I didn't enjoy this book as much as Stoker's other series but it was still really good. I don't know why I'm not as into it as her other ones but what can you do. I did really enjoy the brief mention of Tex, I mean, I'm assuming it was Tex.

✦Review: DEFENDING CHLOE (Mountain Mercenaries Book 2) by Susan Stoker http://wp.me/p3d0RZ-aX6
Publication Date: December 4, 2018
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Reviewed by: Reading in Pajamas/ Donna
Rated 4 Stars

I enjoyed the second addition to this series, and as always, it has me wanting to learn more about the Mountain Mercenaries. I’m glad it wasn’t as sadistically graphic as book one – it still had the danger surrounding a Chloe’s struggle for freedom, but it was more palatable for me. Chloe was a woman in need of rescue. She was a bit naïve, so I was happy to see her stronger-self evolve through the story. Ronan was of course a handsome, hot and strong man. This book had him gentle and easy going with Chloe – I liked that. It made the progression of their romance more believable. Granted, Chloe’s situation stretched my imagination, but this IS fiction and I let myself go with it. This novel met my need for hot passion, action and suspense…making me impatient for the next installment.

*Review copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

~*~*~*~

Kindle $4.99 http://amzn.to/2UbCRfd‬

When Chloe shows up on Roe's property he knows she is in danger. He asks his friends for help in finding her. He doesn't know what path he will take when he finds her, however his friends and him do what they do best. They save her but not in the way he would have liked. When Chloe wakes up from being kidnapped she is not sure what to think. Her feelings are that she is safe now. Roe will keep Chloe safe awhile she is under his roof he knows she has a long way to go before she will trust him.
This story has a lot of action, mystery, and romance. Watching Chloe grow and the relationship between her and Roe develop was awesome. I really enjoyed this book.


** I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review**

This is book two in the Mountain Mercenaries series and it features Ronan and Chloe. Chloe is extremely book-smart but not very street-smart. She grew up a pampered princess and was living on her own and working a great paying job. Liam‘s treatment towards her was abhorrent! He was a terrible human being and I felt sorry for her that he was her brother. Thank God for Ronan and his pursuit of Chloe. I love his patience and persistence with her.

The action and suspense is fantastic! The characters are all amazing and the story line progressed at a perfect pace. There were some parts of the story line that were totally unexpected but welcomed. I can’t wait to read more from this amazing author.

This is a great edition to the Mountain Mercenary series and is Ro and Chloe's story

Unbeknown to her Chloe has been doing the books for the local Denver Mafia and her brother ants it to keep on but he also wants to get rid of her as she is the sole inheritor of their family money and he wants and needs it. When she is tossed out of a car with nothing by her brother and his girlfriend Ro a local mechanic comes to her aid. What she doesn't know is that he isn't just a mechanic he is also a member of the Mountain Mercenaries men dedicated to making sure evil doesn't thrive. Now he and his teammates will do whatever they need to to keep her safe and bring down her flesh peddling brother

Another well written book from this talented writer you always know that you will get a great read with plenty of twists turns and adventure when you pick up a Susan Stoker book

What will you do if a woman walks into your front door asking for help then leaves with just a thank you? Will you look for her simply because you can’t get her out of your mind? Well, that’s exactly what Ronan Cross did.

Then he finds out the hard way that Chloe Harris does not just need help, she needs a protector. And that was what Ronan did – protect and defend her. Somewhere along the way, Chloe and Ronan began falling in love. But, for Chloe, love is not enough. She needs to be able to trust Ronan, yet every time she turns around, distrust rears its ugly head.

The second book in the high-octane Mountain Mercenaries series, “Defending Chloe” pumps up your adrenaline thanks to the car chases and police procedural elements. Ronan and his team might be towing the line to be within the right side of the law, but it is easy to see that they are really the good guys.

And because Mountain Mercenaries is actually a gender swap of Charlie’s Angels just with a darker theme, it is very easy to get vested with the characters and story.

A romantic thriller, you are rest assured a happy ending. But the ending is not really the end. There is a continuing thread of mystery, so though the first two books are stand alone novels, and a hint was given in the end what is to be in the third book, there is a sense of anticipation because quite frankly, the series is just that good.

Defending Chloe is Rated M for Mature due to violence and sexual content.

I don't think I have read a Susan Stoker book that I haven't liked and this one is no exception. I devoured Defending Chloe and I look forward to the third book, especially after the epilogue we got in this one. These guys make me wish there was a team like them in real life. Ronan was a great hero who was always trying to respect Chloe and her needs (mostly for space) even if he didn't always understand them. I don't understand how Chloe went from the life she had all those years ago to been her brothers minion. She is a smart woman and I guess that it just served the plot. I liked her a lot in this book and she might be one of my favorite heroines from this universe. Together these two (and of course with the help from the other guys), they fight her brother and face some scary people, while slowly (or not so slowly) they fall for each other. I understood Ronan's actions from page one 'till the last, even if they didn't always seem to be on the side I wanted them to be. The pace was good and we had a lot of things going on and mysteries to solve which kept me turning page after page until I reached the end. I do think that the series is binge-reading worthy, but since each book is stand-alone you can just pick this one up. The main characters from book one also appear and Allye has more insight into what Chloe is going through, so we see her a lot, which is good.

DEFENDING CHLOE (Mountain Mercenaries Book #2) by Susan Stoker is a fast-paced romantic suspense that I read completely in one sitting. This is the second book in this new series, but it can easily be read as a standalone with the character crossover explained briefly so as not to be confusing.

Ronan “Ro” Cross is a Brit and ex-SAS in the Mountain Mercenaries. In between assignments, he loves to fix car motors from the garage of his remote property. When a beautiful, scantily clad woman appears in his driveway, he is shocked and then incensed when he notices a large bruise on her back. He offers to help her, but she does not trust any man.

Chloe Harris is in the middle of a nightmare. Her brother, Leon has taken over her life. She has gone from being an independent accountant/financial planner to being held as his prisoner. He is coercing her into prostituting herself at his sex club outside of Colorado Springs. He threatens her with his Mafia ties and believes she is completely at his mercy, but he does not know that a Mountain Mercenary has taken an intense interest in her and her situation.

With Leon’s Mafia connections, the Mountain Mercenaries may have taken on more than even they can handle, but there is no way Ro is going to leave Chloe and allow a club with unwilling women to continue to exist.

I absolutely love Ronan. Quiet, strong and yet gentle and an English accent - very HOT! Chloe is beaten down, but refuses to be completely broken. The romance begins very quickly and is extremely hot and intense, but Ronan never pushes Chloe into more than she wants and is willing to do. The suspense plot kept me turning the pages and the surprise plot twist regarding the reason Leon keeps Chloe alive and his prisoner was interesting. I did have a problem with the old-time Mafia code supposedly up-held by the head of the Mafia in the area though. For me, it was not realistic and was a small distraction from an otherwise strong romantic suspense. I do recommend this addition to the series and know you will fall for Ronan, too.

NOTE: The Mountain Mercenaries are in existence to protect woman and children wherever they are abused. These books all have some degree of sexual slavery or abuse. Some of the details are graphic, but I believe the author never crosses the line into exploitation.

This was an enjoyable read, but a had one to read too. Chloe's brother is scum. I couldn't wait for karma to pay him a visit. With all the suspenseful moments there are plenty or romantic ones. I swooned a lot when it came to Ro. The way him was with Chloe warmed my heart. She so deserved someone like Ro and his team in her corner. I won't there were times I cringed at parts that show the sleazier parts of life. I thought this book had the right balance where the good out shined the bad. It's a book that has your heart racing, on the edge of your seat one minute then your heart happy sighing the next

Ronan is a member of the Mountain Mercenaries who are a group of men with military backgrounds whose mission is to save women and children from those who wish to do them harm. When Chloe ends up on his property sporting a bruise even though he lets her go he doesn’t forget about her.

Until the passing of her father Chloe had no idea what her brother was really like. She now finds herself about to be forced to do something she doesn’t want to and unsure where to turn for help.
When Ronan shows to rescue her from the dangerous situation, but her brother is not about to let her go so easily as she has something he wants and is not about to give up.

Ronan and Chloe are perfect for each other which combined with the suspense and twists to be revealed leads to a story you won’t be able to put down. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

I loved this read! Chloe and Rowan are great characters with amazing chemistry. The story is fast-paced with loads of drama and suspense. I loved the intensity of the read and their story had me hooked from beginning to end.

Defending Chloe by Susan Stoker is book Two in the Mountain Mercenaries series. This is the story of Chloe Harris and Ronan Cross. I have read the previous book but feel you can make this a standalone book if you wish to do so.
Chloe's father died which seem to lead to other fall-outs in her life. Not know how evil her brother was she came home to him but he started showing his true self and his involvement with the mob. Now Chloe is trying to survive and get away from him. Ronan works for the Mountain Mercenaries that help women and children in bad situations. Working to help Chloe he starts to feel more for her but there is danger they need to get through before they can have a happy ending.
Exciting Read!

5 STARS FOR DEFENDING CHLOE!! Another Fantastic Story from this great author. This story had all the feels you look for in a great story. Susan Stoker always gives us 5 star reviews.

This exhilarating read keeps readers glued to the pages with lots of thrilling and gritty suspense. The characters are strong, convincing and easily enthrall readers with every aspect of their story and the hero and heroine both invoke emotions that have readers wanting this couple to get their happily ever after with every word they read. Chloe is a bit of a contradiction as she is strong and feisty but yet at the same vulnerable and skittish due to her situation and Ronan is a sweet, strong, protective and sexy male that readers easily fall for. The author does a great job of portraying the character and their personalities that readers really feel as if they know these characters. The chemistry between Chloe and Ronan sizzles from every page while the romance is sweet and full of passion and emotional angst.

The story takes place at a fast pace and just keeps the suspense and thrills building throughout as Roman and the Mountain Mercenaries try to uncover just what Chloe’s brother is up to while keeping her safe. Unexpected twists keeps the characters and the readers on their toes and the mercenaries pull everyone deeper into their fascinating and dangerous world that keeps readers intrigued and wanting more. The author vivid portrayal of this world ensures that readers easily get caught up in all the characters and the dangers they face and really who can resist guys who bad for all the right reasons.

5 Heart Racing, Suspense Filled Stars!!!

I was given this book in turn for an honest review.

Ro knew the minute the mysterious woman found herself on his property, she was in danger; he also couldn’t deny the pull he felt towards her. Will Ro and his Team help Chloe before it’s too late, and will they risk the reputation of the Mountain Mercenaries in the process?

Susan Stoker has excelled with her talent for writing another amazing story. I loved every moment of Defending Chloe, Susan Stoker never failed to keep me on the edge of my seat, throughout. I love how she captures a scene, almost like you are right there in the thick of it all, experiencing everything along with the characters.

I found Ro an interesting character, he was a determined, strong, character. It was clear he thought a lot of his team and once he set his heart on something, or helping someone, he would do everything in his power to see it through. Being British myself, I enjoyed the little moments where his British sayings came out, I feel that Susan captured his background well, and I hope this won’t be the last British character she writes about.

Chloe was amazing, it was clear she was a very strong person. To have gone through all she had and still be standing, trying to break free, was outstanding. She is a loveable character, one you would love to have by your side as a friend.

This series is shaping up to be another incredible series from Susan Stoker. If you love romance and suspense, check out the Mountain Mercenaries series today!

I only recently discovered Susan Stoker - this is my second book by her - but I'm really enjoying her writing. Like the first book in her Mountain Mercenaries series (Defending Allye), Defending Chloe is a fast-paced story filled with action, suspense, slow-burning romance, and enough twists and turns to keep me wondering how it would all turn out.

Ronan is a hero who checks my boxes. He's definitely an alpha male who won't hesitate to use force to protect a woman being mistreated but he's also kind, steady, and tender with the woman who instantly piques his interest and is gradually capturing his heart. His British accent doesn't hurt either. ;-)

Chloe is an intelligent woman who has slowly and insidiously been entrapped by someone she loved and trusted. Learning to trust someone new won't be easy. She's a relatable, sympathetic character who gradually takes back control of her life with me cheering her on every step of the way.

If you enjoy contemporary romantic suspense with engaging characters, edge-of-your-seat suspense, plenty of action, and heart-tugging romance, give this book a try. I'm already looking forward to the next Mountain Mercenaries story, Defending Morgan, due out in March 2019.
4.5 stars

Chloe and Ronan…perfect. Chloe is being taken advantage of by her brother and looking for a way to escape his control. Enter Ronan. One look at her and he is hooked. He recruits his friends, the Mountain Mercenaries, to help her escape the hell she is living in. Ronan and his friends are heroes. They protect women and children, they put themselves in danger to save others, and they love with their entire souls.

Chloe is a college graduate, a successful businesswoman yet she is clueless as to why her brother treats her as he does. How could a woman with so much education, so much knowledge of the world of money be so clueless as to why her brother was keeping such a strong hold on her. I love that she was not just willing to be a helpless woman accepting the help of men. She didn’t openly trust Ronan and his friends; she questioned their willingness to help her and kept her guard up. Even with all that she had going on and everything that was working against her she stayed strong, kept true to herself and worked to save herself.

This is the second book in the series and I haven’t yet read the first one but it is now on my must-read list. Each book is an entire story. They can be read without reading the others. The characters cross over, making appearances in other books, but the main characters have a beginning and an ending.

With fast-paced action and an explosion this book will have you turning the pages without stopping to the very end. Hot guys with guns that live in the grey area between legal and illegal, but still the ultimate good guys, get me every. Single. Time! Add in women who have been dealt the worst hands life could ever hand them but still come out fighting hard for better futures, and you’ve got yourself Susan Stoker gold! Even if you’ve never read any of her previous books but you love military/law enforcement romance, I promise this book won’t disappoint!

full review: https://shahlas-world.blogspot.com/2018/12/susan-stoker-does-not-disappoint.html

Enjoyable. I'm still thinking the bartender is not what he seems. Can't wait for the next book!

These are my own thoughts & I do not get paid for this review.

DEFENDING CHLOE is the second instalment in Susan Stoker’s contemporary, adult MOUNTAIN MERCENARIES romantic, military, suspense series focusing on a group of six former soldiers and Navy SEALS who call themselves Mountain Mercenaries, headed by the mysterious ‘Rex’. This is former British SAS soldier Ronan Cross, and thirty-four year old, accountant Chloe Harris’ story line. DEFENDING CHLOE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.

NOTE: The Mountain Mercenaries is a spin off from the author’s Ace Security series but you do not have to have read the previous series to understand or follow the current timeline. The Mountain Mercenaries were first introduced in CLAIMING FELICITY (Ace Security 4).

Told from dual third person perspectives (Chloe and Ronan) DEFENDING CHLOE follows former British SAS soldier Ronan Cross as he sets into motion a plan to rescue Chloe Harris, a woman he believes is being forced against her will, to work in a strip club owned by her pathological brother. A daring rescue results in further injuries to our story line heroine, as the rescue goes off course when Chloe is unaware of what’s going down. Believing she has traded one prison for another, protective custody with Ronan Cross screams all kinds of wrong especially with the growing sexual attraction between our leading couple. What ensues is the building relationship between Chloe and Ronan; the search for the truth behind Chloe’s years of servitude to her brother, and the connections to the local mob.

Chloe Harris’ life spiralled out of control shortly after the death of her beloved father when her younger brother gained control of the family business. Never having questioned her father about the how or why, Chloe finds herself working for the mob when her brother forces our heroine to do the job. Weeks earlier a bruised and battered Chloe Harris found herself at a stranger’s door, and in the ensuing time Ronan was unable to forget about the woman who stirred something within his heart, something he believed could be his future.

The relationship between Chloe and Ronan begins acrimoniously. Ronan’s attraction to Chloe is immediate but her ‘rescue’ from her brother’s strip club goes all kinds of wrong, and Chloe struggles to trust the man with whom she will fall in love. The $ex scenes are limited, passionate and seductive.

The colorful secondary and supporting characters include Meat, Arrow and Ball; Grayson and Allye (Defending Allye #1), as well as the mysterious ‘Rex’, the head of the Denver Cosa Nostra Joseph Carlino, and his business partner Peter Smaldone. The requisite evil has many faces including Chloe’s brother Leon Harris, and Leon’s girlfriend Abbie.

The world building continues to follow the Mountain Mercenaries who rescue vulnerable women and children from their abusers and oppressors.

DEFENDING CHLOE is a heart breaking, edgy, emotional and passionate story line. The premise is intriguing and engaging; the characters are dynamic and charismatic; the romance is seductive.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

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