Scars don’t always heal… problems is not an option, but neither is leaving her in danger.
Without her he’d be nothing.
Scars aren’t always visible…
Ellie Travers salvaged her scarred heart and landed headfirst in a horrible marriage. Now divorced, broke, and desperate to care for her ailing mother, she accepts the only job offered—Office Manager at The Arsenal. Working for the man who broke her heart should be simple compared to escaping a hellacious marriage. But only she can help Jesse win the final war for his soul, and she’ll do anything to save him—even at the risk of losing herself.
The battle lines have been drawn. Together they must navigate the minefields of love and sacrifice because failure is not an option.
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Just wow. This was one of the hardest ones to read and of course packed to the gills with craziness. Poor Jesse. Good god I wanted to slay his dragons. And Ellie has had dragons of her own she had hidden away. This book had corruption, drug rings, gangs, cartels, framed murder mysteries solved, years of rape/pain unearthed, undercover operatives and old friends, new surprises. Then we find out about a new evil unit like the collective and ties to Rhea and Brees past and possible stories. Abuse on both sides of Ellie and jesses past. He survived over 6 months of torture and other horrid things no human should have to endure at the hands of monsters and those who should have had his back. Honestly thought we would get more clued into the why behind he weird post to train the locals, alone and cut off from others. It seemed hinky and like we were going to get another version of what gage endured set up at the hands of the collective. But we didn’t get that. God I loved their relationship. That was held up over years of road blocks that finally paved the way for them. They deserved the happiness. And thank god certain things were resolved semi resolved. And omg Sara. Honestly after the undercover work Marcus was doing I thought he would end up with Dani but I’m wondering now if after the things have been fixed some would say that she would end up with Nolan. Since they obvi had a past before it was used against her. That ending was beautiful and had me in tears. But the ending also left questions as usual. Can’t wait for next book.
I absolutely loved this book. Cant wait to read the next in the series.
Jesse! He is intense as is what he went through. This book is definitely not light on the issues of war and the evil that some humans can go to. What Jesse had to survive, we’ve been given hints in prior Arsenal stories, but Battle Scars hits it hard! And sweet Ellie – the things that she has had to hide, afraid of what everyone will find out. My heart bled for both of them. All of the Arsenal family was strong and present in Battle Scars. This was an outstanding read where even when you carry the scars, you can win against the dark.
Book 5, best read in order. I went back and reread first four books to become reacquainted with all involved and so glad I did. Jesse and Ellie are fantastic together.It’s great that family from other books are also involved/meddling in each brothers lives. Keeps you interested from first page to last. Very emotional,action packed,twist and turns,sexy.Some parts may involve subjects that are hard to read about. So looking forward to next in series and next book in The Counterstrike Series.
I really enjoyed this book. The Hero broke my heart. I loved how his team and woman had his back and wouldn’t give up on him. Of course, there was a HEA but with a twist.
I stumbled across this series about one year ago. Simply, the entire series is incredible. One book I was angry and wanted my own justice. The next I was laughing so hard I cried. The next it’s an adrenaline rush. Overall, while having a military type storyline, the entire series is written with a lot of heart. The series will grab you and drag you into the story. Very much looking forward to many more!
Get ready for this one it will be one that will give it all it has and then some. I adore this series with the characters reaching into a reader deep, while just wondering when the next one, then it comes.
Ellie is no stranger with neither is Jesse if you have read the ones before this but now is their time to shine. Jesse will capture your heart with Ellie being the cement. Their story is one that gives you their detail and scars but also danger and drama will find its way in with everyone getting on board.
They will become exposed in this one with all their secrets out but at the same time putting each other back together again.
You will be tugged on and twisted with at times bits of anger at what was done but surprise it will also cause leakage of the eyes. One minute you will be reading and the next your checks will be wet. This author went beyond good to superb with it being well worth the wait.
Since the very first book, Jesse has been my favorite Mason brother, and though I have been anxiously awaiting his story, the anticipation was mixed with a healthy dose of skepticism about whether I would love the story because I wasn’t convinced Ellie would be good enough for him. Pfft. You’d think that by this many books in, I’d have learned to trust Ms. Carnes’ ability to get it perfect. Because she does. Every single time. She must have sold her soul to a crossroads demon (I’ve been watching too much Supernatural) because I don’t see how anyone can have the level of storytelling talent that she does otherwise. She once again weaves a riveting, suspenseful story that ties up some loose ends from the previous books but also introduces some new strands to follow. Ms. Carnes has such an amazing talent at creating wonderful characters and bringing them to life in a realistic, gritty world, and it is the grittiest of worlds that both Jesse and Ellie have endured leading up to them finding their way back to each other in this book. The only thing typical about the plot of this one is that it’s not typical at all, in true Cara Carnes style. This book–heck, this whole series–is intense. It’s well worth the time, money, and emotional investment.
Jessie and Ellie story is touching and inspiring. When Jessie chose duty over matters of the heart, it was his love for Ellie that kept him sane during captivity. Ellie was devastated with their going separate ways that had her ending up in a bad marriage. Now she is divorced with a mother she has to take care of and no financial means to do it. Taking a job with Arsenal was her only option. Now she and Jessie are back in each others lives. Will she be able to help his tormented soul and doing so have a second chance for happiness together? I voluntarily agreed to receive an ARC of tis book for an honest review.
This book is insanely good. Battle Scars is Book 5 in The Arsenal series and just when I thought I’ve read them all, Ms Carnes went a bit further this time. What a difficult subject to write and honestly, I think this might be the first that I’ve read in this genre. I couldn’t get into what specifically that core of the subject matter is but just know that going into this book, you have to be prepared for some really raw emotions.
Second chances trope is one of my favourite to read and Ms Carnes wrote it so well in this book. I think Jesse is one of the best hero that Ms Carnes as ever written. He’s a strong Alpha but with such an underlining vulnerability and reading his backstory, you couldn’t help but be aghast by what he had endured. Can I also say that Ellie is my favourite heroine in this series thus far. She is perfect for Jesse and I am so happy when they finally had overdue HEA.
If you haven’t read this series, I would urge you to pick it up. Do start from Book 1 of this series as you’ll understand and appreciate the world that Ms Carnes is building. Highly recommend!
Cara Carnes has done it again, this book tells us about Jesse’s capture and confinement. The unspeakable things done to him and how the thoughts of Ellie and home kept him alive when mostly he wanted to die.
We also get to understand a bit more about Levi, the man who has Jesse’s back 24/7. He’s there when the nightmares take Jesse back into the hole.
Ellie’s got more than one problem, the biggest is her ex-husband, the man who stole everything from her and her Mom. The man holds threats over her and is abusive even now.
I adore the Arsenal crew, they pull together for their own and nothing is considered to be unimportant if it affects one of them. The first thing they have to do is get Ellie and her Mom safe, then they can take care of her ex.
There is a big can of worms the CD Ellie has opens. Far more reaching and dangerous than Ellie could ever imagine. The unimaginable from the past that extends to the present. All leading to the take down of more than just Ellie’s ex.
More about Dani, her brothers, and so many more. Something to grab you on every page.
A lot of emotion as the Arsenal crew sorts through everything. Jesse and Ellie begin to understand more about the people they have become as they deal with both their pasts.
I had to stop reading a few times to let my eyes clear of the tears that filled them. Love, family, friendship and simmer to sizzle heat.
WOW! I’ve been waiting for Jesse’s story and it was everything I could have hoped for. This story will have you glimpsing the bowels of hell. Jesse isn’t the only one who has spent time there but it has cost him in scars, PTSD and the woman he loves. In this story we see him crawl from the dregs back into the light and it is a heck of a trip. Keep the tissues handy.
Loved Elle and Jesse’s story. A very emotional second chance romance,
Elle Travers and Jesse Mason became best friends when she was 7, and she clocked Nolan with her back pack on the first day of school defending him. In high school they were planning a future together. When Jesse joined the army and wanted Elle to go with him, she couldn’t and had no explanation, breaking both their hearts.
13 years later. Elle is working for Jesse and his brothers as the Arsenal office manager. Divorced and caring for her mother. At first hostile, Jesse and his brothers now tolerate her. The ladies have befriended her. She has quietly become the heart of the Arsenal, through all the baked goods she leave for all the operatives. Knowing what they like. She is happy just to be near the man she never stopped loving.
Jesse has slowly moved away from the anger he has held for the women he never stopped loving. Memories of his peanut, are what got him through the 6 months of torture he endured as a prisoner of war. He sees what she quietly does for him and his brothers, the operatives and what she did for his mother. Maybe they can get back the friendship they once shared.
When Elle is shot at and then harassed by her ex over a CD she took my mistake, Jesse sees this as the opportunity to repay her. He learns what she has been going through over the years they were apart.
Whats on the CD, shines light on what has been going on in Marville and it has been going on much longer than anyone imagined. They learn why Dani hates all things Mason, and have a chance to right the wrongs against Dom. Even learn what happened to Raul.
Cord has seen how Jesse is around Elle. He sees her as the key to bring his big brother all the way home. Elle loves Jesse and is willing to do anything to help him. He isn’t the only one. Levi, the man who lead the team that rescued Jesse, and who has been by is side since, sees it to. Jesse himself begins to believe that maybe he and Elle have a second chance at a happily ever after.
The Mason family is growing.
Loved Elle and Jesse’s story. Fast paced, a little steamy and very emotional. There may be some triggers for some, no graphic depictions. The story deals with human trafficking, rape, torture, and night terrors. Follows Jesse as he struggles with body image, the nightmares of the torture he endured, the sexual dysfunction directly related to it, and the real possibility of never having a child of his own.
I love this series, it’s an automatic buy for me. This is not a stand alone, it does need to be read in order. I was lucky to receive an advanced copy of this book and this is my honest review.