A buttoned-up counsellor. A hot ex-con with secrets. One session that changes everything.It was supposed to be simple: Let Jace Riggs walk into my counseling office, tell me how he’s adjusting to post-prison life, and let him walk out again. But the first thing I’ve learned is that nothing is simple with Jace.He’s tall, muscled, bearded and tatted. He’s smarter than anyone else in the room and … than anyone else in the room and ten times more guarded. He’s hiding things that would break any other man to pieces. He’s a loner, a bad boy, and an infamous Riggs brother from the wrong side of the tracks.
He’s a hundred kinds of wrong for me. And even when I’m not his counsellor anymore, I still want to break down his defenses.
Jace has never trusted anyone – until me. He says I’m the only woman he wants close to him. The only woman he’s wanted in his bed – ever. And when he looks at me with that look of white-hot fire, I believe everything he says.
My own secrets could get Jace sent back to prison – or get him killed. And he doesn’t care.
We had so little time. We might not have until morning. But with the fire ignited between Jace and me, forever wouldn’t be long enough…
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I was getting ready for my morning writing session when I saw this book in my Bookbub email. I bought it, read the first few pages, and then somehow read the entire thing and now it’s hours later and I haven’t started my writing yet. Pretty sure that’s the best sign of an amazing book. A++
Audio Review
Love this series and after listening to Book 1 I couldn’t wait to listen to this one.
This is Jace Riggs story and he is the youngest of the 4 brothers and the quietest. He is also the one that just got out of prison for stealing cars for his worthless father. He is forced to see a counselor and when he does he is blown away with feelings he hasn’t felt before. He knows he can’t have her but he surely does want her.
Tara Montgomery is assigned Jace on her caseload to give him counseling to help him back into society after his release from prison. Even though he wasn’t in there that long it is par for the course to go through the motions to hopefully keep the excons on the straight side of the law. She is intrigued by Jace, he doesn’t fit the description for a criminal and she feels there is more to his story than he is sharing with her and she plans to find out the rest of the story. Little did she know she would lose her heart along the way.
Joe Arden and Erin Mallon are fantastic in this book. Love their voices and I was completely wrapped up in this story.
I love this series, love this book and highly recommend both. Can’t wait to listen to book 3.
Absolutely loved this read! Jace and Tara were electric from the very start!
This particular Riggs brother had my attention in book 1 of the series and I was so excited to read his story. Jace was smart and reserved but he wasn’t who everyone thought he was. He hid a secret that could effect a lot of people around him which is why he never got too close to anyone, especially a woman. Well, that was until his court mandated counseling landed him in the hot seat with a hot therapist that he couldn’t resist!
Tara was spectacular! Her character was nothing too extravagant or wow worthy but she was honest and real. I loved her confidence and drive. She was strong and sexy and caught the attention of the most unlikely of suitors.
The back and forth, push and pull between the H and h was so fun to read. When they finally gave into their desires, it was downright erotic! I really liked the little bit of drama and suspense that was woven seamlessly into the story line and how it brought an element of surprise to the plot. Such great writing and character development. I will definitely be sticking around for the rest of the series! These Riggs boys have me hooked!
This book is another hit for this author. I though Luke was going to be my favorite Riggs brother but Jace quickly took his spot. He was the sweet, smart brother and I was instantly hooked on him, and super protective…So I was worried about how Tara would be and let me tell you, I couldn’t have handpicked a better woman for him! Both of these characters were strong yet vulnerable and just wanted to be loved.
This story is wildly intense and packed full of the feels. The danger and double crossing adds an element that will have you hanging on every word. I definitely recommend this book and the it can be read as a standalone however book one was great so you May as well go all in!
I am really falling for these misunderstood Riggs brothers. Even tho they had a harsh upbringing, these brothers are loyal, loving, and protective of each other. Jace is the youngest brother who is quiet, thoughtful and intelligent. He was the last brother anyone would expect to go to prison. But he did, and is out now, living and working with Luke at the shop. He must see a counselor as part of his parole, and that is Tara. They didn’t start off very well, mostly because they had an instant and fiery attraction. Tara tries her hardest to get the quiet Jace to open up. The harder she tried the more frustrating he was. But Tara realized he was more than what his file said, or didn’t say. Suddenly Jace was released from her counseling, but Tara was determined to figure out his secrets. They started acting on the attraction they felt from the start and they were so sweet together. But Tara has secrets of her own, add that to the fallout from his father’s dealings, and they could be over, or worse, before they even really start. There were several plot twists that made this story exciting and irresistible. Joe Arden, and Erin Mallon once again narrate this moving, fun, and passionate story. They delivered the characterizations, suspense, and passion so flawlessly, making me see both Jace and Tara so clearly in my mind, that I was easily lost in the story.
I am becoming so invested in this family and am excited to find out more about the rest of the Riggs Brothers!
Wow! I think I have fallen in love with the Riggs brothers! In Take Me Down, Julie Kris’s brings us the quiet, intelligent, gorgeous Have Riggs and the wonderful Terra who completes him. The voice acting of Erin Mallon and Joe Arden is, again, impeccable! They are both able to infuse such life (and hotness when needed) into the book making you forget they are reading you a story, because they don’t simply read; they convince you to hang onto every word. I have devoured this audio and, unusually for me, am now going to read the book afterwards, rather than before! I am hoping so very much, that these two talented people will be bringing their skills to the other Riggs brothers!!
Take Me Down
Riggs Brothers, Book 2
By: Julie Kriss
Narrated by: Erin Mallon, Joe Arden
Julie Kriss has me on the edge of my seat with this series. I loved Luke and Emily’s story, but Jace and Tara really won my heart. This is the youngest of the Riggs brothers, and I loved him. He has attitude and fortitude. He’s a good man, made some questionable choices, but has come a long way. Tara is his counselor, or was supposed to be. She is persistent and can see a person for whom they are. They are so good together, it’s hard not to love them. But while the love story is important, I was entranced by the storyline. It’s edgy and thrilling, has twists and turns and has me set for hearing Dex and Ryan’s stories. There are constant surprises, so I know we are in for a thrilling ride!
Erin Mallon and Joe Arden continue the narration, and it is so good, it just pulls you in. These two have a magic together, and with this story have given the characters such real life quality and feelings, that it’s like they are our friends and we are experiencing the story with them. They are perfect for this series.
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It was a 3.5, but closer to a 4
I knew Jace’s story would be more in depth than what was on the surface. He didn’t disappoint. I could feel the connection and chemistry between Jace and Tara. I also loved how Ms. Kriss through each book is strengthening the bond between the brothers without them even knowing it. Their women see it, but the brothers don’t see that this is another change to the Riggs name. There is a certain plot twist at the end of the book that really didn’t wrap up that angle to me. I feel that what Jace did, did not necessarily take him off the radar for hurting him, Tara, or his family. I am being vague because I hate spoilers, so if you want to know what I am talking about you will have to read the books. This is a series worth reading!
I am falling in love with these Rigg Brothers. Eek! This is Book two in a series of four. Each book is a stand-alone of one of the brothers and this author has kept my intrigue high with the first two books.
Jace is the youngest and he is an oxymoron. He is a big, tattooed, ex-con who is a bit of a gentle giant and an avid reader. I know! How does all that go together. It completely works. I love him and what he represents. I want to tell you more about him, I won’t (haha) but plan to be surprised by some of his life choices. I will say it breaks my heart to see how resigned he is to being judged and look down on. The people of his town ticked me off in the first book and they still continue to be judgy in this one. Yikes I feel ticked just thinking about it.
Tara’s heart and her passion to help others is inspiring. She is a counselor that Jace has to see as part of his parole. They have some conflict initially but it all stems from them fighting their interest in each other. Hmmm it only picks up from there. Wink. These two are spicy together.
Plan for some surprises, with some heart palpating moments. Love how the brothers unite and go to bat for Jace. So hot. Haha. Also it is a beautiful thing considering the hellish childhood they all had together. I still want to hurt their dad as I said in the first book’s review. Yep still mean it. Ugh what a jerk with a capital J.
I think this is an awesome book. I can’t wait to read the other books. Bring on more Rigg Brothers.
Happy Reading Everyone! XOXO
Second book in the series and the second Riggs boy I instantly fell in love with. Jace needs court ordered Therapy to finish off his list of things he needed to do after getting released from jail. What he never expects is to find himself across the desk from Tara who brings emotions out in him that he never knew he had. But will the secrets he is hiding from his entire family be too much for Tara to deal with? Or will Tara’s ex-fiance who just happens to be a cop, make it too hard for Jace to even bother with her? Once again I could not put a book n this series down. The reader cannot help but fall in love with the ex-con who just happens to thoughtful and READS!! Nothing sexier than a man and a good book. I need the next in the series NOW!!
The Quiet Riggs brother…5++ stars!!
I am loving this series! Luke’s story from the first book, Drive Me Wild, had me hooked and I am so intrigued by each Riggs brother and their version to the messed up childhood caused by such a despicable father which has molded them to the men they are today. From catching clues about each brother, I believe there is more to them than what is painted by the townspeople of Westlake, Michigan.
Take Me Down is the second book of the series and is Jace and Tara’s story. After serving 20 months for grand theft auto, Jace Riggs is finally out of prison. He’s tall, bearded, tattooed and a walking billboard for trouble. What most people don’t understand is that Jace is highly intelligent, sensitive, quiet, and walks the straight and narrow. Until he exacts revenge on his father. Jace keeps a secret and if it ever got out, those closest to him would get hurt. All Jace wants to do is get all the court-mandated stuff behind him so he can move on with life. But a certain petite counselor gets under his skin. He’s never met a woman like Tara whose sharp wit challenges Jace on all levels. Tara is a temptation Jace can’t seem to resist. And as gorgeous as Jace is, he has a personal revelation that will blow you away.
Tara Montgomery sees Jace as a puzzle, his file shows no prior addiction, nor a record of abuse or violence. Yet, he served time for a crime. Though she’s a professional helping Jace adapt after prison, Tara is flustered by Jace. She knows there is more to Jace and he brings out the desire in her like no other man. But she’s keeping a secret about her ex that might discourage Jace from pursuing her. Can Jace and Tara make their new relationship work with so much against them?
Take Me Down is a perfect blend of intrigue, suspense, and romance. The attraction and emotions between Jace and Tara are electric. Ms. Kriss pulls all the stops out on the emotional push and pull for these two lovers, and I loved every word. We get to know more about the other Riggs brothers, Luke, Dex, and Ryan, and how they help Jace out of a harrowing and almost impossible situation. Ms. Kriss does an excellent job and if I could give it 10 stars I would. I am so looking forward to the next Rigg brother story and I can’t wait. I received and voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.
4.5 stars
A misunderstood not-so-bad bad boy and the woman who wants to know all about him
This is a tale of uptown girl meets boy from the wrong side of the tracks (literally). Having read and enjoyed a lot of her previous work, including the first book in this series, I couldn’t miss reading Jace’s story in Take Me Down. The book can be read as a stand alone, though it contains characters from a previous book there is sufficient background given to follow this story, without too many spoilers either. There was something special about Jace in Drive Me Wild, and his story certainly didn’t disappoint.
Tara is a counsellor who often works with those the courts deem to require her services. Jace is one such client, ordered to attend his sessions as part of his parole conditions. Their first meeting is fiery, with some less than professional behaviour and plenty of provocation. Go two isn’t any better, but then Tara discovers something about Jace that puts the situation in a whole new light. She meets with him to apologies, and since they are no longer client and counsellor, the fire between them threatens to turn into an inferno. However someone in Tara’s past is not going to like her having a relationship with a Rigg’s and it is enough to put Jace at a huge risk.
I loved Jace, he had such hidden depths and wasn’t afraid to be who he wanted to be. I didn’t quite ‘get’ Tara in the same way but I still really believed in them as a couple. They had amazing chemistry and I’m sure my kindle was on the verge of melting on more than one occasion. The pace of the story is really good and there are several very unexpected and surprising plot twist. If I had a criticism of the book it was that the ending felt a little rushed. There was quite a lot of different things packed into only a few chapters. Despite some quite twisty plot lines, everything worked and the story did feel believable.
One of the parts I really liked was that whilst Tara’s parents weren’t the best, she accepted them for who they were and there wasn’t a huge ‘I disown you’ scene or a ‘come to Jesus’ moment where all sins were forgiven. They weren’t that good at showing their love but they were the only parents Tara had, and much better than Jace’s had ever been, so it was a case of ‘live with it’.
The Riggs are down-to-earth rough and ready boys, so there is quite a lot of bad language in this. Although it starts of fairly slow burn there are also several very detailed and steamy scenes too, so this is very much an 18+ read. If you want a well written, entertaining, steamy read where the hero is very much a blue collar guy then this is one to try.