Kingston

Texas Country Criminals #1

by Bry Ann

She’s a woman of many colors. Striped black and white pants with floral tops and knee high yellow boots. All in one outfit. On the regular.
She eats sherbet ice cream with rainbow sprinkles and is not ashamed to say what she wants and go after it.
I'm a cowboy. A loan shark. I'm quiet. I think, plan, protect. I don’t indulge in colors, pleasure or spontaneity… until she barrels her way into my life.
She’s perfect. She’s rainbows and beauty and life.
Until she gets the diagnosis that sends both our lives in a tailspin.
𝐶𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑟.
It’s time I make a choice. Do I do what I should and keep my sister’s best friend at a distance or do I make her mine?

314 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 12, 2020

About the author

HUNTER: Texas Country Criminals Book #2 is LIVE!
JAY: Texas Country Criminals Book #3 coming July 2020 :)

Reviews

[Aurelie Gordio · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took me a while before being able to process what I have read and write ‘the’ review. It’s more than just a 5 stars read for me. It is THE book of 2020 for sure.
Let me tell you, the author really put a high level with this one.
I felt even more connected with the heroine knowing I had been through (not personally) but a very close friend of mine, the same situation.
I have no words how to express what am I feeling. Well I do, otherwise I wouldn’t be here writing a review. I'm sat staring at my kindle feeling lost broken and all sort of emotions I wasn’t ready for...I can’t believe it's over...
This book was really emotional. I couldn’t put it down, I was hooked from page 1.
I cried. Yes no shame there. Why, you would ask, easy...I felt connected to the characters, Kingston and Blythe are something else.
I love how the heroine is as strong as she is. Kingston is really not how I imagined him after reading Enzio (if you haven’t read this one, I recommend you do before reading this book!)
You know straight away that those two will have a strong bond.
I fell in love with the Shelby family, who wouldn’t really. They are all so close. Never letting each other down.
What I really enjoy in every book that Bry Ann writes is that she always includes every character. There aren’t just some secondary characters. Of course some have more importance but you learn about every each of them. You grow connected to them. You feel bad, hurt, happy at the same time they are. A strange feeling, but one I can’t wait to feel at every book she publishes.
Now, I need to know more about the other brother of the family. I know Bry isn’t finished with them. She has plenty more in store for us, and I can’t wait to read what comes next. Thank you again for a brilliant story.

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (10/18/2020)! 🎁

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story ripped my heart out of my chest from the very first page. Luckily, it’s back where it belongs and all better. Bry Ann’s books are emotional for me most of the time, but this story was the most emotional for me so far, but awesome!

Kingston Shelby is being groomed to take over the family business and at twelve years old, he is already well known in Burrows, Texas. He’s tough, hard, secretly a tender-hearted man who loves his family and will always do whatever it takes to keep them safe. When he hears a little girl crying, he can’t just walk away and ignore her, he has to check on her and finds that his protective instincts and care extends to her even though he just met her.

Blythe Davis lives life on her own standards. She is loud, proud, and very vibrant. When she is a little girl, she meets her knight in shining armor and ends up having a love/hate relationship with him for many years. She’s loyal to the Shelby family because they have always accepted her for who she is and she has always been there for Iris Shelby, her best-friend, and Kingston’s little sister.

This story is tragic, beautiful, emotional, and so awesome. The evolution of Kingston Shelby in this story is a beautiful sight to watch. He is still hard and tough, but he has such a soft heart when it comes to the people he loves and considers his family. He shows his vulnerable side when it comes to his family, but not many people see that side of him. Kingston is criminal but he is also a protector.

I give this book a 5-star review. I was so happy with the ending of this story, but I am also anxious for Hunter’s story. They men are heartbreakers and I love getting to see into their lives. This book will be available on February 14, a perfect love story for Valentines Day. Another awesome book by Bry Ann. If you haven’t read her books, you really need to. If you’re a fan of dark, mafia, or suspenseful romance, you will love her books. She is one my favorite authors, and whenever she has a new book, I make sure I have plenty of time to read it as soon as I can get my hands on it.

[TopsieJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!!!
What a mix of emotions!
I just love the Shelby family; each and every one of them is so full of love!!!
Knowing something had gone on between Kingston and Blythe, having read Bry Ann's Enzio, it was great to finally discover exactly what that was.........and totally not what I expected!
A fantastic story, which broke me into floods of tears in parts. I dreaded which way it was going to go......but I'll let you find out for yourself which way that was!!! Highly recommended!

Merged review:

Loved it!!!

What a mix of emotions!
I just love the Shelby family; each and every one of them is so full of love!!!
Knowing something had gone on between Kingston and Blythe, having read Bry Ann's Enzio, it was great to finally discover exactly what that was.........and totally not what I expected!
A fantastic story, which broke me into floods of tears in parts. I dreaded which way it was going to go......but I'll let you find out for yourself which way that was!!! Highly recommended!

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

BEAUTIFUL AND SWEET!

WOW! Talk about emotion overload! Kingston and Blythe's phenomenal heartbreaking love story was exceptionally gut wrenching and beautiful! Right from the first chapter my heart was ripped out of my chest. I sat on pins and needles hoping and praying that it all worked out in the end. It was one intense emotional roller coaster ride that had me crying like a baby throughout.

Blythe is one beautiful and very colorful woman. She is amazingly strong to be able to go through the things she does. Her personality and attitude made her an exceptional character. The love that she has for Kingston oozed off the pages and made my heart soar with her fierceness and undeniable devotion. Kingston is the typical Alpha male but with a heart of gold (even though he would deny this). He is very devoted to his family and to Blythe. His love for Blythe is full of passion and utterly powerful. Together these two had undeniable chemistry and such intense feelings for one another. No matter what, they are there for each other in good times and bad.

Quote that hit me hard: "...life isn't fair. It kills the angels and rewards the devils with no thought to who it leaves behind."

For me, this was an emotional story to read. It brought back a lot of memories and hidden feelings I had regarding losing my own father to cancer years ago. This story was phenomenally written and a treasure to read. Bry Ann is an amazing author that has the ability to write words that evoke intense feelings from her readers. She makes us fall deeply in love with her characters and forever treasure them in our hearts.

I highly recommend this book (and all others by Bry Ann). This is a story not to be missed and I can't wait to read about the other brothers!

[M Will · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kingston's story was simply perfect. I've read many of Bry Ann's books, and find them all to be entertaining diversions to my life. Kingston's story drew me into his world, kept me at emotional gunpoint to the very last syllable. Bry Ann makes her characters relatable to the readers, even when they seem impossible. Kingston, son of a loan shark, and oldest in a family with a tainted reputation befriends a small girl with a horrible medical condition. What I love the most is that in Bry Ann's world nothing is quite like it seems. Some whom you think are the worst, are redeemable, while others destroy all the good will garnered during the tale. Without ruining the story, the relationship between Kingston and Blythe brought out so many emotions. I wept, I yelled, I cheered, I swooned, I cried and despaired. By the end of this story, I was completely emotionally worn out. It was pure bliss.
If you've never tried one of her books, this one is a good place to start. However, be advised, she often brings in a character from other stories to visit, so you may want to start at the beginning. I promise, the story is completely worth the ride.

I received an Advanced Copy of Kingston in exchange for an honest review.

[D Sav · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Kingston and Blythe's Story.

WARNING: Do not read with out a box of tissues, tub of ice-cream and chocolate!! You will need them!!

Kingston comes into Blythe's life when they are growing up in a small town. Blythe is diagnosed with cancer and her parents are not supportive so Kingston steps in to protect and support her.
Blythe's unique dress sense means she hasn't many friends, Kingston's sister Iris, has a stutter, so they are drawn to each other. Kingston is happy they have become friends and he takes a step back much to Blythe's disappointment. Over the years they are a constant in one another lives and their feelings grow but Kingston hides his.

Kingston tries to keep his distance from Blythe but a kiss pushes them even further apart until the day when he finds out her cancer has returned.
(I was sobbing over my Kindle by this stage!!!!) There is drama, love and laughter on every page but I'm not going to reveal too much.

Bry Anns books go straight to your heart.
Her heroes are strong, protective, gorgeous alphas. You can't help but fall in love with them.

I am desperate to read Hunters story. Just need to stock up on tissues!!

[Elysian Fields · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't really know how to write this review, I am no match for how wonderful and special this story is. Here's as close and I can get to expressing my thoughts:

I'm… emotional. I’m despondent, downhearted, heartbroken, inconsolable, but also delighted, gratified, pleased and a bit in love.

This story is beyond anything I expected. It's raw and real and full of humanity and heart.

If you've read Enzo you have met Kingston, but you have no true idea if him until you read this book. The author masters the dynamics between Kingston and Blythe. There are certainly no two better people more perfect for each other in this world, fiction or not.

Normally I devour this authors stories in a matter of hours but (because this hit so very close to home), it took me a week, and I was WRECKED. I cried to the point of hyperventilating. I have never been so greatful to have my heart ripped out and re-stitched together all in one book.

This book needs to be experienced, you need to feel it as it unfolds. If you can handle heavy emotional reads this is for you. Read it, just take a day off, close the world out and get lost in one of the best reads of 2020.

[Liana Vanoyan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh boy was that hard to read... The certain subject was too personal, too "close to home", but after some ups and downs, I read Kingston and... I was absolutely mind blown by Kingston, the grumpy big man, when an amazingly big, and kind heart, who is overprotected towards the ones he love and by Blythe, that kind hearted girl, who struggled too much, and just wants to be happy and loved!.
I absolutely loved Shelby family and can't wait to read more about them! Thanks Bry Ann for yet another amazing story!

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fell in love with Kingston in the very first chapter. For such a tough guy he sure has a soft heart. And then there is cute, feisty sassmouth Blythe, how could you not love her and her loyalty. I felt the pull through the pages these two had from early on. It's very rare that I cry while reading a book, but this one had me crying a few times. Such an amazing, powerful read. Loved every page!

[Lizzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved Kingston’s story. I enjoyed the evolvement of this story and that Kingston and Blythe start off with a really strong friendship. Kingston’s relationship with Blythe was beautifully written. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. Loved it!!!

[Sandy Lieberman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an Epic story, extreme emotions from beginning to end. An extraordinary book and that will bring you to your knees. I love Kingston and his brothers. It is a love story filled with deep sadness, compassion, and danger. Bry Ann definitely has written a masterpiece.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay

Liked and yet didn’t this book. didn’t like the setting of the scene through the years which took up a fair chunk of the book. Felt the maturity of the characters was slow and even in their twenties/thirties they still acted like teenagers. Some things were explained whilst others weren’t. Not sure I’d look for this author again.

[C. Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought 2020 started off with a bang in the reader world until I read this. This story deserves way, way more then 5 stars. Bry Ann has written a beautiful, emotional asf roller coaster story. We first meet the Shelby’s in Enzio (FBI Brotherhood #1) and now we get Kingston’s story.

Kingston is the oldest Shelby sibling. He is very overprotective of his family and is being taught the family business so he can run it in the future. While out one day he hears a noise coming from the bushes and stumbles on a sweet, colorful young girl. Years later she has not only become one of the family but is in need of there support.

Grab a box of tissues, your favorite blanket, sit back and enjoy this beautiful story from start to finish!! 🖤🖤

Merged review:

I thought 2020 started off with a bang in the reader world until I read this. This story deserves way, way more then 5 stars. Bry Ann has written a beautiful, emotional asf roller coaster story. We first meet the Shelby’s in Enzio (FBI Brotherhood #1) and now we get Kingston’s story.

Kingston is the oldest Shelby sibling. He is very overprotective of his family and is being taught the family business so he can run it in the future. While out one day he hears a noise coming from the bushes and stumbles on a sweet, colorful young girl. Years later she has not only become one of the family but is in need of there support.

Grab a box of tissues, your favorite blanket, sit back and enjoy this beautiful story from start to finish!! 🖤🖤

[Janet Villareal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I felt like some of the conversations didn’t flow well. There was also a lot of skipping into the future. But I’m not saying that’s bad, I’ve just never read anything like that, so it was new to me.

That being said, it’s a tragic story with a ending I’m happy with. Blythe goes through a lot. There’s only so many times someone can fight and be strong but she never gives up. She has a great support system with the Shelby family. Especially Kingston and Iris. Kingston is her childhood hero and Iris is her best friend. Kingston is tough, bossy alpha. He try’s to deny his feelings for Blythe but let’s be real here, those two were destined from the beginning.

Overall, it was good read. From what I’ve read from Bry Ann in the past, Kingston isn’t the type of book I’m used to by her, but I’m not disappointed.

[Rhianna Sofikitis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again I’m blown away with this author. I went in blind and left with complete satisfaction, which is always the best feeling! The two main characters latch onto you with their individual and strong personalities and keep you turning the page to see how things shall progress. The only issue I had, was the time jumps. I loved getting to be in the head of our characters while they were children and leading up to the present, but it was difficult to keep track of the ages. However, I did enjoy dual POV as it helped to get a clear picture of both parties view on the issues at hand. Overall another great book, can’t wait to see what is next!

[Bry Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Get ready for all the feels!!🧡🧡🧡