Review: Rough Edges by Ashlynn Pearce

Rough Edges

By: Ashlynn Pearce

Book Length: Short Novel

Book Type: eBook

Publisher: Ellora's Cave Publishing

ISBN: 9781419928048

Jake Korte is emotionally broken. Angry. Hurt. Worthless. Fearing that he will become the abuser his father was, the last thing he needs is a woman in his life. He feels like a virtual time bomb just waiting for the internal explosion. So when tiny Rebecca Saylor “chats” her way into his life and then crawls under his skin, panic descends. He can’t seem to stay away, but is terrified to be with her.

After surviving an abusive marriage, Becca isn’t looking for love, only safety. But through her research for her column “Chat Addiction”, she meets Jake, who is anything but safe. He’s the one man who can make her feel alive again. But can she overcome her own fears to claw her way into the heart of a man so fractured?

The above information was obtained from Jasmine Jade Enterprises - Ellora's Cave

*~*I did receive this book from Night Owl Romance for the purpose of my honest review.

So, all thoughts and comments regarding this book are solely mine!*~*

I do not judge short stories on the rush of their relationships, because they are just that - short stories. So, yes the relationships always could have been drawn out more, yea it seems like they fall in love to fast and of course the story could have been made longer... but it is a short story. So with that said.... here is my review...

Oh my gosh where to start. First off, Ms. Ashlynn is a very new to me author, but new does not mean that she was all sugar and spice with her writing... actually the woman is more like saucy and hot!!!! And omg the woman can write. She had my emotions so raw that I had to make sure I was not in the book with these characters. She strips you bear from soul to sole (pun intended) and puts you back together whole again. This story rocked my socks off. From tortured (no lie!!!) hero to a heroine with a backbone and a baseball bat!! Her characters are so well written, you believe that she has taken pages from someone's journal (my dream journal) and made it into a book. She deliveries her words so thick that you are left holding your breath, waiting for the next line. This story twisted my heart, made my soul cry, made me cross my legs and blush more times than I care to admit. Well, actually I would admit it... I did this for the the whole story!!

Beeca is a woman coming out of an abusive marriage; a woman who came out stronger than when she went in it. She is able to stand on her own two feet and feel proud of that. I loved her for that. She was not a wishy washy woman, she did not contemplate rather she would take the jerk back or not... she was a woman set out to live her life and move on. She might often seek the shadows (or corners) compared to her best friend Summer, who loved to live life out to the fullest and did not care who saw her or what they thought. Becca was the meek one, the quiet one. But being meek does not mean she does not have a backbone. She stood firm in what she believed in and she stood up to "the jerk" and to Jake.

Jake is a man bent on believing that he is a worthless piece of trash like his father. When you meet him, you just want to hold of him and love him with all you have. Then you want to take him and shake him to make him see what you see - a man worthy to receive and give love. Jake came from an abusive family, but what saved him was his best friend's family. Mama Maria took him in and showed him the best way she cold what love was supposed to be. This man is my supreme Sex on a Motorcycle!!!! From his dark, wavy brown hair to the tip of his toes, this man is bad (all six foot one inch). Bad as in beautiful, angry and definitely someone to take notice of. He commands any room he steps in, there are no excuses and no matter how many demons he tries to outrun... he feels he has not run enough or beat his punching bag enough to escape them.

This story is based in today's time where people meet online. Except Becca is doing a piece on online chatting for her job - working at the local newspaper. This is where the story gets good... did Becca get more than she bargained for when encountered Jake. How easy is to lose yourself online, without the face to face meetings? How comfortable do we become typing on our computers... no voice and no face to put with the words. Just black and white...? What happens when you put a voice with the words...? What happens when you put a face with the voice that goes with the black and white words?

It will take some Rough Edges to get to a smooth finish... But you will have to read to find out what happens.........

The title of the book and the cover fit this story perfectly. The story line is about two people are both rough around the edges. Their emotion state is what is really rough and raw. The scene on the cover... well let's just say that you can soooooooooo see this in the story!!!

I urge you to go pick up this story today... Do not wait... Do not hesitate... Buy it now!

If you would like to visit Ms. Ashlynn's Blog, please go --->>> here.

I am sure she would love to hear from you!

To check out her book... Please go to Ellora's Cave --->> here.

Please welcome Ms. Ashlynn Pearce & a little Giveaway!

Hey gang.... if you were here the other day... you remember seeing that hot cover Rough Edges ~ right!

I mean, how you could you forget such a cover like that!!

Not to mention that Jimmy Thomas is on the cover!

***Smutty swoons and passes out***

~~

**damn that man is hot**

Well, today I am very lucky in catching Ms. Ashlynn Pearce for a couple of quick questions!

She has been a dear friend of mine for quiet some time, so please help her feel welcomed to the Lair!!!

I found Ashlynn through another blog (you know how that goes...) and one thing lead to another and I was over at her place feeling right at home. Well, lo and behold one day she offered up part of story she was working on..... Now if you know me, hee hee which I think you do.... I pumped her for more of the story!!! IT was that freaking awesome!

And what was even more awesomeiness (yea, I make up my own words) is was when she came on her blog to report that she sold the book and it was coming out for us to have and hold!!!!!!!!!

Hey Ash!!!!!! Welcome to my Lair. I know you have come around a few times to comment... but you have never been in the spotlight before... so, please make yourself at home!

Why don't you tell my peeps a little about you?

First off, you’re right. I haven’t been in the spotlight before. What a whirlwind!

In short, I’m a wife, mother to two teenagers, graphics business owner, secretary by day, serve as vice-president for my local chapter and…write romance. I stay busy! It’s an ongoing joke to ask which hat I’m wearing. Most times, I’m wearing 2 at once. I’ve become good at multi-tasking. Not that I have a choice. If I want to keep up with the chaos it’s necessary.

What got you started into writing?

When I was 14 my grandma gave me my first romance novel, Sweet, Savage, Love by Rosemary Rogers. From that moment on, I was hooked. I’ve read thousands of romance novels since, inhaling them as fast as I can. Not long after my son was born, about 11 years ago, I had an incredibly vivid dream. One of those dreams that wouldn’t leave me alone. So, I started writing it. Up until that point, I hadn’t really written anything. For several years I struggled writing it. I didn’t know what I was doing. Finally, 4 years ago, I decided to get serious. I joined RWA, then braved it and joined my local chapter, RWI. Without my RWI girls, I wouldn’t be right where I am now.

What motivates you to keep writing?

The absolute joy it brings me when I write. I can be struggling to write a scene, then suddenly it’s perfect…and the feeling is indescribable. It’s an instant smile. An instant joy. I’ve been known to jump out of my chair and dance around the room because it’s perfect. I know, I’m a lil off, but sanity’s over-rated anyway. Lol

What was the process of getting this book off the ground ~ or in the case, out of the computer and into the hands of people who could make it happen?

These characters have been floating around in my head for a while. They probably popped up not long after my first story. But I didn’t write it. I did jot down some character details and I think I wrote one scene, but that was it. One day I was working on my second book and I was stuck. Bad. Talk about a wall. It was ugly. So trying to get my muse to talk to me, I started going through notebooks. I have several filled with characters. Everything from fantasy to contemporary, and I ran across Jake. His story hit me so hard, I couldn’t focus on anything else. I called a good writer friend, Margaret, to talk about the wall I’d hit and when I mentioned Jake’s story she said, “Write his story.” So I did.

In 2 months his story was out and finished. 2 weeks later I shipped it out. His story just poured out of me. Funny thing was, I never intended on writing erotic, but two pages into the story I knew that’s exactly what it was. Up until that point, I’d been writing historicals. Go figure!

I know we have floated on cloud 9 with you (and will continue to do so, with bubbly I might add), tell us what is like to get that call/email/letter??

Oh, wow. Amazing. I was totally shocked. And cloud 9? How about cloud 59! Lol It all happened so fast. From that first email, to the announcement of my release date, I’ve been floating. I remember asking her, approximately how long from contract to publish and she said about 4 months. Well, it happened in 2! *gulps* When I saw my book at Ellora’s Cave with my blurb, my bio and excerpt…that’s when I totally lost it. I cried like a baby. You know, the ugly cry. I think that’s when I realized I had really done it. It’s a dream come true.

Now for the juicy part... tell us about the tale of Rough Edges... Yea, I want inside scoop on this book... Not to much to give it away...

Jake Korte is emotionally broken. Angry. Hurt. Worthless. Fearing that he will become the abuser his father was, the last thing he needs is a woman in his life. He feels like a virtual time bomb just waiting for the internal explosion. So when tiny Rebecca Saylor “chats” her way into his life and then crawls under his skin, panic descends. He can’t seem to stay away, but is terrified to be with her.

After surviving an abusive marriage, Becca isn’t looking for love, only safety. But through her research for her column “Chat Addiction”, she meets Jake who is anything but safe. He’s the one man who can make her feel alive again. But can she overcome her own fears to claw her way into the heart of a man so fractured?

Now for my favorite part... Make me fall in love with Jake... give me the dish on this man!?!
Let's introduce Jake...

I thought about telling you about him myself, but I thought you might like to hear it straight from him. But I’m warning you, he doesn’t talk much, so I’ll do my best. The last interview I had with him, didn’t go well.

I watch as Jake walks into the room and sit in a chair. He’s wearing worn out jeans, biker boots, a black tee, black sunglasses and a black cap on backwards. Yeah, he likes black. As usual, you can’t tell by his expression what he’s thinking.

AP: I’m really glad you could stop by. How are you?

Jake: Good.

Just so you know, he’s got one of those voices that just trickles down your spine. I may be married but I ain’t dead, and any woman who’s immune to that voice would HAVE to be dead!

AP: So what would you like the girls here to know about you?

He rests his foot on his knee and leans back, arms stretched out along the back of the couch. I fidget because he doesn’t say anything at first. Finally, he shoves his glasses up on his hat. Except that’s worse. Because now, I can see those unusual blue-green eyes set off by dark brows and lashes. Fine. I admit it. He’s hot!

Jake: You seem nervous, darlin’.

AP: Well, I am. *I swallow when he smirks* This is my first book and your…well, you. They want to know about you, not me. I already spilled my guts, it’s your turn.

Jake: I don’t like spillin’ my guts. Besides, you know all of it. You tell them.

AP: I know. But the point is, they would like to hear it from you. Can you tell them a little something?

Jake: I ride a motorcycle.

I glare at him, when he doesn’t say anything else. His response, one raised dark brow and he crosses his arms over his chest. Have I mentioned he’s built too? Those arms muscles bunch very nicely when he does that.

AP: I think they probably get that. You’re wearing riding boots. Do you have a girlfriend?

Jake: No. I don’t do girlfriends.

He’s almost frowning at this point.

AP: What about Becca?

Now a muscle is ticking in his jaw.

Jake: She’s just an internet babe. Nothing else. Is this all you wanted to talk about? I could have saved you the trouble. *he moves to get up*

AP: Wait. You haven’t told us anything. If she’s just an internet babe, how come you can’t talk about her?

Jake: I can see where this is leading. Just like the last time you interviewed me. What’s there to tell? Some girl in a chat room. That’s it. I got stuff to do. Later.

I can tell he’s done, because his jaw is tight and his eyes have gone flat. That and he’s walking off. Except I can’t help but admire they way his jeans cling to his ass. He really is dead sexy.

Jake has reasons he is the way he is. You probably got a little of that from the blurb. What he wants the world to see isn’t who he really is. I hope enjoy his story!!

Okay ladies I will leave you with this tease... 

The man on the cover.........

Ms. Ash will be back for a full lenght interview after I review her book.... hee heeee...
So, look for that to come (and a giveaway)!!

For today...
Enter in for your chance to win Rough Edges bookmark!!
Gawd only knows I want my hands on Jimmy any way I can get them!!!!
So, drop a comment to Ms Ash and be entered...
The contest will end... Friday ~ May 7th
It is open internationally! (I'll ship it myself if I have too)
The winner will till Monday, May 10th  to contact me; 

or another winner will be drawn.

Sexy, HOT Excerpt of Rough Edges by Ashlynn Pearce

I would like to introduce you to a wonderful friend of mine..... Ms. Ashlynn Pearce!!!

Now some of you maybe asking yourself... Who is Ashlynn Pearce and why does Mrs. Smutty want us to welcome here...

Well peeps.. Ms Ashlynn just scored her first book deal!!!!!!!!! And I am so excited that I want to share it with you!Ahslynn is an amazing woman...

This is an excerpt from Ms. Pearce herself!!

Jake hung up the phone and chuckled.

“Who was that?” Tony asked as he took a drink of his beer.

“Summer,” Jake replied. “Becca’s friend. She wanted information…about me.”

Tony laughed. “That’s a good ploy. Get the friend to get info.”

“Naw, I heard Becca in the background. She wasn’t happy. At least someone is looking out for her. And hell, I don’t care what she knows.” Jake took a drink of his Bud.

“You found out where she lives yet?” Tony asked.

“Nope. And I don’t plan on it unless she offers to tell me.” Jake sank back into his couch and stared at the big screen that took up most of the room.

“Maybe you should worry about the flesh and blood girls instead of this one.”

“And maybe you should mind your own damn business.”

“I would. But you get that lost look on your face sometimes and it’s scaring me. It’s like you’ve fallen for some cyber chick,” Tony said grinning like an idiot.

Jake threw a pillow at him. “Shut up. You know damn well I’m not capable of that.”

Tony grinned as he caught the pillow. “Yeah, but someone has to give you shit about it.” He glanced at his watch. “Speaking of shit, I have to get out of here.” Tony threw the pillow back at Jake and headed out the door. “Later.”

Jake dodged it. “Later, man.”

He gathered up the empty beer bottles, took them to the kitchen and dropped them in the trash. Leaning against the counter, he stared outside at the steady rain. Not something that often happened in Oklahoma in July. But the rain hadn’t cooled anything off, just made it sticky and hard to breathe.

When he heard someone banging on his door, he walked to it and pulled it open. Frowning, he stared at the woman on his doorstep. Her over-bleached blonde hair with dark roots hung in wet, scraggly strands around her life-worn face.

“Are you just going to stand there and let your mother get soaked or are you going to let me in?” she demanded.

He hesitated and thought about it. If he left her there, would she go away? No, she would stand out there and raise hell until he let her in or someone called the cops. Been there, done that. So he stepped aside without a word.

“Well, hello to you too, Son,” she said as she walked in and sat on his black leather couch.

Crossing his arms over his chest, he stared at her and waited. Tell me what you want and get the fuck out.

“I thought you might want to hear this in person. Your daddy’s out.”

“And why do I care?” He figured it was about time his old man was released from prison.

“You should. He’s your daddy.” Her bright red lips pursed in a thin line. “You should show a little respect for your elders.”

Her tone grated on his stretched nerves. “I do. To those who deserve it.” Evidently she had been working. She was wearing a skirt that almost let her secret out. And just the thought of being born of that, made him want to puke. “If that’s all you had to say, then get out.”

“I need some money,” she said.

“Whore for it.” He was tired of giving her money for her booze and drugs and whatever else she did with it.

The sneer on her face said it all. “Oh, yeah. You are such a great son, the way you take care of your mother. If it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t have to whore for it!” She stood and pointed her finger at him. “It’s all your fault he left. Ungrateful bastard. I should have--”

“Aborted me? Yeah, I get it. So get the hell out of my house,” he said with surprising calm. His fingernails cut into his palms to keep from lashing out at her. He wouldn’t let her get to him. Wouldn’t let her see the pain she caused with each word.

“Are you really not going to give me any money? My rent is up.”

He ground his teeth, walked to a side table, grabbed his wallet and pulled out a couple of hundreds. Gripping her arm, he wadded the cash into her hand and immediately released her. “Now leave.”

She nodded and stared at the money greedily. “Yeah, I’ll leave. But I know your daddy will want to see you soon,” she said and glanced back up at him.

“Tell him I said fuck off.”

“That’s no way to talk to your flesh and blood!”

“Get. Out.” Jake shook with anger and it was all he could do not to bodily throw her out.

“I wouldn’t want to stay here anyway.” She banged out the door into the rain.

Rage boiled inside and his head pounded with the race of his heart. He paced the length of his living room trying to slow his breathing, but memories flooded him. They always did after an encounter with either his mom or dad.

His dad’s face contorted with fury and Jake covered his head as fists pummeled him. Hitting his arms, face, legs. Nothing was left unmarred. All because his old man was drunk and mad. Later, his mom yelled at him, telling him it was his fault his dad was so angry, while blood dripped from his split lip.

Jake sat on his couch and put his head in his hands. He was twenty-six. None of this shit should bother him anymore. He was an adult.

Responsible. Had a job. Paid his bills.

It didn’t matter what his old man or his mom thought. He had done something with his life.

You’ll always be a fucking loser.

How many times had they told him that? He  got up, grabbed a beer out of the fridge and walked to his garage. It was time to let off some steam

~*~*~*~*~*~

Please visit her place --- here!

I am also excited to say that Ms. Ashlynn will be with us tomorrow... 

So, please stay tune...

There might be a surprise visit in the interview!