Stranded

Stranded #1

by Noelle Stevens

New college graduate Ashley Spencer has big plans. Now that she has her degree, she's ready to conquer the world, but while driving to a new city she gets caught in a blizzard. Not used to that kind of weather, and on an unfamiliar road, she slides off into a snowbank and gets stuck. Lucky for her, Colton Drake comes along and rescues her. The only trouble is, he's used to getting what he wants, and what he wants is Ashley, but she's not so sure she wants him.

Stuck in his cabin until the blizzard ends, will they drive each other crazy--or will their forced confinement drive them into each other's arms?


This ebook is part 1 of a serial romance.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Novella, Contemporary, New Adult, College, Ebooks

100 pages, ebook

First published January 1, 2014

Reviews

[Tammy · Rating 1 out of 5]

More like Duped!

I read the entire story hoping at least for a nice conclusion. Nope. I wanted to like the characters but couldn't. The hero was a giant two timing douche bag. The heroine was snotty, for someone who was at the mercy of the hero's kindness. Top it off with a unaware girlfriend and it's just awful. No background story, nothing. I won't waste my time. I want to fall in love with the characters, not hate them.

[Melissa Hinton · Rating 1 out of 5]

It was so bad!!!! Seriously, don't waste your time! He treated her like garbage and she let him do it several times!! They were both terrible characters!!!

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I saw Stranded only had 1 review I was a bit nervous, not knowing what I was getting into. I was VERY pleasantly surprised to get Drake! Drake is a sexy mess. When Ashley drops into his weekend away, he isn't sure what to do with her, although he has plenty of ideas. Ashley is stuck, literally. She crashed her car into a snowbank and Drake saved her, although he did try to run her over first. I loved how Ashley goes back & forth about Drake. She is 20-something, broke & coming out of a bad breakup. She wants him, but doesn't know if she should. After all, he might be a serial rapist/murderer. Although we don't get much of Drake's side, there is no doubt what he wants. And you can tell he ALWAYS gets what he wants. I had several parts marked for my review, but had a hard time (haha) picking one. So I went with one from the beginning of this book. *yummy*

His hands freeze midway to my waist, and he looks at me with a question on his face. "What's wrong?" "If you are going to undress me, I should at least know your name." He grins. "Colton. Colton Drake. But everyone calls me Drake." I hold out my hand like this is a job interview. "I'm Ashley Spencer." He shakes my hand. "Nice to meet you Ashley." His grin grows. "Now lets get you out of those pants."

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author should make a Facebook fan page. ;)

A friend recommended this book to me and I am so glad she did. I absolutely loved it. This book is so different than a lot of the other books out. I was not expecting it to turn out the way it did and I loved every bit of it. Drake is hot but is confusing at times with his moods. Ashley to me was hard to handle at times. Shes 20 something and the way she acted was expected of a girl her age but at times she could make me a little flustered. But it didn't take away from the book. I enjoyed the way everything played out and when I was done immediately bought the next one. ;)

I'm hoping if I ever get stranded a Drake comes along. Oooo lala :D

[Nancy Steinle gummel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stranded by Noelle Stevens starts out typical - girls car breaks down in the middle of a blizzard. Girl is freezing cold walking for help getting west and colder. Rescued by dream boat guy, very muscular and built grew. Girl not bad herself being only 5'3"" tall or short, very shapely with Blondel hair. The girls name is Ashley and the guy is Colton Drake, better known as Drake. She twisted her ankle has a sprain. There's heat in Drake's eyes as he looks Ashley over. Before long they're sharing his bed. As the blizzard winds down he uses the sateite phone to call the tow truck. Ashley feels used that Drake has no time since he conqeed her. This book has more parts t get the whole story.

[Pam McMillan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ashley Spencer was in her 20's leaving her hometown to start her life anew. She had no idea she would meet alpha male Colton Drake along the way. They have playful banner which is cute throughout the book. Had no idea this was a series of books when I started reading it. However, I finished the first one yesterday and had to buy the second one last night.

[Kjen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 decent enough stars. Not sure I'm compelled enough to chase down the next parts. The build up of tension between the characters was well done and even plausible. The result was a bit disappointing. Maybe the next parts make up for it.

[K B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best if series read continuously and in entirety.

**Drake and Ashley: The Complete Story 1-4
5 stars
I purchased the boxset Drake and Ashley: The Complete Story 1-4 by Christine Kersey writing as Noelle Stevens and this review was given freely.
This is an action packed and emotional four part rocky romance featuring new marketing college graduate Ashley and consultant business owner Colton Drake. A blizzard brings them together. Drakes protective nature saves Ashley from rape. His prior playboy ways come back to haunt them. Work stressors try to pull them apart but the ending is heartwarming and happy.

*Snowbound: book 1
5 stars
I purchased the book Snowbound in the boxset Drake and Ashley: The Complete Story 1-4 by Christine Kersey writing as Noelle Stevens and this review was given freely.
New Las Vegas college graduate and inexperienced winter driver Ashley becomes stranded alone with consulting business owner Drake in a blizzard in a cabin.
This first installment contains an action packed plot sprinkled with humor and Murphy's law, car trouble, an alpha male, a disgruntled girlfriend, near rape, and two people with a strong attraction with many setbacks. A good opener to the series.

*What I Want: book 2
5 stars
I purchased the book What I Want in the boxset Drake and Ashley: The Complete Story 1-4 by Christine Kersey writing as Noelle Stevens and this review was given freely.
Poignant at times but full of action and drama. Ashley finally makes it to Reno and her apartment with Emily but is torn between her feelings for Drake and the nice guy Emily sets her up with. Jealousy, a brief stint working with Drake, and misunderstandings finally lead towards a budding relationship and a return to the cabin.

*Ever After: book 3
5 stars
I purchased the book Ever After in the boxset Drake and Ashley: The Complete Story 1-4 by Christine Kersey writing as Noelle Stevens and this review was given freely.
Workplace temptations and Drakes' exes challenge Drake and Ashley's relationship resulting in doubt, jealousy and breakup. Conflict, drama, the well meaning involvement of Emily, and humor make this a well balanced and interesting piece with a happy ending.


*Love Me Forever: book 4
5 stars
I purchased the book Love Me Forever in the boxset Drake and Ashley: The Complete Story 1-4 by Christine Kersey writing as Noelle Stevens and this review was given freely.
Drama packed with a happy ending. Wedding planning, a surprise baby, and a new house lend stress to Drake and Ashley's lives but solidify them as a couple.

[Sandra Lopez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ashley is fresh out of college and ready to embark on a new life as a working adult. But then her car careens off the road in the middle of a terrible snow storm. Lucky for her, Colton Drake, the mysterious hottie, shows up and takes her to his cabin, where he nurses her sprained ankle and gives her a place to stay. Like the tile of the book indicates, the two are stranded.

Strictly in the POV of Ashley, the story slowly unravels the alluring mystery that is Colton Drake. The attraction she feels for his is tangible and irresistible.

The two manage to have fun playing in the snow and watching movies. A friendship blooms before romance envelopes them in a cozy embrace. I like that the sex didn’t go into too much detail. You can say a lot without having to actually say it.

Of course, no good love story would be without its complications, and that name is Rachel, Drake’s supposed girlfriend whom he states is not that serious. Can you blame Ashley for refusing to be Drake’s little play thing? Being that this was all in Ashley’s words, you naturally feel for her—how strongly she feels for Drake, how dumb she feels for falling hard and fast for him, and how determined she feels for forgetting about him.

The reader will want to root for Drake and Ashley, but will cheer more for Ashley’s fierce ambition and resolve to make it on her own. My only complaint was that it didn’t really have an ending, which prompts me to want to check out the next installment in the series to find out what happens.

Sweet and Simple. I absolutely love New Adult stories like this.

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting

This was a nice beginning to this series. Ashley left Las Vegas for Reno to find a job after college is over. Her friend Emily lives there so she has a place to stay. But she isn't ready to drive in snow and slides of the road. Drake is driving by and steps to help her. It's a beginning to something.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Snowbound is a cute novel by Noelle Stevens and Christine Kersey. It is book one in their Ashley and Drake series. It is an easy read and although somewhat predictable, it is different enough to keep you reading. One is never sure what you think will happen will indeed happen.
Ashley is new to snow. She is on her way to a new job and a new town when she finds herself in a blizzard. She puts her car in a ditch in the middle of nowhere. She knows she can’t stay in the car without heat and with no provisions, so starts out walking back towards the last town she went through. She hopes to find a house for help along the way. She had hoped a new job and a new place would help her get over her boyfriend and their breakup. However, she didn’t plan on walking in a blizzard with little hope as a way to do that.
Drake is on his way to his cabin for the weekend. He knew he should have watched the weather better; but his cabin was well stocked and once he got there, he would be fine. Getting there was no problem with is car and with his knowledge of the area. However, he wasn’t planning on nearly running over a woman who is walking down the road in the blizzard.
Neither has an alternative than going to his cabin to sit out the storm. Ashley is concerned since she doesn’t know this man; but she has no choice. Drake isn’t keen on having his peace and quiet disrupted but he can’t leave her out here and it is too dangerous to take her into town. So they are stuck together in an isolated cabin in a blizzard with no phones.

[Lee Mcmillan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ashley Spencer had just been through a breakup and was leaving town to start afresh, when she ended up in a snowbank in a snowstorm. Luckly for her Colton Drake came through and saved her. Colton is a force to be reckon with. Ashley Spenser is in her 20's and is trying awfully hard to stay away from men. Drake is an alpha male and hard to resist. Their playful banner is fun to read, I decided to download the book because it was free and I am so glad I did. It is a series and will come out one by one I am on the second one now called Complications. Here is a quote from the book. His hands freeze midway to my waist, and he looks at me with a question on his face. "What's wrong?" "If you are going to undress me, I should at least know your name." He grins. "Colton. Colton Drake. But everyone calls me Drake." I hold out my hand like this is a job interview. "I'm Ashley Spencer." He shakes my hand. "Nice to meet you Ashley." His grin grows. "Now lets get you out of those pants."
Love me some Colton Drake!!!

[Td · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stranded by Noelle Stevens
4 1/2 stars

Ashley is a young independent woman that wants to make it on her own two feet. She is finally finished with college, and after a bad breakup she thinks she is just not ready to get close to another man. Drake is more physically attractive than she thinks she deserves, and is a very dominant alpha male with a tender side. The chemistry between them is obvious from the beginning, but can there ever be more than this short weekend together? They each seem to have secrets or things they are hiding, and it puts a distance between them that neither seem able to force themselves to push past. I will be starting book 2 right away because I have to see what happens next!

[Nancy Williamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ashley get caught in a snow storm and slides into a snow bank. Figures for a girl from Las Vegas. As she is trying to get help, Colton Drake almost runs over her because he can't see her because of the snow. So he takes her home with him and really tries to keep things on a friendly keel but then things get a little more serious. Oh wait, Colton has a surprise of his own, which does not make Ashley happy. This is a 3 part series so I'm going to have to find out what happens in book 2. I have some suspicions but I won't know until I get there. It has some surprises and the author is steady in her writing so I think you will enjoy this. I did.

[A.S. Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Started off slow and realized I didn't care for Ashley, then comes in Colton and I'm all in! Fresh writing style, enjoyable characters with plenty of sexual tension, and sexy lead man that made me forget how annoying Ashley started out; ended up liking her by the end. Enjoyable read couldn't put it down for hours and loved the banter. I look forward to reading more of Noelle Stevens novels.
~A.S. Johnson, author

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chick gets stranded in a snow storm on her way to Reno. Hot guy rescues her and takes her back to his cabin; sexual tension, flirting ensues.

He's a gruff alpha male; she's annoyingly defiant and insecure.

This is part of a serial, so there's a cliffhanger and no HEA. A little sex with light bondage.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book one of a 4 book series and I have been hooked. As soon as I finished this book (really the first quarter of the book) I had to buy the next one and keep reading. I found it hard to put down. Although I did not like Drake at all, and I did not like how he behaved in this book. Still I loved reading it, but don't think I will read the other books.

[Sherry · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was well written and I really wanted to see how it all played out for Ashley. I found myself hoping the sex would talked about instead of glossing over it. I have no idea what they used for protection if any and I'm still wondering what colour and length her hair is. There were parts I like but so much was missing I don't think I will continue on.

[Colleen Everly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a contemporary romance and is the first in a trilogy set in a podunk town between Las Vegas and Reno in the present time. He finds her and helps her hence the title Stranded. I liked this story it is not my usual read but it's good to have a little variety. I look forward to reading books 2 and 3 and more of this couples story.

[Sharon Dunn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, it got my attention and that is something that doesn't happen often! I think this is the beginning of a good trilogy.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad, but not fantastic either. I just had a hard time connecting.

[Lynn Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Story has a good plot lines, but Ashley was kind of annoying. She said she had a boyfriend, she was rude to Drake and then wondered why he let her walk away.

[Janet Buckman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this series. Only problem I had was I stayed up all night reading all four books. Not an ideal thing when you have a two year old. Can't wait to see what else Ms. Stevens has written.

[Melody · Rating 3 out of 5]

this is a nice read but it cliff hangs at a rotten part!

[Marilyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good

the book is all about how you can't all ways trust people who are helping you .the snow storm that caused the rescue.

[Rachel Sides · Rating 4 out of 5]

This seemed like the book to read on a snowy day, but I think it just made me feel colder. Drake seems likeable, but Ashley was justified to be wary. I probably won't read the rest of the series.

[Dora Okeyo · Rating 2 out of 5]

I definitely skipped some parts especially where Ashley was being a complete pain.

[Becky Walker]

meh

[Marjana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good romance story, with interesting complication, but sad end. I did't like Drake's decisions, even hate them, but I understand him.

[Lori Feldpausch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good read and looking forward to reading the rest in this series!!