As far back as I can remember, I pushed away those ugly demons looping their venom around my brain. Trying to turn me into a man I never wanted to be.
“Do what we say or die.”
Words filled with poison, they slowly dripped in my veins, leaving me a mess of a man, and walking that thin line between right and wrong.
I never wanted to be a killer; now it’s a craving I need to survive.The man I used … killer; now it’s a craving I need to survive.The man I used to be never wanted to cause anyone an ounce of unbearable pain, because I know first-hand what it feels like.
That choking in your throat, barely able to breathe heartbreak of those who died, left behind.
The men I’m killing, they left me no choice but to walk a line chalked with retaliation.
To leave the woman I love behind.
I didn’t take a life like they claim to cause her pain. I sacrificed a lifetime with her to keep her alive.
But, after fourteen years of her living that lie, I’m crossing another line. One I was warned to never step over. “Stay away from her, or she dies.”
*Author Note- This book may spark triggers.
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Retaliation by Kathy Coopmans is book 3 in the Vindicator Series, yet like the other 2 books is a complete standalone. However I highly recommend reading all the books in this dark, twisted, suspenseful series.
Nick is the son of the Bratva kingpin. Who’s childhood was stolen from him, who had to endure more then any person let alone a child should endure. My heart broke for Nick. His back story is definitely dark, and horrific. His saving grace is his love, his wife Blair. However it’s not an easy road for these two.
14 years ago Nick left Blair to protect her, now he’s back to reclaim the woman who has always owned his heart, Blair.
This story is dark, twisted, gritty, and captivating. I can’t express how much I LOVED every moment of this book. And I always enjoy seeing past characters from the other books show up. Ms Coopmans is a FANTASTIC storyteller!
I started out reading Retaliation slowly, then I plowed right through it. I couldn’t put it down. Dark, stormy, and emotionally charged. The other books in this series are great, but Retaliation is my favorite.
Nick and Blaire are explosive in the best ways. Women are safer with Nick and his friends taking out the bad guys. Blaire’s brother, Caleb, is how a big brother should be. Protective.
Kathy Coopmans doesn’t disappoint with this story. A definite highly recommended reading for anyone who loves their men flawed and extremely loyal.
Ok this book is definitely not for the faint at heart. It is full of dark elements that many do not like. With this being said HOLY S%&T!! What did I just read. I think Nick is my new book boyfriend. If you are looking for a strong hero and even stronger heroine them this book is for you.
Nick’s upbringing is far from conventional. He decided not to do what is was expected of him. However along the way he did what he felt was right to protect the one he loves. Blaire is a strong heroine who has never forgotten how her heart was broken by the man she never imagined would break it. The twists and turns in this book will leave you wanting more.There is so much that happens not just between the two of them. When they do finally find one another again the time they have lost does not matter. As Nick tells her time and time again he will not give up and he refuses to live without her. I want to scream from the roof top at how much I loved this book.
There is so much more I would love to tell you about this amazing story. However, I will not spoil it for you. If you have read any of Kathy’s books before you know she never disappoints.
Deliciously dark and intoxicating!! Filled with trepidation and hallowing words to keep you revetted.
Nick is one amazing man. He has one hell of a past. Blair’s is one strong amazing woman. The chemistry between them is off the charts. They make for one explosive intense couple. They have an amazing connection. They have a past that could destroy them. Could not wait to see where the story would go. A must read.
This author has always captured my heart and pulled the strings tight. Each of her characters are raw and passionate. Nick and Blaire are no different. It will give you the biggest book hangover. This second chance romance is an adventure you don’t want to miss, it will capture your attention from start to finish, giving you the broken paths full of suspense and angst you crave in a dark read and this series is very dark, so be prepared, grab the tissue box and feel all the words that come off the pages.
If you have ever wanted a graphic picture of this word and all it means then this would be the stop. This author uses characters that will grip into us and take us through their story pulling on many emotions as it is done. Nick and Blaire do not have it pretty but love is greater than time and space with some dark in between. Get ripped apart at times but get put back together bit by bit. Some of the events will leave you agape but from start to finish it is the soul of the writer in words giving us these two.
5 DARK INTENSE STARS!! This is a dark intense story, but beautifully written. Nick and Blaire’s story is hard and will hit all your emotion buttons, but so worth the ride this author takes us on. The love these two have for each other is off the charts and beautiful. I highly recommend this book if you love dark, so make sure to 1-Click.
Seriously!! There should be an option to press a golden buzzer like in Britain’s Got Talent, that let’s people know that this far surpasses the Five stars!!!
When I open the proverbial door to a Kathy Coopmans book, I willingly hand over my heart, my soul, my tears, EVERY single emotion, my very last breath, because let’s face it, oxygen is over rated right?!
Any who, I thought I had prepared myself pretty well for Nick’s story (I re-read Vengeance and Warrant), I mean, how much darker can this series get? *tut, tut, shame on you if you thought that! This will truly shake you to the core, throwing your whole being six ways Sunday.
But it also gives you hope, the jagged, broken pieces of my heart and soul that get handed back to me at the end of the book are somehow fixed together. The light shining through the cracks.
If you have read the other two in this series, you will not be disappointed! If you haven’t read them at all, what are you waiting for?!!
Wow what a crazy awesome read this was. Nick and Blaire have loved each other forever. But Blaire has never really known the extent of evil Nick’s life is wrapped up in. This read will make u cry, rip ur heart out and put it all back together again. I felt the pain these two went thru with being apart and the pain Nick went thru as a child to just survive. And I also felt the love these two had for each other, to overcome the darkness. Loved these characters and this book, I will totally have to reread it again soon.
Retaliation by Kathy Coopmans. I have read many many books by this author and I have loved them all…… going into this book, I knew Nick’s book was going to be an extremely dark one, so I was prepared, somewhat. This book is full of emotions and of course there is some violence. Nick and Blaire’s story is definitely one for the records….. it is filled with heartbreak and passion and full of emotions. I can not wait for more !!!!!!
Holy smokes. Honestly, I am at a loss for words when it comes to this book. The pain that you feel radiate off the pages of this story blew me away. Everything that Nick had to endure, gutted me so much. The one thing I absolutely adore about Kathy Coopmans books, is her attention to deal and creating such a backstory that you cannot help but fall in love with her words. Retaliation did just that and more. With everything that Nick went through, his love for Blaire never waned. It grew and with that how he protected her even though he couldn’t be there. Their chemistry is magnetic and their pull is just wow. Even with everything that they went through to get to where they are, true love really endures.
This story really blew my mind with the twisted story of Nick’s father and how it all eventually played out, to discovering reasons why things happened the way they did and how these two overcame the adversity that was thrown at them. Blaire is such a fighter and is so spunky, you cannot help but want to be her best friend.
While Cade will always be my favorite from this series, Nick has a special place in my heart because you want to just love him and make him whole again. Coopmans delivers in a brilliant and unique story that will keep you on your toes, your jaw on the floor and asking yourself WTF just happened.
Every new book Kathy writes becomes my favorite, she constantly outdoes herself!
For the ultimate love and loyalty of a dark and broken heart
I’ve long been looking forward to Nick’s book. Of the three, I’d say he was the most dangerous, and after reading the blurb, I was gutted for him; 14 years is a long time without the love of your like. Worse was when I read about his early life with his father and the animals in men’s clothing that he commanded, and I wonder how Nick not only survived, but was even capable of love and loyalty at all. He did survive in the end, but in the years since his life without Blair, it has been all about Retaliation. Retaliation for every crime perpetuated upon him, his wife’s family, and for every woman and family that his father has destroyed.
Nick’s story is my favourite of these beautifully dangerous men. It is also the most intricate and twisted of the three, bringing all players of the underlying plot together for the final showdown. While each has been a stand-a-lone within this series, you really need to read all three to understand just how twisted the plot truly is.
Furthermore, it’s the most brutal, where the darkness of Dimitri’s shadow is described in it’s complete hellishness. This book will stay with me for quite some time, so, I’ll tell you now, if it’s not your thing, don’t be reading it, seriously.
Blair is a strong woman who is barely holding herself together when Nick comes back into her life, and she has to question just how far she can go in accepting, and loving the man he has become. She’s lived only a half-life where she and her brother, Caleb are succeeding in their chosen careers while holding the personal demons of loss at bay.
Just wow, I’m finding it hard to explain just how much feeling is written into every word in this book. The story is strong, deep, and emotive. It’s brutal and shock inducing. And, it is one hell of a strong finish for our three damaged glorious alpha men. But at the heart of it all is the love between Nick and Blair, and it is the sheer talent of Kathy Coopmans that she can pull this romance out of the darkness of this book. I also absolutely loved the large part that Cade and Chaz, along with their partners, played, and we saw a lot more of Blair’s brother, Caleb.
Actually, there is one more story I’d hoped to be reading, because damn, this man has been there from the start. He introduced our heroes to The Diamond Empire giving them the connections they needed to vindicate the crimes perpetuated on them and their families, so many families. Ms Coopmans, I’m hoping that Caleb is whispering his story in your head, because Lady, I’m desperate to read it.
An absolute 5 star rating for this brave and gut-wrenching story.
Wow!
This book blew me away!
Kathy Coopmans is a master of her craft and definitely should be on everyone’s one click list.
I cannot get enough of this author. Every book she writes is a page turner, and you can’t not fall in love with the characters, nervously turning pages as drama implodes before your eyes.
This book was no different!