Title: Keeping King
Series: Rock Falls #4
Author: Ann Jolin
Release Date: March 2, 2015
***Can be read as a standalone or as part of the Rock Falls series.***
Peyton Callaghan is a fighter, a survivor, a warrior. When it was kill or be killed, she didn’t hesitate. Now, she’s the only one left standing, haunted by the ghost of a dead man and plagued with the guilt of having taken another person’s life. The upheaval of her life to start over in Rock Falls has been rocky at best, her worst nightmares and wildest desires colliding with each other. Terror tortures her nightly, breeding fear inside her dreams, and in every waking moment, she fights against the lust that threatens to drown her.
Jayden King harbors secrets beneath his outward playboy demeanor. The women who warm his bed lay claim to nothing—you can’t lay claim to someone who doesn’t have a heart. His wit and charm are exquisite means of deflection and distraction from the turmoil roaring inside him. He’s hidden in plain sight, a mask of humor keeping the sadness at bay. The only real reflections of his soul are in the artwork he creates, pieces of him muraled on the skin of others. If tattoo artists could have a calling card, the etch of pain and suffering in each design would be his. Because when the lights go out and the women he’s satisfied have gone home, he’s alone with every fear he refuses to face.
After suffering from a brutal attack at the hands of her roommate’s stalker, Peyton is forced to live with the object of her affection. Without intention, she breathes love into his starved heart, and although the mere thought of that terrifies him, Jayden would burn the city down to keep her safe, causalities be damned.
Some people you have. Some people you hold.
She can have him. She can hold him. But can she keep King? Or is it impossible for Callaghan to keep something that was never really hers to begin with?
I can't tell you how glad I was when I picked Keeping King up!! I've been getting slammed with cliffhangers, angst, and up-in-the-air HEAs so much lately that it was a relief to read one of my favorite contemporary series! I always know I'm in for a good time when I'm reading an Anne Jolin book and she didn't disappoint me with this one. I absolutely loved, Loved, LOVED it!!
If you've read any of the books in Rock Falls series, you know that Jayden is the laid back, funny guy who always has a joke ready and a smile on his face. I don't know why I didn't expect it, but Jayden actually surprised me because there's so much more to him than the laid back façade he puts on. I didn't mind though, because OMG, that man is HOT, HOT, HOT!! He's an a**hole, he's gruff and possessive and so deliciously dominant! Jayden's also deep and thoughtful and trust me, you'll be swooning for him. I know I did, I positively loved him!!
I really loved Peyton too! It was so great to see more than just her shy side and let me tell you, this girl can kick some major butt!! I loved finding out more about her even though it squeezed my heart to learn. Peyton is a strong, beautiful, amazing woman and she's everything a heroine should be!
Keeping King is a fast read, but it's full of twists and turns, danger, passion, and beauty. It's not as light as the first two books and it will tug in your heartstrings sometimes, but it will definitely still make you laugh and smile. It's a wonderfully amazing book and I wholeheartedly loved it!!
Keeping King is a standalone, it's told from Jayden and Peyton's POV, and they get their HEA! As I was reading this book, it was so bittersweet because I didn't want this series to end and I was totally prepared to beg Ms. Jolin to keep writing about these characters, but with an ending like the one she gave us--well, it can't be over and I couldn't be more happy or excited about that!!
~ Review by Paige
I really like this series. So far, I found that it's smart, has an abundance of awesome movie references, and is jam-packed with hot, swoonworthy, Alpha men and their sassy women. And while it's certainly not sunshine and roses all the time, it's fun, sexy and sweet. And that trend continues with Keeping King.
When Peyton Callaghan is viciously attacked by the stalker of her roommate, she's given no choice....she's moving in with the man she's lusted after for two years - ever since she first arrived in Rock Falls and laid eyes on him. Jayden.
Jayden King is determined to keep Peyton safe. His heart is still, broken by his past, and yet, Pey has a way of making it throb once again. He doesn't have much to offer her, this girl with her own scars and secrets, but he's determined to try. He's wanted Pey for years, and now she's under his roof, the sizzling desire becomes an inferno.
She wants to keep him, but first she has to catch him. He wants to keep her, but first he has to learn her. Can they heal each other and face the future together?
I gotta say, I burned though this book. Such an easy-to-read book - and I mean that in a good way. It just kind of sucks you in, until it's nearly impossible to stop flicking to the next page, reading the next chapter, gleaning just a little more information out of it before bedtime/responsibilities/life seeps back in. However,Keeping King is by no mean an easy book. While there are most definitely moments that'll make you smile, laugh, swoon, lip bite and so on, there's an darker undercurrent here. These characters have been to their own personal versions of hell, and are trying to pick up the pieces. After all, it wouldn't be Rock Falls without a bit of angsty drama to keep you on the edge of your seat.
I liked the little bits of Jayden and Peyton we saw in the earlier books in this series, but I didn't truly have a handle on them until I read this book. They're great together, a good balance, a great fit. They weren't really what I expected - Jay with his playful exterior, Pey with her quiet demeanor - and I couldn't help but feel for them, for all they've faced. Somehow though, I found myself almost more intrigued by two secondary characters - Jackson and Colt. I loved seeing a brighter side to Jackson, who has been a part of the series since the first book, but had, in my opinion, been dealt a bad hand. I see growth and hope here. I can't wait Saving Steele. And Colt...well, I'm definitely going to need to know more about him, especially if it means anotherRock Falls book.
Side note: that epilogue. *mouth drops open*
Another side note: that cover *drools*
One final side note: I love the reference to "keeping" that's sprinkled throughout this book. When I ask my daughter, "what are we going to do with that brother of yours?", she always says, "I don't know...Keep him?" And as such, it's just an expression that makes me happy. *goofy smile*
Keeping King is the fourth book in the Rock Falls series and can be read standalone.
~ Review by Beth
I’m twenty four years old. I was born and raised in Ladner, a small farm town just outside of Vancouver, Canada. I grew up riding horses, shooting guns and riding in trucks. I’ve been married to my handsome redneck husband for a year and we are parents to our chocolate fur baby, Bear. No kiddo’s yet! I am completely and utterly obsessed with country music, you will constantly find me stalking iTunes. If you don’t find me on iTunes, you’ll find me on Netflix because I am a self proclaimed movie junkie. Yes, that means that I quote them constantly in daily conversation and my characters do too! You couldn’t keep me away from a good action movie if you tried. I’m also a planning nut. I love to plan parties, events, trips – you name it! I don’t know if that’s considered a real hobby, but it is for me.
We were fortunate enough to travel a lot as a family growing up, and I think that helped spark my love of reading. I’m half Viking, my mom is Danish, and her entire side of the family still lives in Denmark. We’d visit them almost once a year, every year and it’s a nine hour flight. That’s a lot of uninterrupted time to read (or in my parent’s case, entertain four children – Yikes!). Somewhere along the way my love of reading, became a love of writing. I wrote short stories when I was younger, and although I majored in Business Management at college, I took as many English electives I could get my hands on.
During the day I work at my family construction company wearing a variety of different hats and at night, I write! I had never thought about writing books before, but after a few suggestions that I should try, I decided to give it a go. I loved it instantly! Having always been a creative person, it felt amazing to harness all that energy and use it to tell a story. Now, quite frankly it’s all I can think about, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’m grateful to have developed my love of reading into a passion for writing. You’ll be seeing many more books from me in the future! Xo.
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