Find out why New York Times bestseller Maya Banks hails McKenna’s books as “A nonstop thrill ride…”He’s a ticking bomb… of the deadly fire that destroyed it. The townspeople see them as time bombs just waiting to blow, but Eric’s going to prove those bastards wrong. He’s an ex-Marine, fresh off a tour in Afghanistan, working three jobs and barely sleeping. Utterly unprepared for Demi Vaughan’s dazzling green eyes, lush pink lips and sexy curves. She’s the town princess…he’s a dangerous outcast. It was a sure recipe for disaster.
But the closer he gets to Demi, the more impossible it is to resist…
Forbidden fruit is the sweetest…
Demi Vaughan has big plans for life post- college, and Eric Trask, notorious bad boy with a complicated past, is not part of them. So when he saunters into the sandwich shop where she works she tells herself he’s just tall, ripped, smoldering eye candy, nothing more. Eric was damaged. Marked by violence and tragedy. He’d be the ultimate bad boyfriend, and right now she was too busy even to shop for a good one. But his hot eyes and hard body, his sensual smile and that rough, sexy voice of his shook her resolve. After all, she was leaving this place forever. A little taste of heaven…what could it hurt?
But Shaw’s Crossing has deeper, darker secrets than Eric or Demi could guess. The evil that destroyed GodsAcre is lying in wait…and it will stop at nothing to keep Eric and Demi apart…
AUTHOR’S NOTE: Hellion, Book One, ends on a cliffhanger, but it leads right into HEADLONG, Book Two, Demi and Eric’s continuing story, dated seven years later and available for preorder now! The other titles in The Hellbound Brotherhood are a connected series, but each book features its own couple and has its own HEA.
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Full review appeared at Reader’s Edyn on 03/15/20
Demi is suffocating. Tired of the façade her parents throw out to the community, she’s shunned the family business and moved forward with plans to make her own way as a restaurant owner. When super sexy Eric shows up at the sandwich shop day after day, the sparks fly. He’s definitely off-limits and hooking up would likely give her parents aneurisms. But what the hellion? *snicker* Might as well indulge while she can, so she does. The connection is undeniable and before too long, Demi starts to envision a future following her dreams with Eric a part of it all. But her family has deep connections in town and when they get wind of her relationship with Eric, they threaten her with the only thing they can. But will it keep Demi away from him or drive them closer?
Eric has come from a brutal, violent past. Described as a ticking bomb, he has made sure he’s kept his nose clean, keeps his head down, and works harder than anyone he knows. But Demi proves irresistible and as soon as he lets go with her, he basically commits small-town suicide. With her family’s influence, it doesn’t take any time at all for Eric’s bleak future to turn to crap. But Demi is worth it. He’s always known his own mind and he knows he wants her forever. But in reality, Demi doesn’t know him all that well so when lies about Eric run rampant, Demi begins to believe them. Eric is suddenly thrust into a desperate situation and takes hold of the only tentative thread he has to keep from returning to the darkness he came from. But will his love for Demi be enough to convince her to stay?
Oh! My! Gawd! I could kick myself for not fully reading the warning prior to beginning this book. I loved the blurb, acquired the book from a tour, and read it without ever noticing a warning. Let me just say – for those of you who missed it like I did – CLIFFHANGER! I flipping hate cliffhangers! I cannot stand them! When I realized I was done with the book and it would continue into the next installment, I about had a panic attack! It ended at a horrible place! Granted, it was actually appropriate, but I was nowhere near ready to end my time with Demi and Eric, so for me … gut-wrenching! This is definitely not a happily ever after … yet. It could be in the next book. I am not sure, but I sincerely hope it is. Actually, I might die if it isn’t. I was able to read the beginning of book two, HEADLONG, at the conclusion of HELLION, which helped assuage my bereft state just a bit. But not much. This book is like nothing I have encountered. Eric has a very bad past and if I’m being honest there was very little actually explained about it. Snippets of some of the things the brothers went through are revealed, and another person plotting against Eric mentions the brothers can never return to the scene of the horrific events. But that’s really all we are given. I keep feeling like some crazy paranormal element is going to eventually rear its ugly head. And oddly enough, that might actually help explain a lot. However, I will have to wait until. The Next. Book. *sob*
Initially, I really liked Demi and her spirit and willingness to push back against her controlling, disaster of a family. Seriously. Eric may have come from some twisted stuff, but Demi really isn’t in much different of a situation. However, because of the family’s standing in the community, much is hidden. What happens behind closed doors isn’t revealed to anyone. Even when a bit of what Demi could face as a consequence is eluded to in front of the Sherriff, he just leaves and pretends he has no business being part of such a family “discussion”. Corruption, much? In any case, Demi was extremely likeable from the get-go. Eric is a bit over-the-top, but he knows what he wants and he goes after it. Due to his violent past, he is fully aware that time is not something to be wasted. Hence his crazy work ethic. And when he realizes the depth of his connection and feelings for Demi, he doesn’t hesitate. She, on the other hand, isn’t ready for the heavy, so she puts on the brakes to an extent. Eric is fine with giving her time, but will not back down on letting her know how he feels. My biggest annoyance is that given her family’s behaviors and the fact that she isn’t blind to some of the things that have been occurring, she is pretty dang quick to believe the worst of Eric. That made me so fricking mad I nearly threw my Kindle across the room. I was fuming at her behavior. It also made me feel much more empathy toward Eric, willing him to pick himself up and prove everyone wrong. He seems to be innocent and nothing more than a victim of his circumstances’ attempting to make something of the bad hand he was dealt. How do you fault that? Based on the glimpse into book two, I would say he does just that. I just wish I realized I would be continuing this journey without some sort of HEA at the conclusion of book one. Alas, I will survive. And I will be reading the next book as well. I can’t leave things unfinished and I definitely feel that there is much more to discover within this Hellbound Brotherhood. Honestly, the crap Eric endures is stupid and the fact that Demi isn’t privy to any of it is a bit off. But I suppose she doesn’t truly have anyone in town she can trust other than Eric – and she isn’t even really sure about that yet.
There were a few editing errors present. They weren’t bad, but another read-through would be beneficial to this book. While my biggest issue with this book is the cliffhanger, that vital piece of information being missed is entirely my own fault, so will not affect my review score. Given what I gleaned from this book and the brief introduction into HEADLONG, I suppose I cannot fault Ms. McKenna for the emotional state of grief she has left me in. The separation seems to have been absolutely necessary for the success of both Demi and Eric. And things seem to have shifted quite a lot between the end of HELLION and the start of HEADLONG. I did have one other complaint and I am unsure if it was just me or something unclear within the book … but I had a hard time picturing Demi and Eric as adults. Eric is described as having been in the Military as some sort of special forces unit. But for whatever reason, I kept picturing them as fresh out of high school. Eighteen to twenty at most, when they should have been at least mid-to-late-twenties if I am not mistaken. I am curious if anyone else had that problem, or if I just misrepresented these two in my mind somehow. Regardless, I did not like them any less in relation to my mind’s visual. I do have to say that the attraction that Demi and Eric share darn near sizzles off the pages. Their several sexual encounters are ridiculously hot. There is also a fair amount of bad language. This is not a book for the tender-hearted. This story is raw and emotional. The main characters are surrounded by corruption so deep, they aren’t even truly aware of how bad things are. One thing is for sure. The town and people of Shaw’s Crossing are holding terrible secrets that they are desperate to keep buried; even to the point of murder. I absolutely cannot wait until I can sink my teeth into HEADLONG. There is so much left uncovered and I look forward to both the journey toward the truth and being able to spend more time with Demi and Eric – and hopefully their HEA next time around.
Kindle version provided by Expresso Book Tours/Author in exchange for an honest review.
Shannon McKenna is back with a new romantic suspense book and it was worth the wait! Hellion is the first part of a duet about Eric Trask and Demi Vaughan. These two may live in the small town of Shaw’s Crossing but their lives are worlds apart. This story begins when Demi is 22 and has graduated college. She plans on working her summer job at the town’s diner and then heading off to Seattle to pursue her dreams which includes a culinary internship. Eric lives with his adopted father and has had a rough start in life but now he is 24 and he has plans for his future as well. He has had his eye on Demi for awhile but thought that she would never give him a shot but when she does, he goes after her with purpose. Is this a story with a bit of insta-love? You betcha! That’s an element that McKenna has mastered in some of her previous work. It works well in this NA part of their relationship. Do they ride off into the sunset with an armful of roses? No way! This is classic McKenna and they are going to have to work through all the obstacles that keep getting thrown in their path and let me say that there’s a ton! Now I am not going to give away any spoilers other than to say that as with all of the author’s previous work, Hellion is told from dual POV, is a page turning, hot as heck, roller coaster of a read. I am jumping into Headlong to read the conclusion of Demi and Eric’s journey.
Great start to a new series! The author brings strong,well developed characters and weaves a thrilling story filled with intrigue,drama,angst and tons of emotions. It’s an insta love story brought to life with perfectly painted scenes and had me hooked from start to finish reading. I loved the story line and am anxiously looking forward to the next book. It moves quickly and smoothly and left me wanting more with the cliffhanger ending. Well done!
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.
When I found out that Hellion will be book one of two, I didn’t know what to expect. Certainly not this! Why do authors like to keep you hanging? I’m just so glad book 2 is already out so I will not be waiting long to know what’s next.
This book felt like a prologue to what’s coming next. However, prologue or not, Shannon McKenna knows how to keep you on the edge of your seat. I only wished for more actions but I guess that will have to wait till book 2. In book 1, we get an in-depth look at the main protagonists, their dreams and plans. Eric is a sweet soul who knows what he wants and go for it. He is a survivor of a terrible tragedy that marked his childhood (hope to know more about that soon). But Demi is also a survivor, her living circumstances are not making things easy for her, even if she comes from money. Living with constant stress and family pressure ought to break you at some point but she has dreams that keep her going. Until tragedy hits them both… But what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. No?
It was instant attraction between Demi and Eric. It was an honest, sweet, hot exchange from the first moment. However, real life would not let them be and interferences will mess up their lives… as a couple. This book was an emotional roller coaster. You start with excitement building up, and then it’s a hard fall down!! I loved it!!! And what I loved more was that it doesn’t end here! Can’t wait for the next book to witness the characters development! More excitement, drama and heartbreaking moments…
Happy ending… I’ll get to you!
Is it weird that my favorite scene was the one with Anton at the end?
and the BEST sentence: “Let’s kill him.” I’m totally on board! Long live brotherly support!
Hellion is the opening act of Shannon McKenna’s new series called The Hellbound Brotherhood! I have read every single of her books and so far, her McClouds ad Friends series has been my favorite … so far … we shall see how the tides turn once we get deeper into the universe that she is creating with her Hellbound Brotherhood! Be forewarned, Hellion WILL end with a cliffhanger so line up Headlong and plan some binge time!
The first book, Hellion, introduces us to Eric Trask, one of the three brothers that are the only survivors of the GodsAcre doomsday cult deep in the mountains near Shaw’s Crossing in the Northwest. He and his brothers have always had hard time in the town as the townspeople have always been waiting for them to blow … what else do you expect from the nutties and doomsday preppers … Eric is back from his tour in Afghanistan, he is working on his app that will build his future, working three jobs and keeping his head down … until … he lays his eyes on Demi Vaughan, the town princess who is already rebelling against her families expectations … throw into it Eric and the deep buried secrets and we get the explosive opening that leaves us hanging for seven years!
I think you could look at Hellion as an extended prologue and I really like it as I live for prologues and epilogues and I had really hard time waiting for Eric and Demi’s real story but do not despair, if you are only now picking up the story, you will have Headlong to jump to!
This is the beginning of Eric and Demi’s story. This is not there full book. That comes in Headlong.
Eric Trask was raised in a doomsday cult. Everybody thinks he’s bad news. Demi Vaughan is upper class town folk. Lots of opposition to them being together. Prejudice, betrayal and small town corruption play a huge part.
I would suggest you read book 1 & 2 back to back.
A great start to this new series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Wow what a great start to this series. I loved how well Eric and Demi’s characters are developed they are each in a different place in life. But the journey set for them is full of twist and turns. The storyline is amazing looking forward to the next book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I voluntarily offered to review this book with no obligations and my opinions are honest!
This was a great book !
Demi has her life all planned out.
Eric Trask is not on her life plan list.
One look at Demi, and Eric was lost.
Just read the book and watch the fireworks between these 2 !
Loved the characters + the storytelling !
It has all the ingredients that you need for a great book!
I can’t wait for the next book in this series.
Eric Trask and his brothers were born and raised in a cult on the outskirts of Shaw’s Crossing. When the crazed leader burned the compound and killed his followers, Eric and his brothers escaped. WIth no one to raise these young boys, the widowed town sheriff, Otis, took them in. The town residents thought he was crazy for doing it. They felt the boys were dangerous because of where they came from.
Demi Vaughan worked in a small cafe in Shaw’s Crossing trying to save enough money to go to culinary school and someday open her own restaurant in Seattle. As the granddaughter of the town’s founder, she was expected to work in the family business instead. Her father thought being a cook was a silly idea and refused to finance her schooling.
Eric has been attracted to Demi for a long time and made a point to stop in the cafe every day to see her. When she begins to feel the attraction as well, things begin to escalate fast. Her family warns her to stay away from him but does she listen? Of course not. She’s her own woman, strong, sassy, and determined to do life her own way.
When Demi plans an intimate evening at her house while her parents go out of town, the relationship takes a turn for the worse. It doesn’t take long for Eric to realize he has been set up. But why? What happens next is unimaginable.
This is the first book in the author’s new series, The Hellbound Brotherhood, which introduces the reader to the characters. It’s unique in that it’s a two-part book picking up seven years later with Headlong, releasing very shortly after Hellion. I look forward to seeing what is in store for Demi and Eric, two people whose lives couldn’t be more different.
I’ve been a fan of Shannon McKenna for many years and I’m happy to see another well-written, sexy new series from her again.
Book one in The Hellbound Brotherhood series, by an Author I have not read before. A well written story with a very good storyline the story flowed smoothly across the page. What really happened that night seven years ago? I want to read the next book. This story had me so immersed that I did not realize I was getting to the end. What a great beginning to this series. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The plot was great and the strongly created characters kept me turning the pages until the very end! I was so engrossed in this story that I read this book in one sitting!
I really loved the characters and plot of this story. I loved Eric so much. He was so sweet and is just looking for someone to love. Demi is trying to get out from under her family’s thumb and Eric is just the ticket to help her. She ends up really falling for him, as he does with her. But there is his past that always rears its ugly head. Cannot wait to read what happens next, as you are left wondering.
A sizzling, emotional, edge of your seat thrill ride all that way, from beginning to end.
The first book in a new trilogy for Shannon McKenna and it’s a beautiful work of fiction. She puts you right in the book, so much so you feel like you’re intruding at first, it’s like you’re there and you see the scene so perfectly and you know something is coming but not what or who it will be.
Eric has had a horrendous past and the residents of Shawn’s Crossing have very long memories. With them constantly reminding him he can’t forget who he is even if he wanted to. But he and his brothers have made a pact and they aren’t going to be beaten, or will they?
Demi is saving money for her dream to become a chef and if she can just hang on maybe she’ll make it to he internership start day before she leaves. She just needs to save for a new place, and talk her Granddad into funding her culinary school. It’ll be tricky as they think this is a waste and she should come work at the company business. Her parents have refused to pay, after all why would they for a career that’s just silly and won’t support her? But maybe Granddad. Plus she’s got Eric now to help her spend her spare time with, time flys when you’re having fun and she is having a blast.
Eric and Demi have fireworks from the beginning. And it gets steaming hot! But you know the thing about fireworks, too close and you will get burned. And Demi’s family doesn’t like him and certainly not that he’s messing with their princess. As they get closer and closer together and consider moving in together things change and in a big way and certainly not for the better.
Eric and Demi have fireworks from the beginning. And it gets steaming hot! But you know the thing about fireworks, too close and you will get burned. And Demi’s family doesn’t like him and certainly not that he’s messing with their princess. As they get closer and closer together and consider moving in together things change and in a big way and certainly not for the better.
Have they gotten too close? There is someone other than her family not wanting Eric anywhere near Shawn’s Crossing, who is the mystery man and what is he doing? Will Eric and Demi fall for the trap or will they see it coming, after all she knows her dad and he’s been trained for this kind of thing.
Find out if Demi and Eric can stay together or will everyone else win? Warning there is a cliff hanger.
Ohhh how I love to read Ms. McKenna’s books, she has the magic touch and leaves me always wanting more.
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Shannon McKenna is introducing a new series that will keep the readers on the edge of their seat.
Having received an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion here goes. I’m in love with Eric Trask, the bad boy of Shaw’s Crossing. The only problem is he is not what the town thinks. Eric dreams of leaving and starting a business of his own. But his life took a turn because of his attraction to Demi Vaughan.
Demi’s father wasn’t happy with her choice of career, being a chef, or her boyfriend, Eric, and he will do anything to put a stop to the relationship maybe even kill.
4.5 Scorching Suspenseful Stars!
Hellion is the thrilling and sexy first book in Ms. McKenna’s exciting new series, The Hellbound Brotherhood. Eric Trask and his brothers were raised in a cult by a madman. They were trained as survivalists but escaped before sudden destruction destroyed it all. They were taken in as teens by the town sheriff, Otis. He gave them a good home with stability, when the rest of the town feared and hated them. They are hardworking, good men who want to prove everyone wrong about them. When Eric first sees Demi, he falls instantly for her. She is from a rich powerful family who will do unspeakable things to keep Demi under their control, and away from Eric. But Demi is tired of being controlled and bravely goes after what she wants. She wants her own career away from the family business, and she also wants sexy, dangerous Eric. They begin a wild, passionate affair where their love blossoms quickly. They soon make plans to leave town together. Before they can make that happen, something dark and evil tears them apart. This is a fast paced, scorching hot romance with several twists and turns that kept me completely riveted. McKenna is the master at creating uber sexy, alpha heros and strong women who challenge them and bring them to their knees. Eric and Demi are so scorching together. Their romance is thrilling, seductive and heartpounding. There are so many secrets about Eric’s past and who wants to destroy him and his brothers. The ending left me breathless and wanting more. I can’t wait to find out what happens next for Eric and Demi!
Getting in on the first book of a new trilogy by the incredibly talented Shannon McKenna is akin to winning the lottery, and although I’m not a fan of new adult romances or insta-love, this novel grabbed me from the very first page and didn’t let go. It’s filled with angst, rebellion, lust, the injustices and prejudice inherent in small towns and small-minded people, and, despite the fact that it ends in a cliffhanger (yes, I know, I hate them too), I simply couldn’t put this novel down. Thankfully, the next book in the series will be available in just a few weeks, because I am totally hooked. This novel gets 5 stars from this reader.
Eric (Paley) Trask and his two brothers, Macon and Anton, were born and raised in a pseudo-religious, survivalist cult called Godsacre, led by their crazy and abusive father, known as The Prophet, Jeremiah Paley. The 3 boys managed to escape one night, and shortly thereafter the entire compound went up in flames, and they, and the one 15-year-old girl they managed take take with them, were the only survivors. The townspeople had no love for the cult, and even though the 3 teenage boys were rescued, raised, and eventually adopted by Otis, the now retired, well-liked, former chief of police, the boys still were treated like low-life, dangerous, trash by almost everyone in their high school and everyone in town.
As the novel open, Eric is stopping by the local cafe for lunch, but he’s mainly doing so because he has a major crush on the girl who works there, beautiful Demi Vaughan, daughter of the richest and most influential family in town, and lovely 22-year-old Demi has harbored a crush on the big, sexy hunk that is Eric Trask since they were both in high school, although he is two years her senior. When Eric and Demi first make eye contact, the chemistry between them is off the charts, so Eric keeps coming back to order lunch every day, and even knowing that her family will most certainly disapprove of him, his invitation to an after-work swim is something Demi can’t and won’t refuse. This does not go unnoticed by Demi’s boss, one of the narrow-minded townspeople of Shaw’s Crossing I previously mentioned, and if you’ve ever lived in a small town, you already know that the news of Eric and Demi’s involvement will be fodder for the local gossip mill almost instantly.
Demi is already on the outs with her overbearing father, who wants her to someday take over the family business, making paper and cardboard products, but Demi wants to be a professional chef, wants to enter an apprenticeship program in a high-end restaurant kitchen, and her grandfather has even offered to pay for her attendance at a culinary institute after she completes her internship. Meanwhile, all Demi can think about is her attraction to Eric, and if anyone knows how to steam up a novel, it’s Ms. McKenna. Demi’s insistence on continuing to see Eric runs in counterpoint to her father’s hatred for him, and he’ll go to any lengths to either run Eric out of town, make sure he goes to prison, and even go so far as to arrange to have him killed.
Between the incredible chemistry that Demi and Eric share, the warnings about the danger he’s putting himself in by seeing Demi, from his two brothers, the hatred the townsfolk and Demi’s father have for him, and the 14 mysterious, unsolved deaths that occurred only months after the Godsacre compound burned down, known locally as The Prophet’s Curse, will these two young lovers ever have a chance at an HEA ending? As mentioned at the outset, this novel ends in a cliffhanger, so I couldn’t give away the ending if I tried, because I won’t know how it all turns out until the release of the next title in the series, Headlong, so, I recommend you read this exciting, hot, angst-filled, and heart-wrenching novel now, to ready yourself for Headlong. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed–it is an excellent read.
I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this novel. The opinions expressed are my own.
I’ve read, and loved, many of Shannon McKenna’s books, but this fell flat for me. I bought it expecting the action/suspense with steamy relationships that I expect in her books, but instead found this to be little more than erotica.
I couldn’t get past the pages and pages of sex from a couple who barely knew each other.
A disappointing read.
I didn’t like it. I felt it was a teenager book but with too much sex. The plot has been told so many times before.
Shannon is my all time favorite romance author. Whenever she writes a book, I wanna read it straight through. This new book was awesome. The characters Demi and Eric are combustible together. They are immersed in a scary battle against her family and an unknown group of people who do not want them together. There are so many twists in this story that it keeps you guessing. The chemistry between Eric and Demi is hot, sweet, and sexy. This is a must read. I am on the edge of my seat wondering what will happen to them next.
This was addictive! Eric and Demi are modern day star crossed lovers. He’s got a checkered past that their small town refuses to let him live down and she’s the golden girl, that always followed the rules.
The emotional connection and the chemistry is red hot! I instantly fell for Eric – his OTT declarations and his confidence in his own feelings for Demi were admirable traits in my book boyfriends, so no complaints there! I also am beyond intrigued about Anton & Fiona. Then there’s the third Trask brother, Mace *fanself*
Our heroine, Demi, was a bit harder to warm up too. The first half of the book, I liked that she didn’t judge Eric and gave him a chance when no one else seemed to, but the second half of the book revealed her character wasn’t without flaws. Mainly how easily she fell for the story her father and mother spinned about Eric, without ever trying to reach out to him. Watching their first fight unfold made me so sad and frustrated with Demi. Where was the strong girl who stood up for herself? Instead she turned into a weak 22 year old hiding from her dad and selfishly belittling someone she claimed to care about.
Unless Demi apologizes for her part in what happened all those years ago, I’m hesitant to continue their story. Seven years is a long time and knowing they propably/definitely didn’t stay celibate is going to annoy me. Not to mention, the blurb sounds like Demi still blames Eric for everything that happened back then and I’m not okay with Eric doing all the chasing when he wasn’t at fault and she was the one that pushed him away and completely cut him out of her life.
It might not sound like it, but I really did like this story. I appreciate being able to get the beginning of the love story in present time, rather than snippets told through flashbacks. This was sweet, sexy and pulled at my heartstrings from beginning to end. I loved that Eric wasn’t your typical hero, he had the brains and the brawn and was the total package 🙂 The mystery behind GodsAcres has also piqued my interest. the bomb shell Otis drops at the end had my beyond curious to see all this unfold. I knocked down half a star because I wish Demi would have acted more mature and handled this better than the poor little rich girl cliché she turned into. She’s 22 years old, not a teen and I found her tuck-tail-and-run routine disappointing.
* * * ARC provided for an honest review * * *
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.