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Texas Bounty #2
Make It Hurt
The Texas Bounty series heats up as a female bounty hunter goes toe-to-toe with the tantalizing biker who never stopped loving her.
Nora Sutcliffe enjoys having tough guys at her mercy—preferably in handcuffs. The best fugitive recovery agent in the business, Nora always gets her man. But when her latest pursuit leads her to a notorious biker hangout, she’s reunited with “Smith”: the one man who was too hot for Nora to handle. Once upon a time, she was a rich girl and he was a bad boy from the wrong side of the tracks. Now she needs his help, and she’ll do whatever it takes to get it.
Eight years ago, Smith let a pretty little Texas debutante break his heart. He picked up the pieces, went to hell and back with the army, then rode out of the darkness with a gang of outlaws at his back. The last thing he needs is a blast from the past like Nora, who has reinvented herself as a gun-toting badass with the stones to challenge him in front of the whole club. But if she thinks Smith will give up one of his brothers for a single night of pleasure, she’s in for a rude awakening.
Includes an excerpt from another Loveswept title.
Nora Sutcliffe enjoys having tough guys at her mercy—preferably in handcuffs. The best fugitive recovery agent in the business, Nora always gets her man. But when her latest pursuit leads her to a notorious biker hangout, she’s reunited with “Smith”: the one man who was too hot for Nora to handle. Once upon a time, she was a rich girl and he was a bad boy from the wrong side of the tracks. Now she needs his help, and she’ll do whatever it takes to get it.
Eight years ago, Smith let a pretty little Texas debutante break his heart. He picked up the pieces, went to hell and back with the army, then rode out of the darkness with a gang of outlaws at his back. The last thing he needs is a blast from the past like Nora, who has reinvented herself as a gun-toting badass with the stones to challenge him in front of the whole club. But if she thinks Smith will give up one of his brothers for a single night of pleasure, she’s in for a rude awakening.
Includes an excerpt from another Loveswept title.
210 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 6, 2016
46 people are currently reading
269 people want to read
About the author
Jackie Ashenden
487 books976 followersJackie has been writing fiction since she was eleven years old. Mild mannered fantasy/SF/pseudo-literary writer by day, obsessive romance writer by night, she used to balance her writing with the more serious job of librarianship until a chance meeting with another romance writer prompted her to throw off the shackles of her day job and devote herself to the true love of her heart – writing romance. She particularly likes to write dark, emotional stories with alpha heroes who've just got the world to their liking only to have it blown wide apart by their kick-ass heroines.
She lives in Auckland, New Zealand with her husband, the inimitable Dr Jax, two kids, two cats and some guppies (possibly dead guppies by the time you read this). When she's not torturing alpha males and their stroppy heroines, she can be found drinking chocolate martinis, reading anything she can lay her hands on, posting random crap on her blog, or being forced to go mountain biking with her husband.
She lives in Auckland, New Zealand with her husband, the inimitable Dr Jax, two kids, two cats and some guppies (possibly dead guppies by the time you read this). When she's not torturing alpha males and their stroppy heroines, she can be found drinking chocolate martinis, reading anything she can lay her hands on, posting random crap on her blog, or being forced to go mountain biking with her husband.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 151 reviews
October 18, 2016
While I didn't quite believe the debutante turned bounty hunter bit, I always support sassy and independent leading ladies. Nora has her funny moments and her with Smith is a pretty sexy read indeed. Not sure that there was any true value added by Smith being leader to an MC because that seemed to be a minor factor in the story except for one or two brief instances. I still found enough to be entertained by, but if you're in this for the "MC" aspect, you will be disappointed. The plot didn't really move me but the writing was solid. The set up for two other characters sparked my interest so it's possible that I may continue the series. Safety: No other while they are together. There are others during their separation. No rape or abuse.
ARC received in exchange for an honest review.
ARC received in exchange for an honest review.
December 6, 2016
Smith completely made this book for me. It was a very short read and a second chance story mainly about Nora and Smith resolving what happened to them when she was 18 and he was early 20's. They got a bad deal because of Nora's controlling father when they were younger. There are a lot of hard feelings on Smith's side that's completely justifiable. Nora, has a lot of making up to do but she is stubborn and hiding from her feelings. Despite all that, Smith was clearly still hung up on Nora and he came at her hard, breaking her down a piece at a time. I enjoyed every bit of how he broke her down. He's the bad boy with morals that doesn't take no for answer. Very HOT! ARC provided by NetGalley.
December 6, 2016
3 stars
ugh... so hard to decide how much I liked or disliked this one.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I really have mixed emotions about this book. On one hand it had the potential to be an excellent story. On the other hand the author chose some quirky weird characteristics for her main character Nora that I absolutely hated.
Debutante to a bail bonds woman seems a bit of a stretch, not that it couldn't happen. But I think what really bothered me more is her annoying tough girl act that really almost caused me to stop reading this book. She sounded stupid in so many areas! Especially the bar scene. ugh
Smith, I loved. He was everything you expect in an MC leader character. He knew what he wanted and what he had to do to protect himself and his men.
While I loved the plot, the story set up and everything having to do with that, I really wish the author would've chosen to have Nora be less hard ass and unapproachable. It may have worked a little bit better for me.
ugh... so hard to decide how much I liked or disliked this one.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I really have mixed emotions about this book. On one hand it had the potential to be an excellent story. On the other hand the author chose some quirky weird characteristics for her main character Nora that I absolutely hated.
Debutante to a bail bonds woman seems a bit of a stretch, not that it couldn't happen. But I think what really bothered me more is her annoying tough girl act that really almost caused me to stop reading this book. She sounded stupid in so many areas! Especially the bar scene. ugh
Smith, I loved. He was everything you expect in an MC leader character. He knew what he wanted and what he had to do to protect himself and his men.
While I loved the plot, the story set up and everything having to do with that, I really wish the author would've chosen to have Nora be less hard ass and unapproachable. It may have worked a little bit better for me.
August 26, 2016
I was drawn in by the creative photography on the front cover as well as the title. What was this about? Was there going to be rough stuff? Or was it a romance that tore at your heart strings? To say I was intrigued, well, pretty much sums it up. What a great name for a book. Make It Hurt. So many possibilities! Maybe it was about a guy who has an accident or was it about an illness?
Read on, I told myself!! I opened the book. First word. “Fuck”. Now that could go either way for me. It could mean, this is going to be a high anxiety, high action motherfucker of a book that is going to fast pace me into a jet stream of excitement? Or was it something more? Something less? When I realized our main character has blurted it out, I forgave her immediately for such a tough word so early on. To me, tough chicks are okay, to a point. I am a modern girl, I love some colorful wording and this looked like an erotic title, so sally forth into the chapter.. After hearing it continuously throughout , I began to wonder. And I found an amazing tool … Kindle has a search bar. I searched for the word 'Fuck'..and then because I was fascinated.. I continued on..
Did you know.. This book contains the word 'Fuck' 237 times? Wow! said I. I was intrigued! So here is the list of other over used words in this book..
There are …
20 'Bitches'
162 'Fucking'
94 'Damns'
107 'Asses'
131 'Shits'
28 'Cocks'
In all that, I was surprised to find there was 0 'Cunts'. You would think there would be at least one!
26 'Pricks'
14 'Pussys'
0 'Twats' no surprise there.. who uses that word anymore? Twat.. just not a good word.
32 'Dicks'
10 Balls (at least it is an even number, but it does not add up with the dicks and the pricks. Something is missing.)
0 'Cums' (Now that is disappointing, Although... )
7 Orgasms..(Thank goodness!)
75 times someone said “God damn”
76 'Hells'
Only 10 'Bikers'
4 'Whores'
1 'Hooker' cause that is just not used anymore, I guess.
0 Sluts. (I doubt that is a true statement.)
17 times someone said 'Piss' or 'Pissed'
17 Craps
30 'Jesus's'
and 27 'Christ's'
Even for a tough biker gang, that is a lot of swearing. Especially since I think most of these words are used by our main characters. Not that I am against prolific language,(prolific means fruitful, and instead of colorful being used again, I used that word. It might not be right, but dang it, it sounds right and I am that kind of writer.) but I felt it was way over done. No one talks like that except for maybe a fourteen year old boy with a really bad Tourette's problem.
Of course, this is only my opinion, and last time I checked, that meant pretty much nothing. I do know quite a few bikers, and I have never seen them cuss in such massive quantities. They use many, many other words. But again.... see above.
Here is the thing, It was unbelievable. From bounty hunting rules and regs, to the way bikers in general were represented. (I know it is a bad biker gang). From the portrayal of Texas, to the way Nora Sutcliff acted. Not one Y'all in the entire book! No mention of sports, No football? Blasphemy! It is Texas after all!
I just felt it was a mishmash of things un-researched, down to the cowboy hat she wore. I mean... Unless you are working on a ranch, or you are going out for the night, you are not going to wear a cowboy hat. She was no Raylan, and this was not Kentucky.
Now, the first erotic scene, it was great. Beautifully done. Totally awesome. Loved it. Right after … That was difficult. Suddenly our Hero , Smith … (?) Takes on a completely uncool attitude and becomes a sullen little whiny boy. As he goes from man to Muppet baby... I literally took on the voice as he demands she spends another night with him. He turned from handsome army man, who had a few annoying quirks, to a baby. I wanted to smack him. She, Nora, was no better. Suddenly these characters who were tough as nails only minutes before, were suddenly turned into a (not hot) school marm and Kermit the frog.. 'Say the P Word', Really? Ugh!
So after that, it went pretty much downhill, as I used the Muppet voices when things like demands on each other came up. The fact that it was never addressed that he turned into an over the top jealous lover bothered me. These things in real life, can turn ugly... Wait... yeah.. its a book.. Settle down....
So anyway, I think at the end Nora folded like a tortilla and gave into all his wants and desires.. unlike the strong (too strong) character she started out to be, and he didn’t have too sacrifice much, cause bro's before ho's and all that and his MC was all so important.. and,I kinda gave up after Kermit and Miss Piggy went at it a few more times. …
Three stars for flow and erotic first scene.
*I was given a copy of this book for an honest (sorry!) review. Thank you!
Read on, I told myself!! I opened the book. First word. “Fuck”. Now that could go either way for me. It could mean, this is going to be a high anxiety, high action motherfucker of a book that is going to fast pace me into a jet stream of excitement? Or was it something more? Something less? When I realized our main character has blurted it out, I forgave her immediately for such a tough word so early on. To me, tough chicks are okay, to a point. I am a modern girl, I love some colorful wording and this looked like an erotic title, so sally forth into the chapter.. After hearing it continuously throughout , I began to wonder. And I found an amazing tool … Kindle has a search bar. I searched for the word 'Fuck'..and then because I was fascinated.. I continued on..
Did you know.. This book contains the word 'Fuck' 237 times? Wow! said I. I was intrigued! So here is the list of other over used words in this book..
There are …
20 'Bitches'
162 'Fucking'
94 'Damns'
107 'Asses'
131 'Shits'
28 'Cocks'
In all that, I was surprised to find there was 0 'Cunts'. You would think there would be at least one!
26 'Pricks'
14 'Pussys'
0 'Twats' no surprise there.. who uses that word anymore? Twat.. just not a good word.
32 'Dicks'
10 Balls (at least it is an even number, but it does not add up with the dicks and the pricks. Something is missing.)
0 'Cums' (Now that is disappointing, Although... )
7 Orgasms..(Thank goodness!)
75 times someone said “God damn”
76 'Hells'
Only 10 'Bikers'
4 'Whores'
1 'Hooker' cause that is just not used anymore, I guess.
0 Sluts. (I doubt that is a true statement.)
17 times someone said 'Piss' or 'Pissed'
17 Craps
30 'Jesus's'
and 27 'Christ's'
Even for a tough biker gang, that is a lot of swearing. Especially since I think most of these words are used by our main characters. Not that I am against prolific language,(prolific means fruitful, and instead of colorful being used again, I used that word. It might not be right, but dang it, it sounds right and I am that kind of writer.) but I felt it was way over done. No one talks like that except for maybe a fourteen year old boy with a really bad Tourette's problem.
Of course, this is only my opinion, and last time I checked, that meant pretty much nothing. I do know quite a few bikers, and I have never seen them cuss in such massive quantities. They use many, many other words. But again.... see above.
Here is the thing, It was unbelievable. From bounty hunting rules and regs, to the way bikers in general were represented. (I know it is a bad biker gang). From the portrayal of Texas, to the way Nora Sutcliff acted. Not one Y'all in the entire book! No mention of sports, No football? Blasphemy! It is Texas after all!
I just felt it was a mishmash of things un-researched, down to the cowboy hat she wore. I mean... Unless you are working on a ranch, or you are going out for the night, you are not going to wear a cowboy hat. She was no Raylan, and this was not Kentucky.
Now, the first erotic scene, it was great. Beautifully done. Totally awesome. Loved it. Right after … That was difficult. Suddenly our Hero , Smith … (?) Takes on a completely uncool attitude and becomes a sullen little whiny boy. As he goes from man to Muppet baby... I literally took on the voice as he demands she spends another night with him. He turned from handsome army man, who had a few annoying quirks, to a baby. I wanted to smack him. She, Nora, was no better. Suddenly these characters who were tough as nails only minutes before, were suddenly turned into a (not hot) school marm and Kermit the frog.. 'Say the P Word', Really? Ugh!
So after that, it went pretty much downhill, as I used the Muppet voices when things like demands on each other came up. The fact that it was never addressed that he turned into an over the top jealous lover bothered me. These things in real life, can turn ugly... Wait... yeah.. its a book.. Settle down....
So anyway, I think at the end Nora folded like a tortilla and gave into all his wants and desires.. unlike the strong (too strong) character she started out to be, and he didn’t have too sacrifice much, cause bro's before ho's and all that and his MC was all so important.. and,I kinda gave up after Kermit and Miss Piggy went at it a few more times. …
Three stars for flow and erotic first scene.
*I was given a copy of this book for an honest (sorry!) review. Thank you!
August 1, 2017
I loved the first book in the series. After reading it I went straight to netgalley and well this is a huge let down for me. It actually started out strong but where I thought this could work and be of epic proportions. How wrong I am.
Nora Sutcliffe maybe a dumb mistake at the age of 18 that cost a man his reputation. Around 8 years later, Nora is now a bounty hunter and she is out to pick up a skip that leads her back to her biggest mistake at the age of 18.
Smith is the president of the MC and they are trying to go clean the last thing he needs is a bounty hunter on his doorstep even if it is Nora. He wants revenge but he also won’t give up a brother. He stills an ace up his sleeve with having some dirt on the duchess herself.
I liked the idea between a bounty hunter crossover MC book but I got a whole lot of nothing. And my interest in the end just fizzled out. There was a whole lot of going around in circles in why Nora didn’t speak up against her father. Add in the fact that she was a debutante and well it is kind of hard to believe. There is holding a grudge and then there is Smith. Blackmail and extortion to get what he wants and that is when I tapped out.
On top of that I didn't really connect with the characters oh sure I liked them well enough I just don't see the point to the whole setup of the plot. Flimsy at best.
I’ll give the next book in the series a try that is for sure.
Book received by Random House Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
Nora Sutcliffe maybe a dumb mistake at the age of 18 that cost a man his reputation. Around 8 years later, Nora is now a bounty hunter and she is out to pick up a skip that leads her back to her biggest mistake at the age of 18.
Smith is the president of the MC and they are trying to go clean the last thing he needs is a bounty hunter on his doorstep even if it is Nora. He wants revenge but he also won’t give up a brother. He stills an ace up his sleeve with having some dirt on the duchess herself.
I liked the idea between a bounty hunter crossover MC book but I got a whole lot of nothing. And my interest in the end just fizzled out. There was a whole lot of going around in circles in why Nora didn’t speak up against her father. Add in the fact that she was a debutante and well it is kind of hard to believe. There is holding a grudge and then there is Smith. Blackmail and extortion to get what he wants and that is when I tapped out.
On top of that I didn't really connect with the characters oh sure I liked them well enough I just don't see the point to the whole setup of the plot. Flimsy at best.
I’ll give the next book in the series a try that is for sure.
Book received by Random House Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
Read
August 30, 2016I DNF'ed this book just short of 50%. There was little to no character development for either the chick or Smith. They kept rehashing the same argument over and over and Smith blaming his decisions on an 18 yr old girl who was scared and not even out of HS. It was HIS decision to join the military not hers. And it was so unbelievable that her father could block his employment for all of Houston one of the largest cities in the US. Maybe some podunk town in TX but not Houston making that implausible and unbelievable. I wasnt buying her as a bounty hunter either. Or maybe a stupid one... but not the best agent in the business. And really, how Smith got her into bed.. Come on.... There was so much wrong here I couldnt continue. Thanks for the opportunity to read the book (Netgalley) but I couldnt finish it and wont be reviewing it anymore then this here.
December 14, 2016
I am a sucker for a MC romance and I loved Ms. Ashenden’s Deacon’s of Bourbon Street MC books so even though this book was about bounty hunters I had to read it. For me it’s hard not to love a book that has a badass alpha male biker in it but when you have the added bonus of a strong female who has given everything material up to make it on her own, well, that has the makings of a another great book.
I fell in love with Smith and his tough, no holds bar way of handling situations which you have to if you are the Prez of the Graveyard Ministry MC. Who better than bounty hunter, Nora Sutcliffe, to bring in the VP of the Ministry’s MC in on a bond. Going into this Nora had no idea that Smith was not only Prez of the MC but he was also a war buddy of Dust, the man Nora was to bring in. You can imagine Smith’s surprise when he seen this little cowboy hat wearing, gun toting woman walk into his biker bar and try to take one of his own in. The last time he had seen Nora was when she was a spoiled little rich girl living in a mansion with her father and he was a guy working on a pool house construction job at her house. Ah, young love. Nora gives her virginity to Smith and they are forming a great relationship when dear old dad steps in and has Smith banned from even getting a job in the Houston area and Nora never once comes to defend him and his intensions with her. Now with regards to Nora trying to take Dust in, Smith figures he will make a deal with Nora, he will hand Dust over to her if she spends one night with him.
Is Nora going to put everything on the line for a one night fling with an old boyfriend…no matter how fine looking he is now? Will Smith really turn his back on one of his brothers just to get Nora in bed one more time? These two are very strong individuals that have come full circle now and are butting heads with a lot of unquenched desire still building inside of them. It’s a great love story done biker style.
I received this ARC from NetGalley and I freely give my honest review.
I fell in love with Smith and his tough, no holds bar way of handling situations which you have to if you are the Prez of the Graveyard Ministry MC. Who better than bounty hunter, Nora Sutcliffe, to bring in the VP of the Ministry’s MC in on a bond. Going into this Nora had no idea that Smith was not only Prez of the MC but he was also a war buddy of Dust, the man Nora was to bring in. You can imagine Smith’s surprise when he seen this little cowboy hat wearing, gun toting woman walk into his biker bar and try to take one of his own in. The last time he had seen Nora was when she was a spoiled little rich girl living in a mansion with her father and he was a guy working on a pool house construction job at her house. Ah, young love. Nora gives her virginity to Smith and they are forming a great relationship when dear old dad steps in and has Smith banned from even getting a job in the Houston area and Nora never once comes to defend him and his intensions with her. Now with regards to Nora trying to take Dust in, Smith figures he will make a deal with Nora, he will hand Dust over to her if she spends one night with him.
Is Nora going to put everything on the line for a one night fling with an old boyfriend…no matter how fine looking he is now? Will Smith really turn his back on one of his brothers just to get Nora in bed one more time? These two are very strong individuals that have come full circle now and are butting heads with a lot of unquenched desire still building inside of them. It’s a great love story done biker style.
I received this ARC from NetGalley and I freely give my honest review.
August 25, 2017
Sexy bikers and tough ladies ... well this was like getting that one piece of pie - you know the very last piece and everyone is looking for ways to steal your pie. THIS WAS JUST THAT GOOD!
This entry in the Texas Bounty by Jackie Ashenden has a classic theme with the boy from the wrong side of the tracks and the innocent/sheltered rich girl. If the story stopped there it would be only half done and the reader would never get to enjoy the angst concealed within the pages of the story.
It was a treat to read about a heroine who doesn't buckle under the pressure of a strong male lead. The character of Nora Sutcliffe is well developed and is an equal to her male counterpart. There aren't any fight scenes in this entry where the heroine gets to kick a little butt (it really isn't that kind of story) but the reader gets to experience the hurt she has gone through. First with the loss of her first love and then the loss of father. The adult Nora is no longer the curious young woman lounging about. Heck, with her life as a bounty hunter who has time to lounge around? She's too busy burying her past and forgetting about lost opportunity.
Smith knew Nora as soon as he heard her, seen her, smelled her but that wasn't going to be enough to tempt him to let down his guard. After so many years apart he's let his heart harden and his 'golden girl' definitely wasn't going to change who or what he was. Riding into his domain putting his balls in jeopardy definitely won't win her any points either. But there is just something about sweet Nora that this battle harden MC president just can't stay away from.
Just a couple of elements that I would have liked to have seen but it doesn't take anything away from the story that is being told.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This entry in the Texas Bounty by Jackie Ashenden has a classic theme with the boy from the wrong side of the tracks and the innocent/sheltered rich girl. If the story stopped there it would be only half done and the reader would never get to enjoy the angst concealed within the pages of the story.
It was a treat to read about a heroine who doesn't buckle under the pressure of a strong male lead. The character of Nora Sutcliffe is well developed and is an equal to her male counterpart. There aren't any fight scenes in this entry where the heroine gets to kick a little butt (it really isn't that kind of story) but the reader gets to experience the hurt she has gone through. First with the loss of her first love and then the loss of father. The adult Nora is no longer the curious young woman lounging about. Heck, with her life as a bounty hunter who has time to lounge around? She's too busy burying her past and forgetting about lost opportunity.
Smith knew Nora as soon as he heard her, seen her, smelled her but that wasn't going to be enough to tempt him to let down his guard. After so many years apart he's let his heart harden and his 'golden girl' definitely wasn't going to change who or what he was. Riding into his domain putting his balls in jeopardy definitely won't win her any points either. But there is just something about sweet Nora that this battle harden MC president just can't stay away from.
Just a couple of elements that I would have liked to have seen but it doesn't take anything away from the story that is being told.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 13, 2018
Nora was born into a privileged life only that life was filled with an absent father and when he was around she was ignored. She met Smith when her father hired the construction company he worked for. They were both attracted to each other and began a secret relationship of which her father found out about anyway. That’s when sh&t hit the proverbial fan.
Eight years later Nora is no longer living with her father and there is no contact between them. Nora is a bounty hunter for Duchess Bail Bonds and she has a bounty for Dust, VP of the Graveyard Ministry MC, which she is going to arrest him and bring him in. Only she has another problem that she wasn’t expecting, Smith.
Smith is now President of the Graveyard Ministry MC and he still has the same anger with what happened eight years ago, and that anger has just been renewed when Nora shows up and is demanding he turn over his VP. Not gonna happen. But he will be exacting his form of retribution on Nora for allowing her father to send him to prison and her not standing up to her father.
The characters had a history with a not so happy ending and neither have forgotten the other. They are both strong but both are still hurt. Smith resorts to blackmail and Nora doesn’t see a way out if she wants Dust turned over to her.
What drew me to this story was not only the cover but also it was a biker/bounty hunter story and the cover blurb. I really liked this story. The context of the story is good and the description of prior events leading up to the present was just enough to help explain the what and why the hurt and anger remains intense.
This was a complimentary e-copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review via Netgalley.
Eight years later Nora is no longer living with her father and there is no contact between them. Nora is a bounty hunter for Duchess Bail Bonds and she has a bounty for Dust, VP of the Graveyard Ministry MC, which she is going to arrest him and bring him in. Only she has another problem that she wasn’t expecting, Smith.
Smith is now President of the Graveyard Ministry MC and he still has the same anger with what happened eight years ago, and that anger has just been renewed when Nora shows up and is demanding he turn over his VP. Not gonna happen. But he will be exacting his form of retribution on Nora for allowing her father to send him to prison and her not standing up to her father.
The characters had a history with a not so happy ending and neither have forgotten the other. They are both strong but both are still hurt. Smith resorts to blackmail and Nora doesn’t see a way out if she wants Dust turned over to her.
What drew me to this story was not only the cover but also it was a biker/bounty hunter story and the cover blurb. I really liked this story. The context of the story is good and the description of prior events leading up to the present was just enough to help explain the what and why the hurt and anger remains intense.
This was a complimentary e-copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review via Netgalley.
December 13, 2016
Review to come.
*eARC received via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.
*eARC received via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.
November 25, 2016
This is the second book in this series and it packs a punch when Nora and Smith are re-united, but a lot has changed since their first relationship Nora is not the innocent Daddy's girl she was who let Smith cop the lot when they were discovered by her Daddy and yes Smith is no longer the gentleman he was either a stint in Afghanistan and now President of the Graveyard Ministry MC has him demanding what he wants.
Nora is now a fugitive recovery agent and tough as nails a real spit fire who always gets her man and when she is sent to bring in a skip one member of the Graveyard Ministry MC she never expects to run into Smith the man she gave her innocence to many years ago and when he agrees to help her recover her skip on the proviso that she spend a night with him well lets say the sparks fly and Nora cannot refuse.
Smith is a changed man but he still wants Nora he cannot help this pull but it is only going to be for one night no more. Oh but Nora is a changed woman feisty and strong and this pulls Smith in even more so one night leads to another and then discovering some truths and will he give up the skip his brother for Nora ?
Sit back and enjoy this steamy story that will need you to have a fan and cold water handy because Nora and Smith warm the bed and lots of others places up with their bodies and their emotions but Smith also needs to talk and talking brings out a lot of truths between them. I loved this one and am really looking forward to the others in this series. Thank you MS Ashenden you have done it again another keeper.
Nora is now a fugitive recovery agent and tough as nails a real spit fire who always gets her man and when she is sent to bring in a skip one member of the Graveyard Ministry MC she never expects to run into Smith the man she gave her innocence to many years ago and when he agrees to help her recover her skip on the proviso that she spend a night with him well lets say the sparks fly and Nora cannot refuse.
Smith is a changed man but he still wants Nora he cannot help this pull but it is only going to be for one night no more. Oh but Nora is a changed woman feisty and strong and this pulls Smith in even more so one night leads to another and then discovering some truths and will he give up the skip his brother for Nora ?
Sit back and enjoy this steamy story that will need you to have a fan and cold water handy because Nora and Smith warm the bed and lots of others places up with their bodies and their emotions but Smith also needs to talk and talking brings out a lot of truths between them. I loved this one and am really looking forward to the others in this series. Thank you MS Ashenden you have done it again another keeper.
December 6, 2016
I wish I could say I was a huge fan for this book, but I am not. It was good, it was quick, it had OK characters but it lacked real substance for me. It mixes bounty hunter and MC and just missed on both sides of it.
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Want to read
August 27, 2016
***ARC kindly provided via NetGalley for the exchange of an honest review***
July 18, 2018
Thanks to NetGalley for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
#2 in the Texas Bounty romance series
As with all Ashenden books, I liked the characters and their chemistry. They are intelligent and passionate, even if their situations are often difficult. But this book lacked the finesse of other books I've read from her. Smith and Nora were both still dealing with daddy issues from their pasts, and even years later they can't get beyond them. Which affects the present, of course, and their relationship with each other. They are very physical, but their thoughts and emotions keep getting in the way. Since I just finished another book that had main characters with similar issues, I was more annoyed than charmed by their struggles and just wanted them to move on already.
On top of that, I found it difficult to believe that Smith would hold a grudge for such a long time, especially since he is now successful and settled. This book just didn't hit the mark for me, although it was still a quick and pleasant read.
#2 in the Texas Bounty romance series
As with all Ashenden books, I liked the characters and their chemistry. They are intelligent and passionate, even if their situations are often difficult. But this book lacked the finesse of other books I've read from her. Smith and Nora were both still dealing with daddy issues from their pasts, and even years later they can't get beyond them. Which affects the present, of course, and their relationship with each other. They are very physical, but their thoughts and emotions keep getting in the way. Since I just finished another book that had main characters with similar issues, I was more annoyed than charmed by their struggles and just wanted them to move on already.
On top of that, I found it difficult to believe that Smith would hold a grudge for such a long time, especially since he is now successful and settled. This book just didn't hit the mark for me, although it was still a quick and pleasant read.
December 6, 2016
3.5 stars-
ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 6, 2016
Nora Sutcliffe enjoys having tough guys at her mercy—preferably in handcuffs. The best fugitive recovery agent in the business, Nora always gets her man. But when her latest pursuit leads her to a notorious biker hangout, she’s reunited with “Smith”: the one man who was too hot for Nora to handle. Once upon a time, she was a rich girl and he was a bad boy from the wrong side of the tracks. Now she needs his help, and she’ll do whatever it takes to get it.
Eight years ago, Smith let a pretty little Texas debutante break his heart. He picked up the pieces, went to hell and back with the army, then rode out of the darkness with a gang of outlaws at his back. The last thing he needs is a blast from the past like Nora, who has reinvented herself as a gun-toting badass with the stones to challenge him in front of the whole club. But if she thinks Smith will give up one of his brothers for a single night of pleasure, she’s in for a rude awakening.
••••••••••
REVIEW: 3.5 stars--MAKE IT HURT is the second installment in Jackie Ashenden’s contemporary adult TEXAS BOUNTY erotic romance series. This is female bounty hunter Nora Sutcliffe, and president of the Graveyard Ministry MC Smith Tucker’s story line. MAKE IT HURT can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.
Told from dual third person perspectives (Nora and Smith) MAKE IT HURT focuses on the rekindling romance between bounty hunter Nora Sutcliffe, and MC President Smith Tucker. Eight years earlier Nora all but destroyed Smith’s life when a then eighteen year old Nora refused to defend Smith against a series of accusations that led to his enlistment in the army and eventual life with the Ministry MC. Fast forward to present day wherein Nora’s latest assignment is to ‘bring in’ Garrett ‘Dust’ Brook-Smith’s best friend and MC vice-president. What Nora didn’t expect was to find Smith Tucker, and a reawakening of her shattered heart. What ensues is the rebuilding of a romance when Smith makes several demands of the woman that broke his heart.
The relationship between Nora and Smith is one of a rekindling romance; a love that was destroyed by a young woman’s fear of betrayal and loss; and one man’s need to control every aspect of his daughter’s life. Smith has never stopped loving Nora Sutcliffe, and Nora has never forgiven herself for her inability to protect Smith from her father’s wrath. The $ex scenes are intimate, provocative and hot- there is definitely no lack of chemistry between our leading couple.
Quinn Redmond (Take Me Deeper #1) makes a cameo appearance as does Nora’s boss Lily ‘Duchess’ Hammond who were first introduced in Texas Bounty #1. We are introduced to Smith’s VP Garrett ‘aka Dust’ Brook-a man who is willing to sacrifice himself to save the Ministry MC.
MAKE IT HURT is a story of second chances, forgiveness, and letting go of the past. Nora Sutcliffe’s character is abrasive and acerbic, and presents as cold and uncaring throughout a good portion of the book- her bad a$$ bounty hunter persona felt contrived and a little over the top. Smith is a man determined to uncover the truth about the past-one way or another even if he has to blackmail the woman that he has always loved. The premise is entertaining but lacked some of the impact of an MC story, and the believability was limited as it pertained to the Ministry MC; the characters are somewhat idealistic; the romance is erotic and intense.
Copy supplied by Netgalley
www.thereadingcafe.com
ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 6, 2016
Nora Sutcliffe enjoys having tough guys at her mercy—preferably in handcuffs. The best fugitive recovery agent in the business, Nora always gets her man. But when her latest pursuit leads her to a notorious biker hangout, she’s reunited with “Smith”: the one man who was too hot for Nora to handle. Once upon a time, she was a rich girl and he was a bad boy from the wrong side of the tracks. Now she needs his help, and she’ll do whatever it takes to get it.
Eight years ago, Smith let a pretty little Texas debutante break his heart. He picked up the pieces, went to hell and back with the army, then rode out of the darkness with a gang of outlaws at his back. The last thing he needs is a blast from the past like Nora, who has reinvented herself as a gun-toting badass with the stones to challenge him in front of the whole club. But if she thinks Smith will give up one of his brothers for a single night of pleasure, she’s in for a rude awakening.
••••••••••
REVIEW: 3.5 stars--MAKE IT HURT is the second installment in Jackie Ashenden’s contemporary adult TEXAS BOUNTY erotic romance series. This is female bounty hunter Nora Sutcliffe, and president of the Graveyard Ministry MC Smith Tucker’s story line. MAKE IT HURT can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.
Told from dual third person perspectives (Nora and Smith) MAKE IT HURT focuses on the rekindling romance between bounty hunter Nora Sutcliffe, and MC President Smith Tucker. Eight years earlier Nora all but destroyed Smith’s life when a then eighteen year old Nora refused to defend Smith against a series of accusations that led to his enlistment in the army and eventual life with the Ministry MC. Fast forward to present day wherein Nora’s latest assignment is to ‘bring in’ Garrett ‘Dust’ Brook-Smith’s best friend and MC vice-president. What Nora didn’t expect was to find Smith Tucker, and a reawakening of her shattered heart. What ensues is the rebuilding of a romance when Smith makes several demands of the woman that broke his heart.
The relationship between Nora and Smith is one of a rekindling romance; a love that was destroyed by a young woman’s fear of betrayal and loss; and one man’s need to control every aspect of his daughter’s life. Smith has never stopped loving Nora Sutcliffe, and Nora has never forgiven herself for her inability to protect Smith from her father’s wrath. The $ex scenes are intimate, provocative and hot- there is definitely no lack of chemistry between our leading couple.
Quinn Redmond (Take Me Deeper #1) makes a cameo appearance as does Nora’s boss Lily ‘Duchess’ Hammond who were first introduced in Texas Bounty #1. We are introduced to Smith’s VP Garrett ‘aka Dust’ Brook-a man who is willing to sacrifice himself to save the Ministry MC.
MAKE IT HURT is a story of second chances, forgiveness, and letting go of the past. Nora Sutcliffe’s character is abrasive and acerbic, and presents as cold and uncaring throughout a good portion of the book- her bad a$$ bounty hunter persona felt contrived and a little over the top. Smith is a man determined to uncover the truth about the past-one way or another even if he has to blackmail the woman that he has always loved. The premise is entertaining but lacked some of the impact of an MC story, and the believability was limited as it pertained to the Ministry MC; the characters are somewhat idealistic; the romance is erotic and intense.
Copy supplied by Netgalley
www.thereadingcafe.com
June 14, 2017
Nora Sutcliffe is a tough bounty hunter who always gets her target. She has had to prove her strength and fearlessness consistently in her line of work as she is often underestimated. No one has been able to rattle her. That is, until she goes to pick up her target who skipped his court date at a bar that is infiltrated by a Motorcycle Club. Her target is the Vice President and she has to convince the MC President to let her do her job. The only problem is that the President happens to be her only ex-boyfriend, Smith.
Smith has come a long, hard way since he last saw or heard from Nora. He was working on her wealthy family's pool house when he was distracted by her. He has had a grudge since their breakup and has since joined the military, then the Ministry (Motorcycle Club), where he has recently become President. Not only does he have to make his mark as President, but now he has to battle the one person who has sparked his rage for the last 8 years.
The first 20% of the book was fast-paced and switched perspectives from Nora and Smith. The alternating perspectives worked for the most part, except when the characters would argue with their own selves. There would be dialogue, then a character's thinking, which would be interrupted by it's own thinking in italics. It seemed like the author was going for the angel on one shoulder, devil on the other concept, but I found it to be distracting.
Along with the distracting perspectives, I also found Nora (and Smith for that matter) to be one-dimensional. Instead of working out their issues and finding a compromise that they can work towards, Nora and Smith spend most of the book rehashing the breakup. Over. And. Over. It was beyond redundant. Additionally, I found Nora to be irritatingly immature. There were a few scenes where she and Smith were heating things up and working out their past and she would suddenly change courses (by a thought in italics as discussed earlier) and decide to be cold and distant. Smith was greedy and disrespectful, especially in regards to Nora. He made promises he did not have intentions of keeping in order to benefit himself. He also coerced Nora into having sex with him in order for him to work with her on this job.
In conclusion, this book was only 2 out of 5 stars for me because it lacked depth. While it was not completely boring, it was unbelievable. ****SPOILER ALERT****For example: after 2 nights of sex, Smith asks Nora to move in with him. He did not like her apartment and even wanted her to quit her job because he could provide for her.
Warning: This book does contain foul language, sexually graphic scenes, and gun violence.
Please note: an electronic copy of this book was generously provided by the publisher via Netgalley.
Smith has come a long, hard way since he last saw or heard from Nora. He was working on her wealthy family's pool house when he was distracted by her. He has had a grudge since their breakup and has since joined the military, then the Ministry (Motorcycle Club), where he has recently become President. Not only does he have to make his mark as President, but now he has to battle the one person who has sparked his rage for the last 8 years.
The first 20% of the book was fast-paced and switched perspectives from Nora and Smith. The alternating perspectives worked for the most part, except when the characters would argue with their own selves. There would be dialogue, then a character's thinking, which would be interrupted by it's own thinking in italics. It seemed like the author was going for the angel on one shoulder, devil on the other concept, but I found it to be distracting.
Along with the distracting perspectives, I also found Nora (and Smith for that matter) to be one-dimensional. Instead of working out their issues and finding a compromise that they can work towards, Nora and Smith spend most of the book rehashing the breakup. Over. And. Over. It was beyond redundant. Additionally, I found Nora to be irritatingly immature. There were a few scenes where she and Smith were heating things up and working out their past and she would suddenly change courses (by a thought in italics as discussed earlier) and decide to be cold and distant. Smith was greedy and disrespectful, especially in regards to Nora. He made promises he did not have intentions of keeping in order to benefit himself. He also coerced Nora into having sex with him in order for him to work with her on this job.
In conclusion, this book was only 2 out of 5 stars for me because it lacked depth. While it was not completely boring, it was unbelievable. ****SPOILER ALERT****For example: after 2 nights of sex, Smith asks Nora to move in with him. He did not like her apartment and even wanted her to quit her job because he could provide for her.
Warning: This book does contain foul language, sexually graphic scenes, and gun violence.
Please note: an electronic copy of this book was generously provided by the publisher via Netgalley.
May 24, 2017
A strong hard bounty hunter, Nora Sutcliffe, is after a skip. Turns out he is a Vice President for a local Biker Club, whose president is a heartbreak from eight years ago. Two stubborn people fighting to turn away from each other....but they can't. Full review to follow....
December 29, 2016
3.5 Stars
I don't know where I got the idea that this series would be all about the Redmond brothers and I was expecting this story to be about Rush. To be honest, even though the blurb had promise I had to go back to the first book to figure out who Nora was and how she fit into the series.
From debutante to bounty hunter is a long way to go but for Nora Sutcliffe, being known as one of the best in the business is everything to her and a far cry from the helpless and clueless debutante she was in a previous life. Her reputation in the business is everything and she won't let any skip mar it, so she's bold enough to brave a biker bar to get her man except she does not expect to come face to face with her past.
Eight years ago, Smith was a young man trying to make a living until he fell for the princess in the tower and lost everything. A stint in the military and finding his biker brotherhood have changed him in many ways, but a chance to exact some payback is not one to pass up.
A story about a debutante-turned-bounty hunter and a biker definitely was intriguing and Nora and Smith were strong and well-matched characters. I think the author nailed the emotional angle of this story especially the complexity of their relationship, and the chemistry between them was scorching hot. Both of them had very hard exteriors that had been forged by circumstances, but they were each other's weakness and could very easily bring out each other's vulnerable side. I liked seeing Smith the emotionally open man as compared to the hard biker he was with his men. Nora on the other hand was a bit annoying with her avoidance of the issues and her refusal to acknowledge her past missteps.
My only issue was that this story focused a lot on their present and there were only few and brief flashes to their past. Their past had a lot of influence on their choices and their present and I wish that the author had expanded on that to fully develop their characters and flesh out this story.
Overall, it was an enjoyable, lighthearted and hot romance and I am looking forward to reading more in the series.
Disclaimer: I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely mine.
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I don't know where I got the idea that this series would be all about the Redmond brothers and I was expecting this story to be about Rush. To be honest, even though the blurb had promise I had to go back to the first book to figure out who Nora was and how she fit into the series.
From debutante to bounty hunter is a long way to go but for Nora Sutcliffe, being known as one of the best in the business is everything to her and a far cry from the helpless and clueless debutante she was in a previous life. Her reputation in the business is everything and she won't let any skip mar it, so she's bold enough to brave a biker bar to get her man except she does not expect to come face to face with her past.
Eight years ago, Smith was a young man trying to make a living until he fell for the princess in the tower and lost everything. A stint in the military and finding his biker brotherhood have changed him in many ways, but a chance to exact some payback is not one to pass up.
A story about a debutante-turned-bounty hunter and a biker definitely was intriguing and Nora and Smith were strong and well-matched characters. I think the author nailed the emotional angle of this story especially the complexity of their relationship, and the chemistry between them was scorching hot. Both of them had very hard exteriors that had been forged by circumstances, but they were each other's weakness and could very easily bring out each other's vulnerable side. I liked seeing Smith the emotionally open man as compared to the hard biker he was with his men. Nora on the other hand was a bit annoying with her avoidance of the issues and her refusal to acknowledge her past missteps.
My only issue was that this story focused a lot on their present and there were only few and brief flashes to their past. Their past had a lot of influence on their choices and their present and I wish that the author had expanded on that to fully develop their characters and flesh out this story.
Overall, it was an enjoyable, lighthearted and hot romance and I am looking forward to reading more in the series.
Disclaimer: I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely mine.
Want more? Subscribe to my Newsletter on The Sassy Bookster.
Follow me on Twitter | Tumblr | Bloglovin’.
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December 5, 2016
Jackie Ashenden can always be relied upon to write a sexy, hot romance with an alpha hero, and the latest addition to her
Texas Bounty
series, Make It Hurt, is no exception. Nora Sutcliffe escaped her rich, controlling father seven years ago and became a successful fugitive recovery agent - otherwise known as a bounty hunter. Her latest assignment is a local motorcycle club member, and she bravely enters the group's local bar searching for him. She finds him but also finds her first love, Smith - the man her father ruined eight years ago after discovering the two were lovers.
Smith is no longer the optimistic, twenty-two year old that Nora knew and loved. He is hardened and very pissed at Nora, because he believes she could have stopped her father. He was forced to join the army and then returned a veteran and joined the motorcycle club. He has no intentions of giving up his fellow club member and has every intention of extracting revenge on Nora.
Smith and Nora are electric and you cannot help but hope they can find love again. It is a difficult road - Smith was devastated that Nora did not stand up to her father and Nora's priorities are now with her job. Make It Hurt is a thoroughly enjoyable second chance romance. Ms. Ashenden can almost do no wrong in my book, and I can't wait until her next release.
ARC provided by publisher via Netgalley, but no one made me write this review and my opinions are honest and my own.
Smith is no longer the optimistic, twenty-two year old that Nora knew and loved. He is hardened and very pissed at Nora, because he believes she could have stopped her father. He was forced to join the army and then returned a veteran and joined the motorcycle club. He has no intentions of giving up his fellow club member and has every intention of extracting revenge on Nora.
Smith and Nora are electric and you cannot help but hope they can find love again. It is a difficult road - Smith was devastated that Nora did not stand up to her father and Nora's priorities are now with her job. Make It Hurt is a thoroughly enjoyable second chance romance. Ms. Ashenden can almost do no wrong in my book, and I can't wait until her next release.
ARC provided by publisher via Netgalley, but no one made me write this review and my opinions are honest and my own.
November 28, 2016
This is the 5th book by this author that I have read and unfortunately it was my least liked book.
I felt it was incredibly drawn out at times; the scene took 4 or 5 chapters to get through and not a whole lot happened in that time. I found at times the author was too descriptive and it almost seemed like perhaps it was intentional to lengthen the book.
As for the story line...miss prim and proper turned bounty hunter just didn't fit. I struggled to wrap my head around how that would happen but in reality it didn't match with how Nora was portrayed when she was younger.
As much as the book felt drawn out, the ending felt rushed.
Since I've enjoyed the other books I've read by this author I'm holding out that the next one in this series will be as good as the others.
** ARC received from Netgalley **
I felt it was incredibly drawn out at times; the scene took 4 or 5 chapters to get through and not a whole lot happened in that time. I found at times the author was too descriptive and it almost seemed like perhaps it was intentional to lengthen the book.
As for the story line...miss prim and proper turned bounty hunter just didn't fit. I struggled to wrap my head around how that would happen but in reality it didn't match with how Nora was portrayed when she was younger.
As much as the book felt drawn out, the ending felt rushed.
Since I've enjoyed the other books I've read by this author I'm holding out that the next one in this series will be as good as the others.
** ARC received from Netgalley **
September 4, 2016
This review is based on an ARC provided by the author and/or the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest opinion.
3.5
This was another one that was hard for me to get vested in. The action was slow. The characters didn't make the choices that I would have made.
November 16, 2016
*ARC courtesy of Netgalley and Random House Publishing*
January 19, 2017
I was really looking forward to reading and reviewing Make It Hurt, the second novel in the Texas Bounty series, since I gave the first novel in the series, Take Me Deeper, an enthusiastic 5-star rating, but I had a difficult time deciding what rating to give this novel and finally ended up with giving it 3 stars.
Nora Sutcliffe is a fugitive retrieval specialist, aka skip tracer/bounty hunter, working for Duchess Bail Bonds in Austin, Texas, and, as the novel opens her task is to bring in bail-jumper Garrett Brook, aka Dust, a member, in fact VP, of the Graveyard Ministry MC. She makes the unfortunate choice to try to take him in at a known biker bar, surrounded by his MC brothers, not the smartest decision, in my opinion, but she likes a challenge and a chance to show off her finely honed skills and toughness. When the bartender is of no help, she ventures into the pool room in the back of the Rusty Nail, where a number of bikers are watching a game in progress, and as the man holding the pool cue takes his shot and stands up she gets the shock of her life. Standing before her is a man from her past, Smith, the man she begged to take her virginity at age 18, and whose heart she broke 8 years ago, and he's nothing like the sweet, gentle, and hunky contractor's helper whom she met while he was working on the pool house at her wealthy father's mansion. The man she knew and loved is gone, and in his place stands the bearded, tough as nails, furious President of the MC, Smith, and boy can he carry a grudge. Only one thing about him is the same, his lust for Nora, and Nora is further shocked to realize that she's still attracted to him, certainly a weakness and not something she wants him to see.
Smith is the new President of the Graveyard Ministry MC, and has been trying to get them to clean up their act and stop their illegal activities. He's got a lot to prove, and the last thing he wants to do is show any kind of weakness in front of the brothers, so when Nora asks him to give up Brook, he refuses, and then tells everyone but Nora to leave. What follows is a contest of wills between the two, and they eventually make a deal, Smith will give up Dust, his VP, friend and old army buddy, in exchange for one night of sex with Nora and her agreement not to involve the police, but it's not just sex with Nora that Smith wants, he wants answers and retribution.
When Nora's rich and remote father discovered her relationship with Smith 8 years ago, he called her into a meeting with Smith and Smith's boss, and accused Smith of taking advantage of and raping his 18-year-old daughter and demanding that he be fired. Smith expected Nora to say that she'd been the one to pursue and seduce him, but she never said a word in his defense. What Nora soon learns is that her father blackballed Smith as a rapist and that he couldn't find another job anywhere. He ended up enlisting and serving several tours in Afghanistan, returning home a bitter man with nothing to lose. What Smith didn't know was that Nora had been forbidden to say a word by her father, her only means of support, and whose love and affection she'd been trying to gain for years. As it turned out, one year later when she refused her father's demand that she marry a business associate, he disowned her and threw her out with little more than the money in her purse.
So far, this novel was working for me, but by the time the aforementioned secrets are revealed and hashed out, and after the all the steamy sex and power games between these two characters happens (and it happens a lot, mature readers only), I began to realize that there really wasn't much in this novel beyond that. The motorcycle club and it's members faded into the background, and there really wasn't a solid plot beyond the relationship between these two lovers turned adversaries turned back to lovers. I kept waiting for something other than sex to happen--some crisis with the MC, perhaps even an attempted reconciliation with Nora's father, some involvement with the police, but there simply wasn't anything there, nor was there much in the way of character development either. Although I didn't mind the fact that this put a different spin on a MC romance, and that it was well-written, it left me wanting more depth and more action. I liked it, but I didn't love it.
Nora Sutcliffe is a fugitive retrieval specialist, aka skip tracer/bounty hunter, working for Duchess Bail Bonds in Austin, Texas, and, as the novel opens her task is to bring in bail-jumper Garrett Brook, aka Dust, a member, in fact VP, of the Graveyard Ministry MC. She makes the unfortunate choice to try to take him in at a known biker bar, surrounded by his MC brothers, not the smartest decision, in my opinion, but she likes a challenge and a chance to show off her finely honed skills and toughness. When the bartender is of no help, she ventures into the pool room in the back of the Rusty Nail, where a number of bikers are watching a game in progress, and as the man holding the pool cue takes his shot and stands up she gets the shock of her life. Standing before her is a man from her past, Smith, the man she begged to take her virginity at age 18, and whose heart she broke 8 years ago, and he's nothing like the sweet, gentle, and hunky contractor's helper whom she met while he was working on the pool house at her wealthy father's mansion. The man she knew and loved is gone, and in his place stands the bearded, tough as nails, furious President of the MC, Smith, and boy can he carry a grudge. Only one thing about him is the same, his lust for Nora, and Nora is further shocked to realize that she's still attracted to him, certainly a weakness and not something she wants him to see.
Smith is the new President of the Graveyard Ministry MC, and has been trying to get them to clean up their act and stop their illegal activities. He's got a lot to prove, and the last thing he wants to do is show any kind of weakness in front of the brothers, so when Nora asks him to give up Brook, he refuses, and then tells everyone but Nora to leave. What follows is a contest of wills between the two, and they eventually make a deal, Smith will give up Dust, his VP, friend and old army buddy, in exchange for one night of sex with Nora and her agreement not to involve the police, but it's not just sex with Nora that Smith wants, he wants answers and retribution.
When Nora's rich and remote father discovered her relationship with Smith 8 years ago, he called her into a meeting with Smith and Smith's boss, and accused Smith of taking advantage of and raping his 18-year-old daughter and demanding that he be fired. Smith expected Nora to say that she'd been the one to pursue and seduce him, but she never said a word in his defense. What Nora soon learns is that her father blackballed Smith as a rapist and that he couldn't find another job anywhere. He ended up enlisting and serving several tours in Afghanistan, returning home a bitter man with nothing to lose. What Smith didn't know was that Nora had been forbidden to say a word by her father, her only means of support, and whose love and affection she'd been trying to gain for years. As it turned out, one year later when she refused her father's demand that she marry a business associate, he disowned her and threw her out with little more than the money in her purse.
So far, this novel was working for me, but by the time the aforementioned secrets are revealed and hashed out, and after the all the steamy sex and power games between these two characters happens (and it happens a lot, mature readers only), I began to realize that there really wasn't much in this novel beyond that. The motorcycle club and it's members faded into the background, and there really wasn't a solid plot beyond the relationship between these two lovers turned adversaries turned back to lovers. I kept waiting for something other than sex to happen--some crisis with the MC, perhaps even an attempted reconciliation with Nora's father, some involvement with the police, but there simply wasn't anything there, nor was there much in the way of character development either. Although I didn't mind the fact that this put a different spin on a MC romance, and that it was well-written, it left me wanting more depth and more action. I liked it, but I didn't love it.
April 25, 2018
Eight years ago, eighteen-year-old Nora fell in love with a young man named Smith, who was a member of a construction crew working on her home. Her parents are rich, and despite knowing the risks, she seduces him until he can no longer resist her and she gives him her virginity. Eventually Daddy catches them and hauls Smith up in front of his boss, claiming Smith seduced and raped Nora. Smith expects Nora to tell the truth, but she doesn’t, and Smith is forced to leave town after nobody will hire him, his reputation shattered.
Eight years later, Smith is the president of the Graveyard Ministry motorcycle club. Nora blows into the bar they hang out in one day looking for his vice president, who has a warrant out for his arrest. It seems Nora has gone from sweet debutante to bounty hunter, and Smith can’t help but find the transformation hot. He eventually agrees to hand over his VP – if Nora agrees to spend the night with him.
Nora doesn’t want to let Duchess, who took a chance on her after her father threw her out of the house for failing to marry a business associate at nineteen, down by failing to bring her bounty in so she agrees – not just because she wants the VP, but because she can’t resist Smith. So they spend the night together, and then he wants another night. And another. Pretty soon they’re involved, although neither will admit it’s more than sex. The desire for revenge for letting him take the fall fades as Smith realises he never got over Nora, but he has no intention of handing his VP over.
The situation resolves itself when the VP turns himself in (it was over a custody battle for his child) and Nora moves in with Smith, in the house they designed together when they were younger and he built later. She agrees to become his old lady, and they get their happily ever after. I loved Smith, loved that he let Nora see his vulnerability. I also loved that Nora’s determination to make something of herself after her father kicked her out. I look forward to reading more in this series.
Eight years later, Smith is the president of the Graveyard Ministry motorcycle club. Nora blows into the bar they hang out in one day looking for his vice president, who has a warrant out for his arrest. It seems Nora has gone from sweet debutante to bounty hunter, and Smith can’t help but find the transformation hot. He eventually agrees to hand over his VP – if Nora agrees to spend the night with him.
Nora doesn’t want to let Duchess, who took a chance on her after her father threw her out of the house for failing to marry a business associate at nineteen, down by failing to bring her bounty in so she agrees – not just because she wants the VP, but because she can’t resist Smith. So they spend the night together, and then he wants another night. And another. Pretty soon they’re involved, although neither will admit it’s more than sex. The desire for revenge for letting him take the fall fades as Smith realises he never got over Nora, but he has no intention of handing his VP over.
The situation resolves itself when the VP turns himself in (it was over a custody battle for his child) and Nora moves in with Smith, in the house they designed together when they were younger and he built later. She agrees to become his old lady, and they get their happily ever after. I loved Smith, loved that he let Nora see his vulnerability. I also loved that Nora’s determination to make something of herself after her father kicked her out. I look forward to reading more in this series.
November 3, 2016
This was the second book in this series. I thought it was well written and well paced. I also found the spoiled rich girl turned bounty hunter a little, not much, but a little on the unbelievable side but hey stranger things have happened. People do change so again it is plausible. That being said it was a very enjoyable read.
When growing up all Nora wanted was someone to love her. Her father never gave her the time of day. He also expected her to be agreeable at all times. Very controlling and unemotional. But then she met Smith and that changed. She felt loved. She felt wanted. And then her daddy turned that into hell. Fast forward eight years and Nora is no longer the push over she once was. She is a badass bounty hunter and one of the best. And while looking to pick up a skip she comes face to face with her past.
Smith had his own daddy issues but found the courage to move on and prove his dad wrong. While on a construction job he fell for the one girl he shouldn't want and thinks he doesn't deserve, Nora. But after her dad catches them Nora breaks his heart and he goes off to the military. When he returns he is a harder man and all he wants is to be a Graveyard ministries MC. And now he is the new President and trying to take the club a new direction. What he doesn't need is his past coming around and screwing things up.
These two have more chemistry then a science lab. It's combustible and sexy as hell. Nora is a stubborn woman and Smith an arrogant SOB. And when you get two people together that are like that you get exactly what you would expect, FIREWORKS.
ARC PROVIDED BY PUBLISHER THROUGH NETGALLEY
When growing up all Nora wanted was someone to love her. Her father never gave her the time of day. He also expected her to be agreeable at all times. Very controlling and unemotional. But then she met Smith and that changed. She felt loved. She felt wanted. And then her daddy turned that into hell. Fast forward eight years and Nora is no longer the push over she once was. She is a badass bounty hunter and one of the best. And while looking to pick up a skip she comes face to face with her past.
Smith had his own daddy issues but found the courage to move on and prove his dad wrong. While on a construction job he fell for the one girl he shouldn't want and thinks he doesn't deserve, Nora. But after her dad catches them Nora breaks his heart and he goes off to the military. When he returns he is a harder man and all he wants is to be a Graveyard ministries MC. And now he is the new President and trying to take the club a new direction. What he doesn't need is his past coming around and screwing things up.
These two have more chemistry then a science lab. It's combustible and sexy as hell. Nora is a stubborn woman and Smith an arrogant SOB. And when you get two people together that are like that you get exactly what you would expect, FIREWORKS.
ARC PROVIDED BY PUBLISHER THROUGH NETGALLEY
November 7, 2016
Requested an ARC from NetGalley.
2.5
So although I have a few of JA's books lost in my never-ending tbr pile this is actually the first one I've read. I loved the idea of a female bounty hunter and biker locking horns and falling in love. It started out great with Nora being a badass and Smith being all alpha biker but that didn't last long. Which is why at 30% I set the book aside and promptly forgot I had it until I was on NetGalley over a month later and realized it was sitting on my "shelf". So I finally hunkered down and forced myself to finish it.
The good: The writing is solid and although I read an ARC there were no mistakes that I caught. The sex is pretty hot although it's standard fare for contemporary romances. We get a lot of their history from back when they first fell in love.
The NOT so good: For some reason the nature of the blackmail bugged me, and since the blackmail thread ran through the entire book it never stopped bugging me and I think it's the main reason I scored this book so low. The entire story (not including the epilogue) happens in about a week. Even though they have a history that was way way too rushed for me. Which leads to my last complaint...outside of the initial contact with the MC Nora never interacts with them again, and considering how that meet went down it would have been nice to see how she managed to find her place within the MC and how the other brothers reacted to having a bounty hunter as the President's old lady.
2.5
So although I have a few of JA's books lost in my never-ending tbr pile this is actually the first one I've read. I loved the idea of a female bounty hunter and biker locking horns and falling in love. It started out great with Nora being a badass and Smith being all alpha biker but that didn't last long. Which is why at 30% I set the book aside and promptly forgot I had it until I was on NetGalley over a month later and realized it was sitting on my "shelf". So I finally hunkered down and forced myself to finish it.
The good: The writing is solid and although I read an ARC there were no mistakes that I caught. The sex is pretty hot although it's standard fare for contemporary romances. We get a lot of their history from back when they first fell in love.
The NOT so good: For some reason the nature of the blackmail bugged me, and since the blackmail thread ran through the entire book it never stopped bugging me and I think it's the main reason I scored this book so low. The entire story (not including the epilogue) happens in about a week. Even though they have a history that was way way too rushed for me. Which leads to my last complaint...outside of the initial contact with the MC Nora never interacts with them again, and considering how that meet went down it would have been nice to see how she managed to find her place within the MC and how the other brothers reacted to having a bounty hunter as the President's old lady.
November 7, 2017
When I started reading this story I knew that I was going to love it. I love stories when MC's are involved. I love it even more when the President of the MC is domineering, handsome and dangerous at the same time. Then you have a Bounty Hunter that is a strong woman and a spitfire. They had a relationship when they were teenagers but something happened that tore them apart and I wanted to know what happened. But there she was in the biker hangout looking for the person that had jumped bail and that person just happened to be the Vice President of the Graveyard Ministry MC. Smith has the perfect plan to get what he wants and he plans to collect. From the moment that Nora sees him she tries to fight the attraction. The chemistry between Nora and Smith is amazing they burn up the sheets together. They are going to have to speak about the past and come to an understanding of what happened back then.
Make it Hurt was a good read. I loved the characters. The storyline was perfect and interesting. I can't wait to read the next book in this series.
Received ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an Honest Review
Make it Hurt was a good read. I loved the characters. The storyline was perfect and interesting. I can't wait to read the next book in this series.
Received ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an Honest Review
April 6, 2018
An ex-soldier, sexy biker versus an ex-debutante turned bounty hunter... A young romance turned ugly by the tentacles of a nasty father... Eight years ago, Smith let Nora Sutcliffe ruin his life. The then only eighteen-year-old beauty turned his head and heart. After seducing him, she hang him out to dry and to face her father's vindictive wrath. Refusing to become his own father, Smith joined the military and after a series of tours, he found a new family with his MC. Now the Prez of his club, he's faced once again with the Golden Girl who nearly destroyed him. Nora enjoys bringing down tough guys. The best fugitive recovery agent in the business, Nora always gets her man. Until the man she was supposed to get was Smith's VP. Surprised to see him again, she agrees to a deal that brings them back together and face to face with their past. In Make It Hurt, Jackie Ashenden mixes a good but hurt MC Prez with a sexy bounty hunter with enough guilt to make reconnecting with Smith a challenge between desire and regret. A fun and sexy read for sure!
November 19, 2016
This story was every bit as sexy as the first book in this series. In fact, I liked the steamier aspects of this book even better than the first. As for the characters, Smith and Nora are both tough hard personalities. Years ago, Nora betrayed Smith, and he never let himself get over it. When a chance encounter brings them back together, he is determined to get his revenge. Nora needs his help, and he pretends to give it...with some serious strings attached. He has the perfect plan to get what he wants. Nora wants to make things right, but she doesn't plan to be bullied into anything. She agrees to Smith's plan but has no idea that things aren't at all what they seem.
I enjoy everything Ashenden writes, and this story was no different. I did miss the action and suspense that was present in the first book where as this one was more tension and deception. Hopefully the suspense will pick back up with book three.
I received an ARC from Net Galley for a fair review.
I enjoy everything Ashenden writes, and this story was no different. I did miss the action and suspense that was present in the first book where as this one was more tension and deception. Hopefully the suspense will pick back up with book three.
I received an ARC from Net Galley for a fair review.
December 5, 2016
3.5
I would like to thank Netgalley and Loveswept for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I really loved the chemistry between Nora and Smith. I really like books with strong female characters and Nora did not disappoint. She was a total bad a$$ bounty hunter and basically showed no fear or insecurities….until… Smith!
I thought this book was kind of predictable in the sense that in the past they talk about the future they want and home they want and of course.. Smith has that home. Or for someone that has come from nothing and had to fight his way out of the trailer park, he suddenly has money from relatives. I also did not buy that Nora was this timid little rich girl in her past. I understand that life happens and hardens us but I just could not see that in Nora.
I love the cover. I love the chemistry. Liked the story line. The intimate scenes were scorching. I just wish for a different back story.
I would like to thank Netgalley and Loveswept for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I really loved the chemistry between Nora and Smith. I really like books with strong female characters and Nora did not disappoint. She was a total bad a$$ bounty hunter and basically showed no fear or insecurities….until… Smith!
I thought this book was kind of predictable in the sense that in the past they talk about the future they want and home they want and of course.. Smith has that home. Or for someone that has come from nothing and had to fight his way out of the trailer park, he suddenly has money from relatives. I also did not buy that Nora was this timid little rich girl in her past. I understand that life happens and hardens us but I just could not see that in Nora.
I love the cover. I love the chemistry. Liked the story line. The intimate scenes were scorching. I just wish for a different back story.
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