Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book
Rate this book
Maniac’s early life hasn't been the easiest and it left scars, both physical and mental. Thankfully, he found the Iron Punishers before things could go too far and he found a family he could rely on. It’s this family that he works to protect as their VP.

Despite his love for his club family, he’s gotten restless and hates the fact he doesn’t have a family of his own━ an old lady and kids. He has no idea that a recommendation from a fellow Punisher will lead him not only to help a local center for at-risk kids, but to find what he thinks is outside his grasp.

Lark runs the Fortress of Bravery. Her passion is the kids who go there and bettering their lives, especially getting them away from gangs. She’s had her own experience with them and that has changed her life forever. Meeting the Punishers and especially Maniac, makes her think of all she lost along the way.

As the club gets to know her and the Fortress kids, Maniac tries his best to get close to her. As he does, both their pasts are revealed as well as the threats she deals with daily and what some of her kids do as well. He isn’t the only one with scars and a past.

As the Punishers work to eliminate the gang presence in their town, Maniac and Lark grow closer. What they both want is within grasp, as long as Maniac and his club can take out the gangs stalking Lark and the Fortress before they take out her. No matter what it takes, nothing is standing in his way of claiming her as Maniac's Imp, not even bullets and death.

366 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 19, 2023

594 people are currently reading
122 people want to read

About the author

Ciara St. James

107 books930 followers
An avid reader with a passion for romances that finally got the chance to write one of her own. The rest is history. Not what anyone thought for someone who has been a nurse and in healthcare management for years.

I sit writing as my two fur babies, my pugs Kujo and Khaos, impatiently wait for me to get done so they can lay on me as their human sofa!

My children are finally considered to be adults, so it's me, the hubby and the dogs.

I'm a iced tea drinking fiend who has insomnia, more ideas than I know what to do with, and a need to write them down.

Not too bad for a girl from rural Ohio in the foothills of Appalachia that grew up in a town of about 4000 people.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
940 (64%)
4 stars
371 (25%)
3 stars
127 (8%)
2 stars
21 (1%)
1 star
8 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
Profile Image for Darcy.
14.4k reviews543 followers
March 22, 2023
It was fun to see another one fall! The one thing that I did really like was how the MC got involved with the club for at risk youths. Their reasoning behind at first made me laugh a bit, because talk about playing the long game! Yet it was sound reasoning and they are helping kids. Even with all the businesses they own, they could potential help when job openings come up, just so many different ways besides the obvious ones.

Lark and Maniac were interesting! Lark sure put up the fight and I liked seeing Maniac knock down all of her stupid reasons and show her that what happened to her in the past would never happen to her with him. It took a bit, but she finally believed. I really like how things ended for them, it was perfect!
Profile Image for Emily.
5,879 reviews551 followers
March 30, 2023
Maniac is seeing his fellow brothers in the Iron Punishers MC settle down and is finding that he is wanting that for himself. He is hoping someone can accept him scars and all and build a future together. When the Iron Punishers decide to reach out to the Fortress of Bravery which helps offer a place for at risk kids. When Maniac meets the owner, Lark he is immediately intrigued by the woman before him.

Lark has her own scars in her past that have her questioning why any man would want her again, but for some reason Maniac does. Can she trust him enough to take a chance and what happens when the threat of a local gang makes her the target?

I really liked this one, very different from the other MC books and I liked that Maniac took his time with Lark. Lark's back story is horrible, you feel for her as she was betrayed in more ways then one. I hope the next books follow up on the one lingering person that was brought up a few times and I am wondering if there is more to her than what was divulged.
Profile Image for Beverly McCall.
Author 2 books28 followers
April 22, 2023
Maniac’s Imp is the third book in Ciara St. James’ Iron Punishers MC series. In it, Ms. St. James introduces readers to Maniac and Lark. She runs an at-risk student program. He is the Vice President of the Iron Punisher’s MC. The MC intent on improving their reputation look at the Fortress of Bravery, the non-profit at-risk youth center that Lark runs. There is an attraction between the two. The MC members volunteer including Maniac. They soon realize that Lark has enemies intent to destroy her center. There are physical threats against her as she is providing an alternative to the youth preventing them from gang recruitment. Can the Iron Punishers keep her safe? Will they identify the parties making the threats? Will Maniac and Lark find happiness? You must read this book to discover what unfolds.

Yet again, Ms. James pens a delightful romance with strong multi-layered lead characters. Her lead characters are strong, determined, confident yet vulnerable. I enjoyed their growth as the story progressed. She enhances the plot movement through the interactions of supporting characters. I liked the strong dialog. I appreciated the dual point of view to tell their back stories. Ms. James use of descriptive language paints vivid scenes. Her use of a dual-prong plot garners her readers attention. One prong is the romance between a alpha male biker and a strong yet vulnerable woman. The other is the suspense that threaten the female protagonist by an evil antagonist.
24 reviews
March 24, 2023
Same old same old

Reasons why I still read St. James. She has original plots. (Gang recruitment)
Reasons why I shouldn't - instant soul mate love, Rational professional women go off the rail over the bunnies and don't let the man present his side, alpha men high up in the club(VP , Sargeant of Arms, President) who throw tantrums. If you are smart enough to lead a pack of alphas, you should have some self control.
Final thought- I would like to see a man look at the woman who is storming off because she thinks he might possible in the future cheat on her shake his head and say. "There goes crazy, don't let the door hit you butt on the way out."
Profile Image for Kelly  DeMarco.
1,926 reviews4 followers
March 21, 2023
A whole new kind of trouble in the midst of falling in love
Maniac's Imp (Iron Punishers MC Book 3) by Ciara St. James takes a new turn into trouble. The Iron Punishers, always looking for ways to give back to their community, set their sights on Fortress of Bravery. This youth community center is focused on engaging with young children through teenagers to keep them off the streets and at the mercy of gangs. When Maniac learns about the Fortress of Bravery, he looks forward to providing some guidance and insight. When he sees the center's director, Lark, he is all in. He's so all in that he has to reign himself in. Lark is wary and uncertain about his attention and intentions. As for Lark herself, she is so inspiring! Not to mention resilient, strong, determined and full of love and attention for all the kids at Fortress. Her own story is downright devastating and tragic, but she hasn't let it stop her and has no intentions of allowing any pesky gang, or a certain handsome biker, keep her from providing whatever her kids need.
Lark may be adamant, but Maniac doesn't take no for an answer and persists. When he finds out about one of the boys being abused and that gang activity has been targeting the Fortress, he becomes downright determined and demanding. Lark really doesn't know what to make of Maniac, but he does wear her down and from that point, it's a fast paced steam-fest on top of MC actions taken to neutralize the gang targeting the Fortress as well as Lark herself.
Overall, despite the miscommunication and assumptions, Maniac wins Lark's heart while both of them fall in love with little Flynn. Tragedy may have brought this little family together, but it's the abundance of love that makes them all whole and happy.
I read an ARC of this book and voluntarily share my review.
Profile Image for Karen.
1,507 reviews15 followers
April 22, 2023
Another Iron Punisher is off the market. Manic's found his forever in the most unlikely place.

When the Iron Punishers MC is looking for someplace in their community to make connections, Maniac finds his Imp. He will have to work for her, but he's up to the challenge. She has a lot pain and tragedy in her past, and she's closed off, but Maniac is willing to work for her trust and her love, as well as keeping her safe from the gang that trying to close up her community center.

Lark is the owner/operator of Fortress of Bravery, a safe haven in the community for young at risk kids. She opens her doors to kids that wouldn't have a chance at a better life than their parents in some cases, or to keep them safe for those parents that do care. When the MC comes looking to help her, she's wary at first, but then she takes note of the way they treat the kids that she's trying to keep safe and protect from a life in a gang, and she decides to give them a chance.

She also can't help but notice Maniac, the VP. He also takes notice of Lark pretty quickly. They both have scars from their past and it take some time for Lark to open up to Maniac, but after she does theres not stopping him going full force to win her over and make her his.

I love every book I've read by Ciara St. James. I find the male characters to be protective, Alpha holes, and sexy as sin and the women are strong, sassy, independent, and yet they know when to let their men take care of them.
1,211 reviews3 followers
September 4, 2024
Good Read

Maniac’s Imp is the third book in the Iron Punishers MC series and follows Maniac and the club as they volunteer to help out at a program which aims to prevent kids from joining street gangs and while there he meets the lady who he believes is supposed to be his, he just has to convince her of that.

This book had a totally different pace from other books I’ve read in the series, it was more of a slow burn book with a less spice than I have come to expect from a Ciara St James book. Even with this, though, I found this book to be quite an enjoyable read and as addictive as the other books I’ve read. I loved the characters, an alpha male MMC with an FMC who has strength rather than being a wilting flower always appeals to me.

Overall, this was a good read and a book that I would recommend.
Profile Image for Branda.
132 reviews
June 27, 2024
A Great Book!

I just love this imaginary MC world & all the characters I've read so far. Maniac & Larks story was such a touching one, Lark definitely was a warrior & an angel for all she went thru & accomplished in her life in spite of her past. I wish there were more people like Lark & Maniac & the whole MC family that took care of their communities in our world.

Gangs are every where & the destruction they bring into neighborhoods suck. This storyline was well written and brought awareness to the ugliness of gang wars & showed how the innocent sometimes pay the price.

I look forward to reading the rest of this intertwined series & recommend checking out her website for the reading order starting at the beginning with Terror's story. Happy Reading!
Profile Image for Lora Cimino.
820 reviews14 followers
June 1, 2025
This book is about Maniac and Lark as they journey toward a committed relationship. For him this was a case of insta-love but she took some persuading to convince her to give them a chance. I loved both characters. They are well developed and show growth throughout the story. Lark has some past trauma that she must overcome to believe in Maniac and the possibility of a forever love. There are several threats against the town and against Lark in particular. The club will work to neutralize them with some help from their allies. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and was rewarded with a happily ever after ending. Once I started reading this book I couldn't put it down until bed time and then was back to it in the morning.
Profile Image for Surrender2silk.
1,709 reviews13 followers
March 30, 2023
Book three in the Iron Punishers MC series. Lark runs the local girls and boys club. She’s single after her husband walked away after her accident. Now she walks with a limp but she loves her kids. Protecting them from local gang and bad parents, is her mission. When the local Mc club wants to volunteer. She has her wondering if it’s the right call. When a local gang wants her out. Maniac takes charge. He knows her history with her husband. So he know he will have some trouble convincing her he’s ready to claim her. He makes it hard not to fall for him. He does everything her husband walked out on. She can’t give him a family but she can give her soul to him.
March 21, 2024
this might be my fav so far out of all the Punishers and Warriors’s books.

Maniac and Lark’s relationship is a slower burn than what usually happens with the Punishers and Warriors. Maniac does claim Lark pretty quickly, but would call this one a medium burn.

i also loved how hilarious Chey and Reaper are as secondary characters in this book. i def feel like now there’s a lot more diversity in the basic story line of this series vs the Warriors.

dual pov
29/30ish fmc / 38mmc
no OW drama
HEA ♡
interconnected standalone

CW: gang violence, violence, physical assault, disability, child abuse, adoption, fostering
156 reviews
March 23, 2023
Wow, true love!!

Larks' story was heartbreaking, but she didn’t let that interfere with her life. She was furiously independent, but that didn't stop Maniac from coming in and falling head over heels in love with her. Maniac had no issues with the disabilities Lark had he loved her for she was and proud of her accomplishments with the center. I'm happy they get to be Flynns parents they will be awesome. Oh, let's not forget I was ecstatic over Larks ex he deserved everything he got he was a pos!! As usual, Ciara wrote another fantastic story!!
Profile Image for Michelle M.
702 reviews5 followers
March 21, 2023
Strength and courage

Maniac was wondering if would ever find his One. He and the other members of the MC found another way to gif back to their community and help others. Well what Maniac didn’t know was the strong woman that ran the place was going to be his. Gangs and heartbreak were part of this woman’s life for years but now she has help even though it was not what she expects.
43 reviews
March 19, 2023
Maniac and Lark

I loved every minute of this book. I didn’t want to put it down once I started reading it. The way Maniac found Lark was awesome. Her story was heartbreaking but Lark came away from her past stronger than before and Manic helped her find her inner strength. I can’t wait for the next book in the series. Ciara you rock.
527 reviews
March 19, 2023
Maniac’s Imp by Ciara St James

This is the third book in the Iron Punishers series and was definitely just as good as the first two. Maniac and Lark’s story is about the need to have safe places for at risk kids to go to. It is about how we can all help either by volunteering or financially supporting them.
Profile Image for Bernice Sheppard.
992 reviews4 followers
March 21, 2023
The best

Omg Ciara St. James continues to make this series the BEST!!. Lark and Maniac story is great. The author always keeps it interesting building the story to keep the reader flipping for the next page. Like their fellow brothers from other MCs these guys are falling hard and fast. Maniac Imp is a woman who went through hell and Maniac fell hard and fast. Happy reading
Profile Image for Elizabeth.
475 reviews12 followers
March 22, 2023
Great read

Lark and Maniacs story.
* No spoilers’
He’s a typical book, alpha biker. She’s a bit different heroine and I loved her (their) story. As usual it has all the ingredients for a romance, coupled with some criminal activity, that personally I found quite scary, with an HEA.
Ciara St James is a really good writer and her books always are unputdownable.
Loved it
Profile Image for Wendy Mitchell.
73 reviews
March 24, 2023
such a good read

I love maniac and Imp’s story! I wish there was a little more of the MCs’ interaction. Other than a few conversations, rides, and references there wasn’t much of the club in the story. I also like the interacting with the other clubs but other that a few references there was nothing. Over all I highly recommend this book
Profile Image for Leslee.
2,654 reviews76 followers
April 18, 2023
I absolutely adored Maniac and Lark's book! I loved the connection they had, even though Lark was understandably hesitant given her past. Their relationship is so sweet, love seeing two deserving people find happiness. This club is quickly becoming my favorite. I can't wait to see where this series leads!
278 reviews1 follower
April 28, 2023
Beautiful but deadly!

The third book in this series has it all, especially a big heart. Action and hot alphas round out a great third book in the Iron Punisher's world. Take a walk down into their world and enjoy the love of a great family and excitement of a few badges bikers making the world a better place. Of course, the old lady's are no slouch and don't disappoint. Enjoy.
3 reviews
September 10, 2023
Love 2 Read

I like, no love how you never leave your readers wondering what ever happened with some of the characters in your stories.
I love Books about MC Bikers and would recommend all 3 books I've read of the Iron Punishers MC to my friends and family who love to read. I'm looking forward to reading book 4.
Profile Image for Catherine Marie Meyer.
526 reviews
September 2, 2024
Lark and Maniac

They met at a neighborhood safe place for children. She was a graduated social worker and he was an officer in a motorcycle club. They fell immediately in love and adopted one of the children that came to her neighborhood center who lost parents to the gang war way of thinking. Excellent story..
770 reviews
February 6, 2025
Pleasantly surprise in how different this book was. It at a slower pace but it kept you engaged. My heart hurt for Lark. She went through so much before meeting Maniac.

So happy Maniac found his forever with Lark. Thank goodness there wasn’t any Bunny drama! 😅🤣 Can’t wait to read other Iron Punishers books.
Profile Image for Nancie Blume.
661 reviews11 followers
June 23, 2025
Maniac and Lark

Lark's story touched my heart - she didn't let her past define her, and Maniac's love for her was genuine and unconditional. He admired her strength and accomplishments, and I love how they're starting a new chapter as parents to Flynn. And yay for Lark's ex getting what he deserved - he was the worst! Great job, Ciara, on another fantastic story!
Profile Image for Amanda Sherman.
119 reviews
March 20, 2023
Edge of my seat!

Lark is a very determined woman! She has worked so hard to give kids options of a better life. She has been doing a great job alone but even the strongest women need back up from time to time and that's where Maniac comes in 😉
600 reviews5 followers
March 20, 2023
Another awesome book

Another awesome book! I don't know how these books het better and better but they do! The whole family and Brotherhood vibe makes this series the best. Throw in badass women with some babies and kids you got a hit.
978 reviews1 follower
March 20, 2023
Great read

I have to say watching Maniac find his woman was great. I was glad to see that she could take care of herself. Can not wait to see what happens in the next book. Please keep them coming.
1,106 reviews2 followers
March 21, 2023
Whew

That was just as amazing as the first 2. God some of the things these men and women go through I couldn't imagine. Maniac and Imp are perfect for each other in every freaking way.
Profile Image for Mimirureviewbooks.
2,209 reviews
March 24, 2023
Maniac's Imp is book 3 in the Iron Punishers MC series written by the amazing author Ciara St. James. This is Maniac and Lark's story. I absolute love these two together. Their chemistry was intense. Definite a must read. Can't wait for another one.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.