A thrill for every late night , hold ‘‘em till they scream lover of rough cut fiction. Everly Adams has a very full plate when news that her half sister’s disappearance is tagged a simple runaway. Everly knows this cannot be true and is forced to enlist the aid of Kanin Black. A mercenary with a reputation of skill she needs to get her sister back safely. The real is worth the pages, both romantically and plot wise.

ARC copy provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I've read a bunch of Susan's books and I really want to like them. But for some reason I can't get hooked on her writing.

I've read a handful of books by this author and I have to say, this is definitely the most well written of what I've read. I can see why these books are popular with a lot of readers but I think this is probably going to be where the author and I part ways!

I loved the characters and the storyline development of this book. It was absolutely one of my favorites so far and I can't wait to delve in to the next one that this author writes. The storyline was simple, enjoyable, and entertaining.

This book is number five out of the Mountain Mercenaries series and follows Everly and Ball searching for Everly's missing sister. I have read all of Susan Stoker's books across all the series and they all are great, and this one is no exception. I can't wait until the next book is out.

Everly was desperate to find out what happened to her sister. She would work with the man who absolutely got in everyone of her nerves. Kannon slowly saw a different side of her and would seek for the answers that continued to allude him. Definitely a great series that builds in suspense!

It's no shock to anyone who reads my reviews that I'm a Susan Stoker fan. The Mountain Mercenaries though, hold a special place in my heart, so far it is my favourite series.

Susan Stoker will always produce a strong heroine: no matter the trauma, even if they have been bent so far that they've actually broken, they never give up and have that iron core that will not allow anyone to view them as a 'victim'. Defending Everly was a little different in that Everly was an almost physical match for our hero, Ball. As a police officer, and a member of SWAT, she is more than capable of holding her own - as she proves early on - she doesn't need him to protect her physically, but when her sister is kidnapped, both she and Ball learn to lean on each other emotionally.

I've always liked Ball. In the earlier books he was always the light-hearted, easy-going one. He's accepting, loving (in a brotherly way), and protective of the his team mate's wives and girlfriends, obviously respecting them for what they've been through and their inner strength. So it was a huge surprise to see him acting the complete and total a$$hole when he finds out Everly will be joining the team in the search for her sister. Okay, we know from the get go he's feeling a bit lonely and bitter, but that is no excuse, and it seemed to be a complete character shift. Later, we learn the reason, and although it's still not really acceptable, he soon learns that not all women are the same, and perhaps, he was to blame for some of it too.

In any case, the Ball I know and love soon returned, and he and Everly certainly had their chemistry, even if it was a bit combustible at times.

I really enjoyed Defending Everly, I wanted to kick her sister's butt a couple of times, especially after one incident when she returns home, but I'll forgive her because she's young (and stupid) and it *was* necessary to move the story in the right direction.

The Mountain Mercenaries series is now complete, so if you haven't read them yet, now is the perfect time to start! Each book is technically a standalone, but I'd never recommend they be read out of order, each one grows on the other and the characters develop from book to book. Reading one without reading the others would ruin the whole experience. But that, is just my humble opinion.

Another great book from Susan Stoker. I’ve read other books by this author this one was just as good as those. I really enjoyed the story and the characters were well thought out.

Beautiful well-crafted story!

This was my first Susan Stoker book i have read but it won't be my last. This was a captivating read that had me immersed from the beginning. The story had every element a good story should have. An interesting plot, attention to detail, steaminess, sweetness, but best of all, fleshed out, well-written and well-rounded character development. I thoroughly enjoyed Kannon “Ball” and Everly's story and I’ll be looking forward to reading more from this author in the future. A well-deserved four solid stars for me!

This is the second book I have read by Susan Stoker and it didn't disappoint. The characters were strong and memorable. The plot was something different and the story was just the right amount of romance combined with suspense. The hero was a dynamic character and I enjoyed watching him change and soften throughout the story. I'm looking forward to reading more from this author.

***5 Stars***


This was a quick, interesting, intense and fun read. Not that I’m all that surprised considering how much I’ve loved all the books that came before this one, but considering what happened the first time Ball and Everly collided...well, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this baby and I wasn’t disappointed at all!

I loved Everly and Ball. Everly is strong, determined, intelligent and has a compassionate heart. What I really liked about her was that she owned all that she was and didn’t need to constantly prove that she could do her job. Ball. This man. Outside of his issues, the man has a really good heart. He takes pride in what he does and is loyal to those he calls his own.

Ball and Everly’s journey was definitely an interesting one, especially considering how horrible of a start they had. But I enjoyed watching as they worked through it and found that they could, and wanted to, rely on each other as more than just partners on an op. I loved their bantering, flow and how they handled their relationship in the midst of the crazy going on around them.

As I said at the start, I’ve enjoyed all the books in this series. The family dynamic between all the Mountain Mercenaries and those they call their own is one of my favorite aspects of this author’s writing. But this one was definitely unique for me and much of it was because of Elise. I loved what her character brought to the story and how it made it unique from all the others.

~ Copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley & voluntarily reviewed ~

Although well written, with well developed characters ans storyline, I wanted to feel like I was really involved and touched by the story. It was entertaining but didn't really move me.

When the last book ended Everly Adams who works for the Colorado Springs police department, came to the Mountain Mercenaries, wanting help. Maybe, maybe not she a swat officer did not like asking for help bur her fifteen-year-old sister who lived in Los Angeles has gone missing and no one anything.
The team sends Kannon “Ball” Black who does not want to go and does not want to be tied down with a female partner. Yes, they do not get along at first this is because of Black and his past. He does eventually get over it but it does take a little while for it to happen. He does need Everly as well for her sister is deaf and so she is the only one besides the school and her grandparents that know how to sign.
As they work looking for the sister they also begin to fix his problem which actually starts working itself out fairly quickly when she comes to his aid when he is being jumped. Slowly the two of them are also finding the other one attractive which they are both trying to fight.
This story is very good and different from the others. Dealing with internet stalking, especially how some apps contain hidden message boards which are scary. This all made for a very fast-paced and exciting story. Very much worth the read.

Mountain Mercenary Kannon “Ball” Black comes to aid of Everly Adams who is in search of her sister who has disappeared. The trail leads to possibilities human trafficking while these two overcome their differences through dangerous trails to find answers. Part of the Mountain Mercenaries series with romance, suspense and well written characters you cheer for.
Ebook from Netgalley and publisher with thanks.Opinions are entirely my own.

I honestly don't know how Susan Stoker keeps these romances going....and every one of them is as different as the other. Nothing seems repetitive, boring or similar to other of her series.

Defending Everly brings SWAT officer Everly Adams to the Mountain Mercenaries in search for her missing half sister, setting Kannon Ball Black off on the wrong foot. But with a common goal to eradicate any human trafficking and bring justice to the girls taken, Everly and Ball find themselves getting closer than they would have imagined.

Another scintillating story of action and adventure to be read to be enjoyed!

Everly is determined to find her sister. Even if she has to partner with a Neanderthal. Ball is willing to find her sister he would just rather not work with Everly. When they have little choice but to work together, can they put their differences aside for the sake of the missing?
Defending Everly is fifth in Susan Stoker’s Mountain Mercenaries series. I loved seeing Ball work himself out of the hole he dug. Everly is unlike the women in his past but it may be too late for Ball to rectify his error. He has let his past run away with his mouth and it may cost him his future. But Everly has her own demons. She is on the hunt for her sister but as she searches leads she sees a side of Ball that is unexpected. Can she trust the change?
I thoroughly enjoyed seeing Ball and Everly fight their respective pasts and trust in a future together. Ms. Stoker didn’t make it easy but she did make it interesting. I loved seeing Everly and Ball see beyond their pain. I loved that Ms. Stoker continues to show us women who are stronger than even they know. I love that Ball supported Everly and her sister. He showed them how real men treat the women in their lives. I loved that Ball loved Everly and all she comes with. I also loved the twists and turns Ms. Stoker gave us as Ball and Everly fought for their happily ever after. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and cannot wait to see where Ms. Stoker will take us next.

Another brilliant read from Susan Stoker. The story of Ball and Everly keeps the reader on the edge of the seat throughout. Well written, fast paced, romantic mystery. I loved this book and waiting to read more from the author

Susan Stoker can do no wrong. This book was everything i wanted to be, steamy, action packed. I really loved this book and will continue to read this series. Grateful it is in KU.

Another wild ride from Susan Stoker. Defending Everly kept me on the edge of my seat. Ball want's nothing to do with having Everly on the team at first but he finds out quickly that she is an asset not a liability that he thinks all women were.

Awesome story, you won't want to miss this one.

This is one of the better books in the Mercenaries series. There is more grit and less focus on insta-love. The two characters- Ball and (my brain just jumped to Chain) Everly are interesting, although the female character suffers from being a little too capable, as if she were a superhero. The villain is creepy in the extreme.