A ruthless crime boss…a mansion with a chilling secret…a young man faced with the biggest decision of his life.When his daughter goes into premature labor, Shelby Alexander leaves his northern hideaway for downstate. No sooner does he drive into town, than things go sour. His ex-wife, Helen, faces deadly consequences after hard times force her to take desperate measures, setting off a dangerous … her to take desperate measures, setting off a dangerous chain of events. Racing against time to save those he loves the most and avoid unspeakable tragedy, Shelby faces down an evil crime lord, trained killers, and one of the closest brushes with death yet.
The third book in the popular Shelby Alexander Thriller Series, Serenity Avenged takes readers on a breath-taking ride through a hail of bullets, close calls, and betrayal.
If You Love These Authors, You’ll Love This Book
- Mark Dawson
- John Sandford
- Lee Child
- Nick Stephenson
- David Archer
- Steve Hamilton
- John Hemmings
- Christopher Greyson
- Robert B. Parker
- Elmore Leonard
more
Never a dull moment…
This third installment of the Shelby Alexander series keeps the action and excitement going from the first page to the last. Shelby’s girlfriend, Carly, was absent from this story (although she deserved a break after what Mr. Hart put her through in the last book) but the other major characters were back in top form doing what they do best. In this story Shelby’s family becomes the center of attention when his ex-wife and pregnant daughter become entangled with a ruthless loan shark as a result of the ex-wife’s gambling habit. The tension builds relentlessly as the sadistic loan shark poses an ever-greater threat to the well-being of Shelby’s family. I was pleased to see Shelby’s friend, Mack, get a larger role in this book (much like in the first book) as the insulting banter exchanged between these guys, no matter the situation in which they find themselves, is always amusing.
This series is more of an ongoing series of adventures in the life of the main character, so the books are best enjoyed if read in order starting from the first book. In each, the main conflict is resolved but you can tell there will be more coming for the characters as there are a number of threads weaving the stories together. I have been enjoying reading along with the audio versions of the stories and must comment on the great job done by the narrator, Theo Holland, who imbues each character with distinct voices and inflections making it easy to keep the characters straight even if you close your eyes and just listen. This is a great series that can easily become addictive whether you prefer to read it or listen to it (or both).
While I did purchase a copy of this book, the author gifted me with a code for the audio version and the above is my honest and unbiased review.
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This was one of those books you can’t put down. When Shelby’s daughter goes into premature labor he rushes to be by her side in Grand Rapids, Michigan! When he finds out Helen has a major debt with a mobster he tries to set things right but when his pregnant daughter is kidnapped he will do anything to get her back.
This was an amazing book. It had plenty of action and gun fights! Best of all it had his friend Mac in it for some humor! So far all the books I’ve read in the series are fantastic! Love this author and series! I highly recommend this book and this author!
When Shelby’s ex-wife borrows money from the wrong people and the collectors involve his pregnant daughter in their collection activities, Shelby and Mack swing into action in the way only they can.
There’s lots of gunfire, violence and edge of your seat action in this third installment in the Shelby Alexander series. Fans of the Serenity stories will love this family related softer side of Shelby, but even though the stories are a series and do run concurrently, they can stand well independently if you’re not looking to make series long commitments.
A great “don’t mess with my family” story..
Audible. Also available via KU & whispersync discount. Also, the first 4 books have now been combined into a single box set.
This is the third book in the Shelby Alexander series. Shelby’s ex-wife owes money to a mobster who is now hunting her down and endangering his daughter as well. Multiple POV’s and we hear a lot from Jimmy relative to Shelby. I guess because of the length, we’re kind of just ignoring the people of Serenity which felt a little off. Plus, I’ve enjoyed Carly as a character and her interactions with Shelby, but she’s completely ignored in this one. I didn’t like it as much as Serenity Stalked, but it was still an action packed listen.
Theo Holland continues to be an excellent choice for this series. He gives all the characters unique voices.
I received a free copy of this audiobook and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Another page turner….little more danger with this one. Good till the end!!
Good read.
Loved all the “Serenity” books!
Fast moving
Good book – easy read.
A short quick book with virtually non-stop action in which Shelby and his friend Mack mostly win in the end, and witty quips, comments and dialog by and among the good guys. Only one of the numerous bad guys escapes, Darkmore, the chief, who while killing his nephew for helping Shelby promises to track down Shelby, Helen and their daughter. Darkmore will appear again in this book series.
I enjoyed this book.
Good read with a good plot featuring flawed humans as we all are.
Another good book in the Serenity series. It’s a stand alone book so you do not have to read the whole series or in order to enjoy it.
Fun read, a bit too short. Great characters… much potential to build a franchise.
No clear ending, more to come.
Night at Key West – While not in the same ballpark as the Shelby series and lots better than the Assignment series, this is a good start to a new series. Set in 1937 and using real background material, Mr. Hart weaves a substantially interesting and partly humorous story. All the characters are interesting, quirkly in some cases, but all hold the reader’s interest, along with their realistic dialog. The story lines are entertaining and well thought out; yes, there are a few kinks, but the story moves along at a good pace. Key West has always been interesting during this time period and Mr. Hart keeps that interest going with this story. 5*
Serenity series:
Serenity #1 – A great read. A well written, action packed suspense story that draws you in and doesn’t let go until you’ve finished the book. The characters range from likable to despicable, all believable and make you respond to them. 5*
Serenity Stalked #2 – Fast paced but a cliffhanger. A well written suspense, darker than Serenity, heavy with vulgar language. The plot and characters keep you reading until the end. Rather short in length and a cliffhanger ending, although this subject of this story is complete. In the Serenity series, the author has some real doozies for villains for the main characters to fight. 5*
Serenity Avenged #3 – Dark but complete. A well written, but dark, suspense that grabs you and doesn’t let go. Surprisingly light with the vulgar language, Serenity Stalked had too much, but contained the darkness found in the short stories of The Girl Who Read Hemingway. If you like one of these books, you’ll like the other. The darkness was not graphic. Although picks up where S. Stalked ended, this novel has closure. 5*
Serenity Submerged #4 – Fast paced story. Another well written, action packed suspense story that keeps you reading until the story ends, which was all too soon. The characters are believable and real, and the twisting plot is riveting. I haven’t been disappointed with any of the author’s books that I’ve read so far. 5*
Serenity Engulfed #5 – Another dynamic addition to the Serenity Family. Another well written, fast paced, suspense filled novel with our favorite characters Shelby and Mack and some not so favorite; but without them there’s no intriguing book to read. There’s a new sheriff in town and she and Shelby are learning to play nice together, with Mack’s help. The ending makes me wonder what kind of trouble Shel and Mack will face in the future. I contacted the author to review his books and have enjoyed them all. 5*
I contacted the author to review his books after reading the first two books of the Serenity Series.
Serenity series: End.
Another awesome Shelby Alexander thriller! I really couldn’t put it down! It was action packed, full of danger and i just loved it! You really should read this!
SERENITY AVENGED (The Shelby Alexander Thriller Series Book 3) by Craig A. Hart places Shelby’s pregnant daughter in danger due to his ex-wife’s debt to a sadistic crime boss named Darkmore. Ex-boxer and retired fixer Shelby Alexander has once again found himself to be anything, but retired and at peace.
When Leslie, Shelby’s daughter, goes into early labor he heads out of Serenity and drives down state. When he arrives, Leslie is stable, but his ex-wife has led serious trouble to her door. Due to a hidden gambling problem, Helen borrows money from a loan-shark. When she can’t pay, the threats begin and Darkmore sends his nephew after her and uses Shelby’s abducted daughter as collateral.
Shelby teams up again with his best-friend, Mack, a retired detective to save Leslie using Helen and Jimmy, Darkmore’s nephew as bait. With lots of fire power and Jimmy’s inside help Shelby is determined to save Leslie and her unborn child.
I love reading these fast paced thriller stories featuring Shelby, who is not your usual hero. His character is so interesting and well defined. The plot is action packed and suspenseful with a truly terrifying and evil antagonist featured in this book. The dialogue is entertainingly sarcastic at times which smooths some of Shelby’s rough edges. This book can be read as a standalone, but the characters grow and interact more in each book, so I recommend reading them in order.
I will be anxiously waiting to read more of Shelby’s adventures in the future.
Can’t wait for thenext one!