Haven Hart Universe #4
A product of his past, Black spends half his time saving lives and the other half taking them. Every day, a hard choice must be made and he’s the man to make it. Long ago, he vowed to never love again; one-night stands with a willing body was all he ever needed. But along came Quill, and Black’s life is irrevocably changed. He never expects something as simple as Quill’s persistence to alter the way he not only sees the world, but how he lives it.
Quill has bad taste in men and equally horrible luck. Growing up wasn’t easy, surviving is even harder. When his past and present collide, he’s convinced he’ll finally witness his own destruction. But when an unlikely antihero steps in to protect him, his life is turned on its head. He’s spent months flirting with the man of his dreams and hoping he’d take notice. But it turns out, being on Black’s radar isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, and his idea of protection varies greatly from Quill’s.
Unknowingly sharing the same goal—burying their own pasts deeper than the fires of hell can reach—they’re both unaware that jumping into that fire will do more than ignite their feelings, it could lead to their own demise. Will Black and Quill be consumed by the flames, or from these ashes, will they find their own happily ever after?
A product of his past, Black spends half his time saving lives and the other half taking them. Every day, a hard choice must be made and he’s the man to make it. Long ago, he vowed to never love again; one-night stands with a willing body was all he ever needed. But along came Quill, and Black’s life is irrevocably changed. He never expects something as simple as Quill’s persistence to alter the way he not only sees the world, but how he lives it.
Quill has bad taste in men and equally horrible luck. Growing up wasn’t easy, surviving is even harder. When his past and present collide, he’s convinced he’ll finally witness his own destruction. But when an unlikely antihero steps in to protect him, his life is turned on its head. He’s spent months flirting with the man of his dreams and hoping he’d take notice. But it turns out, being on Black’s radar isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, and his idea of protection varies greatly from Quill’s.
Unknowingly sharing the same goal—burying their own pasts deeper than the fires of hell can reach—they’re both unaware that jumping into that fire will do more than ignite their feelings, it could lead to their own demise. Will Black and Quill be consumed by the flames, or from these ashes, will they find their own happily ever after?
Original Review December 2018:
Black closed his heart off to more than one night stands years ago but a chance meeting could change that. Quill has spent his life surviving but never quite living than a moment of timing changes that. When Black and Quill's worlds collide will they be able to resist the changes they face? Will they even be able to survive before they have the opportunity to rise again?
Davidson King has done it again! I really find myself at a loss as to what to say and not give anything away. Haven Hart Universe just keeps getting more and more interesting. I'm not sure which intrigued me more: Black's gruffness hiding his heart underneath or Quill's fears hiding behind his peppiness. On the surface, not only are these two polar opposites but they really shouldn't even exist in the same universe let alone interact but then you get to meet them and I mean really meet them and you realize they are perfect together. Looks don't determine the man and both Black and Quill have weaknesses and strengths that have made them into who they let the world see which is why they balance each other out, that is if they let the other one in to see the real person and for that you have to read From these Ashes yourself. I'm not even going to attempt to touch on the action/mystery/thriller side of the story because . . . well just . . . WOW! . . . and I'll leave it at that: WOW! and DOUBLE WOW! and a HOLY HANNAH BATMAN! for good measure😉. Oh, and it is set at Christmas so what more can you ask for?
I must be honest, Black and Quill are probably my least favorite of the pairings so far in Haven Hart. Now, having said that, if I was to actually rate the couples the difference between all four would be only about .93. It's kind of like me admitting that The Phantom Menace is my least favorite of the Star Wars films and yet of the 8 main saga films so far, all 8 are in my Top 15 Films of All Time so TPM still ranks pretty darn high and that is exactly what Black, Quill, and their journey in From These Ashes do: rank pretty damn high on my "Fiction Fantastical" list. As the Haven Hart Universe continues to grow and more of the characters are revealed so does the talent of storyteller Davidson King. Since I mentioned it you are probably asking why Black and Quill are #4? I could be superficial and say its Black's hair(I'm not much for long hair in men, just doesn't tick my boxes) but I'm not that superficial. Truthfully it really comes down to just the timing. Had they been the center of book 1 then they would most likely be my favorite. It happens almost 99% of the time when a series focuses on different pairings in each installment, the first is always my favorite.
One of the things I love most about the Haven Hart Universe is, yes these situations and people are not the kind of thing every town or city faces but at the same time the characters are so genuine and real you actually feel like you could meet them pumping gas, dropping off Christmas packages at the post office, or waiting in line to get your morning hot chocolate(sorry I'm just not a coffee person😉). So no matter who is your favorite in this series you will never be disappointed, the author's talent for storytelling will never leave you wanting. A true gem and classic in the making.
If you are asking can you start with From these Ashes, I suppose technically you could since each entry features a new couple but I highly recommend starting from the beginning. Characters, situations, plot points can pop up and carry over though Davidson King does a pretty good job of "recapping" so you aren't lost but it just flows better in order. Personally, I can't imagine visiting Haven Hart in any order other than it was published. And yes, I said "visiting" not "reading" because you find yourself getting so sucked in that you reach for a tissue or drink(trust me you will need both for happy and sad times) you expect to find the characters sitting next to you. So sit down, buckle up, and hold on because you are definitely heading for a bumpy but exciting journey.
Black closed his heart off to more than one night stands years ago but a chance meeting could change that. Quill has spent his life surviving but never quite living than a moment of timing changes that. When Black and Quill's worlds collide will they be able to resist the changes they face? Will they even be able to survive before they have the opportunity to rise again?
Davidson King has done it again! I really find myself at a loss as to what to say and not give anything away. Haven Hart Universe just keeps getting more and more interesting. I'm not sure which intrigued me more: Black's gruffness hiding his heart underneath or Quill's fears hiding behind his peppiness. On the surface, not only are these two polar opposites but they really shouldn't even exist in the same universe let alone interact but then you get to meet them and I mean really meet them and you realize they are perfect together. Looks don't determine the man and both Black and Quill have weaknesses and strengths that have made them into who they let the world see which is why they balance each other out, that is if they let the other one in to see the real person and for that you have to read From these Ashes yourself. I'm not even going to attempt to touch on the action/mystery/thriller side of the story because . . . well just . . . WOW! . . . and I'll leave it at that: WOW! and DOUBLE WOW! and a HOLY HANNAH BATMAN! for good measure😉. Oh, and it is set at Christmas so what more can you ask for?
I must be honest, Black and Quill are probably my least favorite of the pairings so far in Haven Hart. Now, having said that, if I was to actually rate the couples the difference between all four would be only about .93. It's kind of like me admitting that The Phantom Menace is my least favorite of the Star Wars films and yet of the 8 main saga films so far, all 8 are in my Top 15 Films of All Time so TPM still ranks pretty darn high and that is exactly what Black, Quill, and their journey in From These Ashes do: rank pretty damn high on my "Fiction Fantastical" list. As the Haven Hart Universe continues to grow and more of the characters are revealed so does the talent of storyteller Davidson King. Since I mentioned it you are probably asking why Black and Quill are #4? I could be superficial and say its Black's hair(I'm not much for long hair in men, just doesn't tick my boxes) but I'm not that superficial. Truthfully it really comes down to just the timing. Had they been the center of book 1 then they would most likely be my favorite. It happens almost 99% of the time when a series focuses on different pairings in each installment, the first is always my favorite.
One of the things I love most about the Haven Hart Universe is, yes these situations and people are not the kind of thing every town or city faces but at the same time the characters are so genuine and real you actually feel like you could meet them pumping gas, dropping off Christmas packages at the post office, or waiting in line to get your morning hot chocolate(sorry I'm just not a coffee person😉). So no matter who is your favorite in this series you will never be disappointed, the author's talent for storytelling will never leave you wanting. A true gem and classic in the making.
If you are asking can you start with From these Ashes, I suppose technically you could since each entry features a new couple but I highly recommend starting from the beginning. Characters, situations, plot points can pop up and carry over though Davidson King does a pretty good job of "recapping" so you aren't lost but it just flows better in order. Personally, I can't imagine visiting Haven Hart in any order other than it was published. And yes, I said "visiting" not "reading" because you find yourself getting so sucked in that you reach for a tissue or drink(trust me you will need both for happy and sad times) you expect to find the characters sitting next to you. So sit down, buckle up, and hold on because you are definitely heading for a bumpy but exciting journey.
Audiobook Review December 2019:
I've been listening to this series from the beginning recently but with the holidays fast approaching I have not yet got around to writing my reviews for books 1-3 so don't be surprised if some of what I say in this review shows up in those as well, particularly anything pertaining to the narration.
There is really nothing I can add to my original review from last year in regards to the story and the characters. I still don't want to give anything away, the book might have been around for over a year now but I'm sure there are plenty of readers out there that have not yet visited Haven Hart. Black and Quill still seem like a complete trainwreck waiting to happen on the surface but once you get to know them you realize how perfectly suited they really are.
Now on to the narration. I've never listened to audiobooks with two narrators before so I wasn't sure how I would like it. Well, I love it! Both Joel Leslie and Philip Alces capture their main character(and others) expertly. They are easy to listen to and they both make everything come alive visually. I often say when an audiobook is read wonderfully they remind me of the old radio shows of the 30s & 40s that I collect well not only is From These Ashes read wonderfully but having the dual narration makes it even more reminiscent of those old radio shows. Add in the brilliant storytelling of Davidson King and I swear I'm listening to Suspense and expected at any minute for Harlow Wilcox to break in with the Autolite Spark Plug sponsor ad. Now I realize most people have no idea who Harlow Wilcox was(he's one of the more well known pitchmen of the era) but I included that tidbit in my review to properly express how the dual narration came across as more than just another audiobook reading. Joel Leslie & Philip Alces bring to life Davidson King's incredible words that will entertain for decades to come, I'm sure in 80-90 years people will be collecting audiobooks as I do radio shows and they will be enthralling a whole new generation.
I've been listening to this series from the beginning recently but with the holidays fast approaching I have not yet got around to writing my reviews for books 1-3 so don't be surprised if some of what I say in this review shows up in those as well, particularly anything pertaining to the narration.
There is really nothing I can add to my original review from last year in regards to the story and the characters. I still don't want to give anything away, the book might have been around for over a year now but I'm sure there are plenty of readers out there that have not yet visited Haven Hart. Black and Quill still seem like a complete trainwreck waiting to happen on the surface but once you get to know them you realize how perfectly suited they really are.
Now on to the narration. I've never listened to audiobooks with two narrators before so I wasn't sure how I would like it. Well, I love it! Both Joel Leslie and Philip Alces capture their main character(and others) expertly. They are easy to listen to and they both make everything come alive visually. I often say when an audiobook is read wonderfully they remind me of the old radio shows of the 30s & 40s that I collect well not only is From These Ashes read wonderfully but having the dual narration makes it even more reminiscent of those old radio shows. Add in the brilliant storytelling of Davidson King and I swear I'm listening to Suspense and expected at any minute for Harlow Wilcox to break in with the Autolite Spark Plug sponsor ad. Now I realize most people have no idea who Harlow Wilcox was(he's one of the more well known pitchmen of the era) but I included that tidbit in my review to properly express how the dual narration came across as more than just another audiobook reading. Joel Leslie & Philip Alces bring to life Davidson King's incredible words that will entertain for decades to come, I'm sure in 80-90 years people will be collecting audiobooks as I do radio shows and they will be enthralling a whole new generation.
Chapter One
Black
Living a life in the shadows wasn’t easy. To many, they only saw a certain persona. To the rest, I was something completely different. My father used to say we lived in an optical illusion. I didn’t agree with him when I was younger, but I did now.
One side of my life was the current Hell I was in at this very moment. A fundraiser gala. It was to help support the pediatric cardiology department at Hart’s Hope Hospital. I didn’t mind the tuxedo as I often favored suits. I didn’t really mind my date, Teresa, who looked stunning in her crimson red, floor-length gown, matching shoes, and more diamonds twinkling against her skin than a Tiffany’s display case. It was how fake they all felt they had to be. No one was genuinely selfless. We all wanted what was best for us first and foremost, and donating ridiculous amounts of money we never wanted to part with was how we made everyone love us.
“Isn’t that Richard Franklin?” Teresa asked as she sipped her champagne. Her blue eyes were homed in on the multi-millionaire who sat at a table with many other rich people of Haven Hart.
“I believe so. Why don’t you go say hello while I grab another drink at the bar?” I knew Teresa was only here to network and that didn’t offend me. I knew I’d be fucking her by the end of the night and she’d be gone by morning. That was a win for me. Great sex and no small talk.
“Are you sure?” Her golden hair was up in a relaxed bun, giving her an almost girl-next-door appearance, but the rest of her was all glamour, sex, and money.
“I’m positive. Go schmooze so I don’t have to. I will be over at the bar when you’re ready to leave.”
I had told her I wasn’t a fan of these things and would love a buffer. Teresa, a low woman on the totem pole PR agent, was desperate for her big break. I didn’t trust my secrets and lies to anyone, and I had told her as much. But I liked her enough to see if I could get her a client or two that could help her business.
I watched her saunter across the dance floor, smiling as she purposely bumped into any gentleman she could. Each man’s eyes lingered over her curvy form and by the time she reached her target, many men were drooling and many women were scowling.
The bar was long and wide, which suited me well. I didn’t like being squished and forced to be polite to people due to close quarters. I ordered a drink, sat on the mahogany stool, smoothed my beard down, and scanned the room.
There were two sides to every coin. To every person in this room, I was Terrance Blackrose, owner of Red Rose Protection Agency. I offered security and protection to the most elite. If you could afford it, you were elite to me. To the rest of the world, I was Black. I ran an assassin organization for the darkest and most powerful people in the world. One side of my life protected, the other killed.
Teresa was laughing beside Richard, and I was glad she had made a connection. It was close to the end of the gala and I was starving. I could never eat those tiny morsels they offered and feel filled. I wanted to grab a bite, go home, fuck Teresa into the mattress, and pass out.
Like she could sense my need, she got up, said farewell to Richard, and walked over to me, a bright smile challenging any other in the room.
“Are you ready to go?” she whispered into my ear, her breasts pressed against my arm, and I wondered if I was really as hungry as I had previously thought.
“I am.” I placed the tumbler on the bar and wrapped my arm around her waist. The gala was clearing out and I nodded my farewell to some people I knew. We stood under the large awning as limos and luxury cars lined up.
For events, I opted for my Cadillac SUV stretched limousine. It was on the obnoxious side, but I liked the comfort it provided. I wasn’t a small man. At over six foot five inches, I was tall. Because I worked out so much, I was also broad, muscular, and as some said, a monster. I needed room. It also helped that all my vehicles were armored. Teresa knew I ran a protection agency, she didn’t know I had a target on my back because of my other occupation.
“Here you go, sir,” the valet said with a smile as he held the door open. He was cute with his auburn hair, blue eyes, and sexy smirk. If Teresa hadn’t been with me, I’d have offered him a ride, and not just in my car.
“I’m starving,” Teresa said after my driver hit the highway.
“Why don’t we stop somewhere? I didn’t eat much, I rarely do at these things.”
Her laughter sounded like wind chimes. “Same here. It’s all rabbit food.” She reached into her clutch and pulled out her phone. “It’s not even midnight yet, I could go for a meatball sub and I love Quirks and Perks sandwiches. Want to stop there?”
I’d eaten at that place a couple times since I had been introduced to it a few months ago. I enjoyed the food and the atmosphere. The barista, Quill, on the other hand, was a challenge. There was an appeal that niggled at me with every glance, but he was young, flirty, and dangerous.
“Whatever you want,” I answered as I sat back and made quick work of answering a few emails and texts. Jones, one of my assassins, was in Brazil hunting a drug smuggler who gave a British debutant some bad shit, causing a drug overdose. Her father had gone on a rampage and wanted everyone killed. He’d contacted me, and I was able to make him understand that cutting the head of the snake off would be the best retaliation. He wanted to send a message. Jones, also known as Hangman, was perfect for the job. He’d kill the drug lord and hang his body for all to see. The text from him had confirmed the job was done and I was able to let the father know.
“We’re here,” Teresa said as we pulled up to the curb.
My driver opened the car door, and I chuckled as Teresa slipped off her shoes and walked barefoot into the café. The fact it was frigid outside didn’t stop her.
It was practically empty, there was a young couple sitting on a loveseat in the corner and an old man at a two-seater sipping his coffee. I only saw a young woman at the counter and breathed a sigh of relief when Quill was nowhere in sight. A part of me sort of enjoyed seeing what shenanigans he’d be up to, the other part couldn’t be bothered.
“What can I get you?” the woman, Mellissa, asked.
“I would like a meatball sub and a water. I’d have coffee, but then I’d never sleep.” Teresa gave a very uninterested Melissa her everybody-loves-me smile.
“Can I have your burger sub with extra pickles and mayo and a large iced coffee?” I didn’t sleep much, so coffee or not, it wouldn’t matter.
“That’ll be fifteen sixty.” I handed her my card and signed when she gave me the receipt. “Quill, I have an order. Don’t clean the grills yet,” Melissa shouted, and I cringed. Not because she was loud, but because Quill was, in fact, working and, in that moment, I wasn’t ready to see him.
“Okay.” His voice came from the back and I silently hoped he wouldn’t come up front.
While we waited, Teresa went on and on about Richard and how great he was and that he had told her he’d call her on Monday for an appointment. I wasn’t really listening to what she said and was glad when Melissa handed me my iced coffee so I could go over to the DIY counter to fix it.
“Here you go.” I heard Quill’s voice and stupidly thought if I didn’t turn around, he wouldn’t see me. But the kid had me on some kind of radar.
“Well, hello there,” he purred, and the sound of his footsteps told me he was coming my way. “Late night I see?”
I turned in his direction since there was no point in trying to run, he was relentless. “I had a work thing. Do you always work late?”
He shrugged as he fixed the sugar packets. His wrist was covered in his usual bracelets and his nails were painted a ruby red. “Sometimes. I have many jobs, as you know.”
I did. A couple months ago, Quill had witnessed one of my former assassins, Mace, put a bullet in a guy’s head. Bill, who was working with Mace at the time, didn’t want to off the kid, so I had them drive him to my office. It was there I learned that while annoying, Quill was loyal to a fault. I should have killed him, but his eyes told a tale older than his twenty-two years. I offered him a job to keep tabs on him. When I needed something delivered that wasn’t on the up and up, Quill made the item get to its destination. I rarely got to see him, and that was just fine by me. He seemed a bit obsessed with me.
“I’ll bring the tray over to the booth,” Teresa said as she walked past me.
“That your girlfriend?” I looked up in time to see Quill’s sour expression. It was short-lived though, and he smiled wide when he met my gaze. I didn’t know his eye color. Every time I saw him, he had different contacts in. Today they were violet.
“A date for the evening if you really must know.” I placed the lid on my coffee and walked in the direction of my food.
“A date that isn’t a girlfriend? So, you’re still single?” I heard Quill following me and, by the amused expression on Teresa’s face as I approached the booth, she had heard Quill’s question.
“Quill, I need you to clean the grill so we can close at a reasonable time tonight,” Melissa said. She gave Quill a small smile that told me she wasn’t angry, but there was something else there. I didn’t know what their relationship was, but when Quill went over to her, she squeezed his shoulder.
As soon as Quill was out of sight, she shot me a venomous glare. It was like ice in my veins. She was not happy with me and I didn’t have a clue why. I hadn’t done anything.
“So good,” Teresa said around her bite of food.
“Hurry up with that. I’ve been dying to get you out of that dress all evening.” I winked at her as she blushed and laughed as she began eating much faster.
I couldn’t worry about Quill, he was more than half my age and we had nothing in common. The fact he now worked for me meant he was off limits. I didn’t need more drama than what my life already had.
I didn’t see Quill again and when Teresa and I slipped back into my limo, I was ready for dessert. By the salacious look she gave me, I knew she was too.
Davidson King, always had a hope that someday her daydreams would become real-life stories. As a child, you would often find her in her own world, thinking up the most insane situations. It may have taken her awhile, but she made her dream come true with her first published work, Snow Falling.
She managed to wrangle herself a husband who matched her crazy and they hatched three wonderful children.
If you were to ask her what gave her the courage to finally publish, she’d tell you it was her amazing family and friends. Support is vital in all things and when you’re afraid of your dreams, it will be your cheering section that will lift you up.
EMAIL: davidsonkingauthor@yahoo.com
From these Ashes #4
Westford
