Fire Inside

Well now. First, let me say that just because this book is a number two in a series, it can be read as a stand-alone. This series seems to be one of those where it’s all set in the same place, and deals with the same characters, but each book is its own story arc and stands alone. Second….

This book jumps right into it, doesn’t it? Kristen Ashley wastes no time, jumps right into the character introduction and the sex, all within the first chapter. Of course, while the sex continues throughout the book, it isn’t always detailed, sometimes referring to it in the past tense, soemtimes fading to black (so to speak).It’s a nice balance so the adult parts of the book don’t become monotonous, and readers don’t start skimming.

I show more really liked Lanie. A lot. She’s a little messed up because of her history, and her history comes to light over the course of the book, but she’s really trying to deal with her past, put it behind her, and generally become a more healthy person. Truthfully, I felt a little bad for her, too. She constantly has men talking over her, not letting her get a word in edge-wise until she blows up and finally tells them to shut the hell up already. I was totally rooting for her, all the way.

Hop is also an interesting character, with a solid backstory that also comes out over the course of the novel, and while sometimes I didn’t like Hop, I did have an appreciation for that story. Hop is overbearing, controlling, and sometimes a little too much for Lanie to handle. And I really just wanted her to tell him to sit down and shut up, but she never does. He just talks over her. And breaks into her secure office with the help of someone who knows how to disable the alarm.

So I had times where I didn’t like Hop, but he won me over with the little things he did. Like finding out what her favorite Chinese food is, and bringing it to her. And making sure she eats, even though she’s swamped with work. He takes care of her, which is appealing, but he doesn’t go about being too over-the-top with it. It’s just a nice balance of taking care of her, and letting her take care of herself. Of course, that last bit came only after a discussion wherein Lanie explains that she needs to handle her work issues by herself, so she doesn’t get the reputation that she can’t handle her own business.

There’s plenty of misunderstandings, arguments, and issues in this book. Some of those misunderstandings and arguments sometimes seem to be deliberate, with the characters not taking the time to really understand what the other means, and just jumping to conclusions. Of course, it’s only human, and forgiveable, at least to a point.

Overall, I really liked the book. It shows a nice give-and-take of relationships, and it shows the development. People don’t just fall in love and that’s it. It takes work, and I have such an appreciation for this book for showing that, and being honest about it.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions herein are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher in any way. show less

I’ve been riding on motorcycles all my life. In 2003, I decided to get off the back and ride my own. For me, the exhilaration and freedom of riding without restraint on the open highway is a way to escape the tedium that daily life inevitably brings. So, when I find novels that involve motorcycles, they immediately jump to my attention.

My friends on Goodreads have recommended that I read Motorcycle Man, from Ashley’s Dream Man series, but I never had the chance. When the Chaos series was introduced, starting with Own the Wind, I decided to jump in with this series. I wish now that I had read Motorcycle Man first, but I have discovered that Ashley provides the necessary exposition to help you follow the story line no matter what show more book you choose first. I could just as easily have started with this second book, Fire Inside without having read Own the Wind. By reading the books in order, however, I think readers will find greater satisfaction with the ongoing plot and character development over the course of the series.

Ashley immerses you into the fascinating, intricate world of the fictitious Chaos Motorcycle Club (CMC) biker gang. While I attend bike rallies and socialize with other riders, in no way do I fit into this world. I’m more like the guys in the movie Wild Hogs who leave behind Life’s stress to take a road trip.

However, for the CMC, riding motorcycles is more than a passion; it is a way of life. Gang members work, socialize, and even live together at a compound that provides living and recreational areas behind a bike garage and shop.

When reading Own the Wind, I found it a bit shocking and initially difficult to get over the pervading gang members’ sexist attitudes and their need to dominate their women. There is no room for political correctness in this environment. Women who visit the club and socialize with the members are called “bitches,” while a woman who gains the status of significant other becomes “an old lady.” The language is at times vulgar, and the men don’t put much stock in long, drawn out conversations. They pack as much meaning in as few words as possible. All of these aspects combine to give Ashley a distinctive writing voice and style which carries over into Fire Inside.

This story centers on the evolving and unlikely romance between the classy Lanie Heron and Chaos member Hopper “Hop” Kinkaid. Based on stereotypes, Lanie certainly wouldn’t seem like the type to hang out with bikers, but, because her best friend is married to the Chaos’s leader, Lanie is accepted as Chaos family. Lanie has suffered physical and emotional trauma from her past relationship, where her fiancé died because of his involvement with the Russian mob. It’s been years since she’s been involved with anyone, since she is unwilling to take the risk of having her heart crushed like before.

One night out of loneliness, Lanie boldly propositions Hop for a night of sex guaranteed with no strings and no further expectations. She’s been attracted to Hopper for years, even though she has never once acted on it…until now. Although Hop is secretly pleased that Lanie is interested in him, he doesn’t want to deal with any complications or conflicts that may ensue if they do this. When Lanie walks off telling Hop she’ll be waiting in his room for him for fifteen minutes in case he changes his mind, well that just seals the deal for Hop. He can’t resist the temptation of the beautiful, elegant Lanie Heron, who chose him.

For Hop, one night with Lanie is not enough. When the night is over and she leaves, he refuses to accept that one night is all they will have, and he tracks her down at home to continue their sexual escapades. Although the sexual chemistry between is comparable to exploding fireworks, they both know their relationship is more than just physical. Hop sees Lanie as a sophisticated, refined “lady,” and that is the term of endearment he uses for her throughout the book. He tells her he’s never had anyone with her class and beauty, and he’s not willing to let her go.
Throughout the story, even though Hop is at times domineering toward Lanie, he is also gentle and respectful to her. Hop is more than a one dimensional, stereotypical biker guy, and Lanie is drawn to Hop’s gorgeousness, charm, and charisma.

Lanie lives in guilt, fear, and loneliness, plagued by the nightmares of her past. She doesn’t want to get involved with Hop because she fears his dangerous lifestyle will only cause more pain and heartache for her. Although she tells Hop to leave her alone, that she has nothing to offer him, he still keeps a close watch on her, knowing that she needs someone there for her. Circumstances keep drawing them together, forging a stronger bond between the two.

I love how much Hop cares about Lanie, and as much as she tries to resist him, he just keeps moving forward, knocking down those imaginary steel walls that have enveloped her heart. He is emotionally strong enough to not be deterred by her repeated rejections, and to softly beg her to take a chance on him. He promises he will help her fight those “monsters” that keep holding her back from fully living.

Most of the book is about the painful, yet so fulfilling process of falling love. Much of the conflict is relationship-based, with family drama, miscommunication, and Club business creating obstacles for Hop and Lanie. Throughout the book, my favorite parts occurred when both Hop and Lanie exposed their vulnerabilities and admitted painful truths to hold on to what they have together.

To all you dedicated Kristen Ashley fans, let me just state, now I get what all the fuss is about!

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. show less

I see the POV issue is a thing I'll have to come to terms with, but I don't like it. It's confusing. Either write in 1st or 3rd person. The alternating tenses are giving me whiplash.

Onto the story. After Tabby and Shy and the whole Sons of Anarchy themed novel, I kind of wanted to find the local MC just to see if I could find me a rough 'n tough biker with a gentle heart to sweep me off my feet and call me his old lady. Then came Hopper Kincaid.

Holy hell, man is, as Lanie at some point pointed out, the shit.

Lanie (Elaine) Heron is a high class lady, best friend to Tyra (Tack's wife) and a scarred by trauma individual. She lost her fiance 8 years ago to the Russiaa Mob, and was shot when he used her as his live shield during that show more incident. Lanie approached Hop at one of the MC HogRoast gatherings and propositions him for a one night stand. After a little persuasion, Hop agrees. However, this agreed upon ONS stretches and the relationship that is building between Lanie and Hop must be kept a secret from Tack and Tyra.

Lanie is a strong woman, even with her traumatic past; she's a successful business owner, survived being shot and almost dying, has many friends and now a man who will do (and does) pretty much anything for her. She fights it, yes, but for her own demons, stemming from early childhood and witnessing her parents relationship and her father's infidelity.

Hop is tough, loyal, protective, gentle and so loving it hurts to read. He cares for Lanie with such fire, that ruins men for the rest of us. He is also stubborn and light and very funny:

"I'm not high maintenance!" I exclaimed and he pushed away from the sink.
"Seriously?" he asked incredulously. "Been in your bed when you get up at fuckin' five thirty in the fuckin' mornin' to do your gig in the bathroom before you go to work and I've hauled your shit up to my bedroom so you can do it at my place. Lanie, you live fifteen minutes away from your office and you get there at eight. Over two hours every day just to do your hair and makeup. Diana fuckin' Ross in her heyday probably took less time to get ready for a show. Babe, if that isn't high maintenance, I do not know what is."
The Diana Ross comment was funny but I didn't laugh.
"I eat breakfast in that time too, Hopper," I reminded him.
"You swallow down some yogurt and suck back coffee, lady. You don't bake a quiche and eat it at your dining room table with cloth napkins and mimosas," he fired back.

And there are plenty more funnies involving Hop.

He also knows how to joke while incinerating Lanie's undergarments with words:
"I think you just gave me a mini-orgasm," I shared.
"If you get your ass over here, I'll give you one that is not mini."

And I'm not sharing his sweet words at the end, for fear it would spoil the fun from reading. But trust me, those words.... pure honey.

Hop helps Lanie fight her demons and accept that she deserves to trust, love and be loved. And that's one hell of a sweet journey for the reader. Also one with tearful moments, but those tears are worth the love bursting from those two.

I've gulped down the first two books in the Chaos series in less than two day. There's a reason for that, and it's Kristen Ashley's talent with words. Losing the tenses whiplash would give this book solid 5 stars, same as the first novel.

Thank you NetGalley and Forever Publishing for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. show less

I am loving this series. I think that this is my second favorite KA novel after Sweet Dreams. It is actually a better written and tighter plotted book than SD. I just love SD maybe because it was my first KA.

So anyway this is an MC club romance. Which genre I am greatly enjoying. When you've read as many romances as I have, you're always looking for something new. I liked Hop and Lanie. I didn't feet I knew Hop as well as perhaps I could have but he was a nice hero for the most part and only had one really dickish episode.

I liked that the couple had plenty of drama but it was understandable not OTT. I am glad that KA has finally learned to give each of her characters their own voice. Not everyone in the book talked in that abbreviated show more nonpronoun using way. Thank god. I know many people have affection for the old KA style of run on stories and I am guilty of that myself. But that doesn't mean that I don't see the advantage of tighter plotting and less descriptive filler about what the characters are wearing and eating etc. Makes it easier to recommend in a book store to a reader who is not already a fan.

Sign me up for the next one. Who will it be about? and BTW hurry it up! ;-) show less

4.5 stars.

Fire Inside is the second book in Kristen’s series about the Chaos Motorcycle Club, and its timeline pretty much runs parallel to the events of the first, Own the Wind. We see little glimpses of Shy and Tab throughout (and they’re super cute!), but the focus is definitely on Lanie and Hop–where, of course, it should be.

There were times when I had my doubts about both characters–Lanie had some quick triggers, and they got pushed good in here; and Hop could be over-the-top alpha at times–but Ashley gave them reasons for their behavior, and the explanations made sense. Often they didn’t make them easier to read about, but they made sense, and their characters became more sympathetic than they had seemed at first show more glance.

Loved Hop. Seriously loved that guy, 'stache and all. And I am *not* a facial hair kind of girl. At. All. Ever. Ohmygoodness, did that man say some beautiful things. *Sigh*

The only “but” in this whole review is that the end of this novel leaves us in exactly the same place the first novel did, in terms of the major drama that Chaos MC is facing. I was really hoping to have had more of that play out, but since this really does take place in the same time frame, it wasn’t to be. Kristen’s website assures us that there are many more books to come, though (High, Hound, Joker, and Rush are named specifically), so I guess I’ll just have to be patient. Not my strong suit. However, it’s not like I don’t have plenty to read in the meantime–and if I have to re-read the first two Chaos books before the next comes out to refresh my memory?

Yeah, that’d be such a hardship.

Not. show less

Okay...I so wasn't sure about a book dealing with Hop, whom we met in Motorcycle Man and he wasn't a very nice guy....what's the saying about judging a book by it's cover. In my mind Tack was the end all to all biker fantasy men. Strong, loving, a gentle heart and shoulders wide enough to make his family feel cherished and protected....until Hop.

Wow, drama queen Lanie really knew what she was doing when she took notice of Hop and made her play for him. Not that both were without scars and baggage but another love can conquer all romance. And I must confess, as a HUGE Bob Seger fan, Hop singing to Lanie that song.....her panties weren't the only moist ones in the place. I love the sides of Hop we got to see and that he was more than the show more MC. Oh it's a big part of him but not the only part. As for Lanie, going through her drama and her guilt, surprised she wasn't locked in a mental ward somewhere. Trust me, there were times I wanted to reach out and slap her upside the head, others I wanted to hug her telling her she would be okay.

This was a page turner for me. The story was captivating. Pacing good. Side stories didn't take away from the main characters. It all fit just right. Can't wait to go and read anther KA novel. show less

Absolutely amazing.
Kristen Ashley has a way of writing truths in her fictional stories that, if you let them, really hit home.
Extremely well written. Characters and world build are fantastic.
Filled with adult romance and suspense.
I loved it.