Meet the Deacons of Bourbon Street, bad boy bikers who are hell on wheels—and heaven between the sheets. Megan Crane revs up an irresistible new series co-written with Rachael Johns, Jackie Ashenden, and Maisey Yates. Sean “Ajax” Harding’s oaths are inked into his skin. Once second-in-command of the Deacons of Bourbon Street motorcycle club, he left New Orleans to protect the brotherhood, and … protect the brotherhood, and only the death of his beloved mentor, Priest Lombard, could lure him back. Walking into the old hangout gives him a familiar thrill—especially when he gets an eyeful of the bar’s delectable new owner. A wild ride with her is just the welcome Ajax needs. Then he realizes that she’s Priest’s daughter, all grown up and totally off limits.
Sophie Lombard loved her father, not his lifestyle. She’s done with bikers . . . until Ajax roars into town—arrogant, tough, and sexy as ever. And although he treats her like the Catholic schoolgirl he once knew, Sophie’s daydreams tend to revolve around sin. With the very real possibility of heartbreak looming, Sophie knows better than to get too close to an outlaw. But every touch from Ajax is steamier than the Louisiana bayou—and heat like this may just be worth getting burned.
Praise for Make You Burn
“If you are looking for a hot and dirty read in the motorcycle club genre, then Megan Crane is a new voice to follow. Her characters are gritty, unapologetic, and led by their animal instincts, whether in war or love.”—Heroes and Heartbreakers
“Launching a biker-themed contemporary series, Crane piles on the passion and danger. . . . This tough and dirty world is fascinating and satisfying in its own way.”—Publishers Weekly
“There’s hot and then there’s smoking, and Megan Crane’s start of the Deacons of Bourbon Street series is the sexiest thing I’ve read in a while. . . . Her style was so sultry and thick that I could almost feel the sweat of the bayou and the pulse of Bourbon Street as I read. I sunk deep into the story and enjoyed every minute of it.”—Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews
“There’s heat, emotion, mystery, suspicion and danger coating every page in equal measure. . . . Make You Burn is an explosive start to what will be a truly hot series.”—My Written Romance
“Hang on to your seat as you read this one and get ready to take a cold shower. . . . If you want a hot, sexy read that is not your typical MC read this is it! May the Deacons go on forever!”—Southern Yankee Book Reviews
“Fans of dirty romances with seriously naughty and sexy heroes should not miss this book. It may make readers spontaneously combust. Make You Burn is . . . hot enough to start a fire with a plot that makes me want to know more.”—Romance Novel News
Includes a special message from the editor, as well as an excerpt from another Loveswept title.
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Thanks to Net Galley and Random House I was able to review an advanced copy of this book prior to its August release date for an honest review. This is a new author for me and I am a voracious MC romance reader. That genre is flooded on a daily basis with new books and it is honestly hard to find one that truly grabs you and pulls you into the story and the characters. Well, this author succeeded in doing just that. Her writing style is fresh, unique and captivates you. The story is set in New Orleans and having been there I was familiar with all of the landmarks referenced. Based on the author’s descriptions I could see myself in the French Quarter, walking down Bourbon St and seeing all of the scenery in my mind. This author doesn’t write crude, basic sentences similar to a basic elementary reader. She brings you into the story. The main characters Ajax and Sophie jumped off the page and engaged you completely in their interactions.
Ajax has returned to New Orleans after a 10 year absence. He and other club officers were banished for 10 years because of fallout for a run gone wrong and Priest’s, the club president, attempts to move the club into a legitimate world. Priest has died under suspicious circumstances and Ajay is heartbroken that his mentor and father figure has died. Priest is also Sophie’s father. Sophie was 18 years old when Ajax left and was seen only as the president’s little girl who was protected both by and from the club members. So upon his return, Ajax barely recognizes her as the young girl he last saw. The opening scene is an attention getter but could totally occur in the Big Easy.
The sparks fly and there’s an immediate connection, albeit with a lot of conflict, between Ajay and Sophie. The author develops their relationship slowly and with a lot of sexual tension. Sophie and Ajax both fight their attraction but it’s an unsuccessful fight. Even though, at times, I wanted to slap both of them I was totally caught up in their relationship. Sophie is a strong heroine, she doesn’t back down at all.
Ajax calls the absent club officers home and the suspense, intrigue starts as Ajax tries to solve the mystery of what killed Priest. Priest is a big part of the story as his daughter and loyal followers gather to put him to rest. The descriptive section on the funeral in New Orleans and the cemetery really put me there almost with a visual perspective. Several of the returned club officers don’t want to be there and have made other lives. Ajax is determined to bring the club back together to its former glory.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and really want to read more stories about this group. I want more Ajax and Sophie as well as solving the mystery about Priest’s death. There is so much potential in this story for future books. This book is a standalone (no cliffhanger) and there is a HEA. No cheating and an overall excellent romance with prose that will draw you in. You may not like Ajax or Sophie in the beginning but you will fall in love with them by the book’s end.