A Wall Street Journal bestseller.Danger rises and love is threatened in New York Times bestselling author Susan Stoker’s fourth book of the Mountain Mercenaries series.Lowell “Black” Lockard, former Navy SEAL, has watched his fellow Mountain Mercenaries settle down with the women of their dreams, but he’s convinced he doesn’t need love. Then he gets a call from Harlow Reese—a chef at a local … call from Harlow Reese—a chef at a local women’s shelter—and begins to reconsider his decision.
After being continually harassed by a local band of punks, Harlow asks Lowell to give the women of the shelter lessons in self-defense. She doesn’t expect him to take such a special interest in her safety, but he insists on escorting her to and from work, never taking no for an answer. Not that Harlow minds the personal touch…especially when it’s coming from her former teenage crush.
Despite her long history of bad dating luck, seeing Black again makes Harlow rethink her self-imposed celibacy. Easy on the eyes and hard to forget, the man has morphed into an alpha stud. And Harlow may be exactly the type of woman Black is looking for. Making her feel safe isn’t only a duty; it’s a pleasure. But the threats are escalating. The motives are a mystery. And as the danger burns almost as hot as their passion, there’s much more at risk than their hearts.
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We are continuing with the Mountain Mercenaries Series. These novels are Standalones in a series but I do recommend reading your way through these hot alpha ex-military and kickass heroines.
Black comes across as the calm gentle one of the group, which he certainly shows us in this book. He has been struggling a little bit with where he is in life and what is next for him. Watching his teammates find love and happiness has brought forward some questions. When a woman from his past shows up at the shelter the often help out at, she has his interested piqued from the beginning. Not certain that he is ready for marriage and all that but certainly for something more. He willingly jumps in to help when there are some troubles at the shelter.
Harlow is a strong independent woman who has in her terms given up on men. She is the queen of disaster dates and has the stories to prove it. Yes when she sees Lowell again she quickly remembers the things she liked about him back in the day. She tries very hard to remind herself that she doesn’t date and to stay away and let him be the good guy from afar. Her stories will make you laugh and giggle at some of the things she has gone through.
Will they be able to find out what is happening at the shelter and why? Who is doing this to them? Will Lowell be able to work his way into Harlow’s life and past her defences?
This book had a little bit of a different feel than the others. With the threat being a little less subtle and the focus a little more on the relationship and the building of trust.
Looking forward to what is next in the series.
*** Advanced copy provided in exchange for an honest review. ***
Defending Harlow is the fourth book in the Mountain Mercenaries series and this book had me falling further in love with these guys. Black meets a face from the past who is now in need of some help. However as Black sets out to assist Harlow he sneaks under her radar to start dating her. These two will steal your heart, have you on the edge of your seat and have you hoping as Black defends Harlow these two realize what really is at stake. A love story packed full of heart, compassion and learning to ensure life has no regrets.
This one did not disappoint. Black, aka Lowell and Harlow went to high school together years ago and met again when he taught a self defense course at the women’s shelter she had been hired to work at. Harlow ask for help when she and the women and children at the shelter start being harassed and the police can’t do anything because no one has been hurt. The Mountain Mercenaries are willing to help and Lowell and Harlow start going on non dates because of her ban on dating. We have cute kids, nasty gang members, a mystery man up to no good, Rex seems to have checked out, suspense, hot steamy scenes and two people fighting their feelings.
I preferred the previous books in this series and plan to read the next one.
This is a pretty amazing story. It’s one thing to promise protection. But it’s another to devote your life protecting innocent women and children. The Mountain Mercenaries series is one of the best I’ve read.
Harlow is a chef at the women’s shelter. The residents have been feeling threatened by a gang of boys in the neighborhood. So she calls Lowell from MM for help. As soon as she sees him her old crush from her high school, old feeling resurface. He’s strong, gorgeous and feels very protective over Harlow. But she doesn’t date. To many bad experiences.
Lowell has never forgotten Harlow. She’s beautiful, and curvy in all the right places. He feels sparks when their together. Her no dating rule could be a problem for some. But he’s a Seal and they eliminate problems. Because Harlow is perfect for him. But when the threats become physical and the shelter goes up in smoke will Lowell be able to safe the love
Of his life?
I can’t wait for the next one!
This gorgeous cover caught my eye and I just had to buy this one. But what’s inside is truly worth more that 5 stars!
Ms. Stoker you have yet again blown my heart wide open and made room for more of your AMAZING characters!
Book four in the Mountain Mercenaries series we are welcomed by Lowell “Black” Lockard and his team of Mountain Mercenaries. The thing I love most about these books is not only the fabulous characters and story lines, but also how tight the teams are, they truly are like family to each other.
Harlow is a Chef working at a local Woman’s shelter that has come under siege from a group of nefarious gangsters. Harlow reaches out to her old classmate…yes that’s right people, the only and only “Black.”
When Harlow calls and tells him the trouble not only the shelter is facing, but also Harlow herself, Black makes it his mission to help her. When sparks fly for the pair, Harlow is the one to hit the brakes. Poor Harlow has had just about every bad date possible happen to her and because of this she is not willing to put herself back out there for dating of any kind.
Or so she thought…
With Black taking her out on “outings” as he likes to call them, she never realizes how quickly he has slipped under her guard.
But will the trouble with the shelter tear them apart? With a mysterious figure pulling all the stings, what will happen to out new found heroes?
I absolutely loved the interaction between Lowell & Harlow. Susan Stoker is an awesome author & this did not disappoint. If you love your Heroes Loyal Hunky & Alpha & your Heroines feisty & independant get this book together withe rest of the. Mountain Mercenaries
The Mountain Mercenaries were there to assist women and/or children that needed help and rescue. That was their job and they worked where and when needed. These men worked tirelessly to be there. This particular story-line is right in their back yard in Colorado Springs. A battered women’s shelter was in trouble and these men were there to find the culprits and those that were harassing them. Lowell “Black” Lockard was a member of this team and his specialty was interrogation; he could be patient, strong and brutal when needed. Black was surprised when he walked into this shelter and found a former high school classmate, Harlow Reese. Being a fan of this author, I knew I would read mystery, heartache, intrigue and unstoppable dedication to a cause. I enjoyed the little kids, the men who stayed vigilant in order to protect the women and the dedication of the Mercenaries to protect at any cost.
I loved that the setting was different for this book. The book still had the alphaness that I love by this author but it was a different setting and different setup. I loved (again!) how real the main characters are and loved the perfect mix of humor, sassiness, and seriousness. The closeness of the group and a bit of some surprise that I didn’t see coming. Well written and a great read!
New release from Susan Stoker!!! I’m IN!!!!
Wow! Soooo many bad dates poor Harlow has been on! It’s no wonder she gave up on dating! I love the dynamic between her & Lowell aka Black. Even though I wasn’t keen on his motives in the beginning. He seemed to be all about the conquest & didn’t want to admit to any deeper feelings. But as he was planning these non-dates for Harlow & getting to know her, he warmed up to the idea of feelings & I warmed up to him. LOL
We get to see some vulnerability from Rex in this one, too, which was great!
Super fun ride with this one!! And the tease for the next book at the end… Ooooeeeee! Ball stepped in some stuff. ; )
Ok..this is going to be a bit of a different kind of review for me. I usually start off with gushing about Susan Stoker and how much I love her books. Don’t worry…I’ll still get to that but first I want to talk about her newest book Defending Harlow. Anyone who’s read Ms. Stoker knows you’re gonna get an over the top hot alpha and a kicka$$ heroine. There’s going to be action, drama (or ANGST) and plenty of swoon-worthy romance. And this book has that…kinda. Ms. Stoker starts a new page with this second-chance romance between Lowell “Black” Lockard and Harlow Reese. From the very beginning of the book, the tone is different. Think of when you walk in your house and smell your favorite meal cooking but there’s something “different” about the smell you can’t put your finger on.
The slow build up between Black and Harlow is ingenious. The reader gets to enjoy getting to know the characters, their quirks, and hang-ups on a much deeper level. The witty banter back and forth and teasing from Black’s friends lend the book the levity to deal with some deeper issues in the book. As the book ramps up Ms. Stoker pulls the reader along with teasing glimpses of background info about sub characters and her well know action and angst. So by the end of the book, you feel like you just had the best well-rounded meal EVER. The flavors were a little different but the food was JUST as good!
Now the “gushing” part of the review. Ms. Stoker continues to deliver outstanding books to her reader time after time. Each book is new and fresh with fabulous characters and well-developed stories. How she is able to turn these out at such a quick pace (although I wish it was quicker still) and keep the quality and depth to each book is a wonder to me. If you’ve never read Susan Stoker, you don’t know what you’re missing. Pick this book up. Pick them ALL up.
I just finished Defending Harlow and I loved it. The entire Mountain Mercenaries series is great and each new book is a wonderful addition. I enjoyed the build-up of the relationship between Harlow and Lowell, their nondates and the moment of stunned realization by Harlow that she had, in fact, been dating Lowell all along. I’m looking forward to Ball’s book next but hope that we get Rex’s book soon too.
S
Lowell and Harlow each had a hard time thinking they would find someone to settle down with. It was great watching them fall. This is a slow burn with lots of suspense.
Mountain mercenaries even help when stateside
Black works as a mountain mercenary and has his gun range on the side as well. When Harlow contacts him again to report more harassment at the shelter where she cooks, he steps up to help them immediately. The team put together a plan to find out why the women and kids at the shelter are being harassed but also step up security for them to help them feel secure.
Harlow is convinced she’s never dating again after all the bad luck she’s had in the past. However, when Black meets up with her again he knows it’s up to him to help her get over the hurdle and jump back in with both feet….but he does it under the radar
A really good story and I’m looking forward to the next one
Yes…I’m still a huge Susan Stoker fan. And Defending Harlow is just one more reason I kind of love her writing. I love the main characters, Lowell and Harlow. Secretly crushing on each other in high school, life took them in completely different directions. She’s jaded when it comes to relationships, and he’s never really had one. But somehow…they fit. Perfectly.
Lowell is hot. But he’s also a really great guy at heart. He’s an honorable and loyal gentleman. And he’s determined to change Harlow’s mind about dating. Or not dating, as the case is. And Harlow might be jaded where relationships are concerned, but she’s also a loyal and caring woman who is willing to sacrifice whatever is needed to take care of those she cares about.
With lovable but realistic characters, an underlying mystery of who Rex is and what he’s about that has yet to be solved, and plenty of heart-pounding action, I give Defending Harlow by Susan Stoker 4.5 out of 5 stars!
New release from the wonderful Susan Stoker!
New release from Susan Stoker!
Susan Stoker has a new release!