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

I'm not normally a betting person. But I'm so happy to have made a bet on the Super Bowl...even though I lost! ;) Because getting to read Rock Chick with my pal Robyn Jones (@RobGirlBooks) has been a highlight of 2014 so far! 

Okay, on with the review...

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Rock Chick Renegade by Kristen Ashley
Rock Chick #4
Release Date: March 11, 2011
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Source: Purchased ebook
Rating: 5 Bookworms

Synopsis

Jules has got a score to settle against the drug dealers of Denver. Vance has made it his mission that Jules won't get dead while dishing out vigilante justice. Jules doesn't have time for romance, she's too busy saving the world and she enlists Zip (the gunstore owner), Heavy (an ex-PI), and Frank (a mysterious recluse) to help.

The Rock Chicks of Fortnum's Bookstore get involved to provide romantic advice and guidance, none of which Jules accepts at first. The Hot Bunch of Nightingale Investigations adopt Jules as one of their own. Even though Jules tries to hang on to her inner Head Crackin' Mamma Jamma, the Rock Chicks; Hot Bunch; Jules' long-suffering Uncle Nick; Jules' friend, the rotund, African-American, Jackie-O wannabe, May; and especially Vance will stop at nothing to wear her down.

But Jules makes some bad guys pretty angry and one of dedicated to taking her out. Vance and the Hot Bunch have to pull out all the stops to keep her alive. At the same time, Jules and Vance learn the true meaning of home but once they find this precious entity they've been searching for all their lives, will Jules' enemies tear it away?

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My initial thoughts: I can't believe Vance managed to find the perfect woman for him!! I love Jules so much. I can see some of a younger me in her. She's tough and idealistic - it's probably the idealism that I relate to. :) And she has no idea of her appeal. I think her personality and not knowing she's a looker make a great combination.

Vance - he's just as much alpha as the rest of the boys but there's something different about him. There's something that makes his alpha-ness seem understated. Do you feel that way? It's weird because he's super bossy and all but I don't know...I think I'd let him tell me what do to, too. His Vance tractor-beam works outside the book, at least on me. I'm drawn to him and don't want to put him down. 

*edit* It's that Vance compromises, I think. He doesn't set out to change Jules' mind every time...I think that's what is different. What do you think?

I don't relate to Jules almost at all which makes me love her even more than Roxie! I love her relationship with Nick and the guys who train her for the streets. I have cracked up so much in this book! I love Nick's morgue face. I love the hideaway bed. I can just see her making her whole place just right. And she does the stone cold face. I telegraph every single thing I'm thinking and feeling! I hate that. Enough Jules love. 

VANCE! He's dreamy for sure, but you're so right about his alpha-ness feeling understated. He's a thinker. And to me he's more vulnerable than the previous alphas. He wants Jules so much but he doesn't want to hold on so tight he crushes her. It's funny, but it's the fastest relationship in the series so far and yet it feels like such a slow build between them. I'm totally loving Renege even though I miss the music references and Tex and mom interfering, but there is a lot of Daisy and May rocks. I loved the whole bit about the cake. 

Is Hank still your favorite? Because Luke is available and flirty!

Another thing about Vance that's different...he's the first of the Hot Boy Brigade that is broken. He didn't live a 'charmed' life with a loving family. None of the other alphas, so far, have had a past like his. And this pulls Jules that much more towards him.

Oh, I'm loving Nick too. When he walked into Jules' house and found her and Vance? Classic. Also, that talk he had with her about not jacking with Vance. Also classic. I can't imagine a dad having a conversation like that but I love the relationship between Jules and Nick.

I want to be a head-crackin' mamma jamma! *ha* That cracks me up. Only a head-crackin' mamma jamma could be with a badass mother like Vance!

Denver men are men, indeed. What IS it with these guys hitting on their friends' women?!? Not that I'd be oppposed to Luke flirting with me. *fans self* I laughed...laughed over the kiss and how it felt pretty good but not Vance good. Sheesh! The guys have skills...MAD SKILLS! Next year Robyn, we're going on the hunt for a Denver man for YOU!

"Are you a badass motherf#cker?" Oh my gosh!! That scene in Fortnum's had me crying I was laughing so hard! Tex is a riot! And I love him. He may not have been as present in this one (so far) but he steals every scene he's in.

Okay, I have a theory - which you kinda blew with your comment about not identifying with Jules - but I want to run it by you anyway. I think the universal appeal of Rock Chick is that there is something in every one of these chicks that we identify with...something we are, something we do, something we wish we did. I mean, I'm not like Indy AT ALL but there are certain things about her that I admire and wish were a part of me. What do you think? I think the same kinda goes for the men. There are things about each one of them that resonates...some more strongly than others. 

I adore Vance! I'm still a Hank girl but there's just something about Vance...

Oh, and I loved Duke's comment about Luke finding a woman one day and lord help us all! That was hysterical!

So, something you didn't know about me...before I began my illustrious career as a technical writer, I was going to go to grad school for a masters in social work. When I first started college, I wanted to go to law school and specialize in family law. That's where I identify with Jules. :) 

*edit* Can I just say HOLY SHIT! Luke may be a man of few words but when he does speak...holy shit!!

Yep! Luke makes me dizzy and not Hank dizzy either. I have no idea what Luke is going to do or say. His book is going to be exhausting! You're right about Vance being the first broken Hot Boy Brigade (I was going to say Rock Boy). 

I do want to be like Indy, Jet, Daisy, Roxxie, and Jules. I admire them for different reasons. They are just such neat women. And the hot boys, heck, I love their code. Eddie was a little too physically pushy for me, but Jet liked him that way. Lee was a little too arrogant for me even though they're all arrogant, but Indy needs cocky. hehe. It's a math formula, a really hot and funny formula! 

I'm so there about finding me a Denver man! I laughed so hard at that. But I'm not sure I'm cut out for riding on the back of a motorcycle. I have 2 embarrassing tales. I still wince when I think about one of them, the other one makes me shriek and shake my head.

I'm finished...let me know when you are so we can discuss. I don't want to spoil anything for you. :)

I finished today too! I freaking loved it so much! I can't wait for Luke and Ava. I'm madly in love with Jules. I just love how tough she always is no matter what is going on in her head. I love that Vance can see her wheels spinning. Do you have a favorite scene? I'm partial to the date with Vance when Jules beat up the bitchy former lay and then the strip club scene. I think Shirleen (sp?) and Luke were the standout side characters this book. 

Did you miss the music in this one? I did a little, but the action was so great it was a good trade-off. 

Me too. LOVED it!! It was a little grittier than the previous ones, didn't you think? I mean, I know Roxie was roughed up but...damn. Maybe it was because we were actually witness to Vance's reaction? Where we didn't see how Hank reacted? I don't know but I was tense and teary, I tell ya!

Jules really is a head-crackin' mamma jamma!! And I adore her! She's incredibly selfless...and just so dang perfect for Vance. *sigh* Yeah, Vance really did have her number, didn't he? 

Hmm, favorite scene...I'll have to think about that but I certainly did like the scene at dinner with Jules and Vance. And the strip club scene was even better! Smithie's reaction was awesome! *snickers* I still really like the scene at Fortnum's on Jules' birthday when Tex was letting her and Vance cut in line. Luke and Shirleen were DEFINITE standouts. Holy... But I have to say I did fall a little bit in love with Duke in this one, too.

Oh and BOO!!! I keep meaning to talk about Boo! Why am I such a sucker for animals?!? I loved that Jules was so close with her cat. *ha* Their conversations are hilarious and Jules translating what Boo's saying to her and to Vance...yeah, good thing Vance didn't speak 'kitty'. I really liked that Boo was a clumsy cat...that cracked me up!

Woohoo for the witch being...well, not dead but no longer employed at Nightingale Investigations. I hope we get a peek at that video sometime. I'm not gonna miss Dawn one bit.

Okay, I know I have more to say but I'm exhausted. So I'll sleep on it and we'll talk more tomorrow. Robyn - I'm SO FREAKING HAPPY we're doing this buddy read. 

I've been a zombie since we started this one! Every Rock Chick turns me into a night owl even though I make all these declarations that I'm going to bed early, turning a new leaf, working on my bad attitude that I believe more sleep will magically cure. 

Duke was a standout too. Each book he contributes in these small-huge ways. I laughed a lot in this one. I also got teary. I mean, I'm rooting for Vance to have this wonderful love that Jules can share with him, but she has all these walls up and he doesn't knock them down. He waits for her. 

This one was grittier for sure. The runaway kids added a whole different element, a sort of detached love. Jules had their number like Vance had hers. She didn't pass out affection and big smiles. She was tough and always there. I loved how she never quit telling them to stop swearing. I missed Hank. We got a dose of Lee and a lot of Luke, but Hank was barely there. 

You're a sucker for pets in stories. That makes me smile. I loved that Boo was clumsy because I tell you what when a cat misses a landing I completely lose it. Just typing this makes me laugh at the possible falls. I'm mean like that. 

I think all the Rock Chicks should have a strip class at Smithies and Daisy should arrange it and then all the guys find out belatedly. What fangirl scene would you like to see thrown in? 

Oh, I am so freaking happy that we're buddy reading this series too! 

Okay - my favorite scene...if I were going to go for funny, I think I'd choose the scene at Smithie's where Jules handles one bitchy skank OR Fortnum's on Jules' birthday. BUT I'm feeling sappy (I'll blame it on hormones) so I'm going to choose the scene between Vance and Jules - the moonlight conversation where Vance tells her what it takes for him...what makes him happy. *sigh*

As for a fangirl scene...I'd LOVE to see your scene with Daisy teaching the girls how to strip. But since you took that one ;) I'm gonna say I'd like to see (ooh, this is gonna sound mean) but I'd like to see one of the guys react, in person, to one of the other guys putting moves on their girl. Does that make me mean?? *ha*

I'm looking forward to Luke's story but I'm gonna just put this out there...Ava better be one incredible woman because Luke deserves no less.

My final thoughts: I adored Jules and Vance's story. This one really did have a different feel because Jules is one head-crackin' mamma jamma. She DOES know how to take care of herself and can get herself through most situations. And Vance, our first 'broken' alpha, melted my heart. (and panties) I'm still a Hank girl but Vance, for now, is my #2 guy. I enjoyed getting time with some of my favorite side characters though, even if I would have loved more time, especially with Tex. And I did miss the music...there were some references, but music didn't have as big a role in this one. Oh, and I'm looking forward to learning more about Hector. ;)

So, when is Rock Chick #5 up???

I vote for you fangirl scene. That may be the only thing missing so far, a brawl between the Rock Boys. Luke and Vance should have had a tussle where shirts were ripped off and they got all sweaty. Okay, I got sidetracked. I agree with your choice. And mine, a Daisy stripping tutorial is a must. We'll have to partner up on a Mad Libs type fanfic if we don't get our fangirl scenes by the end of the series. That would be so fun! 

Roxxie and Hank's book spoiled us with Tex and music, so I missed that. I loved the way those two used lines from songs to say what they wanted to say. Jules' protective wall would never let her get so artsy with her feelings. One of my favorite aspects of this story was Jules' coming out of her shell and pursuing friendships. That was just cool. 

Ava is going to rock because Jules liked her on the spot. And I'm with you on more Hector. More all of them! Reading this series with you is so much fun, I'm telling you!

I already have 5 waiting, just sitting there with all of Luke's mysteries ready to be unraveled. You tell me.