Backfire

Vigilantes #2

by Keri Lake

STANDALONE CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE

No matter how unbreakable he may seem, every man has a weakness.

A year ago, my home became a bloodstained crime scene. That night marked the beginning of my hell—the same night I was tortured by my enemies and tossed into an underground prison to die.

They failed. I survived.

Now that I’m free, only one motive burns in my soul: revenge.

Lucky for me, they think Jase Hawkins is dead. Maybe I am. I’ve got nothing but a cold, merciless rage, and Black Betty, the sharp steel blade that never leaves my side.

Then she drifts into my life.

Lucia wants answers—so much so, she’s willing to fall into the darkness where my enemies lie in wait, to kill her for what she knows.

Or to take her for the depraved fantasies her body alone can rouse in a man’s mind.

Me? I want her for the fire in her touch that feeds my addiction, forces me to feel what has become numb, but my appetite for bloodshed runs deeper than flesh.

For my own sanity, I’ve vowed to stay away from her. Because she’s my only weakness, an obsession that leaves me craving more—one that could make even the most steadfast plan backfire.

**Not recommended for readers under the age of 18. Trigger warning for violence, drug abuse and scenes of rape and torture.

BACKFIRE is a spin-off of RICOCHET and can be read as a standalone.

Genres: Dark, Dark Romance, Romance, Suspense, Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense, Contemporary

518 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 19, 2016

About the author

Author of gothic romance who specializes in demon wrangling, vengeance dealing and wicked twists.

I love connecting with readers, so feel free to join my reading group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thego...

Reviews

[Keri Lake]

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PROLOGUE FOR BACKFIRE:



COVER REVEAL IS MARCH 3RD!




Remember I said that Ricochet was going to be a standalone novel?

Well it is.

At this time, I don’t have any plans to build a series around Nick & Aubree. That’s not to say I wouldn’t consider a small spin off novella, perhaps an epilogue down the road if readers want more of these two, but at this point, Nicks’s story feels complete to me, so I’m leaving it alone.

HOWEVER …

I’m not done with this particular world yet. See, as I was writing Ricochet, another storyline was snaking it’s way into my brain—another character, representing the not-so-innocent fraction of the population affected by The Culling sweeps. His story is going to be about betrayal and vengeance, and of course, love (and lust!). The book runs somewhat parallel to Nick’s.


Read more here: http://www.kerilake.com/2015/08/20/an...

[Flo · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 **Sparrow & Warhawk** STARS

“Two souls who’d survived hell, only to suffer the goddamn replays over and over.”

That was one hell of a suspenseful, gripping and complex read. I really enjoyed it.

Backfire is the second book in Keri Lake’s Vigilantes series. Each book can be read as a standalone and surrounds one anti-hero vigilante. Backfire tells the story of Jase and Lucy.

“What I wouldn’t give to nail you against this wall
and smile when your morals come crumbling down.”

Lucy is a freelance photographer who likes to push the envelope with her work. She often explores Detroit’s abandoned buildings and on one of those occasions she saw something she shouldn’t have. That night sets in motion a series of events, changing her life forever.

Jase is a lot of things, a thief, a killer and in his free time he is into extreme urban exploration. Until eleven months ago when his life changed forever. Now he is out for revenge.

Of course it doesn’t take long for both Jase and Lucy to collide within this world of corrupt cops, dangerous underground club, human trafficking and a lot of death.



What can I say? Ms. Lake has created a dark world of questionable morals, gut wrenching pain and utter devastation. I love it. There are some parts in this book that really twisted my stomach, but overall I have to say in comparison with Ricochet this book really convinced me with the way Jase and Lucy's love story was developed. The hate-lust-love relationship was sizzling right from the start and held me captive to no end.

“Something clicked. Like watching her through the lens, the aperture flicked and the light hit her face differently. She glowed. So goddamn beautiful, it hurt to look at her. Like an eclipse, I knew the longer I stared, the more fucked I’d be. Even so, I cupped her face, the dark ink of my tattoos against peaches and cream skin. Dark and light. Night and day. The moon and the sun. Mia Luce.”

The story and the world that is built around the main characters is very detailed. It took me a good 20% until I really was hooked. That is also the point where Jase and Lucy first really collide. Don't get me wrong the exposition is exceptionally well done and really grips you, but it took me a while to grasp it all, and once I got past that it was an edge of the seat read that had me turning pages like a mad woman and no sleep to speak of.

The characters are extremely well developed, the suspense is anxiety inducing and not to mention our lovely couple burned up my kindle. All in all a great book, maybe a little bit too long, but nevertheless an exceptional read.


**ARC very kindly provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

[✰ Liz ✰ · Rating 5 out of 5]

"My only law is survival."

Backfire is book 2 in the Vigilantes Series. Full of heart-stopping action, dark romance, passion, and complex characters this is a must read for contemporary romance fans.

"Sometimes, a love so pure and strong can make others jealous and cruel. But you must never give up on love, because true love never goes away."

Lucia is alone and struggling through life. After experiencing trauma and abandonment, she has found a semblance of peace through the lens of her camera. Venturing through the streets of the city, she acts as an underground reporter capturing stories through the pictures she takes. When she inadvertently stumbles into trouble, she is instantly turned into prey to the ruthless men running the underground.

"I promised myself, if I survived the hell I'd been sentenced to, I would make them pay for what they'd stolen from me."

Jase is no stranger to life in the dark. After witnessing brutality and being locked away, he is finally released and able to seek vengeance for those that have taken from him. With his trusted knife, "Black Betty", and a plan he takes off into the night. He never expected that one girl would step in and change everything.

"Innocent. And fuck, if I didn't get hard at the thought of corrupting innocence."

"What the hell was he doing? As he slicked soap over his body, I stood like an idiot, like a trained puppy, waiting for my master. Bastard."

As the plot begins to unfold, Jase and Lucy are brought together. Both terribly broken, they seem to have exactly what each other needs. Both are stubborn and set on protecting the other from discovering the horrible truths from their pasts. However, as the pieces fall into place, it becomes evident that Jase and Lucy together are the tether that will carry them through the storm.

"Suffocating me with his kiss. The fury of his lips had my senses flicking off, one by one, until the only one I left was the taste of him on my tongue."

"She'd mind-fucked a hole right through my skull threatening to dredge up something I'd buried a long time ago. Hope."

Told in dual POV, Backfire was simply stunning! The relationship between Jase and Lucy was full of raw passion and undeniable need. Both have experienced brutality individually and together, and there were moments in the read that made my heart stop and my insides cringe. The plot is thoroughly developed, and I was held captive to my KINDLE for the entire read. I felt each moment in my gut and my heart. The passion between Jase and Lucy was addictive and intense. Additionally, the supporting characters enhanced the read and gave us the promise of more greatness to come! I would love to expand more on the plot, but truthfully this is one read that you should experience blind. So buckle up and enjoy the ride!

"She glowed. So goddamn beautiful, it hurt to look at her. Like an eclipse, I knew the longer I stared, the more fucked I'd be. Even so, I cupped her face, the dark ink of my tattoos against peaches and cream skin. Dark and light. Night and day."

I honestly cannot say enough about my excitement for this read! If you like action and dark romance, you must check out Backfire. When if comes to contemporary romance, Ms. Lake knows how to deliver every time!

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***Vigilantes Series***


*ARC graciously provided via author in exchange for an honest review!*

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[Lo Bookfrantic · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Rating 4.5 ★★★★★ Black Sparrow & Warhawk Stars

Genre: Dark Romantic Suspense
Type: Standalone Book 2 from Vigilantes series
POV: Shifting – Multiple

"Every one of us hides a monster...A primitive side of the brain that runs on a single instinct to survive."

Jase Hawkins had a horrible childhood. With an abusive step-father and a junkie mother; he grew up alone and fighting to defend his and his little brother's lives. One devastated tragedy had him wanting to survive only to avenge the loss of his love ones. Life for Jase has never been great he almost gave up so many times but one occurrence brought him to a girl that saved him. Never in a million times would he ever think that this little girl was going to mark him and make him want to be a better person.



Lucy Novaková was a photographer; she wanted to explore the world thru her lenses but one night changed her life forever. She witnesses something she shouldn't have and a road to survived brought her to the one man she never thought she would ever see again. She was held as captive until she could escape but then she realized escaping would only get her killed.



Jase was ruthless and he believed in his own justice and he was bound to do whatever it took to make whoever was responsible of his love ones death pay with blood. He would not stop until he gets his revenge; however he never considered falling for her. Jase didn't believe in love it was something he never had and was scared to even tried it because if he fell in love it could be taken from him so fast; he didn't think he could survive it again. Lucy however loved hard; she believed Jase was good deep inside. Once she was able to understand his pain she wanted to save him so badly. She was so strong I absolutely loved her character. She didn't take no for an answer either and she was a fighter she would fight for what she believed.

"For a moment, we weren't Jace and Lucia, but elements of fire and ice, light and darkness, charging the particles of air around us a cataclysm of destructive energy."

Overall this book was a fast page turner I enjoyed it so much. It was packed with so much action and suspense. If you enjoyed Ricochet you will love this one. Even thought is not a part of Ricochet; Alec was mentioned and I about had a mini heart attack because of the excitement haha. I did cry on this book I am not even ashamed; the history of Jase and what him and his brother went thru really hurt me. I was bawling like a baby I fell in love with Jase so hard it is truly easy to love him. I also enjoyed the side characters like his best friend which I am dying to read more about on the next book. Lovers of action, suspense, and a great romance will truly enjoy this ride.





BACKFIRE BOOK TRAILER

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[Lana ❇✾DG Romance❇✾ · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 STARS Full Review Now Posted (Spoiler Free)

Shit thing about life is, when you throw an immovable object into the path of a bullet, it doesn't follow any laws or principles.
It backfires.

It's official; I have PTKD (Post Traumatic Keri Disorder). The woman has ruined me. This book? I hope you all have your big girl panties on, because a walk through the meadows with unicorns it. Is. Not.

Backfire is dark, gritty, and unapologetic. You'll be reading it with your heart in your throat and your stomach twisted up in knots. It's violent, a touch depraved, darkly erotic, action packed and absolutely, positively unputdownable. The story is filled with so many unpredictable twists and turns that it will make your head spin! It's brilliantly written and I will even go so far as to say this was darker than Ricochet and that's saying something, trust me.

He was dark and threatening, sexual and magnetic all rolled into one three dimensional package of fuck me.

Jase has spent the last year of his life in hell. Now he's free and the only thing burning inside him is revenge. It's what he eats, breathes, and lives. The chain of events that began on that one bloody night a year ago that cost him him his family all lead back to one man; Tesarik. Only problem is? He's so powerful he's practically untouchable. So when the mystery man standing before him promises him the vengeance he seeks for the price of a favor, he knows that he may fight it but he'll agree. The favor will take him deep into the bowels of the worst sort of human depravity. Into a something only known as The Seventh Circle; a group of men that get off on pain and death.

And his first stop? Finding the mystery woman with the camera that may be the reason why he was thrown into the crosshairs of Tesarik in the first place. But Lucy is not at all what Jase thinks though. A photo journalist that saw something she shouldn't have seen, she's on the run for her life, and the only man that can help her may be the most dangerous of them all...

I'll be the bastard you need me to be, Lucy. Whatever darkness you crave, I'll give that to you."

What begins is a story filled with heart-stopping moments, eroticism in a way only Keri Lake can write, and enough grit and darkness to leave you crying for your mama.

My life was a turbulent storm and she sat in the center of it, in the calm, making me forget the chaos that swirled all around me. I needed that calm, to own it, if only for one night.

If you've read any book by this author, then you already know she's not afraid to go to the very pits of darkness. She'll take the readers deep into the bowels of the worst of humanity. Her writing is raw, gritty, and absolutely unapologetic.

You'll live and breathe Jase and Lucy's story. It's a page turning, heart in your throat, painful to read but never wanting it to end anyway sort of book. Jase is the epitome of the perfect anti hero.

He's not a good man, but he skates that fine edge between the good and bad. He's a man that was forced to do some bad things for some very good reasons and you'll love him for it. Guaranteed.
If nothing else but for his dirty mouth alone.

Set aside a whole night, because this is one book you'll read in one heart-pounding sitting. Trust me on that.

You're in my blood, infecting every dark part of my soul, Lucy. Nothing else matters to me.

For my brother, I was willing to go to war. For you, mia Luce, I'm willing to wage it.

Long story short? I loved the absolute fuck out of this book and I cannot wait for all of you to meet Jase and Lucy!

If you haven't read Ricochet yet, I highly recommend it. But while Backfire is set in the same world as Ricochet, you don't have to read Ricochet first in order to enjoy this one.

WATCH THE TRAILER HERE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhbke...

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Stand-alone
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Books in Vigilantes series are stand-alones, but most enjoyed if read in order:
Book 1: Ricochet
Book 2: Backfire
Book 3: Ballistic

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[Eliza · Rating 5 out of 5]

In 2015 Keri Lake kicked down the door of contemporary romance to announce her arrival with Ricochet. Keri created a world that was so intrinsically vivid, it felt familiar to be back amongst the depraved, lawless streets of Detroit. Once again we see Keri lace up her boot straps with her addictive, page-turning read that is Backfire.



Vengeance is the motivator that keeps Jase Hawkins alive, when he has nothing else to live for. The promise of spilling the blood of those that betrayed him is what drives campaign to infiltrate the sadistic underbelly of Detroit's streets. On his quest for revenge he crosses the path of Lucy, a girl who is running away from what he is running toward. With a connection stronger than a common enemy binding them, it's their love story pierces through the darkness and appeals to the romance reader in me.



Backfire is an intelligent, thrilling sensory feast that does not rest on the laurels of shock factor. It's not just a novel, it's a production. Every sight, sound & shiver is experienced. I defy you not to feel it's breath on the back of your neck.

[Jx PinkLady Reviews ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amazon US * Amazon UK *

Jase and Lucy are the focus of BACKFIRE, their history, relationship and the way their lives fit into the Vigilante’s world. It's important for me to begin by saying that Ricochet, the first book in this series, was a resounding 5 star read for me. I loved the raw quality, the intensity, the darkness, the way it made me think and feel, and the way it made me root for the hero and heroine. BACKFIRE is as equally dark and edgy which is right up my reading alley and I've watched many of my reading friends read and love BACKFIRE showing me it's brilliance and their love for the story so I found myself feeling perplexed when I did not enjoy anyway near as much as my friends or the first book in the vigilantes series.

I really liked the premise. The author has created an amazing and intricate world with the Vigilantes and whilst I basked in the intricacies that were offered in the first book I felt the quantity of characters and all the connections depicted in BACKFIRE were a little too much for my tastes, to the extent that my engagement with the story became hampered. Backfire can most definitely be read as a STANDALONE but I cannot recommend the first book in the series highly enough and, in some respects, I wish I'd read books one and two back to back. I wanted to feel the same level of WOW and investment as I felt in Ricochet in the final stages of this story and maybe if I'd read them together I would have, especially with the revelations in the closing chapters.

Keri Lake is tremendous at weaving a complex plot and crafting brilliant anti heroes and heroines for readers to fall in love with. Backfire offers these elements and sets them once again in a gritty, dark and often disturbing world where the reader condones the actions of the protagonists because of the horrors they've experienced at the hands of evil. BACKFIRE has received many rave reviews from readers, so if Dark Contemporary Romance is your trope of choice then I'd certainly give this story a read.


NOTE: Backfire is set in the same world and timeline as the first novel in this series but both books can be read as a STANDALONE.


My review thoughts for RICOCHET, Vigilantes #1)

Advanced copy received for my honest review thoughts

[warhawke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genre: Dark Romantic Suspense
Type: Standalone Book 2 from Vigilantes series
POV: Shifting - Multiple
Rating:




Jase Hawkins grew up on the wrong side of the track. In order to survive, he did whatever he could to provide for his family, even if it means getting on the radar of not only the police, but also other criminals. After a devastating tragedy, he vowed to seek revenge and with nothing to lose, he was on the right path if destruction, until that path veered somewhere else.

Lucy Novaková had a plan for her life, but life made another plan for her. As an avid photographer, she explored the beauty of the city's dilapidated buildings. While capturing the allure of such place, she unwittingly captured something ugly that put her life on the line, crossing the path of the man on the road to vengeance.



I love the previous book Ricochet, and was excited to get back into that world, and I'm glad to say it's definitely worth the pages.

I was addicted to his danger, and holy shit, I had it bad for the ultimate bad boy.

Jase was a brooding, rough around the edges kind of hero - the kind I always have a soft spot for. His methods may not be conventional, but it came from (somewhat) good intention. Despite his singular goal, he was adaptable.

She'd become my kryptonite, the only thing in the world that could bring me to my knees.

Lucy was a strong, fearless female character. She wasn't afraid to take matters into her own hands, but at the same time, she had vulnerabilities when it came to her heart.

Heels digging into my back, she held me captive between pleasure and pain, and I gripped her throat, as hot waves pulsed through my body. I wanted to rip her open with every harsh thrust of my dick.

The sexual chemistry between them was explosive. Both of them had a certain level of depravity making their encounters raw and uninhibited.



The storyline was richly layered with dark and gritty undertones, which is exactly the way I like my books. The thrilling actions and the heart stopping suspense kept me at the edge of my seat. I like that it contained subject I recently been interested in (in a non disturbing way - well at least not in my mind hahaha!) and that alone was enough to reel me in.

Together, we were a fucking mess. Two souls who’d survived hell, only to suffer the goddamn replays over and over.

Backfire is a story of retribution, sacrifices and changing of one's direction in life. The fast pace story will entice readers from start to finish.

Note 1: As much as I like Jase (I mean we shared a name, what's not to like? lol!) I'm claiming Dax for myself :p
Note 2: I have a special spot in my heart for Reed.


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⚜ ♆ ⚜ . . . (F)BR With Loyda . . . ⚜ ♆ ⚜




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[* Meli Mel * · Rating 5 out of 5]

♥ ♥ ♥ 5 STARS ♥ ♥ ♥

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"Whatever happens, mia Luce, per te farei di tutto."
I would do anything for you.

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Lucy didn't have such a great life growing up, but she is changing that by doing what she loves. Lucy may live closer to the shadier parts of Detroit, but now she is a freelance photojournalist who likes to dive deep and take real and raw photos where she showcases things that people don't want you to see. Things take a turn for Lucy when in one of her excursions at an abandoned building, she ends up witnessing some men doing something horrible. Unfortunately, Lucy doesn't make it out of there undetected and now those men are after her to ensure she permanently keeps quiet about what she saw. Now, Lucy must do whatever it takes to survive.

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'I wanted more of her. To know she belonged to me, and I belonged to her. I wanted to rain pain on every man who ever touched her again.
I’d bleed for her.
Kill for her.
Die for her.'

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Jase has not been dealt the greatest of cards in his life starting from his childhood. Jase and his brother were both abused by their step-father, living in very poor conditions with scarcely any food to eat and a mother who's addiction was more important than her two sons. Jase has always felt alone as a result and feels it is his duty to protect his younger brother. Things crumble down around Jase years later when everything he holds dear is gone in a tragedy caused by a group of men. Now, he is completely alone living in a hellish cell that these men put him in. Things are looking up a bit when he is offered an opportunity, one that could help him get the vengeance he thirsts for.

The setting in this book is like that of, Ricochet, in the dangerous underbelly of Detroit. This is where Lucy and Jase's paths cross. Lucy is desperately trying to survive by running away from those who are hunting her, meanwhile Jase is looking for the men that caused the devastation in his life. These two don't really start on the best of terms, but as the book progresses that changes. Jase is attracted to the feistiness he sees in Lucy, even though he knows he shouldn't. Lucy is completely alone in the world and quickly realizes that this dangerous man could be the key to her safety, she just wishes she didn't feel the sexual tension that runs under the surface of their dislike. Both Lucy and Jase were strong characters the could hold their own, they were completely explosive together. I couldn't get enough of them.

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“I’ll be the bastard you need me to be, Lucy. Whatever darkness you crave, I’ll give that to you. But no matter what, you’re still my light.”

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It was so very dark and gritty with so many twists and turns that it had my heart racing and me on the edge of my seat. I loved every freaking moment of it. The characters in this book are ruthless in the way they delivered pain. It was really graphic and nausea inducing to read for sure, but it was all just so well written. I really loved Lucy and Jase both together and as individuals. I loved seeing that there was so much more to Jase than what his mean exterior presents. He's never known what love was really like, so it was so beautiful to watch him fall for Lucy. They complemented each other so well, something I was really happy with. I also really enjoyed the development of each character and their romantic story line. I think it was done at just the right pace. The steam in this book was all consumingly passionate and raw. I could not get enough of Jase's dirty mouth.

I've been a huge fan of Keri Lake since her first book came out, and all I can say is she did not disappoint in the least with this book. I could not put this one down. Her storytelling abilities are so amazing that you become addicted to her kind of dark. I definitely highly recommend this one! So if you're into really dark reads, then this one is perfect for you because Keri Lake did not hold back.

[Astrid - The Bookish Sweet Tooth · Rating 5 out of 5]

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Review @ Vanilla & Spice Books



If you are looking for pretty butterflies, rainbows and heart shaped clouds move on. You won't find them here. This is a gritty tale about violence, sacrifices and revenge but also all consuming love and tenderness in the face of danger and loss. The lines between the polar opposites of good and evil are blurred and things aren't always what they seem.

Our story takes place in Detroit. In my mind the settings looked like the Detroit of the comic and movie The Crow - it's dark, debauched and corrupt. At the same time it's eerily beautiful in its decay. I don't think I should give away too much of the plot - you will get most out of the story if you know as little as possible about it. There are twists and surprises along the way that will have your heart racing. I'll reveal a little bit though:

Lucy is an urban exploration photographer. When her friend gives her a gig to shoot in Detroit's Packard Plant, she witnesses something she shouldn't. She does, however, and since she has her camera at hand she films the whole thing, unaware that these will be the last quiet minutes she will have for the forseeable future.

Jase is a hardened man. He was born on the wrong side of the tracks and hasn't had a lot of love and luck in his young life. Losing his brother and grandmother was only the tip of the iceberg of events that shaped him into the man he is today.

I've been to prison, licked the bottom of the barrel, and tasted nothing but bitter desolation my whole damn life, Lucy.

We get glimpses of his past by way of haunting flashbacks. Jase is a hero of the asshole variety when we start out on this adventure. He makes no excuses about his personality. He's raw, sexual and focused. Until...Lucy.

He was dark, threatening, and sexually magnetic, all rolled into one three-dimensional package of fuck me.

Lucy is a firecracker with a stiff backbone who doesn't back down. I loved how she wasn't cowed by Jase's bullying. She has Jase on his toes, stands up up to him and doesn't relent, damn the consequences. Smart as a whip, fearless and crafty, she shows strength and endurance.

As with Ricochet the relationship development between Jase and Lucy isn't straight forward. And how could it be? These are deeply flawed characters who are unapologetic about their decisions. They take a lot of turns, 180s and crossroads before they find a common path. The way their dynamics changed along the way had me glued to the pages. They were like magnets you can't separate.

I wanted her to go, but I needed her to stay. Or was it the other way around? Goddamn, she had my head all messed up.

Interestingly, the first real sex scene was hot but I found the thoughts running through Jase's head so captivating that I forgot the tingle in the nether regions of my anatomy. Every subsequent encounter was explosive and had my ovaries in a meltdown. Their sexual taste is as edgy as their personalities and has a hint of depravation. And boy, Keri Lake can write some hot sex scenes.

The story is action packed and addictive, the scenes were vivid in my mind and well choreographed. The landscape came to life with Keri Lake's descriptions. This book can be read as a stand-alone but if you haven't read Ricochet yet, I urge you to do it. Nick's and Aubree's story is just as haunting and beautiful.

One more thing. I need to go all fan-girly because, seriously, this story rocked my world. I LOVED Jase and Lucy together, they were perfect for each other.

Buried deep inside of her, feeling her from the inside, it still wasn't enough. I wanted more of her. To know she belonged to me, and I belonged to her

I'd bleed for her. Kill for her. Die for her.

Last, I wanted to mention the cover. The model is perfect for Jase, the smirk that borders on a sneer is pretty much this hero's trademark. Kudos to Keri for finding somebody who could incorporate Jase's personality and giving him a face.

ARC received from the author in exchange for an honest review - thank you so much!


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[Sonya ♕Chatterbooks book blog♕ · Rating 4 out of 5]

★★★★ 4 Revengful Stars★★★★



" It's said everything in life naturally follows the path of least resistance.

If that's true, I should be dead".

Jase Hawkins has fought for everything his entire life. Growing up in the streets of Detroit has hardened him and made him into a not so nice person. But what he takes pride in his family and he would do anything for his grandmother and little brother.

When they both get brutally murdered, his quest for revenge took an all time high and he will not stop until everyone pays for what happened. Setting up a plan wasn't all that simple but what Jase never expected was to meet a girl that literal set his blood on fire.

"We're civilized for the most part",....." But every one of us hides a monster,I think".



Lucy loves exploring the gritty Detroit area. Is it the safest thing to do? No. But she gets inspired by the dark and griity abandoned places and when that happens, her Photography is better for it. Having been on her own for a long time now, she knows how to take care of herself. But when you're faced with the worst kind of evil, all of that goes out the window and all you're left with is fight or flight. Meeting Jase was unexpected and knowing that he wanted her for his own personal agenda, Lucia felt a whole new kind of fear.

"What I wouldn't give to nail you against this wall and smile when your morals come crumbling down".

What started out as a plot for revenge, soon became a living nightmare filled with secrets,murder and a whole lot of evil. I loved how the author made us feel like we were really a part of everything. From the buildings to the shocking discoveries, she made us FEEL it. There was one brutal scene that had me covering my mouth because it was just too much for me and I had to speed read that scene just to get it over with. And let'not forget those hot as hell scenes because, Dayumm!! *fans self*



If dark revenge is your thing and you've read "Ricochet" then you don't want to miss this one. Until then, I'll be patiently waiting for "Ballistic" and yes I've already laid claim to that man!

*Arc kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.

[S.M. West · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Luce STARS

I’m a self-professed lover of dark reads. The darker, the grittier, the more on edge - the better. And if all this darkness can be infused with passion and love, then I’m on cloud 9.



My first read by Keri Lake, Ricochet, was like that and I loved the darkness. This second book in the Vigilantes series, while also standalone, builds on that same darkness. It also takes place within the underbelly of Detroit. Where violence, corruption and monsters dominant. Where survival is its mainstay and kill or be killed, its mantra.



Jase Hawkins is an inhabitant of this darkness. Life has dealt him a shitty hand that’s had him hungry, alone, fighting to survive and helpless to protect those he loves. When faced with the chance for vengeance, Jase willingly embarks on what might be his most dangerous and deadly fight of all.



Lucia (Lucy) Novaková is a struggling photographer also living on the riskier and more desperate side of Detroit. Lucy’s not without her demons and her dreams seem too far out of reach. The solitude of her life threatens to consume her until she stumbles upon something so dark that she finds herself hunted.



Lucy and Jase’s paths collide as he hunts one thing and she runs from another. At first, their relationship is volatile and at times filled with venom and force. While for some, they may want to H/h to go all lovey dovey from the get-go, to me, this was realistic. They're both survivors and right now, each of them could be a potential threat to the other's survival.



Their connection runs deep and as things become clearer, they realize they need each other more than they've ever needed anyone before.

“His lips held a world of promise, a world I wanted to slip inside and never leave. A place as dark as the mystery that surrounded him, but brimming with excitement and danger, lust and pleasure.”



Jase is not a good man but he's not bad. And at times, he could be brutal (not to Lucy) and I knew I should likely hate him for what he's capable of but I just couldn’t. He was one of those anti-heroes that your heart breaks for and you can’t help but hope for his salvation.



I'm not going to sugar coat this. There’s a lot that’s unsettling and violent about this story but I couldn’t look away. I was captivated. This was a raw, action-packed read with all the feels.



**ARC generously provided by author in exchange for an honest review.**

For more reviews and blog posts.

[Allison ❤️Will Never Conquer Her TBR❤️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

LIVE on Amazon!

5+ Raw, gritty Stars!




When I'd read my first novel by Keri Lake last year, I knew she had a gift of taking a raw, gritty, dark story and somehow shine a beautiful light on it with her poetic prose. This such book was titled Ricochet and was in my top reads of 2015. Backfire is the second (standalone) book in that series and she, once again, did not disappoint.


Backfire, like Ricochet, takes place in the seedier parts of Detroit. Where crumbling, abandoned buildings are the backdrop in the city of corruption, violence and human trafficking. Where there's more victims living within its city limits than there are success stories. Jase Hawkins is one of those victims. Growing up poor and hungry, Jase would do anything for money to support himself... steal, cheat, deal. Doesn't matter. Life's never been good for him and he does what he can to survive until it all catches up with him. His family is murdered and he's thrown in the pits of Hell. But he survives to live another day. Eleven months later, he's back for revenge on the sick bastards that took it all away from him...

I wanted their blood.
Their punishment.
My revenge.

Lucy is a photojournalist for a local magazine The Detroit Mudracker, when she accidentally finds herself filming something that'll make her a target for the most ruthless of the underground crew. When half the Detroit police are involved in underground crime, who protects the innocent, brings punishment to the criminals, and justice to their victims?

Backfire kept me riveted throughout its entirety. It's not a short book and I'm so thankful she chose to go the one long book route versus giving us two smaller books. Once you enter its pages, you won't want to leave until you see Jase and Lucy get their vengeance.

Jase is one of those anti-heroes you really want to be disgusted with but instead find yourself at risk of ovary combustion. On the surface, he's almost dickish but with that comes a healthy dose of testosterone and knowledge of his self-protection, you know deep down, his bark is way worse than his bite...at least where Lucy is concerned.





Jase has got one helluva dirty mouth and gets off on feisty, tough women and making them beg for more... and Lucy is the definition of tough and feisty. One he can't ignore. Let me just say, he's unapologetically non-Casanova and you'll fall at this man's feet in all his raw, virile masculinity





Not enough virility? Oh, this is my favorite...

"I need you to know that I don't hate you, Lucy, but I'm about to fuck you like I do. Ready for me?"

Be still my ovaries.

Sorry, jumping off the Jase fan-train.


Keri Lake trickle feeds us a fairly complex, suspense plot where the reader can't figure out the good guys from the bad. Everyone is suspect. I didn't think she could match the dark suspense we received with Nick in Ricochet but I do believe she's matched it here. In fact, I found myself attaching to Jase and Lucy's love story even more so. Jase and Lucy have a past dating back to grade school. A bond formed in the early years and one that's never really broken, no matter the hardships endured throughout the years apart. So reunite them after years apart, add the element of both fear and vengeance, and you've got yourself a bond that's unbreakable. They'll risk their lives and kill to protect each other.

Another great, dark romantic suspense from Keri Lake. I look forward to the next installment in the Vigilantes series.



Advanced copy received by author in exchange for my honest review.

[Maida (Medley of Books) · Rating 5 out of 5]

RATING: 5 Luce HEARTS! <3



Backfire is a vividly imagined read, elements of light and dark clashing into a cinematic portrayal of raw passion and the chill-inducingly heinous against the backdrop of an anarchic, corrupt and ominous Detroit.

His lips held a world of promise, a world I wanted to slip inside and never leave. A place as dark as the mystery that surrounded him, but brimming with excitement and danger, lust and pleasure.

Jase is a man driven by pain and vengeance, and despite the ease with which he kills, he is the type of anti-hero with whom it’s easy to settle in. His rage and hatred are unyielding when it comes to those that murdered his family, but he’s not so enshrouded in the shadows cast by his dark emotions that we can’t feel his heartache or love for those he has lost. While his cold demeanor is as much a necessity of his profession as it is an acquired emotional armor, Lucy invokes in him a fiery passion that burns through every icy barrier he’s erected, allowing us a glimpse into a vulnerable soul.

My life was a turbulent storm, and she sat in the center of it, in the calm, making me forget the chaos that swirled all around me.

Lucy is full of fight and fire, going toe to toe with Jase from beginning to end without being cowed by the force of his stony personality or the fact that he’s no stranger to violence, perpetrated or as a victim of it. Both Lucy and Jase are a study in contrasts; a beautiful mess of conflicting attributes that resonate so thoroughly they become unforgettable in a very short amount of time. Their relationship is as stunningly sensual as it is sweet with more than enough emotional depth to draw the proverbial line between light and dark.

“Well, I guess when you want something bad enough, you can’t be afraid of the fall. Sometimes you have to fuck the consequences.”

Backfire is as gritty, dark, and thrilling as its predecessor, Ms. Lake never pulling a punch as we’ve come to expect from her, but that only makes this story all the more gripping and enjoyable.



Posted: April 2, 2018

[Deanna❤Pink Lady❤️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Here With You Stars


I was introduced to Keri Lake with Ricochet. I loved it. When I heard about Backfire I was super excited. There is something about the way the author writes about crime, revenge and darkness.

The underworld of Detroit, with its darkness and depravity and the seediness of crime and drugs nestled in deserted buildings, is brought alive by Keri Lake. She takes you there with vivid imagery and makes you squirm. It isn't for the faint of heart. There is death and violence and blood. The strong survive.......the weak get taken out to rot with the garbage. Vengeance and Revenge become the name of the game.

A story of revenge is always compelling. Jase Hawkins has had a devastatingly hard life. Lucia "Lucy" Novaková has also had a hard life. Jase and Lucy become entangled when Jase begins his quest for revenge and vengeance. His family was murdered on Devil's Night and he was taken and tortured for 11 months. Their meeting, their journey, their past is complex and filled with many dynamics. The cast of characters is long and overwhelming at times. There were times when I needed to reread and stop and think about who was who and how it affected Jase and Lucy. I just found that there was a lot going on and I couldn't keep track of the story. That was the only issue I had with the story. Not that it was a bad issue, I just found it distracting at times. 



I loved the premise of the story. I loved Jace and Lucy. I loved their connection. There were parts that were very dark and violent and there were parts that were sexy and deep. The author brought both parts together in a compelling manner. But I will say that the darkness of the story, which I loved as well, is vile and gory so put your big girl panties on and get ready!! This is one wild roller coaster ride. My suggestion would be to read slowly and absorb the story and all the characters. I think I was too excited to read and read too fast.

There is no denying that Keri Lake can write deep, dark, raw and gritty. She transports you into the underworld of Detroit in a blink of an eye. The story is dark yet with her main characters, Jace and Lucy, she is able to infiltrate light and hope. I'm looking forward to Dax's story and I'm sure that Jace and Lucy will be around as they still have much to lose.

Advanced copy received by author in exchange for an honest review

[Sandy ღCoffee Addict Booksღ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 *Mia Luce* stars



Backfire is the second book in the Vigilante series but can be read as a standalone.

With Backfire, Keri Lake delivers yet another story driven by revenge and fuelled by love. I’m amazed by the way she brought the characters to life and made every bit of their existence realistic. Be the soul crushing act of violence or heart melting romance, Keri writes this gruesome story unapologetically as she makes you experience all sorts of unhealthy emotions right from the beginning!!

Jase Hawkins was presumed dead from the fire that burned down his home - killing his family. Now for the past year he’s been tortured, starved and imprisoned only to make his rage grow stronger. When there was no hope in life, he was given a chance to avenge for all the misfortune he endured, to kill everyone who turned his life into a living hell.

“I wanted blood.
Their punishment.
My revenge.”

Lucy Novaková is a photojournalist, passionate about damaged abandoned buildings and lucky for her, that’s the assignment she is given every so often. On one such occasion, she turns up at the wrong place photographing the most dangerous men in Detroit and now that her life is on the line she must do everything in her power to survive.

Set on path of revenge, Jase comes across terrified Lucy and then begins the exhilarating tale of ‘hunt or be haunted’ and the two of them together proven to be quite an explosive couple. Jase isn’t your usual Knight in a shining armour but your heart will bleed for this flawed bad boy who was dealt with a horrendous life. I applaud this author for the creating such complex characters and their development over the course of the story was phenomenal. I loved the whole dynamics of their love. What started as a captivity turned out to be a beautiful, soul -baring relationship.

“I’d bleed for her.
Kill for her.
Die for her.”

Before you dive in, make sure you have enough wine to go with it! Because this story is downright unnerving! You won’t be reading it, you’ll be LIVING. IT!

*ARC generously provided for an honest review.*

[Geri Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finished this book a couple of days ago and let me tell you that Keri Lake managed to both enthrall and horrify me with this book.

Word of warning: this book contains very graphic violence. If that isn't your cuppa, then this book wouldn't work for you. I can't call myself a dark romance reader. I don't seek dark reads as often, but if I do read books of this nature, I tend to be very picky.

Long story short, Keri Lake writes my brand of dark. While her characters are flawed and exhibit violent streaks, they also retain their moral compass. You understand why they became such dark characters. And in a way, you sympathize with them because you can see yourself reacting the same way these characters did when faced with adversity. And that's the reason why I read her books.

Backfire is set in the world of Ricochet. And although, there is a connection between Backfire and Ricochet, Backfire can be read as a standalone.

I don't want to give anything away but once I started this book, I just could not stop reading it. The plot, the romance, the heart-pumping action--everything just worked together. But more than that, I really loved the two main characters. They're both strong, enigmatic characters.

Lucia more than held her own against Jase. Her strength was evident from the get go, and though she was in a position of weakness, she wasn't weak. And she went through some really horrible stuff too. I still can't unsee some of the things I read in this book.The things she went through turned my stomach and broke my heart. At one point, I had to stop reading and just walk away for a bit because...man, Keri Lake did not hold back.

Jase Hawkins was volatile and angry at the world and at himself. His journey in this book was all about coming to terms with the guilt he held for so long. I enjoyed their individual character growth and the dynamics of their relationship. And even though there were stuff that I found too convenient, it wasn't jarring enough to affect my enjoyment for the book. Plus, I really liked the set up for the next book in the series.

ARC provided by Keri Lake in exchange for an honest review.

[~Stéphanie~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading Backfire is like drinking a good wine. To fully appreciate it, you must read it slowly. There are so many information, so many turns, so many surprises that will left you completely stunned. Keri Lake put a lot of effort in his book and it shows! One thing I'm so grateful for is the fact she decided to give us a full book instead of two. Yes the book is long but every details counts and its length adds to the beauty of the book. It's necessary to enjoy Lucy & Jase love story.

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I've never read so slow in three years. RL didn't give me the time to read more than an hour per day and it was sometimes excruciating to let the book there. I wanted to know how the story will unfold. You are warned once you start you won't want to stop. I know it's a bit contradictory with what I said in the first place but hé I never said you should listen ;)

“We were both abandoned at a young age. Both trying to survive in the aftermath. Both guarded by pain and loss. We’re the same, Jase.”

Backfire takes place in the same city than Ricochet and that's where the similarities stop so you know you can read it as a stand-alone.
It tells the story of Lucia a photographer attracted by death. She takes photographs of crumbling buildings but one day she's at the wrong place at a wrong time.
In a corrupted Detroit, she films something she shouldn't have.

Jase is on a vengeance mission after the murder of the only family he had: his brother and his grandma. After being tortured, he's finally free thanks to someone as shady as those who kept him.
All his life he had to get by to survive. His track record is not brilliant and one poor decision changed his life.

“We’ll see how scared you are, Lucy. And you’ll come to know exactly what I like these days.”
“Go ahead. Do it. Do what you want. I know who you are, Jase. I know you won’t hurt me.”

What drew me in immediately was the promise of a particular love story. And I had it more than I thought.
While Ricochet was all about the vengeance, Backfire let more a love story to take place. It was beautiful to see feelings grow, to see how both Lucia & Jase are fighting what they feel. Believe me you're gonna be frustrated so many times but when they finally comes together is the best!! Jase is such a dirty talker.

“I need you to know that I don’t hate you, Lucy, but I’m about to fuck you like I do. Ready for me?”

Backfire is very dark, gritty and can contain triggers for some. It's definitely not for everyone but if you love those can of books don't wait and pick this one, pick this series if you haven't read Ricochet!

I can't seriously wait for Ballistic...



~Arc provided by the author in exchange of an honest review ~

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 'brutal, raw and beautiful' stars

Once again Keri Lake bring us back to the utter depravity within the Detroit City with Backfire. I thought Book 1 Ricochet is dark, but Keri bring it one step further with Backfire with more brutality, which is definitely not for the faint of heart.

Jase Hawkins is a small time criminal and an urbex enthusiast. When his family was killed before his eyes and he subsequently got thrown into an underground mine for eleven months of pure torture, he only had one thing in mine: revenge. His wish finally came true when a mysterious figure save him from the hellhole and pass him a mission.

Lucy Novakova is an urban photographer who was at the wrong place at the wrong time. While exploring an abandoned building, she came across a group of men who are dumping something resembling of body parts, much to her horror. From then on, Lucy keep looking over her shoulder and terrify of the day when they finally found her.

The backbone of Backfire revolves around the darknet that host torture porn. Jase believes that the gang who killed his family was somehow related to the figurehead behind the darknet. With his mission at the forefront of his mind, he will do anything including kidnapping the woman who he thought involve with the underground cult.

Lucy find herself being kidnap by the big bad Jase, who she thought is either a fricking rapist or a cold blooded murderer. She's torn between scared out of her wits and turn on as hell. A little bit of Stockholm Syndrome is always interesting, although the truth is Lucy and Jase had one hell of a history, which surprises me.

There are plenty of flashbacks that gave me a more in-depth understanding to the characters especially Jase and his brother, Reed. Reading about Reed's childhood and subsequently his demise is just too much heartache. I long for the two lost boy to find their peace.

Jase and Lucy relationship ain't no flower and roses. Is all kind of wrong with brutality and vengeance as cheery on top. With constant worry for their life and seeking justice for their love ones, will they be able to come out of it unscathed?

Backfire is the kind of book that should come with a ton of warning sign. There are mentioned of torture, rape and animal abused. The gory details aren't over the top but is enough to make me sweat and shudder. The suspense and twist kept me at the edge of my seat and is totally unputdownable until I figure out the truth behind all of it.

For those who are new to the Vigilantes series, it works as a standalone, but once you finish I'm sure you will be anticipating the next one, which features one of the secondary character in this book.

[FMABookReviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

❝Everyone had a story, but ours was carved in bone and written in blood.❞

WOW! This book! It is just as action packed, suspenseful and thrilling as 'Ricochet,' but 'Backfire' has a different feel to it. There is a pull between these characters that you can't help but feel . Keri Lake's writing is captivating, intriguing and purposeful. I am a huge fan, HUGE!

❝I feel safe with you.❞ Her eyes flicked back and forth. ❝You're my home.❞

Just because you want it, doesn't mean you believe you deserve it, and it doesn't mean you can rid yourself of the thoughts that have been engrained and haunted you all your life.

❝Kids with shady pasts and drugged-parents, who lived in trailer parks and stole shit to get by, didn't get the girls who lived in the houses across the street, though. They got the easy ones.❞

Born of a drug addicted mother who shacked up with physically abusive men, Jase and Reed had to fight every day of their lives. Fight for love. Fight for food. Fight for survival. Living in the poorest part of Detroit, where crime-lords ruled and nightmares were not just in their dreams, these two learned to navigate the underbelly, the "darknet", where 'what couldn't be seen couldn't be caught.'

The problem is, the more you dig, the more involved you become, and the more footprints you leave behind.

In retaliation, Jase's home is set ablaze, his family killed and he is sent to an underground prison. When the architect releases him from captivity and reveals his new plan, Jase questions what he gains by releasing him.

Roman...

❝The same as you. Freedom from the nightmares that have kept me awake at night.❞

Okaaaay...

and so begins, the intrigue, twists, and turns.

What strikes me about Lake's writing, is while it is brutal and dark and violent, she peppers humor throughout her books, thus, lightening up what otherwise could be too heavy of a storyline.

❝Look, it's sweet...you showing up here like a knight in shining handcuffs,❞

Also, I find that her stories aren't dark just for the sake of being dark nor violent for the sake of violence. She doesn't add darkness and violence for shock value. Each incident has a purpose, a reason, thereby enhancing the storyline. This kept scenes from becoming OTT.

'Backfire' is not just thrilling and suspenseful. The love story between Jase and Lucia is tender and all-consuming, which adds validity to the darkness and violence. The pull between these two characters sucked me in, I was hooked from the moment they banded together. Their love and connection are undeniable.

❝Like a lion conquering a lioness and watching her squirm beneath him in ecstasy. She made me feel like the king of the jungle.❞

I can't say enough about Keri Lake's writing. She doesn't tell you a story, she shows it to you. She immerses you into the world she has crafted. Her writing is descriptive, it's poetic, it's breathtaking.

Another book to add to my Favorite's of The Year! 5 Huge Stars!

 
***ARC graciously given in exchange for honest review***

[CC · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars!



Lucy Novakova is an urban photographer working two jobs while trying to pay bills and return to college. Despite suffering the loss of her family, Lucy remains a head strong and feisty woman who won’t back down without a fight. While on assignment for an underground newspaper, she witnesses a crime and films the actual incident until she is discovered. From that point, Lucy is in danger and on the run.

“Trapped in his grip, arms vised at my sides, I reached between his thighs behind me and gripped his nuts-hard-then twisted them until he fell forward onto my back.”

Jase Hawkins is a thrill seeker with a troubled past but he learned to survive by various criminal enterprises. Knowing the risks involved, Jase lives the only way he knows how until his world crashes in on him. Fueled by rage and loss, Jase is given an opportunity to avenge his family in exchange for information. But when he meets Lucy, his priorities are realigned.

“You’re a feisty shit.” “And you’re used to what? Women who are afraid of your muscles and your tattoos – who lie down and do as you tell them?” “That’s my preference, yes.”

In his search for the truth, Jase and Lucy cross paths that lead to an unlikely union. While Jase knows more about Lucy’s alter ego, he feels he must protect her from his world and somehow by doing so he can redeem himself from his past. For Lucy, she knows the dangers of men like Jase but she learns that there is much more to Jase than a gruff and broody exterior. With combustible sexual tension and witty banter, the heat between Jase and Lucy is undeniable.

“I need you to know that I don’t hate you, Lucy, but I’m about to fuck you like I do. Ready for me?”

As tension mounts and the plot pivots to reveal secrets, the bond between Jase and Lucy is fortified. Coming full circle, Jase and Lucy must rely on each other’s strengths in order to move forward and knowing what their future holds, makes the sacrifice worthwhile.

“You’re the only good thing that’s ever happened to me. You make me believe there’s still something beautiful left in the world.”

From the beginning, Jase had me with his daring and dark ways yet he also has a quiet and solemn side that tugs on the heartstrings. As for Lucy, she isn’t the type to wallow and I liked her strengths and her unapologetic approach to her desires. Told in dual POV, the plot moves forward at a steady pace with convincing character development. As always, Keri Lake offers a gritty storyline with twists and oh so memorable characters.

Backfire would appeal to those who appreciate dark romance with an action driven plot. I highly recommend!



Vigilantes series: (can be read as standalones)

[Natalie ~ The Biblioholic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Backfire was a gritty story set against the grim backdrop of a city devoid of hope. Detroit is colored with dilapidated and abandoned buildings, a huge surge in corruption, and underground crimes committed in broad daylight. It's a scary world to live in and Keri Lake gave me all of the twists and turns I was hungry for.

One night, Jase lost all that he held dear. After living a life of struggle and strife, things come to a head and his family pays the ultimate price. For almost a year, he's a slave to the man who took everything from him. His only way out is taking on a suicide mission, one that will get him the revenge he so desperately desires.

Lucia has developed somewhat of an obsession with an urban explorer who takes risks she'd never dream of. She follows him everywhere while taking pictures and videos for a local paper. One day, she witnesses something she really shouldn't have and is now being hunted for what she knows. Terrified, she tries to right this wrong, but those bad guys aren't the only ones on her tail. Kidnapped by someone she believes to be a member of the most dangerous crime ring in the city, she's determined not only to survive, but to take them all down.

I'm not gonna lie... I didn't have a lot of love for Lucy. She did so many things that I can't stand for heroines to do. Even Jase called her out:

“Come on, brainy.” He slid his jacket up over his massive shoulders. “Don’t you have any street smarts?”

Yeah... no. She had absolutely NONE!! She constantly talked and thought about how strong and fearless and capable she was. I'm still not convinced. You're by the side of a confirmed killer. Jase doesn't just talk about it... you've watched him do it! And like the brat you are, when he makes you angry (although you have no reason to be angry), you act out and put yourself in danger. You even put him in danger! WTH?! I would never say this in real life, but you got what you got because you put yourself in that position. The saying goes 'when you're looking for trouble, trouble will find you'. And yet this chick was surprised that so many people wanted her dead.

If not for Jase and the fact that he was so hooked on this girl, I would want her to end up in a ditch. No joke. But that's not how kinda sorta happy endings work, right? Backfire was more than worth my aggravation and I can't wait to continue this series. I'm hoping to see the original vigilante again. Part of me hopes that all of these anti-heroes meet up as a united front against their biggest foe yet in the ultimate throwdown!

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 This-book-chopped-me-up-and-had-me-for-dinner Stars!!!

I feel like nothing I can say in this review will be enough. There is so much in this book that I am literally overwhelmed writing this review. The thought I keep coming back to is that it feels like a comic book, which sounds cliché, but this book is not cliché at all! It’s a book of evil, drugs, crime, danger. But it’s also a book of hope, light, love, sex. I felt like I was pulled into this world, and I just got lost. I LOVE getting lost in books.

Below the crime-lords, and all the shit people heard on TV, was a world that existed only in nightmares. A place where rules didn’t exist and the people who thrived there were faceless names who ruled themselves in anarchy. There, the most horrific crimes were bartered for and traded like a Sunday afternoon at Eastern Market.



Jase is on a war path of vengeance. After being tortured for a year, he is given a second chance, and his only assignment is to kill someone, the very person who killed the only people he loved. He is haunted by his past. Nightmares and flashbacks are his friend. But then he meets Lucy. Little does he know that this isn’t the first time they’ve met.



My Jase:



My Lucy:



Lucy loves to take pictures of abandoned buildings in Detroit. This is something that Jace and Lucy share throughout the book, a love of photography.

Some called it ‘ruin porn,’ and for me, the more damaged, the more drawn to a place I seemed to be.





While photographing an abandoned building, she sees something that she should not have seen, and especially should not have filmed on her camera. Evil men are after her, but she is determined to pursue truth and justice, putting her life at risk.

Jace and Lucy’s relationship is volatile, at first. Jace believes Lucy is part of the evil group he is pursuing. Lucy believes the same of him. They do not trust each other at all. I love this beginning of their relationship.

“You don’t let go of me, I’m either going to scream, or twist your balls so fucking hard that you scream.”

Feisty fucking thing. She had me so hard, I didn’t know whether to take her up on it, or knock her back and rip her panties off with my teeth.

Eventually, they learn that they are on the same side and begin working together. I love how their relationship progresses. Once they start working together, Jace becomes very protective of Lucy, but Lucy is a strong heroine (love that!) and she is determined to fight alongside Jace during this pursuit of evil.



I loved how this book is centered around photography. It was a brilliant avenue to paint this book.

Something clicked. Like watching her through the lens, the aperture flicked and the light hit her face differently. She glowed. So goddamn beautiful, it hurt to look at her. Like an eclipse, I knew the longer I stared, the more fucked I’d be. Even so, I cupped her face, the dark ink of my tattoos against peaches and cream skin. Dark and light. Night and day. The moon and the sun. Mia Luce.



That is all of the words that I can write about this book. Lol. Just read it.

If you enjoy dark romance, read this book. If you want to FEEL something, read this book.

More quotes below because I love the dialogue in this book! Jace is a dirty-talker, and Lucy is sassy!

“Not one for compliments, are you?”

“Was hot tits supposed to be a compliment?”



“What I wouldn’t give to nail you against this wall and smile when your morals come crumbling down.”



“I need you to know that I don’t hate you, Lucy, but I’m about to fuck you like I do. Ready for me?”



“I’ll have you know, I work hard for this ass, and I intend to keep working hard for it.”

“And I’ll keep working hard for a piece of it.”

Find me on

[Izy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating ~ 4.5 stars
So I'm writing this having finished the book couple of hours ago, I'm still in kind of that place where your semi aware of your real life and than the other part is still thinking about the book. I'm not sure why exactly but this book felt even darker than the last. I'm going to try and keep this one to the point and less spoilery stuff because to fully enjoy this ride, its better to not know all the ups and downs.

Jase Hawkins has had a literal hell of year, seeing his family die and then being a prisoner for a year has made him more than ready to avenge his family and destroy the bastard responsible. He gets his chance by a man who is a mystery and seems to know quite a lot but is unwilling to share. All he knows is now he can finally get the man who did this to him and his family. A man that seems to live in the shadows, to find him he joins albeit reluctantly a cult, seven circle that is into the most deprived and grievous crimes against citizens of Detroit. Jase is by no means a good guy even before being subjected to being a prisoner.

Lucia is a photographer/journalist for a local newspaper who takes images of broken down Detroit but as with all characters in the book she is not what she seems. She seems to have the bad case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time at the start of the book, witnessing a crime that leads to her getting in the crosshairs of the cult Seven circle. She also happens to be more than slightly obsessed with a photographer from the wrong side of the net.

Jase meets Lucy and is instantly attracted to her, only to find out she may be working for the guy that is responsible for his family's death and his current situation.

It's very gritty, intense, raw and no other word than dark. Jase describes Lucia as his light and in the book only the moments where they are together is when you actually see the light. The rest of the time between the deceptions, the deaths, the mind games and torture of soul and body you feel battered. The whole book is filled with moral grey, with some splashes of pure black thrown in for good measure. No one is exactly a good person. We find out that the acts and the past shapes us in a way that makes it difficult for some to be good. Both Lucy and Jase, especially Jase had pretty tough childhood, which is putting it mildly and makes you sympathise with their pain and suffering.

"Everyday is like fucking chaos inside my head. Constantly pushing me. Driving me to this invisible edge where I'm always wired, ready to jump if I have to. But when I'm with you, it's quiet. It's like that edge disappears and I can just enjoy the view for a little while. I can deal with the world again, without all that anger and violence in my head. You're like a beam of light breaking through, and for the first time, I'm opening my eyes to it." ~ Jase to Lucy.

Some of the, okay alot of the parts the book are hard to read not only because of the what is happening but how the characters feel is just painful to read and understand that there are humans who are so deprived and commit unforgivable acts without any repercussions and enjoy them. Some of stuff is heartbreaking but at the end Keri lake manages to make our heart feel mended. And the love between Jase and Lucy is as raw, dark and passionate as the book. They had explosive chemistry from their first scene together which only seemed to increase as the story went on. Keri does put the reader and her characters (which I've now come to expect from her) through the bender with her characters.

"Do you know what I'd do if something happened to you?"
"I'd lose my mind and burn this whole goddamn city to the ground" ~ Jase to Lucy

You feel just about a tiny flicker of light that maybe everything will turn out right because I know Keri wouldn't end a book without HEA if I hadn't known that I'd probably would have needed some help to even go through the book. The book has some huge twists and turns to keep the reader intrigued about the plot and the characters.

Fans and readers of the first book will recognise the elements and the plot coming together as well a little a bit about what Nick is upto.

The book does end with a cliffhangerish about certain elements which will be explored in the next book I believe. I'm looking forward to the next book which is going to be about Dax, the tortured best friend of Jase whose loss of a sister has made him more than capable of getting revenge on the people responsible.

Bottomline, Keri Lake is phenomenal author, capable of leaving the reader as raw and anguished at times as the character and I did. Her characters are so complex, multidimensional and especially her heroes who are unapologetic in who they are but Keri writes them in a way that make you understand their thoughts, actions and beliefs. The book is beautifully written from the dark to light parts where you see hope and happiness to all the ugliness in the world.

I'm still in hangover mode after reading so I'm going to end here because my mind is definitely messed up. I wanted to make some graphic cards but I'm exhausted so maybe later. Hope ya'll give this one a try, it's worth seeing Jase and Lucy get their HEA.

[Jenny - TotallybookedBlog · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 heartpounding stars

‘Love was not a choice, but merely a destination.’

This was the second time we spent with Keri Lake and like last time (Ricochet) we are in complete awe of her talents. Why? Because she managed to once again make our hearts pound from page one to the last with a story so thrilling, dark, sexy and gripping we felt like we were reading in a race against the clock. We were honestly so completely consumed in this story that it was as if we were bystanders in every scene such was the flawless and evocative writing.

‘Revenge burned hot in the darkest pit of my soul, a glow that kept me warm while the rest of me had gone cold and numb from the torment….I wanted blood. Their punishment. My revenge.’

No question, Keri Lake, in our opinion, is one of the most accomplished authors in this genre we’ve come across. She stuns us with an impressive tale of vengeance, betrayal and love set in the dark underbelly of Detroit. We literally felt the story explode in our very hands, not a word wasted or emotion denied.

‘I was forged in the city like the steel of its rusted out factories. Infected by its unshakable hope. Molded and shaped by its pain and abandonment, until I’d become as much a part of it as the graffiti that colored its destruction. Wouldn’t matter if I left Detroit. It’d never leave me.’

So dark and disturbing you read with one eye open, unable to look away – riveted by what’s playing out before your very eyes as Keri Lake takes you on a twisted rollercoaster flying in different directions at great speed. Exhausted by the end but overcome with such happy book hearts.

‘If I was the light, then he was the dark matter all around me that had me bending to his will.’

Corruption, double crossings, violence and horrific crimes; this story will break your heart as will the story of Jase Hawkins. He grew up under dire and tragic circumstances which follow him into adulthood. His story is not for the feint of hearts and ours quite literally broke into smithereens. We championed him in his journey of revenge and stood loyal by his side as he made peace with who he truly was inside, separate from the horror in his past that’s playing out in the present. Devastation, survival and love – acceptance and understanding. We experienced it all by his side. Hard to love, sure, but love him we did.

‘I hated that she saw beneath the mask, beneath the bones and flesh, and yanked at my soul like a beam of sunlight fighting its way through murky waters of a swamp.’

It all started with a girl, Lucy, who finds herself entangled in a scene that goes beyond her comprehension and shocks her to her very core. Her exhausting and disturbing journey begins with a kidnapping and ends with discovery, life affirmation and ultimately love. We were shocked at how some things played out, yet the ultimate test is how far would you go – how high a risk would you take to protect the one you love?

“We’re civilized for the most part. But every one of us hides a monster, I think. A primitive side of the brain that runs on a single instinct to survive.”

Backfire is book two in the Vigilantes series and whilst you don’t need to read Ricochet first as they’re standalone’s we highly recommend reading Ricochet as it’s just as brilliant. Haunting and dark – violent and vengeful. This series is quite simply epic and Keri Lake is a master of the written word and spinner of the most suspenseful, redemptive and thrilling romance. It’s ugly but then that’s how you see the real beauty isn’t it! Love can exist everywhere- like a flower growing in a crack of concrete. We are so incredibly invested in this amazing series we’re now counting the days to the next installment. Bravo, Keri Lake, a TBB standing ovation!

THE VIGILANTES SERIES (Both Books can be read as Standalone's)

Our 5 Star Review for Ricochet
Our 5 Star Review for Backfire

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[Linathebookaddict · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.



Title: Backfire
Author: Keri Lake
Series or Standalone: Part of a series, can be read as a standalone
Category: Dark
Characters: 4.5
Plot: 5
Scorching Level:4.5
HEA: Not telling.


This is my first time reading this author and I have to say that I love her writing!
It's lyrical, gritty, exciting and her characters are intriguing. This is unlike any other book I've ever read. There is mystery, passion, danger, violence and a complex storyline that will leave you breathless.
Lucy is a photo reporter. Her love for photography has led her into the underbelly of her city and danger is always present when she is out to capture a gritty picture of abandoned buildings.
One night will change her entire life. She is at the wrong place at the wrong time, and now there is a price on her head. She is hunted by organized crime, specifically, the Seventh Circle gang has her running for her life. Part of the darknet, Seven Circle deals with snuff, torture and slavery.
When Lucy crosses paths with a vigilante seeking revenge, her world is turned upside down.
Jase wants one thing; avenge his brother's death. He will do anything to reach his goal, even if he has to turn Lucy's life into a living nightmare.

"Hello, blackbird. Welcome to your new cage."


Forced to obey Jase, Lucy will have to fight for her life and convince him that she had no involvement in his brother's death. Can she succeed?
The book is excellently written. The storyline is unique and refreshing and I simply loved how the author developed her complex storyline. There is violence, danger and death, but there is also light. There are sensitive themes in the book, so be prepared for darkness!!!
If you want something different and well written, then Backfire is for you. I highly recommend it!

4.5 Stars!

[TeriLyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

**Backfire generously provided in exchange for an honest review.**

4 "There was a certain beauty in destruction."Stars

Keri Lake brings dark and gritty to a whole new level Backfire, a stand alone book two of her Vigilantes series. Told from the points of view of both hero and heroine, along with a couple others sparsely woven throughout, Lake once again paints a very vivid yet dreary picture placing readers right into the heart of her dark and twisted Detroit world. Her penchant for writing the settings of her books and creating the backstory is key to her writing. I literally felt, sitting in the sun on a bright day, that I was thrust into a dark place in the heart of the inhumanity happening in her story. This immersion into her story is a brilliant part of her writing that I rather enjoy.

Lucy, our heroine, is a woman who finds herself in the wrong place at the wrong time. Her connections to the underbelly of Detroit are vast some in ways she doesn't even know. She's tenacious, feisty, yet afraid of these things she can't control. Our hero, Jase Hawkins, is clouded in the dark. He's been through and seen so much filth he finds it hard to be clean. He's anti-hero for sure with an appetite for vengeance and an attitude to match. Their passion and chemistry was a visceral experience to read - a lot of hate and anger wrapped up in lust. I understood each characters motivations, where they came from, and what they were trying to accomplish. There were a few transitions of their relationship that happened very quickly for me, to the point I was unsure how the change occurred but overall a passionate couple with a thirst for the grittier side of love.

What I especially loved about this book was the backstory and connection to book one. It's there laced in the words and motivations from the people pulling the strings to the Seventh Circle causing more havoc and harm to innocents. We meet new characters who fulfill certain roles I hope Lake explores more in the future. The progression of this dark underworld in Lake's writing is quite interesting. Surrounding Jase and Lucy I found in relation to what's happening around them there was quite a bit of coincidence but the author worked this out in a satisfying way.

Backfire is not for the faint of heart. It's really hard at times and heart breaking. Keri Lake does an excellent job of drowning readers in the filth of humanity. There were a couple times I felt uncomfortable with what was happening and really felt horror for these characters. Horror and sadness. Through hauntingly passionate prose and scarred characters we find a certain level of peace though in who they are together even as enemies. Lake really excels at exposing vulnerabilities as an example of strengths rather than weaknesses. Weaving past memories into her story to shed light on Jase and Lucy was perfectly placed for me furthering the last point. Her writing and story telling as a dark contemporary romance author are to be commended. Fans of Ricochet will enjoy this second tale in the Vigilantes series.

My review for Book One in the series (also a stand alone):
Ricochet

[Elfina Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

The black cloak of death comes to us all. Some more quickly than others depending on the spectrum you find yourself on. This wasn’t a simple case of mistaken identity or being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Nahhh that bitch sailed on Devil’s Night. The second they came in and took from me and mine.

This isn’t about seeking justice, something darker, more repugnant swims in my veins. Where payment is exacted in pounds of flesh, an eye for an eye. They’ll be begging for forgiveness but like all those I loved their voices will scream on deaf ears.

Keri Lake delivers her second installment of the Vigilantes series, and ooooh man she doesn’t disappoint. New villains... new vigilante hero, hair raising suspense and one climatic hanging off the edge of your seat finish! Strongly motivated, I wasn’t even halfway through reading and already had this review formulated, to say I was inspired…..nahhhh that’s understatement, five stars all the way!

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was just an ok read for me. The writing was spectacular, but I found it hard to get into a times. I am going to assume it is the case of "it's me and not the book" kind of deal. I have had to deal with a death in the family this week, and I'm thinking that just made it hard to get into any book I was reading. I will still continue on with the third book in this series when it comes out and hope that I will get much more out of it when I do read it..