Every story has a beginning, a middle and an end. Every man and woman that lives on earth makes their mark on it while they’re here. But some people leave an indentation…and Doc Marshall and his old lady Dallas were two of those people.Doc Marshall’s beginnings were not humble. He was born with advantages that other people only wished for. But Doc didn’t want the “things” that his father, a … father, a surgeon, worked so hard to give him. What Doc wanted was for his father to notice him. He wanted his father to realize that he was different, special even. By the time Doc was a teenager however, he’d given up on that…and he had realized that Landon Marshall’s ambivalence toward him had actually been a blessing, because it left him determined to leave his own mark, his own legacy…people would remember his name someday, and not because he was Landon Marshall’s son.
Doc joined the army before he was old enough to vote. He saw unspeakable things in the jungles of Vietnam, and he used what he saw, and what he learned to prepare himself for what he wanted. Doc came back from the jungle with his sights set on becoming the president of a powerful MC…the Southside Skulls. He used his intelligence, his grit, and his focus, to make that happen quickly. By the time he was twenty-five…everyone knew his name. He was sitting on top of the world and it was his for the taking…then in walked Dallas Paxton, just to shake things up.
Dallas grew up in the times of free-living and free-love. She was a hippie in almost every sense of the word. She loved hard and passionately, without holding back. Something about the MC president with the incredible blue eyes, crawled under her skin and burrowed in deep…and before their story was over, Dallas wouldn’t be the same carefree, earth-loving, peace and love girl that she was before.
Doc Marshall didn’t make a lot of mistakes, but usually when he did, they were monumental. People might even whisper about them behind his back…but there was only one person on earth who had the balls to say it to his face, and that was Dallas. They loved passionately, they fought passionately, they lived passionately. They built an empire together, one they would leave for their son, Dax.
This is their story. The beginning and the middle. The question that begs to be answered is…who will remain standing in the end?
Join Doc, Dallas, the early Southside Skulls and their offspring for a wild, tumultuous, passionate ride that will leave you breathless…and aching for more.
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Book 1 in the SKULLS – The Early Years MC Series.
This is a Standalone Romance Novel but characters from this story, will appear in future books in the series and many have appeared in the previous series of Southside Skulls and Westside Skulls.
No cliffhanger.
Intended for Mature Readers.
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Skulls – The Early Years MC Series is about members of the MC club, their friends and associates.
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“She had to finally admit to herself that sometimes loving someone is not enough.”
I’m a glutton for punishment by choosing this title as my introduction to the author. She’s been on my radar for a long time, but she was already far into her SKULLS series before I got a clue and I didn’t have time to go all the way back to the beginning. Way to teach me a lesson, huh? Just start a new series called The Early Years to reel me in. I took the bait; hook, line and sinker. I was so excited to jump in at the beginning and get a taste of what I’d been missing. Well, one thing I discovered for sure is that the author is very talented. She had me engrossed almost immediately. And though I cursed her before I reached the end, I did not regret the ride. Though I was most definitely ready for some #WindTherapy to relieve my stress and dry my tears.
I don’t want to give you details, Doc & Dallas’ story is something that needs to be experienced first hand. So I’ll tell you how it made me feel instead. I was introduced to many characters, some I loved, and others I hated. And at some point, I even hated some that I loved. Was that as clear as mud? One thing the author doesn’t do is make it pretty. She tells it just like it is, dark and gritty, raw and painful. But there is lots of love too. The Skulls take care of their own, even when they don’t deserve it. I struggled at times at the actions of these flawed characters. I wanted to throw my Kindle many times. I wanted to hug and comfort those that were suffering. And I wanted to make life decisions for some because I thought they were doing a shit job of it themselves.
Overall, I was one-hundred-percent totally invested and addicted to this dysfunctional family. I’m beyond excited to read more of this series and then I plan to tackle the backlist and read the Southside Skulls and the Westside Skulls that focus on the younger generation. The line forms here…
This book is full of triggers, cheating being a major one. There’s death, heartbreak and an epic love story also. It doesn’t have a happily ever after ending. With that said, I absolutely loved this book and couldn’t put it down. At times I hated Doc and at times he broke my heart. At times I wanted to shake Dallas and other times wanted to hug her. Doc grew up in an upper class dysfunctional home, left home at sixteen and was determined to leave his mark on the world. Dallas was a spit fire and the product of free loving hippie parents. This book takes place in the 70’s/80’s and gives you the background of the Skulls MC founder. It can be read as a standalone. Doc is single minded in his goal to make the Skulls a huge organization and for his name to be known by all. It’s clear that Dallas is the only woman he has ever loved but it’s such a sad love story. Doc and Dallas got into my brain and my heart. Yes, he was a cheater and no I don’t like cheaters but then there’s real life situations where you weigh, not the actual cheating, but how it affects the characters and the depth of love between the two. Doc is a definite anti-hero and even though I didn’t forgive him for his actions, my heart did break when he finally realized how many things he should have done differently. These characters didn’t leave my mind or my heart when I got to “The End”. It’s a book I’ll read again. There’re sizzling, hot sex scenes that are believable. There’s so much more I could say about this book but I realize a lot of readers will not like it at all. I highly recommend this book if you like stories that have real life situations and characters who come across as believable. I’m looking forward to the next one.
Wow this book broke my heart over and over again. Doc is paving his own path and he thinks all he needs is his MC. That is until Dallas comes into his life, she is the only woman Doc will ever love. Doc is not an easy man and his story was hard to read. There were times that I wanted to stop reading because the story broke my heart. I cried many tears while reading this book but it was Doc’s story to tell and tell it he did. This book blew my mind, the writing was incredible and the characters were amazing. I recommend if you want to read an amazing, gritty and intense book this is the book for you. I know me personally I loved this book even when I didn’t.
Let’s start off by saying this is a awesome series and we really loved Doc’s current story.For those of you who follow my reviews know that Ms Cooke is one of my favorite top MC authors and each and every book in this series has been a winner in my book.I also want to point out that I really loved the cover of this current story.Those eyes of Doc’s just make me melt sigh….
From the onset of this story I new this story was going to be a good one.The author had us already engrossed in the story from page one.I am really glad that the author decided to give Doc a story as we have heard so much about him throughout the series that I was really glad to heard Doc’s story and how it all began.I actually like how the author choose to do his story now and work backwards and included some of the original and founding members as well and I am so looking forward to Coyotes story next.
My favorite character would be Dallas Omg! I loved her from the moment she walked through those MC doors and shook things up.I loved the fact that all the members loved and respected her and their was even one in particular in love with her something the Prez addressed early on in the story.
I loved Dallas and found her to be feisty,loving,caring,tolerating,forgiving to a point,smart,love-able,a bad*** in her own right,loyal, and also had that hippie laid back attitude.I loved that her smiles and sunny attitude affected all those around her. She was just a character that you could not help but love.I shed more than a few tears for Dallas and it broke my heart and we experienced her pain right along side of her.
The chemistry Doc & Dallas had was explosive and they definitely burned up the sheets in and out of bed and an match made in heaven.Two opposites attract who seemed to be soul mates.
I loved hearing how Doc’s got involved with the club and how it all came about and I have to say I found him to be cunning and clever to do what he did when it came to the club and club matters.I wish I could say that I loved him but, it was more like love/hate relationship I had with Doc’s character and in the beginning he looked like a promising character.I will say he did have some good qualities as you could see how his men loved and respected but, feared him as well.Doc’s actions however were inexcusable and Doc I wanted to smack the crap out of you for the pain and suffering you caused the one who loved you the most.The last half of the book I needed tissues by me.Doc if you were before me right now I would string you up like you do those bad guys of yours.
I loved the story from cover to cover the characters were amazing as always .The suspense and drama and secrets coming to life kept you engrossed in the story the entire time.The story made me laugh as well as shed tears and shed them I did more than once.
They say that karma always comes back to bite you and for some of those that holds true and I am sorry that the selfish actions of one individual wrecked and entire family as well as affected and entire club by ones actions alone.
This story was and emotional tale and is the type of story that sticks with you for a bit even when the story is over.For me if a story still has you thinking about it still hours later it was an amazing read that goes into you keeper pile for books to be remembered a re-read and a later date.
So looking forward to the next book in this on going series.
*I received a free copy of this book which I voluntarily chose to write an honest review for.
So I fell in love with the Southside Skulls during the first series set during modern time so I could not wait to get my hands on Doc’s story since he is reference so many times in the other books. I have to say I was not disappointed in the least and as a matter of fact the book exceeded my expectations which is rare. Doc had a childhood of privilege but was not happy so he left home and joined the Skulls only to later pretty much flee into the service as things exploded inside the club. When he returned it was with a plan to take over and make the club as good as it should have been. He has a plan and everything but of course things cannot go exactly as planned. The bumps in the road make the best stories though and this one just proves that. Full of alpha males, attitude, motorcycles, and attitude this book is perfect for fans the genre or the Skulls. I totally loved this one so I give it 5/5 stars.
WOW
Brilliantly done – so much passion – so much heartache*****
This is not the happily-ever-after we are used to or usually looking for, but it is so worth the read. First let me say that the cover was perfect. Very rarely does a cover actually represent the main character so well. Just looking at him you know he is going to be delightfully naughty. Ms. Cooke did an incredible job combining everything that you’ve read on the Southside and Westside Skulls and incorporated it into a hell of a story. You really can’t take it out of context and have to remember the way things were during that time period, things really were very different in so many ways.
There are going to be moments you want to scream and say “are you f****** kidding me,” “how dare he,” and “no she didn’t.” Then the moments you’re just going to flat-out cry, and I mean the ugly cry that feels like someone stabbed you in the heart, so make sure you have a tissue box close by. I can’t imagine this story being told any other way, it is not for the faint of heart. Ms. Cooke did a phenomenal job writing the depth of thought, raw emotion that was sometimes dark and the passion and love that went into her characters that made up this dysfunctional family you become addicted to. The love they shared even when it was toxic, dark and dangerous to each other, she showed how hard it is to walk away when the heart doesn’t agree and she also showed the breaking point when the heart can’t take anymore.
Doc’s story and how he lived his life and loved those that he cared about will put you through an emotional gauntlet. Was he a good man? Was he a bad man? I don’t think that you can judge anybody by one action and although he made numerous bad choices I think overall in the end he was an incredible character and she did him justice. I do recommend reading and will warn you – you will become invested in these characters. You’re not going to want to set that book down for no other reason than wanting to know how it turns out. Happy Reading!
I wondered if going back to the early years of the MC would work..well it does! But I warn you…there are tears, lots of heartfelt tears!
Adonis Marshall, or Doc, engineers his way into the president’s position of the Southside Skulls MC club after returning from fighting in Vietnam. It’s here he meets a spitfire of a woman called Dallas Paxton and where life really gets interesting for them both.
This story gives background information laying the foundations for both The Southside Skulls MC, Westside Skulls MC and clubs in Texas they are affiliated with and helps to explain fully just why and how things eventuated in both areas.
Talk about experience all the emotions within each scene, wow! The hospital scene was truly emotive and the lump in my throat is huge as I write this but the tears drop with the burial scene. Then there is the passion between the two leading characters, Doc and Dallas. The fire in their eyes could even ignite a convent it’s so flammable let alone the raw intimacy between the two. Along with these two strong feelings is the humour because there is some sprinkled throughout, some as fun banter and some in the form of sarcasm.
As far as characters go to be totally honest Doc annoys me plenty of times! But then I am sure that is exactly how this author wants us to see him. He even notes it about himself when being honest about his shortcomings. He is still a likeable character even so and it’s not hard to understand how Dallas falls in love with him. Dallas is a fantastic character, I really enjoyed her feisty nature.
This fast paced story is extremely easy to read and very hard to put down once you start!
I love, love this author!! And now she takes us back to the beginning. I’m addicted to her writing so when I knew she was going to write Doc and Dallas’ story I couldn’t wait! Doc has only one true love and that is Dallas, but he makes mistakes along the way. That love produces Dax and grows up to be a strong man in his own right.
It is good that the author gave insight to how the Southside and Westside Skulls developed and their affiliates in Texas. This book is fast-paced and a real page-turner. I’m glad I got to take this journey with this amazing author. I can’t wait to see what she has in store for us next!!
Interrupted by yelling he goes to see what is happening, when he saw a beautiful woman, but she was angry like a hell cat, hearing what she has to say he sends her away, but she needs to be escorted and the boys come back bruised, the problem was he was amused by her and turned on at the same time, but he also decided that Carlisle had served his purpose and the Southside Skulls was going to be his.
Dallas refuses the money Doc offers her she doesn’t want it, she can do it on her own, but she finds herself at his ranch after her landlord attempts to rape her for rent.
Finally, Doc got what he wanted and that was Dallas, but while they were away, Doc leaves the hotel room after a nightmare, to meet the Sinners, Dallas had been thinking about not travelling and hesitate at the knock on her door after ordering room service, getting her gun and she was right, only she didn’t expect to kill someone and end up in jail.
Dallas knew it was hard for Doc while she was in jail and said that if he did see someone else, she didn’t want to know who and no one from the club.
Visiting the pastor, he sees Abril and when she agrees to lunch, he knows, he’s got her.
Dallas surprises Doc when she returns taking about the woman in his room, letting everyone in the club know not to touch what was hers. Doc is away and Dallas wants him back close to her due date, although when she goes into labour, she realises that it isn’t the live she wants for their child, she lets him know that their child has to come first, and if he can’t stop the other woman for her do it for him, including the Abril and the club girls. Dallas new the woman in Texas meant something to him.
Can Doc do the one thing that Dallas asks, or will it tear them apart forever and make him loose the one woman he truly loves.