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With Me #4
Challenge Me
Briar Mason joined the Army to find himself after he believed the lies that had gone around about his best friend, Carter, and his sister. He should have known that Carter wouldn't do those things but family was family, right? He'll find out who his real family is when he's injured and sent back to the states.
Not-telling-you-my-first-name Randolph was about to hit ten years in the Army and had some amazing assignments but one had eluded him until now – Ranger School. Coming from being assigned to the Presidential Salute Battery was going to be the best thing for him since training was emphasized. Should be easy, right?
Briar and Randolph met when Briar had stopped to apologize to Carter and Randolph was in full-on protective mode. Can these two find a middle ground while challenging themselves and each other to be better?
126 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 31, 2018
11 people are currently reading
50 people want to read
About the author
Kris Jacen
54 books147 followersKris Jacen is the Executive Editor and Formatting Director for ManLoveRomance Press and its imprints. She was invited to join the MLR staff in 2008 and has never looked back. Working with over thirty-five phenomenal authors such as Rick R. Reed, JP Bowie, James Buchanan, J.L. Langley, Ally Blue, Jet Mykles, William Maltese and has allowed her to both hone her editorial skills and indulge her inner fangirl. Kris also acts as editor, mentor and sounding-board for newcomers including Kimberly Gardner, Lex Valentine, S.J. Frost, Patric Michael and Z. Allora. With this stable of talent under her guidance, Kris is quick to tell anyone who will listen that she loves her job. And her authors are just as quick to say that they love their editor.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 23, 2020
Another marvelous M/M military romance in this series.
We begin with Briar's field injury, where he loses his leg, has a TBI, and more. He is an old friend of Carter's from back home, but it's complicated.
Soon, we have Randolph storming the ICU
to see if Briar is okay, but no one knew Randolph and Briar had feelings for each other. The Heptad are soon retiring, and the "crews" are taking over. The military crew of Carter and Randolph, and Siah's Black Belt friends are the civilian crew, and together they are all looking after each other. Jack the Veterinarian helps in more than one way. And who is Blueberry/BB ?
Parts are tough, like the leg loss with it's grueling therapy, a suicide, a father's stroke later on, plus the unrelenting Ranger training, and the complications of military life.
Lots of fun banter, serious talks, and hot lovin' for our Randolph and Briar.
Through it all, we see the guys bonding, helping out, and the glorious camaraderie.
I have liked each tale in this series, and will be moving on to the next one.
Highly recommended.
ENJOY !
=====
We begin with Briar's field injury, where he loses his leg, has a TBI, and more. He is an old friend of Carter's from back home, but it's complicated.
Soon, we have Randolph storming the ICU
to see if Briar is okay, but no one knew Randolph and Briar had feelings for each other. The Heptad are soon retiring, and the "crews" are taking over. The military crew of Carter and Randolph, and Siah's Black Belt friends are the civilian crew, and together they are all looking after each other. Jack the Veterinarian helps in more than one way. And who is Blueberry/BB ?
Parts are tough, like the leg loss with it's grueling therapy, a suicide, a father's stroke later on, plus the unrelenting Ranger training, and the complications of military life.
Lots of fun banter, serious talks, and hot lovin' for our Randolph and Briar.
Through it all, we see the guys bonding, helping out, and the glorious camaraderie.
I have liked each tale in this series, and will be moving on to the next one.
Highly recommended.
ENJOY !
=====
May 1, 2019
Sooooo good. It deals with soldier suicide and PTSD, and losing limbs. And so much more. It deals with depression, guilt, loss. And it's not always pretty. But it's one hell of a story. And I hope I'm seeing who's next!!
February 22, 2019
A Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words Review
Rating: 4.75 stars out of 5
for the full review visit https://wp.me/p220KL-g3M
From that review:Kris Jacen's With Me series is, without a doubt, one of my favorite contemporary series. Jacen brings her intimate knowledge of military life to create a first rate series about life, service to the country, and love. Each story normally has a slightly different focus on a certain aspect within the military for it's main characters. Could be making it through BUD/S training, trying to decide when to retire, military family life, or here, what happens what a soldier is so badly injured during a tour of duty it ends his military service. What happens to him next? What happens to all those lost men and women?
For all our reviews, visit http://scatteredthoughtsandroguewords...
Rating: 4.75 stars out of 5
for the full review visit https://wp.me/p220KL-g3M
From that review:Kris Jacen's With Me series is, without a doubt, one of my favorite contemporary series. Jacen brings her intimate knowledge of military life to create a first rate series about life, service to the country, and love. Each story normally has a slightly different focus on a certain aspect within the military for it's main characters. Could be making it through BUD/S training, trying to decide when to retire, military family life, or here, what happens what a soldier is so badly injured during a tour of duty it ends his military service. What happens to him next? What happens to all those lost men and women?
For all our reviews, visit http://scatteredthoughtsandroguewords...
September 9, 2018
Challenge Me offers an insider’s look at the traditions and ceremonies of the Army, through the eyes of those who live them.
Randolph wants more than anything to attend Ranger School. He’s recently been assigned to one of the ceremonial units at Arlington National Cemetery.
The story begins with the near fatal injury suffered by Briar while on duty overseas. Briar wakes up in the hospital with no knowledge of what happened or how he got there. His former brother-in-law and former best friend is by his bed. Briar was married to Carter’s sister and when she found that being married to an Army private didn’t mean traveling the world in style with loads of money in her purse she left him and began to spread malicious lies, which Carter believed initially. It takes persistence for Randolph to get in Briar’s room, but eventually he does and then takes Briar home with him to continue to recover from a partial leg amputation and traumatic brain injury.
The story is about the building relationship between Briar and Randolph but it’s also about how the Heptad featured in the first two books of the series and gradually retiring and leaving leadership to a younger group of men calling themselves the mil-crew and the civ-crew. I really loved the character development in this story and look forward to the next book by Kris Jacen.
Randolph wants more than anything to attend Ranger School. He’s recently been assigned to one of the ceremonial units at Arlington National Cemetery.
The story begins with the near fatal injury suffered by Briar while on duty overseas. Briar wakes up in the hospital with no knowledge of what happened or how he got there. His former brother-in-law and former best friend is by his bed. Briar was married to Carter’s sister and when she found that being married to an Army private didn’t mean traveling the world in style with loads of money in her purse she left him and began to spread malicious lies, which Carter believed initially. It takes persistence for Randolph to get in Briar’s room, but eventually he does and then takes Briar home with him to continue to recover from a partial leg amputation and traumatic brain injury.
The story is about the building relationship between Briar and Randolph but it’s also about how the Heptad featured in the first two books of the series and gradually retiring and leaving leadership to a younger group of men calling themselves the mil-crew and the civ-crew. I really loved the character development in this story and look forward to the next book by Kris Jacen.
February 22, 2019
Challenge Me is the fourth book in Kris Jacen's With Me series. As with the previous books, this one explores a part of military life, as it affects people at home.
In Learn With Me, we learn of Briar's injury. Now, he's back home and has to deal with his injuries. Finding out you've lost a leg is not easy, but he has some great people to help him. Which he really needs, as he's feeling broken. As for the romance, when Briar returns home, Brand is there to sit at his bedside. Together, the two men are strong and dedicated. I love Brand's determination and compassion towards Briar.
Challenge Me deals with the importance of supporting our veterans. Their mental health issues are staggering, and their rate of suicide is high. I appreciate the way the author tackles such an important issue.
As usual, I enjoy the friendships and strong connections in this series. In this story, there are changes for the whole group.
Personally, one of my favorite parts of this book is the meaning behind Brand's name. It takes a while to get there, but it's awesome.
Challenge Me is an emotional tale of romance and friendship. I'm definitely enjoying this series and look forward to seeing what happens next.
In Learn With Me, we learn of Briar's injury. Now, he's back home and has to deal with his injuries. Finding out you've lost a leg is not easy, but he has some great people to help him. Which he really needs, as he's feeling broken. As for the romance, when Briar returns home, Brand is there to sit at his bedside. Together, the two men are strong and dedicated. I love Brand's determination and compassion towards Briar.
Challenge Me deals with the importance of supporting our veterans. Their mental health issues are staggering, and their rate of suicide is high. I appreciate the way the author tackles such an important issue.
As usual, I enjoy the friendships and strong connections in this series. In this story, there are changes for the whole group.
Personally, one of my favorite parts of this book is the meaning behind Brand's name. It takes a while to get there, but it's awesome.
Challenge Me is an emotional tale of romance and friendship. I'm definitely enjoying this series and look forward to seeing what happens next.
December 26, 2022
I think the author and I have a psychic connection as I’ve predicted (two for two now) which were going to be the next couple featured in her ‘With Me’ series. *grins* I’m more than happy to focus on Briar, Carter’s best friend and practically brother, and I’m-not-telling-you-my-first-name Randolph. I met both of them in Siah and Carter’s story, and I definitely got the vibes that the two weeks Briar stayed with Randolph while he was in DC visiting Carter had turned into something with potential before Briar got shipped overseas. I do recommend that these books be read in order because each one is a continuation that without knowing all the characters might make it difficult to follow.
As I mentioned in book three, Siah and Carter have kind of begun their own version of the heptad that is quite prevalent in the beginning of this series. Their version, however, consists of the mil crew, or military, and the civ crew, which is civilian.
Please find my full review at Rainbow Book Reviews
As I mentioned in book three, Siah and Carter have kind of begun their own version of the heptad that is quite prevalent in the beginning of this series. Their version, however, consists of the mil crew, or military, and the civ crew, which is civilian.
Please find my full review at Rainbow Book Reviews
February 17, 2019
My absolute favorite book in this series so far. This is definitely the most emotional read of all the books in this series so far. Brand and Briar both blew me away with how strong both physically and mentally they are through everything that had come their way in this book. Brand definitely made it to the top of my list of favorites in this series. He is more then honorable, he is compassionate and will not let Briar give up no matter what he has to do.
Briar made his appearance in book three as Conor’s best friend from childhood. But there was some issues between them because of Briars sister. Though they started to rebuild that friendship, it is what happened to Briar in this book that seals their friendship for life and it is also what made Brand one of my favorite characters in this series.
After Briar is injured in the line of duty, he is transported back to Walter Reed to finish out his time in the hospital and to recuperate and become strong again. What Briar did not expect is for Brand to stay by him through it all. Briar does not feel like a whole person anymore and feels like he would be tying Brand to a cripple if he stays with him.
Brand is having none of that. He will not let Briar give up on himself and definitely will not give up on them. It is not going to be easy for either of them and the road ahead is going to get very bumpy before it smoothed out again. But if they work together they may just be able to get through it all. Can they survive what is still ahead of them or will everything just be to much on such a new couple?
This is my favorite book so far. It completely surprised me that Kris Jace was able to beat Books one and three in this series on how much I enjoyed the read but it happened and now this booknia my favorite. I cannot wait for the next book and to see what Kris has coming next.
Was given this galley copy for free for an open and honest review
Briar made his appearance in book three as Conor’s best friend from childhood. But there was some issues between them because of Briars sister. Though they started to rebuild that friendship, it is what happened to Briar in this book that seals their friendship for life and it is also what made Brand one of my favorite characters in this series.
After Briar is injured in the line of duty, he is transported back to Walter Reed to finish out his time in the hospital and to recuperate and become strong again. What Briar did not expect is for Brand to stay by him through it all. Briar does not feel like a whole person anymore and feels like he would be tying Brand to a cripple if he stays with him.
Brand is having none of that. He will not let Briar give up on himself and definitely will not give up on them. It is not going to be easy for either of them and the road ahead is going to get very bumpy before it smoothed out again. But if they work together they may just be able to get through it all. Can they survive what is still ahead of them or will everything just be to much on such a new couple?
This is my favorite book so far. It completely surprised me that Kris Jace was able to beat Books one and three in this series on how much I enjoyed the read but it happened and now this booknia my favorite. I cannot wait for the next book and to see what Kris has coming next.
Was given this galley copy for free for an open and honest review
February 18, 2019
3.5 Stars
The story of Briar and Brand was a very enjoyable read and it felt more focused to me than the last two in the series.
Briar had been injured severely at the end of the third book and this story starts with him in DC in the hospital, in a coma, with Brand going out of his mind with concern.
After spending two weeks together before Briar left for duty, they'd become something to each other and needed more time to figure out what. But with Briar needing serious therapy and Brand needing to leave for months, time wasn't on their side.
This book read quick and fast, as there was a lot going on, but it centered more on their characters, along with Jack, who specialized in animals. It was a fun romance with a bit of hurt/comfort and a fast, but sweet HEA.
*Galley copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. Cross posted to http://gaybook.reviews/ *
The story of Briar and Brand was a very enjoyable read and it felt more focused to me than the last two in the series.
Briar had been injured severely at the end of the third book and this story starts with him in DC in the hospital, in a coma, with Brand going out of his mind with concern.
After spending two weeks together before Briar left for duty, they'd become something to each other and needed more time to figure out what. But with Briar needing serious therapy and Brand needing to leave for months, time wasn't on their side.
This book read quick and fast, as there was a lot going on, but it centered more on their characters, along with Jack, who specialized in animals. It was a fun romance with a bit of hurt/comfort and a fast, but sweet HEA.
*Galley copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. Cross posted to http://gaybook.reviews/ *
June 12, 2020
At Ease, Gentlemen
I love this series and like in each of the other books there is an understanding here between the MCs that even though one of them may not be gay as a goose, and the other one may be, there is an understanding between them that all will work out for them in the end.
What I loved about this edition is that despite his serious injury Briar was neither bitter nor depressed but rather hopeful and somewhat optimistic. That's because even though his before-deployment temporary roommate Randolph had never been involved with a man before it was understood that he would take care of Briar when Briar returned from deployment. Even when Briar returned as a physical wreck, it was understood that the care would not only continue but also blossom into love.
Tough to get that insight and feeling across, but that's what this one did for me. Plus we are set up properly for the next one which once again features MCs fully detailed in this and previous books in the series. Onward, soldiers!
I love this series and like in each of the other books there is an understanding here between the MCs that even though one of them may not be gay as a goose, and the other one may be, there is an understanding between them that all will work out for them in the end.
What I loved about this edition is that despite his serious injury Briar was neither bitter nor depressed but rather hopeful and somewhat optimistic. That's because even though his before-deployment temporary roommate Randolph had never been involved with a man before it was understood that he would take care of Briar when Briar returned from deployment. Even when Briar returned as a physical wreck, it was understood that the care would not only continue but also blossom into love.
Tough to get that insight and feeling across, but that's what this one did for me. Plus we are set up properly for the next one which once again features MCs fully detailed in this and previous books in the series. Onward, soldiers!
February 7, 2019
Great Story
I thought that the previous book, Learn with me, was my favorite story in this "With Me" series, but this one is now my favorite. Jacen pens a great story in Challenge Me. I really liked reading this story, Randolph, and Briar were great characters. The story has depth from Briar's past, and his new connections with old friends. I liked how the story grew and Briar and Randolph grew to fall in love with each, despite or because of the challenges in their lives. I look forward to reading more by this author.
I thought that the previous book, Learn with me, was my favorite story in this "With Me" series, but this one is now my favorite. Jacen pens a great story in Challenge Me. I really liked reading this story, Randolph, and Briar were great characters. The story has depth from Briar's past, and his new connections with old friends. I liked how the story grew and Briar and Randolph grew to fall in love with each, despite or because of the challenges in their lives. I look forward to reading more by this author.
October 8, 2020
As in this entire series, the author creates engaging characters but the storylines are mundane and low-angst. Additionally, a proofreader never seems to be used because there are always so many improper tenses of words used, as well as poor sentence structure, grammar, and spelling errors.
August 22, 2022
DNF@ 60%
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews