Truth and Lies

Raging Barons MC #0

by J.E. Daelman

Truth and Lies - Prequel to Raging Barons MC - Not a hard-core read.

Mia- I served 5 years trying to protect an innocent. I was railroaded by people that I thought I could trust. Now I just want to get on with my life, but fate can be a bitch and my past is coming back to bite me.

Zara- I hate both my parents my mum is an abusive bitch and dad just believes everything she says. The only person I trusted went to prison because I was too scared, to tell the truth. Now she’s out and I need to find her to apologize for what happened.

Axel- I thought I recognized the waitress at the dinner but didn’t expect to fall for her, when I realized who she was, I knew I had to find out the truth about what happened but it wasn’t going to be easy to convince her that I was trustworthy enough for her to tell me her side of the story.

No cliff-hanger, no cheating, HEA
The content is for mature audiences only 18+. Please do not read if sexual situations, violence, and explicit language offend you.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Motorcycle

172 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 2021

Reviews

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mia spent five years in prison for a crime she did not commit. To make matters worse, the former love of her life made sure her time in prison was as miserable as could be. Axel, the President of the Raging Barons MC heard the rumors years ago but it never sat well with him. When he recognizes Mia he decides to launch his own investigation, but what happens when Mia makes it clear she has no interest in people finding out the truth nor want to be involved with another MC again?

I am glad I went back and got the backstory for Mia. Definitely read this one first as the second book has a lot of holes that don't make sense. I thought Gunner, who is Mia's ex never had a full reckoning for his part and would like to see the holes there filled in. Good story.

[Alex(Books-In-A-Storm) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was amazing. Poor Mia. That woman went through hell just because she loved a biker and his daughter. But baby Mama drama happened, and she ended up in prison. I can't wait to start the next book!!!!

[Juniper · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a short prequel to set up the rest of the series which is pretty big at this point, I think like 18 books? Anyway, I won’t be reading any of them.

This book was very Wattpad. I’ve said several times that I love a good Wattpad story but I just have a bit of a higher standard for actual published books.

This was surface level and wasted a lot of time on boring details instead of putting effort into character development. The writing was very dry, just writing out dialogue with no emotional indicators to support it. There was a lot of internal dialogue but none of it really made you feel like you were actually experiencing things with the characters.

Also, these are big tough MC men but they say things like “do you fancy something to eat?” and they are constantly bringing in drinks and food on trays like they’re sophisticated noblemen. At one point Mia is brought a tray of food and it even has a dome cover on it like you’d get at a 5 star hotel. 😂 Like sure, it’s an MC that has women walking around with their pussies out but obviously they have proper fancy serving sets for their unwilling guests.

There are several POVs, including a few side characters which I do like but then it was missing POVs from some of the most important people in the story. I would have liked at least a few POVs from Hunter because nothing explained his mindset or why he immediately believed Cara over Mia when he hated Cara. And why was Cara a plant for FIVE years but didn’t seem to get any worthwhile info to pass to the other MC? What was she doing all that time? And apparently Zara hasn’t talked to a single person in 5 years but nobody thought she might need therapy?

I get this is mostly just a set up for the next book which focuses on Axle and Mia’s relationship…which that is another weird thing. He claims her as his Ol’ Lady to protect her from the other MC. Ok, fine that happens in a lot of MC stories. But these people literally know nothing about each other. Especially Mia knows nothing about Axle and has barely talked to him. So, before this she wants nothing to do with MC men because of how badly Hunter and his MC screwed her over (understandable). But then all of a sudden after her name is cleared and she’s not in danger, Axel asks her if she wants to stay and build something real with him. And she’s like “yeah definitely”. I am not exaggerating when I say there has been absolutely nothing between them that should make her want to risk being involved with another MC. Then after not talking or getting to know each other at all (he does run his knuckle down her cheek a few times 🙄) she asks him to kiss her. What?! What is happening here??

Anyway, it was pretty boring and even though it’s only 173 pages, my ADHD was begging me to DNF. Maybe the books get better as I’m sure the author had to improve with more practice, but I just do not care what happens with any of the characters.

[Brandi Poage · Rating 1 out of 5]

Good concept, poor execution

I hate giving out one star reviews. I just don't think I can rate this book more than one star. I had such hope because I had heard so many things about this author, but this just was flat and went nowhere.
It's so hard to relate with the characters, there is no character depth built throughout the book. The story is not built well or organic in flow. At no point in the book is there a character that you're necessarily rooting for because you haven't had a chance to build a relationship with these characters.
Instead of an organic building of what each character looks like each character is described by their height and build and hair color etc., I think it would be more organic if these details were peppered throughout the book instead of every time a new character is introduced we are given their specs like we're reading it from a dossier.

[Darcy]

I found myself getting so mad on Mia's behalf, at what happened in the past and how "her" MC didn't even give her a chance to talk and then made life harder for her in the aftermath. I didn't blame her for wanting nothing to do with MC's again.

I did think it was weird that the Raging Barons wanted to know what happened to Miriam in the past. Why now all of a sudden? Just because Mia reminded them of Miriam, that seemed weird to me, especially as the other MC was now just starting to look at things closer. I just kinda went with it.

I felt for Zara. Should she have spoken up, yes, but she was a kid and seemed to get pushed aside. I was glad that she finally had the courage to speak up now and was so thankful that she found someone so good to help her, in Target.

I was glad with how things played out. I do think the one person who bares a lot of blame for what happened, Gunnar, got away with little to no punishment. I feel like he should have gotten what Cara did.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a new author to me and I have to say that I am intrigued. I would have given this a full 4 stars except I couldn’t figure out a very important thing. Why would any person with even half a brain believe a club whore who abandoned her child over an old lady that everyone seemed to like and respect? On every level that made zero sense to me.

I am going to read the next book and if Gunner is corrupt and not just a dumbass, and it comes to light that he shot Cara to shut her up…. things will make more sense.

[Carly · Rating 1 out of 5]

I did not enjoy reading this book. The story has good bones; it’s the execution and ridiculous number of repetitive errors that bring it down. Mia is a “good girl” who fell in love with an MC member and his daughter, who ultimately betrayed her love (yes, both father and daughter did this) when she was sent to prison for five years for something she did not do. She’s out of prison now and on the run from the MC that sent her there. The book is about Mia getting on with her life, something she cannot do on her own.

You need a scorecard to keep up with the parade of characters in this book. Apparently, this is a prequel for a series about the Raging Barons MC, so the brothers are trotted out for introductions. I’m unimpressed. They curse a lot, but they do not behave or talk like bikers. Swearing does not a biker make!

All these characters sound the same, no matter who is speaking. A 12-year-old girl sounds just like the former Green Beret who sounds just like Axel of the Raging Barons MC who sounds just like Crack of the Rogue Legions MC who sounds just like the cook and waitress at the diner they all frequent…and so on. Here, the 12-year-old is speaking, “No one is about now, so I quietly go to the kitchen door and listen as I don’t want to meet anyone.” That is not the way a 12-year-old American girl talks. I think this might be more believable: “No one’s around. I’m being quiet, listening at the kitchen door. I don’t want anyone to find me.” A 12-year-old would worry about being found out.

I tried but could not care for Mia; she started out strong, then became indecisive, weak, ineffective, like a frightened rabbit ready to bolt at the first hint of something coming her way. And bolt she does, to absolutely no avail. Gunner is her old love who is a nasty bit of goods, and who never seems to get what is going on around him. Zara is the 12-year-old who could have, but did not say anything to exonerate Mia of the crime she was sent to prison for; she talks and acts like an adult. Cara, the birthmother of Zara and Gunner’s initial Old Lady, is another nasty waste of breath. Actually, she and Gunner deserve each other; neither has a redeeming quality between them. There are so many players, it would take pages to list them. There is only one character in this entire book who stands out as truly good: that’s Target, the former Green Beret, who appears to be the only character with a moral compass worth following.

Unlikely things happen everywhere in the book. For example, when a halfway house representative is asked for information about Miriam, she freely gives it up to Zara, the 12-year-old, and Target, the former Green Beret. Zara tells the woman that Miriam is her friend and wants to apologize for not speaking up. The halfway house representative says: “Okay, she got a job at a diner just outside town. Here’s the address. Do you need help?” Ah…no. That would not – and should not – ever happen. We readers know Zara and Target aren’t going to hurt Miriam, but the representative does not. She could have put Miriam’s life in danger. There are policies in place to prevent the outflow of information about previous residents and the representative seems to forget this.

The book is written in first person POV using present tense most of the time. This is a difficult literary style to sustain, and the writer does not stick with it, but flops in and out of many different tenses without any warning for the unfortunate reader. For example:
 “I have my earbuds in and listening to some rock music, I’m not up to date with the newer groups, but I’ll enjoy listening to them and working out which ones I like the best.” I believe the writer is trying to use the word, “listening,” as a present participle. But it cannot stand alone. “I listening” makes no sense, and yet that is how the writer has written it. Most verbs are in present tense, but the sentence is awkward and forces the reader to stop and evaluate what the writer is saying. The sentence would be better structured like this: “I have my earbuds in and I’m listening to some rock music. I’m not up to date on the new groups, and I’m trying to figure out which ones I like.” Or some such. An editor ought to have caught this and helped the writer work through it.
 The following exchange uses a verb form inappropriately:
I check what my notes say, “Miriam Williams.”
“Miss Williams was released a few weeks ago,” he states. They have hung up as it goes dead.
Okay now I know where Miriam has gone.
This is a jumble. The writer uses present perfect tense signifying an action (hanging up) that occurred in the past BUT present perfect tense should be used only when an action continues. The action of hanging up is not continuous; it is a one-time act. Since the writer chose to write in the present, this exchange should be kept in the present tense. Something like this, perhaps:
I check what my notes say and tell him, “Miriam Williams.”
“Miss Williams was released a few weeks ago,” he states. He hangs up and the line goes dead.
Okay, now I know where Miriam went.
In this case, the present perfect “Miriam has gone” could be used because most likely this continues into the present (she is still gone).
 “Once Suzie has left, I walk into the bedroom….” The use of present perfect tense is incorrect; the sentence should read, “Once Suzie leaves, I walk into the bedroom….” Suzie leaves; it’s a one-time action.
 Here’s another passage that incorporates too many changes in verb form:
“I tell her about coming out of prison, leaving the diner to get away, and that I didn’t do anything but protect the child, and she believed me, only the third person to hear my story and believe me. It made me feel good.”
When discussing what happened earlier, past tense is appropriate, otherwise the writer needs to stay firmly in the present; like this:
“I tell her about coming out of prison, leaving the diner to get away. I tell her that I only protected the child, and she believes me. She is only the third person to hear my story and believe me. It makes me feel good.” [This passage could be better worded, IMHO.]
 Here again is a flitting between tenses, in this case, present and past:
“I’ve heard back from a friend who owed me one,” said with a half-grin, “He talked to a guard he knows and got some information.”
In his office, he closes the door, and I take a seat.
This exchange should stay in the present, like this:
“I’ve heard back from a friend who owed me one,” he says with a half grin. “He talked to a guard he knows and got some information.”
In his office he closes the door, and I take a seat.
 And, again, tenses inappropriately change between present and past:
“I know I’ve got to speak to the lady, but I’m going to eat first in case she chucks us out.
The pizza was amazing. It had pepperoni, mushrooms, sweet peppers, and three different kinds of cheese, all stringy when you bite into it.
Once we’ve finished our meal, I walk over to the register and pay the lady. Target steps up behind me.”
The writer takes us into the past, talking about how the pizza WAS amazing. However, the narrator is still eating the pizza. We know this because of the last sentence that begins, “Once we’ve finished,” indicating that they hadn’t finished previously.
The writer chose to write in the present tense and needs to remain there. This passage should read:
“I know I’ve got to speak to the lady, but I’m going to eat first in case she chucks us out.
The pizza is amazing. It has pepperoni, mushrooms, sweet peppers, and three different kinds of cheese, all stringy when you bite into it.
Once we finish our meal, I walk over to the register and pay the lady. Target steps behind me.”
 Another example of tense-switching: “I knew where she’s hiding the cell she uses when she talks to this man. I think they may want to steal from the club.” If the speaker is talking about something that happened in the past, then use of past tense is appropriate. But then the writer must keep the narrator in the past while explaining the action. For example, “I knew where she hid the cell she used when she talked to this man. I thought they might want to steal from the club. I still do.” This shows that at the present time, she’s talking about something that happened in the past, a one-time occurrence, so simple past tense works. She ends it with “I still do,” which brings us naturally back to the present. Just a thought…an editor will have better ideas.
There are many more mistakes than the ones I’ve just shared. It is annoying as all get-out to try to read around all the errors regarding tense.

There are myriad punctuation errors that run a reader ragged. Commas and periods are apparently optional and appear – and disappear – in higgledy-piggledy fashion. Here are a few of these errors:
 “I must have been on my ten-minute break” The sentence has ended, but without a period to help us realize that fact.
 “…and my heart is jumping nearly out of my chest” Another missing period which should follow the end of the sentence.
 “…I think there’ll always be one.” I state. The period that ends the comment should be a comma since “I state” is used to qualify that the narrator is speaking. It should read, “…I think there’ll always be one,” I state.
 “I don’t ignore it when I get twitchy.” he says…. Again, a period is used instead of a comma to tag the qualifier onto the statement.
 “…she’ll be in the fu**in’ shed.” after slamming my hands on the table, I walk out…. A period has ended a sentence in a conversation. The next sentence should be capitalized.
 “Oh, no, not today.” and before I can say anything else….” Again, a period ends one sentence, and the beginning word of the following sentence isn’t capitalized. [insert “ARGHH! here]
 “’…clubhouse and the business.’ leaning on the door frame….” Again, one sentence ends with a period and the next sentence should begin with a capitalized word.
N.B.: There are SO MANY errors where a sentence ends and the next one does not start with a capitalized word that there's no need to keep listing them.
 “I…turn to my VP, Drag and tell him to find out….” A missing comma causes the reader to wonder if Drag is capitalized incorrectly and someone is being dragged around…maybe…? However, I believe Drag is the name of the MC’s VP so the sentence should read, “I…turn to my VP, Drag, and tell him to find out….” But there are so many errors in this book, that maybe Drag is capitalized in error.
 “Yeah, that will do doll….” How does one do doll? One doesn’t: it’s a missing comma. The speaker is talking to someone he is calling “doll.” It should be, “Yeah, that will do, doll….”
 And another missing comma: “…sending the image to our tech man PC.” Either “tech man” is a type of PC (and should probably be capitalized) or PC is the name of the MC’s technical guru. The sentence makes more sense like this: “…sending the image to our tech man, PC.”
 “Buzz nods finishes his drink, and walks away.” Unless the verb is “nod finish” (nope), then a comma is needed here: “Buzz nods, finishes his drink, and walks away.” If the writer is being parsimonious with her commas and wishes to use just one, she can omit the Oxford comma before “…and walks away.”
 “Where’s Zara Gunner?” This sounds as if the speaker is asking for the whereabouts of Zara Gunner. Nope. Gunner is the person being addressed and a comma is needed to indicate this. The sentence should read, “Where’s Zara, Gunner?”
 “You can put your blade away Miriam….” A comma is needed to indicate that the speaker is talking to Miriam: “You can put your blade away, Miriam.”
 “Bikers Zara?” This is Target speaking to Zara, so a comma is needed to indicate this: “Bikers, Zara?”
 “Come in,” I enter the office and see Sharp behind his desk….” Here, a comma is used instead of a period, so it appears that the narrator has said to “come in.” That’s not the case. To keep the speakers clear, a qualifier should be used. Or the next sentence should begin a new paragraph. Like this, maybe: “Come in,” Sharp says. I enter his office and see him behind the desk….”
 “I’m sorry, Miriam, who?” A superfluous comma makes this seem as if the speaker is talking to Miriam. He isn’t. He’s asking for Miriam’s last name, so the sentence should be, “I’m sorry, Miriam who?”
 “I don’t want to spend my life looking over my shoulder, but what choice do I have.” This is a question the narrator is asking, and it needs a question mark, as in, “…but what choice do I have?”

Be it in the UK or in the US, grammar rules should be followed unless there is a reason for breaking them, as in the dialect used by rough characters. No such judicial use here, they appear willy-nilly all through the book.
 Brand names are capitalized. The narrator says, “I make a hot chocolate and pick up my kindle….” Kindle is a brand name, so more properly it should read, “…and pick up my Kindle….”
 Capitalization is oddly enforced. For example: “Keep your hands off, Knuckle, or you’ll answer to me.” the President has stood…. OK. A period ends one sentence and the next begins without a capital letter. Also, “president” does not need to be capitalized in this case.
 “Tapping my VPs boot….” Unless the narrator is wearing a specific VPs brand of boot, the VP is his club’s vice president, and it is the VP’s boot that is being tapped. A possessive “s” is needed: “Tapping my VP’s boot….”
 “…she was going to her grandmothers.” This sounds as if someone is going to see her grandmothers (plural), but in context, she is going to her grandmother’s place. A possessive “s” is needed here: “…she was going to her grandmother’s.”

Oddly worded sentences often pause the reader. For example:
 “I start to feel the tension in my shoulder leave.” I think both her shoulders were tense since she is in deep fear, so it should read, “I start to feel the tension in my shoulders leave,” although that sentence could be better worded (IMHO).
 “I know what it’s like to sleep with one eye open, it’s no fun, but we do what we have to do to stay alive.” This is a run-on sentence that needs some help. Perhaps, something like this: “I know what it’s like to sleep with one eye open. It’s no fun, but we do what we have to do to stay alive.” Such a simple change makes the words easier to scan. The commas, used instead of creating another sentence, make the words appear to be part of a list. It slows the reader down and pauses interest in the story.
 “Not knowing which way we should go now, where is she and who is with her?” This is an awkward sentence. I’m not sure how to straighten it out, but an editor working with the writer could fix it. Maybe something like, “We don’t know which way we should go now. Where is she, and who is with her?”

Sometimes the expository is just confusing. For instance, Gunner and Crack from the Rogue Legions MC have been together in a store and decide to go to a diner to eat. It’s just the two of them, yet the writer has Crack thinking, “…plenty of people are with us wearing our kuttes.” Nobody else is with them; it’s been just the two of them in the store and now the diner.

There are some British expressions that make it into this book. The writer tells her readers that there are American alpha and beta readers that catch these oversights, but that’s not entirely true. Here’s one example: “…[ask] if they need a coffee top-up.” In the U.S., we call that “topping off,” not “topping up” and it’s better used as a verb than as a noun, at least in the U.S. This phrase rings true: “Can I top off your coffee?” The expressions the writer uses are sometimes funny, but the wording throughout the book is far removed from the way Americans speak.

There are loose threads at the end of the book. Some are small, as in what happened to Mia’s things after she went to prison? This seems to matter to her, but there is no follow up. Mia worried about it, and readers are left wondering the same thing. And what happens to poor Zara who must now go back to her deadbeat father who has been emotionally abusive, ignoring her very existence? Crack was the only MC member who was interested in Mia’s cause; he got the MC president to investigate, but then Crack just disappeared into the cracks. And I truly never got the joining together of Mia with Axel; there was interest on his part, but he was really just another man that she took up with. I wanted an HEA with Mia, Target, and Zara. Now, that would have been a fine story!

I rated this book 1.5 stars and rounded down because the book is not written well. A few errors are to be expected these days. But holy cow! The errors in this book are disruptive; they distract readers from the story. What a shame to have the bones of a good story, then have it fall flat because of the egregious errors. I could not believe that the mistakes would continue to pile up, but they did. They sure did. And I won’t be fooled again. No more books by Ms. Daelman for me.

[Tina Thompson · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s good, but badly written, and a ludicrous plot.

I did like this book, but it was really badly written and difficult to understand in places. Some of the sentences really don’t make sense, with commas in bizarre places. When a person has finished speaking, there are no speech marks, at all. I kept forgetting if they were talking or not, and had to flip back to check.

Mia/Miriam has been in prison for five years, for a crime she didn’t commit. She stopped her stepdaughter Zara’s mother from attacking her, and in self defence stabbed her. Her old man, (As he’s in an Mc.) won’t listen to the truth, and she’s railroaded into prison. I did struggle with that part, as it raised a lot of questions. Why didn’t Gunner ask his 7 year old daughter what happened, why didn’t the Mc demand he investigate it? Yes I know they were at war with another club, but they could have asked questions. Why didn’t Zara go go the president of the club and demand he listen to her?

When she’s released from prison, Mia goes to work in a diner. She meets Axel and his Mc, and he figures out who she is, and is determined to clear her name. In the meantime while this is going on, Zara is now 12, and she runs away to find Mia. As her mother is abusing her and she wants to apologise to Mia. Again, why didn’t Zara speak up at the time??? Or speak up now???

This is where the plot gets worse. Zara who is now 12, meets a homeless man, who helps her to find Mia. So she just willingly goes with him, and when she’s tired he tells her to put her head in his lap, to sleep!!! A STRANGE MAN TELLS A 12 YEAR OLD TO PUT HER HEAD IN HIS LAP!!! Are you kidding me right now??? Luckily he’s a good guy and doesn’t do anything. He shouldn’t have told her to do that though.

I did enjoy parts of it, and the second one is better.

[Danny Lea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unfortunately, this wasn't for me. I didn't like the writing style and there were many POVs. Which isn't my thing usually, but thought I'd give it a chance as I'm not having much luck with MC books. But alas, no. The story for me just wasn't there, and the plot was weak. Mia being blamed and going to prison for something she didn't do, yet no one asks questions? I mean at all. Yeah, we're in idiot ville here. Everyone already knew what a piece of work the ex was. This just wasn't believable sorry. If I had been Mia I'd have absolutely nothing to do with this extremely pathetic club. No matter what

[Donna Kasdorf · Rating 5 out of 5]

awesome

I was drawn into the story from the beginning. The characters are well written. I like how both MC’s worked together to find the truth.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this little taste of what's to come in the first book of the series! I can't wait to dive in and read more!

[Louise Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Read

This was a good book which sets the scene for the next book in the series from what I can see. I liked the false imprisonment/what really happened aspect of the book and it was interesting to see how it played out. I’m looking forward to the next book to see how Axel and Mia’s story plays out.

[Dani Freeman · Rating 2 out of 5]

ummmm spoilers? maybe?

Ok, I read the whole book because honestly? I really wanted to know what was going to happen with Mia. She seemed like such a strong character to begin with but then? It just got repetitive. This isn’t a romance per se, it’s more of… I don’t even know what to call it, a weird introduction to the series? Lots of characters introduced but then they have no storyline or actual follow through. I want to know what happens with Crack since he was the only member of the accusing MC that seemed to care about Mia and Zara, but he just quietly fades into the background. The “romance part” I’m not exactly getting. If you’ve gotten out of 5 years in prison and a man keeps you hostage for 5 days you’re going to want to stay with him to be his old lady after no conversation? I can suspend belief for a lot of things but that’s a stretch.
Then there’s my other pet peeve. This was written by either a British or Canadian person and I swear to all that is holy if y’all will just warn a person up front that the vernacular is going to be off I can deal with it no problem (the word Kutte is used in place of Cut at the beginning but the rest of the language was on par until a little further in the book). You aren’t often going to hear a biker saying “as I was” in place of “since I was”, same with the word lovely (the town was lovely… slam, right out of the story), pleased “he was pleased to see” , nope. I’m not quite as sure about someone saying “sorted out”, I’ve not heard it where I live in the US but heard it a LOT when I lived in the UK. I’m sorry but I’m one of those readers that has a full cinematic movie playing in my head when I read and when the language used doesn’t match what’s going on it’s like someone just cuts the movie off and screams Fire. Two stars because it’s actually a good plot line and with some work it could have been a great book.

[Sandra Eidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

New mc group to explore, I love how this one tells the tale of the woman rather than the group first.
Mia needed the help to clear her name even though she wanted nothing to do with another MC club after going to prison for a crime she was not guilty of because a man who claimed to love her did not in fact have her back. The bitch responsible for the crime did get hers in the end. Now move on to the love story for her and Axel next.

[Donnie Hagenson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story, oh my goodness, where to begin. Axel and Mia. This story was only a prequel, but it was intriguing. Mia did time for something she didn't do and the story starts with her getting out of prison. We are introduced to Axel, President of the Raging Barons MC, who is determined to clear her name. Mia was such a strong woman. She has had to be to survive all she has and Axel is an Protective, Alpha male, who wants to get to the truth about what happen. When the truth does come to light, she decides to stay with Axel and the Raging Barons.
I didn't want to say too much for fear of giving too much away. This was a book you just need to experience for yourself. There are still a few questions concerning what happen 5 years ago, but know without a doubt that those questions will be answered.
The characters are strong and well developed and the storyline was unbelievably original. I literally did not put the book down until I finished. Can't wait for Axel and Mia's journey to really begin.

[Sandy Knox · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW!
Okay here's the quick short version. Gunner is a member of the Rogue Legion MC and meets beautiful Mia in a bar and they fall in love and Mia becomes a great addition to the MC or so she thought. After one horrific incident all hell breaks loose. What I love about Mia is she's strong but vulnerable and she holds her ground through it all. This book is so exciting and I'm consumed and can't put it down even though I just want to scream! And I love every minute of it. Then secrets get revealed, lies will be told, loyalties will be tested and betrayal runs deep. This book is exciting and chaotic and I can't wait for more. I have so many unanswered questions. I can't wait to get to the next book. The suspense is so intense and at times it both heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO EVERYONE.

[Jenni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mia just got out from serving time, for a crime she didnt commit, but was left behind by those she had loved and thought loved her too. Making what she can of her life she goes to work at a dinner, trying to keep a low profile away from the Rogue Legion MC when the sound of motorcycles puts her near flight mode. Axel is the pres of the Raging Barons and when he meets Mia he is instantly protective and wants to help clear her name, and he's not the only one. But can Mia put her trust in another biker? This is a prequal and sets the scene up for the  new series. Well written engaging and emotional, you'll fall for Mia and the heart ache and betrayle she faced and Axels determination to keep her safe and free.

[Jennifer Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm so excited a new series from Jan Daelman and she nailed it!
Mia is just out of prison, she was protecting her old mans daughter but his ex did a number on him and he believed her over Mia. The MC he was with was to wrapped up in themselves to realize what was going on.
Mia just wants a quiet life working at the diner, hiding out from the old MC and laying low, but Axel the president of the Raging Barons can't kick the feeling that she looks familiar as he puts two and two together he decides that they need to get to the bottom of things and prove her innocent. He also realizes she owns his heart.
This is a prequel introducing us to this awesome MC and I for one can not wait for more!

[Aubrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the story idea but didn’t like the first club Mia was apart of. They weren’t anything like the other mc books I’ve read and it didn’t make sense that no one would ask questions when they’ve known her for 5 years but believed a whore who had left her daughter at the hospital. Just not believable to me. I didn’t really like that it’s an introduction bc I think it could’ve just been the first book and extended Mia and Axel’s story. But I’m interested to read the second one. Nothing special but I was kinda entertained so 3 stars overall. It was average since nothing stood out, but it wasn’t bad. I didn’t like that there were so many pov’s but it made sense with it being an introduction to everyone and the storyline.

[Angela Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great start

This is a great start to the raging barons mc I have read this book a few times but never reviewed it is very well written and has many character point of views and also has Mia previous MC in it

Mia is spent 5 years in prison for a crime she didn't do and her ex ensures her time in prison is not an easy one as her believes she did it 5 long hard years she out trying to make a life for her but the MC won't give her up but she meet axel who wants to help her but things don't go to plan her ex daughter is now missing the old mc want her

Axel things her recognises the witness at the diner bur can't workout why when her does her wants to help her clear her name and help her find peace

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a book, I couldn't put it down! Mia's story was just heartbreaking. She is a strong women who has always looked out for those she cares about. She had people turn on her that she considered family, but stay's strong to make her life better. You don't just get one MC in this book but two. Your introduced to Axel, President of the Raging Barons, a strong, protective male. She is hesitant to trust him since the family who destroyed her was also an MC.
You are introduced to many characters in this book and I hope to see them get their own story.

This is a prequel and gives you insite on what's to come. Can't wait.

[Marie Vayer · Rating 5 out of 5]

OH MY, when I first saw this book, I skipped it, I thought - ok she gets released and goes after the other woman for revenge, boy was i wrong! She is still hiding and running from the previous MC that set her up! and she has so many people out looking for her for various reasons. Lucky for her, she comes in contact with someone from the Raging Barons MC and finds a home while she deals with her past. A Great Story! and the rest of the series is just as good! Axel is now out and Silver will be out soon. If you read the previous series Satan's Guardians - I know she had plenty of errors but those have been fixed and the story line is wonderful. try them again :)

[Cathy hale · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG what a great start to a new series. Mis a waitress just released from prison for a crime she didn't commit. She is hiding from her ex boyfriend and his MC who believes she did the crime. Enter Axel who is President of the Raging Barons MC, who has an attraction to Mia and starts digging to find out the truth. OMG I can't wait for the next book. This one story that has you wanting to cry for Mia and at the same time wanting to beat her ex upside the head. Cheer on Axel as he seeks the truth and is willing to wage war.

[M Robinson · Rating 1 out of 5]

Absolutely terrible!

Where to begin?

The way the book is written is stilted and reads weird. I dont even have an adequate way to describe it. But its formulaic, and almost like writing by numbers.

Its superficial, there's zero depth. The characters 1 dimensional and literally no chemistry at all.

The mc guys are stupid and gunner is beyond pathetic.

Axel , seriously why would he involve himself in another clubs business?

It just didn't ring true.

As for the dialogue! Honestly did a teenager write this?

Terrible writing.

A real let down.

[Karen Keener Young · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good start to series

First 90 percent of the story was pure gold. Didn't bother me much that there was no sexy times. I've read a lot of books lately that storyline made the books and this book was prime example of that. What gets me is the story inconsistencies at the end of the book. Gunner shoots Cara between the eyes and that kills her..... But a few pages later back at the compound they've killed her again off book and are ending the other mc.... These kind of things should be caught cause they are so close together.

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't wait for the next book!!!

Daelman continues to put out amazing characters. I want my very own Axel, okay, I'll take a Target too! I love the fact that this author doesnt make her characters just met and start having a crazy relationship from chapter one. And by that, I mean the book isn't all just sex. The storyline allows you to connect with the characters and become part of their world. This is definitely an author you want to keep in your reading list!!!

[alisa davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story

This is probably her best story so far. However, the romance needs work. There was no spark between Axel and Mia. There were three separate stories
that clashed together at the end. I loved the stories but I want a strong relationship between the lead characters. I enjoy a slow burn romance but in this instance it was a no burn. This author continues to improve while I miss the romance I do enjoy her books.

[Karen Receveur · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beginning of a new Series

Would of like to of given 5 stars, but I felt like there needed to be more background on the characters. Everyone except Gunner had serious doubts about Mia's guilt, but took the word of Cara, who abandoned her child and just popped in. If Mia and Gunner were together for 5 years and she had helped raise his child and had helped others in the club, would you not of given Mia the benefit of doubt over a skank no one liked?

[Biser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice Suprise!!

I love when you stumble across a good book by accident😜 I've seen this one on my kindle for awhile and was out of things to read and gave it a shot. I know its just a prelude to the series but it has definitely caught my attention and I'm on to the next ! Mia's story was filled with so much betrayal I'm really looking forward to her finding her way with Axel and the Club😁

[Gskm · Rating 5 out of 5]

a very good read

This story is the beginning of Mia and her MC president’s story. It starts with a little girl whose mother is less than worthy and Mia being sent to Jail after betrayal by the little girl’s father. It’s a quagmire. The story is about what happens after her release from jail. It is a good read and is suppose to set the stage for book 2. No cliffhanger, no cheating, HFN.
I can’t wait to read book 2. Enjoy.