Once you’re in a prison gang, you’re in it for life. That’s what Mason Harding thought until the boss accepted his resignation. After the State releases him on parole, a sexy divorcée behind the wheel of a car almost ends his life quicker than a shank. His chance encounter with Mia Eddison results in a night of passion, but her brother–his parole officer–catches them together and doesn’t … approve. Mia falls hard for the cocky ex-con, but not because of his chiseled body. She vows to break through his walls and discover his secrets, but never expects those secrets to threaten her life. When members of an organized crime ring kidnap Mia to force Mason’s return to the gang, he goes up against an old friend to save the woman he loves. Will his sacrifice be enough or will everything fall apart in a blaze of gunfire?
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I loved Arresting Mason, the steamy first book in Amber Daulton’s Arresting Onyx series. The characters are well-developed and interesting, the romance is amazing, and the story is well-paced and intriguing. The story follows Mason and Mia as they begin a relationship riddled with obstacles.
Mason has a troubled past and is trying to start over after ten years in prison. Daulton did a fabulous job of presenting a redeemed man, not without faults, who struggles with his past and his present. The book really made me think about how difficult it is for parolees to start over. Time in prison has changed Mason, and he often struggles to fit in with his family and others. Guilt, feelings of unworthiness, anger, and frustration often consume him. However, Mason is very self-aware and works hard to keep his demons at bay. Mia, and to a lesser degree his brother and nephew, help him focus on his good qualities and assure him that his past doesn’t have to define him. However, his past often feels inescapable, and his fears of endangering those he loves are valid.
Mia is another well-developed character that I love. Mia has regrets too and struggles with her own demons. However, she usually sees the good in people, and from the start of the book, she has such faith in Mason. Sharp and astute, she sees how much Mason has changed, and she appreciates his honesty and determination to reform. She also sees how tormented he is by the past and how hard he works to better himself. It’s clear that Mason and Mia understand each other well and accept each other completely.
And their romance!!! Oh my!! Mia and Mason’s romance is super steamy and sexy. Theirs is a passionate and almost instantaneous love affair that proves opposites do attract. Mia is sweet and a bit innocent to the uglier side of life, while Mason is an ex-con who served time for some serious crimes. But their differences don’t change the way they feel about each other. Sometimes Mason doesn’t know how to react to certain situations, and he tends to push people away in self-protection, but I think this further exemplifies how much being in jail changed him and influenced how he interacts with people.
Mia and Mason’s romance becomes complicated since Mia’s brother Jim is Mason’s parole officer, and Jim doesn’t approve of their budding romance. Jim does everything within his power to keep these two apart, but their feelings for each other only intensify. In addition to Jim’s meddling, Mason’s past comes back to haunt him, which puts his future with Mia in jeopardy. Mia and Mason go through a lot, and it’s fascinating to see how they fight for their love.
Gangs, kidnappings, people from Mason’s past, and other life-threatening dangers put Mia and Mason in some precarious situations and add a ton of suspense to the story. Mason learns that it is very difficult to escape his past, and many of his deepest fears come true.
This is a great story for people who like steamy contemporary romance with a bad-boy hero and page-turning intrigue. I’m so thankful to Amber Daulton for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review, and I can’t wait to read the next book in the series! It focuses on Mia’s brother Jim, and I’m curious to learn more about his story. He wasn’t the most likeable character for most of this one, though I understood his reservations and reasoning behind not wanting his sister with Mason. I definitely liked his character by the end of the book and can’t wait to see him find his own happily-ever-after.
I found this book entertaining throughout the pages. Both the characters and the storyline are well developed and engaging.
I received a copy and am voluntary leaving my honest review.
My favorite books to read are books with romance, heart, action, and scenes that grip me. This book checked all those boxes. The book grips us right away with Mia almost hitting Mason with her car! And from there so much happens. There was never a dull moment in this book. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. Mason has a past and he is trying to turn his life around. After their chance encounter they realize they like each other. They are happy getting to know each other until her brother Jim finds out. Mason is his parolee. The last thing he wants is his sister with this ex inmate. As if dealing with a brother who doesn’t like your new boyfriend isn’t enough to deal with, Mia’s life is in serious danger. That’s all I am going to say. I refuse to ruin the story. Like I said, so much happens. But it’s enough to keep you hooked all the way through. Suspense and danger fans will love it. And don’t worry romance fans, there is plenty of steamy romance to fulfill your swooning needs. Mason and Mia are everything! This is an excellent start to a series. I can’t start book two fast enough!
This story had me hooked immediately. Mia nearly hits Mason one morning racing to work. The chemistry is instant, and they knew they wanted to get to know each other. Little did they both know that one incident would turn their lives upside down. The book is truly a rollercoaster from the beginning to the end. The action is non-stop and continues to keep you engaged. I rooted for Mia and Mason’s success, although I doubted if they would make it out alive. Such a great read!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This book opens with Mason Harding on his way to meet his parole officer. He is then nearly struck by a car driven by a beautiful who is upset that she almost hit him. Mason though is able to calm her down and agree to meet for dinner later in the week. After his meeting with his parole officer, he can’t wait a few days for dinner. Mia Eddison is excited to finally be going out again since her divorce, and Mason is one hot guy. She cannot get over how she is attracted to him, this has never happened to her before and she is just hoping all goes well at dinner. After dinner things begin to heat up and when they take it to her place Mason stops everything and starts to tell her that he is a parolee, what he did, how long he was in for, and any other questions she has. Mia is grateful but then wants to get back to the business at hand. After a very, very good night, she figures on making breakfast when her pain of a brother shows up wanting breakfast as well. Working at trying to get him out of her place everything takes a turn when he sees his parolee Mason standing there. You got the makings of a very good story, but this book only gets better from there. You have her confront Mason at his place of work which is a great scene, and then you have his old gang getting back at him with taking her. So as you can see there is a lot going on in this book but the author makes it all work. The ending will have you on your seat and you are in for a very good read with this book. I got this book from Netgalley.com I gave it 5 stars. Follow us at http://www.1rad-readerreviews.com
While her brother certainly doesn’t approve of her relation with amazon, I think that these two make an adorable couple. Sure, they certainly have different backgrounds and Mason’s history will always be always there, but he sure seems like a great guy. I was dismayed when Mia kidnapped, by the courage that amazon shows in his mission to get her back has me firmly in his corner. This book was a great rush of romance and suspense and made for a nice weekend read
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is book one in the arresting onyx series. The characters are interesting and the storyline has danger mystery suspense and conflict.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is an entertaining, well-written, steamy, contemporary romance novel. It has a strong female protagonist, a hot ex-con hero, intrigue, a crime syndicate, family and relationship drama, and a happily ever after ending. This is the first entry in Ms. Daulton’s outstanding Arresting Onyx series. I am looking forward to reading Jim’s story with great anticipation.
I received a free copy of this novel via Booksprout, and this is my honest review.
The day divorcee Mia Eddison nearly ran over ex-con Mason Harding was her and his lucky day. That chance encounter takes these two on a journey through the best four letter words in romance: need, more, want, loss and love. It was a treat to read Amber Daulton’s skillfully crafted opposites attracts crime story romance. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series. Once you’ve read Arresting Mason you will be too.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is the first book in the Arresting Onyx Series and starts the series off on a high note. Talk about a romantic thriller, this one will get your head spinning. Mason almost lost his life because of Mia and she almost lost hers because of him. He was an ex-con who had been part of a mafia gang and her brother was his parole officer. Naturally he didn’t approve of their relationship. They both had trust issues but not with each other. From the time they met their chemistry was off the charts and one see-saw. It was up and down so much I got dizzy. Well-written with interesting characters and a page-turner of a story. This is one you don’t want to miss. I read a free book via Booksprout and voluntarily chose to review it.
I loved everything about this story. The meet-cute was to die for. (Luckily Mason didn’t die)I liked the chemistry between the stow and was shocked when here brother interfered. Mason and Mia met the sparks fly, then her brother finds out who she is seeing. Her brother happens to bee Maon’s Parole office. Jim does everything he can to make Mason miserable.
I loved the characters. The chemistry was awesome with Mason and Mia. I especially loved Jim, her brother. The things he did to poor Mason to keep them apart, then Mason runs into some of his old buddies, and staying out of trouble becomes next to impossible.
I loved the plot and the danger that pops up.
The story is well written, intriguing, and hot. Thee becomes a big twist of action and I really worried how this would come out a happy ending. I found that very clever.
So now I cannot wait for arresting Jeremiah! Highly recommended romantic suspense.
Ms. Daulton doesn’t hesitate to jump right into action when Mia Eddison nearly runs down Mason Harding.
Bad boy, Mason Harding, after a hard reassessment of his life, knows he needs to clean up his act. Though he’s had a good upbringing, Mason finds himself involved with a gang. Then one night at the end of a pistol, though he tries in the end to help the victim, he’s arrested, convicted, and sent to prison. After some rocky time served, he’s ready to reenter the world. He’s done his time but doesn’t know if he can be left alone to live the life he wants.
Sharp and savvy Mia Eddison runs her own business. Though she’s been in a bad marriage, it’s only made her stronger. Until the day she nearly runs down the most gorgeous man she’s ever seen.
Sparks fly, but the past comes back to haunt them, especially Mason. Very few get out of a gang alive and live to enjoy it. But he’s determined. Even when the meanest Parole Officer in LoDo, Pennsylvania is assigned to his case. Oh, and the man is Mia’s brother.
Danger comes for not only Mason, but Mia too is directly in the path. Torn Mason tries to do right by Mia even though it may be best to say goodbye. But she sees something others don’t. A good man who made mistakes.
Full of action, criminals, and an angry brother the two try to navigate their way through the fledgling relationship. Mia still struggles with some self-image from her previous marriage and dealing with a thick-headed brother.
Old friends and gang members come for Mason. Even though he tries to separate from them, they persist in bringing violence into his new life.
The opportunity for safety comes from an unbelievable place. But is this get out of jail card legitimate? Or will it bring them both down?
The story of Mia and Mason trying to navigate their new relationship tugs at your heart. As a reader, it gives me an idea of how hard life after prison can be. How hard redemption from mistakes takes its toll.
The story does have some sex scenes as well as occasional cursing. The physical relationship between the characters is well done.
Arresting Mason is a wonderful book by Amber Daulton.
I highly recommend it.
First, I want to thank Amber Daulton for providing me with this book so I could bring you this review.
WOW!! Arresting Mason by Amber Daulton part 1 of the Arresting Onyx Series really started off the book with a bang! Right from sentence one she caught my attention by the way Mia was reacting to the traumatic scene between she and Mason. I commend Amber for that incredible hook into the story!! She had me smiling almost laughing at the way Mia was reacting but it was so cute. Understandable once you found out why.
Warning this book may trigger some of your readers. This book talks of rape between two men but also a male and female. If this bothers you may not want to read it.
Amber wrote an incredible story with two very strong characters in Mia and Mason in this book. Both had Unique pasts that they were trying to overcome. However, as a team they both complimented eachother. Mia didn’t judge Mason for his past yet she looked past it and saw the man that he truly was. She had a beautiful heart and very understanding unlike other characters in this book. I loved these two together!!
The chemistry these two had were off the charts! Amber sure knows how to write her sex scenes!!
This book has so many twists and turns that not even I saw coming! Amber kept her readers on her toes!! I love that in an author!
This book is dedicated to Greg Amber’s husband. He has read so many of the drafts of this story that he knows the characters as much as she does.
When good girl Mia hooks up with bad boy Mason their worlds intertwine. When ghosts from Mason’s past threaten their newfound love, he’d do anything to protect Mia. She would do anything to stay with Mason, but as the gang closes in, it becomes a matter of life or death.
I loved this story – Mason is hot, rough around the edges and determined not to fall back into the gang. Mia is ready to take on anything and anybody, and it was great to read such a gutsy heroine who knows what she wants and fights for it.
Steamy romantic suspense just how I like it!
Amber Daulton knows how to write a hot sexy thriller! The steam continues to rise throughout Arresting Mason as danger unfolds and the well-developed characters, who couldn’t be better matched, show their love for each other. Mia uses untapped internal strength to help her new boyfriend, Mason, an ex-con who is head over heels in love with her, get out of tough situations so they can enjoy a life together. The dialogue flows naturally and the novel grips you from one dangerous scene after another. The story has you guessing to the end!
He’s everything she should run far and away from but . . . she saw him. Through all of the exterior stuff she saw him and one night wasn’t enough. With is past and the connections that go with it he is a hazard to anyone he is close to but . . . she was different. Something about her touched him in ways no one ever had. This author gives us their story and what’s starts as steamy but turns into more. The desire to do right when all you know is wrong isn’t always enough. We get to see not only his battle to change but also the cost of being close to him in the midst of it all. The ties that bind may be stronger than they imagined.
A great story that will touch your heart and quicken it’s pace through the thrills and intrigue. Yup it’s a standalone with some pretty interesting characters I am sure will turn up in upcoming books and I plan on being around to enjoy them.
2 stars – It was ok
Mason Harding is finally out on parole and is determined to have a clean life. Having a girlfriend shouldn’t be a big deal but when his parole officer ends up being her brother it is. While they struggle to set up times to be together, old demons from Mason’s past return and want him to return to the life of crime.
Mia and Mason were instantly attracted to each other and fell into a relationship quickly. Mia was a very determined woman who knew what she wanted and wasn’t afraid to take it, meaning being with Mason. She was also a compassionate and caring woman who understood that people can change and their pasts don’t define them.
Mason on the other hand is a very arrogant and controlling man. He has spent ten years in prison and now doesn’t really know how to be normal. HIs constant angry outbursts made me not really like him, on top of other things. He had a temper that was set off by stupid things, like Mia meeting his family. On top of these angry outbursts, he constantly needed to appear manly to Mia and didn’t like anything that might question that. To me, Mason felt like a man drowning in toxic masculinity and I didn’t like him, which sucked because I liked Mia.
Overall, this book was just ok for me. If I had liked Mason I would have given this a higher rating. The rest of the story with the gang activity was interesting but that couldn’t make up for not enjoying the couple.
Trigger Warnings:
– references to attempted rape while in prison.
– Gang activities and assault
I liked this story very much. 2nd chances always help. The characters were wonderful
I got this book for free thru an ARC, Advanced Review Copy wirh a honest review given freely.
I thought this book was great and very interesting to read.
The story telling was spot on and the characters were great in the story as a whole.
Would love to read more from this author.