Ashes to Ashes

Men of Clarke County #1

by Tory Palmer

A Reverse Harem Romance

My life in Medicine Mound is amazing! I have friends, my own home, and a successful business. In short, everything a young woman could hope for...

Oh, who am I kidding? My husband left me, my best friend is an oversexed trust-fund kid, and the silent partner in my business just dropped dead. And, without him, I've got maybe one season before my art gallery goes under.

And, as if all that weren't enough, now I have a stalker!

When Rachel, my oversexed pixie of a friend, drags me out to the rowdiest biker bar in the county and we find not one but two sexy, capable hunks to keep both my mind and body "busy."

But, as my stalker begins to escalate, both of my handsome bikers, Ryder and Tommy, come to my defense.

Will the three of us be strong enough to stand against the criminal forces at work, even as they grow in danger and scale? More importantly, will we be strong enough to embrace our hearts' desires?

Or will we all end up as nothing but ashes in the end?

Genres: Romance, Why Choose, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Menage, Harem

317 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 7, 2020

About the author

Tory is the author of the series Shadows Over Dallas and Men of Clarke County. She lives somewhere east of Dallas, Texas with her husband, a cranky cat, four ornery goats, and a flock of chickens.

Reviews

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (3/20/2020)! 🎁

[Kelly Hagan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read with a good storyline and some very hot sex scenes. I enjoyed the female character, who was a good girl who discovers that it doesn't hurt to expand her experience and walk on the wild side. She then develops feelings for both male characters, of which Tommy was my favourite, a charming man with a big heart whilst Ryder was the serious counterpart. There is also some suspense throughout the story which keeps the reader invested too. Definitely Worth a read!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Linda · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dnf

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great MFM manage mystery suspense romance

Jessica Bloom's husband left her, her business failing, her silent business partner dead, and for the last month she has been getting threatening phone calls. The sheriff can't do anything until her stalker does something. Stressed her best friend bullies her into a night out. Rachel thinks the local biker bar the Pony is just what Jessica needs.
Bikers, Ryder Jacobs, military vet and owner of the Pony and his best friend Tommy Dearborn, former Marine and motorcycle mechanic are surprised when two pretty ladies walk into the bar, both looking out of their element. The pixie blond is vivacious, her curvy red headed friend catches both their eyes.
Rachel makes her move on Tommy. Ryder is happy to take on the quieter Jessica. They move the party to Jessica's place. When daddy calls Rachel has to run, leaving Tommy hanging. With Rider's encouragement Jessica steps in and has the best night of her life with the two men, leading to an awkward morning after. Tommy isn't ready to let go. He is there for her when her stalker escalates.
An unwelcome man from Ryder's time in the service has shown up in town. Rachel seems to know him well. He is after Jess business.
Ryder and Tommy are determined to keep her safe, while they explore the attraction they have for their curvy red dead. The CIA comes calling. The Agent has a proposition for Ryder and Tommy in regards to the man who just may be Jesse's stalker.
A great fast paced and steamy MFM, manage mystery suspense romance with former military biker bad boy hero's and a quiet but spunky heroin who is brave enough to go after what she wants.
A down load link included at the end of the story. A 5 month later novella One More Mission. Mr CIA needs help again.
Looking forward to reading Michael and Lucy's story and Rachel's.

[Kristy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book hits hard and fast once you start reading you cant stop it's a definite page turner and a first time read by this author. I mean were else will you find ex miltary men secrets agencies motorcycle gangs and a crazy stalker.

Jessica is having a heck of a time keeping her art gallery afloat in Medicean Mound, Colorado she's divorced her sex life is non existent and she has some crazy stalker and then theres the matter of is she the owner of the art gallery her silent partner is dead. Then her crazy bestfriend Rachel a real life party girl gets her to go out for a night of fun at the local biker bar. There she meets Ryder and Tommie things are looking up.

Ryder ownes the local bar hes ex military and he has alot of one night stands hes reserved and he only let's one person close to him his buddy and also ex military Tommy. Tommy is the adventures fun guy who works on bikes he goes threw allot of women too they share allot just never the same women until Jessica. Now they work together to try and find out whose threatening her life. But theres other danger coming someone from Ryder's past one things for sure something going to get blown up and shot up before the dust settles and the ash settles. And did I forget to mention Ryder,Jessica and Tommie generate enough sparks to start a fire.

I was allowed to read and advance copy of this book via Booksprout and this is my honest review.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this ARC from the author thru Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving my review. This story is about Jessica who owns half of an art gallery. Her boring life is fixing to get a lot more interesting thanks to her best friend. She takes her to a biker bar where Jessica meets Ryder and Tommy. She is extremely attracted to them both. At first I was confused why Tommy was sticking with her bestie that night, even though he wanted Jessica as much as Ryder. Ryder seemed serious and stable where Tommy seemed to be more of a man whore. After the best friend is called away, Jessica decides she wants them both. But can the tough bikers keep her safe from her stalker? I recommend reading this story to find out, you won't be disappointed if menage is your genre. I will be looking forward to Tory's next book !

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout

[Bea LaRue · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not one to write reviews often, but...

I have to write this one. I'm also a newbie to reverse harem ( ok, ANY kind of "harem") books. However, as a readaholic, I know good writing. This is not good writing, it's pretty fantastic writing. The storyline was great, the characters were well-rounded, and the sex scenes blew me away, without sounding like something out of an old Penthouse. I was rooting for Jess, Ryder and Tommy from the get-go. And I will be going on with the series, not just for Rachel's story, but also to maybe see where the first 3 are at. Kudos to Tory Palmer, an author I will be looking forward to reading more of!!

[lf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two is much better than one.........at least that is what Jessica discovers

Ashes to Ashes is the first book I have read by Tory Palmer and I found it to be a fast-paced story that is nicely written RH story with a bit of just about everything thrown into the pot. But that pot is well blended with just the right amount of spice to make it sizzle and heat but not explode and burn.
I look forward to reading the next book in the Men of Clarke County series.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. My opinions are all my own.

[Stacey Rankin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic start to the series, I really enjoyed reading the books I have read by Tory Palmer so far and this was equally as gripping. The story was fantastically written, filled with plenty of hot steamy scenes in the bedroom and other rooms, good humour, great action and sense of adventure, danger and mystery. The characters were amazing with their diverse personalities and hot sizzling chemistry. A few good twists along the way, especially the last one. Cannot wait to read more stories by this awesome author.

[Kathleen Bradbury (Bulfon) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow this book get so hot you may need a cold shower I absolutely could not get enough of this I was hooked from the first page great writing job bravo loved it and if anyone is looking a steamy wonderful read then add this one to your list you will not be disappointed I was not, I loved it

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Readiculous 📚🖤👱🏼‍♀️ · Rating 3 out of 5]

That was a solid read! It had a lot of action and suspense and Tommy and Ryder were bad ass alpha’s! The smut was HAWT! I didn’t really like that Tommy was about to have sex with Jessica’s best friend though…that was unnecessary in my opinion and made Tommy less likeable to me. The book could’ve used a bit more romance / connection between the MC’s. I still enjoyed it though, 3 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Elizabeth McDaniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jessica and Ryder and Tommy were just a one night thing. But then Tommy got him and Ryder involved with Jessica to protect her and their one night stand evolved into something more. Good read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Linda G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tommy and Ryder what a delicious man-sandwich... Jessica doesn't know that her walk on the wild side will really heat up. Battling a stalker, an impact to her business, and two dreamy men that bring danger to her door.... chemistry is HOT HOT HOT.

[Tayra Sanders · Rating 4 out of 5]

I couldn’t have predicted. I loved the complexity of the characters. All the drama in this story will definitely keep you intrigued waiting to see what happens next.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars

[Joy Skully · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not reverse harem, it’s ménage

There was only one female and two males. The story was OK I felt like the ending in the stalker was a little bit Scooby Doo ish

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

.

Super good storyline with plenty of action and hotness. The ending left a lot to be desired, or I guess for me needed more closure.

[M B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ashes to Ashes

RH story with a mystery twist. Three people from the opposite sides if the tracks getting together. Throw in a crazed stalker and a wannabe warlord.

[Royce Watson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book

This a good book, an actual plot, physical, and mental loving, mystery and action I think you will like it.

[Kar · Rating 2 out of 5]

Can’t even explain this one, it was a me problem.

[Angie Helgeson · Rating 1 out of 5]

dual POV
RH
🌶🌶.5
plot is almost entirely fighting and military tactics.

[Books A-Brewin' · Rating 2 out of 5]

The last thing on Jessica Bloom's mind when she is confronted with not just the potential downfall of her business but the new stalker leaving her hateful messages is trying to get laid. Sure, she has rarely had an orgasm with her ex-husband and all their experiences left a lot to be desired. But does that mean that she should give into her horny friend, Rachel's, demands and go out for a night of no-strings-attached sex with a stranger? Apparently so, because that is exactly what Jessica does. And when she does so she means two ex-military bikers named Ryder and Tommy. The night had started out with Tommy and Rachel hot to trot while Jessica found pleasure in the arms of Ryder but when something calls Rachel away what are they to do with the third wheel? It seems the answer is to invite him in for some group fun. But if that dynamic isn't enough of a head scratcher in the light of day the next morning, then an old enemy of the boys shows up in town and seems to be connected to Rachel. Could this be her stalker? And what will the two men do to protect Jessica from an unknown as well as finding a way to bring down their known enemy?

This book was all over the place. Even trying to summarize the book as I always do in the beginning of my review I felt some of my eye-rolling snark surface. It was not a reverse harem. Reverse harems are a dynamic with one woman and three or more men all involved with the same woman. This was a thruple where the two men refuse to cross swords. Although there were some moments where I was like, "hmmm..." in reference to Tommy and Ryder's closeness. The romance was odd and felt very forced and not at all the whimsical romance that most books of its kind are. No professions of love. Barely any acknowledgement of a connection outside of great sex. I didn't fall in love right along with the main characters because there was no love.

Then you have the mystery which just felt like an afterthought. It was meant to be this big huge antagonistic event that drove the three together but it was just a clusterfuck. There were pot holes and missed information all over the place. It wrapped up without incident which was a huge let down. It's like the excitement of going up a hill on a rollercoaster. The anticipation and excitement mounts, your heart starts to race, your breath starts to quicken and when you get to the top... you go over a speed bump and the ride is over. Let's face it, this book was meant to be a smutty read catering to the taboo nature of reverse harem-type romances and the rest of the story was just fluff thrown in to give the characters reasons to be pushed together so they could have sex.

So... the romance was non-existent, the plot was also missing, but the sex scenes... those were really well done. The author took her time with the scenes and fleshed them out to make them pretty hot to read. I just wish the rest of the book had some of the same passion she put in these few sex scenes. It would have made the book a lot more redeeming to me. I don't believe I will be continuing the series as the next book is about Rachel and I don't like the character enough to want to read her story. If I stumble across anything else by this author I'll give it a whirl but this one was just not it for me.

[Debra Johnson]

Prch Amz March 20, 2020