Release Reviews: Dust to Dust: Katie Ashley
Dust to Dust
August 19. 2024
Quinn
After barely dodging death from a car bomb, I shut out everyone but my mafia brothers. With a scarred face and body, I became an even more ruthless enforcer, cruelty and darkness radiating from my ravaged soul. Until a petite goddess with an innocent spirit swayed her hips on my stage, forcing me to let her audition for a dancer at my club. Though I expected her to balk at my marred appearance, I'm shocked to find her eager to touch and seduce me, willing to indulge my monster's cravings if it secures the job.
Isla is everything I'm not—sweet, fragile, and loving. A blinding ray of light in my dark and desolate world. When she is kidnapped from my club, I could demolish anything in my path to hunt down the animal who took her and to reclaim the only brightness left in my world. But even if I rescue her, can a broken enforcer with anger issues be what she needs?
Isla
After losing my parents, I clung to the light inside, determined not to succumb to darkness. But with a sister to support and education to pay for, I’m forced to parlay my years of competitive dance for a controversial career as an exotic dancer. At the club owned by the ruthless Irish mafia, I cross paths with the physically imposing owner. Though his hardened edges and dangerous aura should have frightened me, I found myself instantly magnetized, helplessly enthralled by his raw, rugged power. Against my better judgment, attraction simmered under my skin, a craving I knew would spell trouble.
Quinn is everything I'm not—brave, courageous, and strong. Every day I try and chisel away at his hardened veneer—to crumble the walls around him, dust to dust. Deep down, I know he is capable of giving love. When I'm abducted from the shadows of the club's parking lot, I pray nightly for Quinn to rescue me. But even if he storms the gates of hell to bring me back, how can I ever survive in his world?
In the merciless underworld, brace yourself for a tempestuous romance pulsating with red-hot danger and forbidden desire.
Quinn Kavanaugh is a big, burly, scarred enforcer for his family. The last two years have marked him in more ways than one and he has become more of a broody loner wracked with guilt. He is used to his life in the darkness.
Isla was a competitive dancer, teaches pole classes, and is in grad school. Her past has also broken her in some ways and left her with responsibilities so she is auditioning for a job at Alainn, the strip club owned by the Kavanaugh family. She is intelligent, sweet, naive, caring, and pure sunshine.
An intense meeting with surprises for both of them. A woman who is more fascinated than repulsed by his scars and a man willing to teach a potential dancer how to properly do a lap dance. A connection they never saw coming and one that they know should be resisted. But the more they know, the more they like and appreciate about the other. She sees the worth of the man under the Beast and he knows just how to make her feel both physically and emotionally. And she is the only woman who has made him react, care, and become protective and possessive. Despite the surprise and concern of their families, these two have a bond that just seems to get stronger. And some difficult situations only increase the intensity.
I love a broken big man with a big heart and Quinn is so protective, possessive, intense, and insatiable around her. He does not feel worthy but is willing to prove he is. He worships her in all the ways. But they live in a dangerous world and perceptions can cause drama and there are always underlying threats to be concerned about. And even though she is brave and bold, she is not used to this dark world and has people in her own life that she needs to protect.
This is a passionate love story set in the darker world of the Irish mafia, a strip club, and a few other interesting locations. There is suspense, drama, spice, emotional growth, and dealing with demons. But there is also wit, banter, and a grumpy-sunshine vibe. I loved the nods to Beauty and the Beast and Pretty Woman. I liked getting more with his brothers and Caterina. And her sister, Brooke is sassy and outspoken. I am looking forward to more in this series with this family. There seem to be plenty of stories that will be interesting.
An intense meeting with surprises for both of them. A woman who is more fascinated than repulsed by his scars and a man willing to teach a potential dancer how to properly do a lap dance. A connection they never saw coming and one that they know should be resisted. But the more they know, the more they like and appreciate about the other. She sees the worth of the man under the Beast and he knows just how to make her feel both physically and emotionally. And she is the only woman who has made him react, care, and become protective and possessive. Despite the surprise and concern of their families, these two have a bond that just seems to get stronger. And some difficult situations only increase the intensity.
I love a broken big man with a big heart and Quinn is so protective, possessive, intense, and insatiable around her. He does not feel worthy but is willing to prove he is. He worships her in all the ways. But they live in a dangerous world and perceptions can cause drama and there are always underlying threats to be concerned about. And even though she is brave and bold, she is not used to this dark world and has people in her own life that she needs to protect.
This is a passionate love story set in the darker world of the Irish mafia, a strip club, and a few other interesting locations. There is suspense, drama, spice, emotional growth, and dealing with demons. But there is also wit, banter, and a grumpy-sunshine vibe. I loved the nods to Beauty and the Beast and Pretty Woman. I liked getting more with his brothers and Caterina. And her sister, Brooke is sassy and outspoken. I am looking forward to more in this series with this family. There seem to be plenty of stories that will be interesting.
Isla is a grad student living with her sister and nephew. She lost her parents and only wants the best for her sister. Their parents died in a car accident and they are all each other has. To avoid student loans and help make things easier for her sister, she auditions to dance at Alainn, a high class strip club. Her audition doesn’t go quite as she imagines though and she catches the eye of one of the owners.
Quinn Kavanagh isn’t what most would call handsome, and as a result he serves as the final task in an audition for all their dancers. As his family’s enforcer, being physically imposing and inducing fear from his looks is par for the course. He is used to reactions and revulsion but Isla’s audition is anything but the norm.
I loved both the instant attraction between these two and the way they had to work to make anything work. For as much as Isla had prepared for her audition, she was lacking knowledge that seemed like it would have been easy access: the connection between Alainn and the mob. As she learns what dangers lurk in the background, Quinn doubles down on protecting her from his world. Their grumpy/sunshine opposite personalities made for some entertaining interactions as they navigate each other’s worlds.
This was a whole lot of fun for as dark as the mafia is. I absolutely devoured this book and loved every aspect of it: the romance, the suspense, and the drama. I love how the family ties keep growing with each book in the series. I can’t wait for more of this series and the teaser we get at the end for the next book had me grinning with the possibilities!
Poison and Wine
Tropes:
Arranged MarriageEnemies to Lovers
Virgin FMC(He kidnaps her from a convent!)
Forced Proximity
Touch Her and Die
Possessive MMC
Caterina
As the only daughter of a formidable capo, my existence unfolded within the confines of a gilded cage. At eighteen, I would become a pawn in the intricate game of power, destined to be wed to a high-ranking member of my father’s regime. My fate oscillated between my father's grasp and that of my future husband. Fleeing was not an option; they would track me down relentlessly. In an act of both self-preservation and rebellion, I sought refuge in a local convent—the sole sanctuary untouched by the shadows of the mafia. Yet, before I could take my final vows, the devil himself knocked at my door — a devastatingly handsome blonde-haired, blue-eyed rogue. With an Irish accent that sent shivers down my spine, he declared me his future wife. No one had touched me; no one would. But despite my aversion to a forced marriage, an irresistible attraction brewed between us— for he was both poison and wine.
Callum
When I abducted a nun, my expectations were simple—she'd be submissive, pliable, the ideal mafia wife. Little did I imagine that the fiery brunette would wield a mouth and body I craved, both in and out of the bedroom. She was a means to an end—a marriage forged out of convenience, a strategic alliance with an enemy family to solidify our standing in the underworld. Tradition dictated that I claim her, yet the last thing I'd do is coerce her. She won't be forced. I promised she would beg me to take her, and anyone who dared to touch her would die. For she was mine and mine alone.
In the unforgiving realm of the underworld, brace yourself for an electrifying romance pulsating with danger and desire.
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Katie Ashley
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Katie Ashley is a New York Times, USA Today, and Amazon Top Three Best-Selling author of both Indie and Traditionally published books. She's written rockers, bikers, billionaires, manwhores with hearts of gold, New Adult, and Young Adult. She lives outside of Atlanta, Georgia with her daughter, Olivia, her rescue mutts, Belle and Nova, and her cats, Mama Kitty, Joe, and Jake. She has a slight obsession with The Golden Girls, Shakespeare, Harry Potter, and Star Wars.
She holds a BA in English, a BS in Secondary English Education, and a Masters in Adolescent English Education and spent fourteen years teaching both middle and high school English, as well as a few adjunct college English classes.
Although she is a life-long Georgia peach, she loves traveling the country and world meeting readers.
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