell by Kristen Ashley

Standalone. Adult Contemporary.

Wow. Kristen Ashley does it again. This woman is a genius. Even my least favorite of her books are still amazing. But Heaven and Hell is way at the top. I have had it on my Kindle for a long time, just kind of waiting for a book funk which Kristen has never failed to pull me out of. I mistakenly thought it was paranormal (angels and devils) but it isn’t. It had been about a week that I just couldn’t get into a book, so I knew to break out the KA Magic. And yes. It is magic!

Heaven and Hell is a bit of a departure from Kristen’s other books in that it is a standalone for now, and it’s more emotional, more dialogue driven, more character driven, and a little less action than her others. But we still have a lovable quirky heroine and a badass alpha.

Kia spent 7 years in a miserable marriage with Cooter (I really hated that name I couldn’t see him as scary with that name).  She suffered his abuse silently, and trying to get away just made things worse.

“Then he kicked me in the back. I bit back my cry at this new pain focus and thanked God he was only wearing a sock. When he kicked me, he did it no matter what footwear he was wearing and since his job meant he had to wear steel-toed boots, I’d learned a sock was far, far better.”

Soon Kia gains the freedom from Cooter and the means to travel abroad. Though Kia has low self-esteem and is a bit fearful, she is determined to travel and experience life. She ends up in beautiful Lake Como, Italy, where she sees her favorite celebrity crush eating breakfast at the table next to her.

Sampson Cooper!
Oh.
My.
Freaking.
God!
I couldn’t sit one table over from Sampson Freaking Cooper!
What was he doing in Italy? What was he doing sitting alone at a table in a beautiful, expensive hotel in Italy? Where was the supermodel-esque hot chick that had to be his woman?

Sampson was an ex-pro ball player who then went into the army, after that he went off the grid, doing something dangerous. Kia knew all of this because she and her friends internet stalked him whenever they could. One even had a life-sized cut out of him in her bedroom. But when she sees him at the table next to her, she was so tied up that she decided to pretend he didn’t exist. Until he spoke to her.

“He was the most beautiful man I’d ever seen in my life. By far. And that was before I saw him in real life and in real life he was more beautiful than ever.
But that deep, rough-like-velvet laughter glided right across every inch of my skin, leaving beauty in its wake that soaked through and, I swear to God, it felt like it settled into my soul.”

Sampson had to be the most verbose hero Kristen has ever written. While normally her heroes are taciturn grunters, Sam was a talker. He was honest, he laid out the bottom line, was observant, and called Kia out on her actions often. But he was still a steamroller alpha, almost demanding her to be his. But sometimes, although I got the gist of what he was saying, I just had to reread it a few times to get it fully.

“Now, I’m worried about you ‘cause this feels good. If it feels this good now, that means it could get better. What happens tonight is close to what happened this morning, it’s definitely gonna get better. But right now, it feels good enough I give a shit about it stayin’ this good, enough to work at it, enough to make it better. And I don’t need to find a woman I finally feel good with and have her not able to handle the shit that comes with me.” ~Sam

Sam knows just what to say. I highlighted so many quotes, that I honestly put off reviewing this book for almost a month because I just couldn’t choose.

Sam was patient with Kia. He educated her on what a healthy relationship was. But Sam was hiding something. And as much as he preached communication, he didn’t listen to his own advice. As much as he made it clear he loved her, could she live with the secrets? One thing you know about him–he’s a GOOD man.

“Cheated on you and beat you.”
Oh God. “Sam –”
“You, fuckin’ you. Look at you. What the fuck?”
I pressed my lips together. He wasn’t done. “Any woman but fuck, fuck,” he clipped. “You. You. Takin’ a hand to you would be like takin’ a razorblade to La Scapigliata.”

Not only was he GOOD, but he was REALLY GOOD.

“Two choices, I eat you then fuck you in bed then we shower or I eat you in bed then I fuck you in the shower.”

I loved the lead characters, but the side characters were also amazing. Celeste was just the most amazing woman ever. And my heart broke for Luci. I really hope we get her story soon. There were some other great characters too:

“We also had a short visit from a man called Joe “Cal” Callahan, Sam’s security specialist. Like Tanner Layne and Lee Nightingale, Joe Callahan was tall, dark, built and unbelievably gorgeous.”

Likes:
  • Kristen Ashley wrote a character-driven, unputdownable novel.
  • The way Sam could read Kia and encourage great communication.
  • That Sampson could read her so well because he took the time to really study her.
  • I cried, I laughed, I swooned, and I read almost the whole book with a Kristen Ashley grin.
  • Cal, Tanner (with the mention of Ryker), and Lee!!!
  • Kia’s resilience and Sam’s strength.
  • It was nice and long.
  • That Sam told her to “Fight back and learn to be fearless.”
  • Amazing side characters I fell for.
  • Beautiful scenery in a foreign setting.
  • The dog–it actually inspired me to get my new puppy!
Dislikes:
  • Some of Sam’s dialogue was so long, wordy and run-on that I had to re-read a few times to get what he was saying.
  • “Cooter” I just couldn’t take the name seriously.
Rating: 5 stars, 4 heat

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Flame_FOUR copy

While Heaven and Hell was a little quieter than most of Kristen’s other books, there was still some action. There were hit men, danger, and even security from Cal and Lee! (Squee!). There was even a little laugh out loud humor.  This story was more about an abused woman healing and getting herself back with the help of an insightful, observant, and patient man. Sam helped Kia learn to trust again. He constantly dug for the truth behind her words and actions, and never let her hide behind her fears. He understood her damaged psyche and worked hard to heal and love her. I even sent a quote to my husband:

“In a healthy relationship, you’re allowed to get pissed and in my face. Fuck, I need you to do that so I know what buttons not to push, where I can’t go and avoid those places. And I’ll do the same for you. Its part of learning how to take care of each other. Its fighting but its a form of communication and it’s also a form of trust. We have words, we come to terms, we learn about each other and we move on stronger.”

Sam was by far, the most communicative of Kristen Ashley’s heroes, and boy, he knew the right things to say and do. Sure, he made mistakes along the way, but he quickly realized and rectified them. As always, I just loved the characters, and Heaven and Hell was another Kristen Ashley book to break one of the worst reading slumps I ever had.

Heaven and Hell

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Meet Kristen Ashley at Wicked Book Weekend 2015, Ft. Lauderdale FL

 

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Comments

  3. I loved Heaven and Hell too. I love Mystery Man and the Colorado Mountain Series but also have a soft spot for The Burg and Rock Chick. Oh and Knight.

    Reply

  5. I haven’t read any and I don’t know why…..I’ve heard nothing but great things about Kristen Ashley!

    Reply

  6. Thanks for the chance of the giveaway. I can’t say with one is my favorite because I love her books!!

    Reply

  7. I love Kristen Ashley. My favorite is the Dream Series. I just finished Raid last week and I loved it.

    Reply

  9. Being from Colorado I have to pick the Colorado Mountian Series. But I love all of her books and I can’t wait to read this one. Thank you for this wonderful giveaway.

    Reply

  10. I have read most of Kristen Ashley’s books. I really like the Rock Chick series, but The Will is my favorite and I can’t wait for the rest of the trilogy.

    Reply

  15. Sorry, IMPOSSIBLE to pick one!!! I have read almost everything she has written! I love the Three Series and I can’t wait for the final book!

    Reply

  16. I have read The Gamble and it was amazing. I just started Lady Luck. With no local book store and having to go to the city it’s difficult to find Kristen’s books. Loving them so far.

    Reply

  19. Love KA– versatile, yet a distinctive style that never fails to satisfy my need for a great read.

    Reply

    • Forgot to note my favorite. There are many like all the Dream Man series but The Gamble is my favorite so far.

      Reply

  23. I have read most of her books. It’s impossible for me to pick a favorite! For a bit it was Wild Man and then it was Play it Safe then Rock Chick Regret then……..yeah I have no favorite. I love KA!

    Reply

  25. I am not sure I have a favorite, but I loved The Will and will be a Team Walker member forever!!

    Reply

  26. Have them on my TBR but haven’t got to any of them yet. Looking forward to them. Thanks for the chance.

    Reply

  29. I think I have read almost all of KA books but my favorite is they Fantsyland series. I had it on my kindle for almost a year and finally read the first and they are just AMAZING!!!

    Reply

  32. I haven’t read any of that author’s books yet, I heard many good things about the Dream Man series and it’s on my TBR list, waiting to be read 😉
    Thanks for the chance! 🙂

    Reply

  35. You are so right when you say her writing is magic. I also use it to get me out of a book funk. Reading any Kristen Ashley book is like coming home. I honestly don’t know if I could pick a favorite, but Heaven and Hell is right up there.

    Reply

  36. I love KA books and have read almost all of them! I have not read Heaven and He’ll yet though 😉 my favorite will always be the one I started with The Gamble !

    Reply

  37. I haven’t had the chance to read any but I want to! A lot of her books are on my TBR list!

    Reply

  39. I’ve only heard great things about Ashley, but for what ever reason, I just haven’t gotten to reading her books yet. I would very much like to start somewhere, so maybe I’ll be lucky enough to win!

    Reply

  41. No, not yet. Isn’t that ridiculously out of touch with the reading world? I need to change that!

    Reply

  42. Like you, I’ve had this in my TBR section of my kindle. I might have to move it forward. After I finish reading another read thru of Colorado Moutain Men! Thanks for the heads up about this book!

    Reply

  43. There are so many to choose from that area fav but I would have to say sweet Dreams, motorcycle man and rock chick revenge. Seriously, that’s a hard choice for favorites:)

    Reply

  44. I’m a relatively new reader of Kristen Ashley’s books. I read The Will and I absolutely loved it. A few of her other books are in my ereader waiting to be read.

    Reply

  45. I have read several of Kristen’s books, I would have to say that the Mystery Men series is my favorite!

    Reply

  46. I read The Gamble recently and just started reading Lady Luck. Our local book store closed 2 months ago and now have to drive to the city to find books. Love Kristen’s style of writing and so thankful she shares her wonderful talent with all us readers. Makes my “me” time so much more enjoyable being able to read her books. Thanks for the wonderful opportunity to win another amazing book.

    Reply

  49. I love Kristen Ashley! I love her Dream Man series and the Chao and the Colorado Mountain series and her Unfinished hero series LOL…I love everything I’ve read by her. Thanks for the awesome giveaway 🙂

    Reply

  51. I have read the Chaos series and loved it. I plan to read her other series too.

    jmesparza821 at gmail dot com

    Reply

  53. She is high on my list of author’s to read but haven’t gotten to one yet! Thanks for the opportunity to win one of her books!

    Reply

  55. I love Kristen Ashley’s books, but my favourite so far are the Rock Chick series. I also love love that I can be reading another series and Rock Chick characters can pop up unexpectedly!

    Reply

  56. Ya know, I don’t think I’ve read any of her books. I would love to win so that I can. 🙂

    Reply

  57. I have not read Kristen’s books though a few of them are on my TBR list! Thanks for the giveaway!

    Reply

  58. I love Kristen Ashley. Have quite few of her books and I get lost in her words with the descriptive nature of her writing. Thank you for the giveaway!! Would love to add another to the collection. 🙂

    Reply

  61. I have read many of her books and am reading Raid right now. Law Man is my favorite so far. 🙂

    Reply

  63. I’ve ready practically everything my Kristen Ashley…My Favorites are At Peace, Law Man, & Heaven & Hell. I’m currently listening to the Rock Chicks on Audio and Loving those once again! Really, all things KA are fantastic!!!

    Reply

  64. I’m embarrassed to say I haven’t read a single book yet? I have a couple on my TBR pile though.

    Reply

  65. I have read pretty much all KA books except her paranormal & a few of the Rock Chicks…and there is no way I could pick just one favorite. This book, however, has a special place in my heart because it is the first KA book I read 🙂

    Reply

  66. I haven’t read any of Kristen’s book but she’s on my to read list on Goodreads now!

    Reply

  67. Yes I have read Kristen Ashley and I love the Rock Chick series the most. Thanks for the GA!

    Reply

  68. I’ve only read the some of the Rock Chick series so far, but I love them. Lee is my favorite. 🙂

    Reply

  69. I haven’t read any of Kristen’s books yet. I have a bunch on my Kindle though, just need to get to them.

    Reply

  70. I have read almost all of Kristen Ashley, my favorite is the Rock Chick series!

    Reply

  73. No haven’t read any but liked the blurb and review of the books after looking her up on amazon.

    Reply

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