Review: Ash to Steele

Ash to Steele by Karen-Anne Stewart

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



I found Ash to Steele to be an intensely enjoyable read. Ms. Stewart has created rather engaging characters in Emma and Breck. While the premise of the book provided a multitude of opportunities for the author to take the easy way out and produce a story full of stereotypes, she didn’t. She took the time to develop the characters fully, causing me to become invested in them and empathize with them as they dealt with some rather stress-producing situations – both good ones and bad ones.

Yes, Emma is the virginal preacher’s daughter who is immediately in lust with the forbidden fruit, but she has a fire to her I rarely see in similar leading ladies. Then we have Breck. The quintessential manwhore who has a different girl or girls on his arm every night, while trying to forget the childhood that turned him into the broken man that he is. As expected, he finds himself inexplicably drawn to Emma’s innocence. I found it interesting that he initially insists that he intends to corrupt her, but later it is her innocence that heals him in a way. Despite Breck’s reputation, we are well into the story before he and Emma FINALLY consummate their relationship and it was worth the wait. The two are well-matched and their interactions are heartwarming, heartbreaking, and entertaining to say the least – especially when you throw Gavin and Jess into the mix.

Ash to Steele is s story of salvation and redemption through love. But it’s not just love of another, it’s also finding salvation in learning to love oneself. And the author gives the couple several trials they must overcome that certainly test their love. I feel I should note that because Emma is a preacher’s daughter there is a very mild religious theme to the book. However, once you get toward the end of the book you find out why and it adds an unexpected dimension to the storyline that I appreciated – and I don’t tend to like religion mixed with my sexy fun-time reading, of which there was plenty. Ms. Stewart has penned a well-written and engaging story that I expect I will read again. She would not be remiss should she decide to write a sequel featuring Gavin (hint, hint).

I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Angela at Crystal's Many Reviewers!

See the Ash to Steele Tour Stop at Crystal's Many Reviewers.




View all my reviews