Welcome to my stop in the TAUT by J.A. Huss Blog Tour, hosted by Xpresso Book Tours :D!
TAUT: The Ford Book by JA Huss
(Rook and Ronin Spin-off)
Published January 20, 2014
Contemporary, Erotic Romance, New-ish Adult
Synopsis:
TAUT IS A STANDALONE NOVEL - you do NOT have to read any of the Rook and Ronin books first.Ford Aston is known for many things. Being an emotionless, messed up bastard, a freakishly smart social outcast, and a cold, domineering master who keeps "pets" instead of girlfriends.
And after Rook broke his heart, he plans to keep it that way.
Ashleigh is known for nothing, and that's exactly what she's got going for her. She's broke, stranded in the mountains with a three month old baby, and Ford Aston is screwing with her head.
Big. Time.
And she plans to mess with his right back.
It's a coy game at first, filled with flirting, and innuendo--but Ford soon realizes something is not quite right with Ashleigh. In fact, something is seriously, seriously wrong and the closer they get to their final destination, the closer Ford gets to the truth.
One night of devastation, self-loathing, and emptiness turns into the best thing that ever happened to Ford Aston. But one day of in-your-face reality threatens Ashleigh's whole existence.
******
Since A LOT of people have been asking here is the scoop on how this book fits in with my Rook & Ronin series:
Ford first appears in Rook and Ronin #2, Manic. He has a bigger role in Panic, R&R #3, and then he has a novella, called SLACK. This TAUT book is only FORD. It's not really part of the R&R series, as that plot has all been sidelined for this one romance book.
Add Taut by J.A. Huss to your TBR Pile---->Goodreads
Purchase Taut by J.A. Huss:
Amazon ~ B&N
My Thoughts:
"I want it all or I want nothing."
I was beyond
excited when I found out that Ford was going to get his own story. There
was just something about Ford's character that I loved and I felt
intrigued by him, because I knew there was more to Ford that we were not
getting in the Rook & Ronin Series. I had all these ideas in my
head on what was going to happen, but Taut by J.A. Huss went beyond my
expectations.
"I'm just drifting. I'm completely unraveled. I'm nothing but slack. Everything about me is frayed at the moment."
Ashleigh
is on the road with no money, no determined destination, and her three
month old baby. She has gone through a situation that has destroyed her
emotionally, but she is holding up for her baby. Her whole character is a
bundle of mystery, because we don't get her whole story until towards
the end. My head was just spinning with crazy ideas about her character.
Each time Ashleigh revealed a little about herself to Ford, I would
think I had at least half of her figured out, but then more would be
revealed and my speculations would just be thrown away. I fucking loved
Ashleigh's character. Why? Because she never let Ford completely fuck
with her mind. I loved that Ashleigh values her self-worth and doesn't
let Ford use her like he used his pets. Her personality is also all over
the place. She can be both calm and sweet, and in an instant she can
transform into a sexually wild and confident women. Even though Ashleigh
breaks down a few times in the story, I still view her as a strong
heroine. Towards the end my heart broke for Ashleigh because of all she
suffered and went through all alone and with her baby. I just know that
J.A. Huss made me develop a deep emotional connection with Ashleigh :).
I don't understand what I am...So most of my life is spent trying to be something I'm not.
Ford
Fucking Aston!!!! We first meet Ford in Manic, where he gets a small
appearance in the second book in the Rook & Ronin series. From the
moment I read about his character I felt an instant draw to him. Then in
Panic he has a bigger appearance and I will admit that I was rooting
for him to get Rook- I have NEVER felt like this before. By the end of
Panic my heart was breaking for Ford's character, because he has already
suffered enough and I wanted him to get the HEA. Now let's get back to
Taut :). I never imagined that we were' going to get a deep complex
character with Ford. I don't know if it's even possible to fall even
harder in love with Ford, but J.A. Huss had me falling deeper in love
with Ford. Ashleigh brings out the true Ford, this is the side that Ford
is afraid to unleash to the world. My heart broke even more with his
story, because in Taut we get his life story. This is where we get to
see a different side of Ford that J.A. Huss let us see a glimpse of in
Slack. We get to see the nice side of Ford and we get to see the side of
Ford that can feel some sort of emotion, even if it's a little, but he
does feel. In Taut we get to develop that deep emotional connection we
didn't get in the Rook & Ronin series. I also loved the
mind-fucking, dirty talking, and Ford's crazy fetishes ;).
"A
night with me, my undivided attention, that's not something you'll ever
forget. I might ruin you for life. I might make it impossible for you
to ever be with another man again."
I thought I wanted Ford
to end up with Rook at the end of Panic, but I am glad he didn't.
Ashleigh and Ford's relationship flows so naturally that it just makes
since the directions it takes in the story. I loved seeing how Ford's
feelings for Ashleigh unfold throughout the story, and I loved that how
Ashleigh perceived Ford from the very beginning of the story. Ashleigh
and Ford are just the perfect couple, they compliment in each other in
so many levels that they deserve each other. These two are just perfect
for each other. Ford gets what he's always wanted in a girl, and
Ashleigh gets what she has always wanted with Ford. J.A. Huss knew how
to make these two characters stand out from each other, but in the same
way stand on equal grounds with each other. Also, the baby just makes
their relationship complete :).
"I want to be won, Ford. If you can win me, you can have me. I'll be your and you'll have earned it."
Taut
by J.A. Huss had my mind and emotions all over the place and I fucking
loved it. After I finished reading TAUT, I felt like re-reading it
again that instant, because I didn't want Ford's story to end! There is
mystery, action, kinky fetishes, heartbreak, secrets, deep complex
characters, and the story is everything but taut. J.A. Huss has left me
wanting more of the baby, Ashleigh, and Ford :D! Can you please get
another novella? Taut by J.A. Huss is a must read, must buy, must
re-read, and one of my favorite reads of 2014 :D!
Final Verdict: 5 Stars
About the Author:
J. A. Huss likes to write new adult books that make you think and keep you guessing. Her favorite genre to read is space opera, but since practically no one reads those books, she writes new adult science fiction, paranormal romance, contemporary romance, urban fantasy, and books about Junco (who refuses to be saddled with a label).She has an undergraduate degree in horses, (yes, really–Thank you, Colorado State University) and a master’s degree in forensic toxicology from the University of FFlorida. She used to have a job driving around Colorado doing pretty much nothing but shooting the breeze with farmers, but now she just writes, runs the New Adult Addiction and Clean Teen Reads Book Blogs, and runs an online science classroom for homeschoolers.
Find J.A. Huss:
Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter
Start from the beginning...
Rook & Ronin Series:
Tragic
Manic
Panic
Rook & Ronin Spin-Offs:
Slack: Ford Novella
Taut: The Ford Book
Bomb: Spencer Novella
Guns: The Spencer Book
Giveaway:
Signed copies of: TRAGIC, MANIC, PANIC, SLACK, and TAUT by JA Huss.
PLUS a custom made sterling silver "Ford's Favortie Pet" necklace and signed swag pack.
(Open internationally)
Great review! I only read book 1 of this series but it was really good and I can't wait to see where the stories goes! I also love that every character seems to be getting their own story!
ReplyDeleteThanks a bunch Kassie! :) <3 <3 <3
ReplyDeleteAwesome review!! I just finished Panic myself, and I just love Ford! I am glad you loved it... I cannot wait to read Taut myself!!
ReplyDeleteNaomi @ Nomi’s Paranormal Palace