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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
I've really enjoyed this series. Probably because the women are smart and often the men and women are saving each other rather than the damsel in distress. Also buff men with motorcycles.
Review posted: Happily Ever After - Reads
Blog rating: C+
This story has a great, action packed start as we get thrown right into the mix with the hero, Rock seeming to have turned rogue and being accused of murders. Now, the CIA is out to bring him in or kill him if he resists. He’s distanced himself from the Black Knights and is MIA until his team member, Vanessa tracks him down. They run through the jungle to escape the CIA who found them thanks to a plant they put unknowingly on Vanessa and against Rock’s wishes she calls in the Black Knights to help, even though Rock is convinced that bringing them in will mean their deaths too.
I got pulled in so easy at the start. The action was fast paced, Rock and Vanessa are running for their lives in the jungle but still manage to have a few moments together that show the chemistry they have. I found Vanessa to be very likable. She’s tough, funny and a lot in love with Rock, a man who doesn’t want love in his life after losing his parents and fiancé years ago. He flat out tells Vanessa he’ll never love her, but that doesn’t stop her feelings for him or her deciding to take what she wants and will worry about the future later.
While Vanessa is easy to like and I enjoyed Rock as well, their romance never fully came together for me. The story isn’t filled with steamy sex, and in fact, their relationship takes most of the book to build up to the night that Vanessa has been waiting for. And I think that was my issue – from the start it seemed like Vanessa was so much more invested and all in with her feelings and their relationship whereas Rock, while I have no doubt he cares about Vanessa, he never convinced me that he loves her. Even in the end, they get their happy ending, but it felt a little underwhelming.
The storyline focuses on Rock and missions he was following from a person he thought to be connected to the CIA. He would interrogate the target, another man would come in and kill the target, and now Rock is being framed for the murders as a way to cover up the entire operation. I felt like the suspense was good, it certainly kept me interested throughout the story, trying to figure out why Rock was being framed and who was the brains behind the missions Rock was recruited into doing. But when it all came out, I found it hard to believe that Rock didn’t ask more questions early on. That he blindly followed at the start and then, dammit(!) there was a supporting character introduced who was really intriguing and I instantly wanted to know more about him. His storyline was one that me saying, really? Really?! He was so interesting to me on page, I wanted more and I’m left disappointed with that thread.
I do like the buildup for Billy (a Black Knights member) and Eve – they have a history, which is a setup I always enjoy. They’re currently not in a great place with their friendship. But Billy gets jealous where Eve is concerned and Eve is trying to be a stronger person, something it sounds like she has never been able to feel and be before. I’m excited to learn more about them and their past.
After a great start, I feel like Thrill Ride fizzled a bit at the end. Vanessa is great, I enjoyed her character and loved getting to know her. I’m not sure the romance is one that I’d call a favorite of mine in the series. They have some nice moments together, but it almost takes a backseat to both Rock’s professional situation and Vanessa’s own strong feelings for Rock which take over. It’s a good read but in this series I’ve enjoyed from the start, it’s not a stand out.
Blog rating: C+
This story has a great, action packed start as we get thrown right into the mix with the hero, Rock seeming to have turned rogue and being accused of murders. Now, the CIA is out to bring him in or kill him if he resists. He’s distanced himself from the Black Knights and is MIA until his team member, Vanessa tracks him down. They run through the jungle to escape the CIA who found them thanks to a plant they put unknowingly on Vanessa and against Rock’s wishes she calls in the Black Knights to help, even though Rock is convinced that bringing them in will mean their deaths too.
I got pulled in so easy at the start. The action was fast paced, Rock and Vanessa are running for their lives in the jungle but still manage to have a few moments together that show the chemistry they have. I found Vanessa to be very likable. She’s tough, funny and a lot in love with Rock, a man who doesn’t want love in his life after losing his parents and fiancé years ago. He flat out tells Vanessa he’ll never love her, but that doesn’t stop her feelings for him or her deciding to take what she wants and will worry about the future later.
While Vanessa is easy to like and I enjoyed Rock as well, their romance never fully came together for me. The story isn’t filled with steamy sex, and in fact, their relationship takes most of the book to build up to the night that Vanessa has been waiting for. And I think that was my issue – from the start it seemed like Vanessa was so much more invested and all in with her feelings and their relationship whereas Rock, while I have no doubt he cares about Vanessa, he never convinced me that he loves her. Even in the end, they get their happy ending, but it felt a little underwhelming.
The storyline focuses on Rock and missions he was following from a person he thought to be connected to the CIA. He would interrogate the target, another man would come in and kill the target, and now Rock is being framed for the murders as a way to cover up the entire operation. I felt like the suspense was good, it certainly kept me interested throughout the story, trying to figure out why Rock was being framed and who was the brains behind the missions Rock was recruited into doing. But when it all came out, I found it hard to believe that Rock didn’t ask more questions early on. That he blindly followed at the start and then, dammit(!) there was a supporting character introduced who was really intriguing and I instantly wanted to know more about him. His storyline was one that me saying, really? Really?! He was so interesting to me on page, I wanted more and I’m left disappointed with that thread.
I do like the buildup for Billy (a Black Knights member) and Eve – they have a history, which is a setup I always enjoy. They’re currently not in a great place with their friendship. But Billy gets jealous where Eve is concerned and Eve is trying to be a stronger person, something it sounds like she has never been able to feel and be before. I’m excited to learn more about them and their past.
After a great start, I feel like Thrill Ride fizzled a bit at the end. Vanessa is great, I enjoyed her character and loved getting to know her. I’m not sure the romance is one that I’d call a favorite of mine in the series. They have some nice moments together, but it almost takes a backseat to both Rock’s professional situation and Vanessa’s own strong feelings for Rock which take over. It’s a good read but in this series I’ve enjoyed from the start, it’s not a stand out.
I'm going 4 stars, but I don't know if that's really accurate as far as how I feel about it. First, LOVE Rock, I mean, love him. Dear Lord, southern man, ex-SEAL, LOVE him.
Vanessa...I loved decidedly a lot less. Don't get me wrong, I thought she was brave, and I appreciated what she was trying to do, but dammit all if I didn't want to slap some sense into her a few times.
Always good to see Eve and Bill...can't wait for that story to get going, or Ozzie! He's exactly my kind of geek.
Anyhoo...this one was pretty emotional to me, the way Rock felt...everything weighing so heavily on his shoulders and God! when he told Vanessa.
So, yeah, Rock, stubborn has he was, and the side characters totally made the book for me. I will continue with this series--Whoo hoo November 5th!
Vanessa...I loved decidedly a lot less. Don't get me wrong, I thought she was brave, and I appreciated what she was trying to do, but dammit all if I didn't want to slap some sense into her a few times.
Always good to see Eve and Bill...can't wait for that story to get going, or Ozzie! He's exactly my kind of geek.
Anyhoo...this one was pretty emotional to me, the way Rock felt...everything weighing so heavily on his shoulders and God! when he told Vanessa
Spoiler
that she'd basically killed them all, I about died. And when he tried to jump out of the truck, or beg Boss to just let him go. KILLED ME!So, yeah, Rock, stubborn has he was, and the side characters totally made the book for me. I will continue with this series--Whoo hoo November 5th!
Excellent!!!
Brilliant and entertaining. This is a re-read for me. Rock and Vanessa navigated the Amazon and the bad guys, made it out alive, cleared his name fell in love and now love HEA with the rest of the Black Knights, Inc crew!
Brilliant and entertaining. This is a re-read for me. Rock and Vanessa navigated the Amazon and the bad guys, made it out alive, cleared his name fell in love and now love HEA with the rest of the Black Knights, Inc crew!
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Goodness gracious!
I'm in love with these boys. Rock's reputation is called into question, and who else would try to save him but his brothers of Black Knights Inc and one stubborn, fiery Latina communications specialist. The suspense continues!
I'm in love with these boys. Rock's reputation is called into question, and who else would try to save him but his brothers of Black Knights Inc and one stubborn, fiery Latina communications specialist. The suspense continues!
There were some good gut-punching moments in this one, which I liked. Unfortunately, the heroine cried too much. And once again the author repeated herself. For instance, this is the third book with "transcendent" sex. People tend to vomit, nearly vomit, or think about vomiting a lot, too.
Still, I'm addicted to these books, reading them back to back.
Still, I'm addicted to these books, reading them back to back.
Read the full review on Bookaholics Not-So-Anonymous.
Behind his easy smile and Cajun charm, Rock has a rather painful story to tell and it explains why he became part of what was known as the Project. His past also explains why he doesn't allow himself to fall in love with anyone, something he reminds Vanessa of during their time together. Rock is formidable when it comes to anything spec ops-related but he's missing out on being able to truly live a complete life because he simply limits himself when it comes to deeper and more intense emotions. Of course, Vanessa is the first woman in a long time that's inspired those long-buried emotions to come back to life but Rock can be frustratingly rigid in his no-falling-in-love stance. But it's always those characters that claim they'll never fall in love that end up doing so and when they do, it tends to be one heck of a heartrending journey.
Rock and Vanessa were fantastic main characters, both with their respective strengths and weaknesses yet much stronger when they're together. This was a book that showcased that Black Knights Inc. is truly a force to be reckoned with when they're fighting a common cause and nothing stands in their way of protecting one of their own. This was something that was seen in the first book, when they were trying to learn the truth behind the death of BKI member Grigg Morgan, so seeing it here again was definitely one of the best things about this latest installment. The bar has been raised yet again and I find myself looking forward to seeing just how far the Black Knights Inc. can go. Thrill Ride is my favorite as of now but let it be said that each of these books ranks high on my list of favorites. I'm giving this fourth book five stars. ♥
Behind his easy smile and Cajun charm, Rock has a rather painful story to tell and it explains why he became part of what was known as the Project. His past also explains why he doesn't allow himself to fall in love with anyone, something he reminds Vanessa of during their time together. Rock is formidable when it comes to anything spec ops-related but he's missing out on being able to truly live a complete life because he simply limits himself when it comes to deeper and more intense emotions. Of course, Vanessa is the first woman in a long time that's inspired those long-buried emotions to come back to life but Rock can be frustratingly rigid in his no-falling-in-love stance. But it's always those characters that claim they'll never fall in love that end up doing so and when they do, it tends to be one heck of a heartrending journey.
Rock and Vanessa were fantastic main characters, both with their respective strengths and weaknesses yet much stronger when they're together. This was a book that showcased that Black Knights Inc. is truly a force to be reckoned with when they're fighting a common cause and nothing stands in their way of protecting one of their own. This was something that was seen in the first book, when they were trying to learn the truth behind the death of BKI member Grigg Morgan, so seeing it here again was definitely one of the best things about this latest installment. The bar has been raised yet again and I find myself looking forward to seeing just how far the Black Knights Inc. can go. Thrill Ride is my favorite as of now but let it be said that each of these books ranks high on my list of favorites. I'm giving this fourth book five stars. ♥