Ashes and Flame is a two-part story of love and fate enduring the span of time.
After working as an Advisor for the Roman Empire, Tiberius Maximus Vispania returned to Herculaneum in 79AD to start over. When he meets Sidonia Regilla, a fire instantly ignites between them, and although she was supposed to marry by arrangement, after the first fell through, she made a deal with her father. She would be allowed to choose her future husband. Could Sidonia be happy with Tiberius?
Just when happiness finds a way, an epic tragedy occurs and the entire village is wiped out. Only Tiberius and his best friend survive, courtesy of a curse that’s provided them with immortality.
2,000 years later, Tiberius, who now goes by Max, runs the town of Trenton, California with his best friend. Max never got over losing Sidonia until the day that Kelsey Stillthorn walked into his bar.
With one look, Kelsey lights a desire within him that only Sidonia had ever done. When their dark worlds collide, an overwhelming need to protect her takes over, and he realizes there may be more to Kelsey’s ability to get under his skin than he thought. When Kelsey is kidnapped and tortured, unknown old rivals and secrets come to light.
When Max rushes in to save her, he vows that either all of them would come out alive, or none of them.
Kimberly M. Ringer lives in Santa Cruz, California with her husband, little human, and two furballs, Wall-E (a Jack Russell mix) and Pippin (a Pomeranian terrier mix). When she isn’t writing she is reading, playing with the dogs, playing video games or down at the beach. She’s a bit geeky and nerdy, so sci-fi references and other things going on in the science world will often end up in her stories.
Jumping into others' lives via books is the best kind of escapism. Fall into your favorite genre and block out reality.
Kimberly M. Ringer also writes under the pen name K.M. Ringer
Ever have a book that sticks with you? This is that book for me. Ashes and Flame has it all. Romance, a time jump, friendships, found family. Let’s not forget a strong, independent female lead and her feisty best friend. A heart stopping, do anything for his woman male lead. His best friend has everyone’s back. This book has one of the most disturbing, evil characters I’ve read in a long time. Be sure you check trigger warnings! This book made me laugh, cry with joy but also sadness, I think I even stopped breathing Once or twice. I know I yelled and resisted the urge to through my kindle across the room. It has everything a reader could want. I know this book is a standalone but I want more.
When I tell you this book is one of the best books I've ever read, I'm not exaggerating... not even a little bit. It had me feeling everything under the sun. Laughing. Crying. Wanting to unalive characters. Praying no one would unalive a character.
The characters were deep and evolved, fleshed out. The setting was well-researched and planned. The plot was unique and interesting. It was a whirlwind of expectations and wishes and emotions and breathtaking scenes.
You will not be disappointed with this book. I promise you that.
THIS BOOK! I cannot and will not stop talking about this book. That's how much I love it.
This book has a little bit of everything: historical romance, a time jump to a present day urban romance, a magical curse, badass female characters, strong men, the vilest of evil characters, the strongest of allies, a cheeky grandma, and loyal best friends that will have you cry laughing at their one-liners. There's also love, loss, retribution, and the most satisfying ending.
I snickered, gasped, sobbed, laughed until my sides ached, and cheered while reading this story.
Yes, there are a lot of trigger warnings, but the elements are incorporated into the story so eloquently, with reason, and, well, let's just say that actions have consequences and Kimberly Ringer makes sure everyone gets what they deserve.
Side note: I didn't fully understand the whole 'book boyfriend' thing . . . until I read this book. I freaking LOVE Tiberius.
This book lives rent free in my head and I cannot wait to read it again.
This book was chosen by one of my reading group member. She didn't tell us a whole lot about it. I was expecting a historical romance. It was so much more! We did get the historical part, but then we came into the modern world. This book was such a breath of fresh air from traditional enemies to lovers. It's also a suspense. I loved every minute of the rollercoaster ride. This is a must read for romance readers. But be aware of TW's.
If you don't get this book right now I swear to the Gods
Please, I stayed awake all night to finish this book it's 530 am I'm writing this review. The two stories, this is pretty much two books so expertly woven together and intriguing. After finishing it, all I could think was eff the author for leaving me alone like this now 😆 I'll have to start reading her other series. Check your triggers for sure but this book stole my attention until it was over leaves you begging for more. I really enjoyed the pieces of history and mythology I love that stuff I always have. Id give this Twenty stars if I could
This book blew my mind! It was so good! One of the best I've ever read. You will not be disappointed. It starts out approx. 2000 years ago. A couple finds each other and falls in love. A natural disaster hits. Due to spells and magic, one of them lives and is promised to find their spouse again but will have to wait 2000 years. Then, the book picks back up 2000 years later.
The characters were well written, deep and fleshed out. The plot was intriguing. The setting was well-researched. The story had me eager to find out what happened.
This book takes you on a journey. It grips you and pulls you to read and read. Breaks your heart quite a few times just to mend it. I have to say it's moved to one of my top 10 books I have ever read.
These characters will stay with me. Please be sure to read trigger warnings. There are very on the page dark scenes. The emotions in this book were written so eloquently, you'd swear you were feeling it yourself.
I can honestly say that this book should be a top-priority read for everyone. The story of Tiberius and Sidonia has it all. You begin in the past and are pulled in from the start. The author will then break your heart and then jump you to the present day. Hold on tight, because the ride is just beginning. I consumed this book and fell in love with the characters. Again, if this isn't what you're reading now, you're missing out. Loved it!!!
Wow what can I say the spice was so good right on point loved the story line and was so intense with the stuff with Marcus loved the characters Sidonia and Tiberius I fell on love with them and seeing how the story unfolds was just amazing to the part of her being around and being someone else for so many years and her realizing that I was just in love with the book
4.5 instead of 5! I really enjoyed the first half with Sidonia and Tiberius—it had me hooked. But the second half didn’t hit the same. I felt like we needed more time and character development between Max and Kelsey.
That said, I absolutely loved Kelsey’s relationship with Izzy and how they’ve been soul sisters for MANY lives. Overall, it was such a great read that I did NOT want to put down!
This book is absolutely one of my favorites by Kimberly M. Ringer. I would strongly recommend this to everyone I know. I would suggest reading the trigger warnings that she has placed in the beginning
Exceptional tale written in a dual POV. The world building in the first half ties in mythological aspects that add to the storyline in the second half. The characters are well written. Great plot twists. Trigger warnings for non-con, dub-con and torture. I received this as an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review.