A Wall Street Journal and Amazon Charts bestseller.All defenses are down in the fifth Ace Security novel from New York Times bestselling author Susan Stoker.Sarah Butler isn’t flattered. She’s angry and unnerved. She’s been getting intimate gifts from a man she barely knows. Nothing threatening yet, but there’s just a weird vibe she can’t ignore. Her recourse is Ace Security. Their solution: … recourse is Ace Security. Their solution: self-defense lessons at Rock Hard Gym with a personal, hands-on instructor. One look at the bearded, tattooed, green-eyed alpha is enough to take Sarah’s breath away.
Cole Johnson is definitely the man for the job. He’s eager to train her. Eager to get closer. And when it comes to Sarah’s instincts, Cole knows she’s not imagining things. He’s also not imagining the intense attraction between them—and his desire to protect her is growing. But so are Sarah’s fears, the worst of which come true when she disappears.
Enlisting the help of Ace Security, Cole will stop at nothing to find the love of his life…before she vanishes forever.
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Claiming Sarah is Book 5 in the Ace Security series. While I’ve read numerous other stories by this author, this is the first one in this series. I was a bit worried going in that I was going to be confused but I truly was not and while I do plan to go back and catch up on the other 4, I had no issues jumping in on the final book.
The initial meet between Sarah and Cole had me not liking Cole’s character much at all. He did slowly start to redeem himself and I loved the connection between the two. There was certainly some suspense elements and while it was pretty clear who the culprit was, there were definitely some moments that kept me on the edge of my seat wondering how it would all play out.
Overall, this was a great story that I couldn’t put down and I look forward to catching up on the other books in this series.
Sarah Stoker never disappoints when it comes to writing romantic suspense — this is another winner in my opinion! As with all her series, you can read each one as a standalone, but reading the entire series in order is obviously more enjoyable. Cole and Sarah’s story in this book is quite unique. As with all of Ms. Stoker’s books, there’s suspense and mystery, sexy alpha heroes and strong female leads, but this one brings mental illness to the forefront–very thought provoking. And I loved the epilogue! I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC for NetGalley.
Claiming Sarah grabbed my attention from the first chapter and kept it through every tantalizing, emotional, suspense-filled page. There were so many situations to keep me enthralled from Sarah’s and Cole’s first meeting, their subsequent growing friendship and having to deal with letters and gifts from Sarah’s stalker, to understanding and dealing with Sarah’s fears and insecurities along with Cole’s alpha personality, amid coming to terms with Sarah needing to move from the home she was reared in as a child with her two adopted dads, to Sarah and Cole falling in love, plus Sarah’s bewilderment at readily becoming part of Cole’s inner circle of friends, who are like family and then eventually facing her ultimate terror of being hurt and kidnapped, while believing that Cole will soon find her. Twists and turns made this a rollercoaster of a ride that kept me highly anticipating each chapter. As with all of Susan Stoker’s books, you will not be disappointed with the story. It’s another great addition to her creation of books. I highly recommend reading Claiming Sarah, I’m sure you will enjoy it.
This is such a good book!
It’s beautifully written.
An engaging, moving
& intriguing romance.
Sarah Cole’s story will
pull you in from the first
pages to the last.
Another great book!
A MUST READ SERIES!!
Susan, you amaze me with your words. You make these situations so intense and so awesome. I could not stop reading this story. The way Sarah handled her situation was amazing. I highly recommend this story to others!
*Slides kindle down to the table, clears throat*
YOU ARE NOT READY FOR THIS!!
Susan my talented, amazing author Goddess, Cole has now taken the spot for my current book boyfriend. I love him, and I am keeping for all time. (and I’m not just saying this because my name is also Sarah)
This is the 5th book in the Ace Security series, it can be read as a standalone, but honestly who does that. LOL
Sarah Butler is a scared and frightened woman, she has a stalker. One that leaves her scared to leave her house for any reason. After hearing about Ace Security, she goes to them but in the end is referred to self defense classes by none other than Cole.
That’s right ladies, the hunk hunk of burning tattoo and muscle Cole Johnson, owner of Rock Hard Gym. Cole is happy to help the woman who has ensnared him with one look. Although their first meeting is a little rocky, Cole and Sarah forge something strong and powerful.
This book is going to leave you will all the feels! Be prepared for hot steamy scenes, even sweeter loving moments, action and more. I love all of Susan’s books but this one is going in the top three!
Susan you are a JEWEL!!
Another hit by this author and this time it’s Cole who gets his story. When he first meets Sarah it doesn’t go so well but Sarah gives him a chance, a chance he doesn’t take for granted. Sarah has a stalker that no one takes seriously, until Cole and he teaches her some defensive moves but also becomes very protective. As the two get to know each other, her stalker ups the ante and as they try to figure out who it is…will it be in time.
A great great read with steam, some suspense and great characters. I LOVED Cole’s protectiveness and his honesty when it comes to his feelings. I LOVED Sarah, a woman who doesn’t run away and is just as honest as Cole is. These two had sparks and great banter and I was disappointed when the book ended…always wanting more. What I really LOVED is what happens near the end, how the stalker is found and what happens to him and why…Perfect…loved it!!
*I voluntarily read an advanced copy and expressed my honest opinion*
A sweet, innocent woman who would never hurt a fly finds herself scared and alone when no one believes that the man leaving her things on her door step is dangerous. Her institution tells her that one day things will escalate and the danger is very real. Taking the step to protect herself she finds herself waiting to meet a man about some self-defense lessons. That however does not go as expected. He is rude and arrogant, though not exactly speaking to her, so she does what she always does, the nice thing and leaves. He however chases her, beyond apologetic and begs her to let him teach her. The attraction is instantly there, for both of them, though she takes a little longer to come around at first. They spend as much time as possible together whilst constantly aware of the danger lurking in the shadows. Passion and action packed romance is something you come to expect with Susan Stoker and you get it in spades with this one. For those of you who have read this series before you will meet a lot of old friends and their loved ones, on numerous occasions, catching up and falling in love with them all over again. If your like me and you are new to the Ace Security crew, it won’t be a problem not having read the others, though I plan on doing just that, you’ll enjoy it just as much as the old pros. I sweet and satisfying ending to the story and the series, I enjoyed every minute of it, and hopefully, so will you!
What an amazing way to finish out the Ace Security Series!! I’m so glad Susan Stoker decided to write this book, it was fabulous. The characters were great, of course we already knew Cole; and Sarah was the perfect addition for him. The story was so great, I couldn’t stop until I finished, then I hated it was over. Absolute must read!
Claiming Sarah is the fifth book in the Ace Security series, but reads well as a stand alone. Sarah has been getting letters and gifts from an admirer, but while nothing seems threatening, something is still making her nervous. She is referred to Cole for some self defense classes, just in case. Their first meeting might not have been the best, but soon their connection is getting stronger and stronger. But with the threat looming, will Cole be able to keep his promises and keep Sarah safe?
Oh my goodness, my attention was caught right from the very beginning with this book and was hooked until the very end! This book is emotional, so sweet, full of heart and connection, and I absolutely loved Sarah and Cole! Sarah was such an amazing character to me because she was sweet and a little shy, but strong and trusted her own intuition. I loved how nice and selfless she was with other people, but she wasn’t naive. Her character just seemed really relatable to me, and I would love to become her best friend if she were a real person! Cole was just as amazing because he was strong, a fighter, patient, and cautious. I loved that he was real with Sarah right from the beginning, didn’t sugarcoat his flaws, and he seemed like such a steady rock for emotions, even if he was messy sometimes. He was an intriguing contradiction of characteristics that helped fit with Sarah perfectly! I love that Sarah’s situation was a little different than might have been expected, but it was still dangerous and creepy and I loved every second of the suspense in this book! The characters, the connection, the steam, the danger, everything about this book was engaging, entertaining, and might be one of my favorites from Ms. Stoker!
I don’t know if I can tell you how much I enjoyed this book, but I am going to try. Sarah Butler is afraid. Someone has been delivering cards, letters and now gifts to her home. She finds out that the son of her former patient is her stalker and is referred to Rock Hard Gym and owner Cole Johnson for self-defense lessons. When Cole meets Sarah, he knows he has met his fate. Sarah is a wonderful, positive character even though life has not always dealt her the “best of hands”. Cole is friends with the men from Ace Security and his desire to keep Sarah safe will be his priority. As they begin to fall in love and danger continues to follow Sarah, can Cole keep her safe? Sarah gains strength from Cole while Cole begins to see the positive side of life from her. Wonderful story and character with updates on previous Ace Security characters. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)
It’s no secret that I’m a Susan Stoker fan. I loved her books long before I ever met her at a signing, then I discovered she’s super fun to chat with and hang out with. And honestly, I’ve yet to read one of her books that I didn’t like or couldn’t finish. Claiming Sarah was no different. The author usually touches on a deep subject or two in each of her books without seeming to shove her thoughts and feelings on the subject(s) down your throat. This book touches on foster care, adoption by gay couples, and stalking. It’s a well-developed story with all the steamy romantic scenes we expect from Susan Stoker. The characters are lovable, and of course, a bit flawed which makes them even more likable.
NICUnurse’s Rating: For a quick, entertaining read, you can count on Susan Stoker to deliver. As I said, I’ve yet to read a book of hers that I didn’t like or didn’t finish. I give Claiming Sarah 4 out of 5 stars!
s
My heart was in my throat for a good portion of this book. Susan’s heroines often suffer greatly at some point in her stories. Sarah had a lot to overcome, but this one is my favorite! I’m so excited about how it ended up. Sarah and Cole shows such great compassion.
I had read a few of Susan Stoker’s Mountain Mercenaries series books and thought that Claiming Sarah was one of them. I didn’t look closely enough at the title to see it was Ace Security #5. Luckily for me, Ms. Stoker’s books, while connected, can stand on their own individually with a reader not missing a beat.
Sarah is a sweet, unassuming nurses’ assistant who has a problem. One of her patient’s sons has been sending her love letters and odd presents, even stalking her. The police are no help because he hasn’t done anything wrong but Sarah is wildly nervous. Ace Security sends her to gym owner, Cole, to learn self-defense, just in case. Cole is happy being a business owner with little schedule and no attachments until Sarah invades his senses. He takes her concerns regarding her “admirer” very seriously. Almost as seriously as he takes his growing feelings for her.
Claiming Sarah is in line with a damsel in distress / white knight to the rescue theme. Cole is the tatt’ed up, seemingly bad boy to Sarah’ sweet girl next door except that there is a soul-deep sensitive man beneath the rugged exterior. Cole sees himself as less than a gentleman but his actions prove him otherwise. Sarah is just as she appears, a caring, overtly friendly, almost naive woman who is at the end of her rope with her admirer. The two have instant chemistry and sync up immediately, even with Sarah denying it all the way. The banter between them gets a little repetitive with Sarah convinced she will drive Cole away and Cole trying to convince her otherwise, however, it makes for a good build-up for their romance as they open up about themselves, who they are, and how they came to be the way they are.
The case of Owen, the mad child who is obsessed with his imaginary relationship with Sarah is interesting though it takes a large backseat to the love story building between Cole and Sarah. There are multiple appearances by characters from past Ace Security stories as the investigators are involved in Sarah’s case and their wives add her to their posse.
A sweet romance with a nice bit of heat and action that fits in well with Susan Stoker’s series.
Okay, let me start by saying that Cole is a hero we all want around, every day, all day! Both Cole and Sarah are just good people (even though Cole thinks he is not so good, I call bullsh*t on that). Their relationship is so sweet. There is a little bit of intrigue in this story as in all of Ms. Stoker’s stories but it was not too much in case you are a person who does not like too much angst. Just a lovely story of two beautiful (especially inside) people who make our reading days much happier.
I received a complimentary copy from publisher through NetGalley.