Blog Tour: Ash to Steele, Karen-Anne Stewart

This is a stop on the 'blog tour' of Ash to Steele - go and check out the reviews on other sites if you

would like some more opinions!

http://makingconnectionsgroup.blogspot.co.uk/2015/06/ash-to-steele-by-karen-anne-stewart.html
http://wiccawitch4.blogspot.ca/2015/06/ww4bb-mcbt-presents-review-of-ash-to.html#.VYSSklqJnzJ
https://universalcreativityinc14.wordpress.com/2015/06/11/ash-to-steele-by-karen-anne-stewart/
http://www.hamsterwheeljunction.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/ash-to-steele-karen-anne-stewart.html
https://theangelspearl.wordpress.com/2015/06/19/blog-tour-stop-excerpt-review-ash-to-steel-by-karen-anne-stewart/

Extract:

   His confession knocks the air out of me just as ruthlessly as if he punched me in the stomach.  I gasp, desperately trying to fill my lungs with air, “I am yours. You’ve always had me; even when I hated you, you had me.” 

   All coherent thoughts disintegrate when Breck grabs my shoulders, pulling me against him.  The heat of his body radiates through my skin as his hand runs behind my head, sliding up my neck until his fingers are tangled in my hair, pulling it until my mouth is almost touching his.  The intensity of his gaze weakens me.  Steel blue phases into a stormy gray as his mouth collides with mine. 

   My head spins. My knees go weak as I collapse against him, my body not able to handle the intensity of the sensations exploding inside of me.  Breck’s lips claim mine with such power, for one second, I am afraid.  I know the danger of losing myself in him, but then the fear is gone; there is no one else I would rather lose myself to. 

   His hand fists my hair as his kiss deepens, his tongue pushing, probing, demanding access.  Opening my mouth, I kiss him back.  The feel of his lips conquering me, the taste of his tongue as it slides over mine, colliding, taming, plundering, sends the sweetest shivers down my spine.  His teeth graze my bottom lip, nipping and lavishing as his tongue tastes my lips, then plunges inside again, breaking me to his will.  I need him with such desperation, I cringe at my weakness but allow him to tame me.

This isn't my 'typical' genre of go-to book, but I was glad to be offered the opportunity to read and review it. It's really great to read something that's a great romance, after a lot of really philosophical stuff lately. Karen-Anne has offered me the perfect antidote! 

From Ashe to Steele is an adult book, recommended only for readers 18+ due its strong language, mature scenes, and some instances of violence. A big change from my beloved YA and literary books!

Karen-Anne Stewart is an American novelist who I haven't come across before; her debut novel was Saving Rain, which went on to become a trilogy and nominated for two awards! According to Stewart herself, she 'enjoys spending time with [her] family and friends, hiking, and visiting new places.' Now that sounds up my street!

She certainly does not shy away from sensitive and potentially difficult issues. There are two point-of-view characters: Breck and Emma. Emma, a preacher's daughter, moves away from home, escaping from a difficult relationship to launch her career as an artist. Breck already lives in Boston, and is more enigmatic. He's broody and good-looking and the kind of guy that you know means trouble... They begin an odd sort of friendship, but both know from the start that it could develop into something much more. And then it gets complicated...

It was part romance, part drama. The characters were good fun; I particularly liked Emma's best friend Jess and another friend called Gavin (awesome bouncer, who was the right mix of funny and caring). I think Karen-Anne is going to be writing some more about Gavin, so watch this space! The interaction between the characters was great, and Karen-Anne's use of dialogue is superb. The point of view switches between characters: mostly Breck and Emma, but occasionally some of the more minor characters too. I liked the two main protagonist' perspectives, but I found it slightly more confusing when the other characters got a look in too! However, as I continued through the novel, it

was no longer a problem.

Ash to Steele builds to a huge climax, that leaves the reader screaming at all the characters: 'Why didn't you all say this earlier?!' (Or maybe that was just me.) It was certainly a very exhilarating roller-coaster ride to the finish!

One thing I'd love would be able to see Emma's artwork! How cool would that be? I know it's not really possible, but it would be amazing to have a collaborative artist willing to knock up some of her pictures. Maybe a thought...?

I'd like to personally thank Karen-Anne Stewart for giving me the chance to read this book - it was fast paced and exhilarating, and great to get out of my comfort zone a bit! Thank you so much.

LINKS:
Goodreads
Amazon  

Barnes & Noble:  

Author Bio: 

Author of New Adult Romance who doesn't shy away from writing about sensitive issues and hot heroes.

Karen-Anne Stewart has always adored reading and has now fallen in love with writing. Her written works are The Rain Trilogy: Saving Rain, Healing Rain, and After the Rain, Ash to Steele, and her newly released paranormal romance novel, Feel. Her debut novel, Saving Rain: The First Novel in The Rain Trilogy, was a nominee for the Book Junkie’s Choice Awards, and Saving Rain and After the Rain were nominees for the 2014 RONE Awards.

When Karen-Anne isn’t writing, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, hiking, and visiting new places. She fuels her addiction of creating new stories by her only other addiction, caffeine, and listening to a myriad of musical genres. Tucked away near the Blue Ridge Mountains, Karen-Anne lives with her husband, daughter, three dogs, and their cat. She plans on writing new adult romance as long as her fingers maintain dexterity.

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6920317.Karen_Anne_Stewart

Website:  http://www.karen-annestewart.com/

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/SKarenAnne

Giveaway!!

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