Defending Chloe is an exciting romantic suspense, and I want to thank the publisher, via Net-Galley, for the opportunity to read and review Susan Stoker’s newest release. My opinions are my own and are not influenced in any way.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Defending Chloe from the first page to the last. This book has all the ingredients that make romantic suspense a pleasure to read. I’ve read many books by Ms. Stoker, and for me, this is her best. The writing flows beautifully and is emotionally-charged.

Chloe’s backstory engaged me immediately. Although she had initially bowed to her brother before she realized his evil, she is determined to break away from the devious plans he has for her. She fights like a tiger when cornered. I liked her character a great well.

Ronan Cross is a great hero. He stands for justice, he believes in saving other in peril and does it in an honorable way. He is perfect for Chloe in so many ways. I truly wanted him to earn her trust and her respect.

The romance between Chloe and Ro is gentle and the sexual tension builds at the same pace as their friendship. Although they fall in love quickly, they still manage to discover what makes each of them tick. I found their romance sweet and tender. I was really glad they found their happy ending.

If you enjoy romantic suspense with good amount of suspense and a great love story, then you will love Defending Chloe. The epilogue gives the reader the set up for the next book in this outstanding series, and I can’t wait to read it. Happy reading!

Readers can count on Susan Stoker (Claiming Felicity) to give us alpha heroes dedicated to protecting their team and the women they love, strong heroines overcoming incredible odds, and (usually) incredibly disturbing villains (I still regret reading some of the villain's scenes in Defending Allye at night just before turning out the lights). Defending Chloe is no different. Ronan "Ro" Cross is a British member of the Mountain Mercenaries with scars in his past that he hasn't shared with anyone. Chloe not only brings out all his protective instincts, she gets him to share his burdens and see them in a new light. He's the kind of guy you want at your side: good instincts, a man who treats women with respect, and doesn't play games- but is still fully capable of messing things up while thinking he's doing the "right thing".

Fortunately, even after everything Chloe's been through, she remains strong enough to handle Ro. After years of abuse from her brother and his girlfriend she should be a broken, terrified, mess. And she is smart enough to be terrified of her brother's Mafia bosses, and scared of her controlling, amoral brother. But Chloe is also smart enough to know a good man when she sees one, and she trusts Ro and his friends to help her escape. Both Chloe and Ro are endearing characters, well-written and three dimensional. You're cheering for them from beginning to end.

Defending Chloe is a fast-paced thriller, full of edge of your seat action. As with all of Stoker's books, it is part of a larger series (this is book two in the Mountain Mercenaries series) but it can be read as a stand alone book. The rest of Ro's team and Allye do show up, but I don't see any new readers getting lost if they start with this book. I find it fun to reader Stoker's series in order if possible because I find it makes the cameos of other characters more fun for me as a reader but long-time fans of Susan Stoker or those starting with this book will enjoy it and be waiting eagerly for the next one!

I loved this exciting romantic suspense story!

Chloe has been held psychologically hostage to her brother's controlling whims for the past few years without truly understanding what he wants or what his plans are. Just as things start to become absolutely unbearable, she crosses paths with Ronan and his Mountain Mercenaries, who are dedicated to protecting all women, no matter what their situation may be.

As Ro and his friends slowly uncover the truth of Chloe's situation, they quickly realize that there's so much more that they have yet to discover. The threats are deftly layered, involving not just her brother but her late father's associates as well, a group of men who embody the ruthlessness of organized crime. All these various threats were brilliantly tied up in the oh-so-satisfying HEA. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

When running away is the only option left to you, how do you know that the direction you head is the right one? For Chloe, everything depends on her willingness to break free. But will her past catch up? Will Ronan be strong enough to protect her from what is coming? Will honour and love find a way? Intense drama and action packed.

I have read most of Ms. Stoker's earlier series and Defending Chloe is in the same vein as the earlier books but more sophisticated. The Mountain Mercenaries series centers around a group of former military men who focus on rescuing abused women and children. Ronan is former British SAS, who has relocated to Colorado Springs and runs an auto repair shop on his remote property. Chloe stumbles into his garage asking to use the phone, and Ronan is intrigued. She's very attractive and then there's the mismatch between Chloe's manner and the sleazy way she is dressed. Ronan becomes alarmed when he notices the bruises on Chloe's back and other evidence of abuse. The Mountain Mercenaries do some investigation and find that Chloe's brother is a low level Mafia member who owns both a strip club and brothel. They decide to rescue Chloe and that's when the fun begins!

There are lots of twists and turns in this story - without a doubt, Chloe's brother Leon is one of the most despicable villains around. The characters are well developed and the plot kept me on my toes until the very satisfying end. Another excellent book from Susan Stoker and another series to explore.

I received this book in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley.

Ronan is one of the Moutain Mercenary brothers who are a group of men who save women and children all over the world. They are an elite group led by Rex, and no one knows his real identity. When Chloe stumbles upon his property he notices that she has been abused and offers his help, at the time she refuses. But when he finds her working at a strip club and knows she is not there of her own free will, he comes up with a plan to help her escape. Chloe is finally free but has a big issue trusting others and rightfully so after everything she has been through, but Ro slowly breaks through her walls and as progress is made, her brother and the mob may just take all she has gained away, unless Ro can save her...again.
What a read and one of the main reasons I do love this author and her books, is the consistency. I know I’m going to get a read filled with suspense and some action, an alpha man with a heart who is also a hero and the woman will be just as strong and resilient...the perfect match for the hero. I also know that I’m going to be glued to the pages from beginning to end, there will be no over the top drama between the couple and the sparks, coupled with the steamy scenes will fog up any glass. This read is no exception and Ro and Chloe...what a couple. I LOVED Ronan, his patience, tenderness, gentleness, with a tough rough exterior, makes for a fiiine book boyfriend. The ending was a surprise with how it all ended with her brother and the mob...LOVED IT!! Can’t wait for the next one !!!
*I voluntarily read an advanced copy and expressed my honest opinion*

Chloe and Ro are dynamite!

I love this author’s ensemble, military romances and this new-ish series is making my re-read shelf tip over! Intense, with danger and love in perfect harmony, Chloe and Ro’s story is a whirlwind of tension, suspense and romance. Chloe is in hell and is worried that she may not get a chance to make her escape. Ro may be an unexpected saviour but there is a lot that could go wrong between her, him and the door….

While rooted in the real world, their story had me forgetting about everything else but their struggle and the (too) fast reading pages. Chloe is scared but there could be no one more suited to help her than Ro and the elite group of Mountain Mercenaries. These men live in a shadowy world between evil and good, their mission to save women and children from exploitation. With Chloe’s help, they were going to get her out…

Once again, the characters were everything in this roller coaster of a ride. They tug at every emotion I might have as they share theirs with me. Another great read that I’m tempted to re-read again… right now!

This is the second book in the Morgan's Mercenaries series and it was just as interesting and fast-paced as the first book (Defending Allye). Ro is the perfect guy to protect (and care for) Chloe. He's strong and brave and willing to do whatever it takes to keep her safe. I liked Chloe as well. She's had a rough few years but she is learning to stand on hwy own and to be bravery than she ever thought she could be. They are just so good together.
I also enjoy the other members of Ro's group and look forward to reading their books a well.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher, Montlake, via NetGalley. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias.

The second story in the Mountain Mercenaries series is just as captivating as Defending Allye. Susan Stoker's next romantic suspense, Defending Chloe, picks up where the last story ended. Chloe Harris walked down Ronan Cross's driveway and ever since then he's been eager to find her and make sure she isn't trapped in a situation against her will.

Now that he knows who her brother is, and what he's up to, he's determined more than ever to get Chloe out of his clutches. Ro steps into Chloe's world just when things are starting to go from bad to worse. Her brother's connection to the mafia isn't the only thing that makes him too dangerous to cross.

I love how Ro's character unfold throughout the story. He is more expressive than I expected him to be, but I loved the full range of his personality. Chloe's strength through every bad thing that happened to her was amazing. She didn't take charge like Allye, but she learned to survive and thrive in tough circumstances. The story moves quickly and is filled with a few twists to keep readers guessing. The ending also sets up the next story very nicely. I love that the series focuses on a group of men who dedicate their lives to protecting women and children. The next book, Defending Morgan, sounds like it might be the most intriguing of the stories so far! This series is perfect for fans of Elisabeth Naughton's Deadly Secrets series.
*ARC provided in consideration for review*

Chloe has no idea how her life got so off track. Her career died and she lived in fear. And then she meets Ro. but can she trust that Ro is all that he seems?
Defending Chloe is second in Susan Stoker's Mountain Mercenaries series. I really enjoyed Chloe. Her life isn't much right now but she has a plan. She will dig herself out of the mess her life becomes or die trying. But her plan doesn't include a man. However one drops into her lap ready, willing and able to help. Can she trust him? I adored Ro. He saw something in Chloe and refused to let it go. I loved that Ms. Stoker allowed Ro to look beyond the obvious with Chloe. He saw her strength beneath the fear. He gave her hope even as he fought to gain her trust. He refused to see Chloe as a victim even if her circumstances were less than ideal. I loved seeing Chloe and Ro learn each other. They became friends while their attraction to each other grew. I loved that Ms. Stoker showed us a man of honor as Ro fought to support and help Chloe regain her freedom.
This story by Ms. Stoker is well written. It is full of action. There are unexpected twists that add several layers to this story. I loved returning to this world Ms. Stoker has created and I can't wait to see where she will take us next.

Defending Chloe by Susan Stoker is a 5 star read.
Chloe Harris never imagined her life turning out the way it was, she was held captive by her own brother, who told her tales of the mafia men she was fixing the books for who would come and do unimaginable things to her to keep her compliant but Chloe had started to put a plan in place to run away as she couldn’t see any other way out, but then Ronan showed up and offered to help her and she really wanted to believe in him.
Ronan Cross is not a man to mess with, he’s a former member of the British SAS and is now part of the Mountain Mercenaries, a group of good men who help woman and children who are in dire need of rescuing, when Chloe walks into his yard covered in bruises looking to use his phone, Ronan can’t get her out of his head later and sets out to find her and help her if needed what he didn’t expect was to find the one person who was meant to be his.
I love everything by Susan Stoker and this book isn’t any different, each story pulls you in but you’re always left wanting more, Susan’s books are always a one-click from me.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

Defending Chloe is one of the best books I have read this year! The first book in this series was very good but this 2nd installment far surpasses that. It is Book 2 of the Mountain Mercenaries series and could stand perfectly fine on its own but Book 1 is great as well so I recommend giving it a read to get the full effect.

I really wasn't sure going in what I thought about the overall plot with the evil villain being the heroine's brother but Ms. Stoker made it work and then some. This story was loaded to the brim with action, adventure, romance, and heart-stopping thrills. It kept me on the edge of my seat for the entire ride. I love getting to know these rough Mountain Mercenary men and seeing the softer side underneath that tough outer shell.

Overall this was a superb story and I cannot wait to dive into the next book in this series!

Defending Chloe is the second book in the mountain mercenaries series by Susan stoker. Having enjoyed the first book I was eager to see if this one would get me excited just as much and it did. As a British person I am always a little hesitant when an author introduces a British person. Well number one some of our words are different plus spell check is a pain as it clicks over to the US version. But susan did a grand job of the uk language and spellings and I found myself reading the book in my own accent when it can to Rohan.

The plot of the story centres around Chloe. A young woman who lost her mom early and then loses her dad at 30, to be taken in by her estranged brother and made to work for him between beatings from his guards and girlfriend. As he kicks her out of the car and forces her to walk she finds herself at Rohan’s house. He sees something in her and wants to help. What we get from here is a brother who is cruel and will do anything to get what he wants, a group of men who want to help and mafia who aren’t as mean as they appear to be. A great read from start to finish as always and I can’t wait for Arrow’s book.

This is such a wonderful read. A well written, gripping storyline captures and holds your attention. Ronan and Chloe were amazing characters. Likable and complex, these characters make an amazing couple that you will be rooting for all the way to the end. Their emotional connection is beautiful and their chemistry steamy. With a plot that offers drama, suspense and high levels of emotional tension, this book was simply a terrific romance.

Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) provided by the Author and Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an fair and honest review.

As a Probate and Trust Administration Paralegal I love a mystery that turns on a Will or Trust. What people will do for money that isn't even theirs can be just awful. Add a hot romance and I'm in plot heaven. This is my first Susan Stoker book and it won't be my last.

Ronan Cross is part of a group that rescues battered, victimized women, the Mountain Mercenaries. Weeks ago a woman wandered onto his property. She was dumped in a rural area near Colorado Springs, CO and Ronan was concerned for her. Her story was chilling, yet she willingly left. Ronan decided to dig deeper and find out what she was hiding.

Chloe Harris led a wonderful life, until her father died, she lost her job and her brother took over her life, keeping her a virtual prisoner. Nightmare is a kind word for what she has endured. When Leon literally tossed her out of his car and she came upon Ronan's property, she was a traumatized wreck of a person and it only got worse after Leon got her back in his clutches. His demand that she start servicing men at his strip club is the final straw. She is going to leave, but that night Ronan and his group show up and he gives her hope of escape.

Ronan will stop at nothing to protect Chloe and Leon will stop at nothing to get her back because she is the key to control over the vast fortune that was her mother's. Ronan and the Mountain Mercenaries have a lot to lose and Chloe's life to gain when they go up against Leon and with his Mob connections and the local police in his pocket.

I really enjoyed book 1 of this series, and I liked this one just as much!

Ronan Cross is former British SAS, and now he lives in Colorado Springs, working with his brothers-in-arms to help rescue women and children in peril. He lives in a fairly remote area, on purpose, so people don't typically just happen upon his property. His work with the Mountain Mercenaries sometimes requires that he lie low, and so his home suits him perfectly. But, when a woman, who obviously needs help, shows up in his yard, he's surprised. And once she's gone, he can't stop thinking about her. He knows he can help her, so he sets about finding her and letting her know he's there for whatever she needs. Well, turns out, she really is in BIG trouble, and does need help, but she's not sure she can trust him.

Chloe Harris has had a terrible 3 years. She used to be happy. She had a great job, good friends, and a place of her own. Then, her dad was killed, after already losing her mom to violence a few years earlier. Then, she lost her job. When her younger brother Leon invited her back to the family home to stay, as a favor to help her out, she took him up on it. It was the worst mistake of her life. Leon is a monster, and he's been controlling everything about her and her life, ever since. He's involved in the local mafia, and he runs a strip club that he's been forcing her to work at for the last few months. She's desperate to get away, but when Ronan offers her help, she's not sure if she should take it. She couldn't live with herself if someone else got hurt by her brother or his thugs, just for trying to help her. She's also not sure if she can trust him. She's running pretty low on that these days.

Chloe and Ro have chemistry in spades, but their situation is so precarious because of her circumstances. Ro wants her, but he wants her to feel safe and secure above anything else. Chloe wants him, but it's so hard for her to trust anyone, especially a man, after what she's been through. I loved watching their flicker of attraction turn into a flame, and I loved seeing Chloe really come into her own after being abused and browbeaten for so long.

The suspense plot was scary and exciting, and I was always holding my breath for the next thing to go wrong. The bad guys were SO BAD that you hoped for every bad thing to happen to them, and for the good guys to win. I was surprised at the amount of HATE I had for Chloe's evil, money-hungry brother, and his harpy of a girlfriend, and any author who can make me hate someone that viscerally is a great author!

The guys of Mountain Mercenaries are an awesome bunch, and I loved getting to know them better. They are each unique, funny, and exciting, and I can't wait to see each of them meet their special one. In the epilogue we get to see the start of the next story, and I'm anticipating Arrow's book so much! I highly recommend this series so far, and I look forward to what's coming next.

page turning dark romance

Susan Stoker's Defending Chloe started off dark but was a fast paced sexy romance. Chloe and Ronan are amazing together, loved the chemistry.
I received an advance reader copy via Netgalley.

5 Stars

Another heart pounding, action packed, suspenseful romance from Susan Stoker that you won’t want to put down! Chloe is a strong woman who has been betrayed by someone who should’ve always been by her side. When Ronan cannot stop thinking about her after a chance run in he has to look into whether his suspicions of her situation are correct...unfortunately they are and he has to enlist his buddies help to protect her and help her. Ro and Chloe are a couple you will absolutely fall in love with and you won’t want to put this book down until you finish every last word!

Cara - Alphas Do It Better Book Blog

Bloody hell, this author can do no wrong by me. Each story I've loved more than the last.
This book is about GREED and what people will do for money. There's kidnapping, murder and the mafia rolled into one very entertaining, action packed tale. There's love too, it's simmering away in the background. The two main characters had the sizzle factor going, love a strong heroine and a good story line. Who is Rex? I have an inkling but I see a red herring thrown into the mix here. Bring on the next book in this series, I can't wait.

OK, guys. Full confession time. I used to read every one of this author’s books. I would pre-order them and read them the second they hit my Kindle. Then life happened. A big move across the country, jobs that fell through, etc., etc, blah, blah, blah. So to say I was beyond excited to read this after getting to see Susan Stoker at Shameless BookCon in October is an understatement. (Side note: I’ve had the pleasure of meeting her twice now, and she’s just as cool and down to earth as you’d imagine! She’s also got a wicked sense of humor!) Now that life has settled down somewhat, I’ve got a LOT of catching up to do! But I digress. Back to Chloe!

This is the second book in Susan Stoker’s Mountain Mercenaries series. I started reading her books with the first book in her Badge of Honor: Texas Heroes series and loved her writing from the get-go. She’s only gotten better from there! Defending Chloe is Ronan and Chloe’s story. They met very briefly in book 1 so this book picks up not long after that. Chloe’s brother is in deep with the mob. He’s held her hostage for years without the outside world being aware. She’s been forced into a lifestyle she never wanted or intended. So Ronan and his gang come to her rescue. Despite the circumstances of her life the last few years, she’s a strong woman, and it doesn’t take her long to figure out she can trust Ronan with everything. And I do mean everything. Can Ronan and the Mountain Mercenaries save her from the danger her brother and his associates bring to their door, or will she be lost to him forever?

With fast-paced action and an explosion worthy of Bruce Willis in Die Hard (c’mon guys! It’s Christmas, so of course I had to go there...yippee ki-ya!), this book will have you turning the pages without stopping to the very end. Hot guys with guns that live in the gray 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!