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The Hellbound Brotherhood #3
Hellbent
She thought her enemy was dead…
He bled for her...and now he’ll claim her as his own…
Famous deejay Anton Trask stays the hell out of other people’s business. He paid for that lesson in blood. But when Fiona Garrett shows up at one of his nightclubs needing his help, it shakes him to the core. Fiona was only fifteen when he helped her escape GodsAcre, the hellhole where they were raised, but she’s all grown up now, and her bright, fierce gray eyes, sexy red lips and gorgeous body make his heart race and his temperature rise...
Hunted by a phantom…
Fiona Garrett is being pursued by killers, and she has no idea why—just that it must be linked to the disaster at GodsAcre years ago. She owes Anton her life already, and hates to ask him or anyone for help, but Anton Trask is the only person alive who might actually believe her. But the controlled power he exudes ignites a hunger inside her that she cannot deny...
Anton wants to leave all the horrible memories of the GodsAcre fire in the past, but the only way to save Fiona from the deadly danger stalking her is to face the past head on…
And the closer Anton gets to Fiona, the less he can imagine letting go…
Author's Hellbent, Book Three of The Hellbound Brotherhood, is part of a connected series, but with its own couple and its own HEA.
He bled for her...and now he’ll claim her as his own…
Famous deejay Anton Trask stays the hell out of other people’s business. He paid for that lesson in blood. But when Fiona Garrett shows up at one of his nightclubs needing his help, it shakes him to the core. Fiona was only fifteen when he helped her escape GodsAcre, the hellhole where they were raised, but she’s all grown up now, and her bright, fierce gray eyes, sexy red lips and gorgeous body make his heart race and his temperature rise...
Hunted by a phantom…
Fiona Garrett is being pursued by killers, and she has no idea why—just that it must be linked to the disaster at GodsAcre years ago. She owes Anton her life already, and hates to ask him or anyone for help, but Anton Trask is the only person alive who might actually believe her. But the controlled power he exudes ignites a hunger inside her that she cannot deny...
Anton wants to leave all the horrible memories of the GodsAcre fire in the past, but the only way to save Fiona from the deadly danger stalking her is to face the past head on…
And the closer Anton gets to Fiona, the less he can imagine letting go…
Author's Hellbent, Book Three of The Hellbound Brotherhood, is part of a connected series, but with its own couple and its own HEA.
312 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 29, 2020
73 people are currently reading
95 people want to read
About the author
Shannon McKenna
125 books1,449 followersAlso wrote five category romances under the penname Shannon Anderson
::From The Author's Website::
HOW IT ALL BEGAN
I started writing my first romance novel in secret. I was working a temp job in an insurance office in Manhattan at the time, and the office manager had made it clear that even if there was nothing to do, I still had to look busy-- never one of my big talents. I felt bad about the wasted time, though, and I needed something to round out my other chosen career, which was singing. Yeah, that's right. Most artists choose a more practical Plan B to back up their improbable Plan A. Me? No way. "Long Shot" is my middle name.
So I sneakily set up a Document 1 and a Document 2 with a spreadsheet on it. If my Boss du Jour walked by I could quick-like-a-bunny switch screens, and whenever the coast was clear, I went back to my story. Not that I was slacking, mind you. If there was work to be done, I did it. The sneakiness felt familiar, though, because I've been teased about reading romances since I was a kid. I think the day I finally grew up was the day I stopped trying to cover up what I was reading on the bus, train or subway. Let people think whatever they like.
It wasn't until I moved to Italy (details of that Long Shot provided later on) that I got serious about writing, though. I found myself with many long, quiet days alone with nothing to do, so I slogged my way bravely to the end of the manuscript and sent it out. Everybody rejected it-except for Kensington. I wrote for them for a few years, and then made a bid for an erotic novella for the new Brava imprint, and oh joy, they accepted it. Then I wrote BEHIND CLOSED DOORS. And so on, and so forth.
That's how I started. I can't think of anything I'd rather do. I never knew it would be so scary, and so hard . . . all that solitude and silence, a blank computer screen, and no one to blame. But still. It's worth it. It's great.
::From The Author's Website::
HOW IT ALL BEGAN
I started writing my first romance novel in secret. I was working a temp job in an insurance office in Manhattan at the time, and the office manager had made it clear that even if there was nothing to do, I still had to look busy-- never one of my big talents. I felt bad about the wasted time, though, and I needed something to round out my other chosen career, which was singing. Yeah, that's right. Most artists choose a more practical Plan B to back up their improbable Plan A. Me? No way. "Long Shot" is my middle name.
So I sneakily set up a Document 1 and a Document 2 with a spreadsheet on it. If my Boss du Jour walked by I could quick-like-a-bunny switch screens, and whenever the coast was clear, I went back to my story. Not that I was slacking, mind you. If there was work to be done, I did it. The sneakiness felt familiar, though, because I've been teased about reading romances since I was a kid. I think the day I finally grew up was the day I stopped trying to cover up what I was reading on the bus, train or subway. Let people think whatever they like.
It wasn't until I moved to Italy (details of that Long Shot provided later on) that I got serious about writing, though. I found myself with many long, quiet days alone with nothing to do, so I slogged my way bravely to the end of the manuscript and sent it out. Everybody rejected it-except for Kensington. I wrote for them for a few years, and then made a bid for an erotic novella for the new Brava imprint, and oh joy, they accepted it. Then I wrote BEHIND CLOSED DOORS. And so on, and so forth.
That's how I started. I can't think of anything I'd rather do. I never knew it would be so scary, and so hard . . . all that solitude and silence, a blank computer screen, and no one to blame. But still. It's worth it. It's great.
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June 4, 2020
No matter how hard Anton and his brothers tried to bury their past the dark memory of the doomsday cult and Godsacre follows them still, after all these years.
It’s been 13 years since he’s seen Fiona Garrett. Back then she was a scared 15 year old running for her life and he’d been 18 and full of righteous anger. But the femme-fatal who walks into his club with danger nipping at her heels takes Anton right back to that fateful night all those years ago.
Fiona needs help and Anton has always played knight to her damsel. So when a monster from her nightmares comes out of shadows, Fiona runs to the only person she can trust to help her.
What follows is a wild ride full of intense emotion, high drama and plenty of adrenaline rushes that keep you glued to the book.
I’ve been intrigued by this series since reading the mini prequel but for personal reasons, I skipped Eric and Demi’s book. But Anton and Fiona piqued my interest too much to resist reading their story and I’m so glad that I did. Now I’m hooked and can’t wait for Nate and Mace to get their own stories too.
Would I recommend? Yes, it’s got action, suspension, a truly evil villain, a great family you can’t help but root for and MCs that you’ll instantly love. 100% safe of cheating and no OW/OM drama.
* * * ARC provided for an honest review * * *
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. SAFETY INFO:
It’s been 13 years since he’s seen Fiona Garrett. Back then she was a scared 15 year old running for her life and he’d been 18 and full of righteous anger. But the femme-fatal who walks into his club with danger nipping at her heels takes Anton right back to that fateful night all those years ago.
Fiona needs help and Anton has always played knight to her damsel. So when a monster from her nightmares comes out of shadows, Fiona runs to the only person she can trust to help her.
What follows is a wild ride full of intense emotion, high drama and plenty of adrenaline rushes that keep you glued to the book.
I’ve been intrigued by this series since reading the mini prequel but for personal reasons, I skipped Eric and Demi’s book. But Anton and Fiona piqued my interest too much to resist reading their story and I’m so glad that I did. Now I’m hooked and can’t wait for Nate and Mace to get their own stories too.
Would I recommend? Yes, it’s got action, suspension, a truly evil villain, a great family you can’t help but root for and MCs that you’ll instantly love. 100% safe of cheating and no OW/OM drama.
* * * ARC provided for an honest review * * *
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. SAFETY INFO:
March 20, 2023
Nayeli - per RFS
.
God’s Acre è una comunità in cui dei ragazzini sono stati allevati da una setta fanatica come guerriglieri in previsione del giorno del giudizio. Se ai maschi era riservato un trattamento duro, per le donne era perfino peggio: la protagonista Fiona, infatti, era stata data in sposa a soli 15 anni, quando i fratelli Trask (di Eric abbiamo letto in due precedenti libri) l’hanno aiutata a fuggire.
Anche se la comune non esiste più, i sopravvissuti ne sono usciti traumatizzati e ora i protagonisti stanno cercando di affrontare la vita.
Fiona e Anton, in spregio a tutte le difficoltà di adattarsi a una vita zeppa di peccati capitali, hanno avuto entrambi successo. Non si sono sentiti per più di un decennio, da un lato per non riaprire vecchie ferite, ma anche nella speranza che l’altro fosse andato avanti. Ma la verità è che ciò che li legava durante l’infanzia è rimasto sepolto e scalpitante sotto la superficie per tutto questo tempo.
Il modo in cui lei lo studiò fu la sua fine. Splendidi occhi colmi di rabbia, sfida, paura. Lui ne sentì tutto l’impatto grazie ai sensi forgiati in quel crogiolo chiamato GodsAcre. Entrambi erano cresciuti in un marasma di paure patologiche e quindi le riconosceva quando le vedeva, a prescindere da quanto bene venivano celate. E poi c’era la selvaggia, magnifica energia che la riempiva, capace di attirarlo come un magnete.
Fiona si rivolge ad Anton, famoso DJ, per chiedere protezione: crede che uno dei leader della setta sia sopravvissuto all’incendio che ha distrutto la comune e i suoi membri, e ora stia cercando di ucciderla per recuperare un microchip che ha ritrovato. Chi sono davvero questi assassini? Come può essere sopravvissuto qualcuno dall’incendio, se tutti i corpi erano stati identificati? Cosa contiene il chip di così importante? L’adrenalina prende da subito picchi molto alti, portandoci in una situazione ricca di suspense e molto coinvolgente.
Presto i ragazzi mettono insieme gli indizi e capiscono che la questione potrebbe essere legata alle vicende che hanno colpito Eric non molto tempo prima, quando era quasi stato ucciso a sua volta.
La trama poliziesca è molto solida, coinvolgente, intricata e l’autrice è molto abile nel non farci sentire spaesati: indizi e briciole di pane vengono ripresi e messi in ordine rendendo chiari gli antefatti e permettendoci di ricostruire i fatti e immaginare ipotesi e strategie.
I ragazzi non staranno ad attendere di essere di nuovo minacciati: le armi biologiche che sospettano siano in mano ai cattivi nel luogo che è stato l’inferno della loro infanzia sono troppo pericolose, per non intraprendere questa missione sfruttando l’addestramento ricevuto. Rude, anche brutale la resa dei conti con Kimball, il cattivo di questo episodio.
—Ah, adesso non guardarmi come un beota, chiaro? — sbottò lei. — Solo perché sono d’accordo con te? È già successo. Non sono una megera irragionevole. — Be’, non la metterei così — replicò lui con diplomazia. — Ma senza dubbio non sei abituata ai compromessi. Ti capisco, sai? Anch’io non sono un campione al riguardo. — Non m’importa un fico secco dei compromessi. È solo che adesso sono troppo stanca e confusa per trovare una buona ragione per oppormi. Quindi, non farci l’abitudine.
Contemporaneamente alle vicende che li mette in pericolo costante, il fuoco divampa tra Fiona e Anton. Un’attrazione fortissima, magnetica, che esprime l’unicità e la profondità del passato intenso che hanno condiviso, il dolore, la sofferenza, ma anche la speranza donata da chi ha sacrificato se stesso per salvare un’altra vita.
Stare con Fiona non è paragonabile a niente che Anton abbia vissuto prima con una donna, come se fossero sempre stati destinati a stare insieme. Parallelamente, lei in passato ha sempre usato Anton come termine di paragone per misurare qualsiasi uomo, e nessuno è mai risultato all’altezza.
L’orgasmo fu molto più potente di quanto potesse immaginare. Capace di cambiarlo dentro, di frantumare tutte le sue barriere nascoste come se non esistessero neppure. Tutto ciò che aveva sepolto, tutto ciò che provava a reprimere e a dimenticare gli precipitò addosso, riducendo a una pila di fumanti macerie le difese che aveva innalzato a difesa del suo cuore. Si era spinto al di là di ogni logica per evitare di sentirsi così. Inerme, vulnerabile, completamente esposto.
Ma Anton, e soprattutto Fiona, sono stati “danneggiati” dal loro passato. Ciò che ostacola il loro amore sono gli effetti del trauma subito, che ha in qualche modo modificato i comportamenti e la possibilità di vivere in modo sereno l’affettività.
Entrambi addestrati come soldati, mostrano un atteggiamento “Alfa”, distaccato, e controllato, che tipicamente protegge le proprie vulnerabilità dietro a un muro spesso, rendendolo inaccessibile alle altre persone. Il comportamento iper-attento dato dai sensi sempre in allerta, tanto che qualsiasi cosa potrebbe farli scattare. Cresciuti con valori distorti e un’educazione fuorviante, hanno faticato ad adattarsi alla vita normale, che si tratti di moda o di usare oggetti quotidiani, ma soprattutto negli atteggiamenti sociali, nel dare confidenza, nel rilassarsi senza temere un pericolo costante.
Per diversi minuti non funzionò affatto. Giaceva nel suo abbraccio rigida come un manico di scopa, sentendosi intimidita, tesa e nervosa. Nella sua mente si accavallavano una miriade di pensieri confliggenti tra loro, il più evidente dei quali era quanto stupido e inutile fosse quel futile esercizio al quale Anton l’aveva costretta. […] Quell’uomo la conosceva così bene e la accettava. La desiderava. L’amava. Quell’ultimo, fugace pensiero fu un po’ troppo per lei. Riuscì a rompere l’incantesimo. Smise di guardarlo e si voltò, giacendo sulla schiena. — Wow — mormorò. — Intenso. — Già — replicò lui con un sorriso. — È sempre così? Coccolarsi, intendo? — Oh, non saprei. È la prima volta anche per me.
Ma oltre a questo, Fiona risente anche delle molestie subite dal suo promesso marito, Kimball. Contrariamente ai cliché, stavolta è la protagonista ad aver subito un disturbo da stress post traumatico (PTSD) e a mostrare atteggiamenti anomali in relazione agli approcci affettivi. In particolare, quel delicato momento che segue l’orgasmo, in cui una persona si rende conto di aver perso il controllo, attiva in lei una forma di protezione che la riporta al freddo distacco di un soldato. Un atteggiamento che spesso abbiamo visto nei personaggi maschili che fanno sesso occasionale, ma decisamente spiazzante se attuato da una donna. Per quanto Anton la comprenda e sia passato a sua volta attraverso gli stessi problemi, non trova facilmente il modo per approcciarla e aiutarla a disinnescare i trigger che attivano il trauma.
È con la dolcezza e la tenerezza che riuscirà a far sì che Fiona si fidi di lui, che si abbandoni alle sue carezze, che gli permetta di incrinare le sue barriere e di infilarsi fra le crepe, con piccole concessioni e cedimenti.
— Okay, penso io a preparare qualcosa. Le camere da letto e i bagni sono di sopra — le spiegò, avvicinandosi e tendendo le braccia come per sollevarla da terra. — Fermo lì — lo ammonì Fiona, alzando una mano per bloccarlo. — Toglitelo dalla testa, okay? — Aveva la voce roca per la stanchezza, ma che diamine! — Già mi è bastato quando mi hai portata al SUV dopo la sparatoria. So camminare. Non mi servono galanti cavalieri e idiozie del genere. Anton lasciò cadere le braccia. — Solo per stavolta? — No. Fammi strada e guarda avanti. Trascinerò le mie stanche ossa fino al letto.
Ho trovato perfetta la caratterizzazione di Fiona, che per fortuna non viene stravolta via via che migliora il suo disturbo da stress. Il suo essere una guerrigliera con atteggiamenti dominanti, schietti, duri, poco inclini alla debolezza sono perfettamente dipinti in un personaggio problematico e sofferente. Il modo in cui si incastra con un altro maschio alfa che decide di accettarla per quello che è, con le sue stranezze e particolarità, inclusa la ruvidità e la spigolosità, è semplicemente delizioso.
Si chiese se ammorbidirsi era una facoltà che una persona apprendeva nel tempo. Forse sì, forse no, ma che cosa importava? A lui piaceva esattamente così, tutta spine e spigolosa. Dopotutto, lo era anche lui. Entrambi duri come il ferro, la loro corazza fatta di metalli di scarto e ferite cicatrizzate. Sì, dannazione, era tosto. Poteva farcela. Era ciò per cui viveva.
Un ulteriore elemento che ho molto apprezzato è la natura del trauma di Fiona. Poteva essere usato il solito cliché dell’abuso sessuale, magari prolungato, e invece l’autrice si è “limitata” al dover subire atteggiamenti morbosi, abuso di potere, molestie fisiche e verbali. Quel genere di abusi difficili da provare e che generalmente si pensa non siano abbastanza gravi da lasciare un trauma decennale, pur considerando la giovanissima età della protagonista all’epoca. Invece trovo doveroso dare voce e valore anche a questo tipo di molestie, perché non serve sempre la penetrazione fisica per abusare e far sentire una donna umiliata, in pericolo, braccata.
Ho apprezzato profondamente che sia risultato chiaro che anche se Fiona non ha subito tortura o violenza fisica, ciò che le hanno fatto ha lasciato delle ferite così dolorose e umilianti da rovinarle la vita, danneggiando la capacità di creare legami e fare sesso in modo sereno.
— Io ti amo, Anton. E l’amore ti rende folle. L’amore ti spinge a cambiare. — Ma io non voglio vederti cambiare — sussurrò lui così piano che Fiona dovette chinarsi per sentirlo. — Ti chiedo solo di farmi un po’ di posto nella tua vita. Per il resto ti adoro così: sveglia, tosta, capace di tutto. Irruente, problematica, pronta a prendere a calci chiunque. Questa cosa mi eccita da impazzire. Ci metto subito la firma. — Ottimo, perché sarà quello che avrai — gli garantì. — A palate.
.
God’s Acre è una comunità in cui dei ragazzini sono stati allevati da una setta fanatica come guerriglieri in previsione del giorno del giudizio. Se ai maschi era riservato un trattamento duro, per le donne era perfino peggio: la protagonista Fiona, infatti, era stata data in sposa a soli 15 anni, quando i fratelli Trask (di Eric abbiamo letto in due precedenti libri) l’hanno aiutata a fuggire.
Anche se la comune non esiste più, i sopravvissuti ne sono usciti traumatizzati e ora i protagonisti stanno cercando di affrontare la vita.
Fiona e Anton, in spregio a tutte le difficoltà di adattarsi a una vita zeppa di peccati capitali, hanno avuto entrambi successo. Non si sono sentiti per più di un decennio, da un lato per non riaprire vecchie ferite, ma anche nella speranza che l’altro fosse andato avanti. Ma la verità è che ciò che li legava durante l’infanzia è rimasto sepolto e scalpitante sotto la superficie per tutto questo tempo.
Il modo in cui lei lo studiò fu la sua fine. Splendidi occhi colmi di rabbia, sfida, paura. Lui ne sentì tutto l’impatto grazie ai sensi forgiati in quel crogiolo chiamato GodsAcre. Entrambi erano cresciuti in un marasma di paure patologiche e quindi le riconosceva quando le vedeva, a prescindere da quanto bene venivano celate. E poi c’era la selvaggia, magnifica energia che la riempiva, capace di attirarlo come un magnete.
Fiona si rivolge ad Anton, famoso DJ, per chiedere protezione: crede che uno dei leader della setta sia sopravvissuto all’incendio che ha distrutto la comune e i suoi membri, e ora stia cercando di ucciderla per recuperare un microchip che ha ritrovato. Chi sono davvero questi assassini? Come può essere sopravvissuto qualcuno dall’incendio, se tutti i corpi erano stati identificati? Cosa contiene il chip di così importante? L’adrenalina prende da subito picchi molto alti, portandoci in una situazione ricca di suspense e molto coinvolgente.
Presto i ragazzi mettono insieme gli indizi e capiscono che la questione potrebbe essere legata alle vicende che hanno colpito Eric non molto tempo prima, quando era quasi stato ucciso a sua volta.
La trama poliziesca è molto solida, coinvolgente, intricata e l’autrice è molto abile nel non farci sentire spaesati: indizi e briciole di pane vengono ripresi e messi in ordine rendendo chiari gli antefatti e permettendoci di ricostruire i fatti e immaginare ipotesi e strategie.
I ragazzi non staranno ad attendere di essere di nuovo minacciati: le armi biologiche che sospettano siano in mano ai cattivi nel luogo che è stato l’inferno della loro infanzia sono troppo pericolose, per non intraprendere questa missione sfruttando l’addestramento ricevuto. Rude, anche brutale la resa dei conti con Kimball, il cattivo di questo episodio.
—Ah, adesso non guardarmi come un beota, chiaro? — sbottò lei. — Solo perché sono d’accordo con te? È già successo. Non sono una megera irragionevole. — Be’, non la metterei così — replicò lui con diplomazia. — Ma senza dubbio non sei abituata ai compromessi. Ti capisco, sai? Anch’io non sono un campione al riguardo. — Non m’importa un fico secco dei compromessi. È solo che adesso sono troppo stanca e confusa per trovare una buona ragione per oppormi. Quindi, non farci l’abitudine.
Contemporaneamente alle vicende che li mette in pericolo costante, il fuoco divampa tra Fiona e Anton. Un’attrazione fortissima, magnetica, che esprime l’unicità e la profondità del passato intenso che hanno condiviso, il dolore, la sofferenza, ma anche la speranza donata da chi ha sacrificato se stesso per salvare un’altra vita.
Stare con Fiona non è paragonabile a niente che Anton abbia vissuto prima con una donna, come se fossero sempre stati destinati a stare insieme. Parallelamente, lei in passato ha sempre usato Anton come termine di paragone per misurare qualsiasi uomo, e nessuno è mai risultato all’altezza.
L’orgasmo fu molto più potente di quanto potesse immaginare. Capace di cambiarlo dentro, di frantumare tutte le sue barriere nascoste come se non esistessero neppure. Tutto ciò che aveva sepolto, tutto ciò che provava a reprimere e a dimenticare gli precipitò addosso, riducendo a una pila di fumanti macerie le difese che aveva innalzato a difesa del suo cuore. Si era spinto al di là di ogni logica per evitare di sentirsi così. Inerme, vulnerabile, completamente esposto.
Ma Anton, e soprattutto Fiona, sono stati “danneggiati” dal loro passato. Ciò che ostacola il loro amore sono gli effetti del trauma subito, che ha in qualche modo modificato i comportamenti e la possibilità di vivere in modo sereno l’affettività.
Entrambi addestrati come soldati, mostrano un atteggiamento “Alfa”, distaccato, e controllato, che tipicamente protegge le proprie vulnerabilità dietro a un muro spesso, rendendolo inaccessibile alle altre persone. Il comportamento iper-attento dato dai sensi sempre in allerta, tanto che qualsiasi cosa potrebbe farli scattare. Cresciuti con valori distorti e un’educazione fuorviante, hanno faticato ad adattarsi alla vita normale, che si tratti di moda o di usare oggetti quotidiani, ma soprattutto negli atteggiamenti sociali, nel dare confidenza, nel rilassarsi senza temere un pericolo costante.
Per diversi minuti non funzionò affatto. Giaceva nel suo abbraccio rigida come un manico di scopa, sentendosi intimidita, tesa e nervosa. Nella sua mente si accavallavano una miriade di pensieri confliggenti tra loro, il più evidente dei quali era quanto stupido e inutile fosse quel futile esercizio al quale Anton l’aveva costretta. […] Quell’uomo la conosceva così bene e la accettava. La desiderava. L’amava. Quell’ultimo, fugace pensiero fu un po’ troppo per lei. Riuscì a rompere l’incantesimo. Smise di guardarlo e si voltò, giacendo sulla schiena. — Wow — mormorò. — Intenso. — Già — replicò lui con un sorriso. — È sempre così? Coccolarsi, intendo? — Oh, non saprei. È la prima volta anche per me.
Ma oltre a questo, Fiona risente anche delle molestie subite dal suo promesso marito, Kimball. Contrariamente ai cliché, stavolta è la protagonista ad aver subito un disturbo da stress post traumatico (PTSD) e a mostrare atteggiamenti anomali in relazione agli approcci affettivi. In particolare, quel delicato momento che segue l’orgasmo, in cui una persona si rende conto di aver perso il controllo, attiva in lei una forma di protezione che la riporta al freddo distacco di un soldato. Un atteggiamento che spesso abbiamo visto nei personaggi maschili che fanno sesso occasionale, ma decisamente spiazzante se attuato da una donna. Per quanto Anton la comprenda e sia passato a sua volta attraverso gli stessi problemi, non trova facilmente il modo per approcciarla e aiutarla a disinnescare i trigger che attivano il trauma.
È con la dolcezza e la tenerezza che riuscirà a far sì che Fiona si fidi di lui, che si abbandoni alle sue carezze, che gli permetta di incrinare le sue barriere e di infilarsi fra le crepe, con piccole concessioni e cedimenti.
— Okay, penso io a preparare qualcosa. Le camere da letto e i bagni sono di sopra — le spiegò, avvicinandosi e tendendo le braccia come per sollevarla da terra. — Fermo lì — lo ammonì Fiona, alzando una mano per bloccarlo. — Toglitelo dalla testa, okay? — Aveva la voce roca per la stanchezza, ma che diamine! — Già mi è bastato quando mi hai portata al SUV dopo la sparatoria. So camminare. Non mi servono galanti cavalieri e idiozie del genere. Anton lasciò cadere le braccia. — Solo per stavolta? — No. Fammi strada e guarda avanti. Trascinerò le mie stanche ossa fino al letto.
Ho trovato perfetta la caratterizzazione di Fiona, che per fortuna non viene stravolta via via che migliora il suo disturbo da stress. Il suo essere una guerrigliera con atteggiamenti dominanti, schietti, duri, poco inclini alla debolezza sono perfettamente dipinti in un personaggio problematico e sofferente. Il modo in cui si incastra con un altro maschio alfa che decide di accettarla per quello che è, con le sue stranezze e particolarità, inclusa la ruvidità e la spigolosità, è semplicemente delizioso.
Si chiese se ammorbidirsi era una facoltà che una persona apprendeva nel tempo. Forse sì, forse no, ma che cosa importava? A lui piaceva esattamente così, tutta spine e spigolosa. Dopotutto, lo era anche lui. Entrambi duri come il ferro, la loro corazza fatta di metalli di scarto e ferite cicatrizzate. Sì, dannazione, era tosto. Poteva farcela. Era ciò per cui viveva.
Un ulteriore elemento che ho molto apprezzato è la natura del trauma di Fiona. Poteva essere usato il solito cliché dell’abuso sessuale, magari prolungato, e invece l’autrice si è “limitata” al dover subire atteggiamenti morbosi, abuso di potere, molestie fisiche e verbali. Quel genere di abusi difficili da provare e che generalmente si pensa non siano abbastanza gravi da lasciare un trauma decennale, pur considerando la giovanissima età della protagonista all’epoca. Invece trovo doveroso dare voce e valore anche a questo tipo di molestie, perché non serve sempre la penetrazione fisica per abusare e far sentire una donna umiliata, in pericolo, braccata.
Ho apprezzato profondamente che sia risultato chiaro che anche se Fiona non ha subito tortura o violenza fisica, ciò che le hanno fatto ha lasciato delle ferite così dolorose e umilianti da rovinarle la vita, danneggiando la capacità di creare legami e fare sesso in modo sereno.
— Io ti amo, Anton. E l’amore ti rende folle. L’amore ti spinge a cambiare. — Ma io non voglio vederti cambiare — sussurrò lui così piano che Fiona dovette chinarsi per sentirlo. — Ti chiedo solo di farmi un po’ di posto nella tua vita. Per il resto ti adoro così: sveglia, tosta, capace di tutto. Irruente, problematica, pronta a prendere a calci chiunque. Questa cosa mi eccita da impazzire. Ci metto subito la firma. — Ottimo, perché sarà quello che avrai — gli garantì. — A palate.
May 23, 2020
Hellbent is the third novel in Shannon McKenna's Hellbound Brotherhood series, a series I've been avidly following since it's inception, and to begin with, a warning for you--this is not a series you can jump right into midway through. This is a series you need to read in the order in which it was written or you'll find yourself totally at sea. Of the three novels in the series so far, this is the one that I liked the least, primarily because I found it a bit too short, a bit too rushed, and I had a really hard time liking Fiona, the heroine, which is why I'm giving this novel 4.5 stars rather than 5.
If you've been following the series, you'll remember Fiona as the girl that Anton insisted leave the Godsacre cult and compound before, at age 15-16, she was forced into marriage to a dirty-minded, filthy-mouthed, grabby-handed and vicious pedophile named Redd Kimball. Anton and his brothers, Eric and Mace, all managed to escape the compound just in time to not have been burned alive in the Great Hall with the rest of the cult members in a suspicious fire, with the doors padlocked from the inside, something they have always attributed to their crazy father, the cult leader, Jeremiah.
Hellbent is Anton's story. He's made quite a name and fortune for himself in the intervening years, and now owns a string of posh nightclubs called Hellbound, and is shocked when a fully grown Fiona, dressed to attract attention, enters one of his Seattle club and asks to see him. To put it mildly, she's been his krytonite all these years, and she has built a computer business she conducts with 8 employees located all over the place, while she rarely sets foot outside except to attend martial arts class 3 times a week, to learn how to defend herself. She's sought out Anton for his help, and she has quite a story to tell him--one he doesn't fully believe at the outset, and it's easy to understand why.
Redd Kimball was a brutal man, and it was his job to mete out punishment to those whom Jeremiah felt had violated his many rules, flogging and whipping were Kimball's specialty and he took pleasure in his torturing of others. Years after her escape from his clutches, a routine x-ray exposed a foreign body beneath the deepest of Fiona's scars--when it was removed, she was surprised that it was a microchip, and she had no idea who put it there, when, or why. A computer whiz herself, she couldn't wait to see what was on it, but she knew it was somehow connected to Godsacre and the mysterious deaths that followed its destruction, and wasn't at all surprised to find it password protected. She had six chances to guess the password but stopped after the first 5 attempts failed. The reason she now needs Anton's help, is that her cousin, Patti, was brutally murdered inside Fiona's beach house one afternoon while Fiona was away for the day. Patti's back bore deep and bloody knife wounds, wounds which were markedly similar to the scars on Fiona's back. In looks, the two cousins bore quite a physical similarity and putting two and two together, Fiona knew that Kimball, who was supposedly killed in the fire, wasn't dead at all, and that he was looking for that microchip, and didn't care who he killed to get his hands on it. But Kimball was declared dead using dental records to identify his burned body, but is he really? Was it a mistake? And what is on that mysterious microchip that is worth killing for?
It's quite a tale that Fiona tells, and, of course, Anton doesn't believe her at first, but he's always been attracted to her, and after all the weird goings on back home, most recently the death of the realtor who went up to Godsacre to list it for sale (Anton, Mace and Eric inherited the property after Jeremiah's death), and also the death of Otis, the man who took in and raised Anton and his brothers after the destruction of the cult compound, who tried to get a message to them, but died before any of the brothers could get back to him. They are all heading back home to attend another funeral (the who and why of that was explained in the previous novel), and things are about to heat up, plot-wise, sex-wise, mystery/suspense wise, and violence-wise, so just hang onto your seats because that's all the plot I'm giving away in this review, but I will tell you that you're in for another high-intensity, dangerous, steamy, page-turner of a novel, and no one can pull that off quite the way Shannon McKenna can and does. Although I did have the aforementioned slight issues with this novel, it was still one heck of a gripping and exciting read and I recommend it.
I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this novel. The opinions expressed are my own.
If you've been following the series, you'll remember Fiona as the girl that Anton insisted leave the Godsacre cult and compound before, at age 15-16, she was forced into marriage to a dirty-minded, filthy-mouthed, grabby-handed and vicious pedophile named Redd Kimball. Anton and his brothers, Eric and Mace, all managed to escape the compound just in time to not have been burned alive in the Great Hall with the rest of the cult members in a suspicious fire, with the doors padlocked from the inside, something they have always attributed to their crazy father, the cult leader, Jeremiah.
Hellbent is Anton's story. He's made quite a name and fortune for himself in the intervening years, and now owns a string of posh nightclubs called Hellbound, and is shocked when a fully grown Fiona, dressed to attract attention, enters one of his Seattle club and asks to see him. To put it mildly, she's been his krytonite all these years, and she has built a computer business she conducts with 8 employees located all over the place, while she rarely sets foot outside except to attend martial arts class 3 times a week, to learn how to defend herself. She's sought out Anton for his help, and she has quite a story to tell him--one he doesn't fully believe at the outset, and it's easy to understand why.
Redd Kimball was a brutal man, and it was his job to mete out punishment to those whom Jeremiah felt had violated his many rules, flogging and whipping were Kimball's specialty and he took pleasure in his torturing of others. Years after her escape from his clutches, a routine x-ray exposed a foreign body beneath the deepest of Fiona's scars--when it was removed, she was surprised that it was a microchip, and she had no idea who put it there, when, or why. A computer whiz herself, she couldn't wait to see what was on it, but she knew it was somehow connected to Godsacre and the mysterious deaths that followed its destruction, and wasn't at all surprised to find it password protected. She had six chances to guess the password but stopped after the first 5 attempts failed. The reason she now needs Anton's help, is that her cousin, Patti, was brutally murdered inside Fiona's beach house one afternoon while Fiona was away for the day. Patti's back bore deep and bloody knife wounds, wounds which were markedly similar to the scars on Fiona's back. In looks, the two cousins bore quite a physical similarity and putting two and two together, Fiona knew that Kimball, who was supposedly killed in the fire, wasn't dead at all, and that he was looking for that microchip, and didn't care who he killed to get his hands on it. But Kimball was declared dead using dental records to identify his burned body, but is he really? Was it a mistake? And what is on that mysterious microchip that is worth killing for?
It's quite a tale that Fiona tells, and, of course, Anton doesn't believe her at first, but he's always been attracted to her, and after all the weird goings on back home, most recently the death of the realtor who went up to Godsacre to list it for sale (Anton, Mace and Eric inherited the property after Jeremiah's death), and also the death of Otis, the man who took in and raised Anton and his brothers after the destruction of the cult compound, who tried to get a message to them, but died before any of the brothers could get back to him. They are all heading back home to attend another funeral (the who and why of that was explained in the previous novel), and things are about to heat up, plot-wise, sex-wise, mystery/suspense wise, and violence-wise, so just hang onto your seats because that's all the plot I'm giving away in this review, but I will tell you that you're in for another high-intensity, dangerous, steamy, page-turner of a novel, and no one can pull that off quite the way Shannon McKenna can and does. Although I did have the aforementioned slight issues with this novel, it was still one heck of a gripping and exciting read and I recommend it.
I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this novel. The opinions expressed are my own.
May 30, 2020
Scorching! And oh so sweet. When a lifelong love shows up at Anton's night club for help he can't get past looking at Fi for a long time. Then the words coming out of her mouth and the implications hit him and he goes from scorchingly hot to scorchingly mad. When she finds herself in trouble on his watch he will raze anything that threatens her! And she will do the same for him!
Loved this book! Can wait for the next one.
Read this long time coming romance and reckoning in the newest book on the Hellbound Series by Shannon McKenna. Make sure to check out books one and two to not miss a thing.
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Loved this book! Can wait for the next one.
Read this long time coming romance and reckoning in the newest book on the Hellbound Series by Shannon McKenna. Make sure to check out books one and two to not miss a thing.
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 22, 2022
This is sort of a second chance romance. They knew each other as kids in the same cult. When she was 15 they tried to marry her off and he rescued her, hiked 9 miles in the woods to take her to the bus stop and stole money to buy her a bus ticket. She escaped. They never dated.
More secrets are revealed about the cult they were in. And what people are trying to find and kill for.
More secrets are revealed about the cult they were in. And what people are trying to find and kill for.
June 6, 2020
Shannon has once again delivered! A shot of 'Feel-good', just when it is needed!
Mystery, action, humor, and romance with a whole lot of heat; all in one package! I was sleep-deprived yet could not put it down even to sleep.
Two complex characters, yet so real. Anton is a highly-trained warrior and my new favorite Trask brother while Fiona is the kind of kickass, hot chick a girl wishes she could grow up to be!
Fiona is being pursued by a ghost from her past who really wants something from her, and Anton was the only person who could understand what was happening to her. She sought out Anton, a big, beautiful, bad boy, music producer who makes her mouth water. Of course, they ended up in Shaw’s Crossing where the Trask brothers must once again defend their own, with a back-up crew that includes a woman who is willing and more than able to wage war on the enemy.
Mystery, action, humor, and romance with a whole lot of heat; all in one package! I was sleep-deprived yet could not put it down even to sleep.
Two complex characters, yet so real. Anton is a highly-trained warrior and my new favorite Trask brother while Fiona is the kind of kickass, hot chick a girl wishes she could grow up to be!
Fiona is being pursued by a ghost from her past who really wants something from her, and Anton was the only person who could understand what was happening to her. She sought out Anton, a big, beautiful, bad boy, music producer who makes her mouth water. Of course, they ended up in Shaw’s Crossing where the Trask brothers must once again defend their own, with a back-up crew that includes a woman who is willing and more than able to wage war on the enemy.
June 5, 2020
I received this Arc through bookfunnel because I'm a long-time huge fan of Shannon's and I just love the world she creates.
If you like explosive, highly descriptive action suspense romance, there is no author better at this. Shannon McKenna creates sensual, scary, ultra absorbing stories that suck you in at the first word. I have not ever started a book from her that I wasn't rushing to finish because I JUST. COULDN'T. STAND. TO. WAIT.
I love the people in them (even though I don't know if I'd like that itensity in my real life lol), I have fallen in love with the Pacific Northwest because of her and Lisa Marie Rice, and I get all mad and then frustrated and then mushy just like the females in the books because her male characters are just...sigh. There's nothing like one of her books to truly plunge you into an adventure-- and this one is awesome. Please keep writing Shannon!
If you like explosive, highly descriptive action suspense romance, there is no author better at this. Shannon McKenna creates sensual, scary, ultra absorbing stories that suck you in at the first word. I have not ever started a book from her that I wasn't rushing to finish because I JUST. COULDN'T. STAND. TO. WAIT.
I love the people in them (even though I don't know if I'd like that itensity in my real life lol), I have fallen in love with the Pacific Northwest because of her and Lisa Marie Rice, and I get all mad and then frustrated and then mushy just like the females in the books because her male characters are just...sigh. There's nothing like one of her books to truly plunge you into an adventure-- and this one is awesome. Please keep writing Shannon!
June 10, 2020
This is the third book in Shannon McKenna’s exciting new series, the Hellbound Brotherhood.
Anton Trask is the eldest of the three Trask brothers who, as young boys, were raised on a commune. When the crazed leader burned the commune to the ground killing all the members, the boys escaped and were adopted and raised by the county sheriff, Otis Trask. While still living on the compound, Anton always had a thing for Fiona Garrett but he knew she was being abused physically and sexually by the creepy Redd Kimball. Taking a risk, Anton helped her escape to go live with her aunt and cousin. Not knowing if he would ever see her again he kissed her goodbye at the bus station, a kiss neither of them ever forgot.
Years passed and Anton, known as a bad boy ladies’ man, made his fortune in the entertainment field and a DJ who owns several high-end nightclubs. Fiona is the last person he ever expected to see again until the night she walked into his club dressed to kill. He soon finds out she needs his help with a mystery from their days in the cult that left her cousin dead in a case of mistaken identity. Fiona is sure of who is after her but Anton doubts her story. All the members died in the fire. Or did they?
Together they head back to Shaw’s Crossing and the GodsAcre commune. Enlisting help from Anton’s brothers Eric and Mace, they set out to find who’s behind the mysterious deaths and the secret Fiona carried with her for all these years.
This installment of the Hellbound Brotherhood series is my favorite so far. Anton carries that bad boy persona but deep down he’s a good guy who tries to do the right thing. Fiona is one tough and determined lady. She may not be a character that everyone will like but I admired her tenacity and intelligence.
Each book can be read as a stand alone with no cliffhangers. However, I would highly recommend reading them in order so as to learn about the characters and their pasts.
4.5 stars
Caution: descriptive sex scenes
I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review
Anton Trask is the eldest of the three Trask brothers who, as young boys, were raised on a commune. When the crazed leader burned the commune to the ground killing all the members, the boys escaped and were adopted and raised by the county sheriff, Otis Trask. While still living on the compound, Anton always had a thing for Fiona Garrett but he knew she was being abused physically and sexually by the creepy Redd Kimball. Taking a risk, Anton helped her escape to go live with her aunt and cousin. Not knowing if he would ever see her again he kissed her goodbye at the bus station, a kiss neither of them ever forgot.
Years passed and Anton, known as a bad boy ladies’ man, made his fortune in the entertainment field and a DJ who owns several high-end nightclubs. Fiona is the last person he ever expected to see again until the night she walked into his club dressed to kill. He soon finds out she needs his help with a mystery from their days in the cult that left her cousin dead in a case of mistaken identity. Fiona is sure of who is after her but Anton doubts her story. All the members died in the fire. Or did they?
Together they head back to Shaw’s Crossing and the GodsAcre commune. Enlisting help from Anton’s brothers Eric and Mace, they set out to find who’s behind the mysterious deaths and the secret Fiona carried with her for all these years.
This installment of the Hellbound Brotherhood series is my favorite so far. Anton carries that bad boy persona but deep down he’s a good guy who tries to do the right thing. Fiona is one tough and determined lady. She may not be a character that everyone will like but I admired her tenacity and intelligence.
Each book can be read as a stand alone with no cliffhangers. However, I would highly recommend reading them in order so as to learn about the characters and their pasts.
4.5 stars
Caution: descriptive sex scenes
I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review
June 12, 2020
Shannon McKenna’s new Hellbound Series continues with Hellbent: Anton and Fiona.
Years earlier, a teenaged Anton risked everything to help Fiona escape GodsAcre; a Doomsday cult that they were trapped in. Fiona tried to build a new life but she could never truly outrun the physical and emotional scars that place left. When her past rears its ugly head, she seeks out Anton for help.
This was a fun read. It’s the same formula as all her other books, but that’s what I love about Shannon McKenna: I know what I’m in for. It's pure escapism and I LOVE it.
Anton is a great hero. He’s a complete contradiction – he’s tried so hard to be a giant f**k you to the leader of GodsAcre, with his tattoos; infamy; and wealth, but he’s still the strong, disciplined survivalist that the leader of the cult favoured.
I loved Fi, she is a little different to most of Ms McKenna’s heroines in that she can kick some serious a**. She’s a survivalist as well, and has kept up with martial arts training so she’s a tough cookie to take down. She thinks on her feet and refuses to give up. She’s pragmatic and willing to do anything to survive. She doesn’t need Anton to defend her – she needs back up, and someone to talk and plan with. Where most of Ms McKenna’s other heroines are on the run to hide from whatever danger they’re in – if they even realise they ARE in danger – Fi is only running to find Anton so he can help her, and give herself time to figure everything out.
Anton and Fi have great chemistry. They were in love as teenagers, but weren’t allowed to act on their feelings. When they meet up again over a decade later, those feelings come screaming back.
The next book is about Elisa and Nate – Anton’s Chief of Security. I cannot wait. These two were introduced in Headlong, and had a couple of scenes in Hellbent. In my opinion they stole the show. I am seriously invested in those two and need more.
Years earlier, a teenaged Anton risked everything to help Fiona escape GodsAcre; a Doomsday cult that they were trapped in. Fiona tried to build a new life but she could never truly outrun the physical and emotional scars that place left. When her past rears its ugly head, she seeks out Anton for help.
This was a fun read. It’s the same formula as all her other books, but that’s what I love about Shannon McKenna: I know what I’m in for. It's pure escapism and I LOVE it.
Anton is a great hero. He’s a complete contradiction – he’s tried so hard to be a giant f**k you to the leader of GodsAcre, with his tattoos; infamy; and wealth, but he’s still the strong, disciplined survivalist that the leader of the cult favoured.
I loved Fi, she is a little different to most of Ms McKenna’s heroines in that she can kick some serious a**. She’s a survivalist as well, and has kept up with martial arts training so she’s a tough cookie to take down. She thinks on her feet and refuses to give up. She’s pragmatic and willing to do anything to survive. She doesn’t need Anton to defend her – she needs back up, and someone to talk and plan with. Where most of Ms McKenna’s other heroines are on the run to hide from whatever danger they’re in – if they even realise they ARE in danger – Fi is only running to find Anton so he can help her, and give herself time to figure everything out.
Anton and Fi have great chemistry. They were in love as teenagers, but weren’t allowed to act on their feelings. When they meet up again over a decade later, those feelings come screaming back.
The next book is about Elisa and Nate – Anton’s Chief of Security. I cannot wait. These two were introduced in Headlong, and had a couple of scenes in Hellbent. In my opinion they stole the show. I am seriously invested in those two and need more.
May 29, 2020
4.5 Thrilling Stars!
This third book picks up right after the end of Headlong, bk #2 of McKenna's The Hellbound Brotherhood series. Anton Trask is working at his club when he gets a surprise visit from Fiona Garrett. She had grown up in the cult alongside Anton and his brothers. Anton and Fiona were attracted to each other but the madman leader wanted Fiona for his own sick, evil purposes. Anton and his brothers rescued her just before the cult's destruction, putting her on a bus to safety. He never believed he would see her again. Now years later here she is, all grown up, sexier, and running for her life. She needs Anton's help because he is the only one who would believe who was after her. Anton takes her back to Shaw’s Crossing so his brothers can help them find the truth and who is behind all the mysterious death's surrounding Godsacre. The feelings that Anton and Fiona had for each other is back stronger and more explosive. Anton will do whatever it takes to keep her safe. But Fiona is stubborn and so bad@$$, having received the same survivalist training as the Trask brothers. She is determined to get her own revenge for what they all have suffered. I really loved both Fiona and Anton. They would butt heads over how to do things, but they both knew when to compromise, and that's when the sparks would really fly! Mckenna never disappoints with her strong heroines, dominant alpha men who love their women fiercely, the hottest love/sex scenes, the most terrifying villains, and the best heart pounding action scenes, and this book has it all! This story is fast paced, and thrilling with plot twists that will have you on the edge of your seat. Hellbent is a scorching, suspenseful continuation to this series and I can't wait to find out what happens next in bk #4, Heedless!
This third book picks up right after the end of Headlong, bk #2 of McKenna's The Hellbound Brotherhood series. Anton Trask is working at his club when he gets a surprise visit from Fiona Garrett. She had grown up in the cult alongside Anton and his brothers. Anton and Fiona were attracted to each other but the madman leader wanted Fiona for his own sick, evil purposes. Anton and his brothers rescued her just before the cult's destruction, putting her on a bus to safety. He never believed he would see her again. Now years later here she is, all grown up, sexier, and running for her life. She needs Anton's help because he is the only one who would believe who was after her. Anton takes her back to Shaw’s Crossing so his brothers can help them find the truth and who is behind all the mysterious death's surrounding Godsacre. The feelings that Anton and Fiona had for each other is back stronger and more explosive. Anton will do whatever it takes to keep her safe. But Fiona is stubborn and so bad@$$, having received the same survivalist training as the Trask brothers. She is determined to get her own revenge for what they all have suffered. I really loved both Fiona and Anton. They would butt heads over how to do things, but they both knew when to compromise, and that's when the sparks would really fly! Mckenna never disappoints with her strong heroines, dominant alpha men who love their women fiercely, the hottest love/sex scenes, the most terrifying villains, and the best heart pounding action scenes, and this book has it all! This story is fast paced, and thrilling with plot twists that will have you on the edge of your seat. Hellbent is a scorching, suspenseful continuation to this series and I can't wait to find out what happens next in bk #4, Heedless!
July 20, 2021
DJ Anton Trask and his brothers escaped the doomsday cult, GodsAcre thirteen years ago. He's become a successful artist, producer and club owner. They may have trained him to be a warrior but he's embraced a different way of life. but the things that happened there continue to affect him now.
Fiona Garrett escaped GodsAcre with Anton's help before being forced to marry at fifteen to cult member who beat her. She may have escaped but the trauma left her a fierce fighter, who continually trains and prepares for things to go wrong. When her cousin is killed, she realizes long nemesis is still alive and is hunting her.
Believing Anton is the only one who could understand what was happening to her, Fiona seeks him out at one of his clubs, but the reunion doesn't go quite as planned. She has something the killers want and she knows she's dead if they get it. Trask has always been haunted by this red-haired beauty. Now that she's back in his life he intends to protect and keep his fierce, troubled warrior.
This couple has a rough ride as Fiona suffers flashbacks and voices from her past make connecting deeply to Anton problematic. Anton understands Fiona and I love how he persisted and didn't run at the first sign of trouble.
I'm glad we're finally finding out more behind the GodsAcre curse, although I don't understand why it took them thirteen years to hunt Fiona down.
This book will give you action and steam as they manage the rollercoaster of emotions to get to their happily ever after.
If you like my reviews, I hope you will follow my blog. https://wyldheartreads.wordpress.com/
If you prefer to listen to my reviews, you can find my reviews on Spotify here: https://anchor.fm/wyldheart-reads
Fiona Garrett escaped GodsAcre with Anton's help before being forced to marry at fifteen to cult member who beat her. She may have escaped but the trauma left her a fierce fighter, who continually trains and prepares for things to go wrong. When her cousin is killed, she realizes long nemesis is still alive and is hunting her.
Believing Anton is the only one who could understand what was happening to her, Fiona seeks him out at one of his clubs, but the reunion doesn't go quite as planned. She has something the killers want and she knows she's dead if they get it. Trask has always been haunted by this red-haired beauty. Now that she's back in his life he intends to protect and keep his fierce, troubled warrior.
This couple has a rough ride as Fiona suffers flashbacks and voices from her past make connecting deeply to Anton problematic. Anton understands Fiona and I love how he persisted and didn't run at the first sign of trouble.
I'm glad we're finally finding out more behind the GodsAcre curse, although I don't understand why it took them thirteen years to hunt Fiona down.
This book will give you action and steam as they manage the rollercoaster of emotions to get to their happily ever after.
If you like my reviews, I hope you will follow my blog. https://wyldheartreads.wordpress.com/
If you prefer to listen to my reviews, you can find my reviews on Spotify here: https://anchor.fm/wyldheart-reads
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 29, 2020
Hellbent is the 3rd book in the Hellbound series. It's about the oldest brother Anton and his secret crush Fiona from his teenage years in the Godsacre cult. When Fiona now comes into Antons club it's clear that they meant to be together. Nobody can understand the other person better than the two of them. They both went through the same nightmare and understand what that did to them. Shannon does a wonderful job in picking up the story lines from book one and two, especially for the older readers like me with short term memory. Her short summaries give just the right amount of memory jolt to bring everything from the first two books back alive. The suspenseful plot about the biochemical weapon with the extraordinary mean and disgusting Kimball speeds up. The reader gets his first "meeting" with Kimball and sure learns to hate that guy. The love story of Anton and Fiona is the typical "I'd die for you", fulfilling sexual relationship one expects. I give the book four stars, because it's too short, therefore the end a bit to rushed. Fiona is too long shutting Anton out of her emotions for my taste. But the book is the perfect step to bringing the total story along and I love, love, love that the next book is about Nate and Elisa! I am convinced that they will be my favorite couple. All the dialogues are and situations so far are simply perfect. They are teasing each other with so much humor and Elisa seems to be a strong woman who even though a killer is after her still manages to have fun, tease Nate, has a positive vibe. So keep up the great work Shannon McKenna- cause I just can't wait for the next book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 7, 2020
Hellbent is the third book in Shannon McKenna’s new Hellbound Brotherhood series and after finishing this one I can say that this series now competes with the McClouds and friends series in my heart! (Also, just to note for the die-hards, Shannon brings something from Tam into the story so be prepared, yey!).
Hellbent is Anton’s story, our eldest of the Trusk brothers who has built his empire out of other people’s vices and he does not get involved in other people’s business … there is though someone that he has never forgotten, Fiona Garrett, a fellow GodsAcre child that he helped to escape years and years ago … an act that he paid in blood for and has scars to show for … Fiona is on the run and there is only one person she can turn to, Anton, as he was the person who saved her from a life too gruesome to even imagine!
Just to say, you need to read this series in order so do yourself a favour and start from the beginning and it will not be a hardship as I promise you/Shannon gives you, hours and hours filled with mystery/suspense and she is turning up the dial with every single book … the deeper you get into the story/series, the deeper you get pulled, the faster you slip the pages, the more you sit at the edge of your seat AND in Hellbent, Shannon will introduce us to the source of all Evil, Redd Kimball, and that is a man you do not want to meet in real life!
Shannon gives us more than ‘just’ the three Trusk brothers and we already know that the next book will not yet be Mace’s, the youngest brother’s book, but of two other characters that were introduced in the first two books and I am telling you, October cannot come fast enough!
Hellbent is Anton’s story, our eldest of the Trusk brothers who has built his empire out of other people’s vices and he does not get involved in other people’s business … there is though someone that he has never forgotten, Fiona Garrett, a fellow GodsAcre child that he helped to escape years and years ago … an act that he paid in blood for and has scars to show for … Fiona is on the run and there is only one person she can turn to, Anton, as he was the person who saved her from a life too gruesome to even imagine!
Just to say, you need to read this series in order so do yourself a favour and start from the beginning and it will not be a hardship as I promise you/Shannon gives you, hours and hours filled with mystery/suspense and she is turning up the dial with every single book … the deeper you get into the story/series, the deeper you get pulled, the faster you slip the pages, the more you sit at the edge of your seat AND in Hellbent, Shannon will introduce us to the source of all Evil, Redd Kimball, and that is a man you do not want to meet in real life!
Shannon gives us more than ‘just’ the three Trusk brothers and we already know that the next book will not yet be Mace’s, the youngest brother’s book, but of two other characters that were introduced in the first two books and I am telling you, October cannot come fast enough!
June 8, 2020
SEXY, SUSPENSE-FILLED THRILLER
Hellbent, third in the Hellbound Brotherhood series by Shannon McKenna, reunites the four surviving members of the now defunct GodsAcre cult. As the idyllic town of Shaw’s Crossing copes with the tragedy of several deaths, Trask brothers Eric, Anton and Mace along with brave runaway Fiona, are forced to revisit their painful past in order to unearth clues needed to help them solve the mysterious deaths of loved ones and other townspeople. The unbelievable events which draw them back to Shaw’s crossing and GodsAcre are the backdrop of the long-anticipated reunion of Anton and Fiona. Years earlier, a young Fiona escaped the cult through the assistance of the Trask brothers and made a life for herself hoping to bury GodsAcre in the past. When tragedy strikes a loved one, she turns to the only person who could possibly believe her outrageous story, i.e. Anton Trask. Reunited as adults, their love/lust is evident from the moment they set eyes on each other. McKenna’s descriptions of the characters’ feelings are amazingly poetic. She captures the depth of their longing and the intensity of their need to be together. The intrigue, mystery and action of this group’s attempt to solve the mysteries of GodsAcre and put it once and for all, to rest, is the action-packed setting for this couple’s attraction, desire and need. This sexy, suspense-filled thriller keeps you on the edge of your seat right until the end. The semi cliff hanger ending leaves you craving more Hellbound drama.
Hellbent, third in the Hellbound Brotherhood series by Shannon McKenna, reunites the four surviving members of the now defunct GodsAcre cult. As the idyllic town of Shaw’s Crossing copes with the tragedy of several deaths, Trask brothers Eric, Anton and Mace along with brave runaway Fiona, are forced to revisit their painful past in order to unearth clues needed to help them solve the mysterious deaths of loved ones and other townspeople. The unbelievable events which draw them back to Shaw’s crossing and GodsAcre are the backdrop of the long-anticipated reunion of Anton and Fiona. Years earlier, a young Fiona escaped the cult through the assistance of the Trask brothers and made a life for herself hoping to bury GodsAcre in the past. When tragedy strikes a loved one, she turns to the only person who could possibly believe her outrageous story, i.e. Anton Trask. Reunited as adults, their love/lust is evident from the moment they set eyes on each other. McKenna’s descriptions of the characters’ feelings are amazingly poetic. She captures the depth of their longing and the intensity of their need to be together. The intrigue, mystery and action of this group’s attempt to solve the mysteries of GodsAcre and put it once and for all, to rest, is the action-packed setting for this couple’s attraction, desire and need. This sexy, suspense-filled thriller keeps you on the edge of your seat right until the end. The semi cliff hanger ending leaves you craving more Hellbound drama.
June 23, 2020
5 glowing stars!
I can't get enough!
Why can't we have access to all books at once?
I LOOOOOOOOOVE Hellbent! I love the characters, their chemistry! I love how stubborn they are! I am pretty sure I am going to read this book again soon... like NOW!
Loved it from the first page, how Fi and Anton reunite, till the very last word!
Sure, the story happened in only 4 days but that fast track page turner is what makes you keep going!
In Hellbent, we take a turn down marvelous kick-assing lane! If only we could stay there... #bringiton
McKenna has a way with words and that makes the scenes come to life... and again, I wonder... when will the books turn into movies?
I love that the McClouds were there security-wise and Deadly Beauty-wise! Even without the name, I knew Tam was behind the description! It was written all over it!! From the first sentence:
"And the sole of my boot has an insert that's wirelessly connected to this ring."
I read this and I was like the smiley with heart-eyes!! #Tamtotherescue
And that Fiona and Demi moment!! Priceless! #momtone #Demimoment
I hope the wait for Nate and Eliza won't be long!
What about Mace?? We need more! (Now imagine all the imaginary people in my head screaming "we need more!")
ARC received in exchange of an honest review and well, that's what it is! 😍
I can't get enough!
Why can't we have access to all books at once?
I LOOOOOOOOOVE Hellbent! I love the characters, their chemistry! I love how stubborn they are! I am pretty sure I am going to read this book again soon... like NOW!
Loved it from the first page, how Fi and Anton reunite, till the very last word!
Sure, the story happened in only 4 days but that fast track page turner is what makes you keep going!
In Hellbent, we take a turn down marvelous kick-assing lane! If only we could stay there... #bringiton
McKenna has a way with words and that makes the scenes come to life... and again, I wonder... when will the books turn into movies?
I love that the McClouds were there security-wise and Deadly Beauty-wise! Even without the name, I knew Tam was behind the description! It was written all over it!! From the first sentence:
"And the sole of my boot has an insert that's wirelessly connected to this ring."
I read this and I was like the smiley with heart-eyes!! #Tamtotherescue
And that Fiona and Demi moment!! Priceless! #momtone #Demimoment
I hope the wait for Nate and Eliza won't be long!
What about Mace?? We need more! (Now imagine all the imaginary people in my head screaming "we need more!")
ARC received in exchange of an honest review and well, that's what it is! 😍
May 28, 2020
Shannon Mckenna, known for her epic, heart-wrenching, exhilarating books delivers again with Hellbent. This is the third book featuring the survivors of the God’s Acre cult. Anton, now a successful and famous DJ, has become numb to most things in his adult life until someone from his past returns to his life.
Fiona, a righteous badass in her own right, still knows when she needs backup. After her cousin is murdered mistakenly in her place, Fiona knows it can only be related to God’s Acre. So she calls upon the one person from her past she knows will help—Anton, the man who freed her from the cult before.
Anton is blown away seeing Fiona all grown up and kicking ass. But he is ambivalent that anyone else could have survived the fire that destroyed the residents of God’s Acre. But he’s always been drawn to Fiona and will do anything to fight by her side.
These characters really resonate with the reader. They are damaged but not broken. Fiona is fierce but also vulnerable. Anton is solid and stoic, but with Fiona he demonstrates real passion and emotions.
A wild, exciting read—five stars!!
Fiona, a righteous badass in her own right, still knows when she needs backup. After her cousin is murdered mistakenly in her place, Fiona knows it can only be related to God’s Acre. So she calls upon the one person from her past she knows will help—Anton, the man who freed her from the cult before.
Anton is blown away seeing Fiona all grown up and kicking ass. But he is ambivalent that anyone else could have survived the fire that destroyed the residents of God’s Acre. But he’s always been drawn to Fiona and will do anything to fight by her side.
These characters really resonate with the reader. They are damaged but not broken. Fiona is fierce but also vulnerable. Anton is solid and stoic, but with Fiona he demonstrates real passion and emotions.
A wild, exciting read—five stars!!
May 29, 2020
Shannon McKenna has another great addition to the Hellbound Brotherhood with Hellbent. Before you decide to pick up this book be aware that there is an ongoing plotline and I recommend beginning with Hellion to get the most out of this series. Anton Trask is the oldest of the brothers and just like his siblings, his life was shaped by growing up in GodsAcre. There was a teen girl that also grew up there, Fiona Garrett and now 13 years after he last saw her Fi has come to ask Anton for help once again. Fi has been living a very secluded life and opposed to Anton living in the public eye but evil has tracked her down and she knows that no one will understand her fear like Anton. Hellbent defines the genre "romantic suspense" and in order to keep the element of surprise for other readers I am not giving anything away. As with all of the other books in the series it is told from dual POV and will burn up your pages with heat, action, intrigue and desire!
June 4, 2020
This is the third book in this wonderful series and word of warning you do have to read them ion order or you will have no idea what is going on
This is Anton's story he is one of the brothers that escaped from the Godsacre cult before the members all burned to death in the hall a hall that was locked from the inside before he escaped the cult with his brothers he helped a young girl escape a girl that was about to hit the age where she would have been handed over as wife to vicious pedophile named Redd Kimball that girl was that girl was Fiona Now years later Anton has made a fortune and owns a collection of night clubs he is stunned when Fiona waltzes into one of his clubs looking for him. She tells him she found a microchip embedded in one of her scars and she believes it relates to Godsacre Now they will reconnect with his brothers back in the town where all this evil began will they finally start to get some answers
This is Anton's story he is one of the brothers that escaped from the Godsacre cult before the members all burned to death in the hall a hall that was locked from the inside before he escaped the cult with his brothers he helped a young girl escape a girl that was about to hit the age where she would have been handed over as wife to vicious pedophile named Redd Kimball that girl was that girl was Fiona Now years later Anton has made a fortune and owns a collection of night clubs he is stunned when Fiona waltzes into one of his clubs looking for him. She tells him she found a microchip embedded in one of her scars and she believes it relates to Godsacre Now they will reconnect with his brothers back in the town where all this evil began will they finally start to get some answers
June 5, 2020
I have been a Shannon McKenna fan for years. Nobody writes a sex scene like she does. True story. It’s not just The sex scenes that have me coming back for more though. I love the relationships of the main characters, the way they always end up working together, not one person saving the other. This book is no exception.
Other people can recap storylines much better than I can so I am going to let them do that, but know that if you’re looking for a wonderful read featuring a strong dominant man & a woman who is a bit broken (due to growing up in a cult - hey, who wouldn’t be?) but owns who she is, then I’d recommend this book. Fiona can kick ass, take names, and also ask for help. Love this combination! This is the third book of the series, you can read this on its own, but I have read the other two in order prior to this.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my review.
Other people can recap storylines much better than I can so I am going to let them do that, but know that if you’re looking for a wonderful read featuring a strong dominant man & a woman who is a bit broken (due to growing up in a cult - hey, who wouldn’t be?) but owns who she is, then I’d recommend this book. Fiona can kick ass, take names, and also ask for help. Love this combination! This is the third book of the series, you can read this on its own, but I have read the other two in order prior to this.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my review.
June 15, 2020
I received an advance copy of this book for my honest review. Shannon has always been my favourite modern romance author since she wrote in a novella many years ago. She has such a knack for capturing strong personalities and sexual tension and genuine emotion plus suspense perfectly. This book is no different. I greatly enjoyed Fiona’s feisty personality as well as Anton’s steady and strong presence.
This series is my favourite after the McCloud brother series. There are so many strong leads and a great back story to build off of. I loved watching Fiona and and Anton fall in love amidst all the danger and we can’t forget the steamy love scenes which is always very hot ;)
You can never go wrong with a Shannon book and this one is no different. I can’t wait to devour the next one whenever it’s available. If you’re into amazing sexy, suspenseful fast paced romance stories, this is your book.
This series is my favourite after the McCloud brother series. There are so many strong leads and a great back story to build off of. I loved watching Fiona and and Anton fall in love amidst all the danger and we can’t forget the steamy love scenes which is always very hot ;)
You can never go wrong with a Shannon book and this one is no different. I can’t wait to devour the next one whenever it’s available. If you’re into amazing sexy, suspenseful fast paced romance stories, this is your book.
June 30, 2020
Just when Anton and his brothers think they have most of their past figured out something else pops out to surprise them. This time its Fiona. She shows up at Anton's club because someone is trying to kill her and she certain its someone from their past that's supposed to be dead. Anton is stunned to see Fiona but doesn't believe its Kimball that's after her. However once she goes to leave she is taken right before their eyes so he knows that something is going on. Will they figure out what is going on before its too late? Will their past keep chasing them through their lives?
This is an amazing story that I couldn't put down once I started it. This will have you on the edge of your seat wondering what will happen next. This is a well written and very entertaining story. I would recommend this book to any book lover.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is an amazing story that I couldn't put down once I started it. This will have you on the edge of your seat wondering what will happen next. This is a well written and very entertaining story. I would recommend this book to any book lover.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 21, 2024
This romantic suspense novel is extra AF in every bad way it could be...the hero has an eight pack, is a billionaire, A world renowned playboy and DJ, is incredibly promiscuous which of course makes him great at sex. He's bored with sex but does it constantly anyway and makes sure to give every woman he can't be bothered to remember multiple orgasms leaving her limp and satisfied. Why is this a thing.
There is a cult, A virus, "death clusters" whatever those are, just a mess of every cliche that could be thrown in there.
The heroine is very off putting and unlikeable. Good for her that she's not a shrinking flower or emotionally managing the man, but she was never able to get outside her own misery to think of anyone else's perspective. In fact, it was a point of pride that she was terrible to be around and she declared over and over how she's not changing.
Like, I want her to go far, far away.
The technical writing was fine.
There is a cult, A virus, "death clusters" whatever those are, just a mess of every cliche that could be thrown in there.
The heroine is very off putting and unlikeable. Good for her that she's not a shrinking flower or emotionally managing the man, but she was never able to get outside her own misery to think of anyone else's perspective. In fact, it was a point of pride that she was terrible to be around and she declared over and over how she's not changing.
Like, I want her to go far, far away.
The technical writing was fine.
December 29, 2020
I loved this 3rd book in the series, getting to know the oldest Trask brother, Anton, and his deep caring and respect for Fiona (a GodsAcre friend he saved 7 years ago before the cult was blown up) who has now come knocking at this door for help. Fi believes Kimball, dead in the destruction is still alive, haunting her and trying to claim something from her; first killing her cousin and now gunning for her. Anton tells Fi he believes her story and will bring her to GodsAcre with his brothers and backup to find out what is going on now and what happened in the past. This story kept me turning the pages. Fi is jittery with fear but no one dictates to her; she has been on the run and on her one for 7 years. It takes all of Anton's inner strength to bring Fi along to try to believe he can end the Kimball assault. Diving right into the 4th book to see what else it going on with the GodsAcre story!
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June 3, 2020Another great book added to this series. Might want to read the first two books as you get a feel of how these stories go. Anton and Fiona shared a brutal and tragic past. They lost tract of each other in there teens but Fiona needs Anton's help. There is action, drama, violence, family, steam and love. Fiona tells him that someone is after her but he doesn't believe her because the person dies in a fire at GodsAcres. She leaves but get taken and after Anton rescues her the head to Shaw's Crossing to meet with his brother. Will they be able to find out who's after Fiona before she gets killed? Highly recommend. I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 3, 2020
This is the 3rd book in the Hellhound Brotherhood Series and it can be read as a standalone, although the first two books in the series which are a duet are amazing so I highly suggest reading them. This book focuses on Anton and Fiona who grew up together in a Doomsday cult called GodsAcre and Anton helped her get out of the cult when he left also. Now they are all grown up but are they really safe? Their story is filled with action, suspense, steamy romance, and the author does such an amazing job of sucking the reader into the story that once you start you can't stop and are left wanting more! Great book!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 30, 2020
I loved Anton and Fiona! Their story was so sweet. Growing up in a doomsday cult, three brothers learned things that no child should be exposed to. Learning that one of the other kids was in danger, they come up with a plan to help her escape. Anton has never forgot about Fiona and the feelings that he has for her. When she suddenly reappears in his life again, fate gives him a second chance. But he has to convince her that they are meant to be together. Fiona has lived a secluded life after leaving GodsAcre. But danger enters her life and she has no choice but to find Anton and ask for help. As they escape danger at every turn, they realize that just maybe they can have something that they never thought they could reach; a happy future. I really love these stories. Looking forward to reading the rest!
June 3, 2020
As with almost all of Shannon McKenna's books that I've previously read, I was very impressed by this one. Her characters are very eye-popping in how they are described, especially in their intensity and I love how she wrote the plot. When Fiona shows up asking Anton for help again, to protect her from a killer, she isn't quite prepared for how much chemistry pops between them. The alpha personality that you see in Anton will make you breathless and every page of this story is jammed full of steamy scenes, passion, suspense and fun. I can't wait to read the other books in the series!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 3, 2020
This series by Shannon McKenna is really intense and given the scary nature of events going on in the world it is relevant in ways that may not seem to rise off the page in calmer times. That said the brothers at the center of this series seem to be the kind of folks you want in your corner. They have lived through their own hell but are compelled to wade in in service of someone that they want to help or protect. This was another strong installment in an exciting series that has my attention. I am looking forward to reading the next book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 29, 2020
As mentioned in the title, this is the 3rd book in the series and I would encourage you to read the first 2 installments. They are very good and will help set the stage for this story. We met Anton in book 1 and 2 and heard about Fiona. Book 3 is their story. Anton and Fiona share a tragic and brutal past. They have not seen each other since their teen years and come together to fight a common enemy. I like the 2 POVs, the shared past connects them and it is easy to understand why and how their relationship develops so quickly. There is action, violence, romance, steamy scenes, family ties and love. All that you can ask.....My only critique would be that it ended too soon, I wanted more of Anton and Fiona.
May 29, 2020
Anton Trask and Fiona Garrett were raised in a doomsday cult. They got out but it left scars on there bodies and minds. They both made a great life for themselves but now someone is after Fiona.He saved her once now he'll do it again at any cost.
This book is everything you expect from a Shannon McKenna book. Lots of action, a crazy bad guy,a protective alpha male,a strong female lead and scorching sex.
This is the 3rd book in this series and I have not read the first 2 books but I wasn't to lost but I will defiantly go back and read them now. To get the full affect read them in order.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This book is everything you expect from a Shannon McKenna book. Lots of action, a crazy bad guy,a protective alpha male,a strong female lead and scorching sex.
This is the 3rd book in this series and I have not read the first 2 books but I wasn't to lost but I will defiantly go back and read them now. To get the full affect read them in order.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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