***5 Stars***

And we have another great addition to the series! Not that I really doubted that would be the case, but sometimes it just needs to be put out into the world. I was hooked from the very start and was totally into seeing Arrow and Morgan not only get their HEA , but finding out just who was behind Morgan’s kidnapping and when it was finally revealed...let’s just say I didn’t really see that one coming at all.

I adored Arrow. This man is all kinds of goodness right down to his DNA. I loved how honest he was, not only with others, but himself because once he chose a path, he stuck to it. Morgan blew me away. She had endured hell and could have very well succumbed to cynicism and despair, but instead clung to hope and held on to the knowledge that she would get out of her situation alive and be reunited with her loved ones.

I really enjoyed their journey to their HEA. The connection was definitely insta, but it worked for me because of how honest and sincere Arrow was about his feelings. He felt a connection to Morgan and simply wanted to explore it. Morgan was hesitant, and rightfully so, but she decided to trust her gut and I loved where things between them went from there. The honest communication that went on between them was all kinds of everything for me. I loved watching them get closer each day and couldn’t have been happier with where they were at in the end.

If you’ve read any of the authors other books, in this series or in any of her others, you know that there are...elements that always pop up in each book, and this one is no different, in a general sense. There is the insta style interest and blunt and honest alpha male, but I really liked how Arrow and Morgan’s relationship played out because she kept the characters not only true to themselves while not losing sight of what both of them, specifically Morgan, had endured. She didn’t force any resolutions or changes that were extreme or out of character. It all felt absolutely organic. And as for the baddie in this one? Definitely did not see that one coming, or the reasons behind it all, but it totally worked!

Now to wait patiently for Black’s book!

Fantastic read, it started out fast and kept that pace going to the end. Love how Susan Stokers writes, A must read book and author!

Another incredible read in this series. It's fast paced and action packed keeping you on the edge of your seat the whole time. When the team went in for an extraction of a kidnapped young girl they were surprised to stumble upon a woman who was reported missing more than a year ago. I adored Archer/"Arrow" and I loved how protective and caring he was with Morgan. The connection between Arrow and Morgan was immediate and their chemistry jumps from the pages. While they never expected to be trying to get another person out of the Dominican Republic, Arrow is determined to get her home safe and sound. Once that is accomplished finding the person responsible for her abduction while keeping her safe becomes his top priority.

You definitely want to grab a copy of this one. I highly recommend it.

4.25⭐
I have really been enjoying Susan Stoker's Mountain Mercenaries Series and her third instalment Defending Morgan was no different. As it had suspense, a little action, a sweet romance and was very engaging to read. And I loved all the characters, particularly Morgan, who after surviving a year in captivity returns to the States, battered, bruised, but not broken. And with the help of the delectable and charming Arrow she's able to start to rebuild her life and help the team find who was responsible for her captivity, and whilst I did guess, all be it just before the person was revealed. I still really enjoy the final confrontation and the hate exhibited was really something. Plus, I enjoyed the somewhat extended epilogue and I'm excited for book four and Harlow's story. And I would happily recommend Defending Morgan to others.

Defending Morgan by Susan Stoker is book Three in the Mountain Mercenaries Series. This is the story of Archer 'Arrow' Kane and Morgan Byrd. I have read the previous books, but feel if you wish you can make this a standalone book.
Arrow is sent on a mission to rescue a child that has been taken and thought to be in the Santo Domingo. There he does find the child but he also finds Morgan. Morgan was taken over a year ago and has lived through abuse. Only happy that the child will be saved she didn't think that she would be able to leave too. Arrow is taken back by Morgan being there but more so about his strong feelings that have come forward over her.
Exciting Read!!

This is probably my favorite of Susan Stoker’s series. Morgan is pretty strong. She was kidnapped and raped for almost a year before she is rescued. She never gives up and holds it together . Her rescue comes as a surprise since the men who find her are there for the little girls she has been protecting. Arrow falls for her instantly. He is carrying and understanding. He knows what Morgan will be going through and is willing to take it as slow and necessary.

Morgan’s kidnapping doesn’t make since. The kidnappers are determined to keep her. Her parents aren’t rich and powerful and nothing about her friends pointed to them as kidnappers. The big reveal about the reason was certainly not what I expected, although I did think the person was trying to poison her but for attention.

I love an author who is not afraid to tackle hard subjects. Morgan was abducted a year before Arrow and his team find her protecting the little girl they are sent to find. They decide to take her with them as well . While making their escape they discover that someone paid for Morgan to be held alive for the last year.

The Mountain Mercenaries are back and saving women as they can. Arrow and Morgan have an instant connection but Morgan's experience keeps them at a slower pace. I loved how Arrow handled everything and put no pressure on Morgan.

The story evolves as they try to decide if a relationship can progress and they keep searching for whoever had Morgan abducted. Ms Stoker is amazing at writing diverse Alpha makes who are well rounded.

This book was amazing and emotional. I loved how the characters interacted and made the story better. I have loved all the books Ms Stoker has written but this was by far my favorite. It kept me guessing and engaged as well as touched me emotionally.

What the... just what the? Yeah I didn't quite see that coming..weird yes but a murderer? No more I don't want to spoil it for you.
Arrow and his team rescue a child and didn't expect to find a missing woman too.
I am so pleased with how the author handled Morgan's trauma, I'm sick of women instantly recovering and jumping in the sack with the hero. This young woman has such an inner strength, you'll be hoping for her recovery. Arrow is a wonderful guy, caring and patient. Such a wonderful couple they will make.
I can't wait for the next book in this series with hopefully a glimpse into this couple's future.

This third book in the series was very emotional, as the heroine had been through a horrible trauma during her time in captivity. The hero was completely there for her, and was so swoonworthy.

Archer "Arrow" Kane is a former Navy Seal. He's now an electrician in Colorado Springs. But, he's also a part of the Mountain Mercenaries. They take on missions from their anonymous boss to save women and children in peril all over the world. It's rewarding work, though dangerous, and he loves helping out where he's able. When the guys are sent out to the Dominican Republic to recover a young girl kidnapped out of the U.S. illegally by her father, they find more than they bargained for. They find a famously missing American woman who's been gone for over a year, Morgan Byrd. Arrow knows he'll do anything to get her back home safely, regardless of the fact that they weren't there for her.

Morgan Byrd was snatched from a parking deck in Atlanta over a year ago, and she's been in the Caribbean ever since. Her captors have moved her from secret hovel to rundown shack and back again, on a never ending loop. They've used and abused her until she wasn't sure how much more she could take. Then, a week before, they dropped the little girl off with her, and she's been doing everything she can to take care of the girl ever since. When a group of armed American men break into the shack, she's relieved to find herself rescued, along with the child. But, there's danger yet ahead, as she still doesn't know who took her, or why.

Arrow and Morgan had a connection very early on, but at first it was mostly about his need to rescue her. It morphed into so much more as time went by, and watching them fall for each other was so sweet and wonderful. Morgan was severely traumatized after her ordeal, and she was putting the work in with therapy to get herself back on track. It was a struggle, but she was determined to be herself again, and I truly admired her tenacity. Arrow was there for her every step of the way, and made her feel like she really had the support she needed to heal.

The suspense part of this story kept things hopping and I was on pins and needles the entire time. The villain here was truly psychotic, and it was so scary to think about that happening. I had sort of figured out who it was a little earlier on, but I wasn't completely sure until the reveal. What a vile human being the villain was. So crazy. The reveal really set up the action for the big climax of that part of the plot, and let the readers in on the crazy before the characters encountered it for themselves. All the other guys on the team are awesome, though I think Meat is my favorite. I hope his book is coming soon!

I liked that the heroine wasn't just magically cured after her horrific ordeal. She had to deal with the long term ramifications of what happened to her, and what it meant for her, and Arrow, in the future. Arrow was an awesome hero and he loved Morgan regardless what their future bedroom limitations might be. She loved him, and wanted to be able to do everything she could to make them both happy. I appreciated the way the entire thing was handled, almost as much as I appreciated the fact that everything that happened to Morgan while she was kidnapped was before we met her in the story. Full descriptions of sexual abuse of main characters are typically something I try to avoid, and I'm glad this didn't happen on the page. Just the discussions and consequences of it were enough to illustrate her trauma.

I really enjoyed this story, and I would recommend it to anyone who loves romantic suspense. I'm really looking forward to book 4 in this series, since it will be about Black, who's been pretty mysterious so far. Also, it is old high school friends to lovers. We saw Black and Harlow meet again in the epilogue of this story, and I'm anticipating their book anxiously!

Defending Morgan is my first Susan Stoker. I'd heard good things about her books so eagerly took this one. I usually don't like to jump into an existing series because so often you really do get more out of the stories if you know the previous books. Stoker was as interesting to read as I'd been told and not having read books one and two in no way detracted from my enjoyment of this story. And what a story it is. What a unique premise. A woman who has been missing nearly a year is found when rescuing a little girl abducted by her father.

Morgan has had a horrible year in captivity but her strength in the face of it all was as gripping to me as it was to Archer. She's not unaffected by her treatment at the hands of ruthless criminals, and seriously who could be? but she's still got her core toughness. She deals with the harrowing escape with steel and grace even when forced to hide under trash. Her deep caring for the child she's been held with is another testament to her amazing character.

Archer is strong and kind. He does these missions from his innate goodness and doesn't have any issues walking the line between savior and idol. He's not inclined to develop feelings for the victims, until Morgan. In an insanely short time, he's thoroughly in over his head.

Stoker creates great characters, an intense situation, a total surprise twist and the best of HEAs. I can recommend Defending Morgan to anyone who likes a lot of intensity in their romance.

reviewed by Jem

So our hero did not go out looking for his heroine in this one, no he stumbled across her when out rescuing a small child... but that doesn't stop his instant attraction to (or respect for) her.

As you follow their journey from the jungle back to his home town, you start to see the relationship grow... and as time passes when they get home you start to realise that the danger has not passed for Morgan yet. There is still the fact that they don't know who organised her kidnapping a year ago... and why was she kept alive for so long!

This woman makes me speechless and I just can't stop to read her books. I love this series and this book was very interesting as the others. I love Morgan and her straight to move on and I love Arrow and his support. He is a rock and every woman deserve that kind of man. I love storyline, I love their chemistry. For me -this is a MUST READ book and thank you, Nett Galley and publisher, for this opportunity. Than you Susan for just another amazing read , I will definitely read other books in this series and I can't wait for it. Fabulous 5 stars from me.

Archer 'Arrow' Kane is an ex U.S. Marine who forms part of the mysterious Mountain Mercenaries unit headed by a 'Charlie like' leader going by the name of Rex.

In an operation to retrieve an abducted child from her unscrupulous father, Archer and his team mates also find a woman, who although having obviously been abused, is recognisable as a kidnapping victim of a year before.

Morgan Byrd has been abused by her multiple jailers for the last year and has highly developed survival instincts. But being returned to the States is just the beginning of her rescue.

Once again, this author has produced characters that you can't help falling in love with. Morgan, the defender of a small child and a kick a** survivor. Archer, a well trained professional with a gooey centre... for Morgan at least!

The investigation into Morgan's abduction and captivity eventually uncovers some disturbing and potentially fatal information. As expected though, Morgan and Archer continue to embody the role of protector and survivor.

A fabulous addition to the Mountain Mercenaries series.

Defending Morgan is the third book in Susan Stoker’s Mountain Mercenaries Series. This book is action packed filled with great characters, chemistry, intimacy and a great love story.

Former Navy Seal Archer “Arrow” Kane accidentally discovers Morgan Byrd in a shack in Santo Domingo while rescuing a child who had been abducted by her father. Morgan has been missing for over a year, but while she has been victimized during her ordeal, Arrow is amazed to find her resilient, brave and unbroken.

Their connection is deep and instantaneous. Arrow feels an intense desire to protect Morgan and despite her experiences, she craves the safe and caring bubble that Arrow’s presence elicits. But as their feelings blossom, the mystery surrounding Morgan’s disappearance and escalating events indicate that Morgan’s enemy isn’t done with her yet. Will the Mountain Mercenaries be able to discover the person behind Morgan’s kidnapping? Will Arrow be able to keep her safe when danger ventures closer? Read it to find out!

I have read several of Susan Stokers books. She does a fantastic job creating characters and intense, action packed love stories. Both the heroes and heroines in Stoker’s books are good, strong characters with strong morals and personalities. The stories focus on working together to overcoming difficult and often life changing events. Love, and trust, does conquer all.

This book contains a happily ever after. Each novel in this series ends with an introduction to the characters in the next book, and a juicy and intriguing hint is also dropped regarding to plot line. I can’t wait for the next book!

This is a voluntary review of an advanced readers copy received from Netgalley.

This was my second book by Susan Stoker. I enjoyed it just as much as the first one. An interesting and compelling storyline that had me finishing in basically one sitting, on the edge of my seat, desperate to get to the end. Intriguing characters that hook you and have you right there with them for every pain, sorrow and emotional hurdle, supporting them and rooting for them. Well written and a storyline that will have you guessing who done it right from the start. A young woman held captive for a year, found by accident with a young child, rescued by a handsome group of men with a commanding presence that exude a protective vibe that puts her at ease, especially Arrow. Well I'm not ruining it! So you will have to read it if you want any more details! Definitely a great story to read in an evening!

"I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and have freely given my review. It has in no way affected my opinion of the story or the author and any recommendations are my own."

I really wanted to like this one, but I just couldn't get into it. I liked the concept of the novel. But I felt that the characters were all one dimensional and I didn't feel like they had substance. I could feel the connection between Arrow and Morgan a little, but it just all went way to fast. Everything just feels flat to me.

Mountain Mercenaries, saints, all of them. I keep wondering if I will ever get tired of Ms. Stoker’s stories. They are different, very entertaining, highly addictive and adrenaline-filled and they keep me reading and reading. The suspense was edge of your seat and I loved it. Of course, I am a romantic suspense junkie. But this story has a twist, it is also very sad and heartbreaking but do not worry, it all works out for Arrow and Morgan. I just want to know how can a person do such a horrible thing, narcissistic-asshole!

Fate it is!

Morgan and Arrow overcome and endure to find their HEA in this fast paced story with some intense moments as well as one heck of a twist.

I voluntarily read an advanced copy.

These Mountain Mercenaries stories are just getting better and more tempting with each new release! Defending Morgan was GREAT! Plenty of action and a fabulously addicting slow burn romance that seemed more realistic and special. Arrow is exactly the kind of hero you would want on your side. Caring, protective, good looking and patient, his full dedication to Morgan as she acclimates from her ordeal was heart warming and beautiful. And Morgan was incredible! Strong, smart and determined to move on from what had happened to her and LIVE. She has got to be one of the strongest heroines I have ever met and I loved her to pieces.

Defending Morgan is one of those books you will think of fondly and smile about long after you finish it. It is the kind of romance I will definitely re-read over and over and still find something new to love about it that I missed the first time around. This book is THE reason why Susan Stoker is my go to author. Its EVERYTHING good and EVERYTHING I crave.

Defending Morgan gets a FANTASTIC FIVE SHOOTING STARS!

Didn’t really like this. Couldn’t connect with the characters and the ending seemed contrived and unrealistic. The whole thing seemed unrealistic really. I don’t believe a woman who was kidnapped, tortured and raped for a year would jump into a relationship that fast. I’m all for fantasy in romance novels but not with delicate subjects like this.