As a fan of MC-themed romances I'm excited to bring you this second installment in the Deacons of Bourbon Street series, Fire Me Up by Rachael Johns, and the men coming home to deal with their pasts head-on. Keep reading to get a tantalizing taste of this gritty and sensual read, along with my impressions of it, and learn even more about it by visiting the other sites hosting this tour. In honor of this release make sure to fill out the form below for the chance to win a bundle of eBooks too!
Can a scorching affair with a bohemian beauty tame a motorcycle man with a dark side? Rachael Johns takes the wheel in the sexy series co-written with Megan Crane, Jackie Ashenden, and Maisey Yates.
Travis “Cash” Sinclair values only two things from his days with the Deacons of Bourbon Street: his prized Harley Davidson and the man who gave it to him. But now Priest Lombard is gone, and Cash has inherited the Deacons’ clubhouse—not to mentions its unexpected tenant. She’s exactly the type of woman he tries to avoid: all incense and art, with a sharp tongue that promises trouble. So why does Cash want to push aside those flowing skirts and lose himself between her legs?
Billie Taylor fled a bad marriage to start a new life among the grit and glamour of the French Quarter. She refuses to let another man distract her from her dreams, especially an outlaw biker with nothing to offer except hot sex and an eviction notice. Cash is dangerous, with an untamed streak he tries desperately to conceal. He drives Billie wild, sending her too close to the edge for her own good. And she won’t fall under his spell—or into his bed—without a fight.
EXCERPT:
Fucking Ajax wanted to keep the joint, revive the damn club, embrace the old brotherhood, and Leon was all for it. They’d spent all night after the funeral downing bourbon, reliving “fond” memories and making plans, and had gotten progressively more obsessed. Only Travis and Micah could see that the best thing for all of them would be to sell off the buildings Priest had left them and get the fuck back out of town. Tallahassee might seem boring in comparison to New Orleans, but it was safe. This place still set him on edge; it made him feel things he didn’t want to feel. Travis knew the longer he stayed, the more likely he was to lose his shit with someone and end up in jail. Again.
Realizing she was still staring at him, he straightened and then gestured beyond them to the door that led inside. Despite her coolness, her paltry attempts at hostility did nothing to calm the fire rising within him. “Then you can show me to my room,” he told her, indecent suggestion dripping from his tone.
“Excuse me?”
Her outraged expression only wound the coil of heat inside him tighter. He turned and headed over to where he’d dumped his bag on the floor. Billie wasn’t wearing any shoes so he didn’t hear her stalking after him, but he felt her. She was following him and if he played his cards right, he could turn what had been a shitty day into one that would blow both their minds. Leaning over, he hitched his pack over his shoulder and then turned, expecting to come face-to-face with her alluring anger, but almost tripping over a little gray dog instead.
“What the fuck is that?” And where the hell had it come from? He steadied himself against the wall, his fingers closing around the edge of some grotesque fairy painting, and peered down at the thing that had almost resulted in giving him a broken leg. It looked up at him, teeth bared, a low growl emanating from somewhere beneath rolls and rolls of wrinkles. Travis had never been big on small dogs, but he had to give it to this one—it had balls.
Billie smiled that saccharine smile again. “This is Baxter, and I think what he’s trying to say is you don’t have a room here.”
“Well, Baxter.” Travis glared down at the pathetic excuse for a dog. “That’s where you’re wrong. In case you misunderstood before, Billie,” he said, looking back to her, “I’m the new owner of this building. And, as it happens, I need a place to stay for a few weeks. Maybe longer.”
“That may be,” Billie said, standing her ground, although he noted a quiver in her voice, “but I already live here, so you’ll have to find somewhere else.”
“I don’t think so.” He shook his head and made to move past Billie and Baxter.
She sidestepped so that she was in his way and Baxter bared his teeth even more, his growl growing deeper. “If you are my new landlord,” Billie said, her tone filled with disgust, “then you’d know I have rights as the tenant. You need to give me notice for an inspection and you definitely can’t just move in.”
“Sweetheart.” He leaned forward so he was invading her personal space. She smelled sweet, of some kind of strawberry shampoo or something that made his muscles tighten, but he ignored it. “No one tells me what the fuck to do. And if you can afford a lawyer, then you’re not paying us enough rent.”
“I . . . I . . .” Billie blinked, and her tits heaved up and down as she searched for more words.
He made no apology for looking, waited a beat, and when it seemed she didn’t have anything to add he tossed her one final question. “Can you afford a lawyer?”
Her shoulders slumped and she shook her head.
He smirked his victory. “In that case, you, me and Baxter are roommates.
FIND THIS BOOK ON GOODREADS here.
FIND THE DEACONS OF BOURBON STREET SERIES ON GOODREADS here.
MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:
As the second installment in the Deacons of Bourbon Street series the mystery, angst, and sensuality continues as readers are introduced to the gruff yet sexy playboy Travis and upbeat hippie girl Billie. Theirs is a relationship that's full of fireworks from the very start as the past continues to rain down on the boys the once powerful Priest betrayed. It all makes for a fast-paced read that can stand on its own but will be enhanced when the series is read in order. Though there are very few answers here it's an exciting introduction to a once bad boy reconciling with his past and his unlikely match who's moved on from hers.
Travis felt he'd found a father figure in Priest after a childhood of loneliness courtesy of a mother who cared more for herself than her son. He'd found a feeling of pride and self-worth amongst the Deacons, a family of sorts, until the day he was sent away. That betrayal lingered for ten years, with him vowing never to come back, until the death of Priest forces him to come home. The returning man is a bitter, cold-hearted one who wants to sell the legacy left to him and go back to his life before his former Brothers betray him again. Being with his Brothers though causes his heart to unthaw as does meeting Billie. Before he knows it he's using his tech skills to dig into Priest's death, and the truths surrounding his past, as a visitor from his past further complicates things for his heart. Billie's his biggest complication though as he's drawn to her despite their being complete opposites. She brings out his softer side, a sweet and charming side, along with his protective instincts. Travis is alpha to the core, though he gives her the independence she craves, with sensuality oozing from him which makes their connection crackle and teem with sexual tension.
Billie's bruised by her past too. She's newly-divorced from a man who dominated her and who took away her essence and she's vowed to never let another man take over her life again. Travis is a temptation though, despite his coldness and arrogance, which leads to a scorching and humorous sensual tug of war where the winner's never clear. Billie's a strong-willed Australian woman who's started her life completely over and refuses to let Travis take the security of her new gallery from her. As their attraction gets hotter, and as Travis digs deeper into the past, their relationship becomes the only sure thing in their lives if only they're willing to put their hearts on the line. Billie was an entertaining heroine who judged the Deacons by what she learned on TV which made for some humorous exchanges. Her banter with Travis was fiery which fueled their already combustible connection that had me wanting them to give in much sooner than they did. Being around Travis brought out a stronger piece to her personality that had her giving as good as she got when in his presence.
This was an entertaining and quick read with a main couple whose connection was crackling and that added to the energy of the French Quarter. Travis was a sexy bad boy finally coming full circle whose charm and talent for dirty talk called to me with Billie a formidable match for him with their relationship a nice compliment to the overall mystery of Priest's death. Though we don't really make much headway with Priest's death, the search is serving to bring his boys home. From the ashes they're once again making an unlikely family that brings out softer sides to four bruised and unfulfilled men and I look forward to Blue and Prince finding closure for themselves and for Priest to finally rest in peace.
Travis felt he'd found a father figure in Priest after a childhood of loneliness courtesy of a mother who cared more for herself than her son. He'd found a feeling of pride and self-worth amongst the Deacons, a family of sorts, until the day he was sent away. That betrayal lingered for ten years, with him vowing never to come back, until the death of Priest forces him to come home. The returning man is a bitter, cold-hearted one who wants to sell the legacy left to him and go back to his life before his former Brothers betray him again. Being with his Brothers though causes his heart to unthaw as does meeting Billie. Before he knows it he's using his tech skills to dig into Priest's death, and the truths surrounding his past, as a visitor from his past further complicates things for his heart. Billie's his biggest complication though as he's drawn to her despite their being complete opposites. She brings out his softer side, a sweet and charming side, along with his protective instincts. Travis is alpha to the core, though he gives her the independence she craves, with sensuality oozing from him which makes their connection crackle and teem with sexual tension.
Billie's bruised by her past too. She's newly-divorced from a man who dominated her and who took away her essence and she's vowed to never let another man take over her life again. Travis is a temptation though, despite his coldness and arrogance, which leads to a scorching and humorous sensual tug of war where the winner's never clear. Billie's a strong-willed Australian woman who's started her life completely over and refuses to let Travis take the security of her new gallery from her. As their attraction gets hotter, and as Travis digs deeper into the past, their relationship becomes the only sure thing in their lives if only they're willing to put their hearts on the line. Billie was an entertaining heroine who judged the Deacons by what she learned on TV which made for some humorous exchanges. Her banter with Travis was fiery which fueled their already combustible connection that had me wanting them to give in much sooner than they did. Being around Travis brought out a stronger piece to her personality that had her giving as good as she got when in his presence.
This was an entertaining and quick read with a main couple whose connection was crackling and that added to the energy of the French Quarter. Travis was a sexy bad boy finally coming full circle whose charm and talent for dirty talk called to me with Billie a formidable match for him with their relationship a nice compliment to the overall mystery of Priest's death. Though we don't really make much headway with Priest's death, the search is serving to bring his boys home. From the ashes they're once again making an unlikely family that brings out softer sides to four bruised and unfulfilled men and I look forward to Blue and Prince finding closure for themselves and for Priest to finally rest in peace.
My rating for this is a B.
*I got this book from NetGalley for review in exchange for my honest opinion.
AUTHOR INFO:
Rachael Johns is an English teacher by trade, a mum 24/7, a supermarket owner, a chronic arachnophobic, and a writer the rest of the time. She rarely sleeps and never irons. She writes contemporary romance for HQN and Carina Press and lives in rural Western Australia with her hyperactive husband and three mostly-gorgeous heroes-in-training. Rachael loves to hear from readers and can be contacted through.....
**********GIVEAWAY**********
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Thank you for hosting FIRE ME UP!
ReplyDelete