#COYER Review ~ At Peace ~ Kristen Ashley

At Peace by Kristen Ashley
The 'Burg #2
Release Date: May 2, 2011
Genre: Adult, Contemporary Romance
Source: Purchased on kindle
Rating: 4.5 Bookworms
Challenges: #COYER, #ShelfLove
Goodreads

Synopsis
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?

After spending a little time in the world of KA's Unfinished Hero series, it was good to return to a story that gave me more of what I expect from KA. A return to The 'Burg was just what I needed.

Highlights:

• Characters
  Violet is so awesome! Not only is she a great mom to 2 teen daughters (who are equally as awesome as their mom), she's a devoted sister and friend. She's loyal, compassionate, and so resilient! I adored her outlook on life - bad things happen but you have to go on because there's just no other choice. Joe has been mostly existing for the last 17 years. He lost everything he'd ever wanted in one fell swoop and changed his goals thereafter. He never thought to hope for more. And then Vi and her girls moved in next door. As is typical with KA, she has a large secondary cast who are well-developed and engaging. Not only did I get to spend time with old friends (from For You) but I met new ones who I hope to spend more time with in the future.
• Story
  Both Vi and Joe know about loss. It broke my heart how well acquainted with it they are. Together they filled holes in each other - gave each other things they needed. Watching them fall wasn't always comfortable - I wanted to shake them both silly sometimes - but they knew they were meant to be and it was worth all they went through to get there. 
• Suspense
  The way KA incorporated the suspense element was well done. Where things came to a head might have been a little formulaic (a la KA) but I give her a pass here because she writes good suspense in her romance and doesn't really shy away from the grit.

So At Peace was that comfort read for me - what I expect from KA - and just what I needed. I'm eager to spend more time in The 'Burg and I dearly hope to get better acquainted with a few of my new friends.

Thirsty Thursday & Hungry Hearts #73 ~ At Peace ~ Kristen Ashley

Thirsty Thursday & Hungry Hearts is a weekly meme hosted by my blogger wife, Lexxie, @(un)Conventional Bookviews. It's a way to highlight a book using quotes that revolve around food and/or drinks. Every Thursday, post a line or two...or heck, a whole paragraph, that spoke to you in some way using food or drinks. *wink* Don't forget to link up!

My pick this week for Thirsty Thursday & Hungry Hearts is from:

At Peace by Kristen Ashley

***

"Buddy?" Joe called when we were in bed.

I was in his tee, my cheek to his chest, his heart beating in my ear and I was half asleep.

"Yeah?"

"That first time, shoulda made me a hot fudge sundae."

My head came up and I looked in the direction of his face, even though I couldn't really see him because it was dark.

"What?"

"Before I f*cuked you over the first time, you should made me a hot fudge sundae."

"Why?" I asked.

"I wouldn't have f*cked you over. I woulda taken you to Vegas."

"Vegas?"

"Married you, Vi," he said, sounding like he was close to laughing.

"What?" I breathed.

"They're that good."

"What are?"

His hand curled around the back of my head and he urged, definitely laughing now, "Stick with me here, honey. Your sundaes. They're that good."

My sundaes were good. I loved my sundaes. The hot fudge was Bea's recipe but I made it better simply by putting in a bit of cinnamon.

Still, I asked, "You wouldn't have told me you were done with me if I'd made you a sundae? Instead, you would have married me?"

"Yeah."

"Are you tryin' to piss me off when I'm half asleep?"

"Just givin' you a heads up on what'll keep me happy."

I pushed up higher. "You are tryin' to piss me off when I'm half asleep."

He curled up, his arms went around me, and suddenly I was on my back, Joe on me.