Gambled

Titan #3.1

by Cristin Harber

Brock Gamble’s epic fall from the Titan Group labeled him a traitor. He betrayed his men. He failed his family. And when he thought he’d hit the lowest point, his wife walked out with their children, leaving him alone to drown himself in the bottle.

Surviving an abduction didn’t end the nightmare for Sarah Gamble. The aftershocks of post-traumatic stress disorder hit her hard. Self-doubt and confusion. Anger and hurt. Running away was an easy escape until Brock shows up on her doorstep offering a trip to paradise and a promise to fix their marriage.

Before the couple can search for answers, Brock is pulled back into the very world that Sarah is so scared of—kidnapping, cartels, and guns—and the stakes are too high for either one of them to ignore.

Genres: Romantic Suspense, Military Fiction, Romance, Contemporary Romance, Military Romance, Novella, Contemporary

170 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 28, 2013

About the author

Cristin Harber is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling romance author. She writes sexy romantic suspense, military romance, and new adult. Fans voted her onto Amazon's Top Picks for Debut Romance Authors in 2013, and her debut Titan series was both a #1 romantic suspense and #1 military romance bestseller.

The Titan Series:
Winters Heat
Sweet Girl
Garrison's Creed
Westin's Chase
Gambled
Chased
Savage Secrets
Hart Attack
Sweet One
Live Wire
Black Dawn
Bishop’s Queen
Locke and Key
Jax
Deja Vu

The Delta Series:
Delta: Retribution
Delta: Revenge
Delta: Rescue*
Delta: Redemption
Delta: Ricochet

*Delta: Rescue is a novella in Liliana Hart's MacKenzie Family Collection. It can read as a standalone story or in conjunction with either authors' series.

The Only Series:
Only for Him
Only for Her
Only for Us
Only Forever

Each Titan and Delta book can be read as a standalone (except for Sweet Girl), but readers will likely best enjoy the series in order. The Only series must be read in order.

7 Brides for 7 Soldiers:
Ryder (#1) - Barbara Freethy
Adam (#2) - Roxanne St. Claire
Zane (#3) - Christie Ridgway
Wyatt (#4) - Lynn Raye Harris
Jack (#5) - Julia London
Noah (#6) - Cristin Harber
Ford (#7) - Samantha Chase

Reviews

[Erth · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great addition to this series! Gambled gives you the rest of Brock Gambles story after his fall from grace with Titan with his decisions to save his family. True Jared form gives us his way of dealing with the betrayal but it also give us how Brock's wife handles it in the end as well. Perfect way to tie up those loose ends!
Chased brings us another story of love with all the action and adventure you expect from this Titan series. Asher may have spent years trying to stay away from the one woman he's always loved but no more! What a great read!

[CC · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Good follow up after Weston's Chase. Really need to read that one first to understand this one.

Considering why they needed to reconnect, I felt they did not. They had sex, a bunch of action and more sex. How they went from needing to deal with huge marital issues to juicing up their sex life made no sense to me. That being said it was a super hot short novella that I enjoyed.

But I am happy the got their HEA.

[Mindy (Book Snitch) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't really sure about this story line when I first sat down to read it. I've never read a romance where the couple is already married and then I wasn't really sure I would like Brocks story. Well, well, well... there is a reason why I like Cristin Harber and its because she can write damn good books!

Smack my ass and call me Sarah! This book picks up right where Westin's Chase ended. Brock betrayed Titan in order to save his wife and kids. Brock had all but killed his friendship with Jared and when it was all said and done, destroyed his marriage and lost his kids. Brock was at rock bottom.

I've gotta say that I felt really bad for Brock because he was only doing what he thought was right. He would and did do anything it took to save his family. I absolutely loved Brock and Sarah's story. I love that they get to fall in love all over again and discover new things about each other.

My favorite sex scene is in the back of the car, *belly butterflies* it was honest, hot, raw, wild and fierce.


The only thing that bothered me was the ice cream. That is just a personal preference thing for me. However, I will say that it was tactfully done and well written and it didn't consume the scene so I was okay with it.

Brock has been redeemed and he deserves his HEA. This novella is only $.99 on Amazon and so worth it. Well done Harber!

[Lydia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brock Gamble has made a terrible mistake. He took his Boss Man's woman, and gave her away to Jared's enemy to make sure that his wife, Sarah, and their daughters stayed safe. Now he's paying for his actions. Titan is no longer the home he can return to, and Sarah has taken the girls and left him. Will he be able to get his family back? Or are the secrets he kept from both his colleagues and his wife going to prove the end of his so-far-organized life?

I have to say I expected this book to be hot and full of action, despite its size. Glad to know I was right, and that Cristin Harber can never disappoint me, no matter what.



I already knew Brock could not possibly be a bad guy. Yes, he made mistakes, but it was perfectly reasonable, his family was in danger! So I was a bit mad at Sarah for leaving him and using him as a scapegoat because she was traumatized. I may sound stupid for saying this, but I don't exactly accept the reason, no matter how important....

Even so, Brock managed to work things out, and he did so while acting the hero part once again, even if he was alone in this book's mission. I loved how he kept discovering secret strong parts of Sarah's, though, so I guess I could forgive her. Plus, the dynamic they had as a married couple was amazing!

Now all that's left to see is what Boss Man will do. I suspect he's not quite done with his former right hand man, and I hope he gets to utilize Brock's talents despite having kicked him from the team.... Well, I should wait and see for myself, right?

Read this and other reviews at: http://cupcakesandpopcorn.wordpress.com/

[Kame · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay I need to find a way to write this review without spoilers...because the premise of this novella is one big spoiler if you haven't read the books before it.

Just know that it is great - read the books in order and you will LOVE this one!

[Kari Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brock’s actions to rescue his wife and daughters when they were abducted led to him betraying his second family Titan. He had kept his two lives completely separate and he now finds himself paying the price as both families try to deal with the aftermath.

Sarah is feeling betrayed and that she doesn’t know the man she married. When he suggests a trip away to reconnect, she is conflicted but if they are going to have a second chance changes will have to be made.

Their trip takes a dangerous turn when Brock is needed for a mission and his only back-up is Sarah. Her strength and resilience shines through as she shows that they are perfect teammates both in life and in love.

There is no denying the enduring love between Brock and Sarah but his desire to protect her backfired big time. I thought that the narrator did a great job not only with the characters but with the suspense part of the storyline.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Brock and Sarah’s story! I particularly appreciated the fact that there wasn’t a need for groveling for this marriage in crisis, just the two of them opening up a line of communication with full transparency. This ended up being much more entertaining than I expected lol

rating: ★★★★½
released: 28 September 2013
genre: romantic suspense
pov: third person omniscient
MC: Brock + Sarah ♡
audio narrated by Jeffrey Kafer

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

One bad decision had led to another. When his family had been kidnapped, he hadn’t thought clearly. He’d betrayed one person after the next. His family when he hadn’t utilized any of Titan Group’s black ops resources. His mentor, Jared Westin, who’d taught him everything the military hadn’t. His men, the Titan team that bled loyalty. And he’d betrayed Sugar...

Before reading Gambled, I'd recommend reading Westin's Chase, book three in the Titan series, first. The events in book three are pretty important to understanding the history of the characters and what led Brock to be in the situation with his family and team he is in at the start of Gambled.

Gambled is a novella length story and is a little different than the previous full length novels that come before it. In Gambled, the suspense part of the story plays a secondary part, while the relationship between Brock and his wife takes center stage. The novella doesn't give a lot of room to hash things out but there is enough room for things to get pretty steamy. Ummm..car sex? Totally freakin hot!

“Yes,” fell from her lips . Her legs spread wider as he pumped his hand. His mouth abused her tit until she catapulted, screaming, moaning, crying in ecstasy.

“More.” He roared against her skin, pulled his hand free, and shucked her shorts down her legs. So fast, so abrupt the zipper scratched her thigh, and her shorts remained looped around an ankle. She pulled free the clasp of his buckle , yanked his pants down the solid slope of his ass. Hard and muscular, she dug her fingers into his flesh as he slammed into her. Pushing his cock deep inside, her body easily accepted his spear. All the way to the hilt, his sac slapped her as he entered and withdrew and pounded again.

“Fuck me, angel.”

I'm a big fan of this series and absolutely loved book one and two. I think Cristin Harber does a great job of balancing romance and suspense and she never disappoints with the steam. Gambled is a little different, a bit more fluff than suspense, but I thought it was a nice addition to the series. I'm glad Brock had a chance to redeem himself in Gambled. I don't what to give anything away so won't mention the specifics on how Jared gets his retribution...but will say it was completely over the top, crazy, and had me laughing.

3.5 STARS.

[mellidiezahnfee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hach ja ich liebe die Jungs von Titan.

Brock hat Mist gebaut und weil seine Familie involviert war, hat seine Frau ihn mit den Kindern verlassen. Jetzt ist er ganz unten, zutiefst deprimiert und hofft auf eine zweite Chance. Sarah liebt Brock immer noch kann ihm aber nicht so einfach verzeihen. Eine Reise in die Karibik soll Fragen klären , allerdings wirft ein schlimmes Ereignis dort viele neue Fragen auf.

Dies ist der vierte Teil und man kann ihn gut als Einzelband lesen, viel besser ist es jedoch die Reihe von Beginn an zu lesen. Ich habe dieses Buch vor fünf Monaten im Original gelesen, wollte eigentlich nur mal "durchblättern" bin aber doch wieder in den Bann gezogen worden. Von wunderbaren Charakteren, die sich verzweifelt bemühen einander zu verstehen und wieder zu vertrauen. Das Thema PTBS wird sehr behutsam beschrieben und die Geschichte ist toll und spannend. Dieses Buch ist mit 106 Seiten perfekt ausbalanciert in Bezug auf den Content/ Love Anteil und lässt sich locker weg lesen.

Einziger Kritikpunkt : Die Übersetzung. Es sind einige Logikfehler ( Sie und Er vertauscht) und es gibt einige Begriffe die ein "native german speaker" so niemals verwenden würde. Und einige Flüchtigkeitsfehler haben sich auch eingeschlichen.

Aber sei es drum , da kann man entspannt drüber hinweg lesen und....

Hach ja , ich liebe die Jungs von Titan.

[J.B. Salsbury · Rating 5 out of 5]

The cover says it all!! How can a girl resist a gun toting, tattooed, bad boy who saves people?

Answer: They cant!

Brock Gamble has lost everything, his job, the respect of his comrades, but most importantly, his wife and kids. But don't fret! What alpha male slinks away with his tail between his legs, giving up without a fight?

On a mission to earn back the love and trust of his wife, Brock begs for one more chance in the form of a tropical vacation alone with his wife. She agrees, hoping to rekindle some of the fire they once had. But she didn't count on guns, bombs, and child abductions.

When Brock gets an opportunity to prove himself to his mentor and gain back the respect of his wife, while saving an innocent life, he can't say no.

This novella is action packed and HOT in more ways than one! A fantastic weekend read that will have you rooting for Brock and his HEA.

[mer · Rating 3 out of 5]

One problem: this book is too short. I loved reading second chance love story, a couple tried to save their marriage and I was anticipating this. The thing is I didn't impress with how the way Brock and Sarah reconnecting. The "more" she wanted didn't exactly with details other than the upgraded desire towards her husband and suddenly everything's good. It was hard to believe because seriously after all that happened, the fallout, the betrayal and such, things are cool after kiss and make love. Like, for reals? Anyway, I loved the concept of forgiveness - we human need it. How I wish this wasn't a novella. So much potential, truly. Read on your own peril.

[Nicola · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the novella that ties up a couple of loose ends left in Westin's Chase. What happened after Brock Gamble's fall from grace? Is there a place for him with his wife and kids? Will the Titan guys forgive him for his betrayal?

Considering its a shorty, it has the action, suspense and sexiness that Cristin Harber has treated us to in her full length books. I never disliked Brock, in fact I actually felt for him in Westin's Chase. And this continued through this book.

A must read if you are a lover of the series.

[Lynde Shaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars for this novella, which starts off where Westin's Chase ends. Without giving away too much detail, Brock Gamble has left Titan and his wife has left him. He does what he can to get her back. From PTSD to calm, cool, and collected didn't cut it for me. I tried to understand Sarah's concept of "more", which for me didn't work with the anger she felt toward Brock. Not my favorite in the series.

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I LOVE this series and reading these novellas just makes me want Rocco and Roman's stories...now!!!

Copy provided by author in exchange for honest review
Straight Shootin' Book Reviews

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

My main complaint was it was toooooo short. Jared is still a bad a**.

[PepperP0t]

Gambled actually contains Gambled & Chased formerly novellas 3.1 & 3.2 of series; each can be read in one sitting
***Gambled (78pgs) Rating: 4***
Brock Gamble, Titan’s number two, went big; he was keeping secrets. He lost because in the way of secrets, it was uncovered by someone Brock and Titan wish didn’t exist. Brock had to go home without his friends, family, job and self-respect. Less than a shadow of his former self, Brock’s branded traitor and enemy to those that trusted him. Brock hangs out with ‘solace in a bottle’ twins Jack & Johnny. Sarah, suffering from PTSD thinks about her future and her marriage. As they work things out, Brock gets a new assignment.

***Chased (67pgs) Rating: 4***
Struggling actress Jenny Chase has loved her roommate’s older brother, Congressman Asher McIntyre, for years though Ash hasn’t given Jenny the slightest indication he’s noticed. Weeks from the election, a threat targeting his sister and Jenny awakens Ash’s desire, protective and possessive thoughts and desire for Jenny. Ash can’t and won’t let his favorite women be harmed. Neither the threat nor Ash’s protection detail counted on Jenny being part of the Titan family who find one of their own in a psychopath’s crosshairs
Rating Overall 4stars

[Shelley Youngblood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gambled is a Novella in Cristin Harber's Titan series. It should definitely be be read after Westin's Chase as it picks up after the events which occured in that story. It continues to be packed with action, suspense and combustible chemistry.

Brock Gamble's life is in the ultimate tailspin after his wife and children's abduction. Though he ultimately got them back and they were safe, the lies and deceit he had to construe have left him alone. Bad decision after bad decision led him to ultimately betray his family as well as his trusted team at the Titan Group.

In a last ditch effort to win his wife back, he persuades her to take an exotic vacation. His only hope is to reclaim his marriage. But when duty calls and he is the only one who can help, he must make a pivotal decision.

I love that there was a follow up to Brock's story after his ultimate deceit. I can't wait to read more from this amazing series!

PS- The audio version of this book only enhanced Cristin's brilliance as an author. Jeffrey Kafer does an excellent job of narrating this incredible story.

[JigsawGirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This would be 3.5 stars for me. You don't really have to read Westin's Chase - Book 3 in order to read this book, but I think it will give you a different perspective on this novella. I wish it had been longer.

Although I enjoyed this book, my biggest issue was that after what Brock did, after Sarah finding out about his actually job, after her reaction to ALL of the drama, after her hesitancy to reconnect and try to save their marriage, THAT was what she came up with to reconnect? SERIOUSLY?!!

I kept waiting for the serious discussion about the marriage and how they were going to make it work. Then came the situation in the island that Sarah was part of with no experience. I also thought Jared and Brock would have more to talk about. I'm still not sure if Brock was brought back into Titan's organization. Oh, and let's not forget Sarah's new job.

I guess the entertaining part was how ridiculously everything fell into place and resulted in Brock and Sarah's HEA. No worries. You still get the action and adventure in this book too.

[Night Runner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall opinion: 3.5 Stars
NOTE: Almost the exact same review as the last book!!

I do like the stories although they tend to get very repetitive when the MCs are doing their woe-with-me in between every question or phrase. I found myself skipping forward multiple times as every question would be followed by internal dialog for up to a minute guessing incorrectly at the response. Aargh!

This one went at a faster pace but would have been 1/2 as long if the internal dialog was cut in half.

Brief Summary: No need to expand on the author's summary.

Narrator(s) Good

POV: Multiple

Overall Pace: Fast except for internal dialog

Instalove: Sort of

H Rating: 6/10

h Rating: 7/10

Sad/happy/thrill/Angst/TSTL - ANGST

Heat Level: 6/10

Descriptive Sex: 7/10

OW/OM Drama: No

Sex with OW/OM: No

Cheating: No

Separation: Some

Triggers:

Closure (HEA/HFN/Cliffhanger): HEA

Additional Thoughts?

[Whispers From · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brock had to choose between his family or Titan. He chose his family. Now he's jobless and his wife has left with his girls. He kept her a secret from the members of Titan and her from them. After they were kidnapped and Brock was made to kidnap Sugar, he lost everything. He convinces Sara to take a vacation so they can try and fix their marriage. Only when they arrive, Jared has left several emergency messages. A young girl is being held on the island and going to be sold for a sex slave, Brock is her only hope. He accepts but Sara insists she be his back up. They get the girl but Brock is caught, so Sara calls the only person she knows...Sugar. So Sugar and Jared come to rescue Brock. But all is far from forgiven. 
Backseat sex. Sex with ropes and ice cream. A woman being stronger than she knew was possible. A honorable man, whom she sees as her superhero. Short but very powerful.

[Becky · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok maybe I'm just a hard ass, but if my husband kept me and our family a secret for a decade then betrayed his team family all in the name of love & safety for us, pretty sure I'm not just gonna get over it with one meeting with said husband. What? a trip to saint Lucia is all it takes??? No HELL No! Throw in a little rescue job some talking and all's forgiven. Nope not even a chance. I did love Jared' s reaction to Brock and his house, funny shit. All in all let's have alittle common sense or realism, if your brothers in arms, a family not of blood but would die for each other, is betrayed by one of their own that would not be easily forgiven if at all. Sad the last book and this one took that turn.

[Linda J. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I purchased this as part of the author's bundle called THE TITAN SERIES: Set one. I would suggest
you read book 3 first, Westin's Chase, first. This is a continuing story of what happened to Brock after he betrayed his team, and his marriage.

This should have been a longer story, with the H/h having more reciliation. Their time apart to figure things out is very short and forgiveness happens a little too quickly.

Lovemaking, within marriage, heat level 4 out of 5.

Some violence and suspense, little romance, story on second chances, HEA and steam. Lord's name used in vain and crude words.

I can't improve on the blurb, just giving you extra tidbits to decide whether to purchase. (ljb)

[FayAnn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gamble:
This book was short but not rushed!! I loved that Brock woke up from his downfall & realized what he really wanted, his wife Sarah. Also Sarah for not giving up completely, just scared.

Chased:
I read this & was GLAD that Jenny was able to get a story. The other books didn’t mention much about her but I wanted to know more of her because of Sugar. Again this was a novella but I still didn’t feel rushed. Especially that of the relationship due to both parties were crushing on each other for so long.

Thank-You!!

Read via The Titan Series Box Set 1

[Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good fillers

After Brock's betrayal, we get to watch him get back in everyone's good graces. I like that Sara had some backbone. Jared was kinda extra harsh in his role. Expects Brock's help knowing he'll provide it even from his island reconciliation with his wife but if he gets into trouble, he'll be left to die. Real stand up guy there.

In the 2nd story with Jenny and Asher, it was very light and easy. I great setup for Rocco's fill story next.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars - Brock and Sarah's story was very good. He was the team member I was most concerned about because of what he felt he had to do, which resulted in a severe betrayal. The reason I couldn't rate it higher is because it was way too short. This author has not been consistent in an acceptable length of her stories. Also Ash and Jenny's story (Chased) was attached to this story... again another short story. They were great characters and warranted a longer plot.

[Micheal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novella is #3.1 in the series, "Titan" by author; Christin Harber. This was an excellent follow up to "Westin's Chase". This was just a super short novella however, it was definitely full of action, suspense, romance and forgiveness. This is one of those series that's really well written and each novel and/or novella just flows with one another. I'm really enjoying reading this journey. This series, novella and author are really worth the time to read!! Happy Reading!!!

[Jean Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brock and Sarah

After Titan Book 3, I was on the edge of my seat wondering what would happen to Brock? Would Sarah and he get back together? What kind of retaliation would Jared do? Was Brock finished with Titans? Read this to get all the wonderful, drama filled answers. Another great book in this series!

[Meghan · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good follow up to Westin’s Chase, but I wish there was more. . . More detail of how he got his wive back, how the men forgave him, what his role is now, etc. it seemed rushed in that regard. The story overall was good and had some action moments, but it left me confused in how quickly and rushed the forgiveness and moving on of such a betrayal occurred.

[Andrea Akers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Titan 4

Brock gambled and lost everything. In trying to win back his wife and fix his marriage, Brock finds he is in a position to right some of his wrongs. Will Brock and Sarah get their happily ever after and will Jared and Brock come to an understanding so Brock will be welcome back an Titan?

[Tammy Bulcao · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story!💜

A short story following events in book 3. Family is everything but is it worth the cost? Making life changing decisions without the aide of his Titan family, Brock Gamble may lose everything. A riveting story about the cost making bad decisions. The narration was absolutely perfect. I recommend this book/series!

Sisters Spotlight 💜