Sign in with FacebookShawna's Reviews > At Peace
At Peace (The 'Burg, #2)
by Kristen Ashley (Goodreads Author)
by Kristen Ashley (Goodreads Author)
Shawna's review
bookshelves: contemporary-romance, e-book, kristen-ashley, romantic-suspense, kindle, badasses-hunks-in-leather, heroine-single-mom, hh-disfigured-injured-scarred-ill, hero-abused-scarred-tortured-angst, hh-widow-or-widower, small-town-lovin, cop-bodyguard-govop-merc-military, sizable-packages, hero-uber-alpha-domineering, stalker-alert, hh-divorcee, hero-alpha, hero-asshat-award-hall-of-shame, hero-brooding, hero-cold-cruelbrute-dark-dangerous, kids-cute-faves-prominent-in-story, hero-pissed-me-off-and-turned-me-on, hero-or-heroine-italian, love-triangle-vying-courtships, cheating-hearts-fidelity-issues, 2012-reads, angsty-dark-heavy-lotsa-drama, animals-matter, badass-kickass-motha-fucka, best-faves-of-2012, best-secondary-characters-ensemble, bikers-sexy-as-sin, brothers-sisters-cousins-family, controversial-memorable-event-scene, ending-abrupt-poor-epilogue-needed, enemies-to-lovers-opposites-attract, erotic-romance-erotica-romantica, favorite-love-scenes, favorites, heartbreaking-gutwrenching-romance, hero-antihero-gamma, hero-bad-boy-playboy, hero-expert-skilled-voracious-lover, hero-i-wanna-smack, hero-im-gaga-over, hero-not-enough-groveling, hero-recluse-loner-lonewolf, hero-redeems-himself-reformed, hero-reformed-rake-player, hero-silent-quiet-type-reticent, hero-stalk-me-baby-possessive, hero-stud-mantel-hall-of-fame, hero-walking-hardon, heroine-abused-traumatic-past-rape, heroine-beautiful-bombshell, heroine-girl-next-door, heroine-good-girl-nice, heroine-good-girl-tempted-gone-wild, heroine-i-adore, hh-bad-communication-conflict-mgmt, hh-famous-celebrity, hh-love-commitment-marriage-phobic, hh-on-the-run-in-hiding, hh-post-traumatic-stress-disorder, hh-sweet-nice-paired-vs-gruff-cynic, humorous-at-times-or-fluffy-fun, i-read-kindle, i-read-own-faves-keepers, pregnancy-fertility-baby-kids-drama, steam-4-smokin, steam-3-hot, villain-uber-bad-nasty, why-do-good-girls-like-bad-boys, 5-stars, favorite-romance-series, steam-some-like-it-hard-rough-dirty, series-the-burg, best-top-favorites, hero-dark-scary-cool-dangerous-dude
Mar 17, 12
bookshelves: contemporary-romance, e-book, kristen-ashley, romantic-suspense, kindle, badasses-hunks-in-leather, heroine-single-mom, hh-disfigured-injured-scarred-ill, hero-abused-scarred-tortured-angst, hh-widow-or-widower, small-town-lovin, cop-bodyguard-govop-merc-military, sizable-packages, hero-uber-alpha-domineering, stalker-alert, hh-divorcee, hero-alpha, hero-asshat-award-hall-of-shame, hero-brooding, hero-cold-cruelbrute-dark-dangerous, kids-cute-faves-prominent-in-story, hero-pissed-me-off-and-turned-me-on, hero-or-heroine-italian, love-triangle-vying-courtships, cheating-hearts-fidelity-issues, 2012-reads, angsty-dark-heavy-lotsa-drama, animals-matter, badass-kickass-motha-fucka, best-faves-of-2012, best-secondary-characters-ensemble, bikers-sexy-as-sin, brothers-sisters-cousins-family, controversial-memorable-event-scene, ending-abrupt-poor-epilogue-needed, enemies-to-lovers-opposites-attract, erotic-romance-erotica-romantica, favorite-love-scenes, favorites, heartbreaking-gutwrenching-romance, hero-antihero-gamma, hero-bad-boy-playboy, hero-expert-skilled-voracious-lover, hero-i-wanna-smack, hero-im-gaga-over, hero-not-enough-groveling, hero-recluse-loner-lonewolf, hero-redeems-himself-reformed, hero-reformed-rake-player, hero-silent-quiet-type-reticent, hero-stalk-me-baby-possessive, hero-stud-mantel-hall-of-fame, hero-walking-hardon, heroine-abused-traumatic-past-rape, heroine-beautiful-bombshell, heroine-girl-next-door, heroine-good-girl-nice, heroine-good-girl-tempted-gone-wild, heroine-i-adore, hh-bad-communication-conflict-mgmt, hh-famous-celebrity, hh-love-commitment-marriage-phobic, hh-on-the-run-in-hiding, hh-post-traumatic-stress-disorder, hh-sweet-nice-paired-vs-gruff-cynic, humorous-at-times-or-fluffy-fun, i-read-kindle, i-read-own-faves-keepers, pregnancy-fertility-baby-kids-drama, steam-4-smokin, steam-3-hot, villain-uber-bad-nasty, why-do-good-girls-like-bad-boys, 5-stars, favorite-romance-series, steam-some-like-it-hard-rough-dirty, series-the-burg, best-top-favorites, hero-dark-scary-cool-dangerous-dude
Recommended for:
Fans of KA and tormented, uber alpha heroes
Read from March 12 to 16, 2012
5 stars – Contemporary Romance/Romantic Suspense
Wow! I loved this! Kristen Ashley is an amazing author warrior queen! Seriously! At Peace is the 8th book of hers that I’ve read and highly enjoyed and it’s one of my favorite KA reads. Although the Colorado Mountain series and my beloved Law Man still hold a definite edge.
Joe Callahan is another extremely domineering, uber alpha asshat and lordy have mercy did he piss me off...until around the 80% mark that is! There were times I swore that even if he got down on his hands and knees and crawled through broken glass to apologize, plead, and beg for forgiveness for being such an absolute d*ck that I wouldn’t have been swayed. I mean, I wanted him to execute some serious groveling. Alas, he never did. BUT, his way of making amends was much more subtle, genuine, powerful, and affecting and therefore all the more gratifying. And in the end, he totally won me over and had me sighing and swooning along with the Winters girls.
So Joe was an arrogant jerk and Violet could be a wishy-washy wimp at times, but boy were they explosive together! The sex scenes were rough and smokin’ hot! And I was anxious for them to find their HEA. The love triangle between Joe/Violet/Mike lasted far too long, and I missed Ashley’s staple, celebrated, detailed epilogue, but otherwise this is another fabulous KA winner!
I’m looking forward to reading Mike’s story, Games of the Heart, because he’s certainly due a much deserved HEA. And I read on the author’s website that she’s planning to write Frankie and Benny’s story in an upcoming ‘Burg release. Yay! Kristen Ashley has already solidified a position as one of my top favorite keeper authors of 2012. Big 5 stars!
I had a hard time finding my perfect Joe because he’s so enigmatically, broodingly sexy and all badass, rugged alpha male with some macho Italian mixed in, but I think Italian actor Raoul Bova could fit the bill.
Wow! I loved this! Kristen Ashley is an amazing author warrior queen! Seriously! At Peace is the 8th book of hers that I’ve read and highly enjoyed and it’s one of my favorite KA reads. Although the Colorado Mountain series and my beloved Law Man still hold a definite edge.
Joe Callahan is another extremely domineering, uber alpha asshat and lordy have mercy did he piss me off...until around the 80% mark that is! There were times I swore that even if he got down on his hands and knees and crawled through broken glass to apologize, plead, and beg for forgiveness for being such an absolute d*ck that I wouldn’t have been swayed. I mean, I wanted him to execute some serious groveling. Alas, he never did. BUT, his way of making amends was much more subtle, genuine, powerful, and affecting and therefore all the more gratifying. And in the end, he totally won me over and had me sighing and swooning along with the Winters girls.
So Joe was an arrogant jerk and Violet could be a wishy-washy wimp at times, but boy were they explosive together! The sex scenes were rough and smokin’ hot! And I was anxious for them to find their HEA. The love triangle between Joe/Violet/Mike lasted far too long, and I missed Ashley’s staple, celebrated, detailed epilogue, but otherwise this is another fabulous KA winner!
I’m looking forward to reading Mike’s story, Games of the Heart, because he’s certainly due a much deserved HEA. And I read on the author’s website that she’s planning to write Frankie and Benny’s story in an upcoming ‘Burg release. Yay! Kristen Ashley has already solidified a position as one of my top favorite keeper authors of 2012. Big 5 stars!
I had a hard time finding my perfect Joe because he’s so enigmatically, broodingly sexy and all badass, rugged alpha male with some macho Italian mixed in, but I think Italian actor Raoul Bova could fit the bill.
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Quotes Shawna Liked
“Yeah, you lose this attitude, I can help you work that hurt out.”
Who was this man? He held onto his tragedy for seventeen fucking years, how could he stand there and tell me
he could help me work through mine?
“Really, Joe? Like you helped me work out my grief at losing Tim?” I asked sarcastically.
“That’s not what I was offerin’, buddy, but you want it like that I’ll give it to you.”
“You’re unbelievable,” I snapped.
“I’m yours.”
That socked me in the gut too, so hard it winded me and all I could do was stare up at him.
Taking advantage, his face dipped close and his hands curled around both sides of my head.
“First fuckin’ time you smiled at me in my bed, that’s when it happened,” he murmured.”
― Kristen Ashley, At Peace
Who was this man? He held onto his tragedy for seventeen fucking years, how could he stand there and tell me
he could help me work through mine?
“Really, Joe? Like you helped me work out my grief at losing Tim?” I asked sarcastically.
“That’s not what I was offerin’, buddy, but you want it like that I’ll give it to you.”
“You’re unbelievable,” I snapped.
“I’m yours.”
That socked me in the gut too, so hard it winded me and all I could do was stare up at him.
Taking advantage, his face dipped close and his hands curled around both sides of my head.
“First fuckin’ time you smiled at me in my bed, that’s when it happened,” he murmured.”
― Kristen Ashley, At Peace
“Nothing can fill you up,” she stated.
“Nope,” he agreed again.
“You won’t let it.”
“Barrel’s got a hole in the bottom, buddy, everything leaks out no matter how much you pour in.”
She was silent a moment then she whispered, “Right.”
She turned to the door and his hand gripped his bourbon so hard he had to focus everything on loosening his grip or the glass would shatter.
Before she opened it, she turned back. “You don’t know, Cal, you have no idea.
You’ve shut yourself up for so long in this fucking house with your tragic memories, you have no idea what’s about to walk out your door. Kate, Keira and me, we could have plugged that hole. We could have filled you so full, you’d be bursting. We would have loved that chance. We’d have given it everything we had, no matter the time that slid by, graduations, weddings, grandbabies, you’d have been a part of us and we’d have given everything we had to keep you
so full, you’d be bursting.”
Cal didn’t reply.
“Joe,” she whispered, “you let me walk out this door, you’ll lose your chance.”
Cal didn’t move.
Vi waited.
Cal stayed seated.”
― Kristen Ashley, At Peace
“Nope,” he agreed again.
“You won’t let it.”
“Barrel’s got a hole in the bottom, buddy, everything leaks out no matter how much you pour in.”
She was silent a moment then she whispered, “Right.”
She turned to the door and his hand gripped his bourbon so hard he had to focus everything on loosening his grip or the glass would shatter.
Before she opened it, she turned back. “You don’t know, Cal, you have no idea.
You’ve shut yourself up for so long in this fucking house with your tragic memories, you have no idea what’s about to walk out your door. Kate, Keira and me, we could have plugged that hole. We could have filled you so full, you’d be bursting. We would have loved that chance. We’d have given it everything we had, no matter the time that slid by, graduations, weddings, grandbabies, you’d have been a part of us and we’d have given everything we had to keep you
so full, you’d be bursting.”
Cal didn’t reply.
“Joe,” she whispered, “you let me walk out this door, you’ll lose your chance.”
Cal didn’t move.
Vi waited.
Cal stayed seated.”
― Kristen Ashley, At Peace
Reading Progress
| 03/12/2012 |
|
25.0% | ||
| 03/13/2012 |
|
63.0% | "Did I miss something? Where the %*@$ is the big apology and groveling scene? I mean seriously. Joe has some major amends to make as far as I’m concerned." 11 comments | |
| 03/15/2012 |
|
82.0% | "Okay, so Joe didn’t formally apologize or grovel, but he’s making up for his a**hat ways now! Dhes/Kristen, Ya’ll were right. :)" 2 comments | |
| 03/16/2012 |
|
100.0% | "Loved it of course!" 1 comment |
Comments (showing 1-30 of 30) (30 new)
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Yvette
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rated it 5 stars
Mar 12, 2012 05:23pm
Oh Shawna, this was one of my absolute favorites.
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Yaaay! 5 stars. *happy dance* I won't lie, I was a bit worried you'd castrate Joe there for a minute and your review would reflect that sentiment. Lol.
I loved your review, Shawna! You had me laughing and you made me want to read this book again. Just so you know, Golden Trail, the next book in the series, has quite a bit of Joe and Kiera in it. Plus, Golden Trail's epilogue give an update on what happens in Joe, Vi, Kate, and Keira's future lives. It's all kinds of awesomeness. Raoul Bova is perfect as Joe. I knew you'd find the perfect picture!
Yvette, It's not my favorite KA read, but it's definitely a great one!LOL, Kristen! I was tempted to give him a snip with a rusty blade a few times I'll admit, but in the end I found peace and let go of my anger toward Joe. LOL! And you were right...he definitely made up for things in his own way.
Thanks! I'm glad it gave you some laughs and had you reminiscing about the book. Oh goody! I'm glad to hear there's more of them in Golden Trail.
Whew! I'm glad you're happy with my Joe casting 'cause it wasn't easy to find him! And I got a freakin' computer virus from searching through pictures. Luckily my anti-virus program quarantined it!
Shawna wrote: "Yvette, It's not my favorite KA read, but it's definitely a great one!LOL, Kristen! I was tempted to give him a snip with a rusty blade a few times I'll admit, but in the end I found peace and le..."
OMG! That's awful you almost got a computer virus while searching for the perfect Joe. I'm glad your anti-virus prevented any damage. I've had a virus attack my computer before and it was horrible. Cost a lot to repair.
I'm very excited to read Mike's story. He does deserve his own HEA. He's a really nice guy, like Mitch, but I still think Mitch will be impossible to beat. I'm with you, Joe is fabulous but Mitch is my favorite.
Searock wrote: "Oh my gah! That's a great Joe.
The second pic is too perfect.
Super review Shawna!!"
I'm with you, SR. The second one is my favorite for Joe. The first ones pretty damn good though. Lol.
LOL, Kristen! I was tempted to give him a snip with a rusty blade a few times I'll admit, but in the end I fou..."Thanks, Searock! I'm glad you likey! :)
Kristen wrote: "OMG! That's awful you almost got a computer virus while searching for the perfect Joe. I'm glad your anti-virus prevented"
Yeah, it sucked. My hubby wasn't too happy with me, especially when he came in and saw all these pics of hunky men on the screen. I felt all guilty like I'd been caught looking at porn or something. LMAO! I had to do a full anti-virus scan, which took a few hours. But at least it worked!
And yep...I think Mitch is pretty much unbeatable for favorite swoonalicious hero, but we'll see!
Oh boy, I would have felt guilty, too, if I had to ask my hubby for help with a computer virus cause by looking for the perfect sexy hero. Lol. My husband already has to deal with my KA hero obsession, something like that happening just might have thrown him over the edge. Haha.
I showed my hubby the pic I have on my avatar... but then quicker than lightening, he clicked my other photos and discovered my stash of hero porn. Dammit. I felt so pervy, I got a hot flash right then and there.
You will notice... there are no more photos in my profile.
(jk on calling it porn... they were dressed, mostly)
btw, he was so nice about it and didn't want me to delete em', but I had a meltdown...Now that I think about it, I will begin anew, starting with stealing Joe's pic. This will be fun. I will be trolling all y'all's gardens o' pics to make my photo collections. So dig out all your good ones for me!
Thanks, KatLynne! I know you love this one! :)LOL, Kristen & Searock! My hubby's used to me crushing on numerous hot celebrities, athletes, and hunky pics, but it was still kinda embarrassing. *blushes*
Thanks, Karla!
Shawna, I didn't read your review yet, but I couldn't help myself--I had to check out your Joe (since I have finally decided on mine). LOL--we didn't pick the same guy, but love your choice!I
You just couldn't resist taking a peek could you, Auntee?! LOL! I'm looking forward to seeing your pick and pic for Joe! :)Thanks, Melissa & Rane! :)
You knew I couldn't hold out for long.:)Maybe I'll have a review on Monday--got a pic posted though!
Just finished this book and I LOVED it too!!! Great review and looking forward to the rest of the series, love the 2nd picture as Joe.
LOL! It's too hard to resist hotties! And I like your choice, too! Niiice! :)Thanks, Dorsey! I'm looking forward to the rest of the series as well, especially Mike's story.
I loved your review, but I REALLLLLLY love your pics! I'm almost finished with the Colorado Mountain series...should I read the mystery man series or the burg series next? What are your thoughts?
Thanks, Crista! You're in for some great reads either way. I read the Mystery Man series before the 'Burg and that worked out well for me. I'm really partial to Law Man, which is third in the MM series. But this is a popular KA book, too. She has so many great books that it's tough to choose!
Keri wrote: "You intrigued me enough for me to go buy it. Can this be read as a standalone?"Keri, you can any of them as standalones if you want... they are somewhat connected so it's better to read them in order if you can. I actually read the golden trail (book 3 of this series) first, loved it so much that I went back and read the first two... now today I just finished her newest book in this series "games of the heart" (SO FREAKING GOOD), so it doesn't make s huge difference plus KA is good at giving little blurbs of info about other characters if need be.
BUT with all that said, these books (especially this series and the Mystery Man series) are all good enough that you'll probably wish you had just started at the beginning (like me). :) Enjoy!!
Keri, Sorry for the late response, but I didn't get an email thread notice from GR until Natalie responded.I agree with Natalie. They work great as standalone reads, but I think they're slightly/even better read in order since characters from previous books play a secondary part in the story. But KA gives enough background on things that you'd be fine if reading as a standalone or out of order.
In the Colorado Mountain series, I read book two, Sweet Dreams, before the The Gamble and it worked out fine.
All of KA's books are amazing, so you're in for good reads regardless! Enjoy!
Raul Bova!!!!....he's Italian (and I'm italian too) I would recognise him anywhere!!!.....ah he has the most amazing green eyes EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. The first and third photo was from one of his Calendar photo's (I had the calendar about 10 years ago!!!).
