Seth “Dexter” Denson is the Sergeant at Arms of the Brazen Bulls MC. As a former Marine Raider, the skills he honed in war are useful in the club’s battles as well—and the things he does wearing the Bulls patch ride him just as hard as what he did wearing desert camo.
Those aren’t his only demons. From childhood, Dex has struggled every day to control the darkness inside him. He decided a long time ago that he was too dark and damaged to love.
That hasn’t stopped him from wanting Kelsey Helm, eldest daughter of Maverick, the Bulls’ VP—but Kelsey is sweet and good, unsullied by the club’s grimy dealings. If there’s one woman who deserves someone better than a lost cause like him, it’s her.
Her father agrees. Emphatically.
Kelsey has liked Dex since the first time he brought one of his outcast dogs to the clinic where she works as a veterinarian. Watching him love and care for animals the rest of the world gave up on, she knows he’s much more than the club’s most violent patch. It’s not only animals; Dex never hesitates to step up and help those who need it—even at the risk of his own life.
Dex sees himself as a killer, her father sees him as a “psycho,” but Kelsey sees a hero.
Before they can find their way together, they both need to learn trust—in each other and in themselves.
I was born and raised in the Midwest, but I was transplanted into the dusty soil of Northern California and have apparently taken root there. An inveterate geek and gamer, I am a fan of many things considered pop culture and maybe even lowbrow.
As a reader, my favorite genres are science fiction and fantasy, but as a writer, I've found my home in romance--or perhaps it's better to say simply "love stories." I have a yen to try other genres, too, at some point, but for now my muse wants to tell stories about lovers and families.
I write for the joy of it, and I write stories that I want to read. If others like them, too, that's just the cherry on top. I’m not interested in rules and formulae. I follow my muse and my characters and let them take me where they want to go, wherever that might be. I like big emotions, dark and light.
I like complicated characters with flaws and weaknesses as well as strengths, and I like each character’s strengths and weaknesses to be different from those of other characters. I’m much more concerned that my characters be interesting and diverse than that they be widely considered to be likable. I try to create people, not types.
Likewise, I want my stories each to be distinct from the others. Once I’ve told a story, I don’t want to tell it again. So even within a series, one of my books might be very different from the next. Some might be very dark, others equally mild.
That isn’t to say there aren’t trends and recurrences in my work. I’m drawn to certain themes and settings, and my muse has her favorite toys and tools. But I guard against those tendencies becoming a formula.
A note: I don't spend much time here on Goodreads. I try not to read any reviews of my own work. Besides, this is a site for readers, but since I write at a fairly manic pace, and read and edit for other writers, I don't have much time to read recreationally. Mainly, I log on to update my info. So if you message me here, it might be a while before I see it.
Pausing for now @55% - for now my rating is 2 stars but if I ever do finish it I will amend.
EDIT: I finished it and I bumped it up to 2.5 stars just because Mav (the heroines father) is goals - their scenes were so sweet - the rest of my opinions stand.
Unfortunately this one didn’t work for me.
Usually Susan Fanetti’s books provide me with the kind of realism I sometimes want to read about when I’m in the mood for a motorcycle club story, a mafia plot or something less illegal no less gritty.
I usually can’t binge them the way I do most ‘easy to digest and read’ New Adult stories but I love the fact that I can always go back and read something more serious which borders on realistic.
Anyway, too long an introduction only to get to the point of saying that this one was getting to be too boring and I’ve tried to finish it for the last 5 months and every time I pick it up again I manage a couple of pages before my mind starts wandering.
Logically, this should have worked. A good sunshine girl, a tortured hero with so much trauma I’m surprised he is still functional (who is not a manho) - this really should have worked. But we spend half the book getting frustrated at both of them for different reasons. Her because .. tbh I don’t even remember, but I do know she was too pushy and too perfect, and it just grated on me. And him.. I don’t know, on the one had I understood where he came from when he rejected a relationship of any kind with her (cause the dude was really messed up and I get the want for self isolation) but on the other hand it kept happening too many times and it annoyed me.
Also, I do feel like this was a little preachy with the ”love heals all theory — I mean, maybe I’m not being fair - there was a lot of talk of therapy and getting professional help, but it got overshadowed by ideas such as the one I already mentioned. I’m not a fan of that. I wished more emphasis, real, practical, and logical emphasis would have been placed on Dex’s mental health. He wasn’t just a little depressed or suffered from a little PTSD - he had major issues.
Tbh, I read most of the book in chunks over the months so my memory is spotty.
Another reason I don’t think I’m gonna finish this (although my almost OCD tendency worries I’ll lose some info about other characters or some other conflict which could be brewing) is because I can’t wait to get into the rest of the series cause I wanna read about the Jessup boys - Rad’s sons.
This author is so damn skilled at building compelling characters!
He's the 11 years older torture enforcer of the MC, she's the daughter of the club's VP. He believes he's not right for her, she's got a crush on him. He trusts no one but his dogs, she's a veterinarian.
I picked this book last night quite randomly during one of my sleepless nights, hoping a good book would relax me enough to go back to bed. What a fail on that account! I found myself unable to let go of these characters upon meeting them and ended reading until 7am. It's been a hot minute since a book pulled me trough an all nighter, even longer since I've read anything in one sitting. "Rescue" was such an unexpected little gem.
As a romance reader, these days and for quite some years now I found that I need a clear romance arc in my reads to fully enjoy them. More than the promise of a HEA/HFN, I'm longing for a genuine and strong connection between two love interests. Susan Fanetti soundly delivers in that aspect, I absolutely loved Kelsey and Dex together, thanks to a thorough character development, I fell in love first with them individually and avidly turned the pages that would lead me to their romance. They were truly sweet together, bonding over their shared love for animals and despite the many issues that Dex thought were reason enough to stay away. Kelsey and Dex completed each other perfectly.
The care the author puts through characters portrayal is remarkable, she meticulously builds someone that feels just real. The attention to detail is astounding, their upbringing, past traumas, family dynamics, each little bit was a necessary piece of the puzzle. I loved reading about Dex and his care for animals. How he would tend to his dogs, daily. The dogs were inherently part of this story, I liked that they weren't an after thought, a prop in this story.
Nevertheless, I regret how unbalanced the club story arc was compared to the romance. I felt it overpowered the story a bit at times. It also has been hard to read through some pretty gruesome details (I guess something the author has never shied from, from what I can remember of my Signal Bend series reading) but I understand it was somehow necessary to depict decently the complexity of the character that is Dex. It also goes in hand with what one would expect a MC enforcer to do, I just wasn't ready for it to be so graphic on the pages.
Overall a sweet romance between two opposites amidst MC drama.
I haven't read the previous book in the series. This reads as a standalone.
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Rescue was a fabulous opposite attracts Brazen Bull MC story. Dex, who’s gotten his road name from the TV show, definitely lived up to the hype. He also comes with a lot of emotional baggage. Struggling with his mental health but thankfully he gets together with Kelsey who’s his light and savior.
I enjoyed her and her father Maverick’s relationship , also a MC member, cause he was not happy about his firstborn was hooking up with a Bull member and one who’s mentally unstable. The love between father and daughter was unshakable. The relationships between Dex and Mav but of course also Kelsey and Dex were great. So much tension but also love and acceptance.
The story was sadly too fast paced and the end predictable but it didn’t affect my overall experience. I’m still going to continue with the series.
The second story in the Brazen Bulls Birthright series was a perfect blend of romance, MC drama, family saga, and friendships rolled into one tight, entertaining story. Reconnecting with all our favorite characters in the form of a club daughter, especially Kelsey - Maverick's club daughter, was an intimate journey into the epicenter of the Brazen Bulls family. I loved Kelsey and I loved the unconventional choice Fanetti made when Kelsey's partner was chosen. The two fit in a beautiful, forgiving, loving way that I thought was just perfectly real and romantic. With each and every MC addition, Susan Fanetti continually proves her mettle and gift within the genre with her honest, thought provoking storytelling. Another must read for fans of the Brazen Bulls.
Dex and Kelsie were perfect together. Not perfect, but perfect for each other. I love books where the man is vulnerable and can show his vulnerability to his woman and you get that here. Yes, there was a previous incident in which Dex saved Kelsie, but seeing her “rescue” him from his lonely troubled life was the best part of this book. And if you’re a dog lover, you will definitely love this one with these two who adore their array of dogs, and Kelsie who is a vet and does lots of work w rescue animals. You don’t need to have read the original brazen bulls series to enjoy this book, but if you have, the specia relationship between Kelsie and her dad Maverick, will add another level of love to this book. Overall, fantastic book and I loved it.
I loved this book! Fanetti writes the best MC books 💜 I was glad to be back with this crew.
Dex is a very complex character. He is vulnerable and soft, but also a complete badass in the club. He’s an animal lover and a protector. Fanetti did a wonderful job writing about his mental health issues.
I loved Kelsey. It was interesting to read about her as an adult after reading about her as a child.
One of my favorite parts of the book is the relationship between Kelsey and her dad, Maverick.
What a lovely book! Susan has a way of showing the vulnerability that underlies much of the testosterone-laden men in her MC series. How could you not love Dex? Underneath that quiet but sometimes ruthless man there was a man who loved animals, who would almost give his life to save strangers - he is the unlikely man who wins Kelsey - Mav's daugther's heart. I loved Kelsey - she was quiet and gentle and kind but could be assertive when she needed to be. I loved that she was able to love Dex, inspite of the darkness that dwelled within. I am a dog lover so I LOVED Dex's relationship with his motley crew of furry babies and as the mom of two rescue dogs, I really appreciated how Dex showed that with love and patience, these dogs make wonderful family pets. As always, Susan does an excellent job depicting mental health challenges - Dex's PTSD was spot on and the stigma associated with serious mental illness (SMI), Dex's mom was diagnosed with bipolar disorder is very real. I loved that he found in Kelsey, someone who didn't harbor those prejudices and wasn't afraid to love Dex, regardless of his family's mental health challenges and his own mental healt history. My only disappointment is that the book ended too soon!
I found this one to be "calmer" than the other books. I think it was enough learning about Dex's background and how he's trying to cope now. The opening scene had me....5 dogs...I'm a huge animal lover. Then to trump that his scene at the vet's with the puppy. It was heart breaking and made me cry. The fact is for someone to take such care of wounded animals, etc. it show's that they do indeed have a heart, no matter how gruff the exterior may be. It was strange seeing Kelsey as an adult as I remember her as a little girl meeting her father. The relationship between Kelsey and her Dad Mav is wonderful, albeit a tad too much on the possessive side. Mav got on my nerves a few times with his punch first and ask later attitude. At least Dex gave as good as he got. It all happened very quickly but sometimes that's the way it goes, also they have known each other for a long time just not the way they needed to. Looking forward to the next.
Dex does the "wet" work for the MC and has never had a problem dealing out what is needed. Kelsey is a local vet and Dex has her taking care of his dogs. No MC father wants his daughter to ever hook up with a member. When Dex and Kelsey start showing interest in each other Mav is opposed. He calls Dex to the ring to work it out. In the end Mav realizes that he can't tell his daughter how to live her live. Things are going good with them but Dex has some moments that really concern Kelsey. After her last boyfriend abused her she knew she wouldn't accept the same kind of treatment going forward. I really enjoyed this book but I felt like there were a few instances that were brought up that we never got a conclusion to what was going on. First when Kevin the other vet kind of made a pass at Kelsey and when she turned him down she saw a look in his eyes that didn't sit well with her. Then when he asked her out and she told him she had a boyfriend and he said if it didn't work out he would like to take her out. Kelsey thought it was a good idea to kiss him on the cheek, luckily she refrained so she didn't give him the wrong idea. I kept waiting for some kind of reaction from him that never came so why make it seem like it was going to be an issue. Then when Dex got jealous of Zach for touching Kelsey and she left him saying it was over because she saw in him what her ex put her though. Then Dex shows up apologizes and kind of explains what he has been through and she immediately forgives him. Another thing that just got to me was Hannah. That her parents let her act like that and basically let her get away with anything. For her to tell their father about Kelsey before she even had a chance to say anything to Dex should have had some serious consequences for her. I really wanted someone to knock the shit out of her instead of always making allowances for her bad behavior.
I think I read a couple of the Brazen Bulls books awhile back and I vaguely remember Kelsey being a really sweet kid in Maverick’s book. Now that she’s grown up, I still really liked her relationship with Maverick. (Possibly my favorite scene in the book is the conversation Kelsey and Maverick have on her wedding day.) That being said, I liked Dex more. He had a seriously traumatic childhood and as SAA for the club, is tasked with some gruesome jobs that don’t help his tenuous mental health. He was responsible for a lot of the push/pull in this relationship, but I think he was justified in his concerns. Something about Kelsey rubbed me the wrong way. She was a little too “Pollyanna” for my liking and a bit judgemental. In the end, I think Dex really needed someone in his corner and I’m glad they ended up together.
I think Dex is my new book boyfriend. Right next to Archer from Archers Voice.
I loved the relationship between Kelsey and Dex. Two sweet souls finding and supporting each other.
I was hoping for a bit more biker action in this book. The first one didn’t have it, not like the original series and Night Horde series… but I understood the first book as it was Eights journey to President. But I felt like this one lacked the biker oomph that the author usually has.
In saying that I love that this author doesn’t need to fill each book with a scene where the heroine gets taken by the baddies and the hero rescues her- that happens in SO many biker series I’m over it.
I felt this book needed a bit more but I’m saying that I did enjoy their story and the softness of Kelsey against the unknown of Dex.
A love story bundled up with MC drama, two cautious main characters and a much loved adopted canine family. The ending left me with a goofy big smile and eager for the next book in the Birthright series!
Rescue was easy to get in to. Dex is complicated and Kelsey is a perfect match for him with her being raised in the Bull family. I like the research SF has done for Tulsa, being from there, but I'm sure glad we've never had that 24 inch snow storm she put in the book.
This was a really disappointing read. I've read Susan Fanetti's Carry The World and her writing in that book was impeccable and lyrical. In this case, however the writing is staid and boring. The repetitions as usual just add to the already existing tedium. Someone, please someone should pass a writ banning them.
The plot surrounds the MC group "Bulls" from Tulsa, Okhlahoma.H is the seargent In Arms - Dexter and the h, Kelsy is a vet and the daughter of another Bulls core member. The first half is all about how he's unfit for her and the second half has the surprise twist to it. The end was totally anticlimactic.
The redeeming factor of this book are the dog. I'm a sucker for anything canine or pet, so yes the 2 stars are for my 4 legged heroes. And well, alls well that ends well!!
Recommended : 😱 nope
P.s. what's the big deal with glorifying the MCs anyways, they aren't even law abiding.🤔
The plot was interesting and the characters were really mature but with a lot of things to deal buuuuuut I didn't like the book at all mainly because they barely talk to each other!!!! if we compare the time we spend with each other vs without, they only talk to each other like 10% of the whole book and they keep thinking of each other in the past and OMG i hate it, like no, talk pleaseeeeee. So if you like when the main character talks more than the 10% in the book, this book is not for you