Book Review – Raid by Kristen Ashley + an eBook Giveaway!!

Winner announcement!! Congratulations to Melissa, Mickala & Lauren

Raid (Unfinished Heroes) (book #3 in the series, and while past characters appear in this one, it still reads perfectly as a standalone).

Before I start, there are no real spoilers, but this book is best savored not knowing what’s coming up at all. It’s got angsty romantic tension, pining, insecurities, blow-ups… all of that. Best experiencing this one fresh. Just know if you are in the mood for an UBER-alpha steamy read with some really tumultuous moments, and a definite “real-guy” feel, (and you want to be infuriated with him, even as you fall for him) then this is for you.

4.5 stars from me.

And it hurt when fantasies died.

A lot.

But that was exactly what it was.

The death of a fantasy.

Another Kristen Ashley winner!!!! I CRAVE these books like crazy, and when a new one is released? Ahhhhh they soothe my need for a true bad-a$$! Like a fine wine savored between our slightly younger-ish feeling “angsty” reads (which are fun, too!). Her books are exactly what I need to get me out of a book funk, or refresh my reading palette. Or maybe, “wine” is not quite right to describe these. Because of the raw, grittier nature of her heroes, I’d say more like an aged whiskey. At first… their attitude is a little hard to swallow, (just the way I like it, mind you ) but it all smooths out nicely after a few more sips.

Every single one of her heroes, exciting, daring, coarse. And you know… I’m afraid to admit this in public (and I’m just bein’ silly here!!! ‘Cause I like to) but, if Kristen Ashley were a man, I think I’d have a major crush on her, ’cause I BET she’d be just like one of her heroes.  Don’t get me wrong!!! I totally see her as one of her cute, goofy, sweet, fashionista (but still kick-ass) heroines. But imagine if she was a guy? Tee hee!! *blush* I digress! ‘Cause she is not, but she sure knows how to write ‘em.

And do you want to know one of the things I love the most about her books? That at times, her guys can fly right off the handle and in the most obnoxious “HOW DARE HE!!!!!” ways, and she totally let’s them go there. They have great big beautiful hearts, but their egos, life expectations, and well… “protective nature” (read: caveman ways) come out in full force. And they just can’t seem to evade it. And I’m not talking “bodice ripping” and claiming (although their’s plenty of that too. Okay no bodices… mostly panty ripping). I’m talking full on double standards, screaming matches, and the whole “do what I say!!!”. In his *slight defense* at one point I totally got him. I mean… LOCK YOUR DOORS woman!!!

But at another point I couldn’t believe my eyes! Yep. Even going as far as calling his woman a name or two in the heat of the moment. The bad heat… not the good heat. When he’s mad… LOOK OUT!!!!

Maryse’s Book Blog: I’m writing my Kristen Ashley “Raid” review and giggling. And swooning as I go over my favorites parts. I loved that book. One of my favorite parts? When he flew off the handle at that one point and went out of his mind in fury. Ohhhh I was SO MAD at him and OMG I couldn’t have felt a heroine more. I’m telling you! LOVED that part, though. So real.

Ashley: that’s one of my favs too

Tracie: Loved that book too! When I found it was released early I did a happy dance and proceeded to devour it!!!

Lori:  OMG I felt the same way about that part and even said as much in my review lol

Liezels BookBlog: So many fav parts, the last half of my ebook is all high lighted up. Love anything Kristen Ashley.

Tracey: Raid stole my heart….I’m so sorry Tack. Really, I just loved Raid and I can’t for the life of me figure out why that is….something about him just weaseled it’s way into my heart…

Maryse’s Book Blog: It was CRAZY intense. I love when she goes there, and she never fails us!

Britton:  I loved it too!! One of my favorites that she has written !

Terrie: Part way through and loving Raid and Hanna too! 5pm and still in my pjs. Can’t put it down. Damn I’ll be eating bonbons next. .

Happy: I can’t believe I’m saying this about a KA book, but I actually wish it were a bit longer!! Just loved it!!

Michele: I am **% and haven’t gotten to “THAT” part yet… eeek. Loving this book though!!! xo

Kassandra: Is it the **% part ???

Jillian: Loved the whole book!!! So great!

Joy: Loved it!!!

Yep Cassandra!! That’s the part. Oh Michele, you are coming up to some crazy right now. And Happy. I agree. I love how long her books are, and this one… I was wishing for more.

Thank you Kristen, for exploring that reality. Because no matter how perfect a guy is… how good he can be, I love that you let them be human, and let “it” get the best of them, sometimes. LOVE IT. Because you always manage to bring it around full circle, in a way that makes me feel complete, at the end of your books.

Oh and can I say I LOVE how this one started. Kind of like a few of ‘em but  each in their titillating own way. It’s like… it’s ME!!!! I really relate to her girls. Crushing on someone from a far for awhile, shyness, or whatever. Insecurities keep her from approaching him. He’s always “OMG HOT!!!” and everyone agrees. He’s always unattainable, or at least, appears to be. Secretly “mini-stalking” him (er… not that I’ve ever done that. ) *smirk* Tee hee!!! Nothing bad by way of stalking, just you know. Being at his hangout, chatting up his sister… hoping to catch a glimpse of him. Hoping he’ll finally catch a glimpse of her.

… simply to catch a glimpse of him.

Okay, so maybe it was more than to catch a glimpse of him.

It was silly but I couldn’t let go of the hope that one day, he’d walk in, look at me, and maybe pop by my table to have a chat where I would boggle his mind with my brilliance. I’d charm him with my manner. Then he’d ask me out on a date. At the end of which, maybe, hopefully, I’d finally be able to touch his hair (amongst other things).

This never happened.

And eventually, she comes out of her mousy-shell and gets that makeover that nobody can resist.

Oh what? We all have two true selves, right? While it would be nice for that gorgeous crush to fall for us at our “less than shiny” selves, in reality, they generally don’t notice unless we’re at our best. Shining brightly. And I know that in a perfect world, it wouldn’t have to be that way, but in reality, it often is. And I love that the author goes there, and explores the fact that he never noticed her before.

A couple of times, those beautiful eyes of his looked through me.

Ugh!! Through her. Oh yes… I felt her. He even admits it!!! None of this… “he too, has been crushing on her secretly for years” stuff. Heck no. It’s more like… Hanna WHO? YES!!!

But I also love the author’s personal empowering “touch”… it’s not “just” that he noticed her now that she’s “pretty” or “prettier” but… it’s as much of her new found self-assurance, and enthusiasm for life and all that is her… that radiates enough to call to him.

I was living a narrow life and that narrow life made me uninteresting.

And sometimes, a full-on (inside and out) makeover will be just the thing to bring that out. Who can resist a woman who is high on life? Proud of where she stands, what she loves (I LOVED her goofy girly-ish thrills), and who she is? I love that.

So much “real” went into this one. All of that anticipation, real emotion, teasing… and just when it starts… things go awry.

Okay so… what’s it about?

Hanna has been crushing on Raiden since they were children and he has never given her the time of day. And still to this day, she holds out hope. Even for just a glimpse of him, fueling her Raid-crush.

Back from the Marines, Raiden (aka “Raid”) has suffered the trauma of war, and while on the outside he appears to be the same old Raid, those close to him know he has checked out, emotionally.

“Gettin’ that medal. What he had to do to get it. But still, sad to see a man like him… lost.” I knew what went down. His squad had been nearly annihilated. They’d lost everyone.

Sounds already right up our alley, doesn’t it? Oh and IT IS!!!!

She decides to be the best that she can be, and it’s very hard for Raiden not to take notice. His alpha comes out and the whole “game playing” thing… yah. That’s not for him. And in true Kristen Ashley alpha-form, Raid’s controlling nature and need to dominate really gets the best of him. Of THEM. And I loved every. Single. Moment.

Oh and I loved LOVED LOVED her great-grandmother. OMG she yanked my heart out a few times, too.

“Dangerous. In every line of his body, hidden deep in is eyes. Missed it then but he hadn’t had you then. I see it now and I see you got bit by his bug. I’m tellin’ you, Hanna, you be careful. You go forward cautious. Hard to guard your heart from a man like that who’ll do nothing and everything to win it in a war you’ll want him to own it forever. But mind this, child, Raiden Miller doesn’t find a way to beat back the danger lurking within, he’ll go down and he’ll take you down right along with him.”

What a WONDERFUL character. And the darn cat!! *perfect*

He crossed his arms on his chest, making the muscles in his biceps bulge and the veins in his forearms pop. I was concentrating on taking in all this fabulousness so I might have missed the full orgasm but I was relatively certain I had a mini one.

Then he smiled.

There it was.

The full orgasm.

*giggle* isn’t she the most clever author?!! Love her style, and THIS is it. A definite reward.

4.5 stars!! (but 5 stars for a few VERY important, integral moments)!! Thank you so much to Kristen Ashley for sending this my way for a review. I loved every moment of it!

Now for the giveaway!!!

How to enter for a chance to win a “Raid” ebook? Just leave a comment below, and Sunday (Sunday, March 3rd 2013) by 11pm EST, I will randomly select three winners.

The winners will be contacted and will have 48hrs to respond confirming that their email address works, so if you are picked, do not delay or you will lose your chance. This is a open to anyone that can receive an e-book!

Tagged as: 4.5 stars, alpha males, contemporary romance, Kristen Ashley