In my attempt to cover some of the attending authors for this year's GRL,
I am reviewing
I am reviewing
Morningstar Ashley's Risking It All!
BLURB
Jaden King was raised in Boston to a wealthy family that taught him what love and hard work is. He has a challenging and rewarding career until everything was turned upside down. What was once a promising future has quickly become a frightening and unknown reality. After months of dealing with the fall out on his own, he decided getting away--or more realistically, running away--to White Acre and his best friend sounded like the perfect plan.
Danny Keegan is a laid-back man with simple tastes and an even simpler life. He adores the little town of White Acre where he grew up, he loves his parents, and he enjoys his uncomplicated life. He’s always told himself the fact that he’s a closeted gay man in a conservative, parochial town wasn’t an issue and coming out of the closet wasn’t necessary. But with the addition of Jaden in his life he realizes as happy as he is, he could be happier and the future of a love of his own doesn't seem so out of grasp as it always had.
When Jaden and Danny meet, their chemistry is undeniable but playful flirting doesn't mean anything. They start spending all their free time together, and what started as a simple friendship quickly turns into something much more than either saw coming. But, Jaden carries a secret that could end it all before it even begins. And though Jaden is scared to tell the truth and risk everything that has come to mean so much to him, he knows that he can’t go on without laying himself bare, leaving Danny with an important, life changing choice to make. His content little life or what could be the love of his life.
Will Jaden’s truth be too much for Danny, or will Danny decide a life out in the open, full of love, laughter, and passion is worth risking it all?
Danny Keegan is a laid-back man with simple tastes and an even simpler life. He adores the little town of White Acre where he grew up, he loves his parents, and he enjoys his uncomplicated life. He’s always told himself the fact that he’s a closeted gay man in a conservative, parochial town wasn’t an issue and coming out of the closet wasn’t necessary. But with the addition of Jaden in his life he realizes as happy as he is, he could be happier and the future of a love of his own doesn't seem so out of grasp as it always had.
When Jaden and Danny meet, their chemistry is undeniable but playful flirting doesn't mean anything. They start spending all their free time together, and what started as a simple friendship quickly turns into something much more than either saw coming. But, Jaden carries a secret that could end it all before it even begins. And though Jaden is scared to tell the truth and risk everything that has come to mean so much to him, he knows that he can’t go on without laying himself bare, leaving Danny with an important, life changing choice to make. His content little life or what could be the love of his life.
Will Jaden’s truth be too much for Danny, or will Danny decide a life out in the open, full of love, laughter, and passion is worth risking it all?
REVIEW
My Rating - 5 Stars!
Wow! Risking It All by Morningstar Ashley is a stunning and exquisite romance!
In the beginning, Danny and Jaden butt heads. Danny's a small town guy, who's extremely closeted due to his family's beliefs. And Jaden, well, he's definitely a city guy who doesn't quite fit into this small town. The fun starts when these two men who have nothing in common start to just click. They bond over video games and realize they had each made wrong assumptions of the other. With each other they are able to let down their walls and create something special.
Danny struggles throughout with his shame and fear of being gay. He knows his family won't understand and he's afraid of losing them. He's always dreamt of having his own family, with a husband and kids, but certainly doesn't think it will ever happen.
Jaden meanwhile, struggles with his secret. He can't have a relationship without telling his partner his truth, but it's difficult to talk about. He's also hesitant to be with a closeted guy.
One of my favorite scenes is when Danny traces Jaden's freckles. It is just so emotional and touching. Love it! Another is Jaden's single, lone tear. That scene is as emotionally charged as could be, and it's tender and heart-breaking.
In the beginning, Danny and Jaden butt heads. Danny's a small town guy, who's extremely closeted due to his family's beliefs. And Jaden, well, he's definitely a city guy who doesn't quite fit into this small town. The fun starts when these two men who have nothing in common start to just click. They bond over video games and realize they had each made wrong assumptions of the other. With each other they are able to let down their walls and create something special.
Danny struggles throughout with his shame and fear of being gay. He knows his family won't understand and he's afraid of losing them. He's always dreamt of having his own family, with a husband and kids, but certainly doesn't think it will ever happen.
Jaden meanwhile, struggles with his secret. He can't have a relationship without telling his partner his truth, but it's difficult to talk about. He's also hesitant to be with a closeted guy.
One of my favorite scenes is when Danny traces Jaden's freckles. It is just so emotional and touching. Love it! Another is Jaden's single, lone tear. That scene is as emotionally charged as could be, and it's tender and heart-breaking.
The sexual tension between them is off the charts. The connection is strong, the want is even stronger. And, damn, but this part is so well written!! I also adore that Jaden wants to let Danny be in control. It's just adds so perfectly to the story.
One of my favorite scenes is when Danny traces Jaden's freckles. It is just so emotional and touching. Love it!
And the endearment that is spectacular? Danny calls Jaden "trouble." I couldn't love this more than I do. It is said with such love, affection, and tenderness.
This book is written with heart, knowledge and understanding. The topics covered are well researched and exceptionally developed. It is a story full of passion, secrets and complications. And love. Life changing love.
Overall, Risking It All is a touching love story, with a super strong connection. Morningstar Ashley has also created a fun and charming small town world that I'd love to visit. I absolutely love this book and can't wait to read more.
Morningstar Ashley
Morningstar Ashley is a transplant from the Yankee-controlled territory of New York, and now finds herself in the heartland of cowboys and longhorns--Texas. Armed with her imagination, wit, and trusty sidekicks in the form of her two crazy kids, devoted dorky husband, big lap dog, and rambunctious cats, Morningstar spends her time reading the books she loves, crafting her own characters, and arguing the merits of hot chocolate over the bitter brew known as coffee. (Hot chocolate wins, FYI.)
Morningstar loves graphic design, so much so she returned to school for a degree and regularly tromps her exams and maintains a stellar GPA that occasionally leaves her confounded and pleased. She can while away the hours on new designs, and perfection isn't too much to hope for when it comes to her art. Her ideal career would be full-time artist and author, and so far, she hasn't come up against anything to stop her on her journey. A fierce and devoted friend, Morningstar tries her best to always be kind, always be learning, and always improving. Giving up isn't an option, and her greatest talent may be in her ability to convince others not to give up, either.
After a lifetime of trying to get people to realize her first name wasn't Ashley, Morningstar decided the best way to settle the debate was to put her name on a book cover. An avid reader and fiction reviewer for the blog and site Diverse Reader, Morningstar harbored a dream to one day join the ranks of her heroes, and she sweeps into the contemporary gay romance genre with her debut novel, LETTING GO. With plans to conquer gay, lesbian and LGBTQA+ romance, Morningstar has her gaze set on the horizon, her determination her own guiding star.
Morningstar loves graphic design, so much so she returned to school for a degree and regularly tromps her exams and maintains a stellar GPA that occasionally leaves her confounded and pleased. She can while away the hours on new designs, and perfection isn't too much to hope for when it comes to her art. Her ideal career would be full-time artist and author, and so far, she hasn't come up against anything to stop her on her journey. A fierce and devoted friend, Morningstar tries her best to always be kind, always be learning, and always improving. Giving up isn't an option, and her greatest talent may be in her ability to convince others not to give up, either.
After a lifetime of trying to get people to realize her first name wasn't Ashley, Morningstar decided the best way to settle the debate was to put her name on a book cover. An avid reader and fiction reviewer for the blog and site Diverse Reader, Morningstar harbored a dream to one day join the ranks of her heroes, and she sweeps into the contemporary gay romance genre with her debut novel, LETTING GO. With plans to conquer gay, lesbian and LGBTQA+ romance, Morningstar has her gaze set on the horizon, her determination her own guiding star.
No comments:
Post a Comment