The stakes are personal, hot, and dangerous in New York Times bestselling author Susan Stoker’s riveting Mountain Mercenaries novel.As tough as Everly Adams may be, the Colorado Springs SWAT officer is near a breaking point. Her fifteen-year-old half sister, Elise, has disappeared from Los Angeles without a trace, and the window to find her is closing fast. Committed to the search is Mountain … the search is Mountain Mercenary Kannon “Ball” Black. He and Everly already have a history—of rubbing each other the wrong way.
Still, Everly has to admit the man is heart-stopping. His brash alpha swagger takes her breath away. And most importantly, as a former Coast Guard first responder, Ball has what it takes to bring Elise home.
Nobody’s buying the LAPD’s “runaway” theory. And the fear that Elise is the victim of a human trafficking ring is a gut-punch that Everly and Ball can’t ignore. If only the trail were that clear cut. Because the one they’re following is more insidious and intimately dark than they could have imagined.
Now as the bond between Everly and Ball grows stronger, so does the heat. And as the stakes rise, so does the danger.
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Susan Stoker’s strong characters and haunting conflict will keep readers turning the pages until the very end.
Everly Adams, Colorado Springs SWAT officer needs the help of the Mountain Mercenaries. Her fifteen-year-old, deaf half sister Elise disappeared on her way home from school. Elise lives with Everly’s grandparents in Los Angeles. Unfortunately when Elise’s disappearance is reported to the LA police department they assume she is just another runaway so not a lot of attention is being paid to finding her. Everly doesn’t believe Elise is a runaway and that’s why she has gone to the Mountain Mercenaries for help finding her sister. Kannon “Ball” Black is assigned the job of accompanying Everly to Los Angeles to search for clues to Elise’s disappearance. Everly and Ball start off on the wrong foot when Everly overhears Ball complaining about having to work with a woman on this case. Not smart, Ball! As it turns out since Elise is deaf Everly is essential to their search. The action encompasses Los Angeles and Colorado Springs berfore culminating in a satisfying conclusion.
Defending Everly by Susan Stoker is the fifth book in her Mountain Mercenaries series. The premise of the series in that a mysterious boss, Rex hires former military to be available for search and rescue of women and children. In this story since Everly’s sister was kidnapped and it is feared that the kidnapping is part of a sex trafficking ring the Mountain Mercenaries is the best group to find Elise. Both Everly and Ball need to rethink some of their past decisions, Ball especially. I liked how the author had Everly being strong enough and tolerant enough to convince Ball that his misconceptions about women needed to be fixed. As usual the heroine is a very strong, brave character. In this story Everly’s sister Elise is also strong and brave. I love Susan Stoker’s writing style and, as usual, the suspense makes this book a can’t-put-down page-turner.
I absolutely love Susan Stoker books and The Mountain Mercenaries have fast become a favourite of mine and this like all the rest flows well has enough suspense to keep you engaged and has a hero that will melt you.
Kannon “Ball” Black as been the mercenary lurking in the back ground throughout most of the series he is the quite one that works in the background but now we get his story and what a story it is. He has history with SWAT officer Everly Adams this isn’t helped by the fact that he mouthed off about her when she was stood nearby at the end of the previous story She is hunting for her sister and to make matters worse her sister is deaf so they don;t know how she will react if and when she is rescued. Can these two hard headed individuals work together Can Ball admit he made assumptions that where wrong and will he admit that Once they rescue Elise we finally see the sweet side of Ball her is perfect with her Now can he admit that he wants both of the Adams woman in his life.
This book was a stand alone but I definitely felt like I should have read the other books in the series to get the full view of all the characters. I really enjoyed it but will need to reread in order. Love all books by Susan stroker and this was no exception.
Book five in this series. This one is about Everly Adams a Colorado Spring SWAT officer and Kannon Black a Mountain Mercenary. they have to work together to try and find Everly’s missing teen half-sister. The local authorities list her as a runaway but she believes it is human trafficking. Plenty of action in this book! and the vibes between them are written really well. Loved this story fast paced and interesting with a twist at the end.
Looking forward to reading the next in this series.
This is book 5 in the Mountain Mercenaries series and it can absolutely be read as a stand alone however I recommend reading the books previous to this one so that you understand the relationships between the characters and some of the things that are mentioned that happened in previous books. This one is about Kannon “Ball” Black and Everly Adams. Ball and Everly got off on the wrong foot from the get go. Everly, who is also a SWAT officer, has come to the Mountain Mercenaries to get help in finding her 15 year old sister. Her fear is that a human trafficking ring has taken her, and if so they only have a short time in order to find her or she will be gone for good. Ball has his reason’s for not wanting to work with a woman. But when he is forced to work with Everly, he is also forced to confront those reason’s and realize that they can’t be attributed to all women. But in working with Everly he also starts to care about her and what happens to her. But when things aren’t what they seem in her sister’s kidnapping-can he keep not only her sister safe but the woman he has come to love?
I absolutely loved this one!! Ball has so many issues with women in jobs like his that at first you just want to kick him. But once you find out why, it makes a lot more sense. But then he comes to the realization that it’s not all women and I love how he is after that! Everly is this kick butt woman who knows her own worth and has no problem standing up for the people she loves. And she is ready and willing to do anything for the people she lets into her circle. And I love that about her! This book has not only romance and suspense but a lot of action as well. I loved it!
We are back with the Mountain Mercenaries and this time it’s Kannon “Ball” Black’s story.
Everly Adams is a cop and SWAT team member in Colorado. When her young teenage half sister Elise is kidnapped in LA, she goes to the Mountain Mercenaries for help.
The man that is send to help her is Ball, a man that does not want to work with a woman due to his past experiences and betrayals.
But the life of Elise is in danger and he’s determined to find her no matter what. As time goes on , they both realize their prejudices about each other is wrong and a relationship begins.
The story was engaging and thought provoking in various ways. Deaf individuals are just like us . Frequently more sensitive and with a keen senses of awareness. Elise was an intelligent, sweet and strong teenager. Sadly, we are also reminded that human trafficking is real . Especially with children and teenagers.
The characters were complex and once again, the author fgives us a strong female character.
As the book ends , we are left with the disappearance of one of the members of the Mountain Mercenaries. Leading us to the next book in the series.
Though it’s a stand alone, this reader highly recommends that you read the previous books in their order for a more in depth appreciation of all the characters.
I was entrusted a copy of this book by Netgalley and Montlake Romance. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
What can you say? Susan is a queen of suspense, and this book brought that suspense by the bucketful! Everly and Ball didn’t stand a chance, and while the danger and the mystery never seemed to end, the attraction they had grew. Starting out not liking each other very much, the intensity of the time they spend together has them getting to know each other on a deeper level. Once the first wave of pressure passes, they stumble before deciding to give each other a chance
Furiously turning pages with my heart in my throat, this story had me on edge. Then, with that epilogue, bah, can’t wait for the next book in the series!
Everly is a member of the Colorado Springs SWAT team and when her little sister goes missing, she contacts Mountain Mercenaries. Ball is a former Coast Guard and now a member of Mountain Mercenaries. He has had trouble with female partners and doesn’t want one now but he soon learns that having Everly with him proves to be a life saver. Everly’s sister Elsie is deaf and she’ll do anything to get her back even give herself to the kidnapper.
This is an awesome story with from enemies to lovers relationship. Action, suspense and a slow building attraction. They don’t just jump into bed together, they get to know each other. When they finally do… wow it is steamy.
* Voluntarily read and reviewed this for NetGalley *
Feel good romantic suspense…
This author’s stories are chock-a-block full of strong men and women which has made the Mountain Mercenaries series so fun to read. This time out saw Ball and Everly battling the unknown in their frantic search for Elise.
I loved how Elise was portrayed – a teenager dealing with all the usual growing up issues plus a wee bit more. She was smart but still a kid and searching for answers in all the places, including where she shouldn’t. How it was dealt with felt true to reality, including her gut-wrenching fear and tension.
Ball and Everly’s journey from reluctant partners in the search to unexpected supporters. Their fear was no less real and all the emotions they had were close to the surface. Hate and love were a big part of this romantic suspense and it was felt in every snarky exchange, each hard fought battle. My favourite part? Ball’s connection with Elise which revealed so much of his true character. Secondary characters, including Everly’s grandparents, stole their moments and made this family-focused romance even better.
Another great read in the series!
*Reviewed for 1-Click Addict Support Group
**Thank you to NetGalley
Sparks fly when a missing persons expert and a SWAT team member work together in this sexy and suspenseful read. Despite the fact that Ball makes a poor first impression – he’s wary of working with a woman after being burned by both his ex-partner and his ex-girlfriend – these two must come together to search for Everly’s missing teenage sister. A strong and independent woman who is not used to having to rely on anyone, Everly is out of her element and forced to lean on Ball for support. Though he may have come off as a jerk upon introduction, Ball is actually a great guy and the more time Everly spends with him, the easier it is for her to see.
The writing here is solid, and both characters are easy to like. I really enjoyed the fact that Everly is so independent, and while Ball is definitely an alpha, there was nothing over the top about his behavior. He knows that Everly can handle herself, and he’s just there to lend her support when she needs it. There’s plenty of suspense, with Everly’s sister’s playing a major role in the story, but there’s also a great foundation for their relationship. Things don’t feel rushed, and there’s a definite slow burn as these two move from wary partners to lovers. It also sets up the next story in a big way, and now I’m looking forward to reading that. I received an ARC via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review of this great romantic suspense novel.
When Everly’s sister goes missing and the authorities label it as a runaway, she turns to the Mountain Mercenaries to help her.
She is aware that Ball doesn’t like her but for now he’s all she’s got to help find a lead. But as time crawls by with nothing to help them find her sister, she begins to learn there is more to Ball than his hatred of women.
Ball has a reason to feel the way he does about women, but really getting to know Everly shows him that all women aren’t the same. She opens his eyes to his own faults and what he sees in her is unlike anything he’s ever seen before. As they fight to find Everly’s sister, he’s making a plan. A plan to go slow but that will eventually land him the woman he wants.
This is a combination of slow drama and fast action. The relationship between Ball and Everly is a slow burn but has a perfect pace as they both get the chance to really know each other before moving forward. While they were initially enemies, it doesn’t take many conversations for them to realize that they are each more than what the other thought.
Everyly is fierce and tough, but has a loyal heart that is breaking for her sister and feeling frustration over her ability to do something to help her. When she begins to thaw towards Ball and allows him to carry some of the burden, I loved seeing her soft, gentle side.
Ball is a complete alpha hero but he’s smart enough to yell “Mine” when he realizes that that’s exactly what Everly is. While he’s more than capable of taking down the bad guys, he has a gentleness to him that turned me to mush. He was so patient with Everly and dedicated to learning sign language so he could communicate with her sister. While he wanted to take on the world for her, he was smart enough to recognize that she was the type of woman who needed a man beside her rather than in front of her.
While this is action packed, it has enough to have you on the edge of your seat. The bad guy is truly horrendous and there are definitely triggers here you’ll want to check out if you have any concerns. I was disappointed that this book ended with the set up for the next book rather than giving us just one more sweet peek at this couple’s happy ever after. However, I have to say, I am definitely intrigued by what the next book will hold.
Ball has had a bad run with women lately. His newbie partner almost got him killed. His fiancee ditched him when he got discharged from the Coast Guard. So he’s not exactly female friendly but even he didn’t think he’d stopp as low as insulting a woman to her face! Everly, as a SWAT officer, has to be tough, capable and twice as good as a man to be taken seriously but Ball just cannot seperate Everly the cop from Everly the female!
Give Everly a gun toting smackhead any day. Anything but this muscle bound, misogynstic merc! But if she wants to find her sister she needs to accept all the help she can get. Even Ball’s. Her younger sister is not only missing, she is also deaf. She has to go on the mission so that they can communicate with her.
Oh boy, Ball made a bit of an impression for all the wrong reasons initially! Thankfully he took his foot out of his mouth, his ideas out of the dark ages and managed to redeem himself! I loved the little homework project he set himself! Everly could have come across as hard as nails, butch or bitchy but she had a real vulnerability that made her immensely likable.
Everly’s grandparents were just so sweet, talk about relationship goals! I loved the way this little generation gap family worked together. This book deals with soem very serious topics, including the grooming of teenagers over social media. Elise’s character was a bit naive but her disbaility made her feel cut off from others, so she came to rely on the “encouragement” she received from her cyber friend to boost her confidence. Ball and Elise had such a great bond from their first meeting, it was incredibly endearing.
Tightly crafted, suspense-laden, passion-filled story with great characters. I’ve come to expect nothing less from this series! Roll on the next book.
PS I have my own ideas about “Rex” identity. I think it might be…well that’d be telling and I may have gotten my wires crossed lol!
Defending Everly is another great story in the Mountain Mercenaries series! To be completely honest, I wasn’t too much of a fan of Ball in the beginning. I really disliked his attitude towards Everly. She was already going through so much trying to find her missing deaf sister and the person she is supposed to be partnering with has already let it be known that he resented working with her. But as they worked together, Ball finally realized he was allowing his past to blind him of the strength of Everly and how he completely underestimated her. I loved the way he was quick to apologize and I equally loved how quickly Everly was able to forgive him. She too has had a tough past and she was genuinely hurt, but she quickly caught on that it was not really her that he objected to. So as the days went on and they worked as a team and started to rely on each other, the attraction they felt for each other was unable to be denied. The chemistry was intense and smoldering. And even though I started off not too keen on Kannon “Ball” Black, he really redeemed himself with all that he had done for Everly and her family.
The suspense and drama portion was non-stop, my heart ached for everything that Everly’s sister, Elise had endured. There were many twists and turns to the story that kept me glued to my kindle. Now I can not wait for Meat and hopefully Rex’s stories!
Thank you Netgalley and Montlake Romance for the complimentary copy of Defending Everly. All opinions are my own.
This was an emotional book!!
All Everly wants to do is find her sister. She knows she didn’t run away and there is something more sinister at play here. She will stop at nothing to do whatever it takes to make sure she is safe and happy. I really liked how real Everly was written. Everly is both a sister and a cop so she had to wear both hats with this case. She knew the longer it took to find her sister she knew what the statistics said but as a sister she didn’t want to give up.
Ball was a man who I both admired and also wanted to throat punch a few times. In Ball’s case, unresolved anger and mistrust almost blinded him to an amazing person in front of him. I liked when he was bold enough to stand up and admit his wrongdoing and apologize. I also liked that he was a constant companion to Everly. He trusted her to do what she needed to do but also made sure she understood that he had her back.
There were some very intense scenes in this book and it showed the level of trust that Everly and Ball had but also the respect and dedication of this teammates.
You couldn’t help but get lost in this book and you couldn’t put it down!! You had to see it through!
Defending Everly
Mountain Mercenaries Book 5
This book was non stop action from the beginning to the very end. Everly Adams was very intense in the search of her half sister Elise who disappeared in plain sight. With the help of Kannon “Ball” Black the two worked together in the search of Elise. The dislike of Kannon “Ball” from Everly changed slowly and the chemistry and sparks soon ignited and the dislike soon turned into like. This book was filled with danger, heat, passion and love.
Susan Stoker once again delights with the Mountain Mercenaries series. Now for the next in the series.
Ok, I think this is my new favorite in the series. There were so many good things about Ball and Everly’s story. Everly is a kick butting police officer and you do get to see her skills in this. I love a heroine who can hold her own.
Ball had me a little nervous at first. He is very obviously jaded about women but the author did such a good job of turning him around. It was subtle and realistic when he realized that just maybe he wasn’t thinking full picture based off his past experiences. He gracefully acknowledged he was wrong. Good job Ball!
I really loved the addition of Elise’s character. She is Everly’s little sister who is deaf. This created so many great scenes with Ball and the rest of the Mountain Mercenary crew. The way Ball wanted to learn ASL was so endearing. Really how he treated Elise from day one had me loving him.
The best part was the plot. While very scary in real life, it made for an exciting and fast paced read in the book. We also get a glimpse into the next book and I gotta say that was cruel Susan Stoker! How do you expect us to wait after that preview???
Mountain Mercenaries
Everly is a cop and SWAT officer, who enlists the help of the Mountain Mercenaries when her deaf sister disappears after school one day. Unfortunately, Ball isn’t keen to work with a woman on his team due to some of his past experiences, but he’s the one roped into going to LA with the sexy woman
This story was amazing…(even though the scenario itself is quite heartbreaking),in the sense that even when a situation makes you feel helpless, determination and hope are both essential. Ball and Everly even though it appears they dislike each other in the beginning, they rely more and more on the other person in times of stress, until the point neither knows what they would do without the other Ball makes a concerted effort to learn MORE, which you’ll understand once you read the story….sorry no spoilers here, which made me fall in love with him and wish my name was Everly
A fantastic story nonetheless and I know we are closer to Meat’s story and potentially Rex’s as well I received an advanced copy via Netgalley and would like to thank the publisher and Susan for a chance to review this great love story and voluntarily leave my honest review