Rock Chick Redemption Paperback – November 8, 2010

I don't get the hype...The writing is Kristen's style, great alpha males and interesting, sassy women, with immediate attraction. When I say immediate, I mean Hank lays his eyes on Roxie and knows she is it...he's taking her out, sleeping with her and moving her into his house in two weeks. Not to mention laying his life on the line for all her drama, but the books just don't deliver.

I don't have a problem with a fast moving plot or a premise that is less than realistic. I think where the book loses me is in the development of the series. I literally felt like from book 2 on felt interchangeable and certainly not something I would re-read. They aren't terrible, I just don't think they are as good as some of the other series. I'm glad I saved these for last, if I had read them first I don't think I would have gone any further with Kristen's books.

I respect the time, thought and energy a writer puts into their books. I cannot imagine the time spent on storyline, character development and voice. I have re-read Motorcycle Man more than once and love the Colorado series. Not to say there isn't some reptative vehicles (kidnapping) in that series, but I adore the characters and the story lines. That is one steamy series that grabs ahold of you!

~~~~~~~~~ 4.5 Whiskey Colored Stars ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After a slightly disappointing second book in the series we are now back on track because I loved Hank and Roxie’s story.

We are back to cute and adorable pet names – Whiskey and Sunshine (It works)

We are back to alpha dialogue that makes my heart beat faster and my lady parts tingly

***“I’m gonna have to ask you to stop kissing me,” I whispered, and even to myself I didn’t sound very convincing with my request.
He smiled. “I’m not gonna stop kissing you, but I’ll wait until tomorrow night to do it again.”
His hand fisted gently in my hair and his mouth went to my ear.
Then he said, “And, as soon as I can, I’m gonna taste more than your lips.” ***

We are back to crazy, cooky and hilarious talk in the book store. I am seriously thinking of packing up and taking a road trip to Denver to look for Fortnum’s. It has three things I love Books, Coffee and Alphas not necessarily in that order.

STUN GUNS!!!! – need I say more. I want to go out and get one after reading this series.

Roxie is Tex’s niece – As soon as I saw that I knew I was going to love her. She is sometimes just as crazy as Tex but in a slightly different way.

***“And no alligator tail,” I carried on. “Alligators are cute. I’m not a vegetarian, but I don’t eat cute animals. Like lamb. Lambs are cute. We can try the rattlesnake. I think I could eat snake because snakes freak me out.”***

No eating cute animals….like alligators. And why are they cute you might ask…well because they always look like they are smiling.

We are back to having so many great side characters that I don’t even know where to begin with who was the best. Tex almost always wins this contest. He is fantastic but I don’t think Duke gets enough credit either…

***”No offense but you’re gonna run him through the mill, I can tell. And no doubt, we’ll all get ground up with him.”
I blinked. “I’m only in town for a couple of days,” I said.
“I can see it comin’,” Duke retorted.
“Hallelujah!” Uncle Tex boomed. “No lag this time. Keep ‘im hoppin’, darlin’ girl, that’s what I say.” ***

That is Tex always up for a little action or a lot as the case may be.

Her parents were hilarious. If they are your parents it isn’t funny but when it is someone else’s well you can’t help but laugh at all the embarrassing and inappropriate things they say in front of EVERYONE.

But Annette her BFF wins for best new character addition. She is hilarious, loud, and slightly inappropriate but you could tell she was someone who once she decides she is your friend it is a life long bond.

***“Yo, bitch!” she answered on the second ring.
This was nothing to be alarmed about. This was how Annette answered the phone all the time.
“Hey,” I said, quietly. Then I burst into tears. Then I told her my story, all of my story.
“Holy ------ Jesus H. Christ,” she said when I was done.
“I know.”
“He hasn’t called?”
“Annette!” I cried.
“Billy kidnapped me and beat me up. This is not about Hank!” ***

But your girl always knows what it is really about….that is why they are your girl. I loved Annette’s quirky granola wanderer ways they added a lot to the fun of the story.

Kidnappings – Yes I know but I love them.

ALL THE OTHER ALPHA MEN – wowzers Lee Nightingale has a whole stable of bad ass men that I want to get to know better. From the last book I was really interested in Mace but after this one I don’t know whose book I want to read more Vance, Mace or Luke’s. I might be half in love with Luke already.

~~~~~~The Story:~~~~~

Roxie once upon a time was young and fell in love with the wrong man. She has spent the last year + trying to leave him but he won’t seem to let her go. She has a plan and is in the last stage of it but needs Tex’s help hence the trip to Denver.

Hank is a man that knows what he wants when he sees it and the first time he laid eyes on Roxie he knew he wanted her, even if she comes with some baggage. Just because Roxie is a little broken and reluctant doesn’t mean that Hank isn’t going to find a way to get in there.

****“Roxanne, listen closely. One look at you and I knew trouble was on your heels. I’m willin’ to give it time for you to tell me. That doesn’t happen, I’m willin’ to wade in when that trouble catches up. Right now, I’d be doin’ it for Tex and out of curiosity about you. After tonight, I reckon I’ll be doing it for other reasons.” ***

But just as Roxie starts to think maybe she can do this her ex has to show up and ruin everything. Putting Roxie in a lot of danger and making her feel dirty like she doesn’t deserve a good man like Hank and he has a lot more work to do after that.

Even though there is an emotional aspect to this love story it is still a lot of fun with chaos at both a strip club and haunted house. The dialogue between characters is fantastic whether it be something funny or sorta serious. Just because you made one mistake in your youth and it took years from your life it doesn’t mean that you are only that choice. You deserve more and sometimes it takes some new friends, a crazy uncle and a badass Alpha to show you how to change your life for the better.

$$$ A Few Bonuses: $$$

Seeing the couples from the previous books is always a special treat. I complained that in the last book I didn’t really feel closure on the Jet/Eddie relationship, but seeing them periodically in this you can see they are on the right track and still working on it. Indy and Lee on the other hand and completely there in the relationship department and I love the moments we get with the two of them in this.

The building and layering of this series has been a lot of fun and after that last chapter I can’t wait to get into the story of our next couple.

Ok, so all great things have to come to an end, right? I really wanted to love this book but I just couldn't. It's not that I did not like it, I just did not love it. This book is too much like the second one involving Jet and Eddie. After a while, the complaining, scared female characters get a little boring and very predictable. My issue with this book is that it is really too much like the second one. I also take issue that the Nightingale investigators/posse are attracted to the female characters because it makes me feel like they are not as valued as say the main primary cast. But I'm very excited to read the next book since that same posse of Ben will get their own lead roles. Overall I would say out of the three books, this is the one I liked the least. But it's sort of a necessary evil (evil is too strong a word but I did not have a substitute) since you have to read this one prior to moving to the fourth book.