USA Today and International and bestselling author J.C. Valentine is back with the latest in her captivating, enigmatic, and rousing world of the Spartan Riders MC...
They’ve been through hell and back and have the scars to prove it.
Kade “Moose” Hunter doesn’t tolerate drama. He’s cocky, unapologetic, and all about the quiet side of life.
That’s why Mouse fits him so well.
Angel “Mouse” Grace isn’t like the other women hanging around the club. She’s sweet and gentle, and when Moose gets her engines revving, her passion burns bright. She’s the yin to his yang, and Moose is almost certain she’s the one, but life is never that easy for a Spartan.
The catch? Their town is falling apart.
A cesspool of crime and addiction, the Spartans face yet another challenge: confront crime lord Manuel Contreras and risk war, or worse, death. When Angel’s kid sister rolls into town and takes a shine to the Spartan’s mortal enemy, Moose is torn between doing what’s best for his family…and what’s best for his love life.
EXCERPT:
Things were unusually quiet at the clubhouse today. Everyone had been dispersed to the wind. The prospects were around, but each had their own assignment designed to keep the place running smoothly and efficiently. Basically, things were getting handled.
The women were in short supply too. Most were at work or taking classes at the community college, since the men liked their ladies empowered and with more than a few brains in their head. Call them weird or feminists or whatever, but as far as Moose was concerned, the mark of a good man was directly tied to the quality of the woman by his side.
Most of his brothers felt the same. It just made sense. Like begot like. If a man carried himself like trash, he was going to attract trash, and vice versa. A person had to consider the kind of company they kept.
Moose had hung back today because…well, what did an enforcer do when they had nothing to enforce? Things had been so quiet lately that his knuckles hadn’t had a good bruising in forever. He was starting to feel like Rocky by the last movie—old and washed up, no longer useful. It wasn’t as if he was a violent man by nature, and he sure didn’t relish getting his clothes bloody, but what did a guy have to do to get a little action around here?
As if the skies had opened up and the angels began to sing, the front door swung open and a contrite Country came walking in, his gait wide and awkward as if he’d suddenly gone bowlegged and got his ass kicked and still had the guy’s boot shoved way up where the sun didn’t shine. He had his hand shoved down the front of his pants and was cussing up a storm.
“What’s wrong, little buddy?” Moose asked with a smirk. “Someone spur your ass or what?”
“Don’t you start with me,” Country warned him as he stormed past him on the way toward the wing that held the bedrooms. “Fuckin’ pants are chaffing my balls.” His hand got to working overtime.
“Are you wrestling a squirrel or somethin’?” Moose taunted, unable to help himself.
“Or somethin’,” Country barked, clearly not in a mood to play. “I swear to Christ. Can a person suddenly grow an allergy to jeans?”
“Not that I’ve heard,” Moose replied smoothly. “Maybe polyester in your panties?”
Country swung a death glare over his shoulder. “They don’t even make polyester anymore. I think...”
Moose drummed his fingers on the table. “But they do make this nifty powder substance that can sure make it seem like it.”
Country took two more steps before stopping dead in his tracks. “You didn’t,” he said slowly, his voice low and filled with dark intent.
“Wouldn’t I?”
Moose saw the exact moment that he remembered the night that inspired it all, and burst out laughing.
“You dirty motherfucker!” Country bellowed. “After I take a shower, I’m kicking your fuckin’ ass. You’d better use that time as a head start because I’m going to mess that pretty face up.”
Moose blew him a kiss. “Assuming you can catch me.” He stepped down from the stool and casually tucked in his shirttails. “Enjoy that shower. And make sure to use some petroleum jelly after. Helps with the residual burn. Oh, and you might want to check the rest of your drawers to make sure nothing else has been tampered with.” He clicked his tongue, shaking his head. “Man, never know who you can trust these days.”
Country glared. Moose laughed. Man, it wasn’t even noon yet, and it was already turning out to be a damned fine day.
As Country stormed off to get that shower, Moose sidled up to the bar and took the seat beside Cricket, who was looking a touch worse for wear this afternoon. “You look like something the cat dragged in.”
“Thanks, bro. Just the look I was aiming for.” He thumbed over his shoulder. “What’d you do to him?”
Moose lifted a shoulder. “Just a little itching powder in the boxers trick I learned back in college.”
FIND AT GOODREADS here.
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MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:
Through four previous books readers have become fully invested in the lives of the men and women of the Spartan Riders MC and their roller coaster rides to HEA. Through each book in this series readers have laughed at and been charmed by these rough around the edges bikers and the sweet and eclectic heroines who tame them. This final installment brings everything full circle though, ties up loose ends, while introducing readers to another unforgettable couple that kept me glued to the pages from the first page to the last.
Kade “Moose” Hunter’s always been seen as the good guy, honest to a fault, and loyal to the brotherhood. He’s easygoing but quick to fight when needed as a member of the Spartan Riders and as he sees it, Angel is his reward. It’s a rocky road to HEA though due to her fears and it makes for a sweet and endearing romance that I rooted for every step of the way. Kade’s a man’s man, not afraid to show his softer side, and his trying to woo Angel brought a smile to my face as he didn’t always say or do the right thing. He tried to always be her hero though and for that I fell for him wholeheartedly. His loyalty and desire to see those he cares for have a happy life endeared him to me too and he‘s a good match to Angel’s overt sweetness.
Angel Grace had a rough childhood where her sister was the only one she could count on. Love wasn’t guaranteed and getting used by others was far too common in their youth. While they were a united front when they were young, their connection became frayed as the years progressed because of Rena’s wild child tendencies. Seeing her sister falter had her clinging to being the good girl and her quietness and cautiousness gives true meaning to her nickname of “Mouse”. Angel appears shy to the other brothers, easy to tame, but when she’s with Kade a sex kitten side emerges. He brings out an inner strength in her when it comes to helping her sister too and it ultimately made them a formidable pair. She may be tiny in size, but she’s bold when it comes to her plentiful interludes with Kade which brought a blush or two to my cheeks.
This was a fast-paced story that juggled many storylines, finishing up some previous threads while introducing a few new ones that are nicely wrapped up by the conclusion. The romance between Moose and Mouse is sweet yet super sexy and it made for a compelling tale of opposites attracting. In the outside world their temperaments may have been very different, but in their quiet moments they are perfectly in sync with interactions that made me laugh and blush. For a story set in the MC world, the suspense took a backseat to the romance between the main couple and the updates of previous couples. That’s not to say that I wasn’t kept on the edge of my seat though as the remains of the drug cartel are still having an influence on the Riders’s hometown. A plan is underway to bring Manuel Contreras down using an unexpected character (although I figured it out right away) and it was an engaging storyline that I wish had gotten dug into deeper. For the bad guy, Manuel wasn’t easy to define and his interactions with his daughter brought out a charming side to him. The pace of this story is well done too for the most part, though the ending was a bit rushed when it came to Manuel. His future, and that of his daughter, was a bit too easily wrapped up and I’m definitely left wanting more where they’re concerned. Fans of MC romances will find much to like about this book, and this series as a whole, as romances are nicely balanced with heart-pounding action and immensely likable characters. Readers will be left cheering by this series ender and ready for more from the talented Ms. Valentine.
Kade “Moose” Hunter’s always been seen as the good guy, honest to a fault, and loyal to the brotherhood. He’s easygoing but quick to fight when needed as a member of the Spartan Riders and as he sees it, Angel is his reward. It’s a rocky road to HEA though due to her fears and it makes for a sweet and endearing romance that I rooted for every step of the way. Kade’s a man’s man, not afraid to show his softer side, and his trying to woo Angel brought a smile to my face as he didn’t always say or do the right thing. He tried to always be her hero though and for that I fell for him wholeheartedly. His loyalty and desire to see those he cares for have a happy life endeared him to me too and he‘s a good match to Angel’s overt sweetness.
Angel Grace had a rough childhood where her sister was the only one she could count on. Love wasn’t guaranteed and getting used by others was far too common in their youth. While they were a united front when they were young, their connection became frayed as the years progressed because of Rena’s wild child tendencies. Seeing her sister falter had her clinging to being the good girl and her quietness and cautiousness gives true meaning to her nickname of “Mouse”. Angel appears shy to the other brothers, easy to tame, but when she’s with Kade a sex kitten side emerges. He brings out an inner strength in her when it comes to helping her sister too and it ultimately made them a formidable pair. She may be tiny in size, but she’s bold when it comes to her plentiful interludes with Kade which brought a blush or two to my cheeks.
This was a fast-paced story that juggled many storylines, finishing up some previous threads while introducing a few new ones that are nicely wrapped up by the conclusion. The romance between Moose and Mouse is sweet yet super sexy and it made for a compelling tale of opposites attracting. In the outside world their temperaments may have been very different, but in their quiet moments they are perfectly in sync with interactions that made me laugh and blush. For a story set in the MC world, the suspense took a backseat to the romance between the main couple and the updates of previous couples. That’s not to say that I wasn’t kept on the edge of my seat though as the remains of the drug cartel are still having an influence on the Riders’s hometown. A plan is underway to bring Manuel Contreras down using an unexpected character (although I figured it out right away) and it was an engaging storyline that I wish had gotten dug into deeper. For the bad guy, Manuel wasn’t easy to define and his interactions with his daughter brought out a charming side to him. The pace of this story is well done too for the most part, though the ending was a bit rushed when it came to Manuel. His future, and that of his daughter, was a bit too easily wrapped up and I’m definitely left wanting more where they’re concerned. Fans of MC romances will find much to like about this book, and this series as a whole, as romances are nicely balanced with heart-pounding action and immensely likable characters. Readers will be left cheering by this series ender and ready for more from the talented Ms. Valentine.
My rating for this is a B+
*I got this book from the author for review in exchange for my honest opinion.
THE PREVIOUS BOOKS IN THE SPARTAN RIDERS MC SERIES:
GRIT (BOOK #1)
Gabby Morgan isn’t looking for love. Not even a little romance. Following a rocky past that she’d just as soon forget, she’s determined to focus on the future. One that most certainly doesn’t involve the tough-as-nails, short-on-words, hot-as-hell biker…or his kid.
Blake Mahone may not be done with women, but he’s finished with relationships. Then Gabby Morgan enters the picture. She’s flawless, refined, and as his kid’s teacher, way out of his league. She acts like she hates him, but her eyes tell a different story. Before he knows it, Blake finds himself hot for teacher, and he’s more than ready to learn all her secrets. Now all he has to do is convince her to give him a shot…without getting them both killed in the process.
METTLE (BOOK #2)
Talia McKinnon said goodbye to love the day she signed the divorce papers and moved across the country looking for a fresh start. With work occupying her days and nights, a relationship is the last thing on her mind, until a run-in with a hot-as-Hades, leather clad biker changes her mind. He’s everything she shouldn’t want but has to have. The problem is, he’s not that easy to catch.
Tucker “Country” Abrams believes in two things: brotherhood and women. He takes his job seriously and his women hard, but at the end of the day, the only loyalty he has is to his club. So when a night with a beautiful stranger threatens to change everything, he’s quick to apply the brakes. But when a little detective work reveals that Talia may be much more than a one-night stand, Tucker is tasked with an impossible decision. Will he push her away, or go against every instinct he has and pull her closer?
VIGOR (BOOK #3)
USA Today and International bestselling author J.C. Valentine is back with the latest in her electrifying, dangerous, and provocative world of the Spartan Riders MC...
After escaping an abusive marriage, Spartan Riders bartender Ginger “Red” Mercury is determined to live life on her own terms. When the club’s VP declares her untouchable and stakes his own claim on her, she finds herself ready to wage war.
A year after inoculating the threat from notorious cartel leader Ricky Cruiz, Garrick “Repo” Stone, the last-standing original member of the Spartan Riders MC, has his focus on something else: monogamy. Having decided to settle down and take an ol’ lady, he has his sights set on Red…and he has his work cut out for him if he hopes to win her.
When a new threat makes itself known, threatening everything the brothers stand for and care about, they’re left scrambling to find out who’s behind it before it’s too late. With the high-stakes game of war looming over them, will Red be able to open her heart to love before outside forces pull her and Repo apart?
BRASH (BOOK #4)
She has a secret she’s desperate to keep...
With danger looming on the horizon, former FBI agent turned bunny, Bambi Lane, isn’t taking any chances. Taking refuge in a nearby town, she builds a new and comfortable life under the radar, but when trouble comes knocking on her door, she finds that the one thing she’s worked so hard to protect is about to be exposed.
He has a desire that won’t be denied.
Curtis “Taco” Nash, the Spartan’s road captain, has always marched to the beat of his own drum, his only loyalty to that of his brothers and the club.
Only one person has ever successfully clawed their way under Curtis Nash’s skin, and when she disappeared from his life without so much as a goodbye, he wrote her off—at least, he tried to. One mention of the one who got away, and he’s consumed with desire—and anger.
He wants answers. He wants her. He’s about to get a lot more than he bargained for.
As the war between the cartel and the Spartans heats up, Taco has to decide if he’s going to protect his brothers or the new life that’s waiting for him. When everything hangs in the balance, one thing is clear: No one is safe. Will Bambi and Taco be able to come together and find the strength to take a leap of faith before time runs out?
FIND AT GOODREADS here.
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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