Review: 4 1/4 Stars - A Must Read
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 05 30, 2014
Ash to Steele is the first novel I have read from Karen-Anne Stewart.  After having read the synopsis multiple times realizing this novel would be very different than anything I have previously read, I was struggling with whether or not this would be a book for me.  I do typically stick to straightforward romance/love stories with smatterings of suspense.  However, I kept going back and re-reading the synopsis unable to get the characters and storyline out of my head.  At that point, I decided Ash to Steel was going to be a definite read for me.Emma Jones has always had a good head on her shoulders, always doing the right thing.  Raised in a small town in South Carolina and being the daughter of a preacher, Emma has always had strong beliefs as well.  But she has always felt there was something greater in store for her and a need for more than the small town life she was living.  After graduating from college, Emma makes the decision to pursue her dream of being an artist and chooses to leave the security of her sheltered life in Pickens.  Soon after her arrival in Boston she meets Breck.  As soon as their eyes meet, Emma suddenly begins to feel alive quickly experiencing a strong sensation of being drawn to him each time she gazes into his steel blue eyes.  Realizing that Breck lives his life completely opposite to the way she has always lived hers, Emma struggles with the feelings he begins to stir.  But Emma quickly comes to the conclusion that her life no longer belongs to her as Breck elicits emotions which she has never before experienced.Breck has always been a one-night-stand kind of guy never feeling any need to know anything more about a woman other than the short time they may spend together.  But when he first gazes into the soft eyes of Emma Jones, he begins to feel a strong pull to her soul.  Knowing she could never be his, Breck maintains his attempts to fight any attraction he feels because of his deep seeded fear of doing nothing more to Emma than ultimately hurting her because of the past and the life he has lead.  But whenever their eyes collide so too do their souls.  They are both left with the realization that although the lives they have lead are lacking in any similarity, fate may have taken a step forward to show them that their hearts may already be connected in an unbreakable bond.  But as Breck’s past begins to rise up once again, his fear of hurting Emma as well as his need to keep her safe from not only himself but those circumstances which made him who he is continues to escalate.  Can their love for each other protect them and survive?I found Ash to Steele to be so much more that a romance.  This story does delved into some very difficult situations and issues, but it left me with a feeling of contentment and belief that when you open your heart and life to someone, they can help you through anything bringing you to a place in your own mind, heart and soul of finding peace and ultimately an unrelenting and everlasting love.  The depth of these two characters as well as all of the supporting characters expresses the intensity and connection not only shared between lovers, but also between friends.  Though some relationships and friendships may begin with animosity, when a greater risk or danger arises, we can put those disagreements aside and ultimately end up with a deep connection which can withstand anything.Ash to Steel does include some pretty intense violence which some may find troubling or disturbing.  But as I reached the last page in my Kindle, I exhaled with a sigh and a smile on my face not to mention the small lump in my throat.  I am most assuredly glad I made the decision of not letting this story pass me by, and I would definitely place it in the category of a “must read.”