Give Me Strength

Give Me #2

by Kate McCarthy

Quinn Salisbury doesn’t think she’s cut out for this whole living thing. Even as a young girl she struggled. Just when she thinks she’s found a way to leave her violent past behind her, the only thing that’s kept her going is ripped away, leaving her damaged and heartbroken.

Four years later, she is slowly rebuilding her life and lands a job as an assistant band manager to Jamieson, the hot new Australian act climbing their way to the top of the charts. There she meets Travis Valentine, the charismatic older brother of her boss, Mac.

From his commanding charm to his confidence and passion, Travis is everything Quinn believes is too good for her, and despite her apprehension, she finds their attraction undeniable and intense.

When her past resurfaces, it complicates their relationship. Instead of reaching out for help, Quinn pushes Travis away, until a staggering secret is revealed that leaves her fighting for her very life.

Torn between running and opening her heart to the man determined to have her, can Quinn find the strength within herself to fight for her future?

Genres: Romance, New Adult, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Romantic Suspense, Abuse, Music

288 pages, ebook

First published September 15, 2013

About the author

Kate McCarthy grew up in a small town outside of Port Macquarie, Australia. Raised in a house just a short walk to the beach, Kate enjoyed the peaceful, relaxed atmosphere and friendships that come from being raised in a friendly, small town area.
She now resides in Brisbane, Australia, a city in the state of Queensland where she works as an accountant, along with a sideline wedding cake business and her writing.
She is married with two children, has two dogs and house in the suburbs, and a pile of friends and family dotted all over the country that help keep her sane.
When she’s not busy running after naughty kids, filthy dogs, crunching numbers, piping buttercream and writing books, you can find her curled up in bed in the early hours of the morning reading new books and re-reading old favourites. Her favourite books are the Black Dagger Brotherhood series by J.R. Ward in which she longs to eventually join the brotherhood and change her name to Phierce Mutha.
Please feel free to friend request Kate on Goodreads :D

Reviews

[~ Becs ~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

HOLY CRAP!! - I really, REALLY loved this one. This is romantic suspense at it's finest. Absolutely perfect reading for me!!

“Life is hard, Quinn, and the hardest part is being yourself in a world of people trying to make you someone you’re not. I saw you standing apart from everything that was the same, and that was beautiful, not sad. When I was holding you and inside of you, I watched your eyes come alive, and fuck spring because you were hotter than summer, and I want to see that again.” His voice was low and as I opened my eyes and met his, he brushed his thumb across my lips. “I want to see you smile, and I want to touch you again and feel you burn brighter than the sun while I’m doing it.”

This has to be one of the best books I’ve read in a while. I loved every second of it, could not put it down, my eyes were completely glued to my Kindle which I only reluctantly turned off when I absolutely had to. It consumed my thoughts when I wasn’t reading it and even now, a day after finishing, the characters are all vividly alive and kicking in my imagination. I’m so delighted to have discovered Kate McCarthy – she’s most definitely now a new favourite author and I’m waiting with bated breath, not very patiently, for book three to release in early 2014.

This series is about a whole host of characters. There’s the rock band Jamieson, headed up by singer Evie with Henry, Frog, Cooper & Jake completing the numbers. Mackenzie is their manager and her brothers Travis and Jared have a security and investigations company running with Evie’s brother Coby. Along with a few others, this gang make up our large crowd of incredibly likeable characters that I know you are all going to love when you get to know them. I’m assuming each of them will get their own stories as each book tells a complete story for one of the main characters – there’s no cliffhangers, only fantastic romances with deeply satisfying epilogues.

This time, it’s the turn of Evie’s brother Travis to fall head over heels in love with his forever girl, Quinn. Quinn is the new assistant to Mackenzie and is the product of a troubled childhood and abusive past. Everyone she has ever loved has been taken from her and everyone who should have cared for her and loved her has let her down. Quinn’s confidence has taken a severe battering and she’s pretty low on self-worth and sees no future for herself and certainly doesn’t consider herself good enough for Travis, who comes from a big loving family and a group of close friends who consider themselves family. This is how she tries to leave the first time she meets Travis…..

You should only be so lucky, Mr. whomever you are. “I’m really sorry,” I whispered. “I can’t do this.”

His brow furrowed, confusion clouding his eyes as the towel he held hovered over his chest. “Can’t do what?”

“Life,” I muttered under my breath. “It wasn’t meant for me.”

Travis, true to form as a great Kate McCarthy alpha hero, is not going to let that one slide and goes after her and, as Quinn’s past comes roaring back to into her life and puts her in danger, all of Travis’ protective and possessive nature is triggered and he is determined to make her his despite her dogged determination that she’s just not good enough.

This was just a perfect read for me. There’s something about Kate McCarthy’s writing that works incredibly well for me as a reader. It’s important for me to feel the emotions right along with the characters and she just excels at this. There were so many scenes that played out with high-def clarity in my imagination – I could just see absolutely everything, it felt like a movie playing inside my head. Some of them were so tense, so suspenseful that they played out in super slo-mo in my head and my heart went cold and I could hardly breathe – I was so invested in the characters by this time that I was scared of what might happen to them.

There was one scene when Travis comes across something and he has no idea what might have happened to Quinn and can only fear the worst – he drops into a crouch and holds his head in his hands in desperation. That scene just embedded itself in my memory and the book is full of scenes like this – something about the way that they’re written just allows them to completely come alive, makes the characters so real, as real as if they were standing right in front of me, compels me, enthrals me and helps me to experience every single emotion right along with the characters.


I think the series would appeal to fans of Kristen Ashley’s Rock Chick series – Kate McCarthy definitely has a different writing style to Kristen but both series appeal to me in the same way. So, if you enjoy a great angsty romance, fantastic character development, totally gorgeous alpha heroes that you are just going to love, really feisty kickass heroines and a pulsating, dynamic plot then this series really is for you. Go check it out – your new favourite author is just here waiting to be discovered by YOU!

5 awesome stars!

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[Sabrina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Give Me Strength was my first book by Kate McCarthy and I really loved her ability to keep me entrapped with this story. Quinn and Travis were really great characters and even the secondary characters had me falling in love with them. I liked that they were this big family that was quirky and fun, and reading about them made it feel like they were my best friends.

As much as I liked the story I did have a few issues with the writing just because of my own personal preferences. I'm not a fan of when a scene will stop at the end of the chapter and then the next chapter is sometime after that scene, but the characters will go back to explain what happened in the scene. And that happened quite a few times so it drove me just a little crazy. Well, crazier than normal.

Overall, I would definitely recommend this book and I hope a lot of people will give this series a try.

[Pavlina Read more sleep less blog · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5 STARS


"Some of us have to learn how to save ourselves.."

If you’re looking for a fast paced book with romance, suspense and funny dialogues then this is the book you need!! I’m so glad that there are so many funny and hot characters in this book!!

Give Me Strength introduces us to Quinn..
who suffers from a horrible lost...(he lost her boyfriend and then she was pregnant and her stepfather hit her and she lost her child..and now he continues to follow her as we will see in some parts of the book)

Years later.. Quinn meets Travis in a bar and we get our first introduction to everything that is the sexy Travis looks like...




The attraction between Quinn and Travis is both physically and emotionally...

Quinn thinks she is broken but Travis decides that he is just the person to show her that love can fix the most broken of people. ...



OMG OMG Travis.....mmmmm
He is a badass with a heart. I loved his need to protect Quinn. He is what she needs to come out of the shell she has withdrawn into over the years. His always knew what she needed and how he could help her.


"You're so guarded and wary,Quinn.I can understand why, but maybe space is not what you need."
"What do I need?"
"Me"




Quinn gives battles with her inner demons on a daily basis to overcome her haunting memories that have caused her to shut down... It was breathtaking watching her under Travis's gentle and loving affections


I really like this book!!!
I recommend it to everyone!!

[Wendys Wycked Words · Rating 5 out of 5]

Re-read 5/30/17



Wow...this book was simply amazing. It had everything I look for in a book....romance, suspence, steam, humor and heartbreak. It made me laugh, cry, swoon and blush....



For those of you who have read book 1, you already know Travis. He is Jared's (book 1) brother and part owner of a Security and Investigation business. Their company is responsible for the security of the famous band "Jamieson", though this is just a small portion of what they do. For those of you who haven't read book one...no worries, this one can be read as a stand-alone, though book 1 is quite awesome as well, so I suggest starting with that one ;)



This book opens with a heartbreaking scene from the past. I was literally crying my eyes out in the first couple of pages. Something really traumatic happens to Quinn when she is almost 18 years old.



Fast forward 3,5 years and Quinn is not really living....she is surviving. When going out with her best friend one night, she meets Travis. She is immediately attracted to the man, but she doubts he will look at her twice. Encouraged by her friend, she tries gives it her best shot anyways.... Things don't really go the way she wanted though and she feels like a fool...

“I’m really sorry,” I whispered. “I can’t do this.” His brow furrowed, confusion clouding his eyes as the towel he held hovered over his chest. “Can’t do what?”  “Life,” I muttered under my breath. “It wasn’t meant for me.”


Travis sees something special in this seemingly broken girl,  he chases after her and they end up spending the night together.



The next morning she sneaks out, wanting to avoid the whole "morning after" scene. They didn't even exchange names.

So imagine Quinn's surprise, when she finds out that her new boss'  brother is non other than Travis.

Travis is pretty clear about his attraction for Quinn. Quinn however, has a lot of issue's. Her selfworth being one of them. She wants Travis, but she thinks she can't have him and that he could do so much better than her. Travis being a true alpha man is not taking no for an answer and he won't give up so easily. Slowly he starts working on cracking her shield....

But what will happen when her past comes roaring back with a vengeance....



My heart broke for Quinn and all that she has been through. Travis was absolutely wonderful.... all possessive and protective right from the start.

There are many side-characters in this book, mainly the members of "Jamieson" and the Security bussiness. All of them are important though and they all play a big part, which is why I would suggest also reading book 1, since they all get introduced in that one. I loved each and every one of them...though Casey is and will probably always be my favorite. He thankfully has his own book....book 3, "Give me Grace".



This is definitely one of my favorite mf series and I highly recommend reading it ;)

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 GIVE ME MORE STARS!



Quinn has had a hard life; her past has kept her from seeing her worth. She had a glimpse of it for a moment, but that moment was fleeting. Forced out for a girl’s night with her best friend Lucy, Quinn meets Travis Valentine.


Travis is a down-right-down-under-sexy-beast.

After giving into temptation, Quinn thinks she has escaped the one-night stand, but when she is hired to be an assistant for Jamieson, she has no idea that Travis is Mac’s older brother.
Travis has had a taste of Quinn and he is not going to let her go easily. But when Quinn must face her past, she runs. She’s never had a family and although the Valentine Clan and Jamieson have adopted her into their little group, the idea of relying on someone else is foreign.

But Travis’s whole world is about protecting people – saving them. And now that Quinn has worked her way under his skin, nothing will stop him from making sure she is safe.



Give Me Strength was a fantastic follow up novel by Kate McCarthy. I fell in absolute lust with the bad-ass brigade in Give Me Love and Travis & Quinn’s story could not have been more perfect. The whole gang in this is simply fantastic. The antics of Jamieson and Mac along with the bruiting Valentine men held my attention from the start.

And let me just swoon for a moment over my Casey.

I.CANNOT.WAIT.FOR.GIVE.ME.GRACE.
There is something downright lovable about every single one of the characters in this series, but Casey just gives my heart a little skip.

What I adored about this book was that although this was Travis & Quinn’s story the rest of the group was not left out or just mentioned in passing. When I came across the first book last March I fell in love with the cover and didn't even hesitate to one-click. I was blown away by the freshness of the writing style and the author’s ability to keep a complicated story line together throughout the book. If you love your romance with a bit of action and a whole lot of sexy; this series is a must read.

[Smitten's Book Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mmmm mmm! I do like me a bit of the Aussie badass brigade. This lady is the nuts at writing sexy badass men!

4.5 stars for Travis & Quinn!



This is the second book in the Give Me series. The series follows new, upcoming rock band, Jamieson, crime fighting 'badass brigade' Jamieson and Valentine, their friends, families and the crazy, mind-blogging sagas, baddies, shootings, kidnaps and general madness that comes with them!

In the first book, Give Me Love, we met Jamieson vocalist and front woman, Evie, and the swoonworthy Jared Valentine!

See my review for Give Me Love (Give Me, #1) here: http://smittensbookblog.wordpress.com...

Give Me Strength gives us Travis Valentine, Jared's sexy, long haired older brother, and Quinn Salisbury. Quinn has just landed the job working for Jamieson. She is assitant to Mac, Jamieson's manager and the youngest and only female Valentine.

A chance meeting with Travis in a bar, on the first night out Quinn has had in three years, turns out to be much steamier than she'd ever imagined it would be. When she sneaks out before Travis wakes, she doesn't expect to see him again. Until she realises he is the older brother of her new employer. Insert awkward moment here!
But Quinn has secrets in her past that have left her incapable of giving or receiving love. It's as much as she can do to get through each day without social faux pas, panic attacks and mental break downs, so holding down a relationship is a definite no-no!

"I'm really sorry," I whispered. "I can't do this."
"Can't do what?"
"Life," I muttered under my breath. "It wasn't meant for me."

But Travis isn't so easily swayed. And as he shows that he is determined not to let Quinn go so readily, her past catches up with her, just to complicate things further.
But oooobviously, Travis is part of the 'badass brigade' (Cue A-Team music) so who else better qualified to clear Quinn's little mess up than Travis and his badass buddies and brothers?!

"If you haven't yet noticed, my brothers all have a knight in shining armour complex."
"So what happens when they rescue their fair maiden, Mac? The knight complex doesn't just disappear."
Mac snorted. "You've met Evie, haven't you? She's a full time trouble magnet. Jared chose well." she turned her eyes on me. "I'm starting to think Travis has too."

Ok, so Quinn's mess is anything but little. This book involves kidnappings, shootings, threats, scary criminals, blackmail, deadbeat parents, violence, lies, secrets, death and unfortunately, multiple chairs were harmed in the making of this story. If you like your romance with a double side of action and drama, you're in luck!

"Don't you all get escorted everywhere you go by hot badass guys when shit's going down?"
"Shit's not going fown," Lucy informed him. "Shit is currently contained."

I have to say, I didn't enjoy this book quite as much as I adored Jared and Evie's story. I felt like the edges were a little rougher and some of the scenes were a little rushed and unclear. I don't know why that is, because this is the third book I've read from Kate McCarthy, and in both other instances, her writing has been flawless. I'll chalk it up as a one-off.

However, I still did really enjoy this. My feelings for Quinn went back and forth. Sometimes she annoyed me a bit. Now, Quinn has had a really shitty upbringing and then when she thinks she's getting her life on track, it gets even shittier... so I get that she was defensive and closed off... but her reluctance to get with Travis frustrated me. I think it was because one minute she's falling into bed with him and the next minute she's all like 'Ohhh no, can't possibly be with a man.' Make your mind up, honey! Don't wanna give a man like Travis a bad case of blue balls!!

"I know what Travis was like before you, and i know what he's like since you, and I like the latter." Casey's voice was firm as his eyes held mine. "He smiles like he means it, even after a long shitty day like he's dealing with today." Casey tapped a finger to his temple. "Up here, there's you at the back of all that, making his day not so shit because at the end of it, he gets you."

Travis I liked. Blonde hair pulled back in a ponytail, rippling muscles, crime fighting ninja skills, trained in hostage negotiation... what's not to like, right? He's pretty sweet on Quinn from the get-go, too, which I liked. He sees her, he wants her, he goes after her. No bullshit from his end. Brilliant.

"Every day I get up, tired from not sleeping, and I go to work and do what I do. Late at night I come home and go to bed for another sleepless night, and the whole time there's a weight on my chest that's so fucking heavy it leaves me feeling like I can't breathe. When I've got hold of you, somehow it doesn't feel so heavy anymore."

So when you find out a little plot twist at the end, I was like 'Aaah man. Travis, you goon!!' But, that's when things went from good, to really good...



I couldn't put the book down for the last part. We'd had a couple of incidences before this point, but nothing too epic. Well, there's a turning point when shit suddenly gets real and all hell breaks loose. But of course, you'll have to read the book to find out more about all that.

"Some of us have to learn how to save ourselves."

I didn't feel that the sex scenes were as frequent or as steamy in this book. What there was great, and well written and pretty damn hot. But I'm not looking back on this book thinking 'well that was scorching!' There's a bit of sexy-time, but not tonnes. This book is more about Quinn finding herself, learning to trust, discovering her inner strength (as the title suggests) and all the drama surrounding her.

"When you're shown every day you're not worth being loved, you tend to believe it."

I mentioned it in my previous review, but I have to mention it again... the surrounding cast in this book is absolute genius. There are so many supporting characters and all of them play huge parts in making this series what it is. It could easily get very confusing, with so many names being banded about, but it doesn't. Kate writes it so well that you feel like don't only know each person by name, but their personality also. And feeling that you know them all so well, feeling a fondness for each of them individually, means that reader's will be keen to read each of their own books. Well played, Ms. McCarthy! I applaud you.

"We're your friends now, Quinn. Granted, we might not know you that well yet, but I know enough. We all know enough to see the sweetness in your smile and the shadows in your eyes. If you need courage, Quinn, know that we're standing behind you."

I believe the next book is Give Me Grace is Casey and, you guessed it, Grace's book. Casey is Travis's best friend, fellow badass and Jenson Ackles lookalike. Yes, ladies, there's reason enough to read book #3! And Grace, we get introduced to, very fleetingly, in the epilogue of Give me Strength. So that should be fun and games. I reeeeally want to read Henry's book! Also, what I assume with be Mac and Jake's book. In fact, I want to read them all. That will be one hell of an extended family once we've seen them all settled and married with kids! Imagine the BBQs!

Anyway... I'm rambling now... chatting and about BBQs and such. So I'll leave this there. If you're into Kristen Ashley books, romantic suspense, action/drama kind of books, with men fighting crime and their ladies causing them crime related headaches, you'll love these books!

Have you read it? Comment below and tell us what you thought?



Give Me Strength Statistics
• Steam Rating (out of 5): ♥♥♥
• Ending: Happy ending
• Narrative: Mostly Quinn's POV. A couple of chapter's from Travis's POV. First person. Past tense.
• Series: Yes
• Reading Order:
- Book #1 - Give Me Love (Give Me, #1)
- Book #2 - Give Me Strength (Give Me #2)
- Book #3 - Give Me Grace (Give Me #3) Release date: Early 2014
• Can this be read as a standalone? Yes (recommended to read in order)
• Themes:
Abuse
Crime
Crime fighting men
• WARNING. This book includes...
Sexual content. Violence.
• Writing: Good

Check out this review on my blog ➜ http://www.amazon.com/Give-Me-Strengt...







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[J · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW!
Kate McCarthy is on fire...
Only 2 Books in, and McCarthy's Alpha Males are in the league of  my all time fav, Queen of the Alpha, K.A.
Where others fail to come close, McCarthy stands out and leaves you craving for more.


This is the Second Book in the Give Me Series. Read my review of book #1 Give Me Love HERE 


Four years ago, Quinn, had her small amount of happiness ripped from her. All her life she has lived through pain and ugliness, but that one moment when her light was taken from her, she didn't think she could move on.

 "He broke me. He took every piece of me I had left, and he smashed it apart. Nothing fits properly any more…"

With the help of her best friend, Lucy, Quinn has slowly rebuilt her life. She has just landed a job as an assistant to Jamieson's band Manager, Mac.
With her work life in order, Lucy tries to get her out to the possibility of dating again.
When she heads out for a night of drinking, she locks eyes with Travis Valentine. Surrounded by beautiful women, Quinn thinks she doesn't stand a chance. But Quinn has caught the eye of Travis. And after a really awkward introduction, finds herself going home for a wild night of passion.

When Quinn wakes in the morning, she flees. She believes this beautiful man is too good for her. Her attraction is way too intense. She had never experienced anything like it before.

~ The man pushed every single button I had. Well. I only had the one, be he'd pushed it enough so that when I went off the edge, I didn't just fall. I took a soaring dive of toe curling, throat baring pleasure. ~

But Quinn is in for an all mighty surprise when she realises Travis is the brother to her new boss. Her one night stand just got complicated.

Travis can't believe his eyes when he meets the new assistant manager to Jamieson. He woke up and the beautiful woman that captured his attention, ran. After a few little misunderstandings, Travis wants more. But Quinn doesn't want apart in it. She is too broken. Her past comes out and she tells him she can't be what he needs.

"Whats here," I waved a hand at my face, "doesn't matter because that's not what I see. I see what's in here…" I thumped a hand against my chest, "… and what's in here is ugly, and I live with it every day." 

Travis respects her wishes but keeps close, he helps her through her insecurities, building their friendship.

 "Life is hard Quinn, and the hardest part is being yourself in a world of people trying to make you someone you're not."

Their friendship grows, her self confidence grows as well as their intense attraction. Travis deals with his own darkness and can't pull away from the one thing that makes it right. They both feel the pull. They both feel their needs.

She fights it, but he won't let her anymore. There is no match for a Sexy Bossy Alpha Male.
He has her questioning if it's such a bad thing for them to have each other?
Can they be what each other needs?

Travis reached out and squeezed my hand, and for some reason he may well have just moved heaven and earth. I wasn't whole, I wasn't sure I ever would be, but Travis made me realise that no one ever really was. 

Travis is so hot! OMG like LOVED him hot. He was just the right amount of amazing. Swoon worthy!

"I saw you standing apart from everything that was the same, and that was beautiful, not sad. 

When I was holding you and inside of you, I watched your eyes come alive, and fuck spring because you were hotter than summer."

The sex? WOW soo good. Kate is a master..

BUT this time, for me, it was Travis and his sweetness that got me. I fell in love with him every time he opens his mouth.

"I watched you. From the moment you walked in that bar, I saw you. Amongst all the shallow and the fake, you looked like spring, and then you got close and I was right because you smelled like jasmine. When you turned around to leave I thought I was wrong because why did someone as sweet as spring think that life wasn't meant for her? There was no light in your eyes, and somehow, even though I barely knew you, it left an ache in my chest. How could I let you walk away?" 

The whole gang is back, and I loved every single one of them.
I loved lucy!! seriously her and Mac… THE BEST and everyone else. They are so fun!
The chicks in this series are seriously Sassy, Witty and Hilarious…



When Quinn's past resurfaces, she does the only thing she knows best.. Runs. (well tries to..)
Instead of reaching out for help, Quinn pushes Travis away. But as the events unfold, she finds herself in a mission to shake these crazy/ hilarious people that she now calls family.
But most of all she finds herself questioning everything they had.
Will she find the strength within herself to fight for her future. And can she fight, not only for herself, but what she has with Travis?

"Some of us have to learn how to save ourselves.." 

I freaking loved this!
Kate is a new favourite of mine, she hits it out of the park with this one. I loved the secondary cast, I love her Bad Ass Men and her Sassy Women, I COULD NOT get enough.
Her ability to draw you in alone will have you adding her straight to your will read anything she writes list.
But what did it for me...

The Epilogue..

OH
MY 
GOD..

Love me an epilogue!!  LOVED IT..

McCarthy's writing is intense, suspenseful, sexy and so much fun. It ticks every box and I can't wait to get my hands on more. MORE I tell you.
Casey….. Holy sex on a stick… I Want him right now! Travis was a bag full of surprises with his sexy Alpha ways, but Casey… OH god Casey, is gonna be good… (Fans myself) You will want to get on board this sexy train ladies.

Favorite Quotes

~ "Perfect is for people who don't know how to be real, and I don't want any of that. I want you."~

~ "Here you will find the Australian Man. A generally good looking human specimen drinking in his habitual environment, socialising, laughing and talking, waiting patiently for his moment when the female breaks rank from the heard" ~

~ "You need someone like him to clear the cobwebs." ~

~ "I look like a liquorice all sort," I announced, looking myself up and down critically. 

"Rubbish," she snapped.

"Well, maybe a little, but who doesn't love lollies?" ~

~ You could call it Badassnatural because that guy is so fucking cool he was born an ice cube." ~

★ 5 Stars ★

Buy it
Read it
Love it

[Hollie]

December?! Noooooooooo! Entirely too long.

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

"He broke me. He took every piece of me I had left, and he smashed it apart. Nothing fits properly any more. I was too damaged for someone like Travis--broken, missing pieces that would never be found, and put back together in a way that never quite fit properly."

I came across this quote and it totally reminded me of my first impression of Quinn. I think it describes her perfectly...

"I'm beautifully broken, perfectly imperfect, beautiful in my flaws. All together, I am a beautiful disaster."~Author Unknown

Every day seemed to become a new torment for Quinn, her past the proverbial monster under the bed. The history of this character has left her so shattered that she battles her inner demons on a daily basis to overcome her struggles of reservation and wariness, feelings of unworthiness, anxiety, fear, and haunting memories that have caused her to shut down. It was simply breathtaking watching her flourish under Travis's gentle and loving but firm affections and personality. The heroine is beyond broken, her earlier years full of violence and tragedy. The anguish Quinn has survived would be unimaginable to most people. Simply put, Quinn is not just a survivor she is an inspiration. I'll admit, I am biased when it comes to Quinn, as a beta reader, I had a front row seat that allowed me the opportunity to connect on personal basis with this character. I loved being able to observe her changes as she blossomed and developed with depth and maturity.

"Courage is fighting fear head on, baby. As long as you have that, you'll get through."

This quote is a favorite of mine. I think it is the true definition of Give Me Strength. While GMS was packed with action and suspense, the underlying tone of the story lies more towards the faith, courage, and strength Quinn had to find within herself and others. Her story isn't always an easy one, it is sometimes heart wrenching and brutal. However, the heroine rises above her past to shine through all that. Her journey towards self-discovery is inspiring.

"Travis was light and safety, beauty and passion, laughter and love...and hope. Travis was everything."

Travis came out of nowhere; I swear I had no real desire to get to know him. His character in Give Me Love was fun, but he didn't really hold my interest. Well, I guess Travis showed me because that man grabbed on to my heart and refused to let go, even a little bit. I quickly fell head over heels for this alpha male, with a heart of gold and patience to match. I adored the fact that while he was slow to open up, he was the type of man to assist those he deemed weaker than himself, even if it was at his own expense. Travis wasn't just sexy and naughty with a bit of an edge, his character held a depth I haven't seen in a long time. I loved that he stayed to true to who he was. The hero didn't need to be an arrogant controlling ass to get his point across (not that I don't mind those types occasionally), without any room to doubt his actions he proved to Quinn how important and special she was to him...repeatedly. In his eyes, she wasn't unworthy or damaged. She was anything but. Travis is a perfect balance for Quinn, since she is so skittish and wary, anything more forceful and dominate would have been over the top.

"I don't know who I am, Travis. I don't think I've ever known."
"I know who you are."
"Please tell me."
"You're a survivor, and on the inside that makes you more beautiful than you could possibly imagine. Do you think I want perfect? No one is ever that. Perfect is for people who don't know how to be real."

Travis is Quinn's first foray after years of closing herself off to the world. I was intrigued and captivated by their emotional and physical chemistry, even though it was more of a quiet chemistry compared to Evie and Jared's, it still packed a punch. It still held an edge of intensity. Travis has a way with words that reached out and wrapped Quinn up in a warm protective blanket. He never allowed her to falter or feel alone. I loved this about him, his protective nature gave her the freedom to find her own footing. Travis wasn't just Quinn's light at the end of the tunnel she was also his. Quinn gave Travis that something special he was missing in his life, his reason to wake up in the morning, someone to treasure and love. Their love provided them a protective shield, allowing Travis and Quinn the needed peace and security to get through anything thrown at them. Their relationship has become one of my favorites.

One of my favorite things about a series is the reoccurring characters and the roles they play. I know without a doubt that when I sit down and open a book in the Give Me series, I will always have fun with this bunch. Therefore, when I am given tid bits into their lives, I totally eat it up; these juicy teasers make me yearn for their journey, their happily ever after. Which brings me to Mac and Jake...um, can I just say the sparks between these two flew off the pages. Whatever in the world is going on between them seems to be heating up to a boil; it's only a matter of time before that kettle blows! There is no denying their interactions are scene-stealers. Mac and Jake always seem to find a way to snag my sole attention when they are in a room together (UNLESS Casey is in it). I'm not sure if my anticipation will hold out for another two books or so, especially if Kate keeps building up the tension and chemistry between them.

I also found myself growing more fond of Henry. It seemed as though readers were granted a deeper look into his character this time around. I am placing a bet that he is going to be one tough cookie to crack. That man may seem light and lovable, however, I think looks can be deceiving and he is going to take us all by surprise, revealing some dark secrets that he keeps close to his chest.

I swear each time I get a sneak peek into the mystery of Casey my heart shatters. All I want to do is hug him (well OK that isn't all I want to do, but still...). Underneath his boy next-door personality and sexy as hell exterior lies a dangerous man full of layers and secrets that leaves the reader yearning to be the one who unravels them. He never fails to make my insides melt and my heart skip a beat. I promise Casey will leave you just as captivated, breathless, and begging for more, as he did me.

"No, Travis. You don't get it. What it's like for people like us to have trust shattered like that."

As much as I LOVED Travis, I am a true Casey girl. I'd be lying if I didn't admit to not so patiently waiting for his book to release, is it January yet? In the meantime, I will just enjoy Travis...all over again.

I think it is safe to say, that I am a definite fan of one Kate McCarthy. It seems as though she has always had a place on my must-reads shelf, and it is hard to believe, Give Me Strength is her second book published to date. I absolutely adore this series, and I see growth in her writing with each book she publishes. The Give Me series is an engaging and well-developed series that provides us with action packed twists and turns, captivating romances, and entertaining quirky characters.

Thank you, Kate McCarthy, for the opportunity to beta and review an ARC of Give Me Strength in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever read a book that you loved so much you were sad when it was over because you couldn't be a part of their life anymore? This was one of those books for me! This book grabbed a hold of me and still hasn't let go! I loved so much about this book that I can't even give it justice because I could write about this book for pages!

This is a follow up to Give Me Love and can be a stand-alone, but you get more of the story about the band and the friends by reading it first. It's also amazing, so worth it to read before hand!

In this book, the band, Jamieson is really riding up the charts and starting to become a big deal. This in turn leaves everyone crazy busy and Mac, the manager hires an assistant. Enter in Quinn Salisbury. Quinn is broken, alone, and has started out life in a rough way which has left her scared and afraid. Her best friend drags her to a bar and she ends up having a hot and steamy night with one Travis Valentine. She later learns on her first day of work, that he also happens to be her new boss' brother! Awkward....or convenient?

Travis is smitten with Quinn and discovers early that she gives him peace after dealing with all the rough things he sees at work. Quinn, despite her instant attraction and desire for Travis, has baggage and feels it's unfair to commit. Her heart and Travis have other plans and she discovers she has a new family composed of all that is Jamieson and the Valentines. Unfortunately, her past had a way of catching up to her and she finds herself in danger. Travis is committed to keeping her safe and Casey, his roommate and BFF backs him up. We get up close and personal with Casey in this story which sets up what is to come in book #3 Give Me Grace expected out in January.

I loved this book even more than I loved the first one, and I had mad love for the first one. Although this book wasn't as funny as the first (except the shenanigans that go on in the duplex), this was a great story. It had better flow than the first book and there was non-stop action and so many sweet moments that it just made my heart smile. I love the females in Kate's books. They are all overcoming something and are so strong that you can't help to admire them. They stand up for themselves, don't take crap from anyone and they move forward and love each other. The love story was so warm and tender, but yet extremely hot and steamy. I loved watching Quinn become herself in this book and loved seeing her believe in life again. What a remarkable story!

I'd give this book more than 5 stars if I could! Loved, loved, loved this story!

My favorite quotes from this story:
"I watched you. From the moment you walked in that bar, I saw you. Amongst all the shallow and the fake, you looked like spring, and then you got close and I was right because you smelled like jasmine. When you turned around to leave I thought I was wrong because why did someone as sweet as spring think that life wasn't meant for her? There was no light in your eyes, and somehow, even though I barely knew you, it left an ache in my chest. How could I let you walk away?"- Travis

"I'm keeping you, you know that, right?"- Travis

"Perfect is for people who don't know how to be real, and I don't want any of that. I want you."- Travis

[[~Ami~]♥Sexy Dexy♥ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love love loved!!! Now, we follow Travis and Quinn's story where they had a one night stand and yes... of course their paths cross again.

I loved everything. From Mac's hilarious dialogues...

Mac: alright Quinn. Show me your boobs

...to Jared's weird food obsession, even Henry and Frog's flirty banter. The group dynamic was fun and I was chuckling away.





But Travis *sigh* there just wasn't enough of him.

you're my dessert, sweetheart

Have I given you enough space yet?

I am excited to get to Grace and Casey's book. But hey, when do we get our Mac book!!!?

The only downside was I felt like I was missing a few scenes and of course more sexy time would have been the icing on the cake.

A perfect combination of action, twists, great banter, amazing characters and a lovely romance. X

[Deanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Re-read July 26, 2017

Originally Read September 2014

WOW WOW WOW! 5++++++++ STARS!

Another great book by Kate McCarthy! Same as before, if you're a huge KA Rock Chick's fan like me, I highly suggest picking up this series! This packed all the same intensity, witty humor and badass hot alpha males but just seemed to have that extra spark that has made this one my favorites. Keep releasing these books as fast as you can, Ms. McCarthy - no complaining here! :)

[Fab Fun & Tantalizing Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you've seen my review of Give Me Love (check it out here), if you could call it that, then you know I have a hard on for McCarthy's writing, the Aussie-isms, and every single one of her characters.

Nothing has changed since then. If anything my fangirl squealing has reached some kind of epic proportion. Be scared, be very very scared...it's not a pretty sight (or sound)! :D



Going into Give Me Strength, I knew I was going to love it, but I was unsure if Quinn and Travis could do for me what Evie and Jared did. Give me a total lady boner from start to finish. I needn't have worried.

"...When I was holding you and inside of you, I watched your eyes come alive, and fuck spring because you were hotter than summer..."

While Quinn the 'Badass Biscuit Bitch' is on the opposite end of the spectrum from Badass Babe Evie, much more quiet in voice and demeanor, less attention grabbing, I still loved her. A lot. I 'got' her. She didn't take on the victim mentality, but that's not because she didn't qualify for it.

The sucky reality was I'd been dealt a shitty hand in life, but the way I saw it I could choose to either fold my hands or raise the stakes and play on. I chose the latter, and because I didn't do anything half measure, I played hard.

Quinn had been through it all. She had a mother that never was one at all. She had an abusive step-douche. She was abused and neglected her whole childhood. Her first chance at a new life died when he passed away. And then she lost the only thing that kept her going in the cruelest most violent way.

"He broke me. He took every piece of me I had left, and he smashed it apart. Nothing fits properly anymore..."

She eventually found herself a career, and an awesomely hilarious and loyal bestie - Lucy. What's not to love about Lucy? But, Quinn still holds her cards close to her chest and doesn't want to need rescuing. Unfortunately for her, she has a bunch of baddies after her and chair throwing skills may not save her this time.

"I can't do this."
His brow furrowed, confusion clouding his eyes as the towel he held hovered over his chest. "Can't do what?"
"Life," I muttered under my breath. "It wasn't meant for me."

When her and Travis (aka holy fuck me gorgeous guy) meet, sparks go flying. She's like a ray of Sunshine to him. Drinks get thrown, wet tshirt competitions ensue (ok ok not really) but Quinn does not handle social. I loved that about her. She's shy, broken, and her walls are high and tight. She's always been alone and comprehending she didn't have to carry that batton alone anymore in the relay race of life was almost impossible.

"Some of us have to learn how to save ourselves," I whispered, blinking the tears away.
"How do you do that?"
"All I know is that you have to find strength somewhere inside of you and hold onto it, but I'm still figuring out where mine is."

No girl would be able to, or want to, escape if one of the Valentine cowboys had their eyes set on them. Quinn didn't stand a chance against Travis. Thank god they survived their cab ride through Sydney - crazy ass cabbies - as Quinn would say - Seatbelts really do save lives. Oh baby! They got it on *bow chicka wow wow* I was hooked.



When she did the morning after runner I was giggling. When she went to work the next day I was chuckling, and when he had to drop paperwork off I was hysterical. When her runaway was foiled I couldn't breathe through my laughter. It wouldn't have been real life, I mean, a book, whatever, it wouldn't have been right if there wasn't a few misunderstandings, constant interruptions or huge reveals throughout. These just made it that much more sweeter when the guy gets the girl in the end.

"...Quinn is mine, Travis, and I won't have your attitude crapping all over everything that's bright and shiny and have you scaring her away." ~ Mac

Being back with the gang was I like I never left. I went to gigs, was stalked, got shot at, ended up in hospital, got kidnapped, baked biscuits, and got to hang with my new besties. Have I told you how much I love Mac, Evie, Jared, Casey, Tim and the gang? I DO!

"But Casey is so fucking all that, he could have a show all on his own and screw calling it Supernatural, you could call it Badassnatural because that guy is so fucking cool he was born an ice cube." ~ Tim

There were secrets that blew my tiny mind, had me some sexy times (I wanted a Travis and Casey sandwich! I'll totally hand over that remote...read this book. You'll want one too!). There was twists and turns and surprises that leapt out of left field. Dude, two words for this book ...ACTION.PACKED! Emotionally. Psychologically and Physically.

He frowned so I nodded again.
He shook his head.
Did he not understand? I pursed my lips. Wasn't the head nod the universal language of all men?

And of course I fell in love. Again. Not just with Travis, but with Quinn as well.

"I don't know who I am, Travis." I turned back to face the person in the mirror. "I don't think I've ever known."
"I know who you are," he said hoarsely.
"Please tell me."
"You're a survivor, and on the inside that makes you more beautiful than you could possibly imagine..."

McCarthy has a thing for Wolverine and I heart the fuck out of that. She loves shopping, and either has it or knows someone that has spatial awareness affliction. LOL! She has a way with words that has you connecting with the characters and 'getting' them. Who they really are under their skin and why they tick the way they do.

"...when you're shown every day you're not worth being loved, you tend to believe it."

I adored that this book ran alongside of Give Me Love and we saw situations we knew from another pov. I love-love-loved the pov switch up at around 80% that took us into Travis's head.

When I first saw her sitting in the bar, I wanted her. When I first kissed her, I knew her taste would never be enough, and the moment I realised I was sleeping more, smoking less, and laughing hard, I fell in love and fought to keep her.

By the end Quinn had found her voice and her man. She screamed 'I am here and I am worth it!' but in a completely different way than the rest of the gang does it.

"You have me everything that helped me find myself. Your support gave me confidence, your determination made me fight, and your strength helped me find my own."

These books really pack a punch, and have it all. Laugh out loud moments that make putting it down impossible, mystery that had me on the edge of my seat, sexy times that had me texting my hubbyman, and loyalty that begged me to invite them over for a beer. I can not wait to see what McCarthy serves up for us next.

More Casey? Oh baby, yes please!
Mac/Jake? Hell yes, I need deets!

Whatever McCarthy writes, I will read. Bravo...

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75 Stars

I didn’t think it was possible, but I loved Give Me Strength even more than Give Me Love, which is one of my favorite books of 2013! I had really hoped that the second book would be about Mac, Evie’s best friend, and band manager of Jamieson. When I found out it was about Travis, Mac’s brother, I was a little bummed out. I really wasn’t sure where it would go or if I’d have any connection to him because he wasn’t prominently featured in book 1. Boy was I wrong in so many ways! The sex was steamier, the suspense was much more intense, and the story very well developed. I really felt that the author had gained a lot of confidence since her debut and it showed in this book.

Where book 1 only included the members of the band Jamieson and their family members, Give Me Strength introduces us to an “outsider” named Quinn. Her back story is heartbreaking and she has suffered terrible tragedy in her life. She lives a solitary lifestyle, only allowing her neighbor and best friend Lucy in. Lucy convinces her to go out one night where she proceeds to have a one-night stand with the “hottest guy in the bar”. Yep, she didn’t even know his name. The next day she is hired as the assistant to Mac, unbeknownst to her that the hot hook up (aka Travis) is Mac’s brother. You can imagine what happens when they run into each other a second time. I really liked the way they introduced her character into the book and into the “family”. It felt very authentic.

So what can I say about Travis?! He is a true Alpha Male. I absolutely fell in love with him – total book boyfriend material! The sexual tension between Travis and Quinn was insane and I kept groaning every time they would get interrupted by their friends and family, which happened way too often for my liking But when they finally did get time alone…so good! I prefer my book boyfriends to be over protective and Travis totally fit the bill.

What sets this book apart from other Contemporary Romances, is that the author adds a suspense filled story line to each book. This one was great! It was much more intense and violent. This story deals with Quinn’s abusive step-father, David, who owes money to the mafia. When David is sent to prison, you can guess who they pursue to collect their money.

If you’re looking for a book with romance, sex, suspense, violence, tight friendships, and laugh out loud dialogue then this is the series for you. I’m so glad that there are so many awesome, funny, hot characters in the series because it means a lot more books to be written! The ending was perfect and we were introduced to Grace, who I have a feeling will play a prominent role in book 3, Give Me Grace (wink wink). Ms McCarthy will continue to torture me while I wait for Mac’s book, but I’m going to stick it out and eventually she’ll tell her story

Read my review of Give Me Love -> http://www.readlovelust.com/2013/05/b...

An ARC was kindly provided by the Author for an honest review.

Review posted at Love Between the Sheets

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[Jennifer☠Pher☠ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5★'s - Alright. Where to start. First, I want to read Give Me Love again. When I finish I want to change my rating and actually WRITE A REVIEW! I have no idea how or why I never did because once I finished this book it all came back to me in such a wave of love I can’t believe I didn’t take the time to gush about it. Since I never take the time for re-reads I will just have to gush here and make sure you know, I loved the first book and I LOVED THIS ONE TOO! This series has everything I want in my romance books. EVERYTHING! The series has a serious Rock Chick vibe that I will not complain about AT ALL! How could I and why would I? Romance, suspense, hot hot hot heat, amazing friends and family and freaking laugh out loud moments. Perfection. I loved Travis and Quinn. I loved how they “met”, I loved how they met again and I loved watching their story unfold. It was done in a very believable manor. The connection between the two was so strong. Travis handled Quinn beautifully. Watching and knowing and learning Quinn. This installment had a pretty serious storyline but it never dragged it down. It was written in such a way that you knew the stuff was really bad but the love that was taking place in the moment made you feel like you could get through it, that they would get through it. My heart really hurt for both of them. Both facing the same sorts of demons just not in the same way. I loved that Travis needed Quinn just as much as she needed him. They were on equal footing. There was a twist at about 75% that threw me for a loop and made me want to scream out loud. Thank God it was resolved quickly and wasn’t nearly as bad as I thought it would be. I loved, loved, loved the epilogue! Moving forward a bit, seeing where we are going and knowing that we get Casey’s story next was just more perfection. The secondary characters are not in any way secondary in these books. You feel like you get little sneak peeks at each of them and it just makes you want more. I can’t wait for every single one of the characters to get a book. Really, I can’t wait. I wish the series was finished so I could read them one after another because I would. I would devour them. If you aren’t reading these books you should be. Loved it!

[Aroha Wezner · Rating 5 out of 5]

If Give Me Love put the idea in my head of running away to search for and join the Badass Brigade and Jamieson crew, then Give Me Strength made me pack my bags. God help my husband and son when Give Me Grace comes out, I might just actually get tipped over the edge and do it! If only I was 15 years younger, and you know, they actually existed down there in Bondi/Coogee somewhere.

Kate has delivered another must-read story that I literally could not put down. I read it in a day! I laughed, I cried, I rolled my eyes and I might have drooled on my iPad a bit. Your favourite characters from GML are back and joined by the complicated but totally likeable (even when you wanted to slap her) Quinn. Finding true love, and fitting into a massive instant family would be difficult for the most normal of people, but Quinn's upbringing and background are anything but normal. You HAVE to read GMS and follow Quinn as she learns to love Travis *and* herself.

[jodie louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read count: 2

Loved this just as much the second time round as I did the first! I could easily read it again and know I would enjoy it just as much. Quinn and Travis are such lovable characters along with they rest of the crew they seem to jump off the page with life making them a joy to read. The plot is fast paced and exciting with twists and turns that'll keep you hooked the entire time, even though this was a reread I struggled to put it down even though I already knew what was coming I was once again hooked. This book is perfect for fans of romantic suspense, the plot and the characters make this book one hell of a ride that you just won't want to get off. Oh and Travis is sexy as hell so if nothing else he'll keep you coming back for more!

[B.J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seriously. Hot guys, check. Hot, alpha guys? Double check. Hot alpha guy with a heart, triple check. Troubled heroine with heart of gold, yes again. You need to read this book if you like an awesome, hot as hell Alpha bought to his knees by the unassuming woman who doesn't know how good and beautiful she truly is, inside and out. Add to that some awesome action scenes and suspense, and Kate McCarthy has written a winner.

[Jola · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nie wiem, kogo uwielbiam bardziej. Jareda czy Travisa? :P
Coś czuję, że Casey zmiecie mnie z powierzchni Ziemi :D

[✰ BJ's Book Blog ✰Janeane ✰ · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Give Me Strength is book #2 in the "Give Me" series by Kate McCarthy, and follows on from Give Me Love.

This series plays out around the band Jamieson and their family and friends.

The friends - a bunch of hot as hell alphas who know what they want, and don't give up until they get it.

Give Me Strength is the story of Travis and Quinn. We met both characters briefly in Give Me Love - though Quinn is really just a character passing through, and Travis didn't really grab me.

Quinn has had a horrible childhood, and this has caused her to shut her heart down to relationships for the past 4 years. After years of being unwanted, she has emotinally shut down. Her best friend Lucy begs her to hit the nightclubs with her one night, and get out of her man-drought.

And does she.

She eyes Travis across the club, and after being instantly attracted she decides to go for it, only to embarrass herself in front of the hottest man she has ever seen. He could have any woman he wants - why would he want her? But he does.

The attraction between Quinn and Travis - both phyically and emotionally - is palpable. There is a quiet intensity between them that is like a punch to the chest.

Travis is a badass with a heart. I loved his need to protect Quinn. He is what she needs to come out of the shell she has withdrawn into over the years. His trust enveloped her, allowing her to become the best woman she could. He never allowed her to pull away, he always knew what she needed and how he could help.

I loved that all the characters are recurring throughout the series, and we get to know a bit more about each of them each book.

What I want to know is, where can I find my own badass brigade? Seriously, I would never leave home if I had them living with/next door to me!!

I loved the bickering between Mac and Jake. They are so into each other, but denying it so much! I hope we don't have to wait too many books to get a resolution to their story, I don't think I could bare it.

Love Evie and Jared - though I have to agree with the girls in the book, there is nothing at all appealing about his health food diet! I would have to sneak out for chocolate and hamburgers lol

Henry, Henry, Henry.... the more I read about Henry the move I love him. He seems to be all flirtatious and fun, but I am betting that still waters run deep with him. There is going to be more to his story than we think.

Then there is Casey - swoons!! He drops in and out of the storyline, but he always makes an impact when he does drop in! Always with a smart remark or quick to take up the battle, I think Casey is my favourite of the boys, and am very much looking forward to digging deeper into his story.

It is nice to read stories set in Sydney, I spent so much time when I was growing up in the areas written about in the Give Me series. And it does make me laugh, as it seems that my home town of Penrith seems to be a hotspot for mobsters and hostage situations!

If you like hot alphas, fiesty females, a bit of suspense and laughter, Give Me Love is a must read. It is hard to believe that this is only Kate McCarthy's second book, she writes with a maturity well beyond that level.

Can't wait to read more of this series.

[Blushing Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Star Rating: 4 out of 5

Heat Rating: HOT



*This is a second book in a series and I HIGHLY recommend reading Give Me Love (book #1) first*


Give Me Strength is a fast paced book that has rock stars, sexy alpha men, quirky best friends, and just enough suspense to keep you turning pages. I really enjoyed Travis and Quinn's story and getting to spend more time with the cast of characters that Kate McCarthy has created for this series. I can't wait to read each of their stories (especially Mac!).

Buckle your seat belt for this ride, their is a lot of stuff going and it all happens quick (don't blink or you might miss a turn)! Give Me Strength packs a LOT of story in its pages. Kate McCarthy does a wonderful job taking a cast of characters and giving the reader glimpses into all of them while focusing on just two at the same time. With some books having that many characters is overwhelming and spoils the story but with the Give Me series the characters, witty dialogue and layered story lines all fit seamlessly, the books are stronger because of this lovable band of characters.

Give Me Strength introduces us to Quinn, who has a frail but quiet strength that everyone gravitates towards and wants to protect. Quinn thinks she is broken but Travis decides that he is just the person to show her that love can fix the most broken of people. Give Me Strength jumps in right before Give Me Love ends, which makes it interesting to see what was happening from a different point of view. I loved that we get to hang out and discover more about each of the characters from the loft and the duplex but I feel like Travis didn't really get his time to shine. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed his character and I LOVED that even though he was an alpha badass, he didn't push too hard or pull away from Quinn. I just wanted to get to know him more (the Valentine men are a fascinating breed).

Kate McCarthy does a beautiful job telling stories that are funny, snarky, witty, emotional, quirky, sexy and that have a interesting suspenseful touch to keep it going (an added bonus is all the fun Aussie slang, which I never get bored of). I am a fan and will keep reading this series until I have fallen in love with everyone of the characters in this series (please tell me they will each get their own story?). If you read Give Me Love I think you will REALLY enjoy Give Me Strength, you still have the suspense and action but a lot less angsty back and forth drama. If you haven't read any of this series I recommend that you get to know the band Jamieson, their friends and the hot Valentine brothers! A definite 1-click series!

[CeCe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can I give more than 5 STARS because I loved. LOVED every word. This book is a 5 star romantic suspense. I did not think that I could love the secondary characters more than I loved them in Give Me Love, but I did and I am usually annoyed with secondary characters. Every single character (except of course for the bad guys) I loved. Everyone should have a group of friends like Mac, Evie, Henry, Cooper, Tim, Casey, Jared, the list goes on.

You need to read Give Me Love, the first book in the series before you read Give Me Strength. All the main characters from Give Me Love are in this book, but we are introduced to a new character Quinn. I loved Quinn. Her heart is so big and I loved that the group just accepted and saw her heart from the start like the reader does. This Travis story, Mac’s and Jared’s brother. Travis was pretty quiet in Give Me Love, but we learn a lot about him in this book. Travis works in the consulting firm with Jared and Casey. Anyway, Quinn, grew up with a lot of neglect and abuse from her mother and step-father. The step-father, David, is coming back for revenge after Quinn had him put in jail 4 years ago. The men in this book, including Travis, are very protective of their friends and the people they love. You are more than just a friend when you join the Jamieson group, you are family.


Quinn and Travis meet at a bar. Oh I do love when the couples meet at a bar. It was hot. This couple was hot. Just the kissing alone *fanning myself* was hot.

Quinn with her terrible past and upbringing felt that she was dark inside and not deserving of the beautiful, Travis. So when danger comes and threatens her new friends and him, she feels the only thing she can do to protect them is to run.

"It's never felt like this, Quinn," he gasped, his movements becoming more forceful. "Not even close."

The way Quinn felt about herself, broke my heart. She always put others before herself. She was a great heroine and perfect love for Travis.

"You're a survivor, and on the inside that makes you more beautiful than you could possibly imagine."

Bottom line, I loved this book. I loved the characters, loved the suspense, loved the romance, loved it all. I recommend!!!

Side note: I hope that Henry gets his story.
A copy was provided in exchange for an honest review. Thank you.

[Jenna Calmers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy Hell, that was fun!!!!!

So freaking good!!!

So, this was the second book in this series, the first was about lead singer Evie and her best friend/band manager Mac's brother, Jared. This one was about Mac and Jared's brother Travis and the bands new assistant manager Quinn.

I don't even know where to start. I reread the first one before I read this one to refresh my memory and it was so freaking good even the second time around. This one was amazetits. I love all the characters and I'm so excited because it means many, many more books to come. I hope. Fingers crossed. OK, fingers and toes. Sorry, no more drinking while I blog, promise. I retract the promise part of that statement.

Anyway, I digress.

Quinn had a shitty upbringing and her past is about to rear it's ugly friggin' head. But, before that happens, she's going to meet Travis, have a one night stand with him, ditch him, and then find out he's her new boss's brother all in a 24 hour time period.

This, much like the first one, had everything. It was hilarious, hot, suspenseful... And more, since we are already acquainted with the characters, and love them. And the way Kate weaves this story into the time frame of the last story... The epilogues for both books take place on the same day. Freaking genius.

Ok, I'll probably improve on this when I have less wine in my system, but for now, just know that work was neglected because this book was so good. That's really all you need to know. Read it.


Copied from my blog: http://jennacalmersonbooks.blogspot.com/

[Brittney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't think it was possible. I really didn't. Some how, Kate has revealed a second book that topped the first. And since I was utterly in love wit the first this amazes me.
Kate has a wicked way with the steamy sex scenes. She is so detailed in the important ways without them being cheesy or stupid. But still leave enough to the imagination.
Her characters, wow. Travis I barely glimpsed at in book one. I feel I didn't get to dig into Travis enough honestly. I wanted to see more of what made him tick. I love seeing lots through the MC males eyes too. Quinn, well my heart goes out to her in beginning and smiles at the end.
The beginning, with in the first chapter I was sucked in so thoroughly it was all I could think of. Cooking dinner, soccer practice, at the gym, I kept thinking of this book. It is just that awesome to me. And I have to say I'm smitten with Kate's epilogue's. She has the perfect ways of wrapping them up but leading them on. The combo of action, love, laughter and tears in this book make it a worthwhile story that was worth every penny and more!

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Kate McCarthy and her Series Give Me!! Give me Strength was Great and I laughed and even Teared up a couple times!! Love all the Characters in this Series!! I think this book Is better than the first " GIve me Love" and I LOVED that book!! So very Impatient to Read "Give me Grace"!!! Hurry Please!!

[Raj · Rating 1 out of 5]

1 star

It started okay, but around 20 or 30% of the story, I kind of got bored. There were a few scenes that I liked but it wasn't satisfying enough that I found myself skipping pages.

The novel's long, it wasn't entertaining for me to stick to each and every word.

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved it...Kate McCarthy is a great Aussie author!!!
Was very reluctant to put the book down...I was hooked from the beginning

Bring on Casey!!

[Rachael · Rating 5 out of 5]

FOR-EV-ER! is how long its felt for "Give me Strength" to be released and now that I've finished reading it I'm a little depressed. The waiting game for the next book begins....now!

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the sequel to Give Me Love. It is recommended that you read Give Me Love before this book.

Everytime I found something special, it was snatched away.

Quinn Salisbury didn't do anything wrong. She just suffered through a difficult childhood and abusive step-father and eventually got a little bit of justice herself...at least for awhile. Her best friend Lucy is determined to get her out and make her live a little. And she has one wild night with a stranger that rocks both of their worlds.

Little did she know that her new job and her one night stand had a connecting factor. Soon Travis is right smack dab in the middle of her life. Quinn is now the new assistant for Mac and the band Jamieson,so all of our old friends from Give Me Love are back : the room mates, the band and the "Bad ass brigade." And since Mac's brothers, including Travis and their security company are all tied in with the band, they are always around. But she fits right in, knows her stuff, and is enjoying her new role and friends.

Travis...Oh my...He is all kinds of bad ass alpha, hot and sexy. He made me shiver when he opened his mouth. His passion, his protectiveness, his magnetism, and that bit of vulnerability when dealing with Quinn did me in. sigh. Seeing the deep emotions under the tough exterior just made him more appealing to me.

Quinn--the most precious gem to ever enter my life. That she'd been hurt and so severely damaged she'd lost the strength to live and hope, just about broke my f***ing heart. She was sweet and endearing, made me laugh and left me in tears.

Quinn is sassy, strong, but also broken and felt unworthy. She wants to protect those around her and not cause trouble for anyone. But she is cute, sweet, caring, and quickly became part of the group despite her reservations. She is so insecure and scared that she falls back on her coping mechanisms of avoidance and running at times. Their chemistry was smoking. Oh my! I wanted to yell, "Sure, go run away Quinn...I'll take Travis." I really loved them together though, even though they did have issues.

He is making me want things I knew I couldn't have. I was too damaged for someone like Travis--broken, missing pieces that would never be found, and put back together in a way that never quite fit properly.

Just as Quinn's life is taking a turn for the better with a new job, a new group of friends, and a new guy she could be interested in, she is threatened again. A chain of events spirals out of control bringing endangering Quinn and dragging them all into a dangerous mess. But even though she has new people to support her and rely on, sometimes that is not enough.

"But I can only fight for you for so long before you have to start fighting for yourself, and for us, and it hurts that you won't even try. I know I said I'd be strong for you, and I always will be whether you want me to or not, but you have to be strong too because I need you just as much."~Travis

"You gave me everything that helped me find myself. Your support gave me confidence, your determination made me fight, and your strength helped me find my own."~Quinn

Even though I love the romance and passion of the main couples in this book series, part of the fun is all of interactions of the other characters. It really is about the whole group: Mac, Evie, Henry, Jake, Frog, Cooper and the security team Jared, Travis, Casey, Mitch, and Coby. They are all one big crazy family that stand together, don't take crap from others, and will kick each other's asses if needed(or at least hold them down.) And they pulled Quinn right into their fold. The heroes are tough talking alphas with soft sides, and the heroines are feisty, brave, impulsive, and trouble when left to their own devices. And the things that come out of their mouths, make me laugh out loud. I loved seeing the progression of Jared and Evie's story from book one as well.

"If something upsets one of us, it upsets all of us. That's how we roll."~Henry

There is action, suspense, danger, passion and love. It kept me enthralled from page one and never let up til the end. There were surprises, twists, and turns. I was grasping my kindle, holding my breath, and hoping for the best the whole time. And it all comes down to a pulse pounding race against the clock. Travis totally stole my heart, but some of it is also still filled Casey and I am looking forward to more with him.

Kate writes in an engaging fast paced style that is humorous, fun and almost frenzied at times. The characters' interactions are so quick witted and hilarious and you fall into a frantic rhythm with them. It keeps you totally interested and I swear I am getting better at the "Aussie-isms." I really just want to move into the Duplex and hang out with this crazy crew. I love every one of them. They all have unique, strong personalities and their love for each other shines through. This has become one of my favorite book series because it has it all...rock stars, commandos, emotion, romance, humor, and suspense.

I cannot wait for Casey's book Give Me Grace. Casey has been one of my personal faves since the beginning and I am already intrigued by their story.

"But Casey is so f***ing all that, he could have a show all his own and screw calling it Supernatural, you could call it Badassnatural because that guy is so f***ing cool he was born an ice cube."~Tim

Thanks to Kate McCarthy for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Will be posted at Reviews by Tammy and Kim.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been curious as to how this author was going to be able to write a follow up book that matches the first one, which I absolutely loved, yet is different in its own right. But, Kate has once again been able to give us the perfect blend of romance, suspense, action and a swoon worthy hero.

If you’ve read the first book, you will know that this series is not all romance. Yes, there is romance and sex and steam, but there is also always something more to make Kate’s books stand out. In this story, we meet Quinn Salisbury, the new assistant manager of Jamieson, an up and coming rock band that is little by little taking over Australia. And Quinn has a past, a very horrible one, but one that she is working to let go and overcome. She is focused on working hard and after getting her dream job, things start going her way. What she didn’t count on was meeting someone like Travis Valentine.

Quinn is a great character. She isn’t defined by her past, yet she is hesitant to let herself trust and love again. You find out her past in the Prologue, and let me just tell you – prepare for tears. After reading that, I knew that I didn’t need to worry about this book and that it was going to be good – and I was right. Quinn may be guarded with her feelings, but I understood why. As much as I got just as frustrated as Travis did with their back and forth, it made sense, it was necessary for Quinn.

“Maybe when I was young and looking for trouble black was the only colour that fit me, but now colour was the only thing that gave me life.”

Travis Valentine works as a consultant with his brother and friends. They deal with hostage negotiations, kidnapping and child custody situations. Jamieson & Valentine Consulting has a reputation for being the go-to-guys when things get out of hand. They are badass, hot men – sign me up please! Travis sees something in Quinn – something that he has been looking for and didn’t even know it. Oh and did I mention he is pretty much perfect. I loved Jared, Travis’ brother, the hero from the first book, but I am going to go as far as saying that I love Travis more. He is just the perfect blend of man – sexy, sweet, compassionate, protective and confident. He knows he wants Quinn and doesn’t let anything get in his way of that.

“Every single Government agency and police force in Sydney, hell, in Australia, has heard of the Valentines. Fucking cowboys.”

Just when everything seems to be going right for Quinn, not only her past comes back to slap her in the face, but a secret emerges that could have a devastating effect on her relationship with Travis.

The romance part of this book was spot on. It was the perfect amount of angst and passion. Travis and Quinn played the back and forth game but it was not dragged out and it just made you impatient for them to finally get together. What I loved was that their story was completely different from Jared and Evie’s story from the first book. Even though I am still in the same world, what I got was a new story – one that didn’t seem similar at all.

“I also love knowing I have you to look forward to at the end of the day, and I love knowing that when I open my eyes in the morning the first thing I’ll see is you.”

“When I was holding you and inside of you, I watched your eyes come alive, and fuck spring because you were hotter than summer, and I want to see that again.”

The suspense/action part of this book had my heart pounding. There was a bit more of it in this book and I loved it. Kate found a way to weave it in throughout the book and it was done pretty seamlessly. Although the story may be a little far fetched at first, it really does come together and make sense. Was it 100% authentic and believable? Probably not, but this is fiction so who cares? It had me entertained and on the edge of my seat, which in my mind is all that counts.

The world that Kate has created is this amazing place that has rock stars and badass negotiators where in order to be part of this world, you need to be smoking hot. I love the characters that Kate created. There is just an abundance of hot men, everywhere you turn, and the girls, although only a few, are sassy, fierce and kickass. These characters are probably my favorite part of this series. I want to be part of the badass brigade and I love that Kate has an overwhelming slew of characters to write books about. Here’s hoping she continues, because I don’t think I’ll ever be ready to let go of them.

“Wasn’t the saying all bad things happened in threes? Was it the same case with guys? Do all hot guys happen in threes? If so, why didn’t I get the memo?”

I liked this book for different reasons that I liked the first one. I loved Travis and I really couldn’t’ get enough of that man. I loved Quinn’s backstory and how Kate wove it into her present. I loved that there was more suspense in this book, since it was something I wanted more of in the first book. All in all, I highly recommend you read this book, especially if you enjoyed the first book. And if you haven’t read the first book yet, then you’ll want to read that one as well.

This is the second book in the Give Me series, but can be read as a stand alone.