From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Laura Kaye comes a new story in her Raven Riders series… Caine McKannon is all about rules. As the Raven Riders Sergeant-at-Arms, he prizes loyalty to his brothers and protection of his club. As a man, he takes pleasure wherever he can get it but allows no one close—because distance is the only way to ensure people can’t hurt you. And he’s had … And he’s had enough pain for a lifetime.
But then he rescues a beautiful woman from an attack.
Kids and school are kindergarten teacher Emma Kerry’s whole life, so she’s stunned to realize she has an enemy—and even more surprised to find a protector in the intimidating man who saved her. Tall, dark, and tattooed, Caine is unlike any man Emma’s ever known, and she’s as uncertain of him as she is attracted. As the danger escalates, Caine is in her house more and more – until one night of passion lands him in her bed.
But breaking the rules comes at a price, forcing Caine to fight dirty to earn a chance at love.
Every 1001 Dark Nights novella is a standalone story. For new readers, it’s an introduction to an author’s world. And for fans, it’s a bonus book in the author’s series. We hope you’ll enjoy each one as much as we do.
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5 stars – I loved it!
Caine McKannon is loyal to the Raven Riders but he still keeps them at a distance. When he rescues Emma Kerry from a mugging he finds himself drawn to someone for the first time. But can he open himself up to the possibility of love.
This was a wonderful and emotional romance. Caine has been a background character throughout this series so his story was a bit of a surprise. He is a protective man who is doing everything he can to make sure everyone around him is protected. His struggles with the traumas of his past were so heartbreaking and emotional, and it just made me want to reach through the book and hug him. With Emma though Caine finally finds the acceptance and love that has been missing his whole life.
Emma was just a wonderful, compassionate, and accepting heroine. She never judged Caine for what he has had to do to survive. She embraces all of him and heals a part of him that has been broken since he was a child. Emma and Caine had a beautiful, steamy, and very emotional relationship and I couldn’t get enough of it.
I can’t get enough of the Raven Riders and really want to see more of them fall in love.
Trigger Warnings: references to childhood neglect, abuse, fire, child death, eating disorders and prostitution to survive.
“Maybe people were all just twisted figments in each other’s tortured imaginations.”
Confession, this was my first Laura Kay read. But, being an MC Romance addict, I couldn’t resist taking advantage of the opportunity that 1001 Dark Nights gave me to get a taste of her writing and her Raven Riders series in Ride Dirty. I can’t resist either badass bikers or broken bad boys, and Caine was both. What can I say? #MissionAccomplished I loved it and want to go back and read the other books in the series.
Emma is a kindergarten teacher. She sweet and bubbly and finds enjoyment in things that Caine has never experienced. When he rescues her, she is very grateful and tries to thank him. But accepting kindness from others is not something he’s comfortable with. He’s had a hard life and has purposely turned his emotions off. He doesn’t want to feel anything. But there’s something about Emma that draws him against his will.
Emma is attracted to “Mr. Tall, Dark, Sweet, and Intimidating.” He’s unlike anyone she’s ever met before. While he seems scary to others, his protectiveness makes her feel safe. She’s not the type to pursue the opposite sex, but she finds herself reaching out to him. Reluctant to let him go. Wanting to get to know him and what makes him the way he is. There’s something in him that she responds to and she wants to explore it further. But he’s pushing her away and keeping his secrets.
Caine is a loner. While the Raven Riders are his family, he still keeps himself separate from them. They don’t know about his past or how he got his scars. He’s never been tempted to share his pain with anyone… until her. Her sweetness calls to him, softening his hardness. She makes him want more, but he knows that would be a mistake. She deserves better than him. But she makes no secret of the fact that she wants him. How’s he supposed to resist that?
I really enjoyed this short story that was surprisingly full and satisfying. The characters had so much personality and I was drawn into their lives very quickly. My heartstrings were pulled many times throughout, and my smiles were earned just as often. I will most definitely keep this author’s future work on my radar now that I’ve found her. The line forms here…
Ride Dirty is the fourth book in the Raven Series and I’ve been counting the days to Caine’s story!
Caine is Raven Rider’s Sergeant-at-Arms, he’s a loner, intense, tough, brooding alpha male that does whatever it takes for his real family: the Raven Riders. Caine has a huge heart, he’s a fierce protector and he always puts his brothers first even though he tries to maintain a certain emotional distance. He meets Emma when she’s in a dangerous situation and he saves her but his gut tells him that there’s something off about all of it and that Emma might still be in danger…
Emma is a smart, sweet, sexy, funny kindergarten teacher with a normal life and a goofy dog. She finds herself in a risky situation but she’s brave enough to fight back and she’s also very lucky that Caine is close enough to rescue her. She’s fascinated by Caine, the Raven Riders brotherhood and she can’t help but notice how hot Caine is…
No one writes wonderful broken damaged heroes like Laura Kaye. I fall for each and every one of them. Caine is now my new favorite Raven Rider! He’s got such a beautiful soul, his past is so heartbreaking and when he opens up to Emma… I just couldn’t stop some tears from falling and my heart from breaking. He’s absolutely perfect! I also loved that Emma was exactly right for Caine, the way they were drawn to each other and their chemistry… HOT!
Ride Dirty is a fast paced, beautiful, sweet, emotional love story. The Raven Riders are my favorite MC and I’m sad to say goodbye to this series, I really wish we could read more about them! (Yes Jagger, I’m looking at you!) Laura Kaye did an amazing job with this series, I highly recommend to anyone that loves romance and perfectly damaged heroes.
Caine is scared both inside and out, born to a crack addict mother and a father who liked the bottle! Put in care homes and then homeless, he’s not had it easy, trust needs to be earned and not easily given.
He’s lost too many already, his heart needs to stay behind the wall he’s built.
Emma loves Christmas, it’s a season she loved with her grandmother, she can’t wait to wrap presents and eat lots over the Christmas period. But first she has to deal with a mugger! Luckily she’s saved, but by a biker! She’s expecting to
be mugged from this guy as well, but instead makes her feel safe.
Oh this was such a good read (wish it had been longer) Caine not thinking he’s good enough for anyone, especially not a kindergarten teacher.
Emma is such a good person, she’s sees the best in everyone. Loves her job, in fact loves life, the interaction with her dog was so cute.
And Caine’s reaction to the dog was hilarious. I don’t think he knew what to do with it.
Emma seems to be the one that sets the pace for this story, she has to put in a lot of hard work with Caine, she thinks he’s worth the effort. But can she see a future with a biker?
Caine has been in all the books, but not too prevalent, he’s mostly been in the background, so it was nice to drag him into the spotlight.
He doesn’t expect kindness from anyone, he expects just to be used. He’s had that all his life, and the I’ve person he tried to look after does in a fire at a young age, so from them on, it’s no connections, his biker buddies are family, but still not a proper connection.
He needed Emma to show him not everyone is out to hurt him or use him.
Hoping there are a few more books to this series.
Read: 3/26/2020
Ride Dirty was the fourth book in the Raven Riders MC series by Laura Kaye. It was also a novella within the 1001 Dark Knights series.
Caine McKannon was the MC’s Sargent-At-Arms. He was perfect for the job; known for being quiet, anti-social, detached and deadly. We knew he was quiet, serious, rarely showed emotion and harbored demons from previous books but we didn’t know the why behind the what. In Ride Dirty we got it all.
Emma Kerry was a kindergarten teacher that was in the process of being mugged one night when Caine happened upon her. He saved her and helped her get through the night; which started what was seemingly an odd friendship.
I loved both Caine and Emma. And I loved the storyline. As a novella, it was quick, but it was endearing as well as suspenseful. It was well written, well developed, and had me hooked from the onset. Emma was the fun sass to Caine’s brooding intimidation. I love the Raven Riders and can’t wait for more!
Book four in the Raven Riders series. Can be read and enjoyed as stand-alone. Novella length told in dual POV with HEA. Each book about a different brother from the Raven Riders motorcycle club. Secondary characters are the same throughout the series. Caine has been a mystery, although the sergeant-at-arms for the Raven Riders MC he also is very private and doesn’t have any close relationships. I loved reading his story and wish it was even longer! Emma was absolutely perfect for him in every way. I am so glad she could read and relate to Caine and she did not give up on him. Beautiful story, short but not rushed, I loved it!!
I some how forgot that I hadn’t read this one, so I figured after reading Ride Deep I should probably read Ride Dirty. Caine is an interesting and complex man. He’s bottled up so much from his past and it still hinders him now. He’s a very protective, moody guy most of the time, but as he spends more time with Emma and gets to know her, he starts to soften and show a sweet, gentle side. It was nice to see that side instead of the gruff, closed-off side. I feel for him and what he’s been through, and I’m happy that he finds Emma and she makes him happy. Emma is kind, understanding, and sweet. She gets to Caine and makes him open up and start to overcome his past. They’re a perfect match for one another. The storyline was action packed with a few surprises, one that I guessed correctly. I’m still hoping there’s a Phoenix book it the future, I think it would be a good one!
Emotional journey for Caine, but absolutely amazing!
I am a huge fan of Laura Kaye’s and I love how she always approaches stories with her damaged heroes. I have to admit that I wasn’t sure that Caine’s story was the last one that I wanted her to write, but I should have known she was making the right decision.
If Caine was talking to Laura that much, then he had something amazing to tell. Emma, oh my, I loved Sweet Emma and how she pushed him on things. She pushed him in her own way, but she also knew when to back off too.
But that last motorcycle with the Raven Rider didn’t go down the way that I expected it.
I absolutely loved the Raven Riders series, It Was Amazing, I hate to see it end.
ARC provided by author for an honest review.
Caine just may be one of my favorite fictional characters, ever. I just want to hug him so bad. This series just keeps getting better. A first Dare was my favorite, and I though no way could Mav top him, then he did. Then no way could Silder top Mav, then he did. Then no way could Caine top Slider, then he topped everybody. I really hope Laura Kaye changes her mind and decides to finish the series, because Phoeinix and Jagger need stories too!
A tortured man who can’t get over a horrifying tragedy from his past has a sweet school teacher come into his life and slowly manages to breathe life back into him along with finally seeing he has a purpose and reason to want to live.
Being that this series is about a MC that helps women from all types of bad situations it’s ironic that its a woman that ends up helping Caine McKannon emotionally after he saves her from a mugging. Caine’s thoughts about himself were heartbreaking and you were rooting for him through the whole book to finally face his demons and to let Emma into his heart where she could help heal him from all his pain.
As every other person that has reviewed this book has said – I too hope that one day we can get Phoenix and Jagger’s stories. For right now this is the last book in a great series..
Ride Dirty is part of the Raven Riders series by Laura Kaye and the 1001 Dark Nights. The short novella packs a lot into its pages. Themes of acceptance and forgiveness are woven through the pages. Caine, the Raven Rider’s formidable enforcer, is a man in need of forgiveness. It is only when he meets Emma that he realizes it is possible and together they find their way out of the darkness. I didn’t want this book to end; I wanted so much more of this story. I’m sad that this is the last of the Raven Riders, but I’m very interested to see where Kaye goes next.
Laura Kaye is always amazing.Read everything she does.
Wow, this book!! I was hooked from the beginning. Caine is just an undeniable force that you can tell that there is so much pain inside of him that you can’t resist wanting to know more. Add in the fact that although short and anti-social with everybody, he is drawn to Emma and she brings out more in him than anyone else has in years. Emma is such a sweet, independent, and feisty character that you just can’t help but to love with her quirky holiday traditions that she takes to the extreme. She feels such a strong draw to Caine but the push and pull he does has her confused a lot of the time but she is so patient with him.
These two are pretty much pushed together since there is danger lurking and Caine is determined to find out who it is.
I highly recommend this book. I am absolutely hooked to this series. Laura Kaye does such a great job delivering us stories for each of the characters in this MC that you can’t help but want to read them all.
“I’m not a hero, Emma. You need to remember that.”
RIDE DIRTY was a 5 STAR READ all the way! It is quite possibly one of my FAVORITES of the series! Big bad biker, Sergeant-at-Arms of the Raven Riders collides with a beautiful and sweet kindergarten teacher…now that is the making of a damn good romance, don’t you think? Tortured hero, sweet soul…the coupling and the contrast between Caine and Emma was beautiful, emotional, and just necessary, I think. This was a bit of a slow burn romance because of the way these two crossed paths at first, but it blossomed into something endearing, addictive, and SEXY. I was addicted from very start and it just got better and better. Caine and Emma’s love story was full of so much heart and it warmed my soul, inside and out. Leave it to Laura Kaye to bring her A-GAME with this series!
Just a side note – RIDE DIRTY is part of the Raven Riders Series but it CAN be read as a standalone romance. If you’re a fan of the series, you are in for a real treat when we dive deeper into the sexy and brooding Caine McKannon. If you are a newbie, you’re ALSO in for a treat because you’re about to become deliciously addicted to this series. It’s a win-win, either way. Happy reading, and welcome to the sexy, suspenseful, and emotional world of the Raven Riders!
Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team
Ruthie –
4.5 stars of sweet and dirty!
This is a great book for a Ravens Riders fan, but also an excellent starting point for any newbies to the series. We get a good insight into the ethos of the club, without any sugar coating, but we don’t delve too deeply into the MC world either.
Caine is just brought to life in this book as a man who has suffered such damage as a child that his protective and caring behaviour is a testament to his strength of character. How he finally finds someone who understands and accepts him is an absolute treat to read. There is a lot of sadness revealed in the story, but also some moments of real fun. Chewy’s lick at the most inappropriate moment and place is just the funniest thing I have read in ages!
I also loved Emma, she shows great strength, reserves of calm and good sense, and yet is wild and wicked when in the arms of this man. As the story unfolds and the twist is revealed, it is very endearing to watch everything come together for these two people who previously functioned best alone.
Thank you, Ms. Kaye, for creating such a satisfying story in a novella.
Mary –
Caine is the Sargent-at-Arms of the Raven Riders MC, he is the loner of the group. He doesn’t like to talk much because that leads to questions which leads to asking about his past. He doesn’t talk about his past, so staying away from his brothers is the best way to not have to talk about his past. While on his way home one night, he swings by the house of a woman they are protecting to make sure she is safe. When he hears a noise, it makes his skin crawl. It is a whimper of a woman and a bark of what seems like a small dog. When Caine gets close, he sees a woman being attacked. He rushes to help her but gets tangled in the dog’s leash and the attacker gets away.
Emma Kerry is a kindergarten teacher who lives alone since her grandmother died a few years ago. She does have her beloved dog, Chewy. While on her way home from the store one night, she is attacked. When a man comes to help, Chewy seems to wrap his leash around the man and the attacker gets away. At least she and her dog are okay. But her purse and everything in it, including the medicine for her migraine is gone. At least she still has her cell phone.
While Caine wants to make sure Emma is safe, Emma isn’t sure she can trust him. He looks intimidating after all. She wants for the locksmith to show, she notices Caine is sitting in the cold waiting, watching, just to be sure her attacker doesn’t come back. After the locksmith leaves, Caine checks Emma’s windows, locks, and doors before he leaves to be sure she is safe. He isn’t going to leave her on her own if he can help it. While Caine is checking her place a few days later, he sees signs that someone has been trying to get into her house and he doesn’t tell her, because he can watch from a distance and keep her safe.
As Caine and Emma get closer, he doesn’t know how she will react to his past and he doesn’t want to tell her. Can Emma see that what happened was when he was a child and not his fault? Can Caine realize that what happened all those years ago was not his fault? Will Caine and Emma have a chance at a future if she can help him move from his past?
I have loved everything about the Raven Riders series and loved Caine and Emma too. His pain and heartache will make you cry and want to hug him, and this story will leave you feeling so much love for Emma and Caine. I hope there will be more from the Raven Riders one day. I recommend reading the whole series, but you can read them as standalone stories and you will not want to miss any of the stories. So, sit back and enjoy the ride with Laura Kaye and the Raven Riders. I hope you love them as much as I do.
Avid Reader –
M/F Romance
Triggers: Childhood trauma
Caine is a hard man. He’s lived a hard life and despite having a biker family, he is still quite the loner. When things are hard, he takes off riding to clear his head. But he always returns to his family. While he’s clearing his head, he happens upon a mugging and does what he can to stop the attack.
Emma is a quirky, outgoing elementary teacher. She is all alone in the world, except for her friends. She loves her job and knows that even though her friends think she might be a little boring, she’s content. When she finds out that someone might be after her, she can’t understand it at all.
Caine is drawn to Emma and Emma to Caine. They both don’t know much about each other but know that they have an undeniable pull towards each other. Caine will stop at nothing to keep Emma safe and Emma wants Caine’s protection.
I was able to figure the mystery out, but I bet a lot of readers will be surprised. I really enjoyed this story and hope more are to come!
Lee’Anne –
I was completely obsessed with this book from the very first page – absolutely loved it!
Caine is a biker who came from a terribly rough past. He’s dedicated his life to helping others and when he comes across a woman, Emma, being mugged, he jumps in to help her. When the mugger escapes with Emma’s wallet and keys, Caine makes it his own personal mission that she make it home safe and stay that way – even if it means camping outside her house 24/7. Emma has an immediate attraction to Caine but they’re from different worlds – Caine a rough around the edges biker and Emma a sweet kindergarten teacher. Emma has decided on her own mission – Caine.
I just loved every aspect of Caine and Emma’s story. It’s fast paced, has a ton of intrigue, is super hot, and has fantastic characters. This is definitely a one-sitting type of book because once you start it, you won’t want to put it down!
Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Ride Dirty (Raven Riders #3.5) by Laura Kaye to read and review for this tour. Two review copies were provided by the tour host; additional review copy purchased by the blog.
This is book 3.5 of the Raven Riders series. They are all standalones. So you can start with this one if you want. They are all fantastic reads. I absolutely love the Raven Riders!
I’m so happy Caine got a book! I still want Jagger and Phoenix to get books also!
Now, if you haven’t read this series before, the Raven Riders aren’t outlaws. They are the good guys, yes, they don’t always follow the law, but they are in the protection business.
That’s how Caine meets Emma. She was being mugged and he stopped it. He saved her.
Caine went through a lot when he was younger. It’s left him scarred, bother physically and emotionally. He keeps away from people, even his brothers. They can’t hurt him if he doesn’t get close to him.
Emma is awesome. She sees through all of that and through all of his “armor”. She truly sees him!
They are exactly what each other needs.
I did have a gut feeling about who the stalker was. I was right.
I am curious as to what is happening to the girl they are protecting from the “pastor”.
An emotionally damaged hero paired with an optimistically forgiving heroine adds up to a very intriguing read! Dimensional characters, gripping emotion, a bit of edgy suspense…I really need to catch up with the rest of the series!
Holy wow this story packed a punch! What an excellent addition to the Raven Riders series. I loved getting to know the gruff and quiet Caine. He and Emma had a fantastic story. Loved it!
I am so saddened that this is the last story in the Raven Riders series and it is a truly wonderful story. The final ride is well worth the read.
Caine is the man who never let too many close. He carries a lot of past baggage on his shoulders and in his heart.
Emma is a kindergarten teacher who for all appearances is a prim and proper female. Very easy going everyone likes her so why is someone all of a sudden trying to destroy her life as she knows it?
Caine was out on a mission and that mission leads him into another that he can’t seem to walk away from. Even though he knows he should.
When they say opposites attract they surely do for these two. Grab your copy and read it.
It’s hot, steamy, and suspenseful.
4.5 stars!
I am obsessed with Laura Kaye’s Raven Riders series and could not wait to jump on Caine’s story. This was amazi
ng!! Caine was sexy and protective and EVERYTHING Emma needed in her life. They were just so perfect together as they both were the missing piece they each needed to feel complete!! Gah this story was fantastic and cemented the Raven Riders series as one of my favorite MC series I have ever read!
Caine McKannon is hands down my favorite Raven riders hero. As the Sargent of Arms for the Raven Riders, he takes his job as the club’s protector very seriously. He was broody, moody and a tortured hero to a T. He had alot of guilt and pain from his childhood and the death of a friend twenty years earlier. When he meets Emma Kerry he knows that she is different. After rescuing her from a robbery attempt he discovers that this sweet, innocent and kind Kindergarten teacher is a breath of fresh air and everything he hasn’t experienced in his life. But what happens when a dangerous stalker puts Emma in danger and risks her and Caine’s growing love?
I loved Ride Dirty! I thought Caine and Emma’s chemistry was palpable and their attraction fiery. I loved that despite his rule of remaining emotionally distant from people in his life, Emma snuck in there and became an exception to his rule. She loved everything about him – his past and everything that made him who he was. Gah! This book was such an emotional gift and my favorite of the series! Bravo! 4.5 stars! ~Ratula