War is inevitable, but who will win? The minute Murphy Larussa stepped foot in New Orleans, her life changed forever.Murphy was meant to remain in the shadows, hidden from prying eyes, like any good bastard.She finds herself hunted by a dangerous family for a debt she has no knowledge of. Everyone wants her gone, but they underestimate her. She refuses to allow them to push her back into … back into obscurity. From now on, everyone will know her name because she is here to stay and claim what is rightfully hers.
There will be a war, one Murphy is hell bent on winning!
Sent on a hunt for a person who owes his family, Zander will not stop until he has his man.
How was he to know who he would find?
Murphy Larussa is not what any of them saw coming.
So unexpected, she’s the only woman to ever bring the great Zander Stern to his knees.
Now he will do anything to protect her, even if that means protecting her from his own family.
Everyone wants a war.
He will give them one, but this is a war he plans on winning!
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All the emotion in this book. WOW! I didn’t think that Monique Orgeron could top her last book, but once again she did. The family bond and loyalty is amazing. The strength this matriarch has given to everyone in her family, & the respect she demands is amazing. The story of her son Zander will have you riveted to your seat. The ending here leaves you begging for more. Can’t wait to read the next book in the Stern series!
This book is great! The twist and turns are breathtaking up to the end! Zander, Mr Sex on Two Legs, finally meets his match in Murphy, I’ll never let a man hurt me again, Larussa. The chemistry is great and poor Zander doesn’t quite know how to handle Murphy. Ms. Orgeron is a great and talented new author. I can’t wait to read the next book!
wow this is so far my Favorite book with Zanderand red the sassy and wity through the book was just awesome that i was laughing and getting mad at both of them. i just about threw my phone after read zander. this is a must read.
When your a big man with an ego to match, what better way to put you in your place than a short and fiery redhead. Murphy definitely gives Zander a run for his money in this cat and mouse like chase. While dealing with inner demons, fighting to save the casino of the father who deserted her and mastering the art of war, Murphy Larussa gives the Stern family a ride that they’ll never forget.
In Art of War, we revisit our cast of the Stern Family picking up right where Art of Forgiveness left us. Wanting to know more about the future heir of the casino who debt they have just purchased. Well, little surprise Murphy was not the heir they had anticipated. With her dominating personally but often closed off, she was a hard character to like most of the time. Especially when you have a brute like Zander being knocked around. Zander was easy to fall in love with, yet again. The feelings I have for him have transpired from book one Art of Seduction I’m not saying Murphy isn’t well written. She was definitely meant to cause a confusion of feeling for Zander and the reader. That she does very well. She’s battling with an issue that stems from her childhood, which has traveled with her through the years. Those are hard walls to knock down. Plus with the business that these two are in, feelings can often land you in the hot seat.
Throughout the book, we are kept updated on a blossoming family, which I enjoyed. While this story was to revolve around Zander it was incorporated in a way that you weren’t left feeling that those details were just tossed in there.
The only serious flaw I had had been with Kyle/Kylie. Not that I didn’t enjoy his flamboyant behavior and blunt mouth. He was such a great comical character. I just felt he was missing for keys parts of the storyline. For me, he seemed to of slipped away into the world of forgotten secondary characters. He started with a very prominent role but was dismissed about the 30%, with a quick reappearance of talking on the phone with no dialogue. Just being informed they spoken on the phone. I wish he would have been around more. I loved the interactions between Zander, Kyle/Kylie, and Murphy. So I was happy to have him resurface at the very end but, sad that he wasn’t there for more of the big events. The other issues were minor details that just seemed to change our previous characters ever so slightly. But that could easily be explained off by the growth of the story and character.
Now the suspense that Monique brought was beyond amazing when I thought I had things figured out I was wrong. I really thought I knew what was going on. That was not the twist I saw coming. It was yet another perfectly sculpted integration on her part.
Overall, I know I am eagerly awaiting to read about our mysterious Vin in the next book of the series Art of Loyalty.
Art of War is the third book in the Stern Family Saga by Monique Orgeron and for me it was the most heart wrenching due to some internal struggles. However, this book was absolutely amazing and another must read!
Zander is known simultaneously as the big teddy bear and the enforcer in the Stern family, but when it comes to women, he has no interest in sharing anything more than mutual pleasure. Once he meats Murphy though, all that changes.
Murphy comes down to Louisiana to visit her dying father in his last days and the one thing that he leaves her is his casino, which is drowning in debt… debt that is owed to none other than the Stern family. Our heroine, however, is independent, determined, and not willing to go down without a fight.
When Zander and Murphy finally do meet, neither of them know who the other really is and the chemistry is through the roof explosive. When they do figure out who the other is, that’s when things start to get interesting.
If you have not started this series, what’s stopping you??? If you have read the first two books, you will be glad to know this one will not disappointment, just like the others. Thank you Monique Orgeron for this beautiful story, even if you did have my heart in limbo for a bit.
This series just keeps getting better. AOW is Zander and Murphy’s story and the title really says it all! This pair are at constant loggerheads with each other. Zander wanting to make Murphy his and Murphy doing everything in her power to keep Zander at arms length. He really has met his match!
I have laughed and cried (happy tears) at this pair’s journey. This authors words just flow so beautifully on the page that you find yourself lost in the world of the characters and before you know it you have devoured the story. Told from a multiple POV; more secrets are revealed of the Sterns family history as more enemies try to take down the Sterns. What I do like about this author is that in some really intense situations she re-writes some scenes from the other charters POV and I love being able to get into the heads of each character; I really feel the connection.
The story is hot, suspenseful and full of emotion. A must read!
She did it again, this author just consistently knocks it out of the park. This is the third book in the Stern Family Saga, and I find myself liking each one more than the last. I was waiting for this one since when the first one came out, Zander intrigued me so I couldn’t wait for his story and his HEA. I love Murphy for him, she couldn’t be more perfect for him, and he’s perfect for her but I enjoyed reading them figure it all out. I don’t want to give anything away and spoil it, I feel its best to go into this book with no ideas or preconceived notions, trust me you’ll thank me for it. This book had me all over the place, but what struck me most was I caught myself more than once with a smile on my face. It was weird, and very uncommon, not laughing or anything, just a smile and a general feeling of warmth. I really enjoyed this story and I think she sets up future book(s) perfectly, I can’t wait for Vin’s story next, for no other reason than I just want to learn about his background, he’s so mysterious! I honestly can’t wait for more from this wonderful author, this family is so raw and unapologetic, I love it, and I love them, flaws and all, they are perfect to me. Just wow, I think I need some time to recover, it’s probably a good thing the next book won’t be out for a little while, not sure my heart could take it LOL.
All I can say is wow. This series get better and better with each book that comes out. This is the 3rd book in the series but all of them can be read as stand alone’s but once you read this one you will want to read the other two. This is Zander’s and Murphy’s story. Zander is sent on a mission to find Murphy but when he does he is in for the shock of his life. Murphy has been hurt and knows that the only one she can depend on is herself and that is what she does. She is fierce and doesn’t take crap from anyone and once she and Zander meet well lets just say they will never be the same. At times you will want to throw your kindle or book and say what the hell and at other times you will laugh out loud and then other times you will not see all of the twist and turns that come with the book. All of the other Stern brother’s make an appearance. Monique has done it again with this one. Can’t wait to see what is next.
Art of War is the third book in the Stern Family Saga. While each book could be read as a stand alone, you really need to read them in order. Murphy and Zander’s story does not disappoint! Murphy is tough lady who doesn’t put up with anyone’s crap, including Zander’s. Zhander has met his match in Murphy and he doesn’t know how to handle it. I absolutely love this series, and Monique has to keep giving me more Stern family drama! The women in these books have been put to the test, but they come back stronger than ever. While the men may think they control things, it’s the women next to them that really run the show. I want more!!
The way Monique blends the romance with the suspence is perfect. Usually authors tend to have a lot of romance with a little suspence at the begging and end. But not Monique she weaves it through the whole story beautifully.
Even though I loves this book I do not like Murphy. She was more of a bitch than she really needed to be.
Ok ok… Murphy might have maybe redeemed herself just a little bit.
I like the relationship between Murphy and Kyle.
The Stern Family is a strong family, that’s for sure! Raised by a mother that has brought her sons up to be loyal to the family, protecting each other no matter what. The boys are all prepped to take over the business one day.
Zander Stern is the enforcer, the collector, the big boy of the family. If there is a problem that needs to be ‘taken care of’, Zander is the one to send. Extremely loyal to his mother. That is…until the day that Red fell into his arms.
Murphy Larussa is in New Orleans to visit her father one final time. Having been raised by her mother, only getting to see her father on random visits from him. The older she got, the less frequent the visits became. When her father passes away, Murphy was left the one thing that separated her from her father. The Casino.
The Stern family is collecting a debt from the new owner of the casino. But when they finally find out who the new owner is…All steps to collecting are called off. Family bonds are threatened, war is coming…
Will Catherine be able to pull the reigns in on her son to make him see that the woman he has fallen for is there to play him? Or will Zander get his way and finally be the one of Catherine’s sons to back talk to his mother? Is this family going to fall apart from the one who stormed into their lives?
This series is a fantastic series! Each book focusing on one of the Stern Men. While they can be read as standalones, it’s best to read them in order to get the full story as it’s happening.
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Art of War by Monique Orgeron is the Third book in the “Stern Family” saga. This is the story of Murphy Larussa and Zander Stern. I have read the previous books (and Loved Them!) but feel you can make this a standalone book if you choose to do so. Murphy is the daughter of a famous Cherry stripper, and Club Owner. Murphy is also tough, beautiful and had her mother’s desired body, but what she didn’t have was a strong father figure. Murphy was named after her father and her parents loved each other but her father was already married and he couldn’t leave his wife. So that put a restriction on their relationship until her father stopped it altogether. But now he is dying and wants to see Murphy and give her his Casino that he owned. Murphy takes the ownership of his Casino after he passes and she moves forward to never be his forgotten or kept in the dark daughter.
But the Casino owes a lot of money to the Stern family and they plan on taking the Casino away from her. Zander Stern is the one out to find Murphy and bring her forward to his family to acknowledge the debt… but he keeps running into a Red Headed women that takes his breath away. They burn hot and fast until each learn who the other one is…but their feelings won’t go away.
Zander is a protector of his family and had the muscle to back his force but what he has more of is a heart. Zander has always stood with his family but will he stand with them or what his heart wants…Murphy.
This series keeps getting better and better! Each book just makes you want more story about this family and from Ms. Orgeron .
Loved it!! Wish I could give it a 100 stars!
this is the 3rd book in the Stern Family saga it focuses primarily on Zander and his female Red, it will touch your emotion, tickle your fancy and keep you on the edge of your seat with its twists and turns! once i began reading it i had a hard time putting it down so i could go to sleep!
I received an arc of this book that i happily reveiewd
This is the third book in the series and possibly the best one yet.
Murphy and Zanders story was very entertaining. I loved seeing the ‘love em and leave em’ tough guy being brought to his knees by a woman. A woman that does not want anything to do with him!
There’s action, romance, drama and twists, and again secrets are revealed. I feel that there’s so many more deep dark secrets that Catherine has kept from her sons, and I’m excited to find them all out.
I really enjoyed this one and can’t wait for Vin’s story now! Five stars
Monique Oregeron has hit it out of the park with ART OF WAR! She takes two very strong-willed people and sets them on a path of discovery and understanding, and boy does Murphy fight it! But, these two characters are perfect for each other. They mesh easily, and the attraction is instantaneous, even though it is fought.
Murphy only comes to New Orleans to make some type of peace with her past and ends up neck deep in a pond of sharks. But it is a pond she is determined to swim to keep the only legacy she has left from her father safe and in her control. But things take an unexpected twist when she finds out that her father borrowed a large sum of money from an Organized family and used the casino as collateral. Now they want their piece of pie.
Enter Zander. He takes one look at Murphy and BOOM! He is hooked and hooked good. He knows that she is what he wants, and he will do anything to protect her, even go against his own family. The only problem is that Murphy has walls that reach high into the sky that she refuses to drop them. There are reasons for her actions, but she constantly pushes Zander away. Zander splinters her walls, but Murphy is about to find out that there is only so far he can be pushed before he is done.
I swear these two characters are so very hard headed! But I so wanted to smack Murphy at times. But Zander also had his moments where a quick throat punch wouldn’t have been a bad idea. But they are perfect for each other. And more about the matriarch of the Stern family is revealed and boy was that a doozy. But the hits didn’t stop. There is change on the horizon and danger is close.
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This series has me so not wanting to put it down. Zander and Murphy’s first meeting is a hot mess until they both find out who the other actually is. Zander is a hot head who doesn’t date and never been in love that is until he meets Murphy or Red to him his nickname for her seeing as she has red hair. Murphy fights against him at every turn she seems at war against him and his family. That is until Zander finds out her secret and that forces her to the family. Wow I loved this series so much it’s a definitely must read that you won’t regret reading and you’ll fall in love with all the characters.
First of all reading this book got me a little frustrated with the heroine I was like give in already sheesh! Than after a while she started to come around and I’m like yes! Now we’re talking, the love is flowing, laughter, than boom! The ending got me screaming NOOOOO it can’t happen!! But omg the book is good, I didn’t expect the 3rd book to surprise me like that, but it didn’t. Great read Great Job, for you to understand this book you have to read the whole series, there’s nothing else to accept I’m giving it 5 stars.
She does it again! This is Monique’s 3rd installment in the Stern Family Saga and I love them!!!! I know Catherine is not the main character in these books, but her character keeps getting better and better. She will do anything to protect her family. If you haven’t read any books from this author then please start today. Her writing is amazing and each book gets you hooked even more. I don’t want this saga to end and want to know more about the past and the future. That’s how hooked I already am. Congrats Monique you did an amazing job yet again!
4.5 Stars
Murphy is the daughter of a man who is dying as this story begins. He’s been an absentee father for most of her life, as she is in NJ and he is in New Orleans with his wife.
With a name like Murphy, everyone assumes she is a man. Zander is tasked with finding Murphy, and like everyone else, he assumes she is a man. It turns out that the Stern family now owns much of the debt of the casino that Murphy’s father leaves to her. They want the casino because of its location, and Murphy wants to keep the casino—this legacy from her father. It has a lot of unexplained debt, and Murphy can’t figure out the reason. Murphy and Zander accidentally run into each other in a hotel lobby, while Zander searches for the male Murphy. Then they see each other again at a masked ball and the attraction is incendiary! Neither one knows who the other person really is, but they come together explosively. Then she leaves quickly, while Zander wonders what happened.
There is so much more to this story! There is a huge amount of low- and medium-level tension. Someone wants Murphy to go back to NJ, and threatens her. She assumes it’s the Stern family. When confronted, Zander is confused. While reading this story, the reader encounters a shady lawyer, a vengeful widow, a mysterious stalker, and a boatload of pride and fear. There’s also strong family bonds, loyal bodyguards, a colorful best friend, and a new baby to add levity and dispel some of the tension.
Ms. Orgeron is getting stronger as a writer. This book is well-written and tightly-paced. There may be a time or two when the reader may need tissues to stop tears. Zander is a big teddy bear to those he loves, but he is ruthless to those who hurt the ones he cares about and loves. He’s a wonderful protagonist and he needs a strong woman in his life. Murphy is that strong presence, but at times she’s a little too strong. Each of these main characters hungers to be loved, and each can only go so far before pulling back into protection mode. It’s a fine line and this author navigates it with skill.
I’ve had the pleasure of reading the first three books in this series over the past 4 days. This is the best one yet, although the other two were also very good. There’s just something special about Zander and his willingness to face multiple obstacles in order to secure his future with Murphy.
I was skeptical at first about reading the book 1st book then read it fell in love with it and I totally fell in love with the second book which is even better than the first anybody out there that truly wants to read good and a good author this is the place to read her books