I received an arc from NetGalley and this is my honest opinion. Morgan and Arrow meet in devestating circumstances but their attraction and connection begins right from the start.

This book has some not so pleasant topics so not for the faint of heart.

Another terrific romantic suspense from Stoker!

When Arrow rescues Morgan from her captors in the Caribbean, they find there's a spark between them, which they decide to pursue once she's returned to the States. The way the characters' connection built through the story was spot-on; they didn't jump into anything, and they didn't do any stupid push-and-pull.

I liked the character of Arrow. He's brave, resourceful, and perceptive. I especially liked how willing he was to lay out his intentions and feelings regarding Morgan. The man did not play games.

Morgan is also a fantastic character - an excellent example of a strong female lead, despite almost hitting the mark of "too perfect." Really though, I admired her big-picture thinking, her determination to pitch in, and her willingness to accept help.

A very tasty read! Arrow is a great alpha male hero - strong, protective, but soft and supportive when it counts. He's instantly taken with Morgan when she unexpectedly becomes a part of their kidnapping-rescue mission; Morgan has obviously been through an ordeal many wouldn't survive, but she's not ready to give up yet, and her strength appeals to something deep inside Arrow.

But there's danger beyond Morgan's abduction to the Dominican Republic - when she returns home, it's obvious that someone is still out to destroy her... And Arrow's not going to let that happen.

A roller coaster of a ride right from page one as Archer aka Arrow ends up in the Dominican to rescue a kidnapped little girl and ends up with Morgan during the rescue as well. Morgan has been missing for a year, vanished from the U.S. and her dad has been in the spotlight, pleading for her return not letting the public forget her, that’s how Arrow knows who she is once she tells him her identity. Now he has to get her out as well, away from the kidnappers and out of the country. He will need all his resources and help from his boss to make it happen...will they come out on the other side and find out who was behind it?
Oh my my my my what an amazing read with steam, action, betrayal, and a tale of abuse that may be a trigger for some. A roller coaster of a ride with emotions that had me up, then down, then up again throughout the read. The strength and determination, the vulnerabilty, the fight that Morgan has left in her after everything she went through and yet would protect those weaker around her with a fierceness and putting herself in the line of fire....wow. Arrow, be still my heart for this mercenary, his compassion and protectiveness towards Morgan....left me in a puddle of goo...and his patience with Morgan’s issues....swoon, swoon, swoon.
A read that had me turning the pages from the beginning, not wanting to put it down, the action and suspense keeping me on the edge of my seat, the emotions that had me misty eyed and a twist I didn’t see coming.....highly recommended read.
*I voluntarily read an advanced copy and expressed my honest opinion*

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

In words once immortalized by The King: "A little less conversation, a little more action." That is my feeling about this book, way to much narrative and way to little action after first few chapters. Add to that the whole kidnapped, abused woman trope, it just doesn't work for me.

While on an op to rescue a kidnapped child, Archer "Arrow" Kane and the Mountain Mercenary's get a bonus: Morgan Byrd, missing for over a year. Arrow finds her ready to protect little Nina with her life and is a goner on the spot. The why and how she came to be in Santo Domingo is what this book plot turns on.

The third book in the Mountain Mercenaries series by Susan Stoker tells the story of Morgan and Arrow. He was on a mission on the Dominican Republic and with his team target, they found a woman that they couldn't leave behind. That woman was Morgan and she had been missing for a year or so.

Arrow and Morgan, as characters, have individual personalities and also they have lead very different lives. That doesn't affect them negatively when they get into a sticky situation after another and can't find who is trying to hurt Morgan or why. As time passes and they spend more and more time together, the relationship changes to a romantic one and it feels so natural, nothing is forced between them.

Morgan is a strong and resilient woman, she doesn't give up no matter what's happening and the year she spends in the hands of her captors and the way she protects the little girl that they throw with her in that hell... She's amazing. When she finally is back on USA territory she feels conflicted and when the relationship with Arrow evolves her flashbacks are a setback, but she won't allow them to take over her life.

Arrow has been part of the Mountain Mercenaries and has seen a couple of hard missions, they work mostly with woman and children cases, but Morgan for him is just a slap in the face that woke him up. He had a new goal in life: to love Morgan and make her happy... and find the piece of garbage that was trying to hurt her. What I loved the most about him was his patience, and this is a trade that the guys need in books like this because she has reactions and flashbacks but he still supports her without overwhelming her.

The world of this book is very contemporary and it's not hard to get your feet planted and understand what's going on. Susan Stoker is very straight forward with this part of her books, she tells it like it is. Besides, there are so many things going on for the main characters that adding that the world is a strange one would be overkill... at least in my opinion.

Sometimes when you read an author enough you manage to see some details that others don't. In my particular case, I know that usually in Susan's books, the bad guy or woman is the person that you least expected to be. She had managed to surprise me in more than a couple of books with this but in Defending Morgan I kind of got the idea of who it was around the middle of the story.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book provided by Netgalley. The opinions expressed are my own.

✦Review: DEFENDING MORGAN (Mountain Mercenaries Book 3) by Susan Stoker https://wp.me/p3d0RZ-b3l
Publication Date: March 5, 2019
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Reviewed by: Reading in Pajamas/ Donna
Rated 4 Stars

was riveted to this exciting romantic suspense story. Archer had me hooked right away and wormed his way into my heart. He was the perfect gentle-tough-guy for Morgan. She went through hell and back but kept her inner strength. I liked how she was strong and still allowed herself to lean on the expert. They were what each other needed. The excitement started immediately, keeping me turning pages to see how they would get themselves out, then it slowed down during the relationship journey before jumping to the unexpected climax. It isn’t a hot and sexy romance, but one that was fitting for the people involved. I like the personalities of the mercenaries, so wish there was more banter and camaraderie between them. Perhaps in the next installment – I’m counting the days until it’s release.

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

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An intriguing story of kidnap, torture and rescue. When Morgan is kidnapped off the streets of Atlanta and whisked away to The Dominican Republic, it takes all she has in her to survive. When mercenaries are sent to rescue a 5 year old girl, they happen upon Morgan also and return her to the US. She forms a bond with one of the rescuers and stays with him until they are sure she is safe to go home. Suspicious things begin to happen confirming the fears that someone is still after her. I enjoyed the story line although the story itself was a little hard to believe. I liked the book all in all.

A fierce hero with a compassionate core versus the strong heroine who has a mystery to solve. Patience is the key when dealing with a kidnapping and the discovery of who was behind it all made the unknown come alive. Sexy action packed romance with a dramatic flair.

When Archer "Arrow" Kane and his group, the Mountain Mercenaries, go to the Dominican Republic to rescue a kidnapped child, they are amazed to find a woman, Morgan, who has been missing for a year, protecting the child. After they successfully return to the US with their charges, the hunt for finding out who had Morgan kidnapped, begins.

This is the 3rd book in the Mountain Mercenaries series and it's probably considered a stand-alone but I think you should read the previous books as characters from those books are mentioned in this one. I enjoyed reading Arrow and Morgan's story. There's danger and intrigue, Insta-love, some light smexy-times, and really great characters.

*Please note possible trigger warnings as this book deals with kidnapping, violence, and year-long assault (though the author does not go into explicit detail, there is some and it is mentioned/alluded to multiple times).*

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

I loved the strength of both Morgan and Arrow in this book! Morgan had endured so much, buried some of it, but knew what she wanted and needed after her rescue. It took some convincing, but Arrow finally made her see that he didn’t think any less of her, pitied her, or wanted more than she could give. He saw her strength, and that amazed him from the beginning. Despite, or maybe because, of Morgan had been through, these two connected on a cerebral level, an emotional level, even though the physical attraction was always there.

Dealt with the utmost sensitivity, the brutality that had been Morgan’s life for the past year, isn’t overwhelming to the reader. The emotional impact is clear, the physicality cannot be pushed aside, but her actions and reactions, her strength, is always the center. Arrow is the hero she needs, whether getting her out of the life she was stuck in, or keeping her safe at home, or defending her from her monsters, he is always there, always letting her lead, and offering his support

If you are a Susan Stoker fan you know the saying "this book is her best yet". Well I'm telling you Defending Morgan is her best yet. Oh my goodness there were times that I laughed historically and other times I was ugly crying. I absolutely loved the chemistry between Archer and Morgan. Susan pulls you right into her books as if you are one of her characters. The Mountain Mercenaries series has become my favorite series.

Defending Morgan is an excellent ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ third release in Susan Stoker’s Mountain Mercenaries series. It had everything I was expecting and more.

Morgan is not the stereotypically depicted kidnap victim, she doesn’t cry, scream or cause a fuss. She has the presence of mind to do what she has to, to help ‘Arrow’ and his teammates get her away from the hell hole she has been living for the last year. It is her backbone and feistiness that endeared her to me.

What’s more is that Arrow gives her the space she needs, Susan has chosen a tricky path for the two main characters, Morgan having been kidnapped beaten and raped, this is a story of finding her way back home, but also finding her way back to reality, normality all the while the threat of danger is closing in.

Given the nature of the story, I wouldn’t recommend to those who might be triggered by the subject matters mentioned above. But if readers like joining their characters on a journey of self-discovery, with a spoonful of suspense and a dash of romance, then this is an excellent read.

My thanks to #Netgalley and #Montlake Romance for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

3.75 stars--DEFENDING MORGAN is the third instalment in Susan Stoker’s contemporary, adult MOUNTAIN MERCENRIES 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 Navy SEAL Archer ‘Arrow’ Kane, and apiarist (bee keeper) Morgan Byrd’s story line, DEFENDING MORGAN 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).

WARNING: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be some triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Morgan and Arrow) DEFENDING MORGAN follows in the wake of the Mountain Men’s discovery of not one but two hostages on their latest assignment. Sent to the Dominican Republic to rescue an American five-year old girl kidnapped by her father, the Mountain Men team locate and identify the child’s would be protector-twenty six year old apiarist Morgan Byrd, another American missing for close to a year. Struggling to survive Morgan and Arrow do battle with armed terrorists and civilians in an effort to escape, and return safely to America. Upon their return Arrow becomes Morgan’s guardian and protector in an effort to ferret out the person(s) responsible for the attack against the woman with whom he is falling in love. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Morgan and Arrow, and the potential fall-out as the Mountain Mercenaries begin to uncover the depths to which someone is willing to destroy Morgan, and the man that she loves.

Morgan Byrd had no idea as to the who or why of her kidnapping, imprisonment and on-going sexual assaults. For close to a year, our heroine battled between life and death in an effort to survive or withdraw from the continuing violations and onslaught. Determined to protect the young girl now imprisoned along side her, Morgan bears the brunt of their kidnappers’ aggression and anger. Arrow Kane’s overwhelming urgency to protect Morgan Byrd is visceral and real. His immediate attraction is countered by Morgan’s need to heal both emotionally and physical, healing that involves patience and time.

The relationship between Morgan and Arrow begins as an assignment but Arrow makes it his personal mission to protect and guard the woman with whom he will fall in love. Like all of Susan’s heroes the attraction is instantaneous; he knows that the woman is his HEA. The $ex scenes are limited due in part to our heroine’s need to heal and recover.

The colorful secondary and supporting characters include Navy SEAL Lowell ‘Black’ Lockard, computer guru and Navy SEAL Meat, and former Coast Guard officer Ball; Grayson and Allye (Defending Allye #1), Ronan and Chloe (Defending Choe #2) as well as the mysterious ‘Rex’; five year old Nina, and Morgan’s parents Carl Byrd and Ellie Jernagan.

DEFENDING MORGAN is a story of family, betrayal, vengeance and love. The premise is intriguing and entertaining; the romance is passionate; the characters are colorful and energetic. I guessed the person responsible early on in the story; I suspect the identity of the mysterious Rex; but I had issues with the number of times the hero calls the heroine ‘beautiful’, Arrow uses beautiful as a form of endearment ninety (90) times throughout the story line-a bit redundant, repetitious and excessive.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

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This story is full of suspense, action, mystery, drama, and romance.It has a Kick ass Hero and a kidnapped victim that does not give in. Awesome Read would highly recommend.

When the rescue of an abducted child, leads the team of mercenaries to discover a woman who's been missing for over a year, the mission becomes more than they planned for. Morgan Byrd has been through literal hell since she was kidnapped, but discovering that someone has been paying to keep her alive and in another country, has her questioning everyone close to her. "Arrow" Kane feels protective of Morgan and those feelings quickly develop into a strong attraction that he can't fight, but the danger of who's behind her abduction must come first. Defending Morgan is fast-paced, heart breaking at times, but a wild ride I didn't want to end!

Susan Stoker is one of the few authors who doesn't disappoint when it comes to her books. Defending Morgan is another winner! It was a fantastic read and even though Morgan went through some horrible things I can't say that there wasn't a part of the book I did not like. What happened to Morgan was she was a captive was handled very well and I couldn't help but feel sorry for her and wanting to see these men dead. I loved how protective of Nina she was and even though the little girl that a mother that loved her, I wanted Morgan to keep her which is weird.

After reading this book, I have become a big supporter of Rex and even though many years have passed I kinda hope that he will find his wife or at least get some closure. I don't really want to imagine what she might have gone through in all of these years, so in a way, I won't be very sad if she is dead.

Morgan and Arrow had a beautiful relationship and I loved how understanding and caring he was. He was patient and basically everything I could ask in a man. Morgan was a great heroine and I don't have the words to describe her! They made a great couple and their story showcased that.

The big bad of the story is the person who was behind Morgan's kidnapping and I wouldn't have guessed it or the reasoning behind it in a thousand years. That unexpected turn was also one of the book's strongest points and one of the things I liked most about the book.

Overall, Defending Morgan was a great, stand-alone book in the series and I would definitely recommend it!

Susan Stoker has been one of my favorite military romance authors since I stumbled upon her first Seal of Protection book, Protecting Caroline, way back in 2014. (Wait–it’s been four and a half years since I read this book?! Whoa. Time really does fly when you’re having fun!) Her characters are usually rough and tough males and equally tough females that could totally rescue themselves but could use a little help from time to time. And Defending Morgan certainly didn’t let me down!

Morgan was just living her life, trying to tread the murky waters of peacekeeping between her parents. They divorced when she was young and she’s spent the rest of her life trying to prove that she’s not playing favorites. Then her life is turned upside down when she’s kidnapped and held captive in the Dominican Republic. Which is where our hero, Archer “Arrow” Kane and his Mountain Mercenary stumble upon her rescuing a little girl. Of course, they can’t leave her behind. And this act of chivalry and mercy puts them smack dab in the middle of a crazy mystery. Who hates Morgan enough to want her out of the picture–permanently?

There are no wimpy characters in any of Susan Stoker’s books that I’ve read so far, and I love that about her writing. These two characters know who they are, refuse to let anyone stand in the way of truth and justice, and refuse to back down from adversity of any kind. Arrow is most definitely an alpha male, but he’s not afraid to show his softer side to Morgan. And Morgan has been through hell–literally–but refuses to let that define her. And she refuses to live as a victim.

NICUnurse’s Rating: Susan Stoker is one of my go-to military romance authors. I haven’t read all of her books yet...but it’s one of my goals! The ones I’ve read so far are entertaining, page-turning reads, and Defending Morgan certainly lives up to this reputation. When I need to escape reality, which is a lot these days, I can always depend on her books to transport me out of the mundane. She’s able to make statements without the subject matter feeling too heavy, and the action is a lot like Hollywood–some facts are true to life, but others are for pure entertainment purposes. If you love military romance with a dash of suspense in each book, grab this one TODAY!

I give Defending Morgan by Susan Stoker a solid 4 stars!

There are a few authors I read that have me going back for more, here are also a few more that have me not only going back for more of their books but also rereading their books (I may just wear my tablet out yet) and susan stoker is one such author. I have read a fair few military romances and felt slightly let Diane because it was always the same alpha guy and slightly submissive female etc.

But what susan does is she builds the characters profile for us, she builds their physio, builds their feelings and emotions u TIL you are so emerged in the story that you feel like you are there in the story walking along side the characters and listening to what’s happening. I felt Morgan’s vulnerability from the start of the story, the way the author built up the layers to give us a heroine we could love, admire, feel vulnerable with and walk along on her journey as she comes back into the real world after a year away after being kidnapped.

We get Archer, although a little Alpha like I was complaining about earlier, he wasn’t overly either in his job or with Morgan because he wants to save women and children. But hot damn at the ending of the story. It wasn’t who I thought it was and was blinkin sure it was someone else. A fantastic book within this series and I really can’t wait for the next book in the series.

Defending Morgan will break your heart and renew your faith in the healing power of love. Morgan is strong and smart and I love that Arrow saw that in her right away. I love that Arrow is patient and kind even though he is a fierce warrior. This story is a fabulous addition to the series. Make sure you have the tissues handy.