It’s an exhilarating and sexy ride as opposites attract and danger abounds when two people who are drawn to each get caught in the middle of a mystery involving dead bodies. Keep reading to get a tempting taste of Ace of Hearts by J.C. Valentine, along with my impressions of this MC-fueled tale, then discover even more about this book by visiting the other sites hosting this tour. In honor of this third installment in the Blind Jacks MC series make sure to fill out the form below for the chance to win a Kindle Fire too!
Being granted a second chance at life and a first time at love was every man’s dream, but for Ace it came with a price.
Ace
By all rights, he should be dead. Serving ten years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit had affected him in ways he couldn’t begin to understand. He’d rolled out of the slammer and into a revenge plot that almost got him killed. By the grace of God, when he’d hit rock bottom, one person reached out a helping hand.
A beautiful redhead with a penchant for mischief took a shine to him and then disappeared, leaving behind only her number scribbled recklessly on his arm. Assuming he can make out all the numbers, he just might have a chance at something amazing.
Barbara
Finally divorcing her narcissistic husband was the best choice Barbara ever made. After living under his control for seven long years, she might have gone a little wild for a minute, what with jumping the hot biker and all. None of that mattered, though, because today was the day she got herself back on track.
After being given the opportunity to excavate a small cache of fossils in a remote area, Barbara is horrified to discover she’s inadvertently led a small team of her archeology students into danger. When they stumble on a secret dumping site of a vicious serial killer, Ace, the big, handsome biker takes charge. But she may have gotten herself and her students into more danger than even he can handle.
MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:
Throughout two previous books, readers were given just a glimpse into the emotionally abusive early years of Jeremy “Ace” Strond’s life. Watching his mother drift away into mental illness, while dealing with his twin brother’s increasingly psychotic behavior, has left him with nightmares and guilt that are further revealed here. Not only is he carrying the scars of his twin’s vile acts on the inside, but his body is a patchwork of further betrayals that all came to a head with a ten year prison sentence that he’s still trying to cope with. With a body full of scars inside and out, along with a questionable past of his own, he feels unworthy of the kind of love his MC brothers seem to be finding. But an unforgettable encounter with a sassy doctor has him putting everything on the line despite his feelings of unworthiness in a romance that’s full of eroticism and dirty talk. When the discovery of dead bodies puts the professor in danger though he and his club will protect her and her students no matter what. With danger creeping ever closer their connection grows too with thoughts of the future invading his dreams where nightmares once ruled. Ace is a cool and confident hero, a bit rough around the edges, but unapologetic for who he is. He thinks himself ugly and undeserving of happiness which has him pushing Barbara away early on. With her life in danger from unknown enemies, and her ex’s increasingly stalkerish behavior though, his caveman tendencies come out to claim her wholeheartedly in encounters that are sweet and sexy. Ace is a loyal hero too, just getting accustomed to having brothers, which also made for some moments of bro-mance that endeared all the MC’s brothers to me.
Barbara Reynolds has always been the good girl. She married a man she thought was equally good but his womanizing ways and belittling behaviors drove her away. After numerous bouts of forgiveness she had enough and is now ready to start over. She does so in grand style playing doctor with Ace in a clandestine encounter that neither of them has forgotten. When he shows up as a student in her class it leads to combustible words and deeds along with danger from a mysterious villain. With her ex, Barbara was used as a pretty prop. She was devalued in so many other ways though that have left her with low self-esteem. Ace is just what the doctor ordered as their sexual encounters empower her and have her standing up to her ex as he refuses to let her go. In turn, she heals his bruised heart and through the lens of love she helps him see himself in a more positive life. She’s a strong-willed heroine who easily rolls with everything thrown her way. She’s no shrinking violet and is a solid support to Ace throughout their journey to HEA. Along the way she learns what it means to be an old lady, embracing the outdated views of the MC, in a story that showed the unconventional family she’s found with the men and women of the Blind Jacks MC.
This is an entertaining read for the most part despite the flow being a bit jumpy and certain things being quickly glossed over and resolved. It’s a bit melodramatic at times too, especially with the reasons revealed by the villain for their actions. The actual romance between Ace and Barbara was the highlight though. They’re a crackling couple with fun and flirty banter. They may be opposites but their scenes together were sweet and scorching with lots of dirty talk to make readers blush. Along with this compelling main couple was a large cast of secondary characters. Readers get to see Ryder and Tiffany again, still solid and supportive of each other, even with her still dealing with her own crazy ex. Tiffany’s actions made no sense after all the abuse Stuart heaped on her and his inclusion in this story felt creepy and wrong. Also joining the Blind Jacks on a peripheral basis are a few of Ace’s fellow college students as they seek a safe haven. Two of them, Jack and Jennifer, seem to easily blend in and their presence gives readers further insight into the MC world as both of them look to be staying. On a whole this was a satisfying addition to the Blind Jacks MC series courtesy of its delightfully decadent main couple. The suspense itself was well done but the reasons behind it felt silly. The brothers were a supportive bunch, rallying to help Ace and the woman he quickly claims, in scenes that were heartwarming while keeping me on the edge of my seat as the bullets flew. I look forward to where we go next as I’m thoroughly intrigued by the glimpses of Peb, Cork, and Jack sprinkled throughout this story that promises more emotional stories on the horizon.
My rating for this is a C+/B-
*I got this book from the author for review in exchange for my honest opinion.
PREVIOUS BOOKS IN THE BLIND JACKS MC SERIES:
MARKED FOR DEATH (Book #1)
Tiffany
Leading a nomadic life, I’ve been on the run from my rich ex-husband for years. I’ve learned every trick in the book, staying one step ahead of him and his trackers. He’s taken everything from me, and despite everything, I’ve managed to carve out a life. But he’s getting close again. It’s time to hit the road, to start over…but it looks like the universe has other plans.
Ryder
As Sargent at Arms, stalking the crazy man trying to kill my MC brothers is part of my job description. Protecting the club is what I live for. Unfortunately, today I’m the loser in our never ending game of cat and mouse. The last thing I remember before waking up in the emergency room is staring up at the sky while bleeding out onto the cold, hard pavement. Then the pretty nurse walks in and turns my world sideways, and those soft hands know just how to handle a big, angry biker like me. With a psycho on my tail, the stakes couldn’t be higher. I know I should walk away, but self-preservation has never been much of a strong suit. As my enemy closes in, I’ve got no gun, three bullet holes, and absolutely zero patience left. The question is, who will be the one to sign my death warrant—the crazy-ass biker who’s gunning for me…or the sexy-as-sin nurse I’ve got a hard-on for?
FIGHTING DIRTY (Book #2)
What happens when an outlaw biker’s obsession puts him between a beautiful nurse and her vicious stalker?
Ryder
When a brutal attack sent him rolling on a gurney into a beautiful nurse’s life, the chance encounter seemed like a dream come true. She patched him up and gave him a reason to believe in love again, shining light into his dark and dangerous world.
There’s only one problem… She’s on the run from a violent past that’s about to catch up with her in the form of an ex-husband who’s used to getting what he wants—no matter what stands in his way. It might get him killed, but Ryder’s never backed down from a fight, and this is one he’s determined to win.
Tiffany
Starting over isn’t easy. Years of learning new towns, new people, and new jobs have left Tiffany tired, lonely, and ready to give up. Until a hot, sexy, bad-boy biker barreled into her life and she fell…hard. Latching onto the over-protective biker seemed like a good way to escape her daunting past, but life is never that simple.
Club life isn’t what Tiffany imagined it to be, and she soon realizes that her hot new man has a long and wild history that may be more than she bargained for. Between the women and rumors of violence, she finds herself caught between a psychotic ex bent on her destruction and the man who isn’t what she thought him to be. When things quickly begin to unravel, Tiffany doesn’t know who to trust or where to turn.
AUTHOR INFO:
J.C. Valentine is the USA Today and International bestselling author of the Night Calls and Wayward Fighters Series and the Forbidden Trilogy. Her vivid imagination and love of words and romance had her penning her own romance stories from an early age, which, despite being poorly edited and written longhand, she forced friends and family members to read. No, she isn’t sorry.
Living in the Northwest, she has three amazing children and far too many pets. Among the many hats she wears, J.C. is an entrepreneur. Having graduated with honors, she holds a Bachelor’s in English and when she isn’t writing, you can find her editing for fellow authors.
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