A CIA psychologist on the trail of a deadly weapon falls for her prime suspect and discovers she’s not the only one who has him in her sights…Way Kingston craves the peaceful solitude of the open road. Just him and the roar of a motorcycle. The kind of alone time that’s hard to find in his tight-knit family. Too tight for his liking. Way’s a grown-ass, former Marine. He doesn’t need their … Marine. He doesn’t need their collective noses in his business. Back in Steele Ridge, Way’s building a new career as a gunsmith. Clients pay big bucks for his expertise, ingenuity…and discretion. Especially when national security is at stake. So when a smoking hot stranger with the swagger of a government agent walks into his workshop, Way knows her questions are fully loaded.
Roni Fenwick grew up in the foster system. With no family to watch her back, she can’t afford to lose the few friends she has. Which is why it kills her to lie to Maggie Kingston. But the sheriff’s not-so-little brother designed a game-changing bullet for the CIA. A bullet that’s hit the streets. Now, the agency believes Way double-crossed them and has sent Roni to prove it. Except Way is tougher to crack than she anticipated. And much easier to fall for. His kisses drive her to distraction–something she can’t risk with a killer at large.
As the investigation turns personal, Roni begins to trust in Way’s innocence. But if he’s not behind the top-secret leak, who is? Finding the truth could end her career…or both their lives.
If you would like to read the entire Steele Ridge series in chronological order, following is the correct order.
The Beginning – The Steeles
Going Hard – The Steeles
Living Fast – The Steeles
Loving Deep – The Steeles
Breaking Free – The Steeles
Roaming Wild – The Steeles
Stripping Bare – The Steeles
Enduring Love – The Steeles
Craving Heat – The Kingstons
Tasting Fire – The Kingstons
Searing Need – The Kingstons
Vowing Love – The Steeles
Striking Edge – The Kingstons
Burning Ache – The Kingstons
more
4 1/2 STARS!
BURNING ACHE is book five in the Steele Ridge: The Kingstons sub-series and centers around former Marine turned gunsmith Waylon Kingston and undercover CIA agent Roni Fenwick.
The Kingstons prove in book after book what an interesting family they are, so we already knew that Way was going to be a bit of a loner trying to stay out from under his over-bearing family’s thumb. He would happily live on the back of his motorcycle cruising the open road if he could, but when trouble comes knocking at his door, that’s beginning to look less and less likely.
Roni is a complex character that we find difficult to read at first as she reluctantly sets out to pull the wool over her friend Maggie’s eyes when she supposedly pops into Steele Ridge for a visit when in reality she’s been sent to spy on Way and figure out if he’s the reason the hugh-hush bullet he secretly developed for the government is now showing up on the streets.
I recommend this book to anyone loving a suspenseful read with lots of heart and emotion that is backed by a close-knit family. You can’t go wrong with any book you pick up in this series and I always heartily look forward to the next book to come.
4.5 Stars
I love this series so much. This book was no different. I was instantly drawn into this book and I could hardly put it down. The suspense of who done it had me gobbling up the pages. I wanted to know who it was and I didn’t guess it. Way and Roni were so good together. They brought something the other needed. I loved watching Roni with the Kingston family. I enjoy any scenes when that group gets together. They have a great family dynamic. This book is one you will definitely want to read. The characters are engaging and their chemistry is great. The whole book is just plain awesome. Just be prepared to have the urge not being able to stop reading. You’ll be sucked in right from the beginning. I had a book hangover with this one.
Burning Ache is another great addition to this series! The mystery was well-written with the perfect mix of romance and suspense. I love that I didn’t suspect the person who was behind the crimes.
Way is my new favorite Kingston, and Roni was the perfect match for him! I really enjoyed their story.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary Advance Reader Copy.
Burning Ache
(Steele Ridge:The Kingstons 5 Steele Ridge Book 13)
Adrienne Giordano
Need to be a puzzle solver when you read this book. Another addition to the Steele Ridge books that is full of pieces that just don’t seem to fit into the big picture. The missing piece of the whole picture …who stole Way’s special bullets…is what Roni and Way need to discover in order to stop the killings and save themselves. Will their lack of trust in relationships hinder this or will they be able to succeed?
Strong independent yet stubborn characters draw you into their lives so much that you can’t put it down.
This has to be to be one of my favorite Steele Ridge books.
Intriguing!! This story is exciting, suspenseful and sexy with a GREAT happily ever after. I loved Way’s broody personality, it fit him well. But, Roni is a badass! I thought her and Way were perfect for each other. There is also a great suspense running through the story that had me intrigued right from the start. All in all, a great romantic suspense!!
Burning Ache is book five in the Steel Ridge: The Kingstons series. This is one of those stories that grabs you from the start and holds on tight all the way to the end. I loved Way and Roni. This story is a definite must-read!
A well written perfectly paced story pulling you in from the start. A great series to follow and all standalone reads. This story about Way and how him and Roni are pulled into the murders happening. A twist where you keep turning pages to find out how it all turns out.
Way and Roni are so used to being alone. Way isn’t lonely, he has too much family to get lonely. He just wants them to leave him alone. So, he takes off for weeks at a time so they won’t hound him. Then Roni walks into his life. He might have to rethink the alone thing. After the death of Roni’s father, she was put in foster homes. She is used to being on her own and never thought she was lonely, until she met Way. But can to people who are used to being on their own be together? After they quit running from a killer, maybe they will find out.
Where to start? I love the Steeles and the Kingstons so these books are always a treat to read.
Way Kingston former Marine currently self employed as a custom gun maker and bullet designer. Way Kingston is an independent man that loves his freedom and does not like to be tied down to one place for a long time. So opening his own business in his hometown was a big step for him and not one he is comfortable with yet. The money he is making is really good so that helps. When Way is off on his own on his motorcycle, free to do what he wants when he wants he is happy. Way is very careful and has strict guidelines that his potential customers must pass before he will sell them a gun. A fact that does not sit well with everyone.
Roni Fenwick, current CIA agent and friend of Maggie Kingston and just assigned to investigate Way Kingston because one of his special designs was used in a murder. To say that Roni is not happy about having to investigate her friends brother is an understatement. Roni just can not believe that Way Kingston could be involved in a murder, The man is a strict by the book king of guy and hot on top of that.
The chemistry between these two is great and this book is a page turner for sure. It has the twists and turns that I love and the action as well, add to that the love aspect and you have yourself one fantastic read.
My favorite of the series so far!
Burning Ache is a delicious romance and a kick-butt romantic suspense. I honestly didn’t have a clue who that antagonist was until their identity was revealed–don’t get me wrong; it made 100% sense that it was them and all became clear once the big reveal happened, but Ms. Giordano did a fantastic job of hiding that person’s identity even though we had many sections of the story from their POV as they went about doing their dastardly deeds.
It was awesome 😉
This book is the 13th in the overal Steele Ridge series and 5th in its spin-off series The KIngstons, but it would do pretty well as a standalone, I believe. Other series characters make appearances (Maggie of Craving Heat plays a pretty big role here), but you really don’t have to have read their books to understand (and enjoy!) the events happening here.
Can I just say, though–frangible ammo packed with acid? I’m a bit freaked out by the concept. Thanks, Adrienne Giordano!
Rating: 4 1/2 stars / A
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
Riveting storyline, fast paced, dangerous
well created murder mystery filled with high
tension, suspense, chills, thrills plus plenty
of twists and turns.
The story is a gripping, complex, unrelenting,
well plotted murder mystery blended with
romantic feeling.
We are visiting Steele Ridge, North Carolina.
This is the home of the Kingston Family. Way
is the middle child in this family. He was in the
Marine Corp now has moved home starting a
gunsmith business. Way developed a special
bullet for the CIA. It is called a frangible bullet.
It contains acid and basically vaporizes when
it comes in contact with flesh.
Roni Fenwick is a CIA psychologist who had
worked in this area on a task force. She lost
her partner on the mission but she is now
back in Steele Ridge to see if Way leaked his
special bullet design as people are being shot
with a similar bullet. She must discover if the
bullets came from Way or were somehow
copied or leaked from the CIA.
Both Way and Roni are loners having secrets
in their past they want to keep hidden. They
must discover the source of the bullets being
used in the current murders.
Well defined main characters with undeniable
chemistry are supported by a cast of well
developed supporting characters.
Come along on this adventure as two
individual find their lives in jeopardy on
their journey to discover the truth plus
find freedom, redemption, forgiveness plus
love amidst deceit, revenge and murder.
A Highly Recommended Read.
I volunteered to read Burning Ache. Thanks
to the author for the opportunity.
My opinion is voluntary and my own.
This is book # 13 in the Steele Ridge Book
series. It can be read as a stand alone.
I love the Steele Ridge family. Roni and Way made that imprint even harder on my heart. Two people that were so strong willed, independent and closed off to heart ache were never more perfect for each other. The suspense of the story and tracking down the killer about killed me. How Way and Roni managed to be totally upfront and honest with each other was fantastic. They knew when to back away and when to push. They also learned a lot in a short time. As much as the book was about tracking down the killer, it was so in depth on the characters. I didn’t want to put the book down.
What an absolutely amazing book with unforgettable characters and a jaw-dropping intense story that captures your attention from start to finish with mystery, betrayal, secrets, twists and turns, ups and downs, and so much more. I loved the attraction and undeniable chemistry between gunsmith Way Kingston who designed a special bullet for the CIA and CIA Psychologist Roni Fenwick who is on the trail of the deadly weapon and Way is her prime suspect.
Ms. Giordano blew me away with this suspenseful romance and I highly recommend “Burning Ache” for anyone who enjoys well-crafted, can’t-put-down suspenseful romance. I received an advance reader copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my honest review. I also purchased a copy to read again later.
Burning Ache by Adrienne Giordano
Steele Ridge – The Kingstons #5
Veronica “Roni” Fenwick is blindsided by a superior at the CIA when tasked with finding out how secret bullets became available to the public. She is sent to Steele Ridge to determine if the maker of the bullets has sold them on the street as well as to the CIA. Roni has mixed feelings about the mission because Waylon “Way” Kingston is the brother of a friend she made on a joint task force. That friend is Sheriff Maggie Kingston.
Off Roni goes knowing that she will be potentially lying to a friend but the bullets are rather scary and should not be out in public and could Way be the culprit? She soon realizes that ex-Marine and custom gunsmith Way Kingston is a whole lot of man and more savvy than most. The fact that there is attraction between them makes everything a bit more difficult. Fairly soon the two realize they should work together to find out what happened and the roller coaster ride they take to find out who is killing people with the bullets and how the bullets ended up out and about makes for VERY interesting reading. I loved the way this couple found their HEA. It was iffy there for a little while but that just made it so much better.
Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I like to read more in this series? Yes
Would I like to read more books by this author? Without a doubt
Thank you to the author for the ARC – This is my honest review.
4-5 Stars
Way Kingston finds himself a suspect. The special ammunition he created is being used to kill people and the government thinks he’s selling them to the bad guys. I know that Way is too honorable to do that. He’s done so much to protect his country. Roni Fenwick has been sent by the CIA to make Way the scapegoat but she won’t manufacture evidence. I hated how these powerful men demand she do that. I was thankful that she had morals. Can Way and Roni find out who the killer is and how they got the bullets? This story kept me on the edge of my seat. These two make a dynamite couple both personally and professionally. They work well together. Both are intelligent and focused. I liked their determination. Also, I enjoyed how Maggie Kingston was in the thick of the action. She’s a strong character. Adrienne Giordano kept me guessing. The ending was a shock. I didn’t see it coming. I always enjoy coming to Steele Ridge. Things are never boring in this small town. I’m looking forward to more adventures.
I received a copy of this book which I voluntarily read and reviewed. My comments are my honest opinion.
This book is so good! If you like books with excitement, suspense, mystery, romance and so much more then this is your book. Ms. Giordano has such a gift for telling stories. Way and Roni both have issues. Roni grew up in foster care after the age of eight. She is a loner, but would love to have a family and belong. Way is the middle child and former marine. He was used to being alone as a child and still likes it that way as an adult. Way works for himself and Roni works for the CIA. Roni knows Way’s sister Maggie from being on a task force with her. Unfortunately her horrible boss wants her to use her friendship with Maggie to check Way out.
People are getting killed and it is looking like Way has something to do with it because of a product Way developed. I hope the CIA isn’t really like they portrayed in this book, because most of them are not nice people! There is betrayal, secrets, dead bodies and hurt feelings going on in this book. I enjoyed the banter between Way and Roni. This is such a good book that I strongly encourage you to read it. I was given a copy of the book and voluntarily wrote a review.