**Blogger 'Duel' Review ~ Rock Chick ~ Kristen Ashley**

Back in January, my pal Robyn (@Robgirlbooks) decided it'd be fun to place a wager on the outcome of the Super Bowl, since it was Seattle vs Denver. (because she lives in Washington and I live in Colorado) This is despite the fact that Robyn is really more of a sports-themed movie and/or book lover than an actual football fan. And despite the fact that, even though I'm from Texas, I pretty much watch football replays from one eye nowadays...because it enables me to read while sitting with the hubs during football games. :) Anyway, IF the Seahawks won (which the did - in an embarrassingly sound fashion, I might add) I had to gift her a book set in Colorado. And IF Denver won (which, sadly, they did NOT), she'd gift me a book set in Washington. We all know the outcome of that game. So I got to pick a book to gift - and since Robyn already had J.A. Huss' books ;) I picked Rock Chick by Kristen Ashley.

By the way, I MUST thank Andrea @The Bookish Babe, for all her glowing reviews of this series. I'd been wanting to read it forever because of those reviews, so it was the perfect book to give to Robyn and we decided to do a buddy-read and 'duel' review. :)

Synopsis
Indy Savage, cop's daughter, rock chick and used bookstore owner, has been in love with Lee Nightingale, once bad boy, now the man behind Nightingale Investigations, since she was five years old. No matter what ingenious schemes Indy used to capture his attention, Lee never showed an interest and Indy finally gave up. Now Indy's employee, Rosie, has lost a bag of diamonds and bad guys are shooting at him. When Indy gets involved, Lee is forced to help. Complicating matters, Lee has decided he's interested, Indy's decided she's not. But she can't seem to keep Lee out of her life when she's repeatedly stun gunned, kidnapped and there are car bombs exploding (not to mention she's finding dead bodies).

Indy's best bet is to solve the mystery of the diamonds before Lee. Lee's challenge is to keep Indy alive and, at the same time, win back her heart.

***

My first thought once I finished Rock Chick was that this book was SO.MUCH.FUN!! I really needed a fun read coming off an extremely emotional one. Indy and Lee and all the other quirky characters were exactly what I needed. Rock Chick has everything...great characters, lots of action, mystery, and HOT guys! I am sooo glad I finally got to read this.

Robyn: What did you like about Indy when you first meet her in Rock Chick?

I liked that she made coffee for herself first even though it wasn't her apartment or her coffee. That's my kind of girl. 

Me: Hmm, when I first met her...I loved that her mouth had gotten her into trouble. And that she couldn't do anything in the morning before she brushed her teeth and had coffee.

Honestly, I want to BE Indy! I have a major girl-crush. :)

I have a new book boyfriend in Lee. He waited forever to make a move on Indy and when he finally does...oh my. I loved Tex and his crazy-assed-ness. The man hasn't left his block in 20 years and now he can't wait to see what kind of trouble he can get into with Indy. *grin*

Who were some of your favorite characters and why?

I'm crushing on Indy's life. She has the coolest friends even when they stalk her answering machine for "sex with Lee" updates. And I so want to work at her bookstore. I can make coffee and cuss out the machine as good as Tex. Lee is a total hottie, but I love Tex the most. He never treated Indy like she was a beautiful hot mess the way the rest of the men did. He wasn't invisible to Indy and his eccentric/insane way about him never phased her. My second favorite would be Eddie because I'm mad for a guy who loves his best friend more than the love of his life. I really really can't wait to read his story!

Were you surprised the first time you laughed your butt off reading Rock Chick? The tone was light from the beginning, but then Kristen Ashley made me laugh out loud. I have an author crush on her.

Oh yeah...."have you done it?" That was hysterical! And I liked that it took them some time to get there. I mean, Indy'd been waiting an awfully long time anyway. So what was a little longer?!?

Tex was pretty wonderful. And you're right...he did treat her differently than any of the other men. (except for Mr. Kumar) Do you think it was Indy's complete and total acceptance of him that brought him off his block? I liked that about Indy...she accepted everyone for who they are. She may throw you down in a food fight but she accepted you. ;) And Eddie was just...*swoon* He and his provocative tactileness. ;) I giggled (and probably blushed) when he'd touch Indy right in front of Lee. Just so she'd know she had options *ha* I'm really looking forward to his story, too. 

I was surprised when I first laughed...and I think it was on page 3 or something like that. The tone was light (which I was in desperate need of at the time) and I laughed and laughed throughout the book. I'm still giggling at inappropriate times and having to explain to James or the kids...Oh, there was this time in Rock Chick... They're rolling their eyes at me at this point. *ha* Yeah, I have a total crush on Kristen Ashley too! ;) 

What did you think about the music? I loved how Indy had clothes that had concert memories and she always knew just the song for whatever the mood. Of course, it helped that Indy's music is my music - or at least the music I grew up listening to. ;) I can still see her cruising in Tex's El Camino with her music blaring! (I'll have to look up the song because I can't remember off the top of my head!)

You are so right about how Indy accepts people the way they are. I also liked that she couldn't help but flirt with other guys. Poor Lee.

The music was fun and so were her shirts! Her fashion sense made me a little dizzy sometimes, but I loved the scene in Tex's car when she needed an escape. 

My family ask me what I'm laughing at too when I suddenly burst out in giggles. I tried explaining a few of my favorite scenes. They humored me. 

Was there anything in the story that brought you to a stop, not in a good way? I had trouble believing two adults who frequently dated other people would not have the sex talk with each other, at least ask about contraceptives, maybe ask when either last had a physical. And the condom scene in the grocery store was funny, but I couldn't help thinking it was more fitting to a younger woman. Then again maybe not everyone's mom included a "favorite type of condom" tangent in the big puberty sex talk. 

I loved that she automatically flirted too! And that girl has it down to a science. *ha* Poor Lee, indeed. 

Her fashion sense in general was over the top for me - an outfit to match the restaurant of the night, or theme of the event - but then I don't have much fashion sense, so maybe I'm just jealous! :) I actually loved her for it!

My family is humoring me as well. They do that a lot. :) I've told James there are a few new places we need to go to downtown. And I want to see if there really is a bookstore where Indy's bookstore is. I'll let you know. Oh, I was reading to Sky the part about Kevster when he saved Rosie's 'garden'...she wanted to know what the big deal was. I had to remind her that this book was written before it was legal! *hahaha*

Robyn, I definitely fall into the category of having a mom who did not include the "favorite type of condom" tangent during the sex talk. Actually, I don't remember a sex talk at all. And since Indy was raised by her dad??? Well, I'm giving her the benefit of the doubt. Plus, she was under all that stress. ;) I think I was a little taken aback with the situations Indy got herself into at first - she does get herself into some unbelievable situations - but then I let go because that was part of the fun with Indy.

So shall I make us appointments for Tall Grass Spa for when you're here?!? ;) I swear it was so much fun reading about Indy's antics in my backyard. Anyway, when are we reading Rock Chick Rescue?!?

I had the best time reading Rock Chick with you! I usually never read the teaser for the next novel, but I wanted more immediately. Then I discover we get Eddie's story next, Eddie with the traveling fingers and sexy shades. When are we going to read the next one? 

Oh, and I guess a widower cop might not go on and on about French ticklers and ribbed for her pleasure condoms. Go figure.

I forgot to ask you the best friend's brother question...Where are these girls with hot brothers? And do you have any tricks to make best friends real quick? Every single best friend I ever had growing up had the worst brothers ever! 

Honey, I never had girlfriends with hot brothers...so I have no idea where they are. I had the shit little brother. ;)  I do not have any tricks for making best friends quick either. (unless you count stalking authors ;) Oh, and we're definitely reading Rock Chick Rescue in April!