DOUBLE REVIEWS OF HAVOC SERIES BOOKS 1 AND 2
BLOGGER NOTE: Here are two very different reviews of these books. This only shows we all have very different tastes and very different views on books based upon varying factors in our tastes and lives. Please remember, just because one may not like it and one may love it, you, yourself, may be somewhere in-between. Who really knows, right? :)
When Clint "Grim" Walker, started Operation: Save Haven Davenport, the beaten, bruised girl who fell into his life, he had no idea it would turn him into an unbalanced, enraged, insecure idiot.
The mission objectives seemed simple. Make her feel safe in his home. Fail. Protect her from the neighborhood playboy. Fail. Shelter her from the ex girlfriend. Fail. Not fall in love with her. Epic fail. And while Clint could learn to live with those failures, there's one he can't. And that's the objective that matters most. More than his side duties of making amends with his father, more than accepting motherly love from his meddling neighbor, and more than attempting to relate to his brother's in arms off the field. That objective is life or death.
*****
I received a copy of Havoc for an honest review
Thank God for the Marines !
Being a child of a military family this hit hard!
There are just some things you don't understand when your dad's not around for the monumental moments of your life. Your first solo in the play, your first hit on the ball field ... you get it. Not until we're older do we understand the meaning of selflessness! Not until the moment we find the one person who we would die for unconditionally, no questions asked....
Author Xavier Neal captured all the feelings and emotions of a boy turned man in Havoc. A cold heart is what makes a Great Marine, just ask Grim.
His uncaring menacing appearance makes him a perfect fit for special ops!
Returning home on leave he has no clue the walls he built up over the years to compensate for the loss of his mother and the lack of parental nurturing from his father (an ex-marine as well) are about to get "blown up!"
Here is where the drama begins ... I'm not into giving spoilers because the point of the review IS to get YOU to read the book!
However, when a beautiful young woman showed up beaten and bruised, not to mention terrified, it becomes mission PRIORITY ONE to help this women/Angel.
Grim finds himself making promises to her the moment he lifts her into his arm's. I'm sure he wasn't counting on the horrors of her past to catch up to them but he's always prepared ....
The best is yet to come from Xavier Neal trust me!
You will fall in love with this cast of characters. There is a lot to unfold and Havoc is just the beginning! Fast paced at times and slow and tender just in the perfect moments.
I do have to admit something if you will....
I was finishing up this book as I sat outside next to the Ohio River (yes! Outside!)
I was waiting to get into a book signing by another amazing author, it was very early and very cold! When I reached the last page I literally couldn't breath!
Call it a moment of temporary insanity! The Kindle just about went in the dark deep river with a few NOT ladylike words from Moi!
Talk about your cliff hanger.
Now I'm patiently awaiting Chaos!
Thank you Xavier for a fresh and current plot. (Loved it)
That's right I'm giving Havoc a big 'ol five star "OORAH"
~J
Rebels & Readers
*****
Clint 'Grim' Walker is a damaged man. His mother died when he was ten. His father turned cold and distant, unable to deal with her death. Clint turned off all emotions in order to handle these losses. He has grown into a hard, cold man; emotionally shut off from the world. As a Marine, he gladly faces death.
Haven Davenport is a damaged young woman. Held captive for 4 yrs by a man who sexually and physically abused her, she manages to escape. Haven makes it as far as Clint's front yard before she collapses.
When Clint finds Haven, he immediately falls in love with her. Haven moves in with Clint and his dad. They both promise to protect her and help her get her life on track. Clint begins experiencing emotions and doesn't know how to handle them. His relationship with his dad begins to improve.
One day, the man who imprisoned Haven finds her. Clint kills him. End of Book 1.
This story had so many unanswered questions. 1) Why had so many of the characters in this neighborhood gotten new identities? 2) How were they able to create a new identity for Haven so quickly? 3) How was Haven able to trust Clint and the others so easily after what she had endured? Specifically, sleeping in Clint's arms with no hesitation? 4) Why didn't Haven experience myriad problems adjusting to being free? 5) Why did Clint act like such a child? 6) Why can't these people actually talk to each other instead of shutting down? 7) How did her captor track her down?
I thought some of these questions would be answered in Chaos. I was wrong. Nothing was resolved. Only more questions.
The premise of the story isn't a bad idea. I simply feel it could have been executed better. There are a lot of grammatical errors. There are no breaks between scenes, which can be a little confusing at first.
2 Stars
Clint "Grim" Walker has always been clear about two things in his life, his love of his Marine career and his love for Haven Davenport. His self missions were clear: Be the best Marine possible. Protect Haven at all costs. But when the two objectives collide they leave his once stable existence in chaos.
*****
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Really???
Holy (explicitive) I can't believe Xavier Neal would leave us hanging like that!
Oh don't get me wrong I LOVED it! What I don't like is waiting for the next book!
I knew it... just when life is becoming bearable even enjoyable for MY Marine (that's right I called Grim MINE!) he is sent back down the rabbit hole.
Let me just lay it all out here.... Clint has come home with some career changing news. Do you think he'll make the same mistake twice and keep this news from Haven??? (Can you say boys are so stupid?) Or be so stunned and shocked by the changes that have taken place since he's been deployed that he starts to rebuild the wall of distance that once shielded him from his pain?
Taking the advice of Clint to follow her dreams and build a life that shes proud of, Haven has been a very busy girl...
One mistake isn't enough to loose the love of your life right? (Or is it?)
I'm in a particularly pissy mood after the end of this one!
I NEED to know what happens, I hate the way this is spinning out of control!
Maybe Author Xavier Neal will have mercy on us and push book three out quickly!
This one is a 4 star for me.
Lovin' this story!
~J
Rebels & Readers
*****
I'm starting this review by showing my review for Havoc since Chaos is an extension of Havoc.
Clint 'Grim' Walker is a damaged man. His mother died when he was ten. His father turned cold and distant, unable to deal with her death. Clint turned off all emotions in order to handle these losses. He has grown into a hard, cold man; emotionally shut off from the world. As a Marine, he gladly faces death.
Haven Davenport is a damaged young woman. Held captive for 4 yrs by a man who sexually and physically abused her, she manages to escape. Haven makes it as far as Clint's front yard before she collapses.
When Clint finds Haven, he immediately falls in love with her. Haven moves in with Clint and his dad. They both promise to protect her and help her get her life on track. Clint begins experiencing emotions and doesn't know how to handle them. His relationship with his dad begins to improve.
One day, the man who imprisoned Haven finds her. Clint kills him. End of Book 1.
This story had so many unanswered questions. 1) Why had so many of the characters in this neighborhood gotten new identities? 2) How were they able to create a new identity for Haven so quickly? 3) How was Haven able to trust Clint and the others so easily after what she had endured? Specifically, sleeping in Clint's arms with no hesitation? 4) Why didn't Haven experience myriad problems adjusting to being free? 5) Why did Clint act like such a child? 6) Why can't these people actually talk to each other instead of shutting down? 7) How did her captor track her down?
The premise of the story isn't a bad idea. I simply feel it could have been executed better. There are a lot of grammatical errors. There are no breaks between scenes, which can be a little confusing at first.
Chaos begins with Clint's dad and some neighbors making the body 'disappear'. Clint realizes his dad will do anything to protect him and they grow closer. Shortly after, Clint goes back on duty and Haven enrolls in a culinary school. Clint returns 10 months later to find lots of changes among his friends and family. Things aren't the same between Clint and Haven. She has become more self-confident and has friends from school. He resents all the time she spends away from him. Things come to a head one night and Clint turns inward once more. He refuses to talk to Haven about their problems. Book 2 ends with Clint leaving early for Sniper School, proud he has resurrected the walls in his heart and shut down all feelings.
None of the questions posed by Havoc are answered in Chaos. I found that very disappointing. I feel like big chunks of the book are missing.
There were times when I wanted to grab Clint and shake him until his teeth rattled. He kept bragging about being a good Marine but acting like a spoiled child. I don't think he could have cut it as a Marine.
2 Stars
Xavier Neal lives in Texas where she spends her time getting lost in writing, reading, or fandoms she recently discovered. Whether she is enjoying books or movies, she continues finding inspiration at every turn to bring more exciting stories to life.
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