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Hill City Heroes #5
Precious Ashes
He’s alive.
The last thing Olivia Ashwood expects is to see her dead husband walk through her door, months after she buried him. But there he is. In her kitchen, in her bed, playing with her dog. Her greatest, most desperate wish has come true - and she’s absolutely furious about it. Nothing, not even the attentions of the man who knows her body and soul better than she knows herself can tame the rage burning inside her.
And if Kevin can’t teach her to trust again, not just him but their entire Hill City family, her fire may just become an inferno that burns everything she’s ever loved to ash.
The last thing Olivia Ashwood expects is to see her dead husband walk through her door, months after she buried him. But there he is. In her kitchen, in her bed, playing with her dog. Her greatest, most desperate wish has come true - and she’s absolutely furious about it. Nothing, not even the attentions of the man who knows her body and soul better than she knows herself can tame the rage burning inside her.
And if Kevin can’t teach her to trust again, not just him but their entire Hill City family, her fire may just become an inferno that burns everything she’s ever loved to ash.
- GenresCrime
179 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 20, 2020
6 people are currently reading
39 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Blake
23 books39 followersI have been writing since high school, but truthfully never thought it would go any further than a few short stories hidden deep within my laptop. It wasn't until my family moved away from everything we knew that I started writing stuff worth sharing. Now, my husband, three kids, our plethora of animals, and I live in the Midwest. When I'm not running around like your stereotypical soccer mom (sans the minivan) I am writing the type of stories I have always secretly treasured. Love stories with a sexy alpha male and a strong submissive female.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
June 30, 2020
OMG! What can I say about this book? This series? Ms. Blake is a master at weaving twists and turns in her book. I did not expect the last twist in the book. And the feels, this author made me laugh, scream, and cry.
This book is a masterpiece that wraps up all the questions from previous books. All the books in this series are connected and it would be best for the reader to read in order, only because of cliff hangers in the previous books. But if you choose to read out of order, you will not be lost.
Liv – Is a feisty submissive, who all the feeling of love, fear, betrayal, and joy in the first chapter alone. Can she overcome what has happened to her and her relationship with Kevin?
Kevin – A dominate to the core. He must overcome the fear in Liv and show her is love for her until she is willing to accept it deep down into her soul.
The plot is well thought out and the characters are well rounded with their idiosyncrasies, the interactions between all the characters will draw you into the story from the beginning and you will not want to put the book down until you have finished it. I was so sad to see the end of the series. I can’t wait to order the whole series in print.
I received a free copy of this book. This review was posted voluntarily.
This book is a masterpiece that wraps up all the questions from previous books. All the books in this series are connected and it would be best for the reader to read in order, only because of cliff hangers in the previous books. But if you choose to read out of order, you will not be lost.
Liv – Is a feisty submissive, who all the feeling of love, fear, betrayal, and joy in the first chapter alone. Can she overcome what has happened to her and her relationship with Kevin?
Kevin – A dominate to the core. He must overcome the fear in Liv and show her is love for her until she is willing to accept it deep down into her soul.
The plot is well thought out and the characters are well rounded with their idiosyncrasies, the interactions between all the characters will draw you into the story from the beginning and you will not want to put the book down until you have finished it. I was so sad to see the end of the series. I can’t wait to order the whole series in print.
I received a free copy of this book. This review was posted voluntarily.
June 30, 2020
Kevin is home!
I’ve been on tenterhooks for this book since finishing its predecessor, and once again Rachel Blake does not disappoint. There is almost visceral pain in this story, of abandonment, betrayal, despair, and then there is joy and absurdity and relief. I would say, though, that if you haven’t read the other Hill City Heroes books, you will miss so much in this book, so start there and build to this one. They will be some of the most enjoyable hours you’ll ever spend! Rachel Blake’s writing has a sparkle that’s hard to describe, so let me just say that her books always leave you feeling in a better place than when you started them.
I received a free copy of this book. This review was posted voluntarily.
I’ve been on tenterhooks for this book since finishing its predecessor, and once again Rachel Blake does not disappoint. There is almost visceral pain in this story, of abandonment, betrayal, despair, and then there is joy and absurdity and relief. I would say, though, that if you haven’t read the other Hill City Heroes books, you will miss so much in this book, so start there and build to this one. They will be some of the most enjoyable hours you’ll ever spend! Rachel Blake’s writing has a sparkle that’s hard to describe, so let me just say that her books always leave you feeling in a better place than when you started them.
I received a free copy of this book. This review was posted voluntarily.
July 1, 2020
This book!!!! I don't really know what to say but I totally loved this book! Rachel Blake has written a masterpiece of a story and wrapped up questions that I had from previous books. The way she did it was just so good. I laughed, I cried, I screamed at parts and the characters were just riveting. I couldn't put it down. Out of all the books in this series, THIS one is my favorite!!! All I can say is to go get this book. If you haven't read the others, you really should read them as the story line carries over with each book, even though there are different characters in each book. Rest assured, this is one series that is going on my favorites in print.
July 1, 2020
The author does a fantastic job building the characters so that the reader is involved and interested in their lives, their connections and their actions in the story. The conversation is natural and easy to read and really gives a feeling of actually knowing the characters.
This book grabbed me immediately and I couldn't put it down. This was my introduction to the series and I suspect I would have enjoyed it even more if I had known the characters to begin with. Even though I started with this one, I got invested in the characters quickly and I look forward to reading this whole series from the beginning.
Great job, Rachel!
This book grabbed me immediately and I couldn't put it down. This was my introduction to the series and I suspect I would have enjoyed it even more if I had known the characters to begin with. Even though I started with this one, I got invested in the characters quickly and I look forward to reading this whole series from the beginning.
Great job, Rachel!
July 13, 2020
THE RETURN
The fifth and final story that also has a resolution to what happens in book one—when Kevin Ashwood is killed at the scene of a fire. But, if you have read each book, we learn in Fallen Ember, that Kevin is alive and in FBI protective custody.
I loved books one through four and was quite disappointed in this final book; it did not have the chemistry that we saw in the other stories---it felt off, forced, exaggerated ---and even the discipline and sex just did not flow smoothly---the overuse of the F-bomb was unnecessary (over 160 times) and out of character of the female characters. How did we go from dominant, protective men and sassy but submissive women to feeling like a free-for-all? The men swapping women for discipline---and the foursome orgy? Really, they just read like something stuck in a story that had no meaning, and quite frankly, ruined the chemistry of the couple. The quality of this book was mediocre at best. I felt so let down. At least there was closure at the end.
Kevin returns, Liv is shocked, angered, and feels like she has been lied to by one who called herself a friend. How would anyone feel after three miserable months, thinking the person you loved is gone forever only to walk in and picks up where he left off? The story will have other couples from previous stories but especially a scene with newlyweds Gwen and Jensen and another with a new couple, Sierra and Colt.
The story does bring out more about the arsonist, how the accident is used to try and catch their man, and how one officer must keep the secret. The good, the bad, the ugly all play their roles. It will have life and death situations and shocking discoveries. It will also have some exhibition, voyeurism, discipline, and explicit sex scenes. It is a mystery, suspense tale that finally offers the reader answers.
“Even a forest needs to burn every once in a while, to pave the way for new growth. The scorched ground gives nourishment to the new future, so it can grow and flourish. We are going to rise from these ashes, both of us, and we are going to be stronger and more beautiful together than we ever were before. These precious ashes are going to provide us with what we need to become who we’re meant to be.”
“We’ve been burned, scarred and damaged. I don’t know if we’ll ever come back to what we were.”
The fifth and final story that also has a resolution to what happens in book one—when Kevin Ashwood is killed at the scene of a fire. But, if you have read each book, we learn in Fallen Ember, that Kevin is alive and in FBI protective custody.
I loved books one through four and was quite disappointed in this final book; it did not have the chemistry that we saw in the other stories---it felt off, forced, exaggerated ---and even the discipline and sex just did not flow smoothly---the overuse of the F-bomb was unnecessary (over 160 times) and out of character of the female characters. How did we go from dominant, protective men and sassy but submissive women to feeling like a free-for-all? The men swapping women for discipline---and the foursome orgy? Really, they just read like something stuck in a story that had no meaning, and quite frankly, ruined the chemistry of the couple. The quality of this book was mediocre at best. I felt so let down. At least there was closure at the end.
Kevin returns, Liv is shocked, angered, and feels like she has been lied to by one who called herself a friend. How would anyone feel after three miserable months, thinking the person you loved is gone forever only to walk in and picks up where he left off? The story will have other couples from previous stories but especially a scene with newlyweds Gwen and Jensen and another with a new couple, Sierra and Colt.
The story does bring out more about the arsonist, how the accident is used to try and catch their man, and how one officer must keep the secret. The good, the bad, the ugly all play their roles. It will have life and death situations and shocking discoveries. It will also have some exhibition, voyeurism, discipline, and explicit sex scenes. It is a mystery, suspense tale that finally offers the reader answers.
“Even a forest needs to burn every once in a while, to pave the way for new growth. The scorched ground gives nourishment to the new future, so it can grow and flourish. We are going to rise from these ashes, both of us, and we are going to be stronger and more beautiful together than we ever were before. These precious ashes are going to provide us with what we need to become who we’re meant to be.”
“We’ve been burned, scarred and damaged. I don’t know if we’ll ever come back to what we were.”
July 1, 2020
Here it is, the one we have all been waiting for! Rachel Blake didn't hold back one bit!!! WHOOP!
Kevin can finally go back to his Precious Olivia. He has been looking out for her from afar but now he can have her in his arms once again. The love of his life. Only Olivia isn't welcoming him back as he had hoped. He broke her trust and she is furious with him. If only she could figure out it is him with whom she is so very angry at. Kevin can only guide her through her days and curb her anger towards others until she is able to let loose on him and tell him how he broke her. It wasn't his choice but that doesn't matter. He will do anything to help Olivia heal and to get her back in his arms again. Right where she belongs.
Rachel outdid herself once again. I cheered and I cried (and I hate crying) but I loved every second of this rollercoaster ride.
Kevin can finally go back to his Precious Olivia. He has been looking out for her from afar but now he can have her in his arms once again. The love of his life. Only Olivia isn't welcoming him back as he had hoped. He broke her trust and she is furious with him. If only she could figure out it is him with whom she is so very angry at. Kevin can only guide her through her days and curb her anger towards others until she is able to let loose on him and tell him how he broke her. It wasn't his choice but that doesn't matter. He will do anything to help Olivia heal and to get her back in his arms again. Right where she belongs.
Rachel outdid herself once again. I cheered and I cried (and I hate crying) but I loved every second of this rollercoaster ride.
June 30, 2020
We start the story with Kevin coming home. Olivia has a hard time accepting that he has been in protective custody while she mourned him. She is especially angry with Baylor because she knew he was alive and wasn't able to say anything. Liv has a lot of self hatred because she feels that she did not do well when Kevin died. There is a lot of anger, frustration and even hatred that needs to be dealt with for everyone. I do think that Kevin was a bit too quick to bring back their D/s relationship, but it all worked out well.
I received a free copy of this book and this review was posted voluntarily.
I received a free copy of this book and this review was posted voluntarily.
July 1, 2020
LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS BOOK/SERIES OF BOOKS THE CHOICE OF DYNAMIC OF EACH COUPLES, THE LOVE THE SUPPORT AND FRIENDSHIP OF THESE PEOPLE MAKES ME WANT TO LIVE THERE WITH THEM. THE MYSTERY THE EMOTIONS THE OUCOME FEEL GOOD FEELINGS GIVES YOU A WARM FUZZY AT THE END ONLY THING WRONG WAS I REALLY WANTED LIV TO BE ABLE TO DO HIM IN WHEN SHE TRIED SO SAD TO SEE END OF THIS SET OF BOOKS WAS WELL WRITTEN AND LOOKING FORWARD TO RACHEL BLAKE NEXT ADVENTURE FOR US I LOVE FIREMEN
June 16, 2021
Precious Ashes
I've been addicted to this series and the last book is bittersweet. The person behind it all is revealed and it shouldn't have been a shock but it was. Watching Live and Kevin put their relationship back together after the roller coaster three months made me cry so many times.
Trigger Warning: self-harm
I've been addicted to this series and the last book is bittersweet. The person behind it all is revealed and it shouldn't have been a shock but it was. Watching Live and Kevin put their relationship back together after the roller coaster three months made me cry so many times.
Trigger Warning: self-harm
July 3, 2020
Just a lot of language....
This book was disappointing compared to the other 4 in this series. Every other word was “F***” and “GD” with no real plot. Only the last 5 minutes of the read was worth my time. I don’t think I’ll purchase again from this writer.
This book was disappointing compared to the other 4 in this series. Every other word was “F***” and “GD” with no real plot. Only the last 5 minutes of the read was worth my time. I don’t think I’ll purchase again from this writer.
June 30, 2020
Excellent Series!
June 30, 2020
Omg
I've been highly anticipating this story. I'm going to miss this series. It was everything that I wanted. this has been an absolutely amazing series.
I've been highly anticipating this story. I'm going to miss this series. It was everything that I wanted. this has been an absolutely amazing series.
August 9, 2020
First line: Olivia rolled over in bed and let her arm plop on the other side. Nothing. It was empty.
December 12, 2020
Grab the tissues, grab a blanket and prepare for some gut grabbing feels!!!
Nothing like a dead husband coming back to life and finding out the how's, why's and who's. I cried right along with Olivia.
Read this series, you will not regret it!!!!
Nothing like a dead husband coming back to life and finding out the how's, why's and who's. I cried right along with Olivia.
Read this series, you will not regret it!!!!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews