Down & Dirty

Colson Brothers #1

by Reese Madison

Joe has spent the last nine years serving his country. For the last three years his half brother has written to him about this bartender named Carly. As he reads these letters she becomes more real in his head causing him to wonder if she's as perfect as she sounds. Carly is perfectly happy serving drinks to rowdy bikers. She respects the club, but keeps them at arms length. That is until Joe drops in and changes everything. She discovers a new world of family, love, loss, and betrayal, that bind her to a club, and a man, who become the family she never imagined possible.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Erotica, Soldiers, Erotic Romance, Adult

220 pages, Paperback

First published December 6, 2011

Reviews

[mad4rombks · Rating 1 out of 5]

Authors: PLEASE stop trying to ruin Sons of Anarchy for me. If you're going to write about a motorcycle club, can you please write about one that doesn't have such STUPID members? Thank you, me.

I caved and got book one, DOWN & DIRTY because book 2 was mentioned on an Amazon thread I follow and I'm one of those readers who likes to read in order, whenever possible.

He's a Navy SEAL, been away for years and his older brother, the "president" of a motorcycle club sends him letters every week. For the past 3 years, his brother has been telling him about the bartender that is "crazy and keeps rejecting guys who want her to be their "old lady" He returns home and goes to the bar to see her. He immediately pulls her into his lap and starts flirting with her. She ignores him. He follows her home and tells her she's his old lady now and that he's sleeping in her bed but will give her time before he sleeps with her. Tells her that she has "the body to take him and he needs her." She's all "hell no, you can't claim me!" but then GETS INTO BED WITH HIM?! A complete stranger? The next day his brother basically gives her to him (even though she's saying no way!) and he takes her to work where he proceeds to tell her now that she's his old lady she has to quit because no lady of his will be serving drunk men. They get into a fight, he carries her out of the bar and takes her to her house where he proceeds to tell her that he loves her and he wants her to find them a house to live in together because her apartment was not a good place for them and he needs to go to the club because he has a job to do and she's all "OK, are you serious?" This is not even 48 hours after they meet.

Lord have mercy. This was about 14% in.

Color me cynical but dude, REALLY???? I Love Yous exchanged less than 48 hours after they meet for the very first time? Yeah, no, not believable and the "kickass" heroine? More like a complete idiot to me.

A huge DNF from me.

[Kellie Maddox-Ward · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I first found this book on Amazon I was like
HOLY SHIT!
Biker?
Ex Marine?
Ex Navy Seal as well?
Alpha male?
The h has balls?

This is a winner!!!
Was it??

Well kinda...

OK the story first...

Joe has been in the service for the past 9 years, he was too much for the MC, bringing in too much trouble for them. So his brother Slider and Father thought he needed some discipline so made him enroll.

Slider writes to him constantly, for the past 3 years he has started to tell him all about Carly the bartender at the Pub they all hang at.

When Joe comes home he only has 2 things on his mind. Get to the MC see everyone then go and claim Carly as his "Old Lady."

He wants to show Carly that even though he is a biker he can and will treat her like a Queen. Carly knows how bikers work. Bro's before Ho's and what happens on the road stays on the road etc, she wants nothing to do with it.

Not too long after, he is getting Sliders approval for Carly to be brought into the MC, making her quit her job, working his way into her life and her heart as he already loves her. But she's guarded and he has to break down the walls. Too many secrets.
She becomes the pro's pimp at the clubhouse and takes to club life like a duck on the water.

Joe is called away for a Top Secret Mission for the Government and Carly crumbles without him in her life and takes off to Vegas. Leaving the MC behind.

After some time Joe finds her and brings her home where there are even more secrets to be unveiled and fought against.

and he does get all her secrets out, breaks through the walls and we get a nice HEA..

*******************************************

Ok now thoughts...

Everything just HAPPENED...like BANG!
Like Joe came home, walked into the pub, followed her home told her he was going to claim her and BANG did. and she let him.
and then she just let him quit her job for her. Because he told her too.
Then he made her buy a house for them.
Told her he loved her after like 3 days.

I dunno I guess it just went too fast.... and I didn't really understand why it had to happen like that. Or why Carly?
and why his brother really pretended to be her dead sisters fiancee, why he hated Joe so much to do that.

I did like the relationship that Joe and Carly shared. Secondary characters were good too. Although it was dark, sometimes super dark in places there were a few giggle moments. The thing that shocked me was the steam factor.
There wasn't any. It was fade to black... Or "Joe rocked my world all night long" kind of thing. I think having read and seen too many movies I expected a lot more.

So yeah at the end of the day I liked it but not as much as I thought I would.

[Nicole · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was... horrible. Like a train wreck. There was so many things wrong that there was very little to like. I hated Carly and Joe wasn't much of an alpha biker badass. Things progressed so fast in this book it was really hard to keep track of anything. I want to be swooned and seduced into loving the the characters not just thrown out there for the wolves. Horrible horrible horrible. And Carly. Jesus. Worst heroine ever. And apparently everyone just complains instead of saying or asking something.

Le sigh. Time for triscuits and cheese.

[April Brookshire · Rating 2 out of 5]

I want to start off by saying something nice about this book: It was entertaining even though it was ridiculous and unrealistic.

A former sex slave and prostitute who's never given a blow job?

A man who gets off death row because the guy he killed was an asshole?

A woman agrees to a possible fight to the death with a muscular man because she wants to work less hours at a bar to have more time for her family?

A known criminal who deals in guns and drugs who the U.S. government and military trust to head operations and go after known terrorists in the Middle East?

I mean, come on! I'm easily entertained, though, so I will probably read another book by this author just to check out what kind of craziness she can come up with.

[Monica · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was NOT what I expected.And I don't mean that in a good way.At all.

I read this book thinking that it would be something like Motorcycle Man or even Undeniable...Ha! Was I wrong or what? "Down & Dirty" was just some poor copycat.

This book is completely confusing! Every little detail and information is all over the place. I was so lost sometimes, that I had to go back and see what was going on before, so I could understand what I was actually reading.

What really bodered me was that I didn't feel anything for the characters.I TRIED, but I couldn't. Everytime something MAJOR happened I thought "Ok,NOW I'm going to like him/her, for doing this!",but then I was fooled. Fooled, because everytime I felt like I could form a bond with the characters, the chapter ENDED.ENDED, you know? That's frustrating as hell.

If you're thinking "oh well, at least the sex was hot" or something, you're completely WRONG (boy,are you wrong...). The sex just doesn't happen in this book.The author gives you hints that they do have sex, but it's just that.Hints. The whole act is left to your imagination.

I wouldn't recommend this for anyone, but if you want to read it, good luck and enjoy.

P.S.I really wanted to have something nice to say about this book...*sigh*

[B.E.Love · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Joe first meets Carly he already knows all about her, His brother Slider has been writing letters for the past nine years and 3 years ago Slider started writing all about Carly a girl who worked at his biker bar. So Joe knows right away when he gets home after being gone for nine years he wants to claim her as his "old lady". Carly is instantly attracted to Joe but knows how bikers are and what they do(especially when on the road) so she wants nothing to do with a biker. But Joe claims her right away and goes about showing her that he will treat her like gold and never hurt her. Through twists and trials secrets brought to light this is a story about Joe and Carly and how they love each other. Joe will do anything for Carly and do anything to protect her. Carly loves Joe and can't live with out him. Once I got used to Reese Madison's writing style I was easily swept up in Joe and Carly's story and finished this book very quickly. The side characters were just as significant and entertaining as Carly and Joe. My favorite part of this book was Joe I believed he loved Carly and that he wanted her more than anyone and would do anything for her. This was a great read.

[Shantal (VERIFED BOOK LOVER) · Rating 1 out of 5]

really not working for me . stomped on all my feelings actually

[Dami (Damiellar) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm going to start by saying that there were some good events in this book that could have produced a very good book. Unfortunately this wasn't it.

I honestly found this a bit of a struggle to get through. The 'voice' of the book just didn't work for me. It was as if events were removed to a distance so I just couldn't connect to either the characters or the story itself.

As others have said there were some problems with the chain of events as well imo.

Joe only knows Carly from letters from his brother but as soon as he sees her he decides that he's in love with her and moves in with her. So, moving in with her the first night they set sight on each other. It's stressed from the beginning that Carly's a strong woman but she just gives in and goes with the flow of Joe taking over her life. I've read many books where this happened and it felt right but this just didn't (due to the 'remove' I mentioned).

I don't know, maybe this should have also been a bit longer and fleshed out to overcome the suddenness some of the many 'co-incidences' It particularly annoyed me that Carly had dumped her baby on a stranger in a shopping centre 10 years before and then she turns up as the widow of one of the other MC members. Um...yeah..... There were a few characters whom I found weren't introduced properly so I was constantly searching the book to find their first 'entrance' (only to find that it still wasn't really explained) so a couple of sentences in the appropriate places wouldn't have hurt.

I'm in two minds about continuing this series (but I will due to a challenge I'm in this year). I'll see how it goes.

[Petra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow motorbikes and ex marine and a no shit attitude that's what u get joe meet Carly at the bar she worked he knows all about Carly as his brother has been writing to him and telling her about the fiery red head who works in the bar were they drink as soon as joe sees Carly he wants her as his old lady but will Carly give in to the big bad biker who is home from the marines but they both have pasts and skeletons in there closets.she falls for joe eventually and becomes his old lady he is very demanding but Carly don't stand for no shit from him. Joe is sent on a mission from the government for the last time but when he leaves suddenly Carly is left on her own with her friends but no joe and she can't take it she needs him then her past catches up with her can there love withstand it all great read really enjoyed it I'm a sucker for a bad ass marine who happens to be a bad ass biker as well love it x

[Summer · Rating 2 out of 5]

My rating may be a little harsh for having finished the book but there were so many things that annoyed me... and I'm usually not too picky. Even as a pothead I found the MCs alcohol dependency an unaddressed problem. There were way too many coincidences.... which usually occur to a certain extent in order to create a story but this was a joke. I even had a problem with the thing I liked the most about the book. While on one hand I absolutely loved the hero's alpha do-as-i-say attitude my problem fell with the heroine who never really stuck up for herself and allowed herself to basically be kidnapped and forced to quit her job... all of which I would have been okay with if she had just made it her decision instead of just doing what she was told.

[Tracy *To the point Reviews* · Rating 1 out of 5]

Good Grief!

This was the most ridiculous MC book I have ever read. I kept reading because I wanted to know the heroine's backstory.

I wish I would have highlighted some of the writing, there are parts where you don't even know how they get from one place to the next.

Iw as so confused for the heroine who's life was a non stop chaotic freight train moving so fast. She does lots of dumb shit and his caveman attitude is way too over the top. He may as well have clubbed her at her job and dragged her out by her hair!


I had some laughs... but spent a lot of time confused and unsatisfied.

[Lindsey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not sure how I feel. I mean it wasn't horrible since I finished it. The foundation was there for a great story but the writing style seemed to choppy. It sort of read like, and he said then she said. I don't mean to be critical but just wasn't my cup of tea. I was also disappointed in the intimate scenes. I don't need sex and more sex but if your going to put in your story give me something besides he played with my twin girls. Really? If it goes on sale or is free give it a shot but not worth the 3.99.

[Beverly · Rating 1 out of 5]

In a word - horrible. I pretty much always finish a book once I start it whether I like it or not. Suffice it to say, I did not/could not finish this book. I don't have much to add that hasn't already been expressed in the previous reviews. The worst for me was the Hero falling instantly in love with the Heroine. What?!!?

It might be possible to make such a scenario work with more/better character development. I'm not sure. I do know it did not work in this book.

[Tisha · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book has plenty of potential but ultimately fell short. Even after reading many negative reviews I read it for my self. No its not awful but the romance is rushed & a lot of time is spent on secondary characters that dont make an impact on the main characters. The ending also left some unanswered questions.

[Jani · Rating 1 out of 5]

I seriously can't believe I finished this book. It was so stupid I feel like I am at least 20% dumber than I was before I started the book. Maybe 25% since I read the whole damn thing!
I'm not going to get into specifics since they are all layer out in other reviews..
My only advice - do not read this unless you want to be dumberer than you were before! ;)

[Evgenia · Rating 1 out of 5]

For the love of everything that is holly what is this crap. With all the respect to the author that spend time to write it please choose another job! I couldn't finish it. It was either that or smash my laptop!

[Pamela · Rating 1 out of 5]

No coherent plot; the story just jumped from one bizarre scene to another. Even worse, this book was just downright boring. Couldn't finish.

[A · Rating 1 out of 5]

Worst. Book. Ever.

[Sherzzinger · Rating 1 out of 5]

Didn't finish. Had potential but failed big time. Unrealistic and the writing style was juvenile. Don't waste your time.

[Kathy · Rating 1 out of 5]

It's rare for me to dislike a book but this book was so poorly written it was painful to read.

[Nicole Glass · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too many plot twists...have me whiplash!

[Lacie (Darkangel78) · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5 maybe 2 stars.

[2OCC Reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to love it but this book and while the author held true to MC novels, I think it was done over the top. Joe, while sweet was way to over the top for my taste. The story moved too fast, with way too much happening all around. It was interesting and fun to read, but to me, personally, everything was too fast forward. I also felt that the ending was way too abrupt. I might be willing to read some more in the series, as long as I know if it’s instalove in advance. 3 Stars #2OCCJD

[Natalie Weir · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was intrigued with the blurb for this one, so I gave it a shot.. it lacked a lot of...dare I say it..story. It was the bare bones of story, and it could of been expanded greatly. 2 stars.

[Michelle ♥ The Romance Vault ♥ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't think I've ever come across a book quite like this. On the one had the lifestyle and the characters oozed off the pages and on the other hand bizarre circumstances happen and events at the speed of light, it was hard to swallow some of it. I mean how Carly ends up with Joe is just totally unbelievable especially when you find out what has happened in Carly's past. Carly has had the most awful things happen to her and then more gets revealed and then more, kinda overload on the 'dire' side I felt.

No denying their chemistry though it was hot, it was just a lot didn't add up, the speed of undying love pronounced especially from Joe and then quickly followed by Carly, I wondered if this was all too quick and where the story could go from there. I found some of the positions Carly put herself in was unbelievable considering her past, especially when she saunters back to Slider to 'take her punishment'. What the hell, after her life she should have been running screaming to the hills! And I don't care what kind of code of honour etc etc, that part really peed me off.

Overall though the story did capture me, I just had to get over the bizarreness of some of it and the lightening speed things happened. I think the author skimmed a lot of the events and didn't give the reader the depth that was needed. Would I read it again? - in all honesty probably not. It sadly won't make it into my badass biker read shelf either, yes it's badass biker but it doesn't cut the muster to earn a place on that shelf.

[Tiffany · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm used to gritty and raw when reading "biker/MC romances" but thing just kept getting worse for Carly. Between her terrible past&Joe's OTT possessiveness, I don't see how they lived HEA. Carly was used and abused in the worst ways as a child. She has to deal with abandoning her baby -trying to keep it all from Joe. Joe is ex navy still on active duty, and is heavily involved with the Exiles MC. He treats Carly like a child at times,very neanderthal(wash my clothes,fix my food). Carly slowly reveals things to Joe. I can totally understand her using booze,anxiety pills,time outs from the club. When Joe leaves she has serious abandonment issues,travels to Vegas where she meets Bret. Supposedly he is her twin sister's husband. Carly had a twin sister and they were separated when things got really bad in their childhood.Too convenient to believe, Bret turns out to be Joe's half brother willing to take his own brother's woman. Then, in another twist of fate,Carly comes face to face with the baby she abandoned.Her son Mitch becomes a part of her life (due to Joe's insistence). Joe even goes as far as finding Mitch's birth father-Charlie, a prisoner on death row for killing his father. So much is going on in this book, definitely kept me on my toes. They were some editing issues, but overall a good story if you don't mind the dark and gritty. 3.5/4* read

[Selinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okaay, so Im going through a biker phase and came upon this series. I read the blurb, which intrigued me and then read the reviews which made me skeptical. I have never been a reader soley driven by reviews or word of mouth I have found many great, now favorite reads by taking a "leap".

This said, I really did like the story premise. I really did kinda love the Exiles MC and I really fell for the male lead Joe. I mean hes the strong, silent and deadly type with just enough alpha sexiness to kick you where it hurts. Carly; the female lead, was a bit harder to swallow. I wanted to love her, feel her and her pain but everytime I was on the cusp the author pulled back.

Ms. Madison has the makings of a damn fine story, but I felt it was too rushed and not fleshed out enough. I want to know what happens, I need for Joe and Carly to have a HEA and mostly I want to see this MC group grow. Its like I got a sneak peak that just left me wanting a whole lot more. Im sticking with it and moving onto the next Colson Brother.

Its going to be a long night..Im hooked so Ive got to finish what I started. 4hrs down....? to go.

[Nakeyia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I just didn't like the layout it was a lot of hinting about what the H and h went through but never enough detail to give you a full idea it was a lot of guessing examples:

-the h and the hold twin thing they were both sold by the uncle and he burn the house down with the parents in it for the money
- the h and being homeless then magically claims she had a kid that she then dumped on some random lady that just so happened to be an old lady
- the h baby daddy in jail for murdering his father, he was most likely heading for the chair, but then they magically fix it so now he isn't going to be sent to the chair, but the he is killed anyway in jail
-the H served and had a touch of PTSD he had one flare up that triggered it but they never explained what happened to him
-the H the fact he had a creepy brother pretty much stalked the h and they just brushed it out the story like it was nothing he LIED AND SAID HE WAS MARRIED TO HER TWIN SISTER.

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was hooked by the time I finished the sample downloaded off amazon, once I got into the full story though, it lost a bit of its appeal. Still enjoyed the story and I'll read the next book, as I want to find out what happens next :) Reason I found the story less appealing was due to the focus being more on the MC club rather than the mix of Carly's bar and her banter with them as an outsider. Found Joe and Carly hard characters to connect with but at the same time I wanted to follow their story.
Down & Dirty is a quick read, that deals with quite a few situations, that tended to 'materialise' rather than slowly evolve. There was drama but not angst, Carly is defined by other characters as being strong willed but this doesn't pan out the majority of the time, with her giving into Joe quickly and accepting her fate in complete contrast to her initial strong stance. The story is written in alternating chapters, mainly from Carly and Joe's prospective.

[Julie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Sadly this book left me thinking... Is that it! The writing was ok but the story was so rushed and full of things happening all the time, that you didn't get chance to really get to know the characters. The author needed to decide on one or two main things to happen and then build from there, adding loads of things happening one after the other and not having the skill to write and expand made this a hard story to like let alone love. Such a shame could have been a lot better.