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Rising
Riley Joe didn't just believe in chaos...he created it, reveled in it. Life tried to break him a long time ago. He fights for his truth, to hell with what everybody else thinks. Savannah Joy Regis prays for love, after only knowing abuse for most of her life. She's gotten use to hiding the scars and slowly she rebuilds her life away from the people who created her own personal hell. When the leader of the Aryan Southern Chapter, New World Watch, crosses path with the one woman he knows he can't have...hell hath no fury like a man determined. To Riley, Savannah's very existence is reason enough to take his last breath. Blood in...blood out. He's willing to take the chance and life for the woman he claims will never be the same. Just maybe he can rise above it all.
252 pages, Paperback
First published August 19, 2015
46 people are currently reading
100 people want to read
About the author
Kassanna
81 books184 followersKassanna is a strong believer in love at first sight and happily ever afters. After meeting her husband in November and marrying him three months later in February the two have survived and mostly enjoyed every adventure life has thrown their way. Ten years, two children, a couple of dogs and a wild turkey that came out the woods and somehow adopted them - later- the adventure continues.
Writing has always been her passion but fate sometimes has other roads that must first be taken . Navigating the road less traveled was not only unexpected but in the end extremely rewarding. Her books are mainly contemporary romance but she has delved into the paranormal and plans on expanding into other areas as the ideas come to her. Right now she is enjoying life and seeing her work come into fruition make it that much more pleasurable especially when her books make others smile. Kassanna wouldn't have it any other way.
Writing has always been her passion but fate sometimes has other roads that must first be taken . Navigating the road less traveled was not only unexpected but in the end extremely rewarding. Her books are mainly contemporary romance but she has delved into the paranormal and plans on expanding into other areas as the ideas come to her. Right now she is enjoying life and seeing her work come into fruition make it that much more pleasurable especially when her books make others smile. Kassanna wouldn't have it any other way.
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July 6, 2023
Land! *Drops on the sand and praises God I made it*. Cause a sista was drowning, y'all! This book had me all over the place; there were some interesting parts, but mostly I was just left with burning anger, disbelief and a sense of utter disappointment in both heroines in this series. I needed a good night's sleep before I wrote this review, because if ever there was a time that the old adage, 'This hurts me more than it hurts you' was true, it's here. I love this author's style; it's light, flows well and is easy to read. Her characters are funny and witty and, while it's obvious that alot of research went into this, it's presented in a very reader-friendly manner. Even the people who said this series didn't work for them, have lauded the author's skills with other books. These are my first two books by her. I struggled with book 1, and came to this book hoping things would be better. In some ways they were and in some they weren't, but at the end I was left with an overwhelmingly unsettling sense of wrongness.
What was better for me in this book was the increased focus on Klan/Aryan activity; that was interesting and you got to see Riley and BJ in their element. Some of it felt like drama for drama's sake but for the most part it was ok. Savannah also started off as a more likable heroine than Whit (I thought Whit was a complete waste of space to be honest), even though her walking into a Klan bar and mouthing off to a bunch of men five times her size, as they reached under the bar for weapons was, I guess, supposed to be brave, but to me was beyond dumb. It also didn't show her in the best light when Riley drove her home 5 mins after saving her from getting gang raped and possibly killed, and she 'noticed that some of the markings [on his arms] resembled swastikas, letters, and numbers that had no meaning to her [and] itched to reach out and slide her fingertips over his skin. She itched to reach out and run her fingertips over the swastikas.....Ummmkkk, still I rolled with it. Hey, she and Riley had to meet somehow. I liked that the author tried to rectify, what I felt was an error on her part in Book 1, by having Savannah refuse to be complicit in the verbal abuse of a fellow black person, and refuse to leave with Riley after the verbal and physical assault...so she started off well-ish. Alas, it was short lived.
I've speculated before that maybe it's necessary for the women in this trope to be a bit...intellectually challenged. Yes, there's a vulnerability that's always included - she's successful but she's lonely and starved for attention; she's pretty but heavy; she's educated but dark skinned...authors have used all these. In all but a few instances the heroines were so grateful that someone was actually paying attention to them that they were willing to make silly decisions. And maybe that's just human complexity; we're all flawed (I'm talking emotionally here). But for some reason the women are not that bright, in general, either. This, however, is the first time I've read a book/series where the women have been lose-your-faith-in humanity disappointing. If Whit was one end of the spectrum, Savannah was the other. It's great to refuse to support the verbal abuse/physical assault of someone you thought was your friend, but at what point do you get it through your skull that he was not your friend, is not your friend, will never be your friend and that he is dangerous? Seriously, how dumb can you be? It was the same thing with Savannah's over-the-top, villainous caricature of a family. Granted, they were totally overdone, unbelievable and I couldn't even take their conversations seriously, but at what point do you stop taking their calls?? I mean, really!! You're a grown woman! No one is saying that horrible people don't exist, but when an author makes the 'villains' so ridiculously one dimensional, the story loses any sense of layers or complexity and the 'villains' become painfully transparent plot devices to isolate the heroine, so her only support is the hero.
Let's talk about Trenton. Author, do you realize that you can in fact have your black heroine date whomever she wants without demonizing the black male lead to justify it? No, really. You can have Savannah wrap her naked body in the Confederate Flag, run down Main Street and leapfrog right into the tattooed arms of her White Supremacist lover, and it would be OK. It would have to be sold on the strength of the couple's own relationship of course and, given the lack of depth between these two, well... It was much easier to have Riley say, Why can't you n*ggers learn your place? to Trenton because he was upset that he had manhandled a lady. It was justifiable to have him threaten Trenton, Manhandle her again, and see how quick you find your ass locked in a trunk somewhere you will never be found because he was 'protecting her honor' and Trenton was an unhinged, possessive pyscho stalker. Uh huh yeah, sure. Before the outburst had fully left Riley's lips, I was wondering exactly how Savannah would find a way to blame Trenton for this and, sure enough, while Savannah agreed that Riley was wrong to say the things he said, 'Trenton didn't have to 'engage him' and 'people were entitled to their opinions.'. Wow, just wow. And he's in both books! Lucky him! The only person who was talking any sense to Savannah; let's assassinate his character and turn him into a raving lunatic so her only other source of advice is someone even dumber than she is - Whit.
Some other lovely one liners uttered by Riley in Savannah's presence:
Oh well, I gave you [Trenton] one more chance than the average coon.
Leave the supplies and take this shit colored monkey out into the woods past Pop’s land. Tie the bastard to a big tree so he gets a good stretch in his arms....Does that suit you better, Savannah?
Her response, "Yes."
Well, to her credit she did stop them from supposedly killing him.
Number of times Savannah even acknowledges the language Riley uses throughout the book. ZERO. Then again, she was the same one that got drunk and, while trying to get all sexy with Riley, told him she would work him over like a slave on a plantation. I am not making this stuff up!
The next thing I know they're giggling about him coming home to blow her back out and I'm sitting there like are we, AT ANY POINT, going to talk about how he called a black man a 'shit colored monkey and strung him up from a tree??? Are we serious right now??? The ball was dropped big time here. It's like the women existed in some kind of vacuum where they didn't react to stuff. It was totally unrealistic, unflattering for them, and a lost opportunity to give the story any depth.
At 60%, Savannah finally decides to comment to Riley that she's black and he hates black people, something that's actually ok because 'he hates members of his own race too'. Yes, friends, it's really just that Riley's not very sociable. Never mind the fact that the white people he dislikes, for the most part, have actually tried to kill him, and black people haven't done crap to him.
After they have sex, she asks him about his tats. Is it me? Isn't this 2015?? Does Google not work in Mobile? It's not like it's a secret Riley is a racist. At that point he'd all but strung a black man up in front of her! How hard is it to type 'White Supremacist tattoos' in a search bar and pull up adl.org? Heck, I can spot Russian prison ink at 100 paces and I've never dated a Russian. Come on, lady. At least Whit was a street kid; Savannah is college educated.
Let's talk about Riley. In all the other WS/BW books I've read, the authors gave the anti-heroes a bit of humanity in the beginning so the reader could connect with them, meaning maybe they were White Nationalists, but not White Supremacists...so they were against race mixing, but didn't wish unprovoked physical harm on another race. Some may say it's semantics but I'm going with the research as presented by the authors. Maybe the men were in an organization because of their families, and while they had made the decision to join (and get inked) of their own free will, they weren't as involved in day to day activities and their hearts weren't really in it. The distrust of black people, however, was fully ingrained in them. Maybe they were actual Supremacists but had resisted joining a particular faction in prison and just wanted to be left alone to do their time in peace. Or, lastly, maybe they were strong believers and fully, actively involved, high ranking members of an organization, but the author was willing to invest the page count to show their slow and nuanced development. Only one of the men in the 8 other books I've read (apart from this series) had actually killed someone, and it was in self defense.
What NONE of these authors did was have their characters use the language Riley and BJ did, spout the vitriol that they did, with the frequency that they did, hurt/kill minorities unprovoked AND make them a part of more than one organization - Riley and BJ were skinheads at one point, they're Aryan Nation, Klan by family relation. Really?? Let's just make them as hateful and unrelatable as we possibly can. It's not that the other books were 'soft' or that the authors didn't get the message across (none of these men were people to be messed with), it's that they understood that you can't start a character that far off in the hole, and make him someone worthy of a black woman in 147 pages! Not a woman with a shred of self respect or enough sense to fill more than a squirrel's scrotum anyway. And this author proves this in spades. No self respecting black woman would have put up with the stuff these guys said. This approach may be more 'true to life' (White Supremacists are a nasty, hateful bunch and they DO use disgusting language), but if you want to throw everything but the kitchen sink at your character then the time needs to be invested in character development of BOTH the male and female leads. Authors spend so much time on the men, and the women are a weak afterthought. And, no, I don't want to hear that the development will happen over the course of several books when they've already been paired with black women, and each book features a different couple! BJ is about to become even more involved than he was in Book 1!
If Savannah or Whit contemplated, one more time, 'He doesn't like black people but he doesn't have a problem with meee' I was going to literally tear my hair out. That is not a compliment, you silly women! It's really disconcerting that the author has repeated this in both books! The author briefly debunks this with the fact that BJ's horrible father has had sex with black women because 'sometimes a man needs a taste of dark meat', but though the men in the series fully understood things, the silly black women missed the community meeting where the rest of us were told that a man can like black pu...uhhh, having sex with black women, without liking black people! A man in a relationship with a black woman can still be a racist! It is not a compliment for a guy to think you're some kind of anomaly from the rest of your race. Both women, both books. Please stop it!
The romantic/sexual tension is again, non existent. I think the author tries to do 'explosive passion' and it ends up just coming out of nowhere and making me uncomfortable. Why is Riley shoving his tongue down Savannah's throat, and his hand up her shirt, before they've spent any significant time in each other's presence, or even discussed any of the numerous crazy things that have happened between them in the few times that they actually were in the same room together? How does Savannah show up to a cookout after calling a client's phone, that Riley answers, and is playing tonsil hockey with him before she even asks, "Hey, how do you know these people?" Is it not ok for these women to say umm, thanks for your interest, I'll get back to you?? Let me think about it? You did call someone who looks like me a coon, maybe I want to pump the brakes on dry humping your crotch. Sirrusly!
But maybe there's redemption, maybe Riley sees the light. Except, not so much. At the end of the book he still has not fully cut ties with his organization and has actually put friends in leadership positions to continue the legacy. Isn't it beeyootiful?? Stop. Tradition is important, guys. I mean, really. No one was expecting him to join the NAACP but come on. Then again, we thought he'd walked away from the life and his family at the end of Book 1 because he was against the beatings and didn't think black people were the crap of the earth (this book). Turns out . Excuse me. What??
Sigh, I've gone on long enough (stop nodding lol). What I would love to see from the authors writing this subset of IR romance, if it becomes more popular, is a Black woman who is STRONG; who is SMART; who is CAPABLE; who is NOT DESPERATE; who makes a man work for her attention; who does not make a bunch of apologies for who said man is; who does not take it upon herself to change him but who makes it clear she will not settle; who has strong black men in her corner (one of the other heroines had a brother who let old boy know he was only a phone call away, one's dad was involved - great stuff!). Yes, it will be a long story; yes, it will take a lot of work, but OMG how amazing would it be. Each book I've read has had amazing bits and pieces, but to have it all in one book. Sigh. I'm answering my own earlier question. A heroine does NOT have to be stupid to make this trope work. A skilled story teller can weave a story around a Black Power movement heroine and a White Suprem acist and make it believable. I promise you. I'm actually thinking of one particular author right now, but I know there are many more.
1.5* and I am taking a bow and exiting stage left on this series. At the end of this book, I think the author was possibly setting up Setter and Bubba for their own books, but after listening to Bubba tell Riley to 'drop the tar baby [Savannah]' (something Riley didn't even check him on by the way), I'm not exactly tickled pink to read about any courtship involving him.
While this author is clearly talented, she bit off more than she can chew with this series. Her intentions were ambitious but the story grew out of her control. When she figures out what she's actually selling, I might be able to buy it. As it stands now I will stop with 'Rising,' as the only things currently on the rise are my blood pressure and my stomach acid.
What was better for me in this book was the increased focus on Klan/Aryan activity; that was interesting and you got to see Riley and BJ in their element. Some of it felt like drama for drama's sake but for the most part it was ok. Savannah also started off as a more likable heroine than Whit (I thought Whit was a complete waste of space to be honest), even though her walking into a Klan bar and mouthing off to a bunch of men five times her size, as they reached under the bar for weapons was, I guess, supposed to be brave, but to me was beyond dumb. It also didn't show her in the best light when Riley drove her home 5 mins after saving her from getting gang raped and possibly killed, and she 'noticed that some of the markings [on his arms] resembled swastikas, letters, and numbers that had no meaning to her [and] itched to reach out and slide her fingertips over his skin. She itched to reach out and run her fingertips over the swastikas.....Ummmkkk, still I rolled with it. Hey, she and Riley had to meet somehow. I liked that the author tried to rectify, what I felt was an error on her part in Book 1, by having Savannah refuse to be complicit in the verbal abuse of a fellow black person, and refuse to leave with Riley after the verbal and physical assault...so she started off well-ish. Alas, it was short lived.
I've speculated before that maybe it's necessary for the women in this trope to be a bit...intellectually challenged. Yes, there's a vulnerability that's always included - she's successful but she's lonely and starved for attention; she's pretty but heavy; she's educated but dark skinned...authors have used all these. In all but a few instances the heroines were so grateful that someone was actually paying attention to them that they were willing to make silly decisions. And maybe that's just human complexity; we're all flawed (I'm talking emotionally here). But for some reason the women are not that bright, in general, either. This, however, is the first time I've read a book/series where the women have been lose-your-faith-in humanity disappointing. If Whit was one end of the spectrum, Savannah was the other. It's great to refuse to support the verbal abuse/physical assault of someone you thought was your friend, but at what point do you get it through your skull that he was not your friend, is not your friend, will never be your friend and that he is dangerous? Seriously, how dumb can you be? It was the same thing with Savannah's over-the-top, villainous caricature of a family. Granted, they were totally overdone, unbelievable and I couldn't even take their conversations seriously, but at what point do you stop taking their calls?? I mean, really!! You're a grown woman! No one is saying that horrible people don't exist, but when an author makes the 'villains' so ridiculously one dimensional, the story loses any sense of layers or complexity and the 'villains' become painfully transparent plot devices to isolate the heroine, so her only support is the hero.
Let's talk about Trenton. Author, do you realize that you can in fact have your black heroine date whomever she wants without demonizing the black male lead to justify it? No, really. You can have Savannah wrap her naked body in the Confederate Flag, run down Main Street and leapfrog right into the tattooed arms of her White Supremacist lover, and it would be OK. It would have to be sold on the strength of the couple's own relationship of course and, given the lack of depth between these two, well... It was much easier to have Riley say, Why can't you n*ggers learn your place? to Trenton because he was upset that he had manhandled a lady. It was justifiable to have him threaten Trenton, Manhandle her again, and see how quick you find your ass locked in a trunk somewhere you will never be found because he was 'protecting her honor' and Trenton was an unhinged, possessive pyscho stalker. Uh huh yeah, sure. Before the outburst had fully left Riley's lips, I was wondering exactly how Savannah would find a way to blame Trenton for this and, sure enough, while Savannah agreed that Riley was wrong to say the things he said, 'Trenton didn't have to 'engage him' and 'people were entitled to their opinions.'. Wow, just wow. And he's in both books! Lucky him! The only person who was talking any sense to Savannah; let's assassinate his character and turn him into a raving lunatic so her only other source of advice is someone even dumber than she is - Whit.
Some other lovely one liners uttered by Riley in Savannah's presence:
Oh well, I gave you [Trenton] one more chance than the average coon.
Leave the supplies and take this shit colored monkey out into the woods past Pop’s land. Tie the bastard to a big tree so he gets a good stretch in his arms....Does that suit you better, Savannah?
Her response, "Yes."
Well, to her credit she did stop them from supposedly killing him.
Number of times Savannah even acknowledges the language Riley uses throughout the book. ZERO. Then again, she was the same one that got drunk and, while trying to get all sexy with Riley, told him she would work him over like a slave on a plantation. I am not making this stuff up!
The next thing I know they're giggling about him coming home to blow her back out and I'm sitting there like are we, AT ANY POINT, going to talk about how he called a black man a 'shit colored monkey and strung him up from a tree??? Are we serious right now??? The ball was dropped big time here. It's like the women existed in some kind of vacuum where they didn't react to stuff. It was totally unrealistic, unflattering for them, and a lost opportunity to give the story any depth.
At 60%, Savannah finally decides to comment to Riley that she's black and he hates black people, something that's actually ok because 'he hates members of his own race too'. Yes, friends, it's really just that Riley's not very sociable. Never mind the fact that the white people he dislikes, for the most part, have actually tried to kill him, and black people haven't done crap to him.
After they have sex, she asks him about his tats. Is it me? Isn't this 2015?? Does Google not work in Mobile? It's not like it's a secret Riley is a racist. At that point he'd all but strung a black man up in front of her! How hard is it to type 'White Supremacist tattoos' in a search bar and pull up adl.org? Heck, I can spot Russian prison ink at 100 paces and I've never dated a Russian. Come on, lady. At least Whit was a street kid; Savannah is college educated.
Let's talk about Riley. In all the other WS/BW books I've read, the authors gave the anti-heroes a bit of humanity in the beginning so the reader could connect with them, meaning maybe they were White Nationalists, but not White Supremacists...so they were against race mixing, but didn't wish unprovoked physical harm on another race. Some may say it's semantics but I'm going with the research as presented by the authors. Maybe the men were in an organization because of their families, and while they had made the decision to join (and get inked) of their own free will, they weren't as involved in day to day activities and their hearts weren't really in it. The distrust of black people, however, was fully ingrained in them. Maybe they were actual Supremacists but had resisted joining a particular faction in prison and just wanted to be left alone to do their time in peace. Or, lastly, maybe they were strong believers and fully, actively involved, high ranking members of an organization, but the author was willing to invest the page count to show their slow and nuanced development. Only one of the men in the 8 other books I've read (apart from this series) had actually killed someone, and it was in self defense.
What NONE of these authors did was have their characters use the language Riley and BJ did, spout the vitriol that they did, with the frequency that they did, hurt/kill minorities unprovoked AND make them a part of more than one organization - Riley and BJ were skinheads at one point, they're Aryan Nation, Klan by family relation. Really?? Let's just make them as hateful and unrelatable as we possibly can. It's not that the other books were 'soft' or that the authors didn't get the message across (none of these men were people to be messed with), it's that they understood that you can't start a character that far off in the hole, and make him someone worthy of a black woman in 147 pages! Not a woman with a shred of self respect or enough sense to fill more than a squirrel's scrotum anyway. And this author proves this in spades. No self respecting black woman would have put up with the stuff these guys said. This approach may be more 'true to life' (White Supremacists are a nasty, hateful bunch and they DO use disgusting language), but if you want to throw everything but the kitchen sink at your character then the time needs to be invested in character development of BOTH the male and female leads. Authors spend so much time on the men, and the women are a weak afterthought. And, no, I don't want to hear that the development will happen over the course of several books when they've already been paired with black women, and each book features a different couple! BJ is about to become even more involved than he was in Book 1!
If Savannah or Whit contemplated, one more time, 'He doesn't like black people but he doesn't have a problem with meee' I was going to literally tear my hair out. That is not a compliment, you silly women! It's really disconcerting that the author has repeated this in both books! The author briefly debunks this with the fact that BJ's horrible father has had sex with black women because 'sometimes a man needs a taste of dark meat', but though the men in the series fully understood things, the silly black women missed the community meeting where the rest of us were told that a man can like black pu...uhhh, having sex with black women, without liking black people! A man in a relationship with a black woman can still be a racist! It is not a compliment for a guy to think you're some kind of anomaly from the rest of your race. Both women, both books. Please stop it!
The romantic/sexual tension is again, non existent. I think the author tries to do 'explosive passion' and it ends up just coming out of nowhere and making me uncomfortable. Why is Riley shoving his tongue down Savannah's throat, and his hand up her shirt, before they've spent any significant time in each other's presence, or even discussed any of the numerous crazy things that have happened between them in the few times that they actually were in the same room together? How does Savannah show up to a cookout after calling a client's phone, that Riley answers, and is playing tonsil hockey with him before she even asks, "Hey, how do you know these people?" Is it not ok for these women to say umm, thanks for your interest, I'll get back to you?? Let me think about it? You did call someone who looks like me a coon, maybe I want to pump the brakes on dry humping your crotch. Sirrusly!
But maybe there's redemption, maybe Riley sees the light. Except, not so much. At the end of the book he still has not fully cut ties with his organization and has actually put friends in leadership positions to continue the legacy. Isn't it beeyootiful?? Stop. Tradition is important, guys. I mean, really. No one was expecting him to join the NAACP but come on. Then again, we thought he'd walked away from the life and his family at the end of Book 1 because he was against the beatings and didn't think black people were the crap of the earth (this book). Turns out . Excuse me. What??
Sigh, I've gone on long enough (stop nodding lol). What I would love to see from the authors writing this subset of IR romance, if it becomes more popular, is a Black woman who is STRONG; who is SMART; who is CAPABLE; who is NOT DESPERATE; who makes a man work for her attention; who does not make a bunch of apologies for who said man is; who does not take it upon herself to change him but who makes it clear she will not settle; who has strong black men in her corner (one of the other heroines had a brother who let old boy know he was only a phone call away, one's dad was involved - great stuff!). Yes, it will be a long story; yes, it will take a lot of work, but OMG how amazing would it be. Each book I've read has had amazing bits and pieces, but to have it all in one book. Sigh. I'm answering my own earlier question. A heroine does NOT have to be stupid to make this trope work. A skilled story teller can weave a story around a Black Power movement heroine and a White Suprem acist and make it believable. I promise you. I'm actually thinking of one particular author right now, but I know there are many more.
1.5* and I am taking a bow and exiting stage left on this series. At the end of this book, I think the author was possibly setting up Setter and Bubba for their own books, but after listening to Bubba tell Riley to 'drop the tar baby [Savannah]' (something Riley didn't even check him on by the way), I'm not exactly tickled pink to read about any courtship involving him.
While this author is clearly talented, she bit off more than she can chew with this series. Her intentions were ambitious but the story grew out of her control. When she figures out what she's actually selling, I might be able to buy it. As it stands now I will stop with 'Rising,' as the only things currently on the rise are my blood pressure and my stomach acid.
July 2, 2017
Okay, for real, I need authors to invest in a good editor and hire a proof reader. Kassanna, you're too talented for basic errors. They take away from your story and the book comes off as sloppy.
With that said, the storyline wasn't bad. I had a few "well that escalated quickly" moments, and there's the insta-love and insta-psycho parts that didn't quite make sense, but I love that she is realistic about racism. Riley doesn't immediately change his beliefs, nor does become someone new. He was just a work in progress which is way more realistic. I like that. I also like that the infighting between the factions and the issues surrounding addiction were highlighted. White Nationalists aren't honorable people and they are found everywhere, but they are the ultimate hypocrites. But I digress. This was a decent read and it was great to check up with Bobby and Whitney. I refuse to use middle names unless called for. LOL!
With that said, the storyline wasn't bad. I had a few "well that escalated quickly" moments, and there's the insta-love and insta-psycho parts that didn't quite make sense, but I love that she is realistic about racism. Riley doesn't immediately change his beliefs, nor does become someone new. He was just a work in progress which is way more realistic. I like that. I also like that the infighting between the factions and the issues surrounding addiction were highlighted. White Nationalists aren't honorable people and they are found everywhere, but they are the ultimate hypocrites. But I digress. This was a decent read and it was great to check up with Bobby and Whitney. I refuse to use middle names unless called for. LOL!
August 25, 2015
This is the follow up book to Falling. This is Riley and Savannah's story.
I like this couple and loved how Riley kept rescuing Savannah. I wished the book had spent more time on the couple's relationship. I just wanted more couple time. I fully understand how Riley feels about not liking everyone from your own race!!!
I did not like Trenton and even though he said he was treating Savannah badly because some ex duped him for a white guy and he thought she was stuck up at college. It still did not explain to me why he was treating her the way he did.
A good read.
I like this couple and loved how Riley kept rescuing Savannah. I wished the book had spent more time on the couple's relationship. I just wanted more couple time. I fully understand how Riley feels about not liking everyone from your own race!!!
I did not like Trenton and even though he said he was treating Savannah badly because some ex duped him for a white guy and he thought she was stuck up at college. It still did not explain to me why he was treating her the way he did.
A good read.
January 16, 2016
Hot damn this was a good read. I didn't want it to end. Book II was better than Book I. My favorite part is when they get drunk off moonshine and think zombies are coming;that had me in tears. This was a perfect balance of drama, inner demons, humor and just real life. Kassanna did a good job, and I highly recommend this read. Both stories are highly addictive! I hope there is more b/c I need to know what is up with crazy Trenton.
August 30, 2015
One word
Horrible. However, since I have to write more. I will say this book was the worst book I have ever read. Ever! Not just because of the context but because there was not decent outline. The story was everywhere. The dialogue was ridiculous. I hated it.
Horrible. However, since I have to write more. I will say this book was the worst book I have ever read. Ever! Not just because of the context but because there was not decent outline. The story was everywhere. The dialogue was ridiculous. I hated it.
January 10, 2018
The head of a yakuza gang sees the gajin woman he believes is his fated wife and promptly kidnaps her. During the span of a week he intends to convince her that they are connected by the red string of fate.
This book could have been good had the author taken the time to expand the story. Also; the author is in dire need of an editor who knows the difference between your/you're. On a more personal level I was slightly miffed that banishment to Norway was seen as the ultimate punishment. Hmpf! ;-) Oh, and yes; a tad more smut would've been nice.
Actual rating: 2.75 stars
This book could have been good had the author taken the time to expand the story. Also; the author is in dire need of an editor who knows the difference between your/you're. On a more personal level I was slightly miffed that banishment to Norway was seen as the ultimate punishment. Hmpf! ;-) Oh, and yes; a tad more smut would've been nice.
Actual rating: 2.75 stars
September 30, 2015
I enjoyed reading this story(the follow up to Falling) the author did a great job with researching her information about the many hate groups that still exist; however I give it three stars for these reasons.....Savannah NEVER once put Riley in his place for his continuous use of derogatory language towards blacks she just accepted it. I know he was raised to hate but still I found that to be problematic. Then there was the utter ridiculousness of her family and how they just stomped all over her. I wish that were written differently. Overall I liked the story the closure was good and I'm glad I invested the time and money.
April 22, 2019
Better than the first
I actually enjoyed Riley's story better than Bobby. Savannah family was downright shameful and pieces of sh!?! I just wish that the story was longer...but I'll take what I can get
I actually enjoyed Riley's story better than Bobby. Savannah family was downright shameful and pieces of sh!?! I just wish that the story was longer...but I'll take what I can get
February 22, 2020
Good book
Good Book this book answered the open ended questions that I had regarding the first book. I was shocked when I found that the Bobby Jack and Riley Joe were brothers
Good Book this book answered the open ended questions that I had regarding the first book. I was shocked when I found that the Bobby Jack and Riley Joe were brothers
May 3, 2020
Great story
Savannah family was over the top. I wish she would have been stronger. That was a lot of crap to experience. Great story just wish there was more
Savannah family was over the top. I wish she would have been stronger. That was a lot of crap to experience. Great story just wish there was more
October 27, 2016
Rising Sun
Any book I read by Kassanna I know I will experience I whirlwind ride. She never disappoints me and always money well spent. Sometimes you meet the one and everything just clicks for no rhyme or reason. Love does that to you when you least expect it. The descriptions and sentences took me to Japan I could be the fly on the wall . Thank you for allowing me to escape if only for a little while.
Any book I read by Kassanna I know I will experience I whirlwind ride. She never disappoints me and always money well spent. Sometimes you meet the one and everything just clicks for no rhyme or reason. Love does that to you when you least expect it. The descriptions and sentences took me to Japan I could be the fly on the wall . Thank you for allowing me to escape if only for a little while.
March 31, 2018
I think it bad the makings to be good,but it never came together. There were question still toward the end left unanswered. Then the whole time during his change I into something better, he kept saying he wanted to leave his organation in good standing. If you not part of skinheads any longer, why you want to get them in order and make sure they are in line when you are leaving for your black woman. J just didn't get it.
November 22, 2022
A Love Worth Dying For
This second book was an amazing story. I never thought that this series would be the one for me. But once I started I just couldn't put it down. It had racism, hate, ignorance. Yet on the other side you find lust, confusion ,hurt, rejection. Stereotypes, lying, chauvinist (male), users. Painful family's relationships. Some of these everyone has gone through. If only we could find the type of love that was found in both stories.
This second book was an amazing story. I never thought that this series would be the one for me. But once I started I just couldn't put it down. It had racism, hate, ignorance. Yet on the other side you find lust, confusion ,hurt, rejection. Stereotypes, lying, chauvinist (male), users. Painful family's relationships. Some of these everyone has gone through. If only we could find the type of love that was found in both stories.
October 20, 2016
2.75 stars. Although this book had lots of typing and grammatical errors, I was able to follow the story line; and although Karakurena Ryu ( The Crimson Dragon) kidnapped Noemelee Anderson, he did not drug and seduce her; but instead, he was acting upon his belief that they were fated to be together. You could say he had good intentions; but I don't think the two protagonists had any chemistry despite the lovely legion of the red thread symbolizing an eternal tie of the Crimson Dragon (Ryu) to the Golden Koi (Noemelee). It was a short read and ended with a "HEA" for the couple.
July 16, 2022
Ryu goes from Noemeleel’s kidnapper to lover to forever in 7 days. Story is captivating with romantic moments and Yakuza action. However, the ending feels rushed; I feel like there should be a few chapters between the last chapter and the epilogue. I should also deduct more stars for the numerous editing errors, but I’m feeling generous.
May 4, 2023
Good read
Reading this reminds me why so many women fall for the the bad boy! Ryu was sexy as hell, blood thirsty and deadly, but sexy all the same! Noemelee was a decent character too. I laughed a few times at some things that happened in the book and I liked how the author did the ending though there is some info I wish was included!
Reading this reminds me why so many women fall for the the bad boy! Ryu was sexy as hell, blood thirsty and deadly, but sexy all the same! Noemelee was a decent character too. I laughed a few times at some things that happened in the book and I liked how the author did the ending though there is some info I wish was included!
June 20, 2018
When The Red String Leads You Home!
This book may have it's flaws but I absolutely love the story! From the character development to the building up of the story. If you like Japanaese Romance this is the book for you!
This book may have it's flaws but I absolutely love the story! From the character development to the building up of the story. If you like Japanaese Romance this is the book for you!
November 7, 2023
Rising Sun
From the first page, I knew I would Love this book! Never a dull moment in the life of this couple! The Alpha Man and the Alpha Woman! You will not be disappointed! Action on every page! I wish for a part two! Yep, just that good! 5+
From the first page, I knew I would Love this book! Never a dull moment in the life of this couple! The Alpha Man and the Alpha Woman! You will not be disappointed! Action on every page! I wish for a part two! Yep, just that good! 5+
November 29, 2017
Loved it
There are not enough words to say how much I loved this book it was beyond great and I couldn't put it down.
There are not enough words to say how much I loved this book it was beyond great and I couldn't put it down.
January 27, 2018
Disappointed
First review I have done. This will be the last time I read from the author. Too much money for so many grammatical errors. The book had potential but fell flat.
First review I have done. This will be the last time I read from the author. Too much money for so many grammatical errors. The book had potential but fell flat.
May 17, 2018
A must read
This story has humor, violence, love, sadness, and a host of
other emotions that captivates the reader. An enjoyable read.
This story has humor, violence, love, sadness, and a host of
other emotions that captivates the reader. An enjoyable read.
February 18, 2019
Was good. Just needed more.
April 6, 2019
Great book
Great story you get a chance to look through the eyes of a man who is taught to hate others and how the love of a good woman brings him through
Great story you get a chance to look through the eyes of a man who is taught to hate others and how the love of a good woman brings him through
July 4, 2020
Pretty good...
Pretty good, fast paced, short story. I subtracted a star for the typos, it was distracting to have to reread sentences to make sure I hadn't missed anything.
Pretty good, fast paced, short story. I subtracted a star for the typos, it was distracting to have to reread sentences to make sure I hadn't missed anything.
October 31, 2022
it Was Good… Not Great But Good
It was an ok read. Not enough one-on-one time between Noemelee and Ryu. But I like it. Should’ve been longer though.
It was an ok read. Not enough one-on-one time between Noemelee and Ryu. But I like it. Should’ve been longer though.
August 31, 2023
First time read
This is my first time reading this authors work. This was a very good read and worth the money . I will be reading more from Kassanna.
This is my first time reading this authors work. This was a very good read and worth the money . I will be reading more from Kassanna.
December 17, 2023
Blood Dragon
I loved the story. Noemelee sure got more the she bargained for on her work trip. This was my first book by Kassanna.
I loved the story. Noemelee sure got more the she bargained for on her work trip. This was my first book by Kassanna.
December 31, 2023
Ok read
This would have been better if it was edited, there were so many mistakes that it took away from the story.
This would have been better if it was edited, there were so many mistakes that it took away from the story.
February 28, 2017
I didn't like falling but because I give chances to authors I decided to finally after 1 year to try finally this. After reading I wasn't meant to leave a review because it was that disappointing but I decided why not.
These two books had the potential of being good books but they are poorly executed. Too fast, character development wasn't to its full potential and the characters still were the same people at the end minus 1 or 2 things.
I like my female characters to be wise and strong. Savannah started out silly, annoying and easily controlled, and even though she still had her issues at the end, she at least shows slight back bone. Her character however still needed improving.
Riley's portrayal of an "alpha male" wasn't polished or completed at all. His character still had no significant improvement.
The concept and issues brought out in these books could have and should have made for good storylines but this book especially had the potential of being much better but it was rushed, all over the place, confusing, not flowing and disappointing. If the author took more time, it would have definitely been a favorite because I like such books.
These two books had the potential of being good books but they are poorly executed. Too fast, character development wasn't to its full potential and the characters still were the same people at the end minus 1 or 2 things.
I like my female characters to be wise and strong. Savannah started out silly, annoying and easily controlled, and even though she still had her issues at the end, she at least shows slight back bone. Her character however still needed improving.
Riley's portrayal of an "alpha male" wasn't polished or completed at all. His character still had no significant improvement.
The concept and issues brought out in these books could have and should have made for good storylines but this book especially had the potential of being much better but it was rushed, all over the place, confusing, not flowing and disappointing. If the author took more time, it would have definitely been a favorite because I like such books.
October 4, 2016
Enjoyable
First let me say I enjoy reading books by Kassanna, she has a way of drawing you into her story which invests you in the characters. Rising Sun (7 Days) was one such story, you found yourself rooting for Ryu and Noemelee. One of the things I find annoying is to have an alpha male lead character and the female lead character is someone that always need saving. That's why I enjoy reading Kassanna, her females are always strong women who can take care of themselves while knowing that their man have their back. Rising Sun (7 Days) is the story of Ryu a fierce leader of the Yakuza who gets what he wants whenever he wants it, and Noemelee who came to Japan to fix a clients computer system. He see her in the airport, and decides he wants her. When she didn't accept his offer of a ride, he simply kidnapped her. From there Noemelee introduction into the life of a Yakuza leader began. Noemelee as I said was a strong woman who held her own which impressed Ryu.
This was an excellent story which held my attention from the first paragraph to the last. My only issue was the typo,s which weren't many but enough to have you re-read the sentence again. This did detract from the story a bit but not enough to stop me from reading because it is a good story, but it was bothersome. Rising Sun (7 Days) is one of those stories you would want to read more than once.
First let me say I enjoy reading books by Kassanna, she has a way of drawing you into her story which invests you in the characters. Rising Sun (7 Days) was one such story, you found yourself rooting for Ryu and Noemelee. One of the things I find annoying is to have an alpha male lead character and the female lead character is someone that always need saving. That's why I enjoy reading Kassanna, her females are always strong women who can take care of themselves while knowing that their man have their back. Rising Sun (7 Days) is the story of Ryu a fierce leader of the Yakuza who gets what he wants whenever he wants it, and Noemelee who came to Japan to fix a clients computer system. He see her in the airport, and decides he wants her. When she didn't accept his offer of a ride, he simply kidnapped her. From there Noemelee introduction into the life of a Yakuza leader began. Noemelee as I said was a strong woman who held her own which impressed Ryu.
This was an excellent story which held my attention from the first paragraph to the last. My only issue was the typo,s which weren't many but enough to have you re-read the sentence again. This did detract from the story a bit but not enough to stop me from reading because it is a good story, but it was bothersome. Rising Sun (7 Days) is one of those stories you would want to read more than once.
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