REVIEW: AT PEACE BY KRISTEN ASHLEY (THE 'BURG SERIES #2)

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Violet Winters once had it all but lost it when her husband was murdered by a criminal madman. During a cold winter night Violet has to leave her warm bed to tell her neighbor to turn the music down. And that’s when she meets sinister, scarred, scarily attractive security specialist, Joe Callahan.

She wants to deny it, but Violet can’t beat back the hunger she feels for Joe so she gives in again and again. Feeling it himself, Joe feeds Vi’s hunger, breaking his own rules to keep her in his bed.

Even though Violet had only one man in her life, she’s sure Joe is giving her the signals and Vi decides she’s ready to take a second chance at life and, maybe, love. But Violet doesn’t know the dark secrets in Joe’s past, secrets so soul-wrenching, they’ve drained him dry. With nothing left to give, Joe’s determined to live his life alone and he breaks Violet’s heart.

Crushed by Joe’s betrayal, Violet comes to terms with the fact that, no matter what signals he gave, Joe was not theirs to win. But Violet’s husband’s murderer is obsessed with her and heartbreak again haunts the door of the Winters home. When it does Joe is forced to face the knowledge that he can’t fight Violet’s pull, she’s under his skin and filled him full to bursting.

Joe needs to win her back and put his life on the line to keep Violet safe. But, having had it all once, can Violet endure losing Joe?

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Kindle Edition, 660 pages
Published May 2nd 2011

Source: Purchased

Goodreads

Amazon

Court: Shel and I have a deep love affair with Kristen Ashley, and are honestly *trying* to savor the few we have left to read for the first time! That was all fine and dandy, until I actually *read* For You, so of course I had to jump right onto At Peace like it was my job. And I did. It is epic. Shel: The 'Burg Series is engrossing, for sure; it's taking everything in my will power to not jump into the next book. 

Court: I think this is a favorite of many, because Joe does not do the things that our normal alpha man does. He talks a lot less, which isn't surprising, but he also gets our leading lady on the hook and isn't so sure that he wants her forever. That surprised me, but daaaaaayum is their sex hot as hell in the mean time. Vi isn't sure if they've cocked up an epic booty call system or what...but having had recent tragedy she is just trying to get through the day as a mom to her teenage girls, and so what if she decides to burn up the sheets with this hot alpha man at night for as long as he is in town. 

**butts in the middle of all of this to say...* I agree with everything that Court is saying and want to add that I LOVE that Vi is really the strong one here. Yes, Joe is strong and alpha and all of that but he is not quite as honest with what he wants as Vi is--he's the one who struggles with how to handle the relationship and I like that Kristen Ashley changed it up with Joe.

Court: THEN, of course there are the characters from the other books that makes up this 'burg posse, and Vi's daughters Kate and Keira...and her new dog, and all of the other elements that make up At Peace ...like, if I told ya, I would have to kill ya type of spoilers...read it yo'self. And I just fell more, and more, and more in love. And trust me there is more...and more...and more, because this is one epic lengthed book...but I absolutely ALWAYS love how long Kristen's novels are because I can't get enough of them as it is. 

You know we love seeing all of the other characters co-mingle, it's like a reunion every time I read one of her books, and this one was no different. The 'burg posse adds the humor and the common sense and decency that we've all come to know and love; they come together to help when things get nutty and the wisdom they come armed with is always priceless. 

Court: So, I don't want to spoil things, so I will just shut up, but I was deeply immersed in this novel for many nights before bed (I wasn't supposed to be reading it per se, but I fit it in, and you should to because it is the bomb. And reading the 'Burg series has just reignited my desire to speak like a rock chick, so I shall. I have been doing that to the ire of my husband, and he doesn't even know why. It is great! Until next time, folks. Keep Calm and Read Kristen Ashley. I need that in a shirt! 

Let me end with...god, I love Kristen Ashley.

Kristen 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.

Find her at http://www.kristenashley.net/