Kaleidoscope (Colorado Mountain #6) by Kristen Ashley Release Day Blitz

KALEIDOSCOPE

Kristen Ashley

Release Date: February 4, 2014

~ Synopsis ~

Sexy, gifted, and loyal, PI Jacob Decker is a tall, cool drink of perfection who had Emmanuelle Holmes at "hello." His relationship with Emme's best friend kept them apart for years, but things have changed. Now that a case has brought him to Gnaw Bone, Colorado, the road is wide open for Emme and Deck to explore something hotter and deeper than Emme dreamed possible. So why is she sabotaging the best thing that's ever happened to her?

It isn't easy to catch Deck off guard, but Emme does just that when she walks back into his life after nine long years. The curvy brunette had her charms back in the day, but now she's a bona fide knockout . . . and she wants to rekindle their friendship. Deck, however, wants more. Emme's always been the one; she excites Deck's body and mind like no other woman can. But a dark chapter from Emme's past overshadows their future together. Now only Deck can help her turn the page-if she'll let him . . .

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~ Excerpt ~

I dropped my leg so I was sitting cross-legged in the couch and leaned into him. “Honey, you remember everything so I don’t have to remind you I haven’t seen you in nine years. I dig it that we reconnected and I love having you back.” I again threw an arm out, this time toward him and back to me. “This is great. You and me spending time together, shooting the breeze. I missed that. And I get it that friends make gestures, but this is too much.”

His eyes warmed during this speech and he took his arms from the couch, bent his legs, leaned into them, and me, and put his elbows to his knees, never releasing my eyes.

“Baby, I want you warm and liquid. The first bein’ physically, the second bein’ financially. You stop payin’ so much for heat, you’ll have more money for the rest of the shit you gotta do.”

This made sense.

But he’d again called me “baby.”

And I needed to address that.

So I asked, “What is that?”

His head cocked and his eyebrows drew together. “What’s what?”

I drew in breath and on the exhale, stated, “You calling me baby.” Then I went on quickly, “Not that I don’t like it. It’s sweet. It’s just not…” I hesitated, “us.”

Something happened to his eyes, his face, his whole big body and that something made me brace at the same time it made my heartbeat escalate.

“You know what it is,” he said softly.

I didn’t.

“I don’t,” I shared.

His eyes stayed locked to mine and I knew him relatively well, or I used to. But even if we hadn’t been separated for years, I still would not have been forewarned to the fact he was about to blow my mind.

“Before, we had Elsbeth between us. My head was fucked about that, about her, and it took almost a decade to get it unfucked. Lookin’ back, havin’ you back, I now know and I reckon you know, that’s the way it was. She was between us. She knew it too. And she didn’t like it. But it didn’t matter. My head was fucked so I couldn’t see clear of her and not doin’ that, I didn’t see you.”

I knew my lips had parted. I also knew my eyes got big. And last, I had no clue what to say.

So I said nothing.

“Now she isn’t between us,” he finished.

It was then I knew what the “baby” business was.

I just had no idea how to react to it because I never considered it. He was beautiful. He was kind. He was smart. He was funny and interesting and affectionate.

But he was my best friend’s boyfriend.

That didn’t mean my mind didn’t go there in vague ways, not stupid enough to wish for something I could never have, just silently covetous of what Elsbeth had. And, because of all that he was and that Elsbeth had it, in the end, infuriated she threw it away. Angry enough to end an important friendship because of it.

Sitting there, all that was Jacob, and all that being spectacular sitting across from me, holding my eyes, I finally understood that the reason I was angry at my friend was because, in throwing Jacob away, she took him away from me.

And now I had him back, but also, he was saying I’d always had him a different way, we just didn’t go there and he was going to take us there.

Yes. I had no clue what to say but my body had a clue how to feel. Warm and there were a lot more tingles.

“Jacob—” I started on a whisper.

But he interrupted again.

“You saw me, asked me out to dinner that same night, no fuckin’ around. Since then, you’ve called twice for no reason except to connect, and, baby, before you freak that I noticed that and what it said, I’ll tell you, I’m fuckin’ glad you did and I’m also fuckin’ glad about what it said. The boyfriend you were on the fence about, you got off the fence in less than twenty-four hours after seein’ me again and decided to get shot of his ass. And you didn’t waste any time gettin’ me right where I am tonight. That is not friends reconnecting. You know it. So do I.”

“I—”

“Don’t deny it.”

I shut my mouth.

~ My Review ~

Review

~ Live Chat with Kristen ~

We're also really excited to share that on February 5, a LIVE Spreecast Chat with Kristen Ashley at 7 PM EST. We hope you'll RSVP.

 http://www.spreecast.com/events/live-chat-with-kristen-ashley--2

~ First Chapter ~

https://www.facebook.com/ForeverRomance/app_763170577029821

~ About the Author ~

Kristen Ashley grew up in Brownsburg, Indiana, and has lived in Denver, Colorado, and the West Country of England. Thus she has been blessed to have friends and family around the globe. Her posse is loopy (to say the least) but loopy is good when you want to write.

Kristen was raised in a house with a large and multigenerational family. They lived on a very small farm in a small town in the heartland, and Kristen grew up listening to the strains of Glenn Miller, The Everly Brothers, REO Speedwagon, and Whitesnake. Needless to say, growing up in a house full of music and love was a good way to grow up.  And as she keeps growing up, it keeps getting better.

~ Connect with Her ~

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~ Giveaway ~

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Kaleidoscope (Colorado Mountain #6) by Kristen Ashley

Kaleidoscope

ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Jacob Decker is a PI. His friend Chace (Breathe) has called him on a case. He is back in Gnaw Bone but the last thing he expected was to meet his best friend after 9 yrs and wanting more from her.  It doesn't matter that she may be seeing someone or that she has changed in the years he's been gone.

"Emme. The new, beautiful, stylish Emme"

He knows he wants to rekindle their friendship and so much more.

“So, summin’ up, you got until Sunday to get your head together about McFarland. On Sunday, you scrape him off. On Sunday night, the boys are gone, you learn the true meaning of me callin’ you ‘baby.’ ” 

When Jacob is faced with the case and there is suspicion of Emme being involved, he won't rest until her name is cleared.

Emme can't believe that Jacob is back in her life. He was her best friend but when Jacob broke up with his girlfriend, he also cut ties to Emme, breaking her heart in the process. As a parting gift, she gave him a kaleidoscope, if only he had just turned the dial.

“This is cool, having this back. Having you back. Thanks for making it easy and taking us right back to where we left off.”

Emme does have a past that has makes it hard for her to open up and Jacob could be the only one who can make it happen.

This book as with all the Colorado books have suspense, an awesome alpha, great cameos from other lovable characters (Lee- I love you man!!) and an awesome great posse.

Emme was a strong woman. She is carrying some trauma from a prior experiences and it's painful to read how this has affected her life.  She is truly a nice person and she deserves happiness.

Jacob doesn't play games. Once he realizes that he had wasted too long to get Emme back into his life, there is nothing to stop him.  He is a man on a mission and it doesn't hurt that he owns a dog.

“Met you twelve years ago and we’re just gettin’ here. I don’t call that fast. I call that a waste of fuckin’ time I’m about to rectify.”

I never get tired of reading about these characters and their lives. Is also extremely rewarding to read where the couples of prior books lives are at and that their love for each other is only stronger.

“I really, really, really like you, Jacob Decker,” 
“I know,” 

Kristen - keep them coming. You are an expert and I am true fan.


4/5 Fangs

Breathe (Colorado Mountain #4) by Kristen Ashley

Chase Keaton feels dirty. Because of his father's mistake, he had to become a dirty cop for a while and married a woman he didn't love. The town of Carnal believes him a hero but he knows better. On hi free time, he thinks about the woman he married and who was murdered under his watch. The least he can do is find the culprit. He doesn't know that Faith is doing the same with her internet friends.
Faith Goodknight is the beautiful, shy librarian. She has been in love with Chase since she can't remember  At the beginning, he is rude to her, despite him having a thing for her for years too. But, when an abused kid shows up at the library, Faith needs the cops help and Chase is the one that takes it upon himself to help her.
There are so many good parts, but what I love the most is how geeky Faith is. She loves Scify, She mentions, Buffy, Angel, Star wars and Firefly references.

Spoiler Fangalert: our little miss Ally Nightingale shows up in this book. Righteous!!

4/5 Fangs

Lady Luck (Colorado Mountain #3) by Kristen Ashley

This is my favorite Colorado Book (Tate is my second).
Ty Walker spent five years in prison for a crime he didn't commit  The woman he was with on that night, lied, negating him an alibi. He only has revenge in his plans. To his surprise, when he gets out there is this beautiful, leggy woman waiting for him. He needs to marry her for convenience.
Alexa Anne (Lexy) Berry has had bad Luck all her life, when she is forced to pick up someone being release from prison, she is completely shocked to see this hot giant coming out. He exudes danger. When he proposes a marriage that can release her from prior entanglement, she jumps to it. They get to Vegas and marry.
When they move back to Carnal, she uncovers the truth and tries to help Ty forget about revenge and his demons. He does not react well to it. 
Even if they are able to make this marriage work, can they live happily in a place where dirty cops and government exists?
Love Ty. Even though  the writing is completely crude at times, it really created live characters to the reader. Is amazing what KA can do!
5/5 Fangs.

Sweet Dreams (Colorado Mountain #2) by Kristen Ashley

Lauren Grahame left her old life. She quit her job and moved to a place where no one knows her and a town where nothing is special, Carnal.  Moving away is her only choice to find herself again after her ex husband cheated on her with her best friend for five years. She thought her life was going to be special but learned that there is no such thing. She is also a little overweight but has started swimming too.  She applies for a job as a waitress in a local biker bar. At first, one of the owners doesn't want to hire her because she looks too classy. 
Once she meets the other boss, she is fuming after some nasty comments Tate says. She is ready to avoid him, hate him, kill him with indifference.
Tatum Jackson is part owner of the bar and bounty hunter. When a serial killer is loose in his town, he decides to take the case. The last thing he needs is a distraction. Just before he meets Lauren he has stopped a relationship with his ex girlfriend. He does says some nasty comments that Lauren overheard, but apologizes to her. He knows he wants her for himself. Lauren finds herself in between biker boys at some point just because she doesn't understand biker lingo. Tate knows he has to keep his town and Lauren safe.
Love this book, a pleasure to read. Hate Tate at first, love him to pieces by the end. Some parts are LOL pages.

5/5 Fangs

“I don’t know!” I hissed back. “Tate went out of town and he took me for a ride on his bike and he kissed me before he left. But he didn’t tell me he was going. He just said he wanted me on the back of his bike when he got back. But then he was gone. For a month. He didn’t call. Nothing. He just vanished. Then I got my car from Wood and he said he’d seen me on Tate’s bike and he didn’t want to tell me what he had to tell me because he wanted me to be on the back of his bike but then he told me Tate was with Neeta, Wood’s sister, and she’s married.”

“The back of his bike?” she asked, looking confused.

I shook my head. “I don’t know, I don’t get it. I think it’s biker slang for they want a date or something.”

“What did Tate say about what Wood said?”

This was the tricky part therefore I mumbled, “Um…”

“What?” she asked.

“I didn’t ask him,” I admitted. “When he got back…” I moved even closer, “Carrie, when he got back I think he came straight to me, straight to the bar, he grabbed my hand and pulled me into the hall and kissed me and told me he didn’t find Tonia’s killer but it was good to be home then I threw the whole Neeta thing in his face, he got pissed, said some nasty stuff and stormed off.”

The Gamble (Colorado Mountain #1) by Kristen Ashley

First in the Colorado Series

Nina Sheridan is taking a holliday. She has decided that she needs time to think if she wants to spend the rest of her life with her clueless fiancee. She thinks a trip to the States will clarify everything for her.
When she gets to the house she has rented, to her surprise there is a hot guy there, who is the owner of the home and tells her she can't stay there. (Max calls her Duchess which later on becomes a term of endearment). Things get worse for her, she has a cold, her car breaks down and she can't get out of it because of the snowstorm.
When she wakes up the next day, she is his bed.
Holden Maxwell has had plenty of sorrow in his life. But, when Nina shows up, it is the first time in a long time that he feels something. He nurses her back to health and forces her to stay with him in his home.  Typical Alpha maneuver.
They get to know each other and he shows her around the town of Gnaw Bone, but of course there is always a couple of other story lines happening which being a KA book leads to kidnapping, confrontations, murder, etc.
This is a good book and a great beginning for this series.
4/5 Fangs