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Black Knights Inc: Reloaded #2
Black Hearted
He’s everything she ever wanted. She’s everything he never knew he needed. Can she convince him she’s the one?
The Black Knights are back and better than ever!
Samuel Harwood has spent his entire career working in the black and gray areas of international intrigue. Living in the shadows for so long has made him forget who he was and where he came from. Then a blast from the past, in the form of his ex-girlfriend’s kid sister, arrives on the front steps of Black Knights Inc, reminding him of everything he left behind. Except, she’s no longer a kid. And she’s in serious trouble.
Hannah Blue has been in love with Sam Harwood since she was in braces. When someone sabotages her entire life, he’s the first person she turns to. She has critical information about a potential cyber-attack on the U.S. power grid that could end in catastrophic financial damage and loss of life. But the FBI thinks she’s a traitor. And now she’s on the run to save herself and the fate of the entire nation.
Who does Samuel trust? The smart, sexy woman he’s known since he was a teenager? Or the government authorities who give him his orders and cut his paychecks? He’ll make one desperate play to find out. A play that could cost him everything…including his heart.
The Black Knights are back and better than ever!
Samuel Harwood has spent his entire career working in the black and gray areas of international intrigue. Living in the shadows for so long has made him forget who he was and where he came from. Then a blast from the past, in the form of his ex-girlfriend’s kid sister, arrives on the front steps of Black Knights Inc, reminding him of everything he left behind. Except, she’s no longer a kid. And she’s in serious trouble.
Hannah Blue has been in love with Sam Harwood since she was in braces. When someone sabotages her entire life, he’s the first person she turns to. She has critical information about a potential cyber-attack on the U.S. power grid that could end in catastrophic financial damage and loss of life. But the FBI thinks she’s a traitor. And now she’s on the run to save herself and the fate of the entire nation.
Who does Samuel trust? The smart, sexy woman he’s known since he was a teenager? Or the government authorities who give him his orders and cut his paychecks? He’ll make one desperate play to find out. A play that could cost him everything…including his heart.
288 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 26, 2023
About the author
Julie Ann Walker
36 books2,684 followersJulie Ann Walker is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. She has won the Book Buyers Best Award, been nominated for the National Readers Choice Award, the Australian Romance Reader Awards, and the Romance Writers of America's prestigious RITA award. Julie loves to travel the world looking for views to compete with her deadlines. And if those views happen to come with a blue sky and sunshine? All the better! When she's not writing, Julie enjoys camping, hiking, cycling, fishing, cooking, petting every dog that walks by her, and... reading, of course!
Be sure to sign up for Julie's occasional newsletter at: http://julieannwalker.com
Or follow her on Facebook: www.facebook.com/julieannwalkerauthor and/or Instagram: @julieannwalker_author.
In Moonlight and Memories:
#1 IN MOONLIGHT AND MEMORIES: VOLUME ONE
#2 IN MOONLIGHT AND MEMORIES: VOLUME TWO
#3 IN MOONLIGHT AND MEMORIES: VOLUME THREE
Black Knights Inc.:
#1 HELL ON WHEELS
#2 IN RIDES TROUBLE
#3 REV IT UP
#4 THRILL RIDE
#5 BORN WILD
#6 HELL FOR LEATHER
#7 FULL THROTTLE
#8 TOO HARD TO HANDLE
#9 WILD RIDE
#10 FUEL FOR FIRE
#11 HOT PURSUIT
#12 BUILT TO LAST
Deep Six:
#0.5 HOT AS HELL
#1 HELL OR HIGH WATER
#2 DEVIL AND THE DEEP
#3 RIDE THE TIDE
#4 DEEPER THAN THE OCEAN
#5 SHOT ACROSS THE BOW
#6 DEAD IN THE WATER
Black Knights Inc: Reloaded:
#1 BACK IN BLACK
#2 BLACK HEARTED
#3 MAN IN BLACK
#4 BLACK MOON RISING
#5 BLACK WIDOW
#6 FADE TO BLACK
Be sure to sign up for Julie's occasional newsletter at: http://julieannwalker.com
Or follow her on Facebook: www.facebook.com/julieannwalkerauthor and/or Instagram: @julieannwalker_author.
In Moonlight and Memories:
#1 IN MOONLIGHT AND MEMORIES: VOLUME ONE
#2 IN MOONLIGHT AND MEMORIES: VOLUME TWO
#3 IN MOONLIGHT AND MEMORIES: VOLUME THREE
Black Knights Inc.:
#1 HELL ON WHEELS
#2 IN RIDES TROUBLE
#3 REV IT UP
#4 THRILL RIDE
#5 BORN WILD
#6 HELL FOR LEATHER
#7 FULL THROTTLE
#8 TOO HARD TO HANDLE
#9 WILD RIDE
#10 FUEL FOR FIRE
#11 HOT PURSUIT
#12 BUILT TO LAST
Deep Six:
#0.5 HOT AS HELL
#1 HELL OR HIGH WATER
#2 DEVIL AND THE DEEP
#3 RIDE THE TIDE
#4 DEEPER THAN THE OCEAN
#5 SHOT ACROSS THE BOW
#6 DEAD IN THE WATER
Black Knights Inc: Reloaded:
#1 BACK IN BLACK
#2 BLACK HEARTED
#3 MAN IN BLACK
#4 BLACK MOON RISING
#5 BLACK WIDOW
#6 FADE TO BLACK
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews
June 13, 2024
NOPE. Previous book has this Hero recalling the hot sex he had with his ex GF who is this heroine's sister. He thinks of h as a kid sister in previous story who was constantly coming on to him but him not reciprocating/pushing away. So no thanks if one has to force an attraction - especially when the attraction & memories are all for the sister and not the one we are reading about.
Wonder why reviewers don't mention any of this? Hmmmmmmmm................
Wonder why reviewers don't mention any of this? Hmmmmmmmm................
September 30, 2023
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Black Hearted is the second book in Julie Ann Walker's Black Knights Inc Reloaded series. This installment gives readers Samuel Harwood and Hannah Blue, whom readers met in Back to Black, story. Sit back and prepare for a story filled with action, suspense, humour and steamy moments.
After experiencing the sexual tension and explosive chemistry between Samuel and Hannah, I couldn't wait to get my hands on their story. I wondered if Sam will finally see that Hannah was no longer a kid, but a full grown woman who knew what she wanted and she wants Samuel Harwood.
Black Hearted picks up two weeks following the conclusion of Back to Black. Samuel is obsessing over the fact that he hasn't heard from Hannah since she assisted the team two weeks ago. He attempted to contact her multiple times but received no reply. When he got a text from her, he reluctantly understood that their reunion two weeks ago was a onetime occurrence.
Fast forward six months later, Hannah finds herself in deep trouble. A situation which sees her facing serious jail time. She has no choice but to call on the one person who could provide her with the resources needed to clear her name. The man whom she was in love with throughout her teen years into adulthood. When she called, Sam willingly risked everything with the help of the team to come to her rescue.
I enjoyed every moment of Black Hearted. The dialogue, Sam and Hannah's relationship, and the suspenseful situation all helped to make the story enjoyable. Now, even though the threat seen here differed from that which occurred in book one, a connection existed between them. The top villain from the previous installment plays a major role in this threat.
Hannah's hacking skills are top notch, and it's the one thing that can clear her name. I loved how she had the support of not only Sam but also the members of the Black Knights. I enjoyed seeing how Sam came to terms with his feelings for Hannah. One can understand his hesitancy in the initial stages, after he used to date her sister. It didn't matter that they dated in their teen years.
The story arc relating to the threat against Hannah and ultimately the United States had me on the edge of my seat. It had me flipping the pages as I looked forward to see how it would play out. Overall, Black Hearted delivered a page turning read. Readers who enjoy romantic suspense featuring wonderful characters.This review was originally posted on Totally Addicted to Reading
Black Hearted is the second book in Julie Ann Walker's Black Knights Inc Reloaded series. This installment gives readers Samuel Harwood and Hannah Blue, whom readers met in Back to Black, story. Sit back and prepare for a story filled with action, suspense, humour and steamy moments.
After experiencing the sexual tension and explosive chemistry between Samuel and Hannah, I couldn't wait to get my hands on their story. I wondered if Sam will finally see that Hannah was no longer a kid, but a full grown woman who knew what she wanted and she wants Samuel Harwood.
Black Hearted picks up two weeks following the conclusion of Back to Black. Samuel is obsessing over the fact that he hasn't heard from Hannah since she assisted the team two weeks ago. He attempted to contact her multiple times but received no reply. When he got a text from her, he reluctantly understood that their reunion two weeks ago was a onetime occurrence.
Fast forward six months later, Hannah finds herself in deep trouble. A situation which sees her facing serious jail time. She has no choice but to call on the one person who could provide her with the resources needed to clear her name. The man whom she was in love with throughout her teen years into adulthood. When she called, Sam willingly risked everything with the help of the team to come to her rescue.
I enjoyed every moment of Black Hearted. The dialogue, Sam and Hannah's relationship, and the suspenseful situation all helped to make the story enjoyable. Now, even though the threat seen here differed from that which occurred in book one, a connection existed between them. The top villain from the previous installment plays a major role in this threat.
Hannah's hacking skills are top notch, and it's the one thing that can clear her name. I loved how she had the support of not only Sam but also the members of the Black Knights. I enjoyed seeing how Sam came to terms with his feelings for Hannah. One can understand his hesitancy in the initial stages, after he used to date her sister. It didn't matter that they dated in their teen years.
The story arc relating to the threat against Hannah and ultimately the United States had me on the edge of my seat. It had me flipping the pages as I looked forward to see how it would play out. Overall, Black Hearted delivered a page turning read. Readers who enjoy romantic suspense featuring wonderful characters.This review was originally posted on Totally Addicted to Reading
October 1, 2023
Black Hearted (Black Knights Inc: Reloaded #2) by Julie Ann Walker
4 stars
I was given this book for an honest review by Wicked Reviews.
Sam and his black ops group are always tasked with impossible missions. When he asks for help from his old friend, he doesn’t expect to see her in a totally different way. She’s no longer the 13 year old girl - she’s now a beautiful, intelligent woman.
Hannah has a,ways had a thing for Sam. Knowing he thought her sister was gorgeous, Hannah has always kind of hand a complex about that. But, she knows she’s capable and has great friends. When she finds hers,elf embroiled in a scandal, she calls the only person who might be able to figure this out.
With an unknown villain, a target and a country to save, it’ll take everyone to figure out why Hannah was targeted and how to stop the attack that they all know is coming.
This is almost like a second chance romance, but it’s more friends to start. It is a slow burn of a relationship. For me, this was a slower romance - almost like a YA romance.
The story is faster paced, and I can’t wait to see what’s next.
4 stars
I was given this book for an honest review by Wicked Reviews.
Sam and his black ops group are always tasked with impossible missions. When he asks for help from his old friend, he doesn’t expect to see her in a totally different way. She’s no longer the 13 year old girl - she’s now a beautiful, intelligent woman.
Hannah has a,ways had a thing for Sam. Knowing he thought her sister was gorgeous, Hannah has always kind of hand a complex about that. But, she knows she’s capable and has great friends. When she finds hers,elf embroiled in a scandal, she calls the only person who might be able to figure this out.
With an unknown villain, a target and a country to save, it’ll take everyone to figure out why Hannah was targeted and how to stop the attack that they all know is coming.
This is almost like a second chance romance, but it’s more friends to start. It is a slow burn of a relationship. For me, this was a slower romance - almost like a YA romance.
The story is faster paced, and I can’t wait to see what’s next.
October 9, 2023
In the last book we saw hints of what was to come with this one. Hannah and Sam, they sure had chemistry, but Sam was living in the old days where Hannah was 13 and he dated her sister. I get that could seem icky, but it's been over 15 years and there was no contact in between.
I hated how Hannah ended up in trouble, but was so glad that she contact Sam and the rest of the BK crew. The escape was so crazy, so over the top, yet so fun to read about. Once they made it back to base and clued in everyone what was going on it was all hands on deck to figure out what was going on and to clear Hannah.
This took them to TX were things got a bit crazy again. They did what needed to be done and foiled the plot that had the potential to throw the world in chaos. And picked a clue that will most likely come into play later.
Both Sam and Hannah were clueless as they parted, both so miserable, that I was glad when friends finally stepped up to push them back together. They deserve to be happy.
I hated how Hannah ended up in trouble, but was so glad that she contact Sam and the rest of the BK crew. The escape was so crazy, so over the top, yet so fun to read about. Once they made it back to base and clued in everyone what was going on it was all hands on deck to figure out what was going on and to clear Hannah.
This took them to TX were things got a bit crazy again. They did what needed to be done and foiled the plot that had the potential to throw the world in chaos. And picked a clue that will most likely come into play later.
Both Sam and Hannah were clueless as they parted, both so miserable, that I was glad when friends finally stepped up to push them back together. They deserve to be happy.
August 6, 2023
This story was smart, fast-paced, and full of feelings! The mystery to be solved is complex and multi-layered, keeping you guessing until the very end, and then some more. Our couple is Hannah and Sam, and she has gotten herself into a doozy of a problem, not of her making.. The sparks that ignited between Sam and Hannah months ago when they reconnected, and they tried to ignore, flare to life again. Timing is everything, and communication even more so, and these two just seem to be off on all that. It takes some intervention from their friends to get them to see what everyone around them already knows, they are now, and always were, perfect for each other <3
September 28, 2023
4.5 stars
We met Sam and Hannah in the first book and there were sparks flying them. Now the sparks have turned into a simmering flame.
When Hannah's life gets turned upside down, her roommate runs to BKI and Sam is all fired up to rescue her, even if she is being held by the FBI. But Hannah has to figure out who and why they are trying to sabotage her. The team at BKI helps Hannah but can they stop the threat?
While Sam dated Hannah's sister when they were in high school and Hannah was 13, she had a crush on him. He has always seen her as a kid and still does now. Hannah has to make him see that she is a grown woman and she is in love with him or she needs to leave with her heart in one piece.
This story is fast-paced, suspenseful, funny, BKI family, steamy, and will keep you guessing until the end. I enjoyed this one and can't wait for more.
**I received a free copy of this book to read and this is my honest opinion, Mary @ Wicked Reads**
We met Sam and Hannah in the first book and there were sparks flying them. Now the sparks have turned into a simmering flame.
When Hannah's life gets turned upside down, her roommate runs to BKI and Sam is all fired up to rescue her, even if she is being held by the FBI. But Hannah has to figure out who and why they are trying to sabotage her. The team at BKI helps Hannah but can they stop the threat?
While Sam dated Hannah's sister when they were in high school and Hannah was 13, she had a crush on him. He has always seen her as a kid and still does now. Hannah has to make him see that she is a grown woman and she is in love with him or she needs to leave with her heart in one piece.
This story is fast-paced, suspenseful, funny, BKI family, steamy, and will keep you guessing until the end. I enjoyed this one and can't wait for more.
**I received a free copy of this book to read and this is my honest opinion, Mary @ Wicked Reads**
September 26, 2023
Another Black Knights Inc winner!!
You are a mystery wrapped in an enigma covered in facial hair.”
Sam and Hannah have know each other for a long time. He’s always thought of her as a kid but she’s a grown woman now and she’s in trouble.
“So is it just me in particular? Or are ya sayin’ ya want men in general to stay away from Hannah? Because if it’s the latter, I should warn ya, that’s a losin’ battle. She’s fine as frog’s hair.
Hannah has been in love with Sam since she was 13 years old and he was dating her sister. He’s just never seen her as an adult until now.
Well, not to put it too bluntly, but we’re talking straight fire. Hashtag smash. Bow-chicka-wow-wow. Wink, wink. Nudge, nudge.
These stories are so much fun with laugh out loud banter and characters that you can’t help but love. Lots of action and intrigue. I’m so happy for this reboot with new and old friends. The duel storylines have always some of my favorite adventures.
You are a mystery wrapped in an enigma covered in facial hair.”
Sam and Hannah have know each other for a long time. He’s always thought of her as a kid but she’s a grown woman now and she’s in trouble.
“So is it just me in particular? Or are ya sayin’ ya want men in general to stay away from Hannah? Because if it’s the latter, I should warn ya, that’s a losin’ battle. She’s fine as frog’s hair.
Hannah has been in love with Sam since she was 13 years old and he was dating her sister. He’s just never seen her as an adult until now.
Well, not to put it too bluntly, but we’re talking straight fire. Hashtag smash. Bow-chicka-wow-wow. Wink, wink. Nudge, nudge.
These stories are so much fun with laugh out loud banter and characters that you can’t help but love. Lots of action and intrigue. I’m so happy for this reboot with new and old friends. The duel storylines have always some of my favorite adventures.
October 9, 2023
Second in the Black Knights Inc: Reloaded romantic suspense series, a spin-off from Walker’s original Black Knights Inc, and revolving around a new group of formidable operators still based at the old factory building on Goose Island in Chicago, Illinois. The couple focus is on Hannah Blue and Samuel Harwood.
Limerence Publications LLC and the author sent me a copy of the book.
My Take
Fun! I do like the Black Knights. Partly for their fun gadgetry and hidden escape routes and mostly for their honor, chivalry, and ability to win as well as that feel of a supportive family.
Walker uses third person global subjective point-of-view so we “hear” from a number of characters with the predominate perspectives coming from Hannah and Sam.
That Sam has some background. Oy. Poor guy. He’s really made something of himself, rising above his childhood and that nasty ex-wife. And he’s starting to realize what he really wants. What, who, he doesn’t want to want, the girl he watched grow up. Then there’s that moral issue from his last mission . . . and I’m okay with what he did.’
It’s a crime that resonates with Eliza, as she’d had a roommate at school who’d been forced to endure a double rape. Once by the rapist and once by the so-called justice system.
Hannah has always known what she wants. And she won’t let Sam’s weird perception of her get in her way — he just can’t admit that Hannah has grown up. Oh, man, then Hannah discovers that Chloe, Sam’s ex-wife, is a Candy lookalike.
Cesar has his own subplot going on and is terrified of falling in love.
A good thing to remember: “The past is a place to learn from, not to live in”. Then there’s Fish’s comment about saints and sinners, lololol.
A bad thing to know: “. . . can’t get elected based on their policies, so they have to get elected by giving people an out-group to hate on”. Sounds like today’s politicians.
Whoa, Eliza and Fisher have some, um, relationship — and she’d “rather have dull shish kabob skewers shoved through her brain" . . . so ya know where that’s going to go, lol. Walker continues to set Eliza’s story up with all that background on her past experiences with her dad. It is sweet that Fish has that gentler side with an appreciation for beauty and poetry. Yeah, who'd've thought!?
Vinny is an idiot who will be experiencing some dramatic irony, I mean, who believes that a Chinese agent actually is working in a positive way for the US government??? Eliza’s dad is almost as much of a jerk. Eliza's abandonment issues pretty much says it all.
Naturally there are miscommunication issues . . . what would a romance be without them. And I wanted to smack the two of them over their heads!
Black Hearted ties right in with contemporary concerns over electrical outages caused by terrorists and the memories of what happened in Texas when winter and a blackout caused so much death — it threw my imagination into overdrive. And as Sam notes, it doesn’t even touch on the financial repercussions. At the end, oh man, Walker puts it out there, all the negative action going down in today’s society. Fascism on the rise. Books being banned and burned. Democracy on the decline. And so much more. I reckon Walker has enough fodder for plots for the next millennium. As for that threat against BKI? Hoo, boy.
The story is definitely character-driven with all the stereotypes of the good guys, the bad guys, and the idiot, lol. Naturally, there’s plenty of action with these black ops boys and Hannah’s presence makes it all the more fun.
That end realization of Hannah’s made me want to cry.
The Story
They have a history, Hannah and Sam. He watched her grow up from a pre-teen to a teen when he dated her older sister in high school. Then he’d called on her cyber skills for a job to uncover a government mole in Back in Black .
Now Hannah needs his help to uncover another plot the FBI claims she’s a part of.
The Characters
“Hurricane Hannah” Blue, a.k.a. Miss Violet, is a rebel with colorful hair and ratty clothes who’s brilliant on the computer. The sunny Cesar, Hannah’s roommate for the past seven years and best friend, performs as Cesarine in a drag show at the Kit Kat Lounge. Peter Olsen (Hannah refers to him as The Golden God or the GOAT) has finally told Cesar he loves him. Marco is a lawyer they know. (Dan impersonates Little Edie in the show.)
Samuel Harwood, a former Marine Raider sergeant and sniper known for his ability to focus, rides Pale Horse, the name he’s given his black-and-white Harley chopper. Candy Blue had been Sam’s high school girlfriend (Hannah's older sister) who is now married to a guy eight years her senior, Jared — yep, that gap sends Hannah into a tizzy when Sam brings up her age.
The Black Knights (BKI) are . . .
. . . a new crew of private defense contractors with some of the original Black Knights in Chicago. Their cover is as a chopper shop. The new men include Fisher “Fish” Wakefield, a former Delta Force sergeant; the adventurous Britt Rollins; the book-loving Hewitt Burch; the strong silent Graham Colburn; Hunter Jackson, a former Green Beret who is off on his honeymoon with Grace Beacham, a Chicago-based FBI agent ( Back in Black ); and, the family-needing Eliza Meadows, who has an attention to detail bar none which makes her perfect as BKI’s secretary, den mother, and onsite chef extraordinaire. Peanut is their fat former alley cat whom Becky loves.
The "old guard" Knights include Frank “Boss” (a former Navy SEAL) and Becky Knight, the lead mechanic and bike designer extraordinaire who have two kids ( In Rides Trouble , 2); Ethan “Ozzie” Sykes is a former Navy SEAL and computer genius who is married to the five-months pregnant Samantha, an investigative reporter for the Chicago Tribune ( Wild Ride , 9); and, Christian and Emily ( Hot Pursuit , 11).
The four Connelly brothers — two of them are Rafer and Toran — are guards. Red Delilah’s Biker Bar is a home away from home for the Black Knights and is owned by Red Delilah, a moonlighting forensic accountant, who married Bryan “Mac” McMillan after events in Hell for Leather , 6. Ricky is a useful guy when you need to scrounge up private transport.
The US president is a woman. Eliza’s father, Leonard Meadows, is her chief of staff and both expect BKI to operate independently, doing whatever the president needs, Eliza “spying” on her coworkers, but none of them looking to the president for help. Senator McClean’s son is taking Eliza on a date. Bishop is the former secretary to the FBI director.
The FBI
Director Morgan. Agent Keith Waller gets off on abusing people. Agent Mulder thinks Waller is okay. Agent Moretti makes a third. Agent Timothy Floyd had worked with Hannah on that previous job.
ERCOT is also known as . . .
. . . the Electric Reliability Council of Texas with Bleeker Creek one of its power stations. Teddy Gonzales is the lead engineer for third shift. Evan is one of the guards.
Vincent “Vinny” Romano, a.k.a. Vick, is a career criminal, mostly identity fraud who’s kept his less-than-stellar activities from Nanna, the grandmother who raised him. Yang works for a Chinese intelligence agency. “Bishop” is Yang’s liaison with the US government.
Dominion Pipeline is the largest fuel supplier to the Eastern Seaboard. Red Square is/was a ransomeware syndicate. Kerberos is a white-hat hacker group. Miguel Blanco had been part of a Columbian gang. Aveline had been one of Eliza’s roommates at boarding school. Tommy Fiorentino had been a grade school classmate of Hannah’s. Chloe, a Candy lookalike, is Sam’s ex who’d spent too much time with Steve, a Jody.
The Cover and Title
The colors on the cover are split between a yellow-green and black with the background starting in black, moving into a yellow-green sky with electrical pylons stretching into the horizon and a silhouette of Hannah and Sam on his motorcycle, and ending in a narrow black band at the bottom with the series info in a pale yellow. Back to the top is an info blurb with the author’s name below that in that pale yellow. The title (mostly yellow gradating up and to the right to orange) is below to the left of a blow-up of Sam’s black-haired head, beard, and sunglasses with a deeper yellow-green T-shirt.
I think the title is a play on the Black Knights and their hearts, Black Hearted.
Limerence Publications LLC and the author sent me a copy of the book.
My Take
Fun! I do like the Black Knights. Partly for their fun gadgetry and hidden escape routes and mostly for their honor, chivalry, and ability to win as well as that feel of a supportive family.
Walker uses third person global subjective point-of-view so we “hear” from a number of characters with the predominate perspectives coming from Hannah and Sam.
That Sam has some background. Oy. Poor guy. He’s really made something of himself, rising above his childhood and that nasty ex-wife. And he’s starting to realize what he really wants. What, who, he doesn’t want to want, the girl he watched grow up. Then there’s that moral issue from his last mission . . . and I’m okay with what he did.’
It’s a crime that resonates with Eliza, as she’d had a roommate at school who’d been forced to endure a double rape. Once by the rapist and once by the so-called justice system.
Hannah has always known what she wants. And she won’t let Sam’s weird perception of her get in her way — he just can’t admit that Hannah has grown up. Oh, man, then Hannah discovers that Chloe, Sam’s ex-wife, is a Candy lookalike.
Cesar has his own subplot going on and is terrified of falling in love.
A good thing to remember: “The past is a place to learn from, not to live in”. Then there’s Fish’s comment about saints and sinners, lololol.
A bad thing to know: “. . . can’t get elected based on their policies, so they have to get elected by giving people an out-group to hate on”. Sounds like today’s politicians.
Whoa, Eliza and Fisher have some, um, relationship — and she’d “rather have dull shish kabob skewers shoved through her brain" . . . so ya know where that’s going to go, lol. Walker continues to set Eliza’s story up with all that background on her past experiences with her dad. It is sweet that Fish has that gentler side with an appreciation for beauty and poetry. Yeah, who'd've thought!?
Vinny is an idiot who will be experiencing some dramatic irony, I mean, who believes that a Chinese agent actually is working in a positive way for the US government??? Eliza’s dad is almost as much of a jerk. Eliza's abandonment issues pretty much says it all.
Naturally there are miscommunication issues . . . what would a romance be without them. And I wanted to smack the two of them over their heads!
Black Hearted ties right in with contemporary concerns over electrical outages caused by terrorists and the memories of what happened in Texas when winter and a blackout caused so much death — it threw my imagination into overdrive. And as Sam notes, it doesn’t even touch on the financial repercussions. At the end, oh man, Walker puts it out there, all the negative action going down in today’s society. Fascism on the rise. Books being banned and burned. Democracy on the decline. And so much more. I reckon Walker has enough fodder for plots for the next millennium. As for that threat against BKI? Hoo, boy.
The story is definitely character-driven with all the stereotypes of the good guys, the bad guys, and the idiot, lol. Naturally, there’s plenty of action with these black ops boys and Hannah’s presence makes it all the more fun.
That end realization of Hannah’s made me want to cry.
The Story
They have a history, Hannah and Sam. He watched her grow up from a pre-teen to a teen when he dated her older sister in high school. Then he’d called on her cyber skills for a job to uncover a government mole in Back in Black .
Now Hannah needs his help to uncover another plot the FBI claims she’s a part of.
The Characters
“Hurricane Hannah” Blue, a.k.a. Miss Violet, is a rebel with colorful hair and ratty clothes who’s brilliant on the computer. The sunny Cesar, Hannah’s roommate for the past seven years and best friend, performs as Cesarine in a drag show at the Kit Kat Lounge. Peter Olsen (Hannah refers to him as The Golden God or the GOAT) has finally told Cesar he loves him. Marco is a lawyer they know. (Dan impersonates Little Edie in the show.)
Samuel Harwood, a former Marine Raider sergeant and sniper known for his ability to focus, rides Pale Horse, the name he’s given his black-and-white Harley chopper. Candy Blue had been Sam’s high school girlfriend (Hannah's older sister) who is now married to a guy eight years her senior, Jared — yep, that gap sends Hannah into a tizzy when Sam brings up her age.
The Black Knights (BKI) are . . .
. . . a new crew of private defense contractors with some of the original Black Knights in Chicago. Their cover is as a chopper shop. The new men include Fisher “Fish” Wakefield, a former Delta Force sergeant; the adventurous Britt Rollins; the book-loving Hewitt Burch; the strong silent Graham Colburn; Hunter Jackson, a former Green Beret who is off on his honeymoon with Grace Beacham, a Chicago-based FBI agent ( Back in Black ); and, the family-needing Eliza Meadows, who has an attention to detail bar none which makes her perfect as BKI’s secretary, den mother, and onsite chef extraordinaire. Peanut is their fat former alley cat whom Becky loves.
The "old guard" Knights include Frank “Boss” (a former Navy SEAL) and Becky Knight, the lead mechanic and bike designer extraordinaire who have two kids ( In Rides Trouble , 2); Ethan “Ozzie” Sykes is a former Navy SEAL and computer genius who is married to the five-months pregnant Samantha, an investigative reporter for the Chicago Tribune ( Wild Ride , 9); and, Christian and Emily ( Hot Pursuit , 11).
The four Connelly brothers — two of them are Rafer and Toran — are guards. Red Delilah’s Biker Bar is a home away from home for the Black Knights and is owned by Red Delilah, a moonlighting forensic accountant, who married Bryan “Mac” McMillan after events in Hell for Leather , 6. Ricky is a useful guy when you need to scrounge up private transport.
The US president is a woman. Eliza’s father, Leonard Meadows, is her chief of staff and both expect BKI to operate independently, doing whatever the president needs, Eliza “spying” on her coworkers, but none of them looking to the president for help. Senator McClean’s son is taking Eliza on a date. Bishop is the former secretary to the FBI director.
The FBI
Director Morgan. Agent Keith Waller gets off on abusing people. Agent Mulder thinks Waller is okay. Agent Moretti makes a third. Agent Timothy Floyd had worked with Hannah on that previous job.
ERCOT is also known as . . .
. . . the Electric Reliability Council of Texas with Bleeker Creek one of its power stations. Teddy Gonzales is the lead engineer for third shift. Evan is one of the guards.
Vincent “Vinny” Romano, a.k.a. Vick, is a career criminal, mostly identity fraud who’s kept his less-than-stellar activities from Nanna, the grandmother who raised him. Yang works for a Chinese intelligence agency. “Bishop” is Yang’s liaison with the US government.
Dominion Pipeline is the largest fuel supplier to the Eastern Seaboard. Red Square is/was a ransomeware syndicate. Kerberos is a white-hat hacker group. Miguel Blanco had been part of a Columbian gang. Aveline had been one of Eliza’s roommates at boarding school. Tommy Fiorentino had been a grade school classmate of Hannah’s. Chloe, a Candy lookalike, is Sam’s ex who’d spent too much time with Steve, a Jody.
The Cover and Title
The colors on the cover are split between a yellow-green and black with the background starting in black, moving into a yellow-green sky with electrical pylons stretching into the horizon and a silhouette of Hannah and Sam on his motorcycle, and ending in a narrow black band at the bottom with the series info in a pale yellow. Back to the top is an info blurb with the author’s name below that in that pale yellow. The title (mostly yellow gradating up and to the right to orange) is below to the left of a blow-up of Sam’s black-haired head, beard, and sunglasses with a deeper yellow-green T-shirt.
I think the title is a play on the Black Knights and their hearts, Black Hearted.
October 2, 2023
Check out our full post for BLACK HEARTED on Wicked Reads, which includes an excerpt.
Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team
Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆☆
This is the second book in the series, and I would definitely recommend that you read book one first as this follows directly on from it – and we meet Hannah and see the beginnings of this budding romance there. I was so happy that we got to watch these two get on the same page!
I have enjoyed all the Black Knights stories, and this new Black Knights Inc team are such fun – there is something rather wonderful about a group of slightly dysfunctional but incredibly close knit collection of strong, well-trained, and some super tech-savvy individuals who work at the behest of the president. In this book, they have to trust one of their own over the FBI, and that could create trouble... but only if their trust is misplaced.
Hannah is a super clever hacker who works for the government, but has been made to look like the terrorist – she needs help and how, so she contacts her long-time crush and Black Knight, Sam. From that moment on, the plot races along with some intriguing ideas about what could happen if the wrong people get hold of the power grid. Throw in the attraction between Sam and Hannah and the tension is scorching, and we can only hope for one outcome!
Another delicious storyline with some hilarious scenes and fun camaraderie, as well as some poignant moments. Cannot wait until the next Black Knight finds his match... and I think we get some strong hints in this book!
Mary – ☆☆☆☆☆
4.5 stars
We met Sam and Hannah in the first book and there were sparks flying them. Now the sparks have turned into a simmering flame.
When Hannah's life gets turned upside down, her roommate runs to Black Knights Inc and Sam is all fired up to rescue her, even if she is being held by the FBI. But Hannah has to figure out who and why they are trying to sabotage her. The team at BKI helps Hannah, but can they stop the threat?
While Sam dated Hannah's sister when they were in high school and Hannah was 13, she had a crush on him. He has always seen her as a kid and still does now. Hannah has to make him see that she is a grown woman and she is in love with him, or she needs to leave with her heart in one piece.
This story is fast-paced, suspenseful, funny, steamy, and will keep you guessing until the end. I enjoyed this one and can't wait for more.
Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆
Sam and his black ops group are always tasked with impossible missions. When he asks for help for his old friend, he doesn’t expect to see her in a totally different way. She’s no longer the 13 year old girl – she’s now a beautiful, intelligent woman.
Hannah has always had a thing for Sam. Knowing he thought her sister was gorgeous, Hannah has always kind of hand a complex about that. But she knows she’s capable and has great friends. When she finds herself embroiled in a scandal, she calls the only person who might be able to figure this out.
With an unknown villain, a target, and a country to save, it’ll take everyone to figure out why Hannah was targeted and how to stop the attack that they all know is coming.
This is almost like a second-chance romance, but it’s more friends to start. It is a slow burn of a relationship. For me, this was a slower romance – almost like a young adult romance.
The story is faster paced, and I can’t wait to see what’s next.
Reviewers received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
October 1, 2023
This is the second part of the series BKI 2.0 and I love the new team as much as the protagonists of the first series.
We already met Hannah in the first part, when she came to Grace and Hunter's aid. She's a bit of a nerd. But one of the good guys.
And Sam has a bit of a hillbilly quality about him, often needing time to himself and being rather quiet in other ways.
But when someone needs help, he's there 1000 percent. Without compromise. When Hannah is accused of a crime, Sam rushes to her rescue and now the two protagonists are faced with the dilemma of having grown up and seeming to have feelings for each other.Hannah and Sam have known each other since they were young, so this book is a pretty classic friends -to-lovers novel, though the suspense part really blew me away and scared me this time.
Unlike the other books, there are no snipers or heavily armed terrorists looming, but the danger comes from the Internet. I find the distribution of roles here very nice. The woman as a computer genius and a bit, let's say, "special" in her fashion taste.: Boyish, and knowing exactly what her heart has been saying for years: in love with Sam.
Sam, however, doesn't really want to be in love. Especially not with Hurricane Hannah.
I love Julie Ann Walker's books because both her writing style and her characters are highly recognizable. And only she has mastered the time loop effect. In the midst of the greatest danger, the author describes in great detail the feelings and thoughts of each protagonist.... and then the bullet hits...
Conclusion: Another great book from the BKI series, with a special thrill as the internet is commonplace nowadays, and a very exciting perspective for Fisher and Eliza.
Dies ist der zweite Teil der Serie BKI 2.0 und das neue Team gefällt mir genauso gut wie die Protagonisten der ersten Serie.
Hannah haben wir ja schon im ersten Teil kennengelernt, als sie Grace und Hunter zu Hilfe kam. Sie ist ein bisschen ein Nerd. Aber eine von den Guten.
Und Sam hat etwas Hinterwäldlerisches an sich, braucht oft Zeit für sich und ist auch sonst eher still.
Aber wenn jemand Hilfe braucht, ist er zu 1000 Prozent da. Ohne Kompromisse. Als Hannah eines Verbrechens beschuldigt wird, eilt Sam ihr zu Hilfe und nun stehen die beiden Protagonisten vor dem Dilemma, dass sie erwachsen geworden sind und etwas füreinander zu empfinden scheinen.Hannah und Sam kennen sich schon seit ihrer Jugend, daher ist dieses Buch ein ziemlich klassischer Friends -to-lovers Roman, wobei mich der Spannungsteil diesmal wirklich umgehauen und erschreckt hat.
Im Gegensatz zu den anderen Büchern lauern hier keine Heckenschützen oder schwer bewaffnete Terroristen, sondern die Gefahr kommt aus dem Internet. Sehr schön finde ich hier die Rollenverteilung. Die Frau als Computergenie und ein bisschen, sagen wir mal, "speziell" im Modegeschmack. Der Typ: Burschikos, und genau wissend, was ihr Herz schon seit Jahren sagt: Verliebt in Sam.
Sam jedoch will eigentlich gar nicht verliebt sein. Schon gar nicht in Hurricane Hannah.
Ich liebe die Bücher von Julie Ann Walker, denn sowohl ihr Schreibstil als auch ihre Figuren haben einen hohen Wiedererkennungswert. Und nur sie beherrscht den Zeitschleifen-Effekt. Inmitten größter Gefahr beschreibt die Autorin sehr genau und detailliert die Gefühle und Gedanken der jeweiligen Protagonisten... und erst dann schlägt die Kugel ein...
Fazit: Ein weiteres tolles Buch aus der BKI-Reihe, mit besonderem Nervenkitzel, da das Internet heutzutage alltäglich ist, und einer sehr spannenden Perspektive für Fisher und Eliza.
We already met Hannah in the first part, when she came to Grace and Hunter's aid. She's a bit of a nerd. But one of the good guys.
And Sam has a bit of a hillbilly quality about him, often needing time to himself and being rather quiet in other ways.
But when someone needs help, he's there 1000 percent. Without compromise. When Hannah is accused of a crime, Sam rushes to her rescue and now the two protagonists are faced with the dilemma of having grown up and seeming to have feelings for each other.Hannah and Sam have known each other since they were young, so this book is a pretty classic friends -to-lovers novel, though the suspense part really blew me away and scared me this time.
Unlike the other books, there are no snipers or heavily armed terrorists looming, but the danger comes from the Internet. I find the distribution of roles here very nice. The woman as a computer genius and a bit, let's say, "special" in her fashion taste.: Boyish, and knowing exactly what her heart has been saying for years: in love with Sam.
Sam, however, doesn't really want to be in love. Especially not with Hurricane Hannah.
I love Julie Ann Walker's books because both her writing style and her characters are highly recognizable. And only she has mastered the time loop effect. In the midst of the greatest danger, the author describes in great detail the feelings and thoughts of each protagonist.... and then the bullet hits...
Conclusion: Another great book from the BKI series, with a special thrill as the internet is commonplace nowadays, and a very exciting perspective for Fisher and Eliza.
Dies ist der zweite Teil der Serie BKI 2.0 und das neue Team gefällt mir genauso gut wie die Protagonisten der ersten Serie.
Hannah haben wir ja schon im ersten Teil kennengelernt, als sie Grace und Hunter zu Hilfe kam. Sie ist ein bisschen ein Nerd. Aber eine von den Guten.
Und Sam hat etwas Hinterwäldlerisches an sich, braucht oft Zeit für sich und ist auch sonst eher still.
Aber wenn jemand Hilfe braucht, ist er zu 1000 Prozent da. Ohne Kompromisse. Als Hannah eines Verbrechens beschuldigt wird, eilt Sam ihr zu Hilfe und nun stehen die beiden Protagonisten vor dem Dilemma, dass sie erwachsen geworden sind und etwas füreinander zu empfinden scheinen.Hannah und Sam kennen sich schon seit ihrer Jugend, daher ist dieses Buch ein ziemlich klassischer Friends -to-lovers Roman, wobei mich der Spannungsteil diesmal wirklich umgehauen und erschreckt hat.
Im Gegensatz zu den anderen Büchern lauern hier keine Heckenschützen oder schwer bewaffnete Terroristen, sondern die Gefahr kommt aus dem Internet. Sehr schön finde ich hier die Rollenverteilung. Die Frau als Computergenie und ein bisschen, sagen wir mal, "speziell" im Modegeschmack. Der Typ: Burschikos, und genau wissend, was ihr Herz schon seit Jahren sagt: Verliebt in Sam.
Sam jedoch will eigentlich gar nicht verliebt sein. Schon gar nicht in Hurricane Hannah.
Ich liebe die Bücher von Julie Ann Walker, denn sowohl ihr Schreibstil als auch ihre Figuren haben einen hohen Wiedererkennungswert. Und nur sie beherrscht den Zeitschleifen-Effekt. Inmitten größter Gefahr beschreibt die Autorin sehr genau und detailliert die Gefühle und Gedanken der jeweiligen Protagonisten... und erst dann schlägt die Kugel ein...
Fazit: Ein weiteres tolles Buch aus der BKI-Reihe, mit besonderem Nervenkitzel, da das Internet heutzutage alltäglich ist, und einer sehr spannenden Perspektive für Fisher und Eliza.
September 25, 2023
4.5 stars--BLACK HEARTS is the second instalment in Julie Ann Walker's contemporary, adult BLACK KNIGHTS INC: RELOADED romantic suspense series-a spin off from the author's BLACK KNIGHTS INC. This is thirty-four year old, former US Marine Raider turned BKI agent Samuel Harwood, and twenty-nine year old, DOD IT specialist / hacker Hannah Blue’s story line. BLACK HEARTED can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line or series is revealed where necessary. Several characters cross over from the original series for cohesion.
Told from several omniscient third person perspectives including Hannah and Sam BLACK HEARTED follows in the wake of the arrest of our story line heroine. Hannah Blue uncovered a possible threat to the US power grid but someone has placed the blame squarely on our story line heroine. Arrested by the FBI and held on terrorism charges, Hannah’s one call to her best friend Cesar results in the escape and rescue of our story line heroine. Enter thirty-four year old, former US Marine Raider turned BKI agent Samuel Harwood, the man Hannah has love most of her life. What ensues is the search for the truth, and the building relationship between our story line couple.
The world building continues to focus on a new crew of Black Ops agents working for Black Knights Inc. Hannah Blue has lusted after Samuel Harwood since the first time her older sister brought Samuel home but Samuel sees Hannah as a younger sister, and as such is desperate to keep their relationship as friends but when the FBI comes looking for our story line couple, Samuel becomes guardian and protector of our story line heroine.
The relationship between Sam and Hannah is one of unrequited love. Sam has kept his distance from the woman that stirs something deep but it is only a matter of time, and a suspicion that Hannah has been set up to take a fall, that Sam will realize Hannah is the woman he loves. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.
Several of the original Black Knights Inc team return a secondary and supporting characters. We are re-introduced to Eliza Meadows, Fisher Wakefield as well as Grace Beacham and Hunter Jackson (Back in Black 1). The requisite evil has many faces. There is something developing between Fisher and Eliza.
BLACK HEARTED is a story of power and control, betrayal and vengeance, espionage and terrorism, family, friendships, relationships and love. The fast paced premise is intriguing, captivating and dramatic; the romance is seductive and fated; the characters are powerful, determined and dynamic. BLACK HEARTED ends on a happily ever after for now-the main conflict and the people involved has yet to be resolved.
copy supplied for review
www.thereadingcafe.com
Told from several omniscient third person perspectives including Hannah and Sam BLACK HEARTED follows in the wake of the arrest of our story line heroine. Hannah Blue uncovered a possible threat to the US power grid but someone has placed the blame squarely on our story line heroine. Arrested by the FBI and held on terrorism charges, Hannah’s one call to her best friend Cesar results in the escape and rescue of our story line heroine. Enter thirty-four year old, former US Marine Raider turned BKI agent Samuel Harwood, the man Hannah has love most of her life. What ensues is the search for the truth, and the building relationship between our story line couple.
The world building continues to focus on a new crew of Black Ops agents working for Black Knights Inc. Hannah Blue has lusted after Samuel Harwood since the first time her older sister brought Samuel home but Samuel sees Hannah as a younger sister, and as such is desperate to keep their relationship as friends but when the FBI comes looking for our story line couple, Samuel becomes guardian and protector of our story line heroine.
The relationship between Sam and Hannah is one of unrequited love. Sam has kept his distance from the woman that stirs something deep but it is only a matter of time, and a suspicion that Hannah has been set up to take a fall, that Sam will realize Hannah is the woman he loves. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.
Several of the original Black Knights Inc team return a secondary and supporting characters. We are re-introduced to Eliza Meadows, Fisher Wakefield as well as Grace Beacham and Hunter Jackson (Back in Black 1). The requisite evil has many faces. There is something developing between Fisher and Eliza.
BLACK HEARTED is a story of power and control, betrayal and vengeance, espionage and terrorism, family, friendships, relationships and love. The fast paced premise is intriguing, captivating and dramatic; the romance is seductive and fated; the characters are powerful, determined and dynamic. BLACK HEARTED ends on a happily ever after for now-the main conflict and the people involved has yet to be resolved.
copy supplied for review
www.thereadingcafe.com
August 4, 2023
Ahh, I am loving this BKI 2.0 crew so much! We got a glimpse of Hannah and Sam's potential in Back in Black (Hunter and Grace's story), and I couldn't wait to see how their relationship would unfold. Black Hearted did not disappoint!
Sam dated Hannah's sister Candy when he was in high school, and Hannah developed a serious crush on him that never went away. They share a very similar sense of humor, love the same movies, and generally just got each other in a way that Sam and Candy never did. But back then, Hannah was only 13 so she was just Candy's kid sister to Sam. Now, after seeing the grown up, 29 year old version of Hannah Blue, Sam's vision of her is in need of reconciliation between his memories and the amazing reality staring him in the face.
Hannah's world implodes when she is accused of being a traitor and framed by a shadowy group she was trying to stop. Her only option is to escape FBI custody when it is clear they will not listen objectively to anything she has to say, and the only person she can count on to help with her harebrained escape plot is Sam. Despite the fact she has ignored him for the last 6 months to protect her heart, her faith in him is unshakeable and he is indeed waiting when she makes a run for it.
What follows is a mix of twisty-turny suspense, comedic banter, and straight up heat as the BKI team dives into trying to stop a terrorist plot against the US while Sam finally comes to terms with his feelings for Hannah and allows himself to give in to them with a little subtle nudge from Eliza. Speaking of Eliza, the team's organizer extraordinaire and mother hen is experiencing a bit of emotional distress herself thanks to BKI operative Fisher Wakefield. The constant bickering between those two is clearly foreplay and I can only imagine how much fun their story will be! But back to Sam and Hannah for a moment: I loved their chemistry and I surely hope they work on their communication because the whole third act drama was wholly unnecessary and could have been avoided. I said it earlier, but it bears repeating: I am so in love with this new BKI 2.0 crew! I cannot wait to see what else is in store and I am loving the glimpses of the OG BKI couples too.
ARC received from author
Sam dated Hannah's sister Candy when he was in high school, and Hannah developed a serious crush on him that never went away. They share a very similar sense of humor, love the same movies, and generally just got each other in a way that Sam and Candy never did. But back then, Hannah was only 13 so she was just Candy's kid sister to Sam. Now, after seeing the grown up, 29 year old version of Hannah Blue, Sam's vision of her is in need of reconciliation between his memories and the amazing reality staring him in the face.
Hannah's world implodes when she is accused of being a traitor and framed by a shadowy group she was trying to stop. Her only option is to escape FBI custody when it is clear they will not listen objectively to anything she has to say, and the only person she can count on to help with her harebrained escape plot is Sam. Despite the fact she has ignored him for the last 6 months to protect her heart, her faith in him is unshakeable and he is indeed waiting when she makes a run for it.
What follows is a mix of twisty-turny suspense, comedic banter, and straight up heat as the BKI team dives into trying to stop a terrorist plot against the US while Sam finally comes to terms with his feelings for Hannah and allows himself to give in to them with a little subtle nudge from Eliza. Speaking of Eliza, the team's organizer extraordinaire and mother hen is experiencing a bit of emotional distress herself thanks to BKI operative Fisher Wakefield. The constant bickering between those two is clearly foreplay and I can only imagine how much fun their story will be! But back to Sam and Hannah for a moment: I loved their chemistry and I surely hope they work on their communication because the whole third act drama was wholly unnecessary and could have been avoided. I said it earlier, but it bears repeating: I am so in love with this new BKI 2.0 crew! I cannot wait to see what else is in store and I am loving the glimpses of the OG BKI couples too.
ARC received from author
July 28, 2023
Samuel “Sam” Harwood, former Marine Raider, is an operative for Black Knights Inc. When they need a temporary hacker, he immediately thinks of his ex-girlfriend’s little sister. Hannah Blue is no longer that preteen Sam fondly remembers but a woman full grown. When she lands herself in serious trouble, he risks everything to come to her rescue. With help from his BK comrades, they try to keep a catastrophe from happening.
Hannah Blue works as a computer specialist for the Department of Defense. She has always harbored special feelings for Sam, but the man continues to see her as that same preadolescent girl from the past. When Hannah is labeled a traitor, Sam is the first person she calls for help. They need to evade the FBI long enough to keep a national disaster from crippling the nation, along with clearing her name.
I understand Sam’s hesitancy where Hannah is concerned. She had been a preteen when they first met. He practically watched her grow up. I can see where he would be hung up on that. It is a hard hurdle to get past, along with his prior relationship with her older sister.
From the first book, I knew that Hannah would be a favorite. She may not be on Ozzie’s level (no one can top him EVER), but she is close. I adore Hannah’s personality. She has this snarky sass about her that made this book and the prior so entertaining to read. I especially love her creative cursing!
BLACK HEARTED is the second book in Julie Ann Walker’s romantic suspense series, BLACK KNIGHTS INC: RELOADED, a spinoff from her BLACK KNIGHTS INC series. I recommend reading the prior book (BACK IN BLACK) before this one. The author has a knack for setting up the next couple within the current one. And this book is no different! Walker knows how to hook her readers and make them eager for the next installment. Fisher and Eliza are next! I cannot wait!
My man Ozzie (WILD RIDE, book nine) plays an important role in this book. I squealed in happiness (I kid you not) when he made his appearance, especially with his love of hairbands and 80’s pop culture. Man, how I missed him! Ozzie always made the prior series so much fun to read. I love his wise crack commentary! Please, please Julie Ann Walker let Ozzie make frequent appearances in upcoming books! HE IS A MUST! (LOL)
Delilah and Mac (HELL FOR LEATHER, book six) also make a small appearance. It is great that we are seeing the old crew in their new lives. I hope we see the others in future books.
Hannah Blue works as a computer specialist for the Department of Defense. She has always harbored special feelings for Sam, but the man continues to see her as that same preadolescent girl from the past. When Hannah is labeled a traitor, Sam is the first person she calls for help. They need to evade the FBI long enough to keep a national disaster from crippling the nation, along with clearing her name.
I understand Sam’s hesitancy where Hannah is concerned. She had been a preteen when they first met. He practically watched her grow up. I can see where he would be hung up on that. It is a hard hurdle to get past, along with his prior relationship with her older sister.
From the first book, I knew that Hannah would be a favorite. She may not be on Ozzie’s level (no one can top him EVER), but she is close. I adore Hannah’s personality. She has this snarky sass about her that made this book and the prior so entertaining to read. I especially love her creative cursing!
BLACK HEARTED is the second book in Julie Ann Walker’s romantic suspense series, BLACK KNIGHTS INC: RELOADED, a spinoff from her BLACK KNIGHTS INC series. I recommend reading the prior book (BACK IN BLACK) before this one. The author has a knack for setting up the next couple within the current one. And this book is no different! Walker knows how to hook her readers and make them eager for the next installment. Fisher and Eliza are next! I cannot wait!
My man Ozzie (WILD RIDE, book nine) plays an important role in this book. I squealed in happiness (I kid you not) when he made his appearance, especially with his love of hairbands and 80’s pop culture. Man, how I missed him! Ozzie always made the prior series so much fun to read. I love his wise crack commentary! Please, please Julie Ann Walker let Ozzie make frequent appearances in upcoming books! HE IS A MUST! (LOL)
Delilah and Mac (HELL FOR LEATHER, book six) also make a small appearance. It is great that we are seeing the old crew in their new lives. I hope we see the others in future books.
September 28, 2023
Another page turner!
We were introduced to both Hannah and Sam in the first book, when Sam brought her in to BKI to help out when Ozzie, their resident computer guy, was out of the country on a mission. Sam and Hannah had grown up together--her older sister was his first girlfriend--and though Hannah had a bit of a crush on him, he'd always seen her as a younger sister. It was clear in book one, though, that Sam was having a hard time keeping Hannah in the she's just a kid box that he'd always had her in. Obviously, when she's on the run for her life and turns to him for help, his best intentions of staying away from her will be toast...
I thought the danger that Hannah, Sam, and the rest of the gang were fighting here felt all too real--not going to lie, the fact that this could be an actual threat is chilling. I enjoyed watching Sam, Hannah, Ozzie, Fisher, and Eliza (yep, Fisher and Eliza are going to take center stage in book 3; can't wait!) as they figured out what was going on and what to do about it.
Once again, they saved the world (yay!) and once again, the true bad guy remains unknown and still plotting against democracy behind the scenes at the end (unfortunate, except that it means more books to come so I can't be too mad about it).
My only real complaint this time around was the dreaded misunderstanding that kept our hero and heroine apart for six months after they all save the day--it seemed a bit of a stretch that they wouldn't have had more of a conversation before both giving up on their newfound relationship, especially since they'd both already admitted to themselves that they were in love. On the plus side, we don't have to actually *see* that six month time on the page, though they each do enough wallowing in the beginning of the six month later chapter to make up for it. Still, they do get over themselves and get to their HEA in the end...and now we have Fisher and Eliza's story to look forward to, and I am here for it!
Rating: 4 stars / A-
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
We were introduced to both Hannah and Sam in the first book, when Sam brought her in to BKI to help out when Ozzie, their resident computer guy, was out of the country on a mission. Sam and Hannah had grown up together--her older sister was his first girlfriend--and though Hannah had a bit of a crush on him, he'd always seen her as a younger sister. It was clear in book one, though, that Sam was having a hard time keeping Hannah in the she's just a kid box that he'd always had her in. Obviously, when she's on the run for her life and turns to him for help, his best intentions of staying away from her will be toast...
I thought the danger that Hannah, Sam, and the rest of the gang were fighting here felt all too real--not going to lie, the fact that this could be an actual threat is chilling. I enjoyed watching Sam, Hannah, Ozzie, Fisher, and Eliza (yep, Fisher and Eliza are going to take center stage in book 3; can't wait!) as they figured out what was going on and what to do about it.
Once again, they saved the world (yay!) and once again, the true bad guy remains unknown and still plotting against democracy behind the scenes at the end (unfortunate, except that it means more books to come so I can't be too mad about it).
My only real complaint this time around was the dreaded misunderstanding that kept our hero and heroine apart for six months after they all save the day--it seemed a bit of a stretch that they wouldn't have had more of a conversation before both giving up on their newfound relationship, especially since they'd both already admitted to themselves that they were in love. On the plus side, we don't have to actually *see* that six month time on the page, though they each do enough wallowing in the beginning of the six month later chapter to make up for it. Still, they do get over themselves and get to their HEA in the end...and now we have Fisher and Eliza's story to look forward to, and I am here for it!
Rating: 4 stars / A-
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
September 26, 2023
Samuel “Sam” Harwood is a member of Black Knights Inc. He was a Marine Raider who was offered his position and goes on some of the most dangerous missions for the President taking out bad guys. When the woman he has known since she was thirteen is in trouble, he is willing to drop everything and risk his life to save her and help her clear her name.
Hannah Blue, we first meet her in the previous book where she is helping BKI to clear Grace’s name. We see sparks fly and learn about some of Sam and Hannah’s past together. What she doesn’t know if everything that Sam tried to forget about her, comes back to the surface even after all these years apart. Now, six months after she says goodbye, Sam cannot stop seeing her for the woman she has become.
When Hannah is being set up and the FBI believes she is a traitor she turns to the only person she knows that can help her. She has information that can stop a potential cyber-attack on the U.S. power grid and end in a great loss of life. Only as she turns to Sam for help, she loses herself a little more in him, but can she convince Sam that he is good enough for her and he is the one?
It has been a while since I read the original BKI books, but seeing Ozzie again was awesome. No one can top Ozzie. As I was reading this book, I remembered why I loved the BKI books from the beginning and they are better than ever! I could not put this book down, it was fast paced, full of action, and left you wanting more. I loved that we not only get to see Ozzie and Sam, but we also get to see Delilah and Mac. It was nice getting a glimpse into their lives after BKI operatives. I think that Eliza and Fisher are next and boy that book is going to be fun. Their chemistry and banter were off the charts. I highly recommend this book and series.
Received ARC in exchange for voluntary honest review.
Hannah Blue, we first meet her in the previous book where she is helping BKI to clear Grace’s name. We see sparks fly and learn about some of Sam and Hannah’s past together. What she doesn’t know if everything that Sam tried to forget about her, comes back to the surface even after all these years apart. Now, six months after she says goodbye, Sam cannot stop seeing her for the woman she has become.
When Hannah is being set up and the FBI believes she is a traitor she turns to the only person she knows that can help her. She has information that can stop a potential cyber-attack on the U.S. power grid and end in a great loss of life. Only as she turns to Sam for help, she loses herself a little more in him, but can she convince Sam that he is good enough for her and he is the one?
It has been a while since I read the original BKI books, but seeing Ozzie again was awesome. No one can top Ozzie. As I was reading this book, I remembered why I loved the BKI books from the beginning and they are better than ever! I could not put this book down, it was fast paced, full of action, and left you wanting more. I loved that we not only get to see Ozzie and Sam, but we also get to see Delilah and Mac. It was nice getting a glimpse into their lives after BKI operatives. I think that Eliza and Fisher are next and boy that book is going to be fun. Their chemistry and banter were off the charts. I highly recommend this book and series.
Received ARC in exchange for voluntary honest review.
September 29, 2023
~~I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads ~~
This is the second book in the series - and I would definitely recommend that you read it first as this follows directly on from it - and we meet Hannah and see the beginnings of this budding romance there. I was so happy that we got to watch these two get on the same page !
I have enjoyed all the Black Knight stories, and this new BKI team are such fun - there is something rather wonderful about a group of slightly dysfunctional but incredibly close knit collection of strong, well trained and some super tech savvy individuals who work at the behest of the President. In this book, they have to trust one of their own over the FBI - and that could create trouble ... but only if their trust is misplaced.
Hannah is a super clever hacker who works for the government, but has been made to look like the terrorist - she needs help and how ... so she contacts her long time crush and BK, Sam. From that moment on the plot races along with some intriguing ideas about what could happen if the wrong people get hold of the power grid. Throw in the attraction between Sam and Hannah and the tension is scorching, and we can only hope for one outcome!
Another delicious storyline with some hilarious scenes, and fun camaraderie as well as some poignant moments. Cannot wait until the next BK finds his match ... and I think we get some strong hints in this book !
This is the second book in the series - and I would definitely recommend that you read it first as this follows directly on from it - and we meet Hannah and see the beginnings of this budding romance there. I was so happy that we got to watch these two get on the same page !
I have enjoyed all the Black Knight stories, and this new BKI team are such fun - there is something rather wonderful about a group of slightly dysfunctional but incredibly close knit collection of strong, well trained and some super tech savvy individuals who work at the behest of the President. In this book, they have to trust one of their own over the FBI - and that could create trouble ... but only if their trust is misplaced.
Hannah is a super clever hacker who works for the government, but has been made to look like the terrorist - she needs help and how ... so she contacts her long time crush and BK, Sam. From that moment on the plot races along with some intriguing ideas about what could happen if the wrong people get hold of the power grid. Throw in the attraction between Sam and Hannah and the tension is scorching, and we can only hope for one outcome!
Another delicious storyline with some hilarious scenes, and fun camaraderie as well as some poignant moments. Cannot wait until the next BK finds his match ... and I think we get some strong hints in this book !
September 27, 2023
Julie Ann Walker returns to her Black Knights, INC series with this second installment. I did not read the original Black Knights, Inc series and I am vowing to go back to see just what I was missing. This set of book opens with the story of Hunter Jackson and Grace Beacham coming back together after two years. They worked together on a case and had an intense connection, but instead of acting on those feelings went their separate ways.
Grace is in trouble and calls Hunter, and he doesn’t hesitate at jumping to help her. But this time, neither one is willing to dismiss their feelings. Julie Ann Walker speeds this book along in a quick timeline turnaround but doesn’t not feel rushed. There is something happening on page from page one to the very last while overlapping this storyline with the upcoming book. We meet the rest of Hunter’s team as well as a computer hacker from one of his teammates past, but you need to read the story to get the true nuances of their interaction.
Hunter is a man who believes that he is unworthy of the love from Grace, but Grace shows him that no matter what he is worthy of it all. From page one to the end, this story moves at a brisk pace, but it works well and there are no disjointed moments. The Black Knights world is intriguing and fun. There is not stop action and the flow of all the characters is perfection. These stories will need to be read in order because of the flow of the stories but they are worth the time.
Put out percentage: 63%
Grace is in trouble and calls Hunter, and he doesn’t hesitate at jumping to help her. But this time, neither one is willing to dismiss their feelings. Julie Ann Walker speeds this book along in a quick timeline turnaround but doesn’t not feel rushed. There is something happening on page from page one to the very last while overlapping this storyline with the upcoming book. We meet the rest of Hunter’s team as well as a computer hacker from one of his teammates past, but you need to read the story to get the true nuances of their interaction.
Hunter is a man who believes that he is unworthy of the love from Grace, but Grace shows him that no matter what he is worthy of it all. From page one to the end, this story moves at a brisk pace, but it works well and there are no disjointed moments. The Black Knights world is intriguing and fun. There is not stop action and the flow of all the characters is perfection. These stories will need to be read in order because of the flow of the stories but they are worth the time.
Put out percentage: 63%
October 9, 2023
I can’t get enough of these new Knights and their fierceless leading ladies. In this second installment of the Black Knight Ops, we are following Sam Harwood and Hannah Blue story, which we already have some clever breadcrumbs laid by JAW in Back in Black. Sam and Hannah had known each other since she was 13 yrs. and he was a senior dating her sister, but in her heart, she always knew that she, Hannah, was the one for him. In present day, Hannah is a serious computer programmer and white hat hacker who works for the FBI, but she is being framed of trying to take down the East Coast Power Grid and being in Chinese payroll. She knows that there is much more at stake and called the favor Sam owed her for saving him in a previous secret op while at the same time trying to protect her roommate Cesar/Cesarine. The speed at what these stories are told is my main reason to come back for more, they read as a “24” season, even with the clock ticking in the background. The supportive cast is outstanding! If you have the pleasure of had read the first incarnation of the Black Knights you will spot some of the OG characters, but the new crew and extended family by choice really complete the picture and add soooo much to what otherwise would be catalogue as romantic thriller. I don’t want to give too much away but our purple haired leading lady and trans roommate are something special. The entire story is full of banter, outrageous sub plots and funny commentary. There are more Knights coming and sincerely, I can’t wait for them to show up. Five shining stars.
November 20, 2023
Series: Black Knights Inc: Reloaded #2
Rating: 3 stars - I liked it
When someone sabotages Hannah Blue’s name, she finds herself being labeled a traitor by the FBI and in custody. She has to run to save herself and to stop a critical cyber-attack on the U.S. power grid, but to do that she needs the help of Samuel Harwood, the man she has been in love with since she was a teenager.
After reading the first book, I knew Hannah and Sam were going to be a couple that had a lot of chemistry but were both clueless about their feelings. Hannah has been in love with Sam since she was a teenager but until recently Sam still thought of Hannah as his childhood friend and ex-girlfriends sister. We see a lot of denial from Sam in the beginning and then once he does admit his feelings, they both believe it is a fling. This was basically a relationship with a lot of love and steam but a lack of communication.
The cybersecurity threat took Hannah and the Black Knights Inc to Texas where they foil a plan to take down the power grid and find out that Bishop isn’t out of the picture. The mission was interesting and fit well with the story and romance. It wasn’t as in depth and suspenseful as I was expecting but I still enjoyed it.
Overall, this was another good BKI story and I look forward to reading the next one. I am enjoying this new group of BKI men and the women they fall for so far.
CW: neglectful and drug addict parents mentioned; discussion of rape and death; gun and knife violence;
Rating: 3 stars - I liked it
When someone sabotages Hannah Blue’s name, she finds herself being labeled a traitor by the FBI and in custody. She has to run to save herself and to stop a critical cyber-attack on the U.S. power grid, but to do that she needs the help of Samuel Harwood, the man she has been in love with since she was a teenager.
After reading the first book, I knew Hannah and Sam were going to be a couple that had a lot of chemistry but were both clueless about their feelings. Hannah has been in love with Sam since she was a teenager but until recently Sam still thought of Hannah as his childhood friend and ex-girlfriends sister. We see a lot of denial from Sam in the beginning and then once he does admit his feelings, they both believe it is a fling. This was basically a relationship with a lot of love and steam but a lack of communication.
The cybersecurity threat took Hannah and the Black Knights Inc to Texas where they foil a plan to take down the power grid and find out that Bishop isn’t out of the picture. The mission was interesting and fit well with the story and romance. It wasn’t as in depth and suspenseful as I was expecting but I still enjoyed it.
Overall, this was another good BKI story and I look forward to reading the next one. I am enjoying this new group of BKI men and the women they fall for so far.
CW: neglectful and drug addict parents mentioned; discussion of rape and death; gun and knife violence;
September 25, 2023
Sam & Hannah
I love this Black Knights, Inc 2.0 series!
Sam and Hannah covertly danced around each other in the previous book, Back in Black. Neither one thought their relationship was anything more than revisiting their youth and the fun they had. Neither one saw the other as a potential love interest - until now.
Secret glances, accidental touches and side eyes make for a subtle, but electric, situation.
I love the acting ability the two go through to show the room they don’t care. I also enjoy the constant repartee and insults being slung between Eliza & Fisher hinting at the next couple to admit defeat. I absolutely love the charismatic Cesar and the antics of Peanut!
Captivating, full of suspense, intimate drama and fast paced action. The premise is well thought out, the mission is planned, and the team have their parts well rehearsed, all except Hannah. It’s dangerous and life threatening, but Hannah can handle it. Sam has to make sure she is protected if she would only cooperate.
This series is still building the meat of the story and its characters as we are learning of the new players and bad actors. One would say ramping up the suspense and intrigue. I fell in love with this second installment of BKI immediately and it doesn’t disappoint. Ultimately, I love Sam & Hannah’s realization of their feelings for each other and their acceptance of how they got there. Love this!
I love this Black Knights, Inc 2.0 series!
Sam and Hannah covertly danced around each other in the previous book, Back in Black. Neither one thought their relationship was anything more than revisiting their youth and the fun they had. Neither one saw the other as a potential love interest - until now.
Secret glances, accidental touches and side eyes make for a subtle, but electric, situation.
I love the acting ability the two go through to show the room they don’t care. I also enjoy the constant repartee and insults being slung between Eliza & Fisher hinting at the next couple to admit defeat. I absolutely love the charismatic Cesar and the antics of Peanut!
Captivating, full of suspense, intimate drama and fast paced action. The premise is well thought out, the mission is planned, and the team have their parts well rehearsed, all except Hannah. It’s dangerous and life threatening, but Hannah can handle it. Sam has to make sure she is protected if she would only cooperate.
This series is still building the meat of the story and its characters as we are learning of the new players and bad actors. One would say ramping up the suspense and intrigue. I fell in love with this second installment of BKI immediately and it doesn’t disappoint. Ultimately, I love Sam & Hannah’s realization of their feelings for each other and their acceptance of how they got there. Love this!
September 27, 2023
I am absolutely loving Black Knights Inc Reloaded! In Black Hearted, Sam Harwood is the smooth talking BKI operative who is all smiles and charm on the outside but inside he feels that he is missing out on something but isn't quite sure what it is. He loves his job. He loves his friends. He loves his life...almost. When he gets a visit to inform him that the younger sister of his high school girlfriend is in deep trouble, Sam drops everything to get to her. Hannah Blue is in trouble and she has no clue why. When the FBI drags her in insisting that she is an accomplice involved in possible espionage against the government, she's shocked. She hasn't done anything but no one will listen to her and she knows the one person that can help her is her lifelong crush. Sam and Hannah need to work together to get to the bottom of what is a very bad situation and no matter the feelings Hannah has for him or his denial of the fact that she is now a grown woman that he is very attracted to they need to work together to clear her name. There are so many wonderful things about Black Hearted beyond the unrequited love of youth. There's the action, great supporting characters, government intrigue, laughter, lust and love. Black Hearted was told from dual POV and stands alone in the series but do yourself a favor and binge read them all!
September 27, 2023
Samuel Harwood has known Hannah Blue since she was 13, and he dated her older sister. Hannah is nearly 30 now and recently helped Sam with a BKI job. He finally sees her as a woman instead of a kid, but she believes he will never be interested in her. One night her apartment is raided by the FBI, because they think she is working with the Chinese to take down the power grid on the east coast. She’s not, but proving that to ignorant agents who have already decided she’s guilty is difficult. Her roommate contacts Sam for help, and Hannah finds a way to get to him.
This story moves quickly. There are conflicts and uncertainties and some misunderstandings, but eventually things start to look better. However, the story ends with a few ‘hooks’ to get readers interested in the next book in this riveting series.
Julie Ann Walker exposes some real life issues that the US and other countries are currently experiencing in this book, and she does it in a thought-provoking way. She’s not afraid to speak up about some of the stupid decisions being made currently. I, for one, am glad that her voice can reach readers and raise awareness about important issues.
This book is exciting and fast-paced and is well-written. This one is the second book in this reloaded series. It can be read as a stand alone, but would be much better if the first book is read before starting this one.
This story moves quickly. There are conflicts and uncertainties and some misunderstandings, but eventually things start to look better. However, the story ends with a few ‘hooks’ to get readers interested in the next book in this riveting series.
Julie Ann Walker exposes some real life issues that the US and other countries are currently experiencing in this book, and she does it in a thought-provoking way. She’s not afraid to speak up about some of the stupid decisions being made currently. I, for one, am glad that her voice can reach readers and raise awareness about important issues.
This book is exciting and fast-paced and is well-written. This one is the second book in this reloaded series. It can be read as a stand alone, but would be much better if the first book is read before starting this one.
September 26, 2023
Welcome back to BKI version 2.0! Wow. All I can say is somehow this book was better than the first one - and I LOVED the first one of this series-continuation!
If you read the first book, you got a glimpse of Hannah and Sam - but if you haven’t (well go read it its amazing!) you won’t be lost starting this story. Sam dated Hannah’s sister Candy when in high school and has always claimed to see Sam as his little sister, but Sam is all grown up.
As we begin this book, Hannah is accused of treason and she reaches out to Sam for help. What follows is quite the adventure with glimpses of OG BKI members and a great Sam/Ozzie hacker team up as Hannah tries to clear her name and prevent a terrorist attack. The story is great, although some of the conflict between the characters in the last part of the book seemed a little trite.
This book also gives you a glimpse into Eliza, the team’s organizer and daughter to the president’s chief of staff and Fisher one of the other BKI team members (hoping their story comes soon!!). I am looking forward to how this series progresses as we get to know each member of the team better! Hoping for more glimpses and scenes with Boss Frank too!
This is my true and honest opinion of an advanced reader copy provided for me to read.
If you read the first book, you got a glimpse of Hannah and Sam - but if you haven’t (well go read it its amazing!) you won’t be lost starting this story. Sam dated Hannah’s sister Candy when in high school and has always claimed to see Sam as his little sister, but Sam is all grown up.
As we begin this book, Hannah is accused of treason and she reaches out to Sam for help. What follows is quite the adventure with glimpses of OG BKI members and a great Sam/Ozzie hacker team up as Hannah tries to clear her name and prevent a terrorist attack. The story is great, although some of the conflict between the characters in the last part of the book seemed a little trite.
This book also gives you a glimpse into Eliza, the team’s organizer and daughter to the president’s chief of staff and Fisher one of the other BKI team members (hoping their story comes soon!!). I am looking forward to how this series progresses as we get to know each member of the team better! Hoping for more glimpses and scenes with Boss Frank too!
This is my true and honest opinion of an advanced reader copy provided for me to read.
September 26, 2023
The second group of BKI adventures is already a hit for me. This series was one of my favorites and always an instant read.
This second book focuses on Hannah, a cyber hacker that finds herself in hot water when the FBI targets her and considers her a traitor thinking she sold access to a power grid that could take out the entire state of Texas. She’s arrested, escapes, and on the run as her life implodes. Hannah made a brief appearance in the first 2.0 book, but now she’s back with her own major troubles. Sam is who she turns to for help. He dated her sister in high school and still sees her as a kid who is off limits despite their earlier friendship and connection. He dubbed her “Hurricane Hannah” for her wild escapades, and with her on the run, the nickname still applies. These two have a strong connection – her teenage crush has turned into full blown love, but he’s resisting her despite their subtle interactions.
What really is fun for me is seeking glimpses of the OG BKI crew, and several make an appearance here, including Ozzie, Mac & Delilah and their life post-BKI. JAW can’t release the next one fast enough for me!
This second book focuses on Hannah, a cyber hacker that finds herself in hot water when the FBI targets her and considers her a traitor thinking she sold access to a power grid that could take out the entire state of Texas. She’s arrested, escapes, and on the run as her life implodes. Hannah made a brief appearance in the first 2.0 book, but now she’s back with her own major troubles. Sam is who she turns to for help. He dated her sister in high school and still sees her as a kid who is off limits despite their earlier friendship and connection. He dubbed her “Hurricane Hannah” for her wild escapades, and with her on the run, the nickname still applies. These two have a strong connection – her teenage crush has turned into full blown love, but he’s resisting her despite their subtle interactions.
What really is fun for me is seeking glimpses of the OG BKI crew, and several make an appearance here, including Ozzie, Mac & Delilah and their life post-BKI. JAW can’t release the next one fast enough for me!
September 27, 2023
If you love suspense, ex-military Alphas, along with smart, sexy, strong and sassy women, and stories with twists and turns throughout, you'll love Julie Ann Walker's stories. Black Knights Inc: Reloaded is a great addition to her books, and a welcome return to the BKI series.
With new characters and the OG interspersed, you can't go wrong reading the BKI: Reloaded. The same great story lines and suspense but with a younger group of men and women doing the job that the BKI are hired to do. Same great twists and turns throughout the stories as well as the steam between the MMC and the FMC.
I love Hannah and her determination to clear her name as well as show Sam that she's the woman for him. She feels that she has to compete with her sister and other women that are similar to her sister, but Sam is realizing that his type is not what he thought it was, now to convince Hannah of that. I love the suspense throughout this story as well as the action throughout. The characters are great and I can't wait for more of this team. The search goes on for Bishop and his minions. Who else will Bishop put in his crosshairs that the BKI team will have to rescue next? I'm excited for more!
With new characters and the OG interspersed, you can't go wrong reading the BKI: Reloaded. The same great story lines and suspense but with a younger group of men and women doing the job that the BKI are hired to do. Same great twists and turns throughout the stories as well as the steam between the MMC and the FMC.
I love Hannah and her determination to clear her name as well as show Sam that she's the woman for him. She feels that she has to compete with her sister and other women that are similar to her sister, but Sam is realizing that his type is not what he thought it was, now to convince Hannah of that. I love the suspense throughout this story as well as the action throughout. The characters are great and I can't wait for more of this team. The search goes on for Bishop and his minions. Who else will Bishop put in his crosshairs that the BKI team will have to rescue next? I'm excited for more!
September 26, 2023
Having met both Sam and Hannah in Back in Black the first BKI Reloaded novel, I was sooo pleased to meet them again so soon. As a complete standalone, Black Hearted can be read and enjoyed but as a massive BKI fan, I'd encourage researching the BKI series in its entirety, you won't be disappointed!
The story of Sam and Hannah is pretty much what you might expect from the standard BKI mmc and the women they lose their hearts to. As usual though, the fmc kicks some serious butt too and Hurricane Hannah is no different.
With a mystery to solve and a country to save, the staff at Black Knight Inc are more than up to the challenge as usual.
The development of the relationship between Sam and Hannah is entirely fated but I thought for a while that an intervention might be needed to get these two on the same page...and oh what a page it was!
With mystery, intrigue and a whole lotta lovin' the question would have to be 'what more do you want?' That answer is easy. Fisher! We want Fisher!
The story of Sam and Hannah is pretty much what you might expect from the standard BKI mmc and the women they lose their hearts to. As usual though, the fmc kicks some serious butt too and Hurricane Hannah is no different.
With a mystery to solve and a country to save, the staff at Black Knight Inc are more than up to the challenge as usual.
The development of the relationship between Sam and Hannah is entirely fated but I thought for a while that an intervention might be needed to get these two on the same page...and oh what a page it was!
With mystery, intrigue and a whole lotta lovin' the question would have to be 'what more do you want?' That answer is easy. Fisher! We want Fisher!
September 29, 2023
Espionage uncovered...
Black Knights Inc: Reloaded - Black Hearts is the second instalment in Julie Ann Walker where we take a wild ride with a former United States Marine and a Department of Defense Information Technology Specialist. This fast-paced story will have you gripping the book with haste of what comes next. Although I have read the first installment, I really like how Julie Ann Walker paints the important details forward so it can be read as a standalone book as well. I also like how she ties in characters from the original Black Knights Inc series which ties the new book series in with the first.
This story really brings out the heat and Hannah and Sam are in hot pursuit of the truth behind Hannah’s arrest and who is trying to pin the murder of her partner on her. They uncover the bigger plot, and even more excitement builds as Hannah is once again on the run. The spare nothing while in search of the truth. Their passion for each other intensifies and makes the excitement jump off the pages.
Black Knights Inc: Reloaded - Black Hearts is the second instalment in Julie Ann Walker where we take a wild ride with a former United States Marine and a Department of Defense Information Technology Specialist. This fast-paced story will have you gripping the book with haste of what comes next. Although I have read the first installment, I really like how Julie Ann Walker paints the important details forward so it can be read as a standalone book as well. I also like how she ties in characters from the original Black Knights Inc series which ties the new book series in with the first.
This story really brings out the heat and Hannah and Sam are in hot pursuit of the truth behind Hannah’s arrest and who is trying to pin the murder of her partner on her. They uncover the bigger plot, and even more excitement builds as Hannah is once again on the run. The spare nothing while in search of the truth. Their passion for each other intensifies and makes the excitement jump off the pages.
November 27, 2023
Romantic thriller
No plot spoilers
No potential triggers
The characterisation is spot on.
The plotline is engaging and ensures you keep turning the pages.
I have adored the BKI books for years and the reloaded series is set to continue the theme of quiet and deadly hero's with smart heroines.
And yet.
There is a little something missing. Again there is little input from previous characters, and I do appreciate that the new characters have to carry the storyline however, I do think the author has missed a trick by not having more of an input from original characters.
For one thing, it doesn't seem there is a leader at BKI anymore. No-one to keep track of the work or characters, no head honcho like Boss.
There is also an underlying agenda that the author has tried not to let colour the story, but it comes through in subtle and not so subtle ways.
I don't disagree with the agenda, but do wonder if the series is the right vehicle to express personal beliefs.
Were my own government dictate the books I could read and burn the rest I doubt I would be so light handed.
No plot spoilers
No potential triggers
The characterisation is spot on.
The plotline is engaging and ensures you keep turning the pages.
I have adored the BKI books for years and the reloaded series is set to continue the theme of quiet and deadly hero's with smart heroines.
And yet.
There is a little something missing. Again there is little input from previous characters, and I do appreciate that the new characters have to carry the storyline however, I do think the author has missed a trick by not having more of an input from original characters.
For one thing, it doesn't seem there is a leader at BKI anymore. No-one to keep track of the work or characters, no head honcho like Boss.
There is also an underlying agenda that the author has tried not to let colour the story, but it comes through in subtle and not so subtle ways.
I don't disagree with the agenda, but do wonder if the series is the right vehicle to express personal beliefs.
Were my own government dictate the books I could read and burn the rest I doubt I would be so light handed.
September 26, 2023
Sam Harwood has known Hannah Blue since she was a little girl. He dated her big sister back in the day. She helped the Black Knights out when Sam's teammate asked. Now, she's the one that needs help. When the FBI suspects her of a crime, the first person sheS calls is Sam. Needless to say, he comes to her rescue. That's when a series of events start happening that will leave you on the edge of your seat. First order of business, prove Hannah's innocence and then find the guilty party. Sounds simple, right? Not so much. Add in the fact that Hannah has been in love with Sam forever, and you have a sticky situation. It would help things greatly if Sam would acknowledge the fact that Hannah is a grown woman. Sam and Hannah have a lot of obstacles standing between them and their HEA. Will they succeed? Get this book and find out. Sorry, no spoilers. I received this ARC and here is my honest review.
October 6, 2023
This is the story of Sam and Hannah, definitely. For me, though, Eliza and Fisher were the stars of this second book of the new series of BKI. They were the ones getting to dig through the layers and under the appearance they showed the world. They were witty and smart and oh, so enjoyable to watch!
Sam and Hannah reunited and were acting in love but very cautiously, as to not hurt or get hurt. They had their HEA. What impressed me the most was the fact that they were obvious soul mates and that they recognized each other as such.
It is a good book and not a great one, in my opinion, because of a certain political agenda being pushed by the author, which tainted the beauty of the novel. Either you agree or disagree with her opinions, the whole narrative of the book suffered from it.
It is a strong book, entertaining and full of adventure and dangerous situations. For the readers of the first series, you can enjoy Ozzie and Samantha again.
I received an ARC from the author.
Sam and Hannah reunited and were acting in love but very cautiously, as to not hurt or get hurt. They had their HEA. What impressed me the most was the fact that they were obvious soul mates and that they recognized each other as such.
It is a good book and not a great one, in my opinion, because of a certain political agenda being pushed by the author, which tainted the beauty of the novel. Either you agree or disagree with her opinions, the whole narrative of the book suffered from it.
It is a strong book, entertaining and full of adventure and dangerous situations. For the readers of the first series, you can enjoy Ozzie and Samantha again.
I received an ARC from the author.
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