Title: Savage Rising
Series: Redemption Harbor Book #2
Author: Katie Reus
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Blurb: He’s a former Marine, her new fake boyfriend, and the only way to escape her dangerous past.
Having a child changed everything for Olivia—she vowed to keep her little girl safe from the mistakes of her past. But when the most dangerous person she ever met blackmails her into doing one last heist, the world she’s so carefully built goes into a tailspin. Frantic, she heads to Redemption Harbor in search of help. Sparks fly when she meets Savage, a man who will do anything to keep Olivia and her daughter safe. He’ll help her get her life back, but can he handle seeing who she once was?
Can they pull it off?
Savage poses as her obsessive ex during a daring undercover operation—and soon the line between reality and their cover story becomes blurred. He’ll use every trick he knows to keep the sensual woman alive and out of jail—and in his life. But the clock is ticking and if they can’t find a way to trust each other, no one will make it out alive.
Favorite quotes: “I’m not asking for anything. Except maybe an orgasm – or three.”
“I want anything and everything you have to offer. You don’t have to believe me. I’m going to show you that I’m not just another a%#hole.” He paused. “Okay, I am an a%#hole sometimes. Maybe a lot of times. But not to you. Never to you.”
“Um, no. I will be the fun, cool aunt. But this,” she said, motioning to her middle area, “will remain baby free.”
Thoughts: Make no mistake – this is Katie Reus at her best! I’ll even go so far as to say this is my absolute favorite book by her – and I have read almost all of her books. While this one is part of a series, it will also stand by itself without having read book one, although we do run across many familiar characters introduced in the previous book. Characters that I have already become fond of and who just work their way a little further into your heart – with one of them being our romantic lead, Zac Savage. As readers, we are also newly introduced to Olivia Carter and her daughter, Valencia. Zac quickly wins your heart in this one (if he hasn’t already) and for me he has become one of my favorite male leads. You also can’t help falling in love with Olivia and her daughter.
This book hits you with a lot of emotion – starting with Valencia, who is an absolute doll. This little girl quickly wins her way into hearts of everyone (readers included!). Valencia is deaf and is starting to realize that she is different than other children her age. Olivia, of course, is the protective ‘mama bear’ to her daughter, but how can you not fall in love with a guy who immediately crouches down to her level and signs to her in American Sign language? Who asks if she would rather he sign or speak to her verbally so she can read his lips? All of which just make Zac the perfect sexy hero. The emotion just builds from there! Our hero and heroine have so much chemistry between them it practically explodes from the pages! And the romance? This is one of those where the hero makes your heart physically skip a beat and wrench at your heartstrings. Suspense-wise? This wasn’t just your rate of the mill, so-predictable-it’s-boring titles. If you are familiar with the television series The Heist, it has that type of feel to it with thieves working together to pull off a job, with the added complication of Olivia being forced into the role of one of the thieves. And – if you’re a fan of Reus already – you know she serves up an outstanding romantic suspense novel.
This one will definitely be on my end-of-the-year list of favorite titles!
Rate: A++
