A missing woman leads the alpha heroes on their boldest mission yet in New York Times bestselling author Susan Stoker’s searing Mountain Mercenaries novel.It’s been ten years since Rex’s wife, Raven, disappeared from a Vegas casino. Never losing hope, he even formed the Mountain Mercenaries to help find her—and other missing wives, sisters, and children. Now Rex and his fearless team are … fearless team are following a lead to Lima, Peru, where the rescue operation is greater than they imagined.
A day at a time. That’s been Raven’s motto for a decade. Once held captive by an elusive sex trafficker, she has an indomitable will to survive. But Raven’s not ready to leave Peru. She can’t. Not yet. Because her liberation from the barrios comes with devastating consequences. One wrong move and all hope will be lost to an unimaginable hell.
For the Mountain Mercenaries, the stakes have been raised. The threats are escalating. But Rex hasn’t searched this long, risked so much, and come this far to lose Raven all over again.
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All of the Mountain Mercenary books were awesome but this one zings right in to your heart and before you know it you’re bawling your eyes out, your heart is shouting hallelujah and your emotions are all over the place. Thank you for this outstanding series
“Defending Raven” was a fascinating novel. The page-turning easy-to-read plot was filled with intrigue, action, and love. Moreover, the vivid descriptions the author used helped to create a thrilling tone. However, the epilogue went on for days and covered a twenty year period. All in all though, I enjoyed reading the narrative.
What a finish to the series. A story of true love, a re-uniting, Mountain Mercenaries at their best. Susan Stoker is an author whose books should be approached with caution – as I read her books (and especially this one) I kept thinking “just one more chapter” and. looking up, I discover it is the wee hours on a work night. I loved the entire series of books and the last one – just wow!
I loved Rex/Dave–a mature hero who was a total badass and completely loyal to the wife he’s been searching for for ten years. The scenes with his newfound son (I’m glad they didn’t drag out that secret–a savvy reader could guess what would motivate Raven/Mags enough to stay away from the man she loved) were tender and paternal and priceless. Loved, too, that every hero in the series had a chance to shine in this last mission of the series.
(I read the books in order–and would recommend that to others, to see how the characters develop. I’m just getting reviews up as I can get to them. Deadlines, you know. 😉 )
The sixth and final book in the Mountain Mercenaries is “Defending Raven” and I really need more than five stars for this one! Rex, the leader of the Mountain Mercenaries has finally found his wife, well with the help of of a woman that knows his Raven as Mags. Ten long years of searching and coming up with zilch, and he finally knows where the love of his life is. Ten years of meeting his men in a place called The Pit, ran by a man named Dave, and sending them off on missions to find missing women and children and he finally has some answers. Now all he has to do is get to Raven and bring her home where she belongs, only he never expects her to not want to come home.
Raven better known as Mags has been in Lima, Peru all this time and her motto has been “A day at a time”. Never expecting to be found she has to do whatever she has to do to survive. And survive she does, she is a very strong woman who also helps other women who are there with her for various reasons. Rex and his team will have to work hard on this case but failure is not an option.
This is a fantastic read loaded with action, suspense, great characters and a few surprises thrown in!!
Defending Raven By Susan Stoker
This is the final Mountain Mercenaries book 7 and although I’m very sad it’s the end of the series I imagine the guys and their women will show up in future books like Silverstone. I give the story five very huge stars.
Rex has always been there helping the Mountain Mercenaries rescue so many people from very dangerous people. But it’s now his turn to need the help of the men and their women to finally find Raven who we now know help teach and protect Zara in the slums of Lima, Peru. Convincing Raven to leave may be harder than he’ll even know because she has a child she isn’t leaving behind. There will be bumps in the road they’ll have to take on a very powerful human trafficker and drug lord to get both of his loves out of Peru.
Raven/Mags was kidnapped ten long years ago and taken to Peru by a human trafficker she endured and survived but when she becomes pregnant she makes a deal to leave the brothel. But he keeps her son and she creates a safe place for the women who have been cast out when they can’t be used any longer. Until Rex finally finds her to take her home to Colorado including David it will be a hard road but they’ll have each other and the Mountain Mercenaries will become her family.
I love this series and I was so happy to have “Rex” get his chance at his HEA. All the other stories in this series led up to this one and I was not let down in the least. Raven is an amazing heroine and my new favorite in this Mountain Mercenaries series.
“Ten years,” he said softly. “Ten years, twenty-two days, four hours, and thirty-six minutes. That’s how long you’ve been missing. And I’ve been searching for you for every single second of that time. I’ve prayed to hear your voice again . . . and the reality is so much better than my dreams.”
-5 Stars-
A tidal wave of emotions from the last installment of the Mountain Mercenaries. This is truly the conclusion we’ve all been waiting for and Susan Stokes does not disappoint. Rex and Raven’s story while full of strife is an epic love story. One for the ages. You will not be disappointed. You will cry, rage, swoon and smile. Rex is epitome of the alpha hero who’s not afraid to shed a tear or two . The plethora of action from an untrained man (non-military) will impress you with his skills just as Rex has accomplished with his team. And Raven’s strength and determination is beyond compare. Ms. Stokes has done it again, topping herself over and over again. We, her fans, wait with baited breath for her next epic series.
Defending Raven (Mountain Mercenaries, #7)
by Susan Stoker (Goodreads Author)
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Read in March 2021
Intense, suspenseful and action packed story, full of pain and heartbreak, but also at the same time it’s uplifting and inspiring. Ten years before Raven was snatched on a night out in Vegas with her husband, he never gave up searching for her. He founded the Mercenaries, researched and funded every mission just praying one day to get news of her. Finally a solid lead and he with the whole team are in Peru. It wasn’t straight forward, there were unknown twists, obstacles that slowed things down. This story has to be one of the best stories Susan Stoker has written, I knew Rex’s story would be tough, painful and very deep, I was right. This isn’t easy reading and contains triggers, though not for me. I still feel it’s worth reading for those that may find it hard, because it comes out at the other end. This was worth more than 5 stars and honestly I wish we had higher score levels. Exciting and excellent book to complete this series and I am oh so glad that we got the extra years at the end to really fulfil all the potential needed for this one. Started 19/3/21 finished 20/3/21
I have been waiting for Rex’s story since book one and it is amazing. I read it in one long reading session. I knew I wouldn’t be able to sleep without finishing it! We found out in Defending Zara that Rex is the bartender at The Pit. I had suspected this but it’s a great twist. We also found out that the woman we knew as Mags was Rex’s Raven. Well Dave and the team plus Zara head to Peru to find Raven. Of course things aren’t easy and there is a major surprise. This is an action packed book with a very bad villain, the horrors of poverty and human trafficking, Rex’s friends in high places, a woman who never gave up living her life one day at a time and a man who never gave up his search for the love of his life.
Great series finale! I started with Meat and Zara and ended with Dave and Raven. Wonderful book! I was cheering for her strength and character. Dave is one hello if a loyal, driven man in love with his wife. He would do anything… And Raven’s secret?! Perfect. Tragic and traumatic, but perfect. The human mind snd body can overcome so much and I loved these characters!
If I could give this story a million stars it still wouldn’t be enough. One of my top reads of 2020 and one that moved me so deeply. The Mountain Mercenaries series is one that has taken me on a journey of heart wrenching moments, strength, determination and love but Defending Raven is one that took it even further. I felt like I had spent the ten years with this character as he searched for his wife, the words wrapped themselves strongly around my heart and soul and had me feeling everything right alongside them. My heart broke, the tears poured down my face and at times I held my breath in anticipation. This is a story of courage, strength and a love so deep there was never anyway either of them would give up. A story so intense, poignant, powerful and soul-stirring that you might not be the same by the end of it. As I sat gripped to the pages with a hold so hard that my fingers turned white, I held my breath hoping that this family would finally have their chance at happiness again. This is a book that will have you reflecting on what is important and seeing the world through the eyes of survivors. A beautifully written raw story that will touch the heart of even the toughest person. This story broke me and healed me and leaves you with a message so strong that it will play on a loop inside your head. To Susan Stoker thank you for bringing these characters and this final story to life.
Dave has been their leader through all of these missions this one is personal Dave finds her wife after ten years
Mags or Raven has changed she was captured to be a man’s plaything she and Dave couldn’t have any children while in captivity she got pregnant her son is four almost five he is the reason she refuses to leave but she has told her son stories of Dave and has described him to her son It is hard for Dave to accept first but when he sees her son Dave falls in love so the mission to get their son away from this horrible man is hard but Dave finally gets his wife and son home the epilogue is wonderful its an awesome series
I was thrilled when I saw this final installment of a fab series had released.
Do yourself a favour and start at book one, you won’t regret it. 😉
I devoured Defending Raven by Susan Stoker all in one night and loved it so much! I believe this is her best series finale book ever and she’s had some pretty amazing ones. The storytelling in this book was amazing and beautifully written with all the feels. Raven was a true heroine who survived the most horrific things ever and still showed so much love and compassion to others. And there’s Rex, who never stopped searching for Raven for 10 years and really showed how much of a hero he is in every way, totally swoon worthy. Their love story is one that will capture your heart and I highly recommend this book. I’m already looking forward to reading this book again.
This was a riveting end to the series. I always seem to cry the most when reading the last book in Susan’s series. I think it’s a mix of knowing it’s ending and how beautiful the characters are no matter what they endure. Thank you for another fabulous series.
Gutwrenching, tearjerking, anger-inducing, adrenalin-filled, love-affirming. I beg you do not read this unless you have a pack of tissues nearby. If you read this without a tear falling your must be a monster! This action-packed finale to the Mountain Mercenaries series has it all.
My heart broke for what Mags (AKA Raven) has endured. But she is a survivor, with a spine of steel, the heart of a lion, and the enduring capacity to still help others. Dave – OMG what can I say about Dave. I actually guessed who he was from book 2 so I was enjoying his sneaking around the guys. But his love for Raven, his compassion, and all-around badassery is on another level. He’s the kind of dad you want everyone to have.
I loved the wee glimpse we got at the new series featuring a very different “towing company”!
Love this author
I’m rating this one worthy of 5 boxes of tissues!!! Omg talk about an awesome ending to a truly heart-wrenching journey…
Rex aka Dave and Raven aka Mags this was always going to be the most emotional read in this amazingly wonderful series but even I was surprised by just how much of a blubbering mess I would be by the end of it…lol and no I kid you not it was just that good, and even though these books can be read stand-alone I highly and completely recommend reading them in order to get the full effect of this last in the series book because it was just that darn good…
Trials and tribulations have nothing on Dave and Mags and omg little David totally stole the story…lol this was the best one and a fantastic way to finish the series even if I was a blubbering mess by the end of it…lol
What a crazy rollercoaster of emotions! I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry in some sections….. The story hits you right in the solar plexus about the plight of woman and children in the sex-trafficking trade…….I am unable to even imagine the horrors.
On a lighter note, I was so happy that Raven was found and that her husband, Dave, was such an amazingly compassionate individual.