Tag Archives: Susan Stoker

Shelter for Nita by Deanndra Hall-Review tour

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Shelter for Nita (Police and Fire: Operation Alpha) (Bluegrass Bravery Book 10) by Deanndra Hall-Review tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 11, 2021.

Even though she’s done well with her disability, Nita Yoder has always depended on her parents to help her. She’s happy with her job as a teacher’s aide and living with her mother since her father’s death, but when her only parent is taken from her suddenly, she’s left floundering.

As a local EMT, Ansel “Dip” Watts has seen it all, but he’s never seen anything quite like the beautiful, vulnerable woman whose deceased mother was transported to the hospital in his ambulance. When he discovers Braden “Monkey” Nichols’ wife is her best friend, he sets out to win the heart of the beautiful Nita, especially when he learns her most precious secret.

The attraction is instantaneous, but almost as quickly, danger follows. Her fellow teacher seems very insistent that Ansel is the wrong man for her, and with his pushing and prodding, Nita makes a grave mistake, one that could cost her the relationship she’s built with Ansel. She takes one misstep after another until she finds herself in unthinkable peril, all because of her mother’s insurance policy and her own stubbornness. Ansel tries to stop her. Braden and Tanna try to stop her. She won’t listen.

And she’ll have to pay the ultimate price.

Ansel, Braden, and FBI Special Agent Cruz Livingston, with a little help from San Antonio Police Department’s Lieutenant Quint Axton, are out to solve the mystery and find her before it’s too late. Russian mobsters, ex-convict con men, and Nita’s own stubbornness make that hard to do. When it all comes down, it’s up to Ansel to make it all happen. He’s trained for a lot of unusual situations.

Nothing could have prepared him for this.

Revisit Bowling Green, Kentucky, and Nita’s friends, Tanna, Braden, Max, and Daniel Nichols, in Shelter for Nita, the tenth book in the Bluegrass Bravery series, inspired by an actual event in my ancestry. They’re joined by FBI Special Agent Cruz Livingston and the San Antonio Police Department’s Lieutenant Quint Axton from Susan Stoker’s original Badge of Honor in the hunt for a man who’s not what he seems and the bravery of a hero who will never give up on the woman he loves

••••••••••

REVIEW: SHELTER FOR NITA is the tenth instalment in Deanndra Hall’s contemporary adult BLUEGRASS BRAVERY erotic, romantic suspense series featuring characters previously introduced in one of author Susan Stoker’s many story lines and series. This is forty two year old, EMT Ansel ‘Dip’ Watts, and thirty five year old teacher’s aide Nita Yoder’s story line, SHELTER FOR NITA can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary. Several characters from Deanndra Hall’s series, as well as Susan Stoker’s series cross over for cohesion and familiarity.

Told from several third person perspective including Nita and Ansel SHELTER FOR NITA follows the building relationship between forty-two year old EMT Ansel Watts, and thirty-five year old Nita Yoder. Nita Yoder has cerebral palsy, and with it often comes the difficulty of not only physical activities but often mental and emotional fractures in her psyche. Upon the death of her beloved mother, Nita was emotionally worn down and didn’t remember meeting our story line hero but something about Nita drew Ansel like a moth to a flame, and Ansel was hoping for a chance at a relationship with Nita Yoder. As Ansel started a slow seduction of our story line heroine, someone else was about to push into her life, confusing our heroine about her current relationship. What ensues is the slow building romance and relationship between Ansel and Nita, and the potential fall-out as Nita’s naivety and stubbornness threaten any chance at a happily ever after, and place our heroine in the direct line of fire.

Ansel Watts never thought he would find someone to love having loved and lost in the past. Meeting Nita Yoder gave Ansel thoughts for a second chance at love but Nita’s innocence and battle with CP may be a hurdle he could not overcome. Nita Yoder believes herself to be independent and strong but our heroine’s vulnerability may be what threatens any chance at a happily ever after. Easily swayed by suggestion, Nita finds herself the target of unscrupulous evil, while pushing our hero out of her. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are reintroduced to firefighter Braden Nichols and his significant other Tanna (Shelter for Tanna), as well as several other characters from previous story lines including “FBI Special Agent Cruz Livingston, and San Antonio Police Department’s Lieutenant Quint Axton. The requisite evil has many faces.

SHELTER NITA is a story of family, friendships, betrayal and greed. The premise is engaging and entertaining; the characters are colorful and energetic; the romance is seductive and sweet but I struggled with the heroine’s attitude on numerous occasions but given that her emotional outbursts and inability to not always comprehend the affects of her actions may be as of a result of her cerebral palsy, I have to take that under consideration for the overall story.

Previous reviews
Shelter for Tanna
Justice for Leilla
Fighting for Lorna
Justice for Maisey

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Deanndra Hall is a working author living in the far western end of the beautiful Bluegrass State with her husband of over 35 years and small menagerie of weird little dogs. When she’s not writing, she’s editing. When she’s doing neither of those two things, she’s having dinner with friends, spending time with family, kayaking, eating chocolate, drinking beer or moonshine, or looking for something that she put in the wrong place and can’t seem to find (which is pretty much everything she owns).

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Securing Jane by Susan Stoker-Review & Excerpt Tour

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Securing Jane (Seal of Protection: Legacy 6.5 / 1001 Dark Nights) by Susan Stoker-Review & Excerpt Tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date February 9, 2021

Over the years, Storm North has witnessed two teams of Navy SEALs under his command find true love. He doesn’t expect the same for himself. He’s too old. Too jaded. Too set in his ways. Until a woman who’s been right in front of him for years manages to impress Storm in a way very few women—or men—ever have.

Jane Hamilton knows it’s ridiculous to have a crush on the charismatic and handsome admiral. She’s the divorced mother of a twenty-six-year-old daughter. Too old for crushes. Too old for a lot of things. There’s no chance she’ll ever catch the eye of a man like Storm North.

Until someone delivers a bomb to the base.

As the civilian contractor in charge of the mail room, Jane finds herself in the direct line of fire, enduring a series of events that leads to a budding relationship with the very man she’s been longing for. She couldn’t be happier, and Storm feels the same.

The only one unhappy, in fact, is the thwarted bomber. Unhappy enough to do something drastic. Now Storm and Jane have to work together to save innocent sailors—and themselves—from an explosive situation threatening their happily ever after.

••••••

REVIEW:SECURING JANE is the last instalment in Susan Stoker’s contemporary, adult SEAL of Protection: Legacy romantic suspense series, and the latest addition in the multi-authored 1001 Dark Nights series. This is SEAL Admiral Storm North, and fifty-one year old, mail room civilian contractor Jane Hamilton’s story line. SECURING JANE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Jane and Storm) SECURING JANE follows the building romance and relationship between SEAL Admiral Storm North, and fifty one year old, mail room civilian contractor Jane Hamilton. Jane Hamilton has had a ‘crush’ on Commander Storm North for as long as she can remember but one morning Storm North took an interest in our story line heroine, an interest that would find Storm up close and personal when a mail bomb, intended for Rear Admiral Creasy, blows up and injures Jane Hamilton in the process. Hoping to get closer to our story line heroine, Storm North, begins a slow seduction of the woman that is calling to his heart. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Storm and Jane, and the potential fall-out as Jane and Storm become collateral damage in the vendetta against Rear Admiral Creasy.

Jane Hamilton never expected to find love again, least of all at the age of fifty-one. Her first marriage had been failure, and the one positive, her daughter, struggled in the aftermath of her parent’s divorce. Storm North had been married to the job. As the commander to several teams of Navy SEALs, Storm never had time for love or marriage but now that he was no longer going on overseas missions, Storm watched from the sidelines as his men found love. Lonely, looking for his own happily ever after, Storm goes after our story line hero but almost loses her before their relationship truly begins. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

Several of the previous story line male characters play secondary and supporting characters. As Storm introduces his fellow SEAL team members to our story line heroine, Jane slowly overcomes some of her issues of low self esteem, including the negative body image and ageism.

SECURING JANE is a story of vengeance and retaliation; mystery and suspense; romance and love. The premise is captivating and engaging; the romance is seductive and provocative; the characters are mature, energetic, and enjoyable-there was never any conflict between our leading couple.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

She was sure Storm had to have a girlfriend, though he wasn’t married, as far as Jane knew. She constantly checked out his left hand for a ring.
On the outside looking in, Storm North was the perfect catch, and she was…simply Jane. Plain Jane, as her ex used to call her. It was a nickname their daughter had picked up and taunted her with for most of her mean teenage years.
Raising Rose by herself hadn’t been a walk in the park. At first, Jake had wanted to co-raise their daughter, but as the years went by, and he moved from one base to another, his trips to see her had become fewer and fewer. It affected Rose greatly. She’d felt abandoned, blaming her mom for the fact that her dad wasn’t around. She’d snuck out of their apartment all the time in high school and graduated by the skin of her teeth.
Jane hadn’t been surprised when she’d moved out on her eighteenth birthday. There were even a few years when Jane thought she’d wake up to a knock on the door from the police, letting her know that Rose was dead of an overdose or because she’d hooked up with the wrong man. But finally, after several painful years for them both, things had at least leveled out when it came to their relationship. She was twenty-six, had a steady boyfriend—who Jane didn’t know at all—and was at least making an effort to be a little nicer. She wasn’t sure what her daughter was doing for a living, but when Rose did reach out, she was no longer begging for money.
It was kind of pathetic that Jane was taking that as a good sign.
In the near decade that she’d been living on her own, Jane had felt as if she’d been learning who she was as a woman.
At first she’d been Jake’s girlfriend. Then his Navy wife. Then she was the woman who’d been dumped and a single mother. She’d struggled for so long and so hard that she still felt as if she was finding herself. Which was somewhat silly after half a century, but there it was. And she wanted to find love again. Find a man who would support her as much as she supported him. Wanted someone to laugh with…and do all the naughty things she’d been fantasizing about for years and years.
But Storm North wasn’t that man.
Jane knew it, but that didn’t mean she could stop fantasizing about him.
Pushing the mail cart down the hallway, Jane felt her heart rate increase as she got closer to Storm’s office. It was silly. Ridiculous. But she felt as if she was in middle school again, about to see the boy she had a massive crush on.
But Storm was no boy, that was for sure.
She entered his administrative assistant’s office and smiled at the man sitting behind the desk.
“Good morning,” she said cheerily.
“Hi, Jane,” the young man replied with a smile. “Go on in. He’s not in a meeting.”
“Thanks,” Jane told him, hoping she didn’t look as excited as she felt. She didn’t get to see Storm every day, since he was a very busy man, and whenever she did, it made her morning.

New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author, Susan Stoker has a heart as big as the state of Texas where she lives, but this all American girl has also spent the last fourteen years living in Missouri, California, Colorado, and Indiana. She’s married to a retired Army man who now gets to follow her around the country.

She debuted her first series in 2014 and quickly followed that up with the SEAL of Protection Series, which solidified her love of writing and creating stories readers can get lost in.

She debuted her first series in 2014 and quickly followed that up with the SEAL of Protection Series, which solidified her love of writing and creating stories readers can get lost in.

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‘TIS THE SEASON FOR ROMANCE Anthology -Reviews

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‘TIS THE SEASON FOR ROMANCE Anthology -reviews

‘Tis The Season for Romance anthology features NINE NEVER BEFORE RELEASED novellas from New York Times and USA Today Bestselling authors, and was only available for a limited time in December 2020.

I have posted my  reviews for six of the novellas, and the links for the individual books now available for purchase.

•••••••

THE DETOUR by K. Bromberg

Release Date: January 1, 2021

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Bestselling author, Harley Humbug, needs an escape.
From the current state of her own love life.
From her deadline she blew past weeks ago.
From Christmas that’s just around the corner and the bad luck it usually brings with it.

When a snowstorm causes a road closure, she chalks it up to one more thing to go wrong.
Little does she know the detour will take her to a town she never knew existed, and right into the path—and possible arms—of a man who might just be her real-life muse.

______

REVIEW: THE DETOUR by K. Bromberg is a contemporary, adult Christmas short focusing on romance writer Harley Humbug, Mayor / bar owner Saint Nick and a snowstorm that strands our heroine in Saint Nick’s Hollow.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Saint and Harley) THE DETOUR follows the quick building relationship and one-night stand between romance writer Harley Humbug, and Mayor / bar owner Saint Nick. Harley Humbug has lost her muse; she is struggling to write, and the holidays are something of which she is not looking forward. Stranded in St. Nick’s Hollow, a virtual Christmas village Harley will get the inspiration she needs from the man that stirs something she hasn’t felt in a very long time-magic.

THE DETOUR is a character driven, short story with a sexy hero and a lost heroine who will find her muse in the unlikeliest of places. The story ends abruptly, I am hoping for more.

•••••••••••

 

SHIELDING JAYME by Susan Stoker

Available : January 5, 2021

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ABOUT THE BOOK: After a decade of hard work and dedication, Jayme Caldwell’s dreams of a Seattle bakery are whisked out from under her. She’s licking her wounds in Killeen, Texas, living with her memaw, Winnie, while contemplating her future. Of course, Memaw knows exactly the kind of future her granddaughter needs…and it starts with a handsome young man she tricks into having dinner with Jayme. She’d be upset…if the man wasn’t something straight out of any red-blooded woman’s fantasies.

Rocket Long never suspected the sweet little old lady he’d befriended at the grocery store would turn out to be a conniving matchmaker, cleverly setting him up with her beloved granddaughter. But once he lays eyes on Jayme, Rocket can’t be too upset. Especially when, at forty, he’d already given up on finding “the one.” Suddenly, the love and family he’d all but given up on could be his for the taking.

But life is precious. And short. And happiness can be snatched away in the space of a breath. All things Rocket may discover the hard way…before he even gets his ring on Jayme’s finger.

________

REVIEW: SHIELDING JAYME is the fourth instalment in Susan Stoker’s contemporary, adult DELTA TEAM TWO, romantic suspense series. This is baker Jayme Caldwell, and helicopter mechanic Rocket Long’s story line.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Jayme and Rocket) SHIELDING JAYME follows the building romance and relationship between baker Jayme Caldwell, and helicopter mechanic Rocket Long. Having moved from Seattle to Killeen Texas after her dreams of owning her own bakery died, Jayme moved in with her Grandmother in an effort to reconsider her future plans but Jayme never expected her Memaw to play matchmaker. Enter helicopter mechanic Rocket Long. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Rocket and Jayme, and the potential fall-out as danger comes to Killeen on Christmas Eve.

SHIELDING JAYME is a story of family, friendships, goals and ideals. The premise is impassioned; the characters are flirty and passionate; the romance is tender, provocative and intense.

••••••••••••••

CHRISTMAS IN QUINCY by Devney Perry

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Release Date: January 1, 2021

ABOUT THE BOOK: From USA Today Bestselling Author Devney Perry comes an Eden series prequel.

Cleo Hillcrest would rather cancel Christmas than endure another one of her father’s pretentious holiday parties, making small talk with his rich colleagues and her stepmother’s shallow friends. She’s leaving home to spend three peaceful and quiet days in Quincy, Montana, trading gifts and grandeur for room service and slippers.

But she should have expected her family to thwart her plans. The minute she finishes unpacking her suitcase at the quaint Eloise Inn, Austin Myles knocks on her room door.

As the head of her father’s security team, Austin’s been ordered to drag Cleo back to California. Only when she refuses to leave, he has no choice but to stay. After a Christmas in Quincy, everything between them is about to change.

__________

REVIEW: CHRISTMAS IN QUINCY is the introductory novella in Devney Perry’s contemporary, adult THE EDENS romance series focusing on the town and people of Quincy, Montana. This is twenty-eight year old, bakery owner Cleo Hillcrest, and thirty-three year old, security specialist Austin Myles.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Cleo and Austin) CHRISTMAS IN QUINCY follows tech heiress and bakery shop owner Cleo Hillcrest n the few days before Christmas. Wanting to spend some time alone, our heroine heads to Quincy Montana, only to find herself facing a member of her father’s security team, sent to bring our heroine back into the fold. Enter Austin Myles, Cleo’s long time crush, and the man with whom Cleo would fall in love. As Austin struggles to bring Cleo back home, our heroine finally comes to terms with the who and what of what she wants.

CHRISTMAS IN QUINCY is a story of family, relationships, honesty and love. The premise is spirited ; the characters are sassy and energetic; the romance is edgy and intimate.

••••••••••

CODE NAME: GRACE (Jamieson Force Security 6.5) by Sawyer Bennett

ONLY 99 ¢ Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO

ABOUT THE BOOK:
As the resident psychiatrist at Jameson Force Security, I make it my business to know all about our team—the good, the bad, and everything in between. But for every secret of theirs I hold close, I have secrets of my own I hold closer. I’m not trying to hide my history, but…it’s complicated. And that’s putting it mildly. It’s easier to keep my past firmly in the past, until the day a familiar face walks through my office door.

Clay Brandeis is the only one who knows my whole story. Through the darkest period of my life, he was by my side. A friend and confidant. I once thought he was something more, but he walked away and left me wondering how I got it so wrong.

After all these years, one look at him and I know I wasn’t wrong at all. His handsome face, his strong and steady demeanor, despite the icy glare he’s throwing my way. My heart wasn’t wrong about Clay Brandeis, and this Christmas, I’m determined to make sure he knows it too.

______

REVIEW: CODE NAME GRACE is the latest novella in Sawyer Bennett’s contemporary, adult JAMIESON FORCE SECURITY erotic, romantic suspense series focusing on the men and women who work for Jameson Force Security. This is twenty-nine year old, psychiatrist Dr. Corinne Ellery, and thirty-seven year old, FBI Agent Clay Brandeis’s story line.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Clay and Corinne) CODE NAME: GRACE follows the rebuilding romance and relationship between our leading couple. Nine years earlier, Agent Clay Brandeis was the leading investigator on the Salt Slasher serial killer case, and Corinne’s parents were the killer’s final victims. Believing his inaction caused the death of Corinne’s parents, Clay ran from the woman who had stolen his heart. Fast forward to present day wherein a Christmas Eve snowstorm has ‘trapped’ our hero with the woman he failed. What ensues is the rebuilding relationship between Clay and Corinne as Clay continues to struggle with the guilt of Corinne’s parent’s death.

CODE NAME: GRACE is a wonderfully sexy and decadent second chance Christmas romance. The premise is heart warming; the romance is provocative; the characters are energetic, a little bit broken and lost.

••••••

BOYFRIEND (True North) by Sarina Bowen

REVIEW: BOYFRIEND is a contemporary, new adult, hockey romance short found in Sarina Bowen’s world of the TRUE NORTH series,and the upcoming multi-authored Moo U anthology. This is waitress Abbi, and Vermont college hockey player Weston Griggs.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Abbi and Weston) BOYFRIEND focuses on the fake relationship between college junior/ waitress Abbi, and Vermont college hockey player Weston Griggs.With the approach of the Thanksgiving holiday, Canadian Weston Griggs, choosing t remain in Vermont, hires himself out as a temporary boyfriend, something our heroine needs in the face of returning home for the holidays, a home where she no longer feels comfortable or welcome. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Abbi and Weston, as Weston must run inference on more than one occasion.

BOYFRIEND is a story of family, friendship, betrayal and lust. The premise is engaging; the romance is sweet; the characters are colorful and fun but the story line ends rather abruptly. I am going to presume the author has plans for their continuing story.

•••••••••••

BLIND DATE by Monica Murphy

REVIEW: BLIND DATE by Monica Murphy is the most recent instalment in the author’s contemporary, adult DATING romance series. This is twenty-six year old. jewellery clerk Amelia Lee, and twenty-one year old Isaac Jones’ story line. Several characters from the previous DATING instalments appear as secondary and supporting characters.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Amelia ad Isaac) BLIND DATE follows Amelia as she is tasked to select a Christmas tree for the family owned jewellery store, and runs into twenty-one year old, tree farm worker Isaac Jones (first introduced in HOLIDATE #3), a young man who would unknowingly become her blind date aka plus one for her friend’s wedding To Isaac and Amelia’s shock, neither one was aware of their impending matchup, a matchup that would become a happily ever after.

BLIND DATE is a story of family, friendships and love. The premise is inviting; the romance is sweet but mostly implied; the characters are feisty and flirty.

•••••••••••

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Trusting Skylar (Silverstone #1) by Susan Stoker-a review

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Trusting Skylar (Silverstone #1) by Susan Stoker-a review

 

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 1, 2020

Former military operative Carson “Bull” Rhodes hasn’t dated seriously since he and his teammates left the army. Since then he’s opened Silverstone Towing—which is a front for his other job: hired killer. When kindergarten teacher Skylar Reid calls for help while stranded on the side of the interstate, the attraction is instant. The problem is Bull’s career has jaded him. Skylar’s innocent, and he wants to keep her that way.

Cautious by nature, Skylar never expected to fall in love with her tow truck driver. Even so, once Bull reveals what he really does for a living, she’s not sure she can handle it. When Skylar faces threats that have nothing to do with Bull’s job but are just as deadly, the stakes are higher than ever.

With the help of the Silverstone team, Bull will use everything he’s learned over the years to bring the woman he loves home—because the alternative is unthinkable.

••••

REVIEW:TRUSTING SKYLAR is the first instalment in Susan Stoker’s contemporary, adult SILVERSTONE romantic, military suspense series focusing on an elite group of former military operatives. This is thirty-six year old, Carson ‘Bull’ Rhodes, and thirty-two year old. kindergarten teacher Skylar Reid’s story line. The SILVERSTONE series is a spin off from the author’s Mountain Mercenaries series but you do not have to have read the aforementioned series to understand or follow the current timeline.

Told from third person perspective TRUSTING SKYLAR follows in the aftermath of a successful mission in Pakistan only to face the fall-out from their superiors back home. Forced to separate or expulsion from the military, the only one other option at their disposal, the foursome-Bull, Eagle, Smoke and Gramps – face off with an agent from the FBI who makes them an offer they cannot refuse- Black Ops assignments headquartered in Silverstone, Indiana. Setting up shop, disguised as Tow Truck operation in Silverstone, Bull, Eagle, Smoke and Gramps would take missions overseas when called into action. Believing themselves to be single for life, Bull would become the first to fall in love. Five years would pass before Bull would meet kindergarten teacher Skylar, when her car breaks down on the side of the road. An immediate attractions leads to Bull ensuring our heroine is safe and protected but someone else is determined to take what doesn’t belong. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Bull and Skylar, and the potential fall-out as Skylar becomes collateral damage protecting the children under her care.

The relationship between Bull and Skylar begins when Bull is called to assist a stranded motorist on the side of the road. Battling his need to protect our story line heroine Bull struggles with Skylar’s innocence and naivete but it is her innocence that calls to his heart. The $ex scene are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are introduced to Bull’s friends and fellow Black Ops agents: Smoke aka Mark, Gramps aka Leonardo, and Eagle aka Kellan; several Silverstone Towing employees; FBI Intelligence Agent Gregory Willis; single father Shawn Archer, and his daughter Sandra., as well as Skylar’s parents Cory and Dayana Reid, and her neighbors Tiana and Maria.

TRUSTING SKYLAR is a story of family and friendships; relationships and love; obsession and a twisted mind. The premise is engaging and intriguing; the romance is seductive and captivating; the characters are energetic, dynamic and charismatic. TRUSTING SKYLAR is a great start to Susan Stoker’s new SILVERSTONE series.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author, Susan Stoker has a heart as big as the state of Texas where she lives, but this all-American girl has also spent the last fourteen years living in Missouri, California, Colorado, and Indiana. She’s married to a retired Army man who now gets to follow her around the country.

She debuted her first series in 2014 and quickly followed that up with the SEAL of Protection Series, which solidified her love of writing and creating stories readers can get lost in.

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Defending Zara (Mountain Mercenaries #6) by Susan Stoker-a review

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DEFENDING ZARA (Mountain Mercenaries #6) by Susan Stoker-a review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 3, 2020

Mountain Mercenary Hunter “Meat” Snow has a mission: eliminate the human traffickers scouring the barrios of Lima for vulnerable prey. But it’s Meat who’s taken down. Separated from his team and beaten within an inch of his life, he’s left for dead. When he wakes, it’s to the intimate care of a beautiful stranger who knows all about survival.
Zara Layne was a child when a brutal murder left her orphaned and abandoned in Peru. Ever since, she’s fended for herself on the streets, outrunning its predators. Trusting men is not in Zara’s blood…until it warms to the exhilarating touch of the wounded hero who promises deliverance. As each other’s rescuers, they return to Colorado for a new normal.
But when Meat disappears, Zara discovers how ruthless the past can be. With the help of the loyal Mercenaries, she’s drawing on her own skills of endurance to find him. And for Zara, there’s no danger great enough to come between her and the man she loves.

•••••••

REVIEW: DEFENDING ZARA is the sixth instalment in Susan Stoker’s contemporary, adult MOUNTAIN MERCENARIES romantic, military suspense series focusing on a group of former soldiers and Navy SEALS who call themselves Mountain Mercenaries, headed by the mysterious ‘Rex’. This is twenty-five year old Zara Layne, and Mountain Mercenary Hunter ‘Meat’ Snow’s story line. DEFENDING ZARA can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous instalments is revealed where necessary. The Mountain Mercenaries is a spin off from the author’s Ace Security series but you do not have to have read the previous series to understand or follow the current timeline. The Mountain Mercenaries were first introduced in CLAIMING FELICITY (Ace Security 4).

Told from several third person perspectives including Zara and Meat, DEFENDING ZARA follows in the wake of a rescue assignment in South America that went terribly wrong. Beaten and fighting for his life in Lima, Peru, Mountain Mercenary Hunter ‘Meat’ Snow would come face to face with his future, his would-be rescuer, a young American woman thought missing and killed years before. Enter Zara Layne, missing American heiress, and the woman with whom Meat would fall in love. What ensues is the building relationship and romance between Meat and Zara, as they struggle to reunite with Meat’s mercenary team, and the potential fall-out as Zara’s return to America and civilization comes with threats of a different kind against our story line couple.

Zara Layne has been missing and presumed dead for close to fifteen years but all efforts for a rescue were stopped years before. Alone and hiding in plane sight, Zara would be friended by a group of women who battle the odds in order to survive. Her parents murdered, and a ten year old Zara left to fend for herself, our heroine struggled to make it on her own. Hunter ‘Meat’ Snow knew immediately his dishevelled savior was more than she presented to the world but he had no idea about Zara’s history, including the life she once had, or is currently trying to hide.

The relationship between Zara and Meat is one of instant attraction but Meat is in no shape to enter into a relationship. From his injuries to the ongoing struggle in Lima, Peru, Meat will convince Zara to return to the States, in an effort to reclaim the life she was forced to leave behind. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

The numerous secondary and supporting characters include computer guru and; Grayson and Allye (Defending Allye #1), Ronan and Chloe (Defending Choe #2), Archer ‘Arrow’ and Morgan (Defending Morgan #3), Lowell ‘Black’ and Harlow (Defending Harlow #4), Kannon ‘Ball’ Black and Everly (Defending Everly #5) , as well as the mysterious ‘Rex, the leader and handler of the Mountain Mercenaries. We are introduced to Zara’s ‘friends’ in Peru including Mags, Bonita, Carmen and Daniela; her grandparents back home, and grade school friend Renee.

DEFENDING ZARA is a story of survival; of one woman’s struggle to survive ; and one man’s efforts to protect the woman with whom he would fall in love. The premise is engaging and captivating; the slow building romance is seductive ; the characters are energetic, colorful and strong. Like most of Susan Stoker’s heroines, Zara Layne has battled the odds. There is always something about her heroines that requires a rescue or protection but in the end it is the heroine who rescues the man that she loves.

Reading Order and previous reviews
Defending Allye
Defending Chloe
Defending Morgan
Defending Harlow
Defending Everly

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Reviewed by Sandy

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Defending Everly (Mountain Mercenaries ) by Susan Stoker-a review

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Defending Everly (Mountain Mercenaries #5) by Susan Stoker-a review

 

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca /Amazon.uk / B&N (paper) / Chapters Indigo (paper) /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 3, 2019

As tough as Everly Adams may be, the Colorado Springs SWAT officer is near a breaking point. Her fifteen-year-old half sister, Elise, has disappeared from Los Angeles without a trace, and the window to find her is closing fast. Committed to the search is Mountain Mercenary Kannon “Ball” Black. He and Everly already have a history—of rubbing each other the wrong way.

Still, Everly has to admit the man is heart-stopping. His brash alpha swagger takes her breath away. And most importantly, as a former Coast Guard first responder, Ball has what it takes to bring Elise home.

Nobody’s buying the LAPD’s “runaway” theory. And the fear that Elise is the victim of a human trafficking ring is a gut-punch that Everly and Ball can’t ignore. If only the trail were that clear cut. Because the one they’re following is more insidious and intimately dark than they could have imagined.

Now as the bond between Everly and Ball grows stronger, so does the heat. And as the stakes rise, so does the danger.

••••••••

REVIEW: DEFENDING EVERLY is the fifth instalment in Susan Stoker’s contemporary, adult MOUNTAIN MERCENARIES military, romantic suspense series focusing on a group of former soldiers and Navy SEALS who call themselves Mountain Mercenaries, headed by the mysterious ‘Rex’. This is forty year old, former Coast Guard officer Kannon ‘Ball’ Black, and thirty-four year old Colorado Springs SWAT officer Everly Adams’ story line. DEFENDING EVERLY can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous instalments is revealed where necessary.

Told from several third person perspectives including Everly and Ball DEFENDING EVERLY follows the search for Everly’s missing fifteen year old sister Elise. Elise Adams is deaf, and disappeared on her way home from her Los Angeles school for the hearing impaired, where she lived with her me-maw and pop, but not all was well in Elise’s life, and the young woman struggled for attention and love. With her sister missing, Everly Adams volunteers to work with the Colorado Mountain Mercenaries, a position that finds Everly coming face to face with a potential misogynistic partner. Enter former Coast Guard officer Kannon ‘Ball’ Black, and the man with whom Everly will fall in love. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Everly and Ball, and the potential fall-out as Everly is targeted, along with her sister, by a psychotic mind.

Kannon ‘Ball’ Black has been burned in the past, not only by a former girlfriend, but a female partner who threw our hero under the bus. With issues of trust, Ball battles between head and heart when ‘forced’ to work with SWAT police officer Everly Adams, as she desperately searches for her missing sister. Everly Adams struggles with Kannon Black’s attitude when they first met but Kannon’s need to profusely apologize finds Everly falling for the former Coast Guard officer.

The relationship between Ball and Everly is one of immediate attraction but Ball’s initial comments and reactions have raised Everly’s hackles. Our couple struggle to look past their initial introduction, a struggle that eventually finds Ball and Everly falling in love with the well-intentioned help of me-maw and pop. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

The numerous secondary and supporting characters include computer guru and Navy SEAL Hunter ’Meat’ Snow; Grayson and Allye (Defending Allye #1), Ronan and Chloe (Defending Choe #2), Archer ‘Arrow’ and Morgan (Defending Morgan #3), Lowell ‘Black’ and Harlow (Defending Harlow #4) as well as the mysterious ‘Rex, the leader and handler of the Mountain Mercenaries. We are introduced to Everly’s sister Elise, their grandparents, Allison and Landen Adams, and Detective Diego Ramirez.

DEFENDING EVERLY is a story of family and friendships; desperation and revelations; camaraderie, drama, passion and suspense. The character driven premise is intriguing and edgy; the romance is tender and hopeful ; the characters are energetic, feisty, courageous and animated. Susan Stoker pulls the reader into an impassioned and intense story of rescue and love.

Reading Order and previous reviews
Defending Allye
Defending Chloe
Defending Morgan
Defending Harlow
Defending Everly

Copy  supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

 

New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author, Susan Stoker has a heart as big as the state of Texas where she lives, but this all-American girl has also spent the last fourteen years living in Missouri, California, Colorado, and Indiana. She’s married to a retired Army man who now gets to follow her around the country.

She debuted her first series in 2014 and quickly followed that up with the SEAL of Protection Series, which solidified her love of writing and creating stories readers can get lost in.

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Claiming Sarah (Ace Security 5) by Susan Stoker-Review & Giveaway Tour

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Claiming Sarah (Ace Security #5) by Susan Stoker-Review & Giveaway Tour

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N // Chapters Indigo /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 10, 2019

Sarah Butler isn’t flattered. She’s angry and unnerved. She’s been getting intimate gifts from a man she barely knows. Nothing threatening yet, but there’s just a weird vibe she can’t ignore. Her recourse is Ace Security. Their solution: self-defense lessons at Rock Hard Gym with a personal, hands-on instructor. One look at the bearded, tattooed, green-eyed alpha is enough to take Sarah’s breath away.

Cole Johnson is definitely the man for the job. He’s eager to train her. Eager to get closer. And when it comes to Sarah’s instincts, Cole knows she’s not imagining things. He’s also not imagining the intense attraction between them—and his desire to protect her is growing. But so are Sarah’s fears, the worst of which come true when she disappears.

Enlisting the help of Ace Security, Cole will stop at nothing to find the love of his life…before she vanishes forever.

•••••••••••

REVIEW: CLAIMING SARAH is the fifth (and final?) instalment in Susan Stoker’s contemporary, adult ACE SECURITY romantic suspense series. This is gym owner Cole Johnson, and nurse’s aide Sarah Butler’s storyline. CLAIMING SARAH can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous instalments is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Cole and Sarah) CLAIMING SARAH follows the quick building relationship between thirty year old, nurse’s aide Sarah Butler, and thirty-one year old, gym owner Cole Johnson. Sarah Butler has a stalker; a mentally handicapped man who believes Sarah is his to own but Sarah struggles with the increase in letters and gifts that are beginning to take on a threatening tone. Desperate to protect herself Sarah enrols in a self-defence class, a class that brings her up close and personal with her future. Enter Cole Johnson, the man with whom Sarah will fall in love. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Cole and Sarah, and the potential fall-out as Sarah’s stalker demands more from our story line heroine.

Cole Johnson’s attraction to Sarah is immediate and intense, and like all of Susan Stoker’s heroes Cole knows Sarah is his happily ever after. But Cole, along with the Ace Security Team believe Sarah’s stalker is a potential danger, and they begin a search to determine the extent of the threats against our heroine’s life. Sarah Butler is a bit of a Pollyanna who sees the good in everyone she meets but battles between head and heart as it pertains to the man who is currently making her life miserable. Hoping to protect the woman he loves, Cole and Sarah make plans for the future including moving our heroine closer to Cole.

The relationship between Cole and Sarah is one of immediate attraction; an instantaneous match that rapidly turns into something more. Cole wants a future with Sarah Butler, a future that is threatened by a man whose disability doesn’t allow for right and wrong. The $ex scenes are passionate and intimate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and energetic secondary characters including Logan and Grace (Claiming Grace #1), Blake and Alexis (Claiming Alexis), Bailey and Nathan (Claiming Bailey #3) Bailey’s ten year old brother Joel, Ryder and Felicity (Claiming Felicity #4), as well as Sarah’s stalker Owen Montrone.

CLAIMING SARAH is a fast paced story of insta-love; a sensitive tale of obsession and misunderstanding; romance and love. The premise is inviting and realistic; the romance is tender and intense; the characters are sassy, sexy and sensual. CLAIMING SARAH is a heart warming and revealing addition to Susan Stoker’s ACE SECURITY series.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Claiming Grace
Claiming Alexis
Claiming Bailey
Claiming Felicity
Claiming Sarah

Copy supplied by the publisher

Reviewed by Sandy

“Do you ask out every woman you train at your gym? It just seems . . . fast.”

Cole stared at her for a long moment, and when he frowned, Sarah felt as if she’d somehow disappointed him.

“No, I don’t ask out every woman I train. Not even close. It’s been a long time since I’ve asked anyone out. And believe me, Sarah, I’m looking at you—and I like what I see. A lot. You’ve got an air of innocence about you that I find fascinating. You’ve had a tough life, but haven’t let it harden you. I respect you, and I . . . I’d like to get to know you better.”

She bit her lip and took a deep breath, but didn’t immediately protest, so he went on. “I have a feeling simply being around you will make me a better person.”

Sarah shook her head. “Don’t do that. Don’t put me on a pedestal. I’m not some paragon walking around sprinkling glitter throughout the world.”

Cole laughed. Threw his head back and laughed as if she’d said the funniest thing he’d ever heard.

Sarah tugged on her hand again, somewhat offended, but he still refused to let go.

When he got himself under control, he said, “I know you’re not perfect. You’re too trusting. You see the good in everyone, even when there isn’t any there. You probably neglect your own health in order to do something good for someone else.”

“You make me sound like an idiot,” Sarah grumbled, despite being secretly kind of flattered.

“You’re not an idiot. You’re refreshing. And I’m not. I’ve got more than my share of flaws that I’m sure you’ll discover sooner rather than later. But as I said, if you let me get to know you, go out on a few dates with me, I’m hoping you’ll find that you like me back . . . just a little.”

Sarah frowned. “I already like you, Cole, but I don’t understand you. You don’t know anything about me. I could totally be lying to you right now, and you just bought my lies hook, line, and sinker.”

He smiled again. “You’re not lying.”

“How do you know?”

“Because I’m an expert at reading body language. I’ve been around some bad people in my life, angel. You are who you say you are. What you see is what you get.”

Sarah licked her lips nervously, and his gaze immediately followed the movement.

Cole persisted. “Say you’ll go out with me, Sarah.”

“I thought I was here to figure out how to defend myself.”

“You are. And we’ll get to that. Agreeing to go out with me in no way affects whether or not I’ll teach you some basic moves that will allow you to get away from someone and get to safety.”

“But if I say no, things could get weird.”

“Then say yes,” Cole cajoled. “I swear you’ve got nothing to fear from me. I’ll even get references if that will make you feel safer.”

“It’s not that. I think I feel safer with you than anyone I’ve ever been around . . .” She
hesitated.

“But?”

“I’m afraid once you get to know me, you’ll decide I’m annoying. Too much work or something. I work odd hours, weird shifts. And I looked you up online. I know about your friend and what happened to her. And about the Andersons. The last thing I want is my stalker getting upset when he sees us together—because he will—and taking out any anger on you and your friends.”

“Breathe, angel. Take a breath. Nothing is going to happen to them.”

“You can’t control people, Cole,” Sarah pressed. “They’re unpredictable.”

“Fine. Then we’ll meet with Logan, Blake, Nathan, and Ryder, and make sure they know everything about this Owen guy. We’ll let them investigate and figure out what will make him back off. In the meantime, we’ll hang out at my place. Or here. Or your house. We won’t shove our relationship down Owen’s throat. We’ll be discreet. How’s that sound?”

Sarah could only gape at him. “How’d we go from me wanting some tips on protecting myself to having Ace Security investigating Owen and you and me hanging out at each other’s houses?”

He smiled at her again, but didn’t answer her question.

She took a deep breath and gave him the only answer she could. “Okay.”

He beamed. “Okay,” he said quietly. Then he finally let go of her hand and stood, before immediately reaching the same hand down to her again. “Time for your first lesson.”

Automatically, she reached up and let him help her off the floor. She wasn’t sure what she was expecting. A kiss to seal the deal. A hug. A discussion about when and where their first date would be. But so far, Cole hadn’t done anything the way she expected him to.

“First lesson for today will be how to get a guy to let go of your hand if he’s been holding on too long and you’re uncomfortable.”

Sarah knew he was referring to her feeble attempts to pull her hand out of his, and blushed. But he was right, this was something she should know. It would come in handy at the hospital too, just in case one of the patients or family members got a little too familiar, as they’d done in the past.

Concentrating on his instruction, she did her best to put her nerves about dating Cole behind her.

New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author, Susan Stoker has a heart as big as the state of Texas where she lives, but this all-American girl has also spent the last fourteen years living in Missouri, California, Colorado, and Indiana. She’s married to a retired Army man who now gets to follow her around the country.

She debuted her first series in 2014 and quickly followed that up with the SEAL of Protection Series, which solidified her love of writing and creating stories readers can get lost in.

Follow: / Website / Twitter / Goodreads / Facebook / Newsletter Sign Up

NOTE: The Reading Cafe is NOT responsible for the rafflecopter giveaway. If you have any questions, please contact the publisher.

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Defending Harlow (Mountain Mercenaries 4) by Susan Stoker-Review tour

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Defending Harlow (Mountain Mercenaries #4) by Susan Stoker- Review, Excerpt & Giveaway tour

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / Chapters Indigo /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 4, 2019.

Lowell “Black” Lockard, former Navy SEAL, has watched his fellow Mountain Mercenaries settle down with the women of their dreams, but he’s convinced he doesn’t need love. Then he gets a call from Harlow Reese—a chef at a local women’s shelter—and begins to reconsider his decision.

After being continually harassed by a local band of punks, Harlow asks Lowell to give the women of the shelter lessons in self-defense. She doesn’t expect him to take such a special interest in her safety, but he insists on escorting her to and from work, never taking no for an answer. Not that Harlow minds the personal touch…especially when it’s coming from her former teenage crush.

Despite her long history of bad dating luck, seeing Black again makes Harlow rethink her self-imposed celibacy. Easy on the eyes and hard to forget, the man has morphed into an alpha stud. And Harlow may be exactly the type of woman Black is looking for. Making her feel safe isn’t only a duty; it’s a pleasure. But the threats are escalating. The motives are a mystery. And as the danger burns almost as hot as their passion, there’s much more at risk than their hearts.

•••••••••

REVIEW: DEFENDING HARLOW is the fourth instalment in Susan Stoker’s contemporary,adult MOUNTAIN MERCENARIES S romantic, military, suspense series focusing on a group of six former soldiers and Navy SEALS who call themselves Mountain Mercenaries, headed by the mysterious ‘Rex’. This is thirty-five year old, former Navy SEAL Lowell ‘Black’ Lockhard, and thirty-four year old, chef Harlow Reese’s story line. DEFENDING HARLOW can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from several third person perspectives including Harlow and Lowell, DEFENDING HARLOW follows the slow building relationship between former high school acquaintances, Navy SEAL Lowell Lockhard, and chef Harlow Reese. Having reconnected with Lowell a few weeks before, Harlow battled between head and heart as the threats against the women and children at the local woman’s shelter became increasingly threatening. Lowell had previously offered his services as well as the services of the Mountain Mercenaries to protect the people living at the shelter but our heroine was reluctant to abuse their friendship. Knowing is was necessary to protect the people she loved, Harlow made contact with Lowell Lockhard, contact that would bring her face to face with the man with whom she would fall in love. What ensues is the slow building relationship and romance between Lowell and Harlow, and the potential fall-out as the woman’s shelter is targeted by an unknown source.

Harlow Reese’s success in the world of dating can be summed up as disastrous and dark therefore our heroine has decided to remove herself from all future relationships including the possibility of dating our story line hero. Lowell Lockhard struggles with his attraction to a woman who wants nothing to do with ‘dating’ or love, so he begins a slow seduction of Harlow by planning ‘outings’ just for the two.

The relationship between Harlow and Lowell is an acquaintance to friends to lovers romance; an immediate, palpable sexual attraction is tempered by Harlow’s inability to move beyond the failed ‘dates’ and potential threats from the men with whom she had gone out. Lowell’s need to protect Harlow keeps our hero close, close enough to pull Harlow into something more. The $ex scenes are limited but passionate and intense.

The colorful secondary and supporting characters include computer guru and Navy SEAL Hunter’Meat’ Snow, and former Coast Guard officer Ball; Grayson and Allye (Defending Allye #1), Ronan and Chloe (Defending Choe #2), Archer ‘Arrow’ and Morgan (Defending Morgan #3), as well as the mysterious ‘Rex’; woman’s shelter owner Loretta Royster, as well as several women and their children who live at the shelter. The requisite evil has many faces.

DEFENDING HARLOW is a story of power and greed; of danger and suspense; of friendship, protection, and falling in love. The premise is entertaining and inviting; the romance is seductive; the characters are energetic and dynamic. DEFENDING HARLOW is a passionate and fated look at romance and love. My only complaint is the length of time the ‘mercenaries’ took to uncover the reason behind the threats against the women and the shelter. For me, the motive was fairly obvious, or at the very least should have been a logical path to follow.

Reading Order and previous reviews
Defending Allye
Defending Chloe
Defending Morgan
Defending Harlow

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Neither said anything for a while as they drove toward downtown.

Finally, Harlow asked, “Where are we going?”

“The Pit.”

“Where?”

Lowell smiled. “Since this isn’t a date, and we’re talking about the shelter, I decided I should take you to the place where me and my team conduct business. The Pit.”

“It sounds scary. Please tell me there aren’t snakes on the floor and Indiana Jones isn’t going to pop up and run pell-mell through the place being chased by members of an ancient civilization because they want their artifact back.”

Harlow stared at Lowell when he threw his head back and laughed loud and long. She couldn’t help but chuckle herself. The man sitting next to her was so different from any man she’d dated in the past—no, wait … this wasn’t a date. Nope. Not even close.

“I can’t wait to tell the others that. No, Harl, The Pit is a combination bar and pool hall. It’s pretty much a hole-in-the-wall kind of place.”

“Why do you do business in a bar?” Harlow asked.

“To be honest, I’m not sure. The Pit is where we were interviewed when we were first asked to join the Mountain Mercenaries … I’m assuming you know about the team?”

She nodded. “A bit. Loretta told me. I’m sorry if she spoke out of turn, but she was trying to reassure me that you knew what you were doing and could help us.”

“I can help you,” Lowell confirmed. “And in a nutshell, me and my teammates are all former Special Forces soldiers, and we work for Rex, getting women and children out of untenable situations.”

“Why mercenaries? I mean, it doesn’t sound like that’s what you guys really are.”

Lowell shook his head, and a small smile formed on his face. “Why do women always concentrate on that word?” he asked, more to himself than her.

Harlow answered him even though he hadn’t really asked. “Because. It’s weird that you call yourselves something that you technically aren’t. I wouldn’t start a catering business and call it Harlow Photography.”

“Point taken. I don’t know why Rex chose that name. Probably because it was catchy and sounded better than Colorado Badasses, or Your Worst Nightmare.”

Harlow couldn’t stop the bark of laughter that escaped. “True.”

“The bottom line is that it doesn’t matter what we’re called. We’re six men who go where we’re needed and do what we have to do to rescue those who need a helping hand. I know women are empowered, and there are many who are just as talented at what they do as we are. But the fact remains, there are a lot of men out there who feel the need to subjugate and beat down the women and children in their lives. They take advantage of teenagers who are too young to know better or those who have had horrible lives. They hurt them and force them to do things against their will. It’s not right, or fair, and me and my friends are playing a small part in trying to right those wrongs.”

Harlow wasn’t sure how their light and playful conversation had turned so intense, but she turned slightly in her seat to better look at Lowell. His teeth were clenched, and the hand on the steering wheel was holding on so tightly, she could see his knuckles turning white. He obviously felt deeply about the topic and his job, and Harlow couldn’t be more proud of him.

“I’m proud to know you, Lowell Lockard.”

He looked at her in surprise. “What?”

“The world needs more men like you and your friends. I don’t know why men like the ones harassing the shelter are the way they are. Why they feel the need to exert their power over those they deem weaker than them. But I’m glad you’re there to help tip the scales. Other than the high-speed-chase guy, generally I haven’t been afraid of my bad dates, I’ve just been disgusted by or disappointed in them. But I know there are a lot of women out there who’re in bad marriages and relationships, and it helps knowing there are people who care. People who will put their own lives on the line to help get others out of those situations, if asked.”

Lowell pulled into a parking lot of a dark and seedy-looking building, and Harlow wasn’t surprised to see the neon sign above the door that said The Pit. This was exactly the kind of place where she imagined Lowell and his fellow badasses would meet.

He stopped the engine, brought the hand he was still holding up to his mouth, and kissed the back of it. “Stay put. I’ll come around.”

He went to let go of her, but Harlow held on to his hand. “This isn’t a date,” she said, not sure if she was reminding him or herself. “It’s a work meeting. I let you pick me up, but I should’ve driven myself. And I can open my own door and pay my own way.”

Lowell leaned into her, and Harlow forced herself not to pull back.

“I know this isn’t a date. You don’t date. I heard that loud and clear, Harl. But in my world—and make no mistake; when you’re with me, you’re in my world—a man opens a door for a lady. He walks on the outside of the sidewalk, he picks her up whenever possible, and he pays for drinks and meals. If it makes you feel better, you can think of this as a business expense I can write off on my taxes.”

Harlow stared at him for a beat, then nodded. What else could she do? She didn’t want to like Lowell’s world, but she had to admit it felt good being there. She’d had doors shut in her face when men had entered ahead of her and hadn’t held them open. She’d had to pay for her own meals on dates. And she’d even had an experience when she’d literally almost been run over by a bus in Seattle because she’d been forced to walk on the outside of the sidewalk near the curb.

“Okay,” she said.

“Okay,” Lowell said with a small smile. Then he squeezed her hand once more and climbed out.

“Not a date, not a date,” Harlow chanted to herself quietly as Lowell walked around his car to come to her side. He opened her door and held out a hand. Taking a deep breath, Harlow put her hand back in his and allowed him to help her up and out of the low seat.

He didn’t let go of her hand once she was standing next to him, though. He simply shut the car door with his free hand and led her toward the door of the bar.

Not a date, she told herself once more as Lowell smiled at her and pulled open the heavy wooden door.

Guest Post: A Mountain Mercenary’s Sneak Attack with Author Susan Stoker

Defending Harlow is book 4 in the Mountain Mercenaries series. Each book features one of the men who were recruited by the mysteries “Rex” to work on his team to help rescue kidnapped women and children. In this book we meet Lowell “Black” Lockard who was a Navy SEAL before he became a Mountain Mercenary. He joined the group because after his stint in the Navy, he realized that he was happiest when he was being useful, helping others. He’d been close to his fellow SEALs when he’d been on active duty, but somehow he was even closer with his fellow Mountain Mercenaries.

They worked together, they played together, and they simply enjoyed spending time with each other both during missions and when they were living their lives in Colorado Springs.

Black loves that his friends have found women that completed them. Gray met Allye when he rescued her from a boat in the middle of the Pacific Ocean and they had to swim for hours to safety. Ro met Chloe when her brother was holding her hostage in his house and was about to pimp her out from his strip club. And Arrow met Morgan when they’d been down in the Dominican Republic to rescue a child who’d been kidnapped by her non custodial father. Turns out, Morgan was one of the most famous missing people the United States had ever had, and she’d been held for over a year before she’d accidentally been found by the Mountain Mercenaries.

He loves that his friends are happy, but realizes that he is…bored. He wants someone to laugh with. To talk to at the end of the day. To break the routine of his life. He envies his friends for having that.

Meeting Harlow is a turning part in Black’s life. She makes him laugh and he’s intrigued more than he’s ever been by a woman before. And realizing they went to the same high school once upon a time makes him even more curious. But there’s a problem…Harlow has had bad date after bad date and she’s sworn off dating forever.

But Black won’t give up. He decides to “trick” her by refusing to call what they’re doing as ‘dates.’ They’re just “hanging out.” And the more he spends time with her, the more he likes her…and vice versa. Harlow will have to decide whether or not to take a chance on Black, and he’ll have to figure out how to neutralize the threat looming over Harlow and the women’s shelter she works at or else the semantics of what they’re doing will be a moot point, because someone might end up dead.

New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author, Susan Stoker has a heart as big as the state of Texas where she lives, but this all-American girl has also spent the last fourteen years living in Missouri, California, Colorado, and Indiana. She’s married to a retired Army man who now gets to follow her around the country.

She debuted her first series in 2014 and quickly followed that up with the SEAL of Protection Series, which solidified her love of writing and creating stories readers can get lost in.

Follow: / Website / Twitter / Goodreads / Facebook / Newsletter Sign Up

NOTE: The Reading Cafe is NOT responsible for the rafflecopter giveaway. If you have any questions, please contact the tour provider.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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