Monthly Archives: April 2016

Last Mile (Vicious Cycle, #3) by Katie Ashley

Last Mile (Vicious Cycle, #3)Last Mile by Katie Ashley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Title: Last Mile
Author: Katie Ashley
Series: Vicious Cycle, #3
Pages: 336
Publisher: Signet
Date: May 3, 2016

Summary:

After her father was murdered in the line of duty, ATF agent Samantha Vargas is determined to take down the scumbags of the drug trade. When her partner takes on a case to infiltrate the Hells Raiders MC, Samantha agrees to go undercover as his old lady but is surprised to find herself drawn to the very man she is investigating.

Benjamin “Bishop” Malloy has worked hard to carve a place for himself both in and out of the MC world. Working days as a mechanic, he spends his nights rebuilding motorcycles with the hope of one day owning his own shop. After taking one of the club’s new hang-arounds under his wing, Bishop is conflicted over his growing attraction for the man’s girlfriend.

Even though she’s determined to bring down the Raiders, Samantha discovers their world isn’t as black-and-white as she thought. And as the stakes grow higher, she’s in danger of losing more than her heart.

Review:

This is the third book in the Vicious Cycle series and this is the first series about motorcycle gangs I have ever read. I had a really hard time with the first book – Vicious Cycle. There was a lot of violence and the language was really rough . . . what you would expect from this plotline. I stuck with it however and I am so glad I did. I ended up loving the book.

I enjoyed book two, Redemption Road, even more. I either got used to the violence and language or there was less of it. Either way, it was a great book.

I couldn’t wait for book three and I wasn’t disappointed.

Bishop, by his own words, is a man whore. The beginning of the book illustrates that quite definitely. However, once he makes a commitment to Samantha, those days are over. Unfortunately, the secret Samantha is keeping is going to be hard to forgive.

I am afraid I have a stereotypical view of biker gangs as does Samantha. All three of these books have made me rethink my opinions. The books do not sugarcoat the gang world, but they do illustrate that not all of them are alike. This last book even mentions Bikers Against Child Abuse (B.A.C.A.) an organization which actually exists. Look it up. They are doing important work.
Biker gangs will never be one of my go-to plots, but I am so glad I had the chance to read and review these books. And yes, if there are more in the series, I will definitely buy them too.

No matter what you think you know and feel about biker gangs, give these books a try. I think you will enjoy them in spite of yourself.

This book was sent to me by NetGalley in return for an honest review.

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Filed under Contemporary, Realistic, Romance

The Devil You Know (McKenna Brothers, #2) by Jo Goodman

The Devil You Know (McKenna Brothers, #2)The Devil You Know by Jo Goodman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Title: The Devil You Know
Author: Jo Goodman
Series: McKenna Brothers #2
Pages: 416
Publisher: Berkley
Date: May 3, 2016

Summary:

WHAT HE DOESN’T KNOW . . .

After a horse drags him through the countryside, Israel McKenna awakes bruised and battered in a field in Pancake Valley, Colorado. He can recall where he came from and where he was going, but the memory of how he came to be on the Pancake homestead eludes him. He’s certain he did something wrong to deserve such a harsh punishment—and so is the beautiful woman who reluctantly comes to his aid.

. . . COULD HURT HER.

Wilhelmina “Willa” Pancake must focus on running her family’s ranch. With Israel’s hazy memory, she is unsure if she can trust him, let alone handle the budding attraction between them. And as men fight to steal her land and the truth about Israel’s past rides toward them, love is a risk she cannot easily take.

Review:

This is my first book by Jo Goodman, but it won’t be my last. Although the main plot and subplots are serious, there are some laugh-out-loud parts as well. And I love that about a book.

The first character introduced is Annalea Pancake. It was a few pages before I realized she was not going to be the female lead. She is only ten years old. Well, almost. She will be ten in eight days as she is quick to tell Israel. Anyway, she is a wonderful character. She says whatever is in her head and there are some strange things there.

Her sister Willa, however, is not so quick to trust people. She does not keep her opinion to herself, but she does not let anyone in either. Given that Israel has amnesia and can’t be honest even if he wanted to be, there were bound to be problems.

I thought the book was a little long. It didn’t really drag, but I kept wanted something to happen. Then all of a sudden it did. There was a “yeah, I saw that coming” bit. Then there was a “wow, I didn’t see that coming at all” twist. And finally, a “Holy Cow! I wasn’t expecting that!” Yeah, when this book got going, it really got going.

I did not realize that this was the second in a series. There was nothing on Goodreads about it (a correction I have made) and even the author site does not list the connection between the two books. However, book one, A Gun for Hire, is definitely part of the same world. It’s okay to read The Devil You Know as a stand alone. I did, but I wish I had read the other one first.

Of course, now I have it to look forward to.

As I said to start with, this will not be my only Jo Goodman book.

This book was sent to me by NetGalley in return for an honest review.

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Filed under Historical, Humor, Realistic, Romance