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Out of the Ashes
Kara Shaw just lost her beloved brother overseas in a military explosion. They'd been struggling to make ends meet since the death of her parents when she was twelve. Besides dealing with the tragic grief of losing her brother, she had to figure out how to survive financially. Then her brother's wealthy best friend offered her a way out, but at what price?
Please note: There is some coarse language and sexual contexts.
Please note: There is some coarse language and sexual contexts.
140 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 18, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
December 15, 2017
Firstly, I must add that in my copy of the novel the heroine's name is not Kara ( as said in the blurb ). In my copy, the heroine is called Kate. This is a brother's best friend romance story but in this instance the brother is a soldier who has been killed while on deployment. That was so sad for the heroine, since she and her brother Eric are orphans. Now she is not even finished with college and she is all alone. The H Nate is a few years older than Kate and had been best friends with Eric for many years. They came from different socio-economic backgrounds but had still managed to forge a strong friendship over the years and Nate is the only person who is there for Kate in her time of need.
Kate has always been in love with Nate for years and unbeknownst to her he has felt the same. That part wasn't revealed until a bit later in the story. This wasn't Lietha Wards' best novel but I suppose the fact that the story begins with a funeral made the first part a bit staid. Nate proposes a marriage of convenience to Kate and she accepts. He has a teenage half sister Zoe who likes Kate a lot and is all in favor of the marriage. Everything, including the intense chemistry and great sex between the MC's, seems to be going really fine. Then it all starts to fall apart slowly when Nate's man whore father and his nymphomaniac cougar bitch stepmother arrive unexpectedly for a visit. The father starts making sexual advances to Kate like the old creep that he is and the nympho cougar is salivating over Nate. I feel sorry for poor Zoe. How unlucky she is to have these two as parents.
Kate soon discovers that the stepmother had molested Nate when he was about 16 years old. He had come home tired and a bit drunk from a party. The stepmother saw him sleeping and decided put her pedophile paws on him. He awoke to find her performing a blow job on him and he pushes her off. It was from that point in time that the stepmother has kept up with her consistent obsessive efforts to try to seduce him. He keeps rejecting her nasty advances but she is really determined to have him. She tells Kate a lot of lies and the heroine almost buys it for a day or two but things return to normal for a while after the father and the stepmother are told to leave. Kate also develops a closer friendship with Zoe who has a crush on some teen boy that Nate finds unacceptable.
The next big conflict is provided by Nate's crazy personal assistant who is also obsessed with him. This guy really seems to be a magnet for the wannabe OW with the bunny boiling potential. Anyway, the PA crafts a scheme whereby she sends old photos to Kate that are made to appear as if they're current. Kate sees Nate in the photo with some woman in Italy and she gets depressed and does the usual dramatic departure move that most heroines can't seem to stop themselves from doing. Why oh why is it that women in romancelandia never stop for a second to think about simply asking the man about the pseudo incriminating photo ? Kate, who is pregnant, does a runner without telling poor Nate about his impending fatherhood. Yet another hackneyed plot twist that's overused in romance novels.
They're separated for a few months and both are miserable and celibate. Nate's man whore dad dies in this interim but he still keeps looking for her. He finds her and sets about trying to unravel the reason for her leaving him. Their reunion is filled with the usual angst and drama but eventually the truth about the photo comes out. Suffice it to say that Nate discovers the PA's deception and has that bitch fired. There is this funny scene where the PA is fired by one of Nate's executives. She tries to offer sex to the guy just to keep her job but even he rejects her. What a pathetic bitch. Nate and Kate return home where all is well until they receive an unexpected midnight visitor. This visitor happens to Eric, Kate's brother and he is miraculously alive ! He is shocked to see his baby sister sleeping half naked in the arms of his best friend but after a short argument it all turns out well. Lietha Wards should have written a novel with Eric as the H because that guy was hot - even while he is injured.
There's a lovely epilogue with a hugely pregnant Kate having tea with Nate in a diner. The waitress happens to be Nate's former evil PA. The woman has been unable to get another PA job because she has been blacklisted after her devious machinations were made public. She is actually quite calm and even apologizes to Kate in a half-hearted manner. What beautiful comeuppance for a wannabe OW !
This was a nice novel. It was like a Harlequin Presents romance - actually it is better than some of the recent harlequins that have been collecting metaphoric dust on my "to be read" shelf. However, it is still not as fabulous as some of Lietha Ward's other romance novels - especially Devil in A Stetson and Montana Sunset.
Kate has always been in love with Nate for years and unbeknownst to her he has felt the same. That part wasn't revealed until a bit later in the story. This wasn't Lietha Wards' best novel but I suppose the fact that the story begins with a funeral made the first part a bit staid. Nate proposes a marriage of convenience to Kate and she accepts. He has a teenage half sister Zoe who likes Kate a lot and is all in favor of the marriage. Everything, including the intense chemistry and great sex between the MC's, seems to be going really fine. Then it all starts to fall apart slowly when Nate's man whore father and his nymphomaniac cougar bitch stepmother arrive unexpectedly for a visit. The father starts making sexual advances to Kate like the old creep that he is and the nympho cougar is salivating over Nate. I feel sorry for poor Zoe. How unlucky she is to have these two as parents.
Kate soon discovers that the stepmother had molested Nate when he was about 16 years old. He had come home tired and a bit drunk from a party. The stepmother saw him sleeping and decided put her pedophile paws on him. He awoke to find her performing a blow job on him and he pushes her off. It was from that point in time that the stepmother has kept up with her consistent obsessive efforts to try to seduce him. He keeps rejecting her nasty advances but she is really determined to have him. She tells Kate a lot of lies and the heroine almost buys it for a day or two but things return to normal for a while after the father and the stepmother are told to leave. Kate also develops a closer friendship with Zoe who has a crush on some teen boy that Nate finds unacceptable.
The next big conflict is provided by Nate's crazy personal assistant who is also obsessed with him. This guy really seems to be a magnet for the wannabe OW with the bunny boiling potential. Anyway, the PA crafts a scheme whereby she sends old photos to Kate that are made to appear as if they're current. Kate sees Nate in the photo with some woman in Italy and she gets depressed and does the usual dramatic departure move that most heroines can't seem to stop themselves from doing. Why oh why is it that women in romancelandia never stop for a second to think about simply asking the man about the pseudo incriminating photo ? Kate, who is pregnant, does a runner without telling poor Nate about his impending fatherhood. Yet another hackneyed plot twist that's overused in romance novels.
They're separated for a few months and both are miserable and celibate. Nate's man whore dad dies in this interim but he still keeps looking for her. He finds her and sets about trying to unravel the reason for her leaving him. Their reunion is filled with the usual angst and drama but eventually the truth about the photo comes out. Suffice it to say that Nate discovers the PA's deception and has that bitch fired. There is this funny scene where the PA is fired by one of Nate's executives. She tries to offer sex to the guy just to keep her job but even he rejects her. What a pathetic bitch. Nate and Kate return home where all is well until they receive an unexpected midnight visitor. This visitor happens to Eric, Kate's brother and he is miraculously alive ! He is shocked to see his baby sister sleeping half naked in the arms of his best friend but after a short argument it all turns out well. Lietha Wards should have written a novel with Eric as the H because that guy was hot - even while he is injured.
There's a lovely epilogue with a hugely pregnant Kate having tea with Nate in a diner. The waitress happens to be Nate's former evil PA. The woman has been unable to get another PA job because she has been blacklisted after her devious machinations were made public. She is actually quite calm and even apologizes to Kate in a half-hearted manner. What beautiful comeuppance for a wannabe OW !
This was a nice novel. It was like a Harlequin Presents romance - actually it is better than some of the recent harlequins that have been collecting metaphoric dust on my "to be read" shelf. However, it is still not as fabulous as some of Lietha Ward's other romance novels - especially Devil in A Stetson and Montana Sunset.
February 28, 2023
2.5 Super-Sudsy Stars
Out of the Ashes is the HP-esque, whacky, soapy drama of Kara and Nathan. Kara is a sweet, little naïve Mary Sue who is frightened by pictures of naked males. Nathan is a super-rich playboy who dates movie stars and princesses. They also drink tea like Bianchin takes showers.
The book opens with Kara being devastated by her brother’s death. (they are orphans) Nathan (dead bro’s BFF) suggests that they enter a MOC for some reason… I can’t remember why. Kara agrees because she’s loved him hard forever. The rest is basically the two of them navigating the way through a bevy of jelly wannabe OW.
Bottom Line- Not terrible, but not really great either. I REALLY like OW drama, so I was entertained, but serious HP’ers should proceed with caution. It’s very short, there’s not really much development, we just move from one conflict to the next. Some of the transitions are choppy. (parts are skipped over) Safety- totally safe, Nathan is not interested in any of the lady buffet. There is a scene with his stepmom that could be too much for some readers, SPOILER-
Out of the Ashes is the HP-esque, whacky, soapy drama of Kara and Nathan. Kara is a sweet, little naïve Mary Sue who is frightened by pictures of naked males. Nathan is a super-rich playboy who dates movie stars and princesses. They also drink tea like Bianchin takes showers.
The book opens with Kara being devastated by her brother’s death. (they are orphans) Nathan (dead bro’s BFF) suggests that they enter a MOC for some reason… I can’t remember why. Kara agrees because she’s loved him hard forever. The rest is basically the two of them navigating the way through a bevy of jelly wannabe OW.
Bottom Line- Not terrible, but not really great either. I REALLY like OW drama, so I was entertained, but serious HP’ers should proceed with caution. It’s very short, there’s not really much development, we just move from one conflict to the next. Some of the transitions are choppy. (parts are skipped over) Safety- totally safe, Nathan is not interested in any of the lady buffet. There is a scene with his stepmom that could be too much for some readers, SPOILER-
March 1, 2020
Reading Lietha Wards is kind of like reading Olde English: the Random capitalizations, the malapropisms, the dearth of commas then the sudden use of commas. Couple that with the fact that Scribd recommends Diana Palmer after reading Lietha Ward and you have a romance on crack.
SPOILERS:
The heroine's brother dies.
The hero proposes a MOC because he wants to care for her because he promised the brother. She sounds like she's sixteen, right. No, she's 22 gosh darn it and can take care of herself.
The hero is secretly besotted.
Heroine gets a makeover.
Hero's father visits and puts the moves and his hands all over the heroine, but it's a secret test to make sure she loves the hero. Unlike the other bimbos who slept with Pops, the h passes.
Hero's stepmother comes as well and the less said about her the better, but trying to seduce your 16 yo stepson is a start. There is a shower scene with the hero's father that I am still bleaching my brain over.
There is an evil PA.
There is a misunderstanding.
The heroine runs away.
The father dies.
The heroine sells her house.
The heroine gets pregnant.
This all takes place in less than two months.
SPOILERS:
The heroine's brother dies.
The hero proposes a MOC because he wants to care for her because he promised the brother. She sounds like she's sixteen, right. No, she's 22 gosh darn it and can take care of herself.
The hero is secretly besotted.
Heroine gets a makeover.
Hero's father visits and puts the moves and his hands all over the heroine, but it's a secret test to make sure she loves the hero. Unlike the other bimbos who slept with Pops, the h passes.
Hero's stepmother comes as well and the less said about her the better, but trying to seduce your 16 yo stepson is a start. There is a shower scene with the hero's father that I am still bleaching my brain over.
There is an evil PA.
There is a misunderstanding.
The heroine runs away.
The father dies.
The heroine sells her house.
The heroine gets pregnant.
This all takes place in less than two months.
June 2, 2012
UPDATE!!!
This was a very cute and sweet story. I loved the idea of a brother’s best friend being the love interest! Ms. Wards continues to delight me with her wonderful characters and her heartfelt stories! Out of the Ashes was definitely one of those stories! Honestly, every time I read another Lietha Wards book, the end result is always the same.....me feeling happy, giddy, head over heels in love and yes wanting more, more and more! :D I am no stranger to these feelings and I love every minute of it!
My Official Summary:
Losing someone you love is never easy. Kara Shaw just lost her brother overseas in a military explosion. She is devastated and in a state of shock over the tragedy. When Kara was twelve, she lost her parents in a fatal accident. Without even a moment's hesitation her brother slid into their role trying to make ends meet. Never once did Kara have to struggle because she had her older brother to console her. Now that he is gone, Kara doesn’t know how to survive through her impossible financial situation or her grief. Just when the walls are crumbling around Kara, her knight in shining limousine arrives. Nathan. Her brother’s best friend and Kara’s secret crush since she was a teen. Nathan offers Kara a way out...an offer she can’t resist. But what happens when the offer is not what you expect it to be? Do you still go through with it...or run for the hills?
Review Continued....
I loved Kara! She was such a treat! I loved her sweet and caring personality and her determination. Even in her grief, she managed to think about her future situation. She didn’t wallow or shut down but continued on with her life trying to find alternatives as to how she was going to make ends meet without her brother. This was truly an admirable quality which she possessed! I also loved her relationship with Nathan’s little sister, Zoe. She helped her through her teenage problems and never failed to give her advice! She treated her as if she was her little sister! I adored this!
Then we have Nathan Thornburg. *sigh* As soon as I read, “...her brother’s best friend” and “...his vibrant blue eyes.”...I was hooked! I didn’t notice his personality or anything else about him for that matter! LOL ;p I just fell in love! Nathan was a complete sweetheart! I loved how he was always there for Kara and love love looovvved how he spoiled her! What girl doesn’t like to be spoiled by a sexy as sin dude?? Plus, he called her KITTEN!!! *heart melting into puddle!* That is such a cute endearment and every time he said it, I couldn’t help but smile. The one thing that really got to me about Nathan was that even though he lost his best friend, he put his own grief aside and solely focused on Kara and her comfort. No matter what the situation or time was, he was always there to make her feel better! So heart warming! Their relationship was very sweet and just a breath of fresh air. It started as a crush and quickly developed into love between childhood friends! I loved it! =)
Overall, I enjoyed this story very much! It was a quick and sweet romance story to the pass the time with. The reason why I gave it 4 stars is due to something that happens near the ending. (You’ll have to read it to find out what! ;p) It just didn’t seem realistic to me and thought Ms. Wards should have changed it or stuck to the original idea behind the story. Other than that, I loved it! I definitely recommend this to all avid romance readers. You will not be disappointed! :)
August 8, 2016
Hrmz not a fan of this one, was ok till past midway, then all the OTT drama just got me all exhausted and no longer emotionally invested in this couple.
The h is more or less the ingénue type, having no idea what is going on in the world around her despite being way over 20. She just is too weak and naïve for my taste, tbh, not having a clue and getting hurt left and right because she doesn't have the ability to figure out some simple machinations.
The H is also very hard to get, tbh, as most times he's pretty detached like even though he did say things that he's supposed to be feeling for the h, it's so lacking in fevor and so not to the point it's not really coming through to me. The fact this is another man-hole being in love with his girl for a while but never bothering to zip up his pants just have me raising a brow and thinking seriously? Not feeling it from the way he acts or talks.
The whole plot sounds pretty interesting but there are just too much OTT drama there, there's everyone being attracted to both of our protagonists and trying everything to get them to be separated, there's our detached H not really taking more action to prevent all these drama from happening, then there's our really naïve h believing everything she's been told then again zipping back to our H's side within a sentence of explanation.
Too many people running around and I hardly really see these two getting a connection besides in the bedroom, and it's just not cutting it for me, especially when I didn't see any grand gesture from our H, man not even a ring even though he kept talking about getting hitched...uh...just too apathetic to me.
The h is more or less the ingénue type, having no idea what is going on in the world around her despite being way over 20. She just is too weak and naïve for my taste, tbh, not having a clue and getting hurt left and right because she doesn't have the ability to figure out some simple machinations.
The H is also very hard to get, tbh, as most times he's pretty detached like even though he did say things that he's supposed to be feeling for the h, it's so lacking in fevor and so not to the point it's not really coming through to me. The fact this is another man-hole being in love with his girl for a while but never bothering to zip up his pants just have me raising a brow and thinking seriously? Not feeling it from the way he acts or talks.
The whole plot sounds pretty interesting but there are just too much OTT drama there, there's everyone being attracted to both of our protagonists and trying everything to get them to be separated, there's our detached H not really taking more action to prevent all these drama from happening, then there's our really naïve h believing everything she's been told then again zipping back to our H's side within a sentence of explanation.
Too many people running around and I hardly really see these two getting a connection besides in the bedroom, and it's just not cutting it for me, especially when I didn't see any grand gesture from our H, man not even a ring even though he kept talking about getting hitched...uh...just too apathetic to me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 15, 2012
I loved this book! the characters were realistic and Nathan was gorgeous!! I loved the couple instantly, this author created a beautiful love story that i'd be happy to read over and over.
October 21, 2012
To be honest this book was closers to 3.5 stars but I think more ppl should read this book it is a good light read.
The book has three problems ......
1. the cover need work it screams amateur which this book is not
2. Everything is a little too perfect...
3.There were some grammar problems
Anways good read.... more ppl should read it
The book has three problems ......
1. the cover need work it screams amateur which this book is not
2. Everything is a little too perfect...
3.There were some grammar problems
Anways good read.... more ppl should read it
April 4, 2014
Very, very cute n sweet, delightful story. completely adored after reading this book. Nathan n Kate would everyone make fall in love with them.Honestly, every time I read another Lietha Wards book, the end result is always the same.....me feeling happy, giddy, head over heels in love and yes wanting more, more and more!
January 4, 2014
Do you know that feeling when you have just finished a book you adored but you just can't figure out how to express that on your review? Well that's exactly what happened to me but I'll do my best to try to explain it to you all.
Want to read
September 16, 2012I have not read any book by this author that I have not enjoy. If you have not read her books yet find one and read it, you will not be disappointed.
December 6, 2012
a sweet love story..like a fairy tale story and happy ending.
July 29, 2013
I loved it! It was kinda one of those feel good romances... The ones that make you go AWWW so cute(:
March 28, 2023
Great story
One of my favorites by far! Loved the characters and the story. I can't wait to read more of her stories.
One of my favorites by far! Loved the characters and the story. I can't wait to read more of her stories.
November 14, 2024
This authors book are my guilty little pleasure. I love them all.
They’re not particularly well written, desperately need editing and all follow the same format. But I like them.
They’re not particularly well written, desperately need editing and all follow the same format. But I like them.
April 17, 2014
WOW!!! I really loved this short but sweet book. I have been in a book slump for days and knew I needed to read something to bring me out of it and this def did it for me.
My heart broke for Kara Shaw from the start. Losing her parents in a fatal accident when she was 12 years old all she had left was her brother Eric and she has just learned he was killed overseas in a military explosion. Not knowing what to do Kara calls the one person she knows she will be always be able to depend on, her brothers best friend Nathan. Kara has had a huge crush on Nathan for as long as she can remember but never thought he felt the same way.
I loved Nathan!!! He is so sweet and caring when it comes to Kara and when she calls he drops everything to go to her and be by her side. He has always secretly had feelings for Kara as well but was never sure how Eric would handle them so he decided to wait till Eric returned home to talk to him about it but never gets the chance. When he asks Kara to marry him, will she accept? Will it be the kind of marriage she has always dreamed of with a HEA or just one of convenience?
"Kitten, I fell in love with my best friend's little sister, and I could never break her heart."
"Love?"
"Deeply," Nathan said, searching her eyes for some indication that she still cared about him. "Hopelessly," he added, then he saw her eyes water again. "Women meant nothing to me until I found you. I swear-," he swallowed heavily, "on my best friend's grave that I'd never betray you like that. You mean the world to me."
That ending.....OMG!!!! I was so excited!! I just couldn't believe it!! What a HUGE surprise!!! Go one click this book now, you will NOT regret it!! :)
My heart broke for Kara Shaw from the start. Losing her parents in a fatal accident when she was 12 years old all she had left was her brother Eric and she has just learned he was killed overseas in a military explosion. Not knowing what to do Kara calls the one person she knows she will be always be able to depend on, her brothers best friend Nathan. Kara has had a huge crush on Nathan for as long as she can remember but never thought he felt the same way.
I loved Nathan!!! He is so sweet and caring when it comes to Kara and when she calls he drops everything to go to her and be by her side. He has always secretly had feelings for Kara as well but was never sure how Eric would handle them so he decided to wait till Eric returned home to talk to him about it but never gets the chance. When he asks Kara to marry him, will she accept? Will it be the kind of marriage she has always dreamed of with a HEA or just one of convenience?
"Kitten, I fell in love with my best friend's little sister, and I could never break her heart."
"Love?"
"Deeply," Nathan said, searching her eyes for some indication that she still cared about him. "Hopelessly," he added, then he saw her eyes water again. "Women meant nothing to me until I found you. I swear-," he swallowed heavily, "on my best friend's grave that I'd never betray you like that. You mean the world to me."
That ending.....OMG!!!! I was so excited!! I just couldn't believe it!! What a HUGE surprise!!! Go one click this book now, you will NOT regret it!! :)
March 9, 2014
This book was a sappy, weepy romance and it was exactly what I wanted and needed! I started to read it with every intention of setting it down and doing things, nope, didn't happen, I devoured it in one sitting with my box of kleenex nearby
Kara is just so darn.... human. She is not naive but she isn't worldly either. She knows a lot about life but is void when it comes to relationships. Her knight in shining armour should have realized that, but he isn't all that bright about certain aspects of her
The story is sweet, and sexy and has the pre-requisite misunderstanding. It isn't really needed as their journey was already laced with landmines, so it took a bit away from the story
The other thing that was completely unnecessary was the surprise ending. No need at all, and it did deflect a bit from the story rather than add anything to our hero and heroine
All in all, a perfect Saturday afternoon read,
Kara is just so darn.... human. She is not naive but she isn't worldly either. She knows a lot about life but is void when it comes to relationships. Her knight in shining armour should have realized that, but he isn't all that bright about certain aspects of her
The story is sweet, and sexy and has the pre-requisite misunderstanding. It isn't really needed as their journey was already laced with landmines, so it took a bit away from the story
The other thing that was completely unnecessary was the surprise ending. No need at all, and it did deflect a bit from the story rather than add anything to our hero and heroine
All in all, a perfect Saturday afternoon read,
February 5, 2016
Ugh! Nothing makes me more upset than finding a book that sounds like it ticks all the boxes and then it turns out to be a dud. Weird formatting and chapters, switching POVs from one sentence to the next. One minute it's the heroine talking then the next sentence you have the maid's POV?!?!?! Then a couple of times the heroine seems to be talking about her brother but instead uses the hero's name...I could go on...the actual plot was super weak :/ So disappointed. Can't believe all the 5 stars reviews....mind boggling...
December 11, 2015
I was looking for a romance with a jealous, possessive hero and noticed that a lot of lists with this theme has this author on it. It pains me to say that the author is not for me.
I should say that this is the first book I have read by Leitha Wards, so I can't say if her other books are better. I just know that "Out of the Ashes" is badly written, badly edited, hokey, and cliched.
I'm terribly sorry. But this book made a bad impression on me.
I won't try another book by this author.
I should say that this is the first book I have read by Leitha Wards, so I can't say if her other books are better. I just know that "Out of the Ashes" is badly written, badly edited, hokey, and cliched.
I'm terribly sorry. But this book made a bad impression on me.
I won't try another book by this author.
August 22, 2013
I really liked it but wish it was a little longer! I wanted to read more about them and I thought it was really stupid of Kate to always doubt Nathan God i hated when she kept doing that (and trust me she did that like in the whole book lolz)! Anyways i loved Nathan he was amazing and I hated his parents and cant even believe that there are people like them im todays society ewww :(
October 15, 2013
I liked the storyline of this book. Its exciting & does not let your mind go away from the story. I have however noticed that the Author uses reference from her previous stories (all female lead have Emerald green eyes & male leads travel only by limo)
June 16, 2012
Love it!!
November 1, 2012
Review to come
March 8, 2013
the blurb for this is piss all like the book....luckily though, I enjoyed the book. I like the way Lietha Wards writes :D
June 26, 2013
4stars goes tooooooo.......NATHAN, congratulations ^.^v
November 12, 2013
This was a very sweet and sizzling story. They keep getting better as I keep reading her work.
August 22, 2014
I loved the surprising ending!!!
November 1, 2016
It was a short read... Surprisingly I liked the book :) ... A cute little story
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews