Kristen Ashley, have you read her?

Fenwick · Joined: 25 Jun 2011 Posts: 81

A friend asked me if I knew anything about Kristen Ashley. I don't. She seems to be a new author who writes ebooks like Sweet Dreams and Rock Chicks.

I though readers on the board probably have read her and can help my friend.

oklanannie · Joined: 27 Dec 2009 Posts: 94 Location: Oklahoma

Since the first of the year I've been on a Kristen Ashley book binge. She's a magnificent storyteller. Her stories mostly center around over-the-top alpha males and strong, feisty heroines. The characters are flawed and often times rough and gritty, but they always wrap themselves around your heart. Many have experienced horrendous experiences in their lives. All are served with a big dose of hot sizzling romance. Most of her books are part of a series and each new book also revisits past characters. She does have several outstanding standalones. "Heaven & Hell," "Law Man," "Play It Safe," and "Games of the Heart" are among my favorites.

Her latest release on April 8th is "Knight," the first in her new "Unfinished Hero" series. Ashley took this book to another level, dipping her toes into light BDSM and erotic romance. It is my least favorite of her books. From the reviews so far, it appears to be a "love it" or "hate it" reading experience.

Your friend should be forewarned that Ashley's writing style is very different and it takes awhile to get into the rhythm. The books are also written in first person. Editing problems are certain irritants as well. At first they threw me off; however, her stories are so captivating that those problems soon fell by the wayside for me. The later books appear to be receiving better editing attention.

Terese · Joined: 11 Apr 2007 Posts: 250

I've read a couple by this author, in her fantasy series: Wildest Dreams and The Golden Dynasty. The stories themselves are fun. I mostly enjoyed them. I have a few quibbles tho. The heroines are pretty much interchangeable. They think and speak almost exactly the same. She uses a lot of italics and parentheses and dot,dot,dots. (Because, it's not awesome ... it's freaking awesome. It's ... kick a$$ awesome.). It makes me wonder if she has an editor. That sort of writing bothers me, so I don't think I'll pick up any more. But seeing how popular she is on Amazon, I may be in the minority there.

erika · Joined: 26 Mar 2007 Posts: 297

I'm reading Knight. Almost halfway into it and enjoying it. Knight the hero is a true bad boy not fake at all.

Jane A · Joined: 23 Mar 2007 Posts: 721 Location: So Cal

I've read a few of her books and she's what I call a guilty pleasure. I can see all the holes in her writing and there are numerous typos (she needs an editor!) but I enjoy her anyway. My favorite of hers are in the Colorado Mountain series. She is certainly a case of YMMV.

moonbeam · Joined: 04 Apr 2011 Posts: 5

I've been on a Kristen Ashley reading binge this year, I absolutely LOVE her books. She writes contemporary novels, with some light suspense elements. Her heroes are over the top uber alpha males. These guys are bossy and rude bad*sses and you'll probably hate them for the first few chapters in a book, but boy oh boy when they come through - swoon-worthy Wink

Warning: Kristen Ashley is self-published and her books need some editing here and there and they are really looooong, which I usually don't like, but she is such a great storyteller that I don't mind, I didn't want the books to end... If you're bored with the same old, same old contemporary romances, give her a try, she's absolutely addicting!

My favorites are:
-Sweet Dreams, Lady Luck, The Gamble (Colorado Mountain series)
-Mystery Man and Law Man (Dream Man series)
and the 'Burg Series.

Cee · Joined: 19 Feb 2009 Posts: 198

I tried to read Knight after hearing all the hoopla and it was so bad I was cracking up.
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"When the day shall come, that we do part," he said softly, and turned to look at me, "if my last words are not 'I love you' -- ye'll ken it was because I didna have time."

moonbeam · Joined: 04 Apr 2011 Posts: 5

Wendy AAR · Joined: 22 May 2010 Posts: 324

I just read Sommersgate House. Its a contemporary gothic about an American woman who has to move to her brother-in-law's haunted house outside London to share joint custody of her dead brother's children.

It wasn't a perfect book, but I enjoyed it a lot and would definitely buy something else by this author.

Cee · Joined: 19 Feb 2009 Posts: 198

erika · Joined: 26 Mar 2007 Posts: 297

LikesBadBoys · Joined: 11 Jun 2008 Posts: 126

Mktrioka · Joined: 25 Sep 2010 Posts: 6 Location: Ohio, USA

LOL!! I just discovered Ms. Ashley's work this past weekend and came over here to see if anyone reads her (I'm mostly a lurker, and enjoy the vast benefits of this forum as a reader). I read about five of her books in three days. Embarassed

I feel like I shouldn't have enjoyed them as much as I did, but I freakin' couldn't get enough! While I did find some of the characters a bit repetitive, I really enjoyed reading about the ongoing relationships in the book -- how the characters grew and changed -- getting to see the decision of the H/h to be together come at the 2/3 mark of the book, rather than at the end. I'm pretty picky about my genres -- I won't pick up her fantasy stuff or anything witch/occult-related -- but I'll be watching like a hawk for her new "Unfinished Heroes" and "Colorado Mountain" books.

Linda in sw va · Joined: 27 Mar 2007 Posts: 4708

Linda in sw va · Joined: 27 Mar 2007 Posts: 4708

So I said to my husband last night "You feel me?" and he was like..what the hell are you talking about.... Laughing

Linda...Currently enjoying Wild Man
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"The Bookshop has a thousand books, all colors, hues and tinges, and every cover is a door that turns on magic hinges." ~ Nancy Byrd Turner