For a Mountain Mercenary and a desperate woman, love becomes a dangerous refuge in New York Times bestselling author Susan Stoker’s novel of heart-gripping suspense.Mountain Mercenary Hunter “Meat” Snow has a mission: eliminate the human traffickers scouring the barrios of Lima for vulnerable prey. But it’s Meat who’s taken down. Separated from his team and beaten within an inch of his life, he’s … an inch of his life, he’s left for dead. When he wakes, it’s to the intimate care of a beautiful stranger who knows all about survival.
Zara Layne was a child when a brutal murder left her orphaned and abandoned in Peru. Ever since, she’s fended for herself on the streets, outrunning its predators. Trusting men is not in Zara’s blood…until it warms to the exhilarating touch of the wounded hero who promises deliverance. As each other’s rescuers, they return to Colorado for a new normal.
But when Meat disappears, Zara discovers how ruthless the past can be. With the help of the loyal Mercenaries, she’s drawing on her own skills of endurance to find him. And for Zara, there’s no danger great enough to come between her and the man she loves.
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Another great book by Susan Stoker. I have read every Mountain Mercenaries Book that has been written so far and can hardly wait for the next one “Defending Raven”. These books just keep getting better and I have started reading the series again form the very 1st book in the series. Should be done by the time Defending Raven is released. I haven’t read a Susan Stoker book that I didn’t like.
This author has a way of writing that keeps you reading until The End. There’s suspense; there’s unbelievable dangers; and, there’s romance. This story is of a ten year old girl alone in Peru in the worst of the worst areas of danger, that manages to survive through so many trials and pitiful situations it’s unbelievable. It’s the Mercenaries that are there to the rescue, rehabilitation and kindness. Thanks for a great read.
“Defending Zara” was a fascinating read. The interesting plot was filled with intrigue, a little action, and romance. The author created wonderful characters in a tightly woven narrative. I enjoyed reading it.
I have loved Meat (Hunter) from the get-go of this series. What a roller-coaster ride this has been for him. I was happy he found a worthy heroine in Zara (and she truly is heroic! although, I think I would have caught on to the threat against her sooner, perhaps, with her background, it was believable for her to not see the enemy on the homefront). I’m so glad he had a hard head, too. 😉 I love me a brainy hero!
“Defending Zara” is the sixth book in the Mountain Mercenaries series and it is the story of Hunter “Meat” Snow and Zara Layne. Meat is in the barrios of Peru to find the human traffickers responsible for stealing and selling children. When he gets separated from his team and beaten within an inch of his life, it is Zara that rescues him and helps him to heal. Zara has lived on the streets of Peru ever since she was orphaned and abandoned as a young child when her parents were killed in front of her. When she ends up back in Colorado with Meat, the danger doesn’t stop there and neither does Zara.
This book is loaded with suspense, action, intrigue, angst, and friends.
The epilogue in this one had my mouth hanging open, I have to admit I did not see that coming until this book ended!
Defending Zara by Susan Stoker
This is the sixth book in the Mountain Mercenaries series with Zara Layne and Hunter “Meat” Snow plus it sets up the final book which is Raven and Rex’s book. This story is fantastic and heartbreaking at the same time but really shows how to survive in the barrios of Lima Peru.
At the age of 10 years Zara/Zed’s parents decide to vacation in Peru but unfortunately one night walking back to the hotel leads to tragedy with her parents murdered and Zara managing to evade child sex trafficking and corrupt police. Flash forward 15 years and Zed and her posse of friends rescuing Hunter and Black who were beaten withing an inch of life. They will be able to escape but when Hunter and Zara find out who she really is and that she’s the sole heir of multi million trust fund. But there’s someone from her childhood who will do anything even killing both of them to get her money will they be able to escape and survive?
Hunter Snow never thought he’d meet a feisty brave young woman and be rescued by her while in Lima, Peru trying to help children escape sex trafficker. But when he finds out that no one looked for her in 15 years and that she’s survived he know the Mountain Mercenaries will be her new family. But can she leave the her friends and how hard will it be to adjust to a new way of life in Colorado?
This is a great action packed book. I didn’t want to put it down. It book features Hunter “Meat” Snow. The team is on a mission in Peru to rescue some young boys that have been kidnapped. The op goes sideways and Meat and Black are separated from the rest of the team, attacked by a gang of men and severely beaten. A group of women hiding in one of the hovels in the poor neighborhood witness this attack and after the gang leaves they set out to rescue the men. They are only able to drag an unconscious Meat into their hideout before some men return. Zed is with them and proceeds to hide Meat in a hidden box and gets him to a doctor of sorts. Meat know when he wakes up his rescuer is not the teen boy he presents to the residents. He can see a beautiful woman behind the costume. She admits her name is Zara Layne. She has a very sad tale and has grown up on the streets of Peru. The rest of the book is an exciting adventure dangerous of Meat and Zara. With a BIG twist at the end.
This is the first I’ve read of this series and by this author. Zara is a very strong heroine! She has endured a lot. While I liked Meat, he was more the silent type, sitting back somewhat to let her take the lead. He’s an alpha hero but absolutely not the in your face, commandeering type.
He would do anything for her. As she gains confidence and really begins to acclimate, she takes control of her future and owns her decisions. She shows just how far she would go to help a friend snd save the man she loves.
Meat finally gets his story in Defending Zara and it dovetails perfectly into the Mountain Mercenaries series finale, Defending Raven. Used to being the rescuer, Meat is rescued by a mere slip of a girl, Zara. Having lived hand to mouth the last 15 years has made Zara wary and distrustful especially of men. Yet there’s something about Hunter “Meat” Snow that reaches into her soul. She’s a survivor, resourceful and resilient but she’s not quite prepared for resuming her life in the states. Meat is there for her every step of the way. The man who scoffed at his teammates for falling so quickly for their women suddenly finds himself right there with them.
He and his teammates are saving kids but because the military and police in Lima Peru are corrupt Meat and Black get beat up a group of woman who are her friends are able to get Meat medical attention during his recovery she tells him her story he asks her if she will come back to the states with him they come home she gets to know her best friend again she also makes friends with the men’s woman She helps Morgan deliver her baby after she and her have some sizzling romance then they have a girls night out her best friend has meat taken and knocked out she is told to give them money because she is the sole heir to her parents fortune the team goes on alert they catch up with her best friend but Meat is not there he is able to hot wire the car and drive to his house where they have a reunion so they are able to go to the Pit for a wedding then at the reception she thinks she knows someone in Dave’s photos she believes the photo is her friend Mags who heads the group of friends she had in Lima so Dave turns and gets ready to leave for Lima Gray looks at him and says Rex? and Dave says that’s Me
Stoker’s books are always a sure thing for me. I always get drawn in immediately, I’m always fascinated by the characters, and I always devour the story in a day or two. This one was no different. Starting off with one of the MM guys needing help was an interesting twist, and I couldn’t put it down after that.
I usually enjoy most of Susan Stoker’s books, one indication is that I look for others as soon as I finish them. This didn’t disappoint. I do have to watch my expenses especially now, otherwise I would continue through the series straight, instead of looking for bargains and getting when I can.
What an intense book this was!!
I loved all the side of Meat we got to see in this book. We got to see him be vulnerable yet still a fighter, we got to see him be a nurturer. He was amazing dealing with Zara. He didn’t push her and always let her know he had her back. I loved that he sat back and let her fight her demons but was there if she needed him.
Zara is a fighter who lost the ability to trust anyone to have her back except for the ladies she ran with. So when this man comes and helps her, she is always waiting for the other shoe to drop. I love that there were parts in the book where she was guarded but yet when the times came, she could stand up for herself.
I also liked the team. You know that they have each others back and that includes each others women also. They are loyal and trustworthy but still have no problem giving each other a hard time. I loved reading about them bantering back and forth.
OMG!! What I just read!! This HAS got to be one of this authors beat books yet! I’m speechless with how well she went from the beginning of this story to the last word of the last page. Just. Gobsmacked! Whew!
Ok, let’s get this started.
So, there is this woman, Zara, who was orphaned as a 10 yr old in a foreign country. You know nothing about her but her wonderful heart. As the story progresses, you find out her history, her fortitude, her bravery.
Enter the hero in this story. He had his butt handed to him thoroughly. He could’ve died, they beat him so well. Zara saves him, but doesn’t have time to save his friend before the baddies come back to finish the job. She helps the dr with him and he finally gets back to his team. They get Zara back home to the US and then the drama ensues. Quite the bit of drama it is too, until the end… the ending while not a cliff hanger does launch right into the next and final book of this series. Good thing it just released, so there IS NO WAIT TIME FOR IT! *wink*
You WILL enjoy this story immensely, especially if you’ve read the rest of the series.
Go one click this story!! You will NOT be disappointed AT ALL!!!
This series is VERY addicting! From book 1: Defending Allye the characters as well as the connected stories are captivating as they are intriguing. Susan Stoker really doesn’t hold back when stringing you along. The men, well, they are alpha-protective, but they let their women stand on their own.
Zara and Hunter (Meat) story had a different twist than the previous stories, because here you’re going to truly wonder who saved who. Which I loved. There’s no question that I recommend ANYTHING written by this badass lady.
NOW… let’s get down to the important stuff.. HOLY EPILOGUE!! That’s all I can say. If you’ve followed this series through (like I have) then you will jump out of your seat and jump into the next book Defending Raven because you absolutely NEED it.
Meat and Zara’s story is another brilliant addition to an amazing series. Zara as been through hell for fifteen years and although she must have had to display strength and determination to have survived for so long the physiological will can take a life to get over. Meat is the perfect man for because he gives her the space she need to make up her own mind. The relationship between them was a slow burn and that was perfect. The reveal at the end is brilliant and can’t wait to read Raven’s story. Is it the last in the series? I thoroughly enjoyed this book
Wow! Zara was a petite phenomenon, whose fragile appearance made some see her as an easy mark. Their mistake, as was demonstrated during a heated press conference. Meat was the quintessential alpha male/electronics guru.
He was a fearless protector, who found himself being rescued, and his heart forever enslaved. From the pulse pounding 1st page to the heart warming and ultimately shocking last page, this book kept me enthralled and oh so eager to read Defending Raven, the next book in the Mountain Mercenaries series.
10 Star Rating!! OMG!! I have been waiting for Meat’s HEA for a while now and this story was perfect!! Zara is a strong woman who went through a HORRIBLE time in her younger yrs. but when Hunter (Meat) Snow comes along sparks fly immediately. I just LOVED the patience Meat has with Zara knowing she has trouble with trust. This story was heartbreaking, intense, exciting and will keep you on the edge of your seat. The ending when a secret is revealed is AWESOME!!
Wow! This was a fantastic story! I listened to the audiobook and Stella Bloom did an incredible job, as she always does!!It kept me on the edge of my seat and I have to say it’s one of my favorites so far, although I have definitely loved them all! These Mountain Mercenaries and their women are all great characters and I love that we get so much of them in all the stories. In this story, Zara is an amazingly strong character while still being so innocent. She has been through so much! Meat, aka Hunter Snow is amazing too. He wants nothing but the best for Zara after everything she did for him when he needed it. Now he wants to do everything he can for her including keep her in his life forever.
I have to say that epilogue was truly EPIC! I also have to say that I had a feeling. Anyway, the next book which will also be the last in the series has been a long time coming and I for one, cannot wait!!!
Defending Zara had me on the edge of my seat and my anxiety levels at an all time high. Meat is the member of the Mountain Mercenaries that I have been longing to know more about. Hunter “Meat” Snow and Zara have an instant connection in a situation that neither of them expect. As this man with a huge heart helps Zara finally find her way, you will be taken on a roller coaster ride of emotions as trust, strength, passion and self discovery come into play. An enchanting love story that will give you suspense, drama, chaos, heat, steam and friendship. However it will be the epilogue that takes you to an all time high that gives you some of the answers you have been longing for since the very first book. To say I am excited for this next book is an understatement.