Sunday, February 2, 2014

Review: Kaleidoscope (Colorado Mountain #6) by Kristen Ashley

Kaleidoscope (Colorado Mountain, #6)

Publication Date: February 4th 2014 by Forever
Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

About the book:

When old friends become new lovers...anything can happen.

Sexy, gifted, and loyal, PI Jacob Decker is a tall, cool drink of perfection who had Emmanuelle Holmes at "hello." His relationship with Emme's best friend kept them apart for years, but things have changed. Now that a case has brought him to Gnaw Bone, Colorado, the road is wide open for Emme and Deck to explore something hotter and deeper than Emme dreamed possible. So why is she sabotaging the best thing that's ever happened to her?

It isn't easy to catch Deck off guard, but Emme does just that when she walks back into his life after nine long years. The curvy brunette had her charms back in the day, but now she's a bona fide knockout . . . and she wants to rekindle their friendship. Deck, however, wants more. Emme's always been the one; she excites Deck's body and mind like no other woman can. But a dark chapter from Emme's past overshadows their future together. Now only Deck can help her turn the page-if she'll let him . . .

My Thoughts:
Kaleidoscope is the sixth book in the Colorado Mountain series, a series I’ve come to love.  Sweet Dreams (book #2) was my first Kristen Ashley book and it started my love affair with her writing. Seriously, she writes the best alpha men, and wonderfully independent, sassy, loveable heroines!

Jacob Decker or “Deck” as most people call him is someone we’ve met through the series, yet he was always a mysterious character.  Deck is private for hire sort of detective/enforcer having earned a reputation of getting the job done.  Because of this reputation he’s hired by the Gnaw Bone police department to help track down a ring of buglers that’s become a huge dangerous problem.

Being in Gnaw Bone, Deck runs into Emmanuelle Holmes, and she doesn’t look like the Emme he knew from nine years ago. She breathtakingly gorgeous! Deck was always attracted to her mind, they always tuned out the room and had intense, soul-deep conversations, but she was what he described as “sexless”.  Plus, he was seriously dating her best friend Elsbeth at the time. Elsbeth didn’t care for Deck and Emme’s closeness, probably sensing the connection they shared. 

“Lookin’ back, havin’ you back, I now know and I reckon you know, that’s the way it was. She was between us. She knew it too. And she didn’t like it. But it didn’t matter. My head was fucked so I couldn’t see clear of her and not doin’ that, I didn’t see you.”*

But all that went out the window when Elsbeth broke things off with Deck and in turn Deck and Emme went their separate ways, too.  Now seeing Emme he realizes what he lost, and laments all the years wasted not seeing what should’ve been: Deck and Emme together instead of Deck and Elsbeth.  He’s not wasting time anymore.

Emme missed Deck, and so seeing him on the street she jumps at the chance to reconnect and get their friendship back.  But trouble lurks, because not only is she involved with another man, Dane, who is not all he seems, but Emme has something dark in her past that’s about to rear its ugly head.  No worries though, Deck is a determined man, and he’s not losing Emme after the light-bulb finally came on! 

Emme was sweet, smart, and self-sufficient.  Heck, this girl bought an old crumbling mansion and started fixing it up on her own, because she saw the beauty underneath.  I love a woman who has the courage to go after what she wants.

Deck was lovely as well. He wasn’t the uber-alpha/caveman bossy. I'd still classify him as alph-male, he just wasn’t as hard headed or pushy as some of KA’s previous males. Deck was pretty reasonable. When he saw what he missed in Emme with Elsbeth in the way he immediately moved to rectify and take them on the path they should’ve been on years ago.

I loved this couple and the reasonable ways they dealt with problems.  I love a romance based on friendship and one forged from something precious that was lost, as in the case of Deck and Emme. 

There is usually a little danger and mystery in every Kristen Ashley book and this one is no exception. The initial details with Emme and her past may seem a little tame when you find out what happened but the reactions and damage it caused are not something to set aside so easily.

Kristen Ashley somehow always manages to make me cry in every single one of her stories. Dang it! She always brings out a range of strong emotions!  The epilogue was amazing as usual!

Favorite Quote:
“You’re gonna share my bed, my home, my life, and build a family with me, Emmanuelle,” he told her, and her eyes opened, brighter now, tears again streaming. “That’s everything, baby.”*

4.5 Suns






A copy was provided by Forever through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.  

*Quotes taken from an uncorrected proof and may change in the final copy.

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2 comments:

  1. Aw, this sounds so good! I can't believe I haven't read it yet. I think I finally got burned out on KA , for now.
    Tell me I should go ahead and read this, Rachel!

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    1. I'd maybe wait just a little bit if you're burned out on KA, Andrea! Go back when you need a comfort read because this is her, tried and true. :)

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