Deacon

Unfinished Heroes Series- Book 4

By Kristen Ashley

Synopsis:

Deacon has an ugly history, a history that broke him, leaving him a ghost of a man. Out of necessity, he left the normal world to descend into the criminal world and found he fit. So he stayed. Cold as ice and living off the grid, Deacon has no intention to connect, not with anyone.

Then he returns to some remote cabins in the Colorado Mountains and finds they have new owners. One of them is Cassidy Swallow, a young woman willing to work hard to live her quiet dream in a house by a river surrounded by aspen and pine.

Suddenly, Deacon finds he’s at war. Cassidy’s pull for him to connect is strong. He fights it, but he loses, always coming back for more. But when he does, he gives her nothing.

From the first time she sees him, Cassidy knows Deacon is dead inside. She knows he’s the kind of man who could destroy a woman. But one night when Deacon’s control slips, Cassidy takes a chance.

He might break her. He also might be her dream come true.

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Michel’s Review

The Unfinished Heroes are back. Kristen Ashley’s rugged alphas that live on the edge, live by their own laws, and contain the dredges of the underworld have stolen the reader’s hearts. Throughout the series, there has been one of those alphas that has stood out among these bad boys. His air of mystery, intrigue, lack of emotions, unfathomable personality, and expertise in the dregs of humanity have had the reader’s in love with him before he uttered one word. We have been anxiously waiting for Deacon to open his mouth and tell us his story. We have been waiting to embrace this badass alpha and give him the love he desperately needs. It looks like Cassidy Swallow beat us to it and she is not letting Deacon go.

Deacon is quite a surprise. I don’t think any of us could see the man he kept behind closed doors. I can honestly say that I am head over heels in love with this man. He has one of the most beautiful souls. When he finally opened up his closed doors the sunshine he let out was blinding. The pure radiance of Deacon will warm the readers through and through. How can you not love a man that cleans gutters, BBQ’s, and uses songs that speak of the emotions he’s feeling?

What could bring the true Deacon out of hiding and appear to be an open book? Cassidy Swallow of course. She is a strong independent, caring, yet vulnerable woman that has always showed Deacon that the sun shines even on the dreariest day. He has been coming to her rental cabins for six years on his down time. Throughout these six years, she has stayed consistent with her bright personality, quit wit, and acceptance. She doesn’t push him to open up but leaves the invitation open at all times. She always makes him feel welcome.

When these two finally come together after skirting around each other for six years it is HOT! They are perfection together. They build a strong and steady relationship that not only burns passionately, but is also built on a foundation of acceptance and trust. Their passionate need for one another will have the readers fanning themselves. Their charming relationship will have the readers swooning. They may appear to have the perfect relationship but Deacon is still keeping some secrets. Those secrets will eventually tear them apart. Deacon will have to let go of all his secrets in order to have the sunshine in his life that only Cassidy can give.

Of course the badass alpha gang will make their appearance and lead the Unfinished Heroes into another adventure. It looks like Nick has dug himself into a hole. With that, Kristen Ashley left us dangling and dying for Nick’s book.

Deacon had all the special elements that only Kristen Ashley can conjure up. Her alphas with their badass personalities and unique charm never fail to have the reader’s falling hard. Her lovely leading ladies are strong women with enough humor to handle these badass alphas.

The one thing I will say is that the tone in this book was not overly original. It had the same kind of voice that all the other books have had. I found quite a bit of the dialogue and interaction predictable. The pacing was a bit dragging in areas. This book did not have the suspense and action that the other Unfinished Heroes books have had. Also some of the kinkier sex scenes were very awkward. They felt kind of mechanical rather than passionate. I don’t think Kristen Ashley has found her zone in writing this kind of kinky sex scene. There was something off in each of these scenes that just didn’t make my tummy tingle.

Because of these things I could not give the book a five star rating. I was expecting a little more originality and growth in the writing.

I still enjoyed the book. I love Deacon and Cassidy. I closed the book with the tingly feel good smile that Kristen Ashley always delivers. I would highly recommend the book and the Unfinished Heroes series. It will charm your soul.

Author Bio:

Kristen Ashley was born in Gary, Indiana, USA and nearly killed her mother and herself making it into the world, seeing as she had the umbilical cord wrapped around her neck (already attempting to accessorise and she hadn’t taken her first breath!). Her mother said they took Kristen away, put her Mom back in her room, her mother looked out the window, and Gary was on fire (Dr. King had been assassinated four days before). Kristen’s Mom remembered thinking it was the end of the world. Quite the dramatic beginning.

Nothing’s changed.

Kristen grew up in Brownsburg, Indiana and has lived in Denver, Colorado and the West Country of England. Thus, she’s blessed to have friends and family around the globe. Her family was (is) loopy (to say the least) but loopy is good when you want to write. They all lived together on a very small farm in a small farm town in the heartland. She grew up with Glenn Miller, The Everly Brothers, REO Speedwagon and Whitesnake (and the wardrobes that matched).

Needless to say, growing up in a house full of music, clothes and love was a good way to grow up.

And as she keeps growing, it keeps getting better.

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