Fighting the Pull by Kristen Ashley Release Blitz

From New York Times bestselling author Kristen Ashley comes the new book in her River Rain Series, Fighting the Pull.

Hale Wheeler inherited billions from his father. He’s decided to take those resources and change the world for the better. He’s married to his mission, so he doesn’t have time for love.

There’s more lurking behind this decision. He hasn’t faced the tragic loss of his father, or the bitterness of his parents’ divorce. He doesn’t intend to follow in his father’s footsteps, breaking a woman’s heart in a way it will never mend. So he vows he’ll never marry.

But Hale is intrigued when he meets Elsa Cohen, the ambitious celebrity news journalist who has been reporting on his famous family. He warns her off, but she makes him a deal. She’ll pull back in exchange for an exclusive interview.

Elsa Cohen is married to her career, but she wants love, marriage, children. She also wants the impossibly handsome, fiercely loyal, tenderhearted Hale Wheeler.

They go head-to-head, both denying why there are fireworks every time they meet. But once they understand their undeniable attraction, Elsa can’t help but fall for the dynamic do-gooder.

As for Hale, he knows he needs to fight the pull of the beautiful, bold, loving Elsa Cohen, because breaking her would crush him.

Don’t miss our reviews of other books in the River Rain series!
For book two, Chasing Serenity, click HERE.
For book three, Taking the Leap, click HERE.
For book four, Making the Match, click HERE.

 

 

Book 5
Buy Links

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The thing on my mind that I wasn’t admitting was taking more headspace than it should was the fact that Hale had texted the day before.

Again.

Why he wasn’t letting himself off the hook about this interview he never wanted in the first place, I did not know. And it wasn’t going to be me who let him off the hook. Oh no. Not officially.

But I wasn’t returning his texts, so unofficially, the guy should take a hint.

We’d made a deal almost a year before. The deal was, I’d kinda, sorta lay off his family, he’d give me an interview.

I couldn’t totally lay off his family. They were the most celebrated celebrities in the world. Even the ones who hadn’t sought that out, like Chloe Pierce and Judge Oakley.

But there were a great many different kinds of celebrity news, and it didn’t seem like Hale Wheeler had cottoned on to the fact I wasn’t a mudslinger.

Sure, I also wasn’t an objective journalist. But I wasn’t TMZ either.

Nugget of news: you could share gossip for a living and still be classy. I was proof of that (or I thought I was).

I had my key ready to put into the four locks on the door to the building where my studio was in Brooklyn, and with practiced ease, I was out of the New York autumn morning cold in no time.

I locked the door behind me and headed to the space in the sectioned off warehouse that I rented for my studio.

I had to unlock that door too (only three locks this time), and once inside, I practically ran into Chuck, my cameraman, who was for some reason right there and crowding me.

My space was small, but this was weird.

I looked at his face, and… great.

We’d probably been burgled.

It wasn’t like I had a ton of expensive equipment, but what I had was hard won. I had offers coming in, and they were healthier than I’d allowed myself to dream, but I hadn’t signed on any dotted line. So, for the foreseeable future, ongoing operating costs, and any expansion, was on me.

I didn’t have time to deal with police reports and insurance companies telling me how little they could actually replace seeing as some small line in their contract exempted them from doing what I paid them to do. Nor did I need to be shelling out to replace stuff.

“What’s up?” I warily asked Chuck.

“Hale Wheeler is here,” he whispered.

Oh no.

That was worse than being burgled.

My gaze flew beyond Chuck to my set which was a one-step dais on which sat a mint green velvet swivel chair with a glass-topped gold side table beside it. These were in front of a greenscreen backdrop we could make anything we wanted it to be. Though usually it was subtle pastel green and peach swirls against a soft white with the words “Elsa’s Exchange” repeated throughout.

And damn it all to hell, there he was.

Tall, ridiculously handsome, athletically built Hale Wheeler, the richest man in the world.

 

 

 

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆☆
This is the fifth book in the series, and they are just all fabulous! Thankfully, here in the UK, today is a Bank Holiday, as when this arrived on my Kindle I knew once I started it, I would just keep tapping until I got to the last page – and I was right! For sure you need to have read the earlier books in the series to have any hope of gaining all the goodness from this story. There are so many links, important back stories, and family politics involved, you would not believe (unless, of course, you are a KA fan, in which case this is one of her fortes!).

Hale is the product of his upbringing and yet may become all that his father hoped for him – we discover just what that might mean, a little like peeling back layers of an onion... with, on occasion tears, as well as happiness. A complex life is an understatement, partly driven by the urging of the family that Corey gave him, partly due to this fascinating woman who has been hounding him for an interview, Hale is at a crossroads.

Elsa is a successful podcast journalist, specialising in revealing the truths of celebrities; yet after being blindsided by Hale's mother, Sam, she has become much fussier and careful about where her interviews go. This is attracting much attention from networks, and she is about to break into the big time. That promised interview with Hale Wheeler is what she needs to take that next step... and he is being illusive.

I love the interactions between Hale and Elsa and the depth of their story. It is full of family, some good and supportive, some toxic and destructive, but there is always a chance for growth and unity. We get to meet up with all our old friends and foes from earlier books, and learn more about Corey and just why he may have behaved as he did. I love that these characters are so real that it feels like attending a family wedding and getting the low down on everyone's news.

The relationship which blossoms draws in others to enjoy the glow, bringing together such disparate groups as Elsa's work team, her upholsterer, and her family, alongside Hale's adoptive family from both Tom and Genny's side – so life is full of opinions, suggestions, and laughter.

Mesmerising – and I really look forward to finding time to read all five back to back, because certainly there will be great richness in not forgetting some of the details which inevitably happens when there are gaps between releases.

Thank you again, Kristen Ashley, for a wonderful story!


Shelby – ☆☆☆☆
The fifth book in Kristen Ashley's River Rain series was not what I was expecting. For some reason, I thought this was going to be an enemies-to-lovers type, same old story. I am happy to report, THIS IS NOT THAT!

I would suggest starting at the beginning of the series, if you haven't already. Most characters have their own back stories that have already been explored.

Hale Wheeler, what do I say about him? Attractive, wealthy, and *slightly* damaged – he is a strong character who knows who he is and what he wants. He also has some serious protective instincts and works hard to earn his reputation.

Then we have Elsa. She is my favorite heroine, of the younger generation! She has busted her hump, made a name for herself, and tirelessly tries to improve her reputation. Being a celebrity reporter, she doesn't pride herself on gossip and reporting negatively. No, she wants to report celebrity news, in a positive way, even though she's judged harshly for previous work. She is strong, she is fierce, and she is human. I adore her and wish many other heroines were portrayed as she.

These two strong-willed, successful, attractive people understand each other in a way that brings them together at the same time it puts them at odds with another. Both having issues with their mothers, they have more in common than most. They're both confident in their selves but still have a hint of insecurity when it comes to opening to others.

I love how they were honest up front, no guesswork needed. I love how they interact with one another, how they're willing to learn and grow from experiences. I absolutely LOVE their chemistry and maturity. I especially love that these two were able to admit their weaknesses and overcome them together.

I often wonder why I ever doubt this author, even if I don't fully enjoy one book there is always another that just amazes me!

 

 

 

KRISTEN ASHLEY is the award-winning and New York Times bestselling author of over eighty romance novels. She’s a hybrid author, publishing titles both independently and traditionally, her books have been translated in fourteen languages and she’s sold millions of books.

Kristen, born in Gary and raised in Brownsburg, Indiana, was a fourth-generation graduate of Purdue University. Since, she has lived in Denver, the West Country of England, and she now resides in Phoenix. She worked as a charity executive for eighteen years prior to beginning her independent publishing career. She now writes full-time.

Although romance is her genre, the prevailing themes running through all of Kristen’s novels are friendship, family, and a strong sisterhood. To this end, and as a way to thank her readers for their support, Kristen has created the Rock Chick Nation, a series of programs that are designed to give back to her readers and promote a strong female community. You can learn more about Kristen and the Rock Chick Nation on her website.

Connect with Kristen Ashley!

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Facebook Group: Kristen Ashley – Rock Chicks Group!

 

 

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Fighting the Pull (River Rain #5) by Kristen Ashley to read and review.