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Wednesday, November 20, 2013

REVIEW: OWN THE WIND (CHAOS #1) by KRISTEN ASHLEY

As some may notice, I've dedicated a week (more or less) each month to a Kristen Ashley series. Up this month is the Chaos Series.


Own the Wind (Chaos, #1)Series: Chaos #1
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Grand Central
Publication Date: 4/2/13
Format: Kindle
Pages: 448
Source: Purchase
Rating: 5 stars

Too hot to handle...

Tabitha Allen grew up in the thick of Chaos--the Chaos Motorcycle Club, that is. Her father is Chaos' leader, and the club has always had her back. But one rider was different from the start. When Tabby was running wild, Shy Cage was there. When tragedy tore her life apart, he helped her piece it back together. And now, Tabby's thinking about much more than friendship...

Tabby is everything Shy's ever wanted, but everything he thinks he can't have. She's beautiful, smart, and as his friend's daughter, untouchable. Shy never expected more than friendship, so when Tabby indicates she wants more--much more--he feels like the luckiest man alive. But even lucky men can crash and burn...


I know I begin every single Kristen Ashley review this way, but I loved this book. And when I say I loved this book, I mean that Own the Wind is without a doubt one of my very favorite KA books. Shy and Tabby are one of my very favorite couples ever. And this story - their story- stole my heart.

Own the Wind is so different from what I expected. Being a Chaos novel, I thought it would be heavy on the MC doings, with a love story in the midst. But what it was, in my opinion, was the opposite. This was a love story that happened to be set in the Chaos brotherhood.

If you've read Motorcycle Man, then you know what was coming in Own the Wind. All the signs were there. Tabby Allen, daughter of the President, Tack, has had a crush on the young Chaos member Parker "Shy"Cage for years. That of course, is trouble. But what is so special is the way Shy and Tabby's heart-wrenching story is told. The course of true love never runs smoothly in a Kristen Ashley book, but this went to a new level. Of course, love always prevails, thanks to the infinite care, patience and devotion of Shy Cage, and the huge heart of Tabby Allen. Though the details are different, it had the heart-break, then intensity, the slow-burning build-up that reminded me a bit of Hector and Sadie's story in Rock Chick Regret.

I could truly go on endlessly about Own the Wind. I love the story. I love the characters. I loved the way they argued, the authenticity with which they battled out anything from what kind of ice maker to get, to whether Shy was justified in teaching Tabby's jerk boss a lesson he'd never forget. I love the quiet moments, the profound moments. Like Tabby and Shy, I "dreamed a dream" once, and like mine, I'm so happy theirs came true.

Own the Wind obviously set the Chaos series off to a fabulous start. I can only hope the momentum, nicely set-up in the end, continues with Hop and Lanie's story in Fire Inside.


Favorite Quotes:

  She kept giving it so her took even more and Jesus, the taste of her, the feel of her pressed close, the world melted away. It was more intoxicating that any liquor, a high better than any fucking drug.
  Phenomenal.
  Better than he would have guessed. Better than years of wondering how good it could be.
  The best he ever had.  
  With just a fucking kiss.


  "Don't be fuckin' cute and honest to god, if you lick your lip, I'll lose my mind. Next time you lick your lip you do it when we are nowhere near a public place and I can let loose the reaction I've had half a million fuckin' times over four fuckin' years every time I've seen you do it, not here, in a bookstore where I can't."  


  "He's good to me. When I say he's good to me, Tyra, I mean he's good to me. He's good for me. He doesn't care if I ruin dinner. He doesn't care that I talk too much. He thinks I'm the shit, and you know why I know that?"  I leaned into her and didn't wait for an answer. "Because he tells me. All the fucking time. I'm precious to him and I know it because he shows me and he tells me. It's beautiful. It's real. It's right."

 
  "I'm puttin' my ring on her finger, I'm givin' her babies, and when she's laid to rest, that ring I give her will still be on her finger.... I was part of an us and I was happy. Some motherfucker killed my parents and took that from me, so life forced me to become nothin' but a me. Now I'm an us again, and that's what I'll be with my woman and the family we make until the day I fucking die."


  "I dreamed a dream and there I was, a ring on my finger, my man's mouth on mine, standing with my dream, feeling it come real.
   I was right about what I was feeling.
   I was feeling everything.
   And it was beautiful."



Chaos Series
Own the Wind (Chaos, #1) Fire Inside (Chaos, #2)
(covers lead to GoodReads)
Purchase Own the Wind






About Kristen Ashley
Kristen AshleyKristen Ashley was born in Gary, Indiana, USA. She nearly killed her mother and herself making it into the world, seeing as she had the umbilical cord wrapped around her neck (already attempting to accessorise and she hadn't taken her first breath!).

Kristen grew up in Brownsburg, Indiana but 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 multi-generational family. They lived on a very small farm in a small town in the heartland and existed amongst the strains of Glenn Miller, The Everly Brothers, REO Speedwagon and Whitesnake (and the wardrobes that matched).

Needless to say, growing up in a house full of music, clothes and love was a good way to grow up.

And as she keeps growing up, it keeps getting better.


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24 comments:

  1. I'm going to be so sad if you find a KA book you don't like because I love how well you articulate what you loved about the book and those are my same thoughts!

    I remember when this book came out and some people hating it. I LOVED the painful journey to their relationship. It felt true to life. And when Shy broke his current girlfriend's heart...ouch! But I was okay with that because to me it showed how desperate he was for Tabby and KA showed later that he still felt guilty and knew it had been a dick move. And Tack and Tyra's reactions...another bit I loved. Felt real and painful and something to work through and grow from.

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    1. Wow! What a comment! I completely agree with everything you've said, Misty. Completely. And if there's ever a day I don't love a Kristen Ashley book, I should probably just stop reading. lol

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  2. I have this book but if I need to read another series to get this one then it'll be a while before that happens

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  3. I love all those quotes you shared! I love how enthusiastic you are about this author Fantastic review!

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  4. I really loved this book. It felt a lot different from other Kristen Ashley books but it was still really great and one that I enjoyed. What I like most about Kristen's books is that no matter how much stuff is going on all around the main focal point is the romance between her main characters. Loved the beginning when we were able to see the progression of Shy and Tabby's relationship over the course of 5 years but not once did it ever feel like it was dragged on. Seriously, KA's is just undescribeable and I find it almost impossible not to give everyone of her books that I've read 5 stars. Another great review Andrea!

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    1. Debbie, you've nailed my exact feelings. The way KA built Shy and Tabby's story was unbelievably heartbreaking and beautiful.

      Ashley is the best.

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  5. OMG - one of your very favorite KA books?!? That's definitely saying something since I know how much love you have for them all, Andrea. This is a fantastic review - I can feel the passion you have for Shy and Tabby. And I can't wait to meet them.

    As soon as I finish the books on my review list, I'm gonna start KA...with Rock Chick, I think. Thanks so much for sharing your enthusiasm for these books!! :)

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    1. Yep! One of my very favorites. I would say Own the Wind probably makes my top 3-5 of all KA books.

      I cannot wait to see what you think!

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  6. Glad it got off to a good start and was different than expected

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  7. There's something about MC books that gives me the chills. I can't explain if it's a good or a bad kind of chill but ultimately I end up feeling like I'm doing something so forbidden LOL. Maybe it's my archaic association with motorcyles=badboys. Ha! You really are a KAshley fan through and through, a KAshley specialist if there's one.

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    1. I personally do not love motorcycles, to ride at least. But I do love reading about bikers!

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  8. I love that you can always rely on the author to write a book that you love, Andrea. I still haven't read anything by her, but I seriously need to change that it seems.
    The characters and the romance sound wonderful. Lovely review, Andrea.

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  9. I want to read this very soon. I've seen some mixed reviews on this one, but I trust your judgement, Andrea. As always you make me want to read the book immediately if not sooner with your wonderful review! :)

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    1. Rachel, I really think you would love it. I hope you give it a try!

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  10. Great review! I been wanting to read this series. I absolutely love books with bikers in them heh..swoon <3

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    1. Didn't you tell me your husband rides a bike?

      Swoooon!

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  11. I love the sound of their bicker..this just sounds wonderful. The quotes have clicking and buying..LOL

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    1. I don't think anyone writes banter like Kristen Ashley!

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  12. Beautiful Review & Excellent quotes! Motorcycle Clubs interest me, and I really want to read this series. I'm excited to read this book, because I can tell how much you loved it!

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  13. I was really surprised with how much I enjoyed this book - this was my first KA after disappointment with first Rock Chick book.
    Great review, Andrea.

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  14. I'm really loving Rock Chick. I'm so glad you got me on KA. I look forward to making my through her collection so we can chat more about them. Glad you loved this one!

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  15. You have me wanting to read these so bad. I wish I could get paid to do nothing but read - or that money grew on trees :) Too many books and way too little time to enjoy them all.

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  16. I've only ever read one book by this author and I didn't like the book that much so I guess I'm afraid to try other things by her. I know you have been reading your way through her back list lately but I just don't know if I'm ready to give this author another chance.

    Thanks for the great review though, glad you love her books!

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