Death comes in Armani. Salvation comes in leather.
Principessa to the Mancuso crime family, Alexandra knows a thing or two about living outside the bounds of the law. Suffocated by the future her father has laid out for her, she makes a choice she can't take back, changing the entire trajectory of her life.
Thrust into the dark and dangerous world of the Forsaken Motorcycle Club for her own protection, Alex finds herself faced with the last thing she needs right now: the man of her dreams. He’s sex in leather, the devil incarnate, and one hell of a kisser. But he’s also off-limits. Ryan Stone can be her friend, but he’s forbidden to be her lover.
Third-generation Forsaken, Ryan knows nothing other than life on two wheels, and he wouldn’t have it any other way. He enjoys the many privileges that come with the patch, and the only laws he recognizes are the ones set-forth by his club. That is, until who he wants more than anything isn’t allowed on the back of his bike —or in his bed. Balancing his desire for her body, and need to keep her safe, Ryan tries to keep Alex at a distance. Finally having made a choice for herself, she’s done hearing the word “no” and will push boundaries even Ryan himself doesn’t dare cross.
Love is never more tempting than when it’s forbidden.
Just finished up Ride by J.C. Emery, the first book in the Bayonet Scars series. First off I have yet to connect the title an subtitle of this book to the story itself. There's zero mention of "Bayonet Scars" in the storyline. I can slightly connect Ride, as the MC take a ride cross country, but other than that, nothing. I feel like it would have been better titled "Trigger - A Forsaken MC story". Just my opinion.
J.C. Emery gives us a new twist on the MC storyline. Instead of pitting MC vs MC, she's done MC vs Italian Mob, and it worked out very well. Alexandria is the princess to the Italian Mob, she's also so much more, but has no clue. On a desperate attempt to help her twin brother, she unknowingly trusts the wrong person and throws her life on a tailspin. Ryan, is a high ranking member of the Forsaken MC, and one of several brothers dispatched to hide her and keep her safe.
Ride traverses the US in hopes of protecting Alex from the ones she's called family. Alex is a meager 19 year old thrust from one world of chaos and control into another of an entirely different sort. As Alex attempts to keep her emotions controlled, shes desperately hoping for Ryan's attention. Ryan, knowing she's off limits, goes to extremes to push her away. But when push comes to shove, Ryan is the only one who can save her.
There was a quick turnaround of Ryan's feelings for Alex. Going from trying to get her to hate him, to being the only one who will stand up for her. I think seeing a bit more of Ryan's internal struggle would have helped me out here. I would have definitely liked to have seen a bit more intimacy between the two of them, more quality time spent without sex or fighting.
J.C. Emery has the start of a really good series here. One thing I immensely enjoy about MC novels is that there is no rules. Each MC is built solely on the author's creativity, and how he/she sees fit. I'm anxious to read Duke's story in Thrash.
Loneliness suffocates the heart. Acceptance breaks down walls.
As a Lost Girl to the Forsaken Motorcycle Club, Nicole Whelan knows how to party. She’s not cut-out for relationships and her life is way too complicated for anything more than casual encounters. But one night when she falls into Duke’s bed at the clubhouse, he sees something in her that he can’t let go of—no matter how many times she tries to run.
Having been left to raise her teenage brother, Jeremy, she’s already got her hands full and isn’t looking for anymore complications. But Duke’s just watched his best friend fall for the only girl he couldn’t have, and then almost lose her so shortly after, shaking him to his core. Faced with his own loneliness, he’s more determined than ever to break down Nic’s walls and show her that he can be good for her; but he’s got a bad track record and she’s got a bad temper. Changing his ways isn’t easy when he’s not sure what he’s even changing for.
The violence and turmoil are at an all-time high, and Forsaken is in a vulnerable place when a twist of fate breathes new life into the club. It’s a much-needed beacon of hope for the embattled biker family, even if everyone’s not exactly on board. With Duke and Nic’s relationship already on shaky ground, and something even more important at stake, the Forsaken Motorcycle Club will fight like hell to keep their family together and whole.
Love is never more precious than when it’s new.
Once again, I find I'm confused about how the title and subtitle relate to this story! That's very frustrating for me. There's no rhyme or reason or connection that I've been able to find to explain "Bayonet Scars" or "Thrash".
Duke's story was FANTASTIC. Title aside, it was so beyond fantastic. It run along side of Ryan's story from Ride, so we see a lot of the same situations from a different POV. And that was fabulous. I loved that. Duke is tough when needed, hot always, and a dick most of the time. But when it counts it counts. I loved that the two characters were able to convey how they felt about one another without the use of the words "I Love You".
Nicole's a very strong female character. I enjoyed seeing her softer side, as well as her hard lines when needed. She refused to back down from Duke, and he needed that. I also enjoyed getting an inside look at how Duke handles things and how Nicole dealt with life on a day to day basis with her brother. A couple of things I would have like to have seen but didn't. A look at Nicole's friendship with Alex from her POV. Also, as they story went along, Nicole's job kinda vanished into the background. And I would have loved to have seen Duke lose it on the club for failing Nicole and Jeremy.
Despite my repeated issues with the title, I am anxious to see the next book in the series and fingers crossed it's Ian. I want to see inside his head. That boy has some major crap going on, and I want to be in the know.
thanks for the chance! :)
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