*Jen received a free copy of Jagged by Kristen Ashley from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed are her own and were not influenced by the method in which she received the book.
Imperfect Women and Forever Yours are proud to bring you November’s installment of Book Crush Monthly! Every month we will bring you a new book review with chances to win eBooks and/or Paperbacks! 25 winners will be chosen each month. This month our selection is “Jagged” by Kristen Ashley!
When I picked up Jagged, I knew nothing about Kristen Ashley or this series. I saw a bunch of my fellow book enthusiasts freaking out over this being released so I figured, what the heck! I’m glad I did! Jagged is the 5th book in the Colorado Mountain series but lucky for me, this is the type of series where you don’t have to read them in order and it won’t spoil the rest of the books. I’ve lived in Colorado for the past 14+ years and I love our mountain towns. I thought Kristen Ashley did a great job of creating a little town called Gnaw Bone, Colorado, with some very entertaining characters filling it. The secondary characters had me cracking up with their slang! Since I haven’t read anything from Kristen Ashley before, I went into this book not knowing the author’s writing style. After having read Jagged, I’m sure I could recognize a K.A. book without seeing the title or author page. She has a very distinct way of writing dialogue, a lot of it in clipped sentences. I’ll be honest, this took me some getting used to, but once I was able to sink myself into the story, it was just part of the characters traits and seemed natural for them to talk like that.
Jagged follows the story of Zara (LOVE this name!) and Ham (short for Graham – this name threw me for a loop! Ham? I don’t quite know what to make of it.) who start off as friends with benefits and years later, come back together again. Throughout their long and complicated relationship, whether living in the same town or not, Ham and Zara have maintained a friendship and always have been there for each other. When Zara decides that it’s time to move on.. be an adult… marriage and children… she has to cut Ham loose. You can feel how much this torments her as she’s doing it but where I really saw the denial and hurt, was in Ham. You could tell he didn’t want to let go. His words said it all, even though his actions may have allowed her to walk away.
Ham (despite his crazy nickname which made me picture Hamm from Toy Story) came across as this rough and tough mountain man. He’s the kind of guy that women throw their panties at and would give their left arm to get a piece of. He looks big and mean on the outside but once we get to see what his heart is made of, well, he won me over.
Fast forward 3 years and a whole lot of stuff has happened to Zara. Life didn’t turn out the way she thought it would when she let Ham go. Now she has to start over, try to pick up her pieces, and make a new life for herself. And you know who… ahem, Ham, comes back to town at just the right time. The guy is smart about trying to get his Zara back. Even though some of his tactics seemed a bit farfetched, he does whatever he has to try and make sure Zara is safe, and with him.
I almost felt like Jagged was two stories meshed together. We have the falling out of Ham and Zara and their reconnection, which felt emotional and passionate. I was hooked in the first part of the story – the fighting, the emotions, and their passion kept me enthralled. At one point, I thought the book was over, only to discover I was only halfway through. Then we segue into a whole new set of problems for Zara and Ham which were equally compelling. Even though the characters were all still present in the second half of the book I still felt like I was reading an extension. I’m not sure why the transition felt this way for me but it did. It didn’t stop me from reading it, because there’s a whole storyline with Zara’s family that’s pretty jacked up and made me want to punch some jerks, namely her father. I felt like the ending was a bit too perfectly wrapped up but after everything Zara had been through, she definitely deserved a happily ever after!
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About the Author:
Jen loves to read. She can’t stop herself. It’s become an obsession. She is in love with her husband, kids, iced coffee and books. Jen lives in beautiful Colorado but is originally from the West Coast.
Giveaway
25 eBook copies (WW) of “Jagged” by Kristen Ashley sponsored by Forever Romance.
Good Luck!
#getyourcrushon
Ends at 11:59 pm EST on November 23rd , 2013
Winner(s) will be contacted by email 72 hours after the giveaway ends. They have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be selected. Must be over 18 to enter. Ends on 11/23/13 at 11:59 pm Eastern time. Imperfect Women did not receive compensation for this contest. They are also not responsible for prize shipment of the books. Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, & other social networks are in no way associated with this giveaway and are not responsible for anything involving this giveaway. Void where prohibited. Check here for more detailed CONTEST RULES.
Thanks so much for this amazing giveaway! x
I have read all of Kristen Ashley’s books and most of them are amazing. This one was…..maybe a 7. Still good, but it could have been better. I found a book that I love even better called, “A Thousand Years of Johnny Von” by author Edith M. Cortese. http://www.trumpetboypress.com/ The historical love stories are weaved with Estella’s present day experiences ( Keyser Soze like )
My husbands friend from high school was called Mantis because he looked like a pretty mantis.
I’m in 🙂
What a great giveaway! I love Kristen Ashley books! Crossing my fingers I’ll win!
Thanks so much I love KA
Binky
Craziest nickname I can think of is Button Bottom from the book Who He Is (FIRENINE #1)
Loved, loved, loved this book! My favorite in a long time!
Oh.. I want to resd this book! Awesome giveaway
This sounds like a book I would be very interested in. I like happily ever after.
I’ve been on the prowl for a good read and this looks like something I would like. I like books that follow a character for more than a few days.
Interesting concept & plot. Kind of makes me think about myself and my ex-bf and his desire to reconnect with me. I may want to pick this one up for a read!
I am heading to the book store tomorrow (still love printed books!). I will check this one out while I am there.
i like that name zara not too common and ham, makes me hungry. Sounds like a good read, i like their romantic story
This sounds like a great book and I would love to get a copy of it, curl up on my sofa and read away!
I’m a Victoria which is shortened to Viccy, but in school it was shortened again to Vix!
I call my friend Ashley Gigi Twist! I think its pretty funny!
Ham, that made me laugh. What a nickname to be stuck with. Another great review.
Have never heard of the series before. I like reading series from the beginning so will have to take a look at the others in the series. Thanks for the review.
Nice review! It sounds like one of those books I would pick up and then possibly not put down until finished-on my TBR list.
This sounds like a book that I like but I just don’t like reading books.
What an interesting sounding book – it sounds like something I could most definitely get into and have a good read of 🙂 x
I love Kristen Ashley! I’ve not read this book, but I will! Entered the contest, I hope I win! Romance and me…. we are good friends!
This seems to be a good read! Also a cool Christmas gift idea 🙂
I love happy endings. There aren’t enough of them these days!
This book sounds awesome! As a huge reader, I can totally empathize with your desire to check it out when you found other book enthusiasts recommending it. Some of the best books I have discovered have been because of the recommendations of other readers! 🙂
It sounds like a great book! I can’t wait to see what book is coming next month! Thanks for sharing, I will have to add it to my reading list!
This book sounds like it is right up my alley. I love romance books with strong characters. It is great how the author gives the reader the chance to see both characters evolving simultaneously.
Happily ever after is always great for a book for me to read! Sounds like a good one 😉
I think the name Ham would throw me for a loop too but it does sound like a great read. I love romance novels.
I have not come across too many nicknames so no crazy ones here (at least not that people realized that they had). I want to read this book, it sounds so similar to mine and my husbands relationship.
Great commentary. I think reading about surroundings familiar to use, allows us to submerge ourselves deeper into the book.
I haven’t read for pure enjoyment in quite a long time. Jagged sounds like it would be a good vacation book. Will have to pick it up for our mountain trip. Or maybe I could win it.
Thanks for the review, a great idea for my niece’s Christmas stocking. Thanks for sharing
You make it all sound enticing. Good story line and liking the Colorado setting.
My book list keeps getting longer and longer. 🙂
This sounds like an interesting read. Thanks for sharing it.
I don’t know many people with nicknames, but my email nickname is often drkittkatt. My grandma couldn’t say my name properly, so it was always “Kitty-ya! Kitty-ya!” hence the kitty katt part of my nickname!
The craziest nickname? Hmmmm, the first thing that comes to mind is my uncle. I never knew what his real name was until I was teen. Everyone called him “TooLittle”. He was given that nickname as a preemie and it stuck all of his life.
I LOVE the synopsis! I’d love to delve into this book!
The craziest nickname? Most people I know don’t have nicknames but my when my brother was a kid there were three boys with the same first name in his class. They started using their initials and it stuck. Twelve years later my brother’s friends still use his initials. I’m usually called Nathalie but sometimes pepople use Nattis or Nat.
Sounds like a fun read!
I love Kristen Ashley!! She is one of my favorite authors!!
Love Kristen Ashley! Thanks for the giveaway!!
I am in love with the Colorado Mountain series and Kristen Ashley!
Looks like a fun giveaway. I’ve loved other books by Kristen.
Not sure about crazy nicknames but love when depending on when you met a person, have different nicknames. Friend from college was Larry to us but his family called him Rusty.
Been a fan of Kristen Ashely for a few years now…can’t get enough. Now I have to hold off on her new releases so I don’t go into withdrawal when I finish one and don’t have another to go to…altho’ I’m going to start re-reading! Glad you liked Jagged…now get onto her other great reads! 🙂
Kristen Ashley is my all time favorite author!!! No joke shes the best.
Thanks for the giveaway! Love KA’s books!
People used to call me Bubbles in jr. high because I am a bubbly person but I told them to stop because it sounded like a stripper name!
When I was younger my family called me Wormy because I would squirm a lot. Thanks for the giveaway!
Thanks for the post, I enjoyed reading your thoughts on this book. I really like second chance romances and am excited to read Jagged! I do not have a nickname but I met a man one time that had the nickname ‘Fish Head’ Don’t remember why or even why he would let that be used…. ever! :p haha
I love Kristen Ashley! All of her books are amazing.
She is my ‘go to’ author when I feel I’m in a book slump.
The weirdest nickname I’ve heard…
My friends husband was nicknamed ‘Schlong’.
Everyone called him that. I found that quite funny.
Loved Jagged!!! Ham’s devotion to Zara was awesome! Loved how he made her dreams come true!
I discovered Kristen Ashley’s novels a couple months ago and I’m so glad I did. They are great fun and she’s not afraid of pushing boundaries with storylines.
The craziest nickname I’ve ever come across is Hambone, from a kids show named Gravity Falls that my son used to watch.
Relish, and it’s mine 🙂
KA is the best writer ever, I love all her books.
Nicknames.. Personally I don’t have one but we call my brother “Thin” when he is anything but 😛
I adore KA. She’s absolutely my favorite author. And I LOVED Jagged
They craziest nickname I’ve ever heard is baby hair. Really a grown 30 something male introduced himself as babay hair. My nickname is just Kisha.
Great choice!
I think the craziest nickname is my own. My grandfather gave it to me when I was born. He called me “Hokey”. He passed when I was 26 and in all those years I NEVER heard him call me by my real name except once when he introduced me to someone at his father’s funeral.
Cool. K.A is one of my favourite authors.
Nicknames can be tricky. The resultaat can be a temporary one becoming permanent.
In the end you miss hearing your real name.
Oh wait . The craziest? There is none. I know people with crazy adopted names though.
Moonshadow… Blue…
Absolutely love Jagged. OMG, Ham was so hot and totally sweet. Can’t wait for the next Kristen book. Doesn’t matter which series, just anything Kristen Ashley writes. You can’t go wrong!
My dad use to called my Lamb Chops. Don’t as me why as I have no idea, lol.
My weirdest nickname would be berta..long story 🙂 love Kristen Ashley though!
My nickname is dee..The weirdest would be cheeseburger lol!!!
KRISTEN ASHLEY is my freakin Hero!! Seriously… I’m totally in the KA cult… I’m a lifer. Xx♥
I LOVE Colorado Mountain series. I haven’t read Jagged, yet. I would definitely recommend checking out more of her books. I have heard that Jagged wasn’t AS good (but still good) as the rest of the series.
My honey calls his little brother “Maggot” but he says it with such love and affection, it actually sounds sweet!
Sugar pants us such a silly nickname! I can’t remember where I read it though! Lol
I would love a chance to win
i need to win this ! i love Kristen Ashley
When I was in grade school there was this boy named Jeremy. However, everyone called him germy. lol
What a great gift! I would love this since I’ve never read anything by this author….
I looovveee KA!!!!
Thanks. Can’t wait to read this!
Ok so the weirdest is the one my older siblings gave my sister. They nicked named her “Footsie” because she was always sucking on her toes.
My nickname in high school was Blue, because I accidentally wore a pair of bright blue underwear under a pair of white pants! Remember I said high school, none of us were very fashion savvy back then!!
I make up nicknames for my kids, dh, cats all of the time, just based on the moment, how they are acting, their personalities, etc. My nickname is Ale, uh-lee, but it looks like ale, as in ginger ale, which is so funny, as it is just the first part of my name, o_O
I only discovered Kristen Ashley’s books a couple of weeks ago and I’m already hooked. I’m now on my third book in two weeks by her. She’s an amazing storyteller. Thanks for the chance to win! Kristen Ashley comes up with great nicknames for her biker characters. In real life my mother-in-law has come up with a great nickname for my daughter Cassie. She is known as Casseroli Pussicatty. No idea how she came up with it, but it’s creative and cute.
The Giveaway portion of this post is now closed.
Congratulations to the winners:
Entry #936Krysten M.
Entry #274Toni T.
Entry #2358Denise L.
Entry #1445Kisha B.
Entry #1967Ruff R.
Entry #1049TeriLyn S.
Entry #585Teresa M.
Entry #1256Karen G.
Entry #329Sheri
Entry #913Bethany N.
Entry #1166Linda G.
Entry #2438Niki T.
Entry #1567Jan M.
Entry #1269Thelma J.
Entry #2317Gina H.
Entry #2Kim D.
Entry #1668Denice B.
Entry #1863Michelle M.
Entry #2111Carolyn W.
Entry #1390CP S.
Entry #1330Sandy W.
Entry #2172kim p.
Entry #498Casie B.
Entry #135Jackie L.
Entry #1399Michelle L.