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Broken #1
The Broken Road
“I’m not kissing you to get it over with. When I kiss you for the first time, you’re going to want that kiss more than your next breath.”
Montana girl Kristine Stone was strong enough to break out of an abusive marriage, but is she strong enough for the road that lies ahead? For the first time in her life, Kristine finds she has some control over her life. Haunted by her ex-husband and a newly acquired stalker, she leaves Montana to work in the U.S. Senate. Kristine issues a moratorium on dating. This hardly deters Kadyn Rand, the Air Force Captain who threatens to tear down every wall she’s ever built. Still, someone from her dark past refuses to be ignored, and Kristine finds herself in yet another fight for her life.
Tall, dark, and determined are the words that best describe Kadyn Rand. He is too stoic to be swept away by much of anything, but a vulnerable woman from Montana manages to do just that when she finds herself alone and in danger in DC. Kadyn is intelligent, resourceful, and a fiercely devoted friend. His sense of humor runs on the sarcastic side. He’s also the kind of guy who likes to keep people guessing about what’s going on inside his head, which is why he makes a conscious effort not to smile. That is until he meets Kristine Stone. Her missteps regularly get a smile out of him. Her moratorium on dating intrigues him, while her vulnerability calls to his protective side. Kadyn tries to earn Kristine’s love and her trust but soon learns it will take much more than that to save her from her past.
Montana girl Kristine Stone was strong enough to break out of an abusive marriage, but is she strong enough for the road that lies ahead? For the first time in her life, Kristine finds she has some control over her life. Haunted by her ex-husband and a newly acquired stalker, she leaves Montana to work in the U.S. Senate. Kristine issues a moratorium on dating. This hardly deters Kadyn Rand, the Air Force Captain who threatens to tear down every wall she’s ever built. Still, someone from her dark past refuses to be ignored, and Kristine finds herself in yet another fight for her life.
Tall, dark, and determined are the words that best describe Kadyn Rand. He is too stoic to be swept away by much of anything, but a vulnerable woman from Montana manages to do just that when she finds herself alone and in danger in DC. Kadyn is intelligent, resourceful, and a fiercely devoted friend. His sense of humor runs on the sarcastic side. He’s also the kind of guy who likes to keep people guessing about what’s going on inside his head, which is why he makes a conscious effort not to smile. That is until he meets Kristine Stone. Her missteps regularly get a smile out of him. Her moratorium on dating intrigues him, while her vulnerability calls to his protective side. Kadyn tries to earn Kristine’s love and her trust but soon learns it will take much more than that to save her from her past.
407 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 17, 2014
589 people are currently reading
498 people want to read
About the author
K.S. Ruff
8 books15 followersI live in Northern Virginia with my football-crazed husband, two beautiful daughters, and two psychotic Shih Tzus. I teach courses in international relations, peacekeeping, and human security at the American Military University. I also work as a reading tutor at my daughters’ elementary school. What can I say? I still love school.
Reading has long been my passion, so I belong to not one but two book clubs, which I fondly refer to as my “good girl bookclub” and my “bad girl bookclub.” Suffice it to say the “bad girl bookclub” is the one that decided to read Fifty Shades of Gray.
I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember. In my childhood, I loved writing poetry, song lyrics, and short stories. Somehow, this morphed into supreme court briefs, government reports, congressional bills, journal articles, and op ed pieces as I grew older. And now? I’m writing romantic suspense novels. God only knows why.
Thanks for reading The Broken Series. I love hearing from my readers, so please stop by ksruff.com, drop me a note, and let me know what you thought about the books!
Reading has long been my passion, so I belong to not one but two book clubs, which I fondly refer to as my “good girl bookclub” and my “bad girl bookclub.” Suffice it to say the “bad girl bookclub” is the one that decided to read Fifty Shades of Gray.
I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember. In my childhood, I loved writing poetry, song lyrics, and short stories. Somehow, this morphed into supreme court briefs, government reports, congressional bills, journal articles, and op ed pieces as I grew older. And now? I’m writing romantic suspense novels. God only knows why.
Thanks for reading The Broken Series. I love hearing from my readers, so please stop by ksruff.com, drop me a note, and let me know what you thought about the books!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
August 12, 2016
THE BROKEN ROAD by K.S. Ruff is a beautiful contemporary love story between a strong, understanding hero and an emotionally damaged heroine on a journey to reclaiming her life and strength.
Kristine Stone is finally working a dream job helping the elderly in Montana’s Dept. of Human Services after escaping nine years of an abusive marriage. Then she is chosen to go to Washington D.C. for a year working for the Senator of her choice on a fellowship to further the causes of the elderly and rural area healthcare. After her divorce and many bad experiences with men, she vows to go to D.C. for the year, not date, and come back to Montana to her friends and family.
Air Force Captain Kadyn Rand is currently assigned to the Pentagon and has a close group of friends from the Air Force Academy. He likes to keep his feelings private, but suddenly he is blown away by a beautiful, giving and caring girl in his apartment complex from Montana. As Kadyn tries to get closer to Kristine, he can’t understand her avoidance to dating, but he is not willing to give up. A stalker from Kristine’s past reappears and as she fights to stay alive, Kadyn, with the help of his friends, must find her to bring her home safe.
This is a romance that grows at a realistic pace and I really enjoyed it. I also liked all of Kadyn’s and Kristine’s friends. My problem was that there are too many details at times, like what they were both wearing every time they are together. Also, Kristine has four possible stalkers at one point in time, which is really a little over the top. She is very pretty inside and out, but no one is that unlucky, at least I hope they aren’t. Those are small details, but over the full length of the book, they continued to bother me.
I was very satisfied with the ending of this story until the last sentence of the book. This series does continue, but not in a way I will follow. If you are a romance junkie and want your HEA after a very good love story enjoy this book and ignore the last sentence. If you are more into series that are like soap operas, continue on.
Written for and posted first on The Romance Reviews.com.
Kristine Stone is finally working a dream job helping the elderly in Montana’s Dept. of Human Services after escaping nine years of an abusive marriage. Then she is chosen to go to Washington D.C. for a year working for the Senator of her choice on a fellowship to further the causes of the elderly and rural area healthcare. After her divorce and many bad experiences with men, she vows to go to D.C. for the year, not date, and come back to Montana to her friends and family.
Air Force Captain Kadyn Rand is currently assigned to the Pentagon and has a close group of friends from the Air Force Academy. He likes to keep his feelings private, but suddenly he is blown away by a beautiful, giving and caring girl in his apartment complex from Montana. As Kadyn tries to get closer to Kristine, he can’t understand her avoidance to dating, but he is not willing to give up. A stalker from Kristine’s past reappears and as she fights to stay alive, Kadyn, with the help of his friends, must find her to bring her home safe.
This is a romance that grows at a realistic pace and I really enjoyed it. I also liked all of Kadyn’s and Kristine’s friends. My problem was that there are too many details at times, like what they were both wearing every time they are together. Also, Kristine has four possible stalkers at one point in time, which is really a little over the top. She is very pretty inside and out, but no one is that unlucky, at least I hope they aren’t. Those are small details, but over the full length of the book, they continued to bother me.
I was very satisfied with the ending of this story until the last sentence of the book. This series does continue, but not in a way I will follow. If you are a romance junkie and want your HEA after a very good love story enjoy this book and ignore the last sentence. If you are more into series that are like soap operas, continue on.
Written for and posted first on The Romance Reviews.com.
June 27, 2017
DNF couldn't get in to it.
August 19, 2019
This is not a conventional romance, and has a uniqueness and beauty all its own. It's peppered with fascinating historical information, with Senate issues a diligent backdrop. The Washington D.C. setting strikes a cord with me as I'm there often, and it was so amazing to see it through someone else's eyes.
When Kristine Stone, or Kri as she is called, escapes an abusive marriage, she quickly learns that she has a penchant for attracting the wrong sorts of men. However, after taking charge of her life and an internship that sweeps her from Montana to Washington D.C., she's determined to avoid the dating game. Enter kind and collected Kadyn, the man who wants to give Kri the comfort and warmth she deserves, and she can't seem to maintain her self-imposed distance. Their heat is electric, and he's just the strong, loving man she's needed all her life. But when a jilted stalker demands her attention and more, Kadyn postures to come to her rescue, but it is Kri who has to find the courage to save herself.
My only caution is that there are some abuse scenes which may be difficult to get through, but they are few and very far between. The Kri/Kadyn romance is worth the read (on top of which Kri has a dog named Cade).
When Kristine Stone, or Kri as she is called, escapes an abusive marriage, she quickly learns that she has a penchant for attracting the wrong sorts of men. However, after taking charge of her life and an internship that sweeps her from Montana to Washington D.C., she's determined to avoid the dating game. Enter kind and collected Kadyn, the man who wants to give Kri the comfort and warmth she deserves, and she can't seem to maintain her self-imposed distance. Their heat is electric, and he's just the strong, loving man she's needed all her life. But when a jilted stalker demands her attention and more, Kadyn postures to come to her rescue, but it is Kri who has to find the courage to save herself.
My only caution is that there are some abuse scenes which may be difficult to get through, but they are few and very far between. The Kri/Kadyn romance is worth the read (on top of which Kri has a dog named Cade).
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January 22, 2019dnf.
The timeline is somewhat implausible. Four months after leaving an abusive husband she has a whole slew of friends, an exceptionally good job, an offer to work in Congress and a stalker who she has put on a restraining order? In four months? I would think any woman running from a violent husband would not go dating for quite some time. This just didnt ring true to me.
The timeline is somewhat implausible. Four months after leaving an abusive husband she has a whole slew of friends, an exceptionally good job, an offer to work in Congress and a stalker who she has put on a restraining order? In four months? I would think any woman running from a violent husband would not go dating for quite some time. This just didnt ring true to me.
August 23, 2017
Quick Good Read
This was a quick read; enjoyable for the most part but the storyline was at times a bit too unbelievable. Without spoiling the book here are a few things that kept me from loving it. The main character, Kri , has so many huge individual problems going on from a violent marriage, followed by an active stalker, a sexual assault by a coworker and new love interest. Kri, in her professional life is much more believable an advocate for the elderly and other vulnerable persons. The descriptions and depth about the main settings in the book were great but many of the other characters lacked depth (at least in this 1st book in the series). The author has a ton of potential and I will read the next book in the series.
This was a quick read; enjoyable for the most part but the storyline was at times a bit too unbelievable. Without spoiling the book here are a few things that kept me from loving it. The main character, Kri , has so many huge individual problems going on from a violent marriage, followed by an active stalker, a sexual assault by a coworker and new love interest. Kri, in her professional life is much more believable an advocate for the elderly and other vulnerable persons. The descriptions and depth about the main settings in the book were great but many of the other characters lacked depth (at least in this 1st book in the series). The author has a ton of potential and I will read the next book in the series.
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December 11, 2015Free 07-25-14 (Contemp Romance)
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February 6, 2017
This book was ridiculous. This person needed to stay away from every person ever.
October 20, 2017
I obtained this free e-book from Amazon and I am voluntarily writing a review. Kristen (Kri is what all her family and friends call her) lives in Montana and has accepted a year long fellowship working in Washington, DC with Senator Rockefeller working on bills to help the poor and elderly. She has a battered and abused past and seems to collect obsessed stalkers (serious 3 is a little to much for any gal in a lifetime) and has promised herself no relationships while she is in DC. While adjusting to her new job, city life, apartment living, and making new friends she meets Kaiden who is Air Force and the Head of the Secretary of Defense security detail. He is seriously hot and too good to be true. I fell in love with his character. I also love the fact that the author addressed issues on domestic violence, and issues of the homeless and the elderly.
November 21, 2018
Fans of slow burn romance will devour this read. Main character, Kri, flees an abusive ex by moving from Montana to Washington, DC. Still recovering emotionally from her disastrous marriage, she decides not to date for a year. Then, understanding and ever-so-patient Kadyn shows up in her life. Despite Kri's resolve to stay single, she becomes more and more attracted to Kadyn's compassion (not to mention good looks). I adore slow burns, and Ruff definitely delivers with THE BROKEN ROAD. The chemistry between Kri and Kadyn sizzles.
Beyond Kri and Kadyn, Ruff creates a vivid cast of side characters, from paternal and lovable Dan to cousin and best friend Lexie. The plot moves quickly, and Ruff keeps you guessing about the villain up until the very end. Great read. Happily, there are a number of sequels to keep my Kri and Kadyn thirst quenched. Buying the next one now...
Beyond Kri and Kadyn, Ruff creates a vivid cast of side characters, from paternal and lovable Dan to cousin and best friend Lexie. The plot moves quickly, and Ruff keeps you guessing about the villain up until the very end. Great read. Happily, there are a number of sequels to keep my Kri and Kadyn thirst quenched. Buying the next one now...
November 23, 2021
I must say I never noticed that this was the first of five books. I read it and enjoyed it immensely. It did suspend belief a bit that a 28 year old woman could attract so many men. But I was pleased with what I thought was the conclusion. Then I realized that the story continued.
I read the summaries of the next 4 books and immediately decided to quit while I was ahead. The heroine seemed to go from one disaster (and men) to another and this was just in summary. I didn’t feel like totally suspending belief for 4 more books. A pity, the original story was well written if a bit dated (a number of the famous characters are long dead).
I read the summaries of the next 4 books and immediately decided to quit while I was ahead. The heroine seemed to go from one disaster (and men) to another and this was just in summary. I didn’t feel like totally suspending belief for 4 more books. A pity, the original story was well written if a bit dated (a number of the famous characters are long dead).
July 14, 2020
Wonderfully woven story! No over done descriptive monologues
Just enough description to keep the story flowing. Such well thought out characters. This story kept my interest from lagging. I didn't feel the need to read ahead to get past some boring parts as there were none! That, in my opinion, is not common in most stories.
I loved the way the author touched on a very sensitive subject with such dignity and class. I want to read the next book in this series. Crossing my fingers that it too is just as well written.
Just enough description to keep the story flowing. Such well thought out characters. This story kept my interest from lagging. I didn't feel the need to read ahead to get past some boring parts as there were none! That, in my opinion, is not common in most stories.
I loved the way the author touched on a very sensitive subject with such dignity and class. I want to read the next book in this series. Crossing my fingers that it too is just as well written.
March 5, 2018
Average
For me this is an average book. It does have it's ups and downs. Krystine just is not a believable enough character. Kayden is . The whole kidnapping plot was too far out for me. If Justin had just kidnapped Krystine and not have involved the cab driver and his family it would have been more believable. How would Justin even know who her friends in D.C. are if he lives in another state on the opposite side of the country?
For me this is an average book. It does have it's ups and downs. Krystine just is not a believable enough character. Kayden is . The whole kidnapping plot was too far out for me. If Justin had just kidnapped Krystine and not have involved the cab driver and his family it would have been more believable. How would Justin even know who her friends in D.C. are if he lives in another state on the opposite side of the country?
March 30, 2021
The Broken Road is Spellbinding
I got this book as a freebie on one of the !any free ebook sites that I use frequently. Once I started reading it, I only put it down when sleep was necessary! This book is so exciting and the plot is fascinating! The characters are vivid and well written. I plan to buy the rest of the Broken series as soon as possible! Two thumbs up to K.S. Ruff for a job well done!!!
I got this book as a freebie on one of the !any free ebook sites that I use frequently. Once I started reading it, I only put it down when sleep was necessary! This book is so exciting and the plot is fascinating! The characters are vivid and well written. I plan to buy the rest of the Broken series as soon as possible! Two thumbs up to K.S. Ruff for a job well done!!!
July 7, 2024
A beautiful, well-written contemporary love story featuring a heroine escaping abusive past and main male character who's got some wall that need breaking down.
There's a real lovely quality to writing here, but there are some parts of plot that really bugged me and stopped me from scoring this one higher.
Overall a good and enjoyable story that could do with few tweaks to make it that little more believable.
There's a real lovely quality to writing here, but there are some parts of plot that really bugged me and stopped me from scoring this one higher.
Overall a good and enjoyable story that could do with few tweaks to make it that little more believable.
June 21, 2017
The Broken Road
A great love story, a mystery, and a spiritual story all rolled up in a tender, thrilling and heart searing book. Not my usual reading material, but I quickly became entranced with Kadyn and Kri. At times I found the plot a little dull, but once it picked up speed, like a train with no brakes. Read it in one day, that intense. Enjoy this one, I did.
A great love story, a mystery, and a spiritual story all rolled up in a tender, thrilling and heart searing book. Not my usual reading material, but I quickly became entranced with Kadyn and Kri. At times I found the plot a little dull, but once it picked up speed, like a train with no brakes. Read it in one day, that intense. Enjoy this one, I did.
November 15, 2021
Excellent book
This book will make you feel all kinds of emotions. It brought me to tears several times, made me laugh out loud and had me feeling their pain. Very well written. Kri has three stalkers and it seems like each one wants their pound of flesh from her. They will do what ever it takes to get it. If you enjoy romantic suspense this is definitely the book to read.
This book will make you feel all kinds of emotions. It brought me to tears several times, made me laugh out loud and had me feeling their pain. Very well written. Kri has three stalkers and it seems like each one wants their pound of flesh from her. They will do what ever it takes to get it. If you enjoy romantic suspense this is definitely the book to read.
January 24, 2020
I must say I had high expectations for this book however I was somewhat disappointed. I liked Kri who makes a huge decision to move to DC for a career move and ends up meeting Kayden and they fall in love even with strange after her. This story was way too long winded and I kept losing interest.
November 24, 2021
The Broken Road
Loved this book, couldn't put it down till I read almost all of it. I didn't want to see the loving relationship end between Jayden and Kri and all their friends. Hope their is going to be a Book 2.
Loved this book, couldn't put it down till I read almost all of it. I didn't want to see the loving relationship end between Jayden and Kri and all their friends. Hope their is going to be a Book 2.
November 25, 2021
Can the past replicate the present?
When you are so damaged from the past it’s hard to let in any new people. When you do unsuspecting you have to keep your friends and your enemies close because you never know where they will turn up.
When you are so damaged from the past it’s hard to let in any new people. When you do unsuspecting you have to keep your friends and your enemies close because you never know where they will turn up.
September 19, 2017
Way too much description and unnecessary detours. Couldn't even finish. Didn't even meet the main love interest until over 100 pages in! Too exhausting.
January 27, 2019
A lot going on.
This story has action, and more action. You will also be amazed at what has happened in the past and what happens throughout this story.
This story has action, and more action. You will also be amazed at what has happened in the past and what happens throughout this story.
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July 10, 2019wonderful book!!
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December 16, 2019🎁 FREE on Amazon today (12/16/2019)! 🎁
July 30, 2020
Amazing
Loved the story with all the twist of events that happened. I can't wait till I read the next in the series
Loved the story with all the twist of events that happened. I can't wait till I read the next in the series
December 28, 2020
Good FBI thriller
This was a great thriller . Lots of suspense and action . Great love story. The main character sure went through s lot. Can't w to read the next book
This was a great thriller . Lots of suspense and action . Great love story. The main character sure went through s lot. Can't w to read the next book
March 15, 2021
Book 1
Very good. Well written and fun to read. Out of 50 books that I read, maybe two will be romance, so I'm glad that "The Broken Road" is one that I picked.
Very good. Well written and fun to read. Out of 50 books that I read, maybe two will be romance, so I'm glad that "The Broken Road" is one that I picked.
December 11, 2021
The Broken Road
Great start to this series. I enjoyed the multiple ups and downs with the storytelling. K.S. Ruff, is new in my library and I find this novel to be a worthy read.
Great start to this series. I enjoyed the multiple ups and downs with the storytelling. K.S. Ruff, is new in my library and I find this novel to be a worthy read.
April 25, 2021
Liked stuff and didn’t like stuff.
I liked the premise of the story. Thought there was a foundation to build on, but this story rambled way too much. Both the writing and editing need to be improved. I mean we didn’t even meet the H until 1/3 way into the book. Hated the h’s nickname. No clue how to pronounce it. It was just stupid. Sorry. So every time I saw it, I just read it as her full name.
Hoping things get better in book 2.
I liked the premise of the story. Thought there was a foundation to build on, but this story rambled way too much. Both the writing and editing need to be improved. I mean we didn’t even meet the H until 1/3 way into the book. Hated the h’s nickname. No clue how to pronounce it. It was just stupid. Sorry. So every time I saw it, I just read it as her full name.
Hoping things get better in book 2.
April 1, 2020
I liked this book except for the ending.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 5, 2016
In The Broken Road, K.S. Ruff has written a compelling story about rediscovering yourself after being torn down. Kristine Stone is a small town girl in Montana who has just left her abusive husband and is trying to rebuild her life. After leaving him, she slowly rebuilds her life and lands an opportunity to work in D.C., trying to improve the life of the elderly. While in D.C., she meet Kadyn Rand, an Air Force captain working at the Pentagon. Tall, dark and handsome, Kadyn Rand is attracted to Kristine, but something is holding her back from taking that leap into a relationship. Can Kadyn convince her to change her mind? Or is something sinister at work that will keep them apart? Join Kristine in her journey to find happiness and a loving relationship in her new life.
K.S. Ruff has written an exceptionally moving book about second chances and courage. Kristine's struggle to leave her husband and find happiness is moving in so many ways. The author was able to properly portray the different degrees of difficulty she had to face and how she overcomes her hardships. Also, let's not forget the scintillating scenes as Kadyn tries to woo Kristine into falling in love with him. The sweet and romantic courtship is touching and moving. At the end of book, I was completely in love with the characters and can't wait for the next book. If you're looking for a moving story that portrays the struggle one faces when changing their life, then this book is for you. You will not be disappointed.
K.S. Ruff has written an exceptionally moving book about second chances and courage. Kristine's struggle to leave her husband and find happiness is moving in so many ways. The author was able to properly portray the different degrees of difficulty she had to face and how she overcomes her hardships. Also, let's not forget the scintillating scenes as Kadyn tries to woo Kristine into falling in love with him. The sweet and romantic courtship is touching and moving. At the end of book, I was completely in love with the characters and can't wait for the next book. If you're looking for a moving story that portrays the struggle one faces when changing their life, then this book is for you. You will not be disappointed.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews