Winnie thinks she has the perfect life.Two beautiful, healthy children. A police officer husband. A job that she loves. Oh, and let’s not forget that she’s a nationally ranked marathon runner.Fast forward six months, and her perfect life has imploded.Winnie finds herself in a completely new world, and this new world is a brutal bitch.In this new life of hers, her husband is gone. He realizes, at … her husband is gone. He realizes, at the worst possible time, that he’s no longer in love with her. He’s in love with her best friend. He leaves, and doesn’t look back.
Her sixteen-year-old daughter is in trouble with the law, and she’s barely making ends meet thanks to losing the job that was keeping her and her tiny family afloat.
Then, the last thing that could make it all bearable, her running, is ripped out from under her, too. Thanks to a spinal stroke that leaves her unable to walk, let alone run, she’s having to relearn how to do the simplest of tasks—such as putting on her own pants.
She’s at the lowest of lows, and the last thing she wants is a sexy, bearded, motorcycle riding alpha to tell her how to live her life.
But Steel Cross never asks her what she wants.
***
The moment Steel Cross sees Winnie’s daughter steal some shoes for her younger brother, he knows he’s in trouble.
He’s a sucker for misunderstood teens. After all, he was once one himself.
He knows he can’t just walk away, and the moment he sees that troubled teen’s mother, he doesn’t just know it, he feels it. Down to the very bottom of his soul.
With his share of hard knocks, he knows that he shouldn’t step in and make his move on a fellow police officer’s ex. There’s a code, after all, yet he just can’t seem to help himself.
He’s done being the good guy. Sometimes he just wants to be bad.
And Winnie makes him realize that being bad is still kind of good. As long as you’re with the right person.
more
Steel was never lucky when it came to the area of the opposite sex. the one’s that he has taken chances with. there just wasn’t anything special about them. that is until he sets his sights in Winnie. Winnie maybe younger than him, but she is perfect for Steel. once they both let their problems go to the wayside, they are able to see just how perfect they are for each other.
I’ll keep saying it Lani Lynn Vale is a flipping genius I fall in love with every book she writes and once I finish them I’m in need of the next one like right when I reach the end or even when I’m reading and possible story lines are mentioned I get giddy . Law and Beard can be read as a standalone but I suggest that you read them in order or even start with Lanis first series and work your way to this one by one clicking everyone of this authors stories you wont regret it you’ll just be binge reading like crazy . Big Papa aka Steel is one of the heroes I couldn’t wait to get my greedy hands on he’s the father of Sean who is the hero in I’m only here for the beard book four in the Dixie warden rejects MC , he’s also the president of the MC and chief of police lets not forget super HOT alpha he takes care of his own and once he counts you in he’ll do anything for you , he’s funny , a dirty talker , loyal , protective , and oh so swoony . Winnie she has been through so much my heart hurt for this woman she was a true inspiration with how strong she is for her children , she is also sassy , funny , kind , and beautiful I can’t wait for her daughters book . As always I love love LOOOOVE when we get to see characters from the past make an appearance and to see how they are doing plus when we get introduced to new characters . I’m so excited we got a little tease of the next series and I CAN’T WAIT . So if Lani is new for you you defiantly need to check her out and if you are a fan like me and has read every one of this authors creations you need to one click Law and beard as soon as possible .
copy provided for honest review
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hero= 10 heroine= 10 secondary characters=110 Chemistry=10 steam=9
romance= 9 humor=9 darkness level= 5 action=4 mystery= 3
enjoyment=10 angst= 3 story line= 10 Story ending=10
character development=10 pacing= 10
cover= 10 stars= 5 +++++
would I recommend this book= yes
would I re read this book= yes
would I read future books by this author= there you go asking stupid questions (wink )
Loved Steel and Winnie’s story, it was funny, cute, and a bit sad. These two live across the street from one another and both of them have feelings for one another that they do not act on until one sleepy morning after working a crazy disaster. But of course there are people out there who don’t want them happy. Steel can’t seem to shake his ex and someone from Winnie’s past comes to cause havoc.
There were a few spots at the end that made me bit a sad but I won’t be spoiling it here. So go read this book to find out, you won’t be disappointed.
Steele is AMAZING! Elizabeth @ Carolina Chic’s Read
Steel and Winnie were so much fun to listen to. Steel was kinda forced into this single moms life, and he was cool with it and just AMAZING. Winnie is down on her life at the moment. Her ex-husband does not support her financially with the children. Thrusting Steele into their lives and giving support when needed.
He never wants love but that’s what they both get!
5 Steel Stars Good!
Finally we get Big Papa’s story!! And boy was it a good one. I can never say enough how much I love Lani Lynn Vale’s books. I have been a fan for a while now and I have immensely enjoyed everyone of them. Ms. Vales stories always have the right amount of humor, just enough emotion and the appropriate amount of steamy romance. This book was no exception. I do not think I can write a review that will do justice to Big Papa and Winnie all I can say is that they were meant to be together and their coupling was flawless. There was no back and forth fighting feeling or drawn out angst, this was just simply perfect.
Steel and Winnie!!! It doesn’t matter how old you are when heart wants what it wants. Absolutely amazing story!
Winnie’s life has taken a turn that she had never expected. Once an amazing runner that now has times where she needs a cane or walker, once married with a best friend, but now divorced; due partially to that best friend. Her daughter seems to be getting into trouble at every turn, and her son is struggling in school. All in all Winnie feels like her life has imploded and doesn’t really need anything else that will make it worse… that is until her neighbor, who happens to be the police chief, brings her daughter home one day. From that day on Steel Cross is on her radar… well more than he was before. For Steel, the lady across the street is nothing that he wants, well he does but he doesn’t need the complication, he has enough of them. But he keeps getting into situations that involve her, and soon they have a bit of a friendship going… but they both want more. Common sense tells them that they shouldn’t, but feelings are a different matter.
This was such a good read! I loved everything about Steel and Winnie. Winnie’s situation was horrible, and as a mom really killed at times. I have said it before, but Lani Lynn Vale knows how to spin an amazing story! With steamy sexy times, tears, danger, violence, a pop up of a few of our fav characters from previous books, and for me, I have my fingers crossed about a certain pair getting a book! This is a 5 star read, and TBH I can’t wait to reread it!
I had always wondered if Steel was going to sweep in and steal Winnie’s heart! Steel’s character is nothing short of amazing. He kind of embeds himself in Winnie and her children’s lives and doesn’t expect to fall for her. Don’t pass this one up. So good!
Actual Rating 4.5
I am in love with Steel. He is just so friggin amazing and I loved how he slid his way into Winnie’s life and fell in love with her kids and her. The name Big Poppa totally fits him and you will see why when you see how amazing he is with Winnie’s daughter Conley and her son. The sweet and attentive way he is with Winnie melted my heart. He had her back even when he didn’t have her full story and supported her without treated her like she couldn’t do things on her own. Winnie was very resilient despite all the crap her ex put her through and having to support her kids on her own. Steel being much older than her never discouraged her from wanting him.
Steel and Winnie were so damn sexy together. It was great seeing Winnie interact with Shawn as well. I miss and love him and it was great seeing Shawn through Steel’s eyes. There was also a bit of suspense as well and I liked those parts quite a bit. I’d still say this book was mostly about the romance and I loved every minute of it.
Law & Beard gave me all the cute and fuzzy’s. I really fell for Steel in this book. I let out a very happy sigh when it was all over.
Great Story Steele and Winnie show that there is Love no matter how Old you are and there good men everywhere.
I must confess that the biggest draw of this book was the author. When I singed up to review this for my blog, I didn’t read the blurb, I didn’t see the cover…I knew nothing about the book. I just knew that Lani Lynn Vale wrote it and therefore, I was 99.9999999% certain that I was going to enjoy it.
So, when I actually saw the cover, and then read the blurb, I was nervous. I started having doubts. I’m not a huge fan of books with great age differences. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I don’t care about age differences, but at the same time, daddy books just don’t appeal to me. And with the 20+ years between Steel and Winnie, I was worried that’s what it was going to become.
But, I should have trusted Lani Lynn Vale because it wasn’t like that. Yes, there were a few jokes about the age difference and him wanting her to call him Big Papa (like everyone else does) and he does this while in bed and it was a NO moment…than god Winnie agreed with me. Steel didn’t feel old, and Winnie didn’t feel excessively young. They actually seemed pretty well matched. I loved them together.
I loved how Steel just seemed to get caught up in her life and the lives of her kids and he just seemed to fit. They all seemed to fit. And from there things grew and they had an awesome relationship.
I found the suspense part of the book well done. It was played out perfectly and built gradually throughout the book. I will admit that I wish that Winnie hadn’t run from Steel. I just wish she’d been braver and fought for what she wanted. After everything she’d been through, it just seemed odd that she’d cut and run on him.
I have one more confession, and it’s kind of stupid but I have to get it out…I LOVE the covers of Lani’s books. I mean, have you seen them!? All that eye candy! However, with that said…I really didn’t care for this book cover. It was a nice image and all that but to me, it didn’t fit Steel. At least not how I’d been picturing him in all the other books.
So, the takeaway on this…totally worth reading and it was awesome!
5 BIG PAPA STARS
I’ve been waiting for this story and oh I wasn’t disappointed in the least. First of all your take Steel Cross add to that Big Papa and then add to that Winnie who is just her own bad self and everyone needs this book.
I love and consume everything Lani Lynn Vale creates and it was no different with this book either. This is the 8th book in the Dixie Wardens rejects MC series and it can be feel a bit strange for those, who like me read them as they come out because the publishing of this one the author put out another complete series. So for me there was a half a year break between the 7th and the 8th books. But since it can be read as a standalone, like every other books from Lani Lynn Vale, it not a huge obstacle.
Law&Beard has a completely different atmosphere and pace than any other books in the series and I loved it even more for it. This story also kinda plays out more separately from the whole MC aspect and the other characters we meet in the first 7 books. With the change in the dynamic and the more subdued plot this book is an interesting play on the author usual style.
The storyline was interesting and engaging however I felt that there was a bit of a potential drama left unused in it. I was just waiting for the other shoe to drop and it never did. Thou the ending have such a powerful and deep impact that I didn’t mind that much.
After the previous 2 books I read from the author also glaringly obvious that the sexual and intimae elements are less overheated and come into play way later in the grand scheme of things. But I enjoyed the longer getting to know you period between the characters.
There is a good 20 years between Winnie and Steel, and while I usually don’t like such huge age gap the author has a talent to create characters in a way that I didn’t even notice it in this case. They just have a certain maturity to them and they have similar views of life, so there is not as big of a contrast between them.
Winnie is a strong and persistent woman. She is a great mother and admirably graceful when it comes to dealing with her ex. I liked her quiet but powerful personality.
Then there is Big Papa or Steel, whom we see a lot in the others book in the series and I was glad that finally he got his own happy ending as well. He already has a grown up son and grandchildren si he is over the whole fathering thing, he is simply enjoying life or at least tries to. He has a commanding presence; he is a great man; however when he meets Winnie and her kids something shifts in him. He starts to want things he thought he is already over.
While Steel tries to resist the attraction between them, Winnie tries to find little and clever ways to burrow into the man life. Alas he had no chance. They form a great couple and fell into a comfortable dynamic fast.
The only thing I gave only 4 stars for the book is because I felt like that some pretty big things are left unresolved which could have added to the dramatic effect and also around the 10th chapter I got the impression as if I missed a couple of chapters. It created some confusion for me. Otherwise it was a phenomenal conclusion for the series.
Love Big Poppa and Winnie. Hate her ex and his ex. This was one of the most anticipated books of my Lani collection. A badass biker and his neighbor who is a single parent.
This is the first time I have read this author’s Dixie Warden Rejects MC books and I have been missing out. I have read a couple of her other books from different series and genre and I should have known that I wouldn’t be disappointed.
I love a story with a strong alpha silver fox. Steel, I am going to refer to him as that because I have a hard time calling him Big Papa, as does the heroine Winnie. He is a character with a larger than life presence and he is genuinely a great guy. His is not only the President of the Dixie Wardens Rejects MC, he is also Chief of Police. As Winnie’s neighbor, he sees her struggle and his encounters with her 16-year-old daughter and 5-year-old son, just made him that much more attractive to me. Even though he is older than Winnie, the attraction and chemistry between the two is through the roof.
Winnie is a great character with a lot of spirit and she fiercely loves her children. She is a fighter working through her spinal stroke to get back on her feet and provide for her family, since her ex is useless. Her ex is a real creep and I wish someone would punch him! There is some suspense involved that added to story. It started a little slow for me but boy it picked up and held me captive. There is also humor, which I love!
This is truly a terrific book. It has more about the couple than the MC, but the MC does play a role in the plot. Give this book a read, you won’t be disappointed.
Omg ! Omg ! Omg! Loved loved this one !This is definitely one of my favorite reads so far in this MC series.Storm had me totally in love with him from the very first pages.This story had an amazing cast of characters from the main characters themselves to Winnie’s children’s.
I love stories like this a lot as they just make you warm and fuzzy inside.I have to say that my heart broke for Winnie from first meeting her and the struggles she was enduring on top of trying to recover from a spinal stroke.I never heard of such a thing so I needed to look it up and after reading about it it gave me even more insight into what challenges Winnie faced and top of it all trying to care for a teenager and a small child who had set backs himself.With all that she had to cope with she still kept it together just made me love her more.Going from a renowned marathon runner to barely able to walk never seemed to get the best of her she never wallowed in self pity she just fought harder and harder to get back to the way she was before the stroke.What an amazing women!
I always pick a favorite character in a story and I have to say that this time around it was extremely hard but I am picking Storm but, in my mind there were so many favorites.Storm was just so love-able,sweet,kind,sexy,stern and rough around the edges,dangerous with just his presence and looks but, he was also a marshmallow inside along with having one very large heart.I loved how he handled Conleigh from the onset of meeting her right away he saw more to her than a delinquent he saw a troubled teen who he wanted to help set back on the right path.I loved the banter back and forth between these too along with forging and instant connection and a certain kind of trust.I just loved how he took to Cody and never got annoyed with all his random facts that constantly came from the little boys mouth but, seemed keenly interested and in awe.My heart melted when he gave Cody the man talk.I laughed out loud along with finding myself falling in love with him even more.Storm needed these kids just as much as they needed him as he was going through a bit of a rough patch himself.
I loved this sweet romance that was filled with chemistry,the scorching looks,the heat that sizzled between Storm and Winnie.I loved the easiness that they had between them.I loved that Storm became the father figure for two lonely children without even realizing he was doing just that and mended a broken women just by loving her and his deeds alone.Storm maybe easy on the eye and level headed but, when someone messes with his family all bets are off and we see what just lurks beneath the surface and that is a deadly dangerous predator!
Cody Winnie’s sons was just so adorable and cute and I loved him always spilling his random facts especially spouting from a 5 year old.Precious!Love how he took to Storm like a duck to water and that Storm being so much older never fazed him he just saw Storm as a buddy.
Conleigh broke my heart as you new she suffered from her parents break up and Matt her stepfather’s betrayal.She was hurting acted out irrationally and even dangerously.I loved how she unloaded some of her burdens on Storm and the friendship she created with him putting her trust in him there first chance meeting.Feeling the warm and fuzzies here..I loved the closeness she had with her brother Cody the sweetness and kindness she always showed him.The typical teen with defiance but just as love-able as her brother.
Winnie for me just was women to admire and you couldn’t help but love and she had so many great qualities.I found her to be filled with kindness one of the sweetest people yet bold,brave,determined who loved her family fiercely and was willing to lay down her own life for the ones she loves.
This really was a very emotional touching story that went straight to your heart infused with pain,suffering,betrayals,overcoming the odds infused with a bit of drama and suspense surprises and Happily Ever Afters and we loved it from cover to cover.
I love when you can connect with the characters that you read about and I did just that making it even a more of an enjoyable story.My favorite part of the story would have to be when Storm realized that love meant more to him than a age difference and took just what his heart desired and had always desired not just his women but the children he was meant to love and call his own.
Favorite scene in the entire book would have to be the breakfast scene between Storms Son,daughter in-law and grand-daughter interacting with his current ready made family the entire scene made me laugh as well as smile and I loved it!
For me the author created the perfect surprise ending to such and endearing love story that we enjoyed imensely.Lets just say it left me crying as well as laughing just the perfect mix.
5 stars
A personal note: I have loved each and every story that I have read so far by this author and I am so looking forward to other books in this series and well as her other works she creates for us.
I absolutely love this serious and was waiting anxiously for this book. It didn’t disappoint.
Steel “Big Papa” Cross police chief and MC President has been an awesome character throughout the Dixie Wardens Rejects.
Loved both the H/h and the storyline flowed very well. There was just enough suspense to keep you turning the pages and the heat between the two was off the charts. Past characters make an appearance adding to the story.
I never thought someone could top or even equal Silas Mackenzie and his alpha Silver Fox demeanor, but Steel ‘Big Papa’ Cross gives Silas a run for his money…first, because Steel has such a badass biker name and second, because of the way he treats people, especially those he cares about and/or simply feels the need to help because that’s the type of man he is. Steel may think that he’s too old and too jaded for his beautiful neighbor, Winnie Holyfield, but he’s just the kind of guy she needs to help put her broken heart and body back together and show her exactly what the ‘right’ man can bring to her life and the lives of her children.
Because Big Papa is the President of the Dixie Warden Rejects and the Chief of Police in Mooresville, Alabama, readers have spent a lot of time getting to know him in the previous 7 books in the series, and even though he’s been a secondary character in all of those books, through the main characters’ interactions with BP and his actions/decisions when it comes to the motorcycle club and his officers on the force, it’s easy to acquire a mostly clear picture of who Steel is, what/who he values, and what he’s willing to do for those he considers his family.
Winnie Holyfield doesn’t want to be destroyed by another man; in fact, she’s still dealing with the battle scars from her ex-husband, so she tries to fight her pull to Steel and the lust she has for her hot as hell neighbor, even though it seems like an inevitability on both sides due to Steel’s need to understand his single mom neighbor and the fact that Winnie has gotten more than underneath his skin. It’s clear that neither of them can walk away from each other once they give into their feelings, but they might not have a choice when the maelstrom circling both of their lives looks to destroy everything Steel and Winnie are building, perhaps doing irrevocably harm to them and to those who love and depend on them.
Law & Beard is a story full of drama, family issues, a bit of suspense and a whole lot of laughter, steam, and sweet. I ADORE the kind of man that Steel is and the fact that Winnie never gave up, even when her life imploded, says a lot about the type of woman she is and what she wants her children to understand about life, love, and commitment. Lani Lynn Vale keeps introducing readers to incredible alpha males and the strong women who stand by their side, regardless of the shitstorm that tries to take over their lives and believe me, there have but a shitload of storms weathered by these bikers and their old ladies!
4.5 Poison Apples (The Fairest of All Book Reviews)
Finally I get me some Big Papa!
I’ve been waiting forever for him it feels like.
This is the eighth book in the Dixie Wardens Rejects MC. You can read them as stand alones, but I have loved each and every one of them. If you start with this book, I promise that you will go back and read the rest.
Steel Cross, better known as Big Papa, is the chief of Police and the President of the Dixie Wardens. He’s a great guy and he shows it over and over again.
Winnie was an EMT, until her stroke. She can’t be anymore. She’s now a single mom of two that’s trying to do her best. Her sixteen year old daughter is acting out and she also has a young son.
Big Papa does a great job helping out. Like I said, he’s a great guy.
I’m hoping for a Linc and Conleigh book!! Pretty Please with sugar on top!
There is some major drama. Plus there is an ex that doesn’t want to be an ex anymore, and a douche bag that’s also a dead beat.
“Do you ever wake up and think you’re not really in the mood for human interaction that day, or is it just me?” -Text from Winnie to Steel
“Your grandma has totally sucked a penis.” -You’re welcome
“It’s beginning to look a lot like f*** this.” -Coffee