Title: Ruled
Author: Anne Marsh
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: February 1, 2018
Publisher: Harlequin DARE
Series: Hard Riders MC
Digital ISBN: 9781488082382
The Rebel vs. The Princess
Complete opposites who share the same burning passion!
Jaxon Brady of the Hard Riders MC has sworn to protect Evie Kent from a rival gang. His hard muscles and black leather motorcycle boots are a sharp contrast to the girlie dresses Evie wears for her successful party-planning business. Their instant attraction is magnetic, and their lust keeps them glued to each other’s side…but is it a dangerous distraction?
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Excerpt:
I have to be more cautious. From the rising volume of the squeals emanating from the backyard, cake consumption has concluded and the party will be wrapping up as the sugar highs hit, the early departers fleeing past my RV parked out front. Spotting the princess in an R-rated embrace with a biker would be bad for my business. You can’t be a dirty girl and host children’s birthday parties for a living. The moms will kill you. Fortunately, the moms aren’t mind readers. I’m only a party-perfect princess on the outside. Riding anywhere with Rev would be career suicide.
My bad voice promptly weighs in. But only if you get caught.
“I don’t do bikers.”
Something flashes across Rev’s face. “You don’t get hurt on my watch. I promise.”
“You’re not an ax murderer?”
He reaches into his pocket and pulls out the wallet attached to his belt by a silver chain. Silently, he flips it open and holds it out so I can read his driver’s license. There’s a military ID underneath it, too, the kind of card that gets you into Nellis Air Force Base.
“Your name isn’t Rev.” According to the State of Nevada’s laminated plastic, he’s one Jaxon Brady.
“Road name,” he says tersely.
I examine the license again. He’s also turning thirty-three in four weeks. I bet he won’t be booking a celebratory princess party.
“Wow.” I hand back his wallet. “Former navy?”
He nods, as if it’s no big deal. “SEAL. You’d be safe with me.”
He’s not big on talking. Or negotiating, asking, or sweet-talking. I’ve always trusted my instincts, though, and right now they’re on board with Rev Brady. Completely, totally, 100 percent in favor of getting on this man’s bike and riding off with him. Somewhere. Wherever he wants to go. He’s big and strong and tempting. He’s fought for our country and kept everyone safe.
How bad can he be?
The little voice in my head pipes right up. How bad do you want him to be?
That voice needs a gag.
“Think about it,” he says and then he turns and saunters toward his bike. I stand there, watching his ass the whole way, and wondering why I don’t mind his attitude. He’s scary as shit. He’s not Mr. White Picket Fence and he’s not promising happily ever after, but the man has a fantastic butt and I’m lonely. That’s all it is. I need to get out more, need to make a point of seeing someone.
Someone else.
Anyone else. There are absolutely, positively no bikers anywhere in my future.
Review:
Ruled was a bit of an uneven read. There were things I liked–Rev and Evie’s internal dialogue was LOL at times, and I highlighted quite a few passages that tickled my funny bone. Evie’s grand gesture at the end was all kinds of fun–plus, her whole princess party business (especially the sparkly pink RV) was just fantastic.
But…
Their relationship, while all kinds of steamy, was pretty much insta-everything. Evie’s brother didn’t deserve her loyalty…At. All. OMG, he was an ungrateful jerk, and one who makes bad business decisions to boot. I’m still not 100% convinced that Rev and Evie have thought their obstacles through…but still, they are good together so I’m going to keep my fingers crossed.
MC books tend to be hit or miss for me, and this one’s kind of in the middle…so if you’re a fan of the subgenre, give it a try–I’m more than willing to say this could be a case of it’s not you, it’s me.
Rating: 3 stars / C+
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
About the author:
After ten years of graduate school and too many degrees, Anne Marsh escaped to become a technical writer. When not planted firmly in front of the laptop translating Engineer into English, Anne enjoys gardening, running (even if it’s just to the 7-11 for slurpees), and reading books curled up with her kids. The best part of writing romance, however, is finally being able to answer the question: “So… what do you do with a PhD in Slavic Languages and Literatures?”
She lives in Northern California with her husband, two kids and four cats. You can visit her online at www.anne-marsh.com.
Connect with Ann: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub
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