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Black Knights Inc: Reloaded #3
Man in Black
A story as old as time… He comes from nothing, and she was born with a silver spoon. Do opposites really attract?
The Black Knights are back and better than ever!
As the son of a felon, Fisher Wakefield is no stranger to the seedier side of life. So when Eliza Meadows, BKI’s elegant and efficient Girl Friday, finds herself the target of group of low-down, murderous thugs, he doesn’t hesitate to jump into the fray despite Eliza insisting she doesn’t need his help.
The lone survivor and only witness to the killing of U.S. senator and his family, Eliza is forced to rely on the covert operators at Black Knights Inc. to keep her safe. But she’s never been very good at letting other people solve her problems. And to make matters worse, Fisher, the bad boy from the bayou, refuses to leave her side.
As the Black Knights race to uncover who is behind the senator’s murder, they soon find out all is not as it seems. There are mysterious powers at play. And if Fisher and Eliza can’t learn to work together, they might lose everything.
The Black Knights are back and better than ever!
As the son of a felon, Fisher Wakefield is no stranger to the seedier side of life. So when Eliza Meadows, BKI’s elegant and efficient Girl Friday, finds herself the target of group of low-down, murderous thugs, he doesn’t hesitate to jump into the fray despite Eliza insisting she doesn’t need his help.
The lone survivor and only witness to the killing of U.S. senator and his family, Eliza is forced to rely on the covert operators at Black Knights Inc. to keep her safe. But she’s never been very good at letting other people solve her problems. And to make matters worse, Fisher, the bad boy from the bayou, refuses to leave her side.
As the Black Knights race to uncover who is behind the senator’s murder, they soon find out all is not as it seems. There are mysterious powers at play. And if Fisher and Eliza can’t learn to work together, they might lose everything.
Audio CD
First published May 28, 2024
103 people are currently reading
268 people want to read
About the author
Julie Ann Walker
36 books2,681 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 86 reviews
May 31, 2024
⭐️⭐️ The only two star review means I’m in the minority here. I LOVE this series but Fisher and Eliza’s story was a huge disappointment for me. The story didn’t flow with each chapter jerking you to a different character and location. We don’t know why the murderer committed the crime, the FBI agent was more interested in a certain black knight vs her case, her partner was a distraction, and where was Eliza’s father after she was shot at again?!?
I had high hopes for this book and they fell as flat as Eliza and Fisher when they were shot at.
I had high hopes for this book and they fell as flat as Eliza and Fisher when they were shot at.
March 28, 2024
Man in Black❤️
Absolutely freaking loved Man in Black❣️Finally Fisher and Eliza get their HEA, but they will have to first get through some pretty harrowing experiences as well as finally allow their respective “walls” to come down to be together☺️
I’m super excited for the next story and after that brief glimpse at the end…I’m wondering who the traitor is? I do hope Britt’s story is next and perhaps a certain FBI Agent might’ve caught his eye😉
I received an advanced copy and willingly leave my honest review❤️🩹
Absolutely freaking loved Man in Black❣️Finally Fisher and Eliza get their HEA, but they will have to first get through some pretty harrowing experiences as well as finally allow their respective “walls” to come down to be together☺️
I’m super excited for the next story and after that brief glimpse at the end…I’m wondering who the traitor is? I do hope Britt’s story is next and perhaps a certain FBI Agent might’ve caught his eye😉
I received an advanced copy and willingly leave my honest review❤️🩹
May 29, 2024
"It hadn’t simply been a kiss of passion. It was as if every ounce of her being had been poured into that fleeting moment of intimacy."
Julie Ann Walker returns to the Black Knights Series with Man in Black.
Man in Black is the story of Fisher Wakefield and Eliza Meadows. Fisher is a man who doesn’t think he deserves more. His past has formed his opinions of himself, and he is having a hard time moving past it. Eliza is a woman that works hard and tries to separate herself from her background as well… but in different ways.
These two are more than meets the eyes… They both have had feelings for each other, but because of Fisher’s hang-ups they throw barbs at each other more often than not. But then an event occurs and Fisher starts to really see that maybe, maybe things could be different. Alas, his head gets in his way. Eliza has always seen him as more than he sees himself, but he won’t allow things to move past that. Until they decided to add benefits to their relationship. Then the waters get muddy and more feelings get involved.
In Man in Black, we are treated to the bad guy’s POV, as well as the introduction of the next couple and their connection. Julie Ann Walker creates an intricately woven story that makes a reader never want to put the book down. You do want to read these series in order because of the overarching storyline as well as the way in which she introduces characters, but you won’t be disappointed because of that fact.
TYPE OF SERIES: Interconnected Series
PoP: 82%
Julie Ann Walker returns to the Black Knights Series with Man in Black.
Man in Black is the story of Fisher Wakefield and Eliza Meadows. Fisher is a man who doesn’t think he deserves more. His past has formed his opinions of himself, and he is having a hard time moving past it. Eliza is a woman that works hard and tries to separate herself from her background as well… but in different ways.
These two are more than meets the eyes… They both have had feelings for each other, but because of Fisher’s hang-ups they throw barbs at each other more often than not. But then an event occurs and Fisher starts to really see that maybe, maybe things could be different. Alas, his head gets in his way. Eliza has always seen him as more than he sees himself, but he won’t allow things to move past that. Until they decided to add benefits to their relationship. Then the waters get muddy and more feelings get involved.
In Man in Black, we are treated to the bad guy’s POV, as well as the introduction of the next couple and their connection. Julie Ann Walker creates an intricately woven story that makes a reader never want to put the book down. You do want to read these series in order because of the overarching storyline as well as the way in which she introduces characters, but you won’t be disappointed because of that fact.
TYPE OF SERIES: Interconnected Series
PoP: 82%
May 19, 2024
Third in the Black Knights Inc: Reloaded romantic suspense series in a continuation of the Black Knights Inc series revolving around a small group of black ops ex-soldiers undercover as motorcycle mechanics. The couple focus is on Eliza and Fisher with a side note on Britt and Julia *eyebrow waggle*.
This ARC was sent to me by the author for an honest review.
My Take
I’ll warn y’all ahead of time — I do love strong, capable men who flash into action . . . sigh . . .
Walker starts with an intro to Eliza and Fisher of the Black Knights and then follows up with the inciting incident. Wow. I love her description of Eliza coming to and her struggles to rise up and understand what’s happened. Then that emotional blow. The line-by-line exposure of Eliza’s griefs. A nice bit of show, that. I sure can understand her guilt and fears.
I do love the Black Knights’ home base set in an old menthol cigarette company with its extensive shop on the ground floor and living quarters above. It even includes an escape tunnel.
Who’d’a thunk a soldier would be so fascinated by poetry? I gotta confess that I’ve never liked poetry. I never understand all that symbolism, etc. But Fish does make me want to explore it.
I sure can understand Fisher’s concerns about anything happening between him and Eliza. He’s a backcountry boy from Louisiana with a hideous childhood while Eliza is a boarding-school socialite who comes from money and power. And does Walker ever emphasize this, lol. Walker continues the contrast right into clothing choices and bedroom decor.
It does make me crazy that Fisher is so hung-up on his father and his childhood, but it is understandable, and such a strong stance for Fish to take. I can also understand his fears — thank god for Frank Knight! Parents have a lot to answer for — stop making excuses and get out!
Lol, Fisher’s reasons for getting into poetry! It’s quite the contrast to his thoughts on how PTSD affects the sounds an ex-solider at home experiences.
Senator McClean sounds like the kind of politician we should have, instead of the ones we do have. Charlie also sounds like a great guy, despite what Fish thinks.
Julia and Dillan. Oh. Boy. Walker does enjoy creating those stereotypes, and it cracks me up how much fun she has with Dillan’s character. Man fit. Pouting. And talk about being a handicap in interviews! It made me moan at how stupid the man was! You’d’a thunk he’d have more smarts, what with his so-important background.
It does go to show that money does not guarantee happiness. Man in Black shows that it’s the person who counts, not their upbringing or background. Their moral center, their kindness, their everyday actions and talk. Then there are those whose moral center collapses in adversity. It made me wanna cry at the injustice of it.
All these thoughts and feelings come courtesy of Walker’s use of third person global subjective point-of-view from Fisher’s, Eliza’s, Julia’s, Britt’s, and Yang’s perspectives.
We keep getting closer to learning Bishop’s identity, and there’s one scene in here that scares my pants off. And now that I’m going back through my notes, I see the clues that Walker is dropping. It’s making me more certain who Bishop is. Oh. Boy.
There are plenty of funny moments. I particularly enjoyed Eliza’s use of the lessons she learned from alien erotica, lol.
Walker is setting us up for Britt’s adventures (not until March 2025! in Black Moon Rising). It should be something of a stinker what with his worries about his con man brother versus his new fixation on an FBI agent. Ahem, “not that he noticed . . .”
Ya know, I do wish more men read romance novels, at least for the lessons on sex. A good one is when Eliza explains the difference between Fisher and every other man who came before.
I’m sorry for those of you who are anti-woke, ‘cause I am so woke. I believe in people being able to make a living wage. I believe that men and women are equal. I believe in people being able to make their own choices, to own their selves, without outsiders sticking their noses into other people’s business. Get a frickin’ life. Pay attention to your own lives. Practice being actual Christians. Y’all claim that God made everything. That includes people of color, different religions, and choices that are different from any one of us. This attitude is particularly obvious when you get Bishop’s thoughts on what this country “really needs”.
Man in Black is essentially driven by the characters’ thoughts and worries with action taking second place. I think there’s more action in how Walker describes the men and their capabilities *grin*.
Whew, that ending. It solves some questions, intensifies others, and creates new ones!
These two? They are running hot and cold and in such need of love, of family. Family can be more than the one you grew up with.
The Story
For the past four years, Eliza and Fisher have had a snarling relationship with each secretly wishing for more. It’ll take a traumatic, life-threatening event to kickstart this couple.
Only, Fish wants to feel safe in love.
The Characters
Black Knights Inc is . . .
. . . a custom motorcycle shop based on Goose Island in Chicago. That’s their cover, for each man is ex-military now working as a group of super-secret government defense contractors, answering only to the president.
The upper-crust Eliza “Liza” Meadows, who is “as beautiful as the night”, is the Knights’ office manager / live-in chef / and all-around girl Friday. She’s also the liaison between the Black Knights and the president. Her father, the cold Leonard Meadows, is the chief-of-staff to the president, Sandra J Stevens. (Her husband, the First Gentleman, is described as a glory hound.) Athena had been Eliza’s mother.
The poetry-loving harmonica-playing Fisher ”Fish” Wakefield, decorated former Delta Force and playboy of playboys, can’t cook for nothing. He named his six-figure motorcycle, Mardi Gras . Nash Wakefield, Fish’s dad, was the defining character in Fish’s background. Too bad Nash isn’t dead.
Britt Rollins, former sergeant of the 75th Ranger Regiment from Charleston, South Carolina, and adrenaline junkie, is Fisher’s best friend, wingmen for life. Britt has an older brother, Knox, whose childhood Britt questions, whether Knox’s would have been different, if his particular adrenaline addiction would have been different.
The other, current, Black Knights include the huge, heavily muscled Graham Colburn; Hewitt “Night Stalker” Burch (160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment), who pilots helicopters; Sam, a sharpshooter, who’s with the brilliant purple-haired dark web surfer, Hannah Blue, who is his girlfriend ( Black Hearted , 2); and, Hunter Jackson, who is married to Grace, who works counterterrorism ( Back in Black , 1).
The original Black Knights include Rebecca “Becky” Knight who is the owner of Black Knights and the wunderkind motorcycle designer whose designs are coveted by many. She’s married to Frank Knight ( In Rides Trouble , Orig 2), a.k.a. Boss, a former Navy SEAL. They have two children, Hazel and Charlotte. Ozzie, their computer guru, and Samantha, an intrepid investigative reporter,( Wild Ride , Orig 9) have a baby, Sophia Marie. Jake "the Snake" Sommers and Michelle, a pharmaceutical rep ( Rev It Up , Orig 3) have two boys, Franklin and JJ. Dan Currington, who had hooked up with Penni DePaul in Too Hard to Handle , Orig 8. They have four guards in the Connelly brothers, who include Manus (his wife is Birgit, a first-generation German-American, and they have seven-year-old twins) and Geralt. Peanut is the company mascot, a notch-eared tomcat who loves to be petted.
Charles McClean is in love with Eliza — and about to propose! His father is Senator John McClean, a self-made billionaire who truly is a fire-brand trying to help the people who elected him. Some of the guests at the party included Senator Bethany Chastain and her husband, Professor Bill Chastain. Peter Sullivan is the senator’s chef; Debra is his wife.
The FBI
Special Agent Julia O’Toole has been recently promoted to the disgust of her partner, the very right-wing Special Agent Dillan Douglas. It’s quite the surprise to learn of Julia’s penchant for rescuing animals, including Gunpowder, the former African grey with the foul mouth, lol. Julia’s brothers are firefighters.
“Yang” ( Black Hearted ), a brilliant assassin, does love hospitals. Vincent Romano had been their previous hacker ( Black Hearted ).
“Bishop” is the unknown traitor, who’s been organizing all the evil. There are rumors as to how many foreign spy communities with which he’s involved. Chuck Reynolds is a kiddie-loving current senate minority leader with an obsession for insider trading.
Benson is a nurse at Northwestern Memorial hospital. Ms Stapleton had been an employee at Eliza’s boarding school.
The Cover and Title
The cover is hot with the promise of action. It’s mostly black with blues in the lower center of a lightish blue sky over a blue mansion haloed in a whiteish blue with a couple silhouetted in front. In the upper right background is a close-up of Fisher in profile wearing sunglasses and a black T, and I gotta agree, he does look model-ready! There’s an info blurb at the top in a pale blue with the author’s name in a pale yellow below it. Below that, to the left of Fisher’s head is the title in a horizontal gradation of pale orange to pale yellow. At the very bottom is the series info split into pale yellow and pale blue with the “o” a gun sight.
The title is focused on one particular Man in Black, Fisher Wakefield.
This ARC was sent to me by the author for an honest review.
My Take
I’ll warn y’all ahead of time — I do love strong, capable men who flash into action . . . sigh . . .
Walker starts with an intro to Eliza and Fisher of the Black Knights and then follows up with the inciting incident. Wow. I love her description of Eliza coming to and her struggles to rise up and understand what’s happened. Then that emotional blow. The line-by-line exposure of Eliza’s griefs. A nice bit of show, that. I sure can understand her guilt and fears.
I do love the Black Knights’ home base set in an old menthol cigarette company with its extensive shop on the ground floor and living quarters above. It even includes an escape tunnel.
Who’d’a thunk a soldier would be so fascinated by poetry? I gotta confess that I’ve never liked poetry. I never understand all that symbolism, etc. But Fish does make me want to explore it.
I sure can understand Fisher’s concerns about anything happening between him and Eliza. He’s a backcountry boy from Louisiana with a hideous childhood while Eliza is a boarding-school socialite who comes from money and power. And does Walker ever emphasize this, lol. Walker continues the contrast right into clothing choices and bedroom decor.
It does make me crazy that Fisher is so hung-up on his father and his childhood, but it is understandable, and such a strong stance for Fish to take. I can also understand his fears — thank god for Frank Knight! Parents have a lot to answer for — stop making excuses and get out!
”. . . we tend to judge ourselves by our intentions and everyone else by their actions.”Frank isn’t the only one with good advice; Fish has a good one for Eliza and her primary trauma.
Lol, Fisher’s reasons for getting into poetry! It’s quite the contrast to his thoughts on how PTSD affects the sounds an ex-solider at home experiences.
Senator McClean sounds like the kind of politician we should have, instead of the ones we do have. Charlie also sounds like a great guy, despite what Fish thinks.
Julia and Dillan. Oh. Boy. Walker does enjoy creating those stereotypes, and it cracks me up how much fun she has with Dillan’s character. Man fit. Pouting. And talk about being a handicap in interviews! It made me moan at how stupid the man was! You’d’a thunk he’d have more smarts, what with his so-important background.
It does go to show that money does not guarantee happiness. Man in Black shows that it’s the person who counts, not their upbringing or background. Their moral center, their kindness, their everyday actions and talk. Then there are those whose moral center collapses in adversity. It made me wanna cry at the injustice of it.
All these thoughts and feelings come courtesy of Walker’s use of third person global subjective point-of-view from Fisher’s, Eliza’s, Julia’s, Britt’s, and Yang’s perspectives.
We keep getting closer to learning Bishop’s identity, and there’s one scene in here that scares my pants off. And now that I’m going back through my notes, I see the clues that Walker is dropping. It’s making me more certain who Bishop is. Oh. Boy.
There are plenty of funny moments. I particularly enjoyed Eliza’s use of the lessons she learned from alien erotica, lol.
Walker is setting us up for Britt’s adventures (not until March 2025! in Black Moon Rising). It should be something of a stinker what with his worries about his con man brother versus his new fixation on an FBI agent. Ahem, “not that he noticed . . .”
Ya know, I do wish more men read romance novels, at least for the lessons on sex. A good one is when Eliza explains the difference between Fisher and every other man who came before.
I’m sorry for those of you who are anti-woke, ‘cause I am so woke. I believe in people being able to make a living wage. I believe that men and women are equal. I believe in people being able to make their own choices, to own their selves, without outsiders sticking their noses into other people’s business. Get a frickin’ life. Pay attention to your own lives. Practice being actual Christians. Y’all claim that God made everything. That includes people of color, different religions, and choices that are different from any one of us. This attitude is particularly obvious when you get Bishop’s thoughts on what this country “really needs”.
Man in Black is essentially driven by the characters’ thoughts and worries with action taking second place. I think there’s more action in how Walker describes the men and their capabilities *grin*.
Whew, that ending. It solves some questions, intensifies others, and creates new ones!
These two? They are running hot and cold and in such need of love, of family. Family can be more than the one you grew up with.
The Story
For the past four years, Eliza and Fisher have had a snarling relationship with each secretly wishing for more. It’ll take a traumatic, life-threatening event to kickstart this couple.
Only, Fish wants to feel safe in love.
The Characters
Black Knights Inc is . . .
. . . a custom motorcycle shop based on Goose Island in Chicago. That’s their cover, for each man is ex-military now working as a group of super-secret government defense contractors, answering only to the president.
The upper-crust Eliza “Liza” Meadows, who is “as beautiful as the night”, is the Knights’ office manager / live-in chef / and all-around girl Friday. She’s also the liaison between the Black Knights and the president. Her father, the cold Leonard Meadows, is the chief-of-staff to the president, Sandra J Stevens. (Her husband, the First Gentleman, is described as a glory hound.) Athena had been Eliza’s mother.
The poetry-loving harmonica-playing Fisher ”Fish” Wakefield, decorated former Delta Force and playboy of playboys, can’t cook for nothing. He named his six-figure motorcycle, Mardi Gras . Nash Wakefield, Fish’s dad, was the defining character in Fish’s background. Too bad Nash isn’t dead.
Britt Rollins, former sergeant of the 75th Ranger Regiment from Charleston, South Carolina, and adrenaline junkie, is Fisher’s best friend, wingmen for life. Britt has an older brother, Knox, whose childhood Britt questions, whether Knox’s would have been different, if his particular adrenaline addiction would have been different.
The other, current, Black Knights include the huge, heavily muscled Graham Colburn; Hewitt “Night Stalker” Burch (160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment), who pilots helicopters; Sam, a sharpshooter, who’s with the brilliant purple-haired dark web surfer, Hannah Blue, who is his girlfriend ( Black Hearted , 2); and, Hunter Jackson, who is married to Grace, who works counterterrorism ( Back in Black , 1).
The original Black Knights include Rebecca “Becky” Knight who is the owner of Black Knights and the wunderkind motorcycle designer whose designs are coveted by many. She’s married to Frank Knight ( In Rides Trouble , Orig 2), a.k.a. Boss, a former Navy SEAL. They have two children, Hazel and Charlotte. Ozzie, their computer guru, and Samantha, an intrepid investigative reporter,( Wild Ride , Orig 9) have a baby, Sophia Marie. Jake "the Snake" Sommers and Michelle, a pharmaceutical rep ( Rev It Up , Orig 3) have two boys, Franklin and JJ. Dan Currington, who had hooked up with Penni DePaul in Too Hard to Handle , Orig 8. They have four guards in the Connelly brothers, who include Manus (his wife is Birgit, a first-generation German-American, and they have seven-year-old twins) and Geralt. Peanut is the company mascot, a notch-eared tomcat who loves to be petted.
Charles McClean is in love with Eliza — and about to propose! His father is Senator John McClean, a self-made billionaire who truly is a fire-brand trying to help the people who elected him. Some of the guests at the party included Senator Bethany Chastain and her husband, Professor Bill Chastain. Peter Sullivan is the senator’s chef; Debra is his wife.
The FBI
Special Agent Julia O’Toole has been recently promoted to the disgust of her partner, the very right-wing Special Agent Dillan Douglas. It’s quite the surprise to learn of Julia’s penchant for rescuing animals, including Gunpowder, the former African grey with the foul mouth, lol. Julia’s brothers are firefighters.
“Yang” ( Black Hearted ), a brilliant assassin, does love hospitals. Vincent Romano had been their previous hacker ( Black Hearted ).
“Bishop” is the unknown traitor, who’s been organizing all the evil. There are rumors as to how many foreign spy communities with which he’s involved. Chuck Reynolds is a kiddie-loving current senate minority leader with an obsession for insider trading.
Benson is a nurse at Northwestern Memorial hospital. Ms Stapleton had been an employee at Eliza’s boarding school.
The Cover and Title
The cover is hot with the promise of action. It’s mostly black with blues in the lower center of a lightish blue sky over a blue mansion haloed in a whiteish blue with a couple silhouetted in front. In the upper right background is a close-up of Fisher in profile wearing sunglasses and a black T, and I gotta agree, he does look model-ready! There’s an info blurb at the top in a pale blue with the author’s name in a pale yellow below it. Below that, to the left of Fisher’s head is the title in a horizontal gradation of pale orange to pale yellow. At the very bottom is the series info split into pale yellow and pale blue with the “o” a gun sight.
The title is focused on one particular Man in Black, Fisher Wakefield.
May 30, 2024
Wow - what a brutal opening. Sucks you right in to the story and leaves you on the edge of your seat till the very end.
I am so happy the author decided to revisit this series not only giving us new stories but also allowing us to see the other couples from the original series.
I am so happy the author decided to revisit this series not only giving us new stories but also allowing us to see the other couples from the original series.
December 30, 2024
As a fan of the Black Knights series, I was really disappointed with Man in Black. After getting to know Eliza and Fisher in Black Hearted, I was excited to read their story. Unfortunately, the romance was a major letdown, and the suspense action were lacking. It's definitely not my favorite Black Knight book.
May 27, 2024
I love being back in Chicago at BKI and the new generation of Black Knights.
Eliza and Fish have been circling each other for a while now and it was good to see them take centre stage.
After some unpleasantness for Eliza, everyone at BKI circle the wagons to protect one of their own, even those we've not seen for a while. And of course, this is just what Fish needs to extract his head from his nether regions!
As you might imagine, when two people have been holding themselves back from an intense attraction and suddenly we have a change in dynamic....all bets are off and the resulting explosion of action and feeling is stratospheric!
You have to experience this book to truly appreciate it's beauty. It's a stunner!
Eliza and Fish have been circling each other for a while now and it was good to see them take centre stage.
After some unpleasantness for Eliza, everyone at BKI circle the wagons to protect one of their own, even those we've not seen for a while. And of course, this is just what Fish needs to extract his head from his nether regions!
As you might imagine, when two people have been holding themselves back from an intense attraction and suddenly we have a change in dynamic....all bets are off and the resulting explosion of action and feeling is stratospheric!
You have to experience this book to truly appreciate it's beauty. It's a stunner!
May 31, 2024
Back in Chicago. As you may have noticed in previous books, Fish and Eliza are either sneaking around or bitching at each other.
Fish believes he is incapable of happiness or love. He's the exact opposite of Eliza. Born poor, with a disastrous childhood, he doesn't allow himself to dream of a permanent HEA. It's so cute to see Fish and Eliza fighting against their walls, not daring to accept or try happiness.
The whole team, including the retired members, try to identify the villain and keep Eliza safe.
When danger hits, true feelings are revealed and this is, as always in books by Julie Ann Walker, an emotional turn down and wrung out. The author writes in detail about the inner lives of her protagonists, which touches the heart. Nevertheless, all the characters in these books are special. If only because of their profession. This mixture is never boring, but always perfectly adapted to the plot. The villain is present in all the books, and you always think you have unmasked him. But is it really true? I love this mix of tough guys and soft feelings.
In this book, new feelings are overshadowed by old, painful ones, and the protagonists' own judgments about their own lives do not allow them to open up.
I also really like the fact that these books don't get right to the point, but that the tension is in the foreground and the erotic moments are discreet but still very present in the story.
I had to smile a lot in the previous books because of the banter between Eliza and Fisher, and it's so nice for me to see their HEA.
I think after each book: This is my favorite book now, but since you've had to put up with Eliza and Fisher's banter for a while, this book is kind of my special favorite now.
I'm really looking forward to the story of Fisher's best friend and a certain FBI agent.
Wieder zurück in Chicago. Wie Sie vielleicht schon in früheren Büchern bemerkt haben, schleichen Fish und Eliza entweder umeinander herum oder zicken sich gegenseitig an.
Fisher glaubt, er sei nicht fähig, glücklich zu sein oder zu lieben. Er ist das totale Gegenteil von Eliza. Arm geboren, mit einer katastrophalen Kindheit, erlaubt er sich nicht, von einem festen Happy End zu träumen. Es ist so süß zu sehen, wie Fish und Eliza gegen ihre Mauern ankämpfen und sich nicht trauen, das Glück zu akzeptieren oder zu versuchen.
Das ganze Team, einschließlich der pensionierten Mitglieder, versucht, den Bösewicht zu identifizieren und Eliza in Sicherheit zu bringen.
Als die Gefahr zuschlägt, kommen die wahren Gefühle zum Vorschein, und das ist, wie immer in Büchern von Julie Ann Walker, eine emotionale Wendung nach unten und nach oben. Die Autorin schreibt sehr ausführlich über das Innenleben ihrer Protagonisten, was sehr zu Herzen geht. Trotzdem sind alle Figuren in diesen Büchern etwas Besonderes. Schon allein wegen ihres Berufes. Diese Mischung ist nie langweilig, sondern immer perfekt auf die Handlung abgestimmt. Der Bösewicht ist in allen Büchern präsent, und man denkt immer, man hätte ihn entlarvt. Aber ist das wirklich der Fall? Ich liebe diese Mischung aus harten Kerlen und weichen Gefühlen.
In diesem Buch werden neue Gefühle von alten, Wunden überschattet, und ihre eigenen Urteile über ihr eigenes Leben erlauben es den Protagonisten nicht, sich zu öffnen.
Mir gefällt auch sehr gut, dass es in diesen Büchern nicht direkt zur Sache geht, sondern dass die Spannung im Vordergrund steht und die erotischen Momente dezent, aber dennoch sehr präsent in der Geschichte sind.
In den vorherigen Büchern musste ich oft schmunzeln wegen der Neckereien, die Eliza und Fisher ständig miteinander hatten, und es ist so schön für mich, ihr HEA zu erleben.
Ich denke nach jedem Buch: Dieses Buch ist jetzt mein Lieblingsbuch, aber da man das Geplänkel von Eliza und Fisher schon eine Weile 'ertragen' musste, ist dieses Buch jetzt irgendwie mein besonderer Favorit.
Ich freue mich schon auf die Geschichte von Fishers bestem Freund und einer gewissen FBI-Agentin.
Fish believes he is incapable of happiness or love. He's the exact opposite of Eliza. Born poor, with a disastrous childhood, he doesn't allow himself to dream of a permanent HEA. It's so cute to see Fish and Eliza fighting against their walls, not daring to accept or try happiness.
The whole team, including the retired members, try to identify the villain and keep Eliza safe.
When danger hits, true feelings are revealed and this is, as always in books by Julie Ann Walker, an emotional turn down and wrung out. The author writes in detail about the inner lives of her protagonists, which touches the heart. Nevertheless, all the characters in these books are special. If only because of their profession. This mixture is never boring, but always perfectly adapted to the plot. The villain is present in all the books, and you always think you have unmasked him. But is it really true? I love this mix of tough guys and soft feelings.
In this book, new feelings are overshadowed by old, painful ones, and the protagonists' own judgments about their own lives do not allow them to open up.
I also really like the fact that these books don't get right to the point, but that the tension is in the foreground and the erotic moments are discreet but still very present in the story.
I had to smile a lot in the previous books because of the banter between Eliza and Fisher, and it's so nice for me to see their HEA.
I think after each book: This is my favorite book now, but since you've had to put up with Eliza and Fisher's banter for a while, this book is kind of my special favorite now.
I'm really looking forward to the story of Fisher's best friend and a certain FBI agent.
Wieder zurück in Chicago. Wie Sie vielleicht schon in früheren Büchern bemerkt haben, schleichen Fish und Eliza entweder umeinander herum oder zicken sich gegenseitig an.
Fisher glaubt, er sei nicht fähig, glücklich zu sein oder zu lieben. Er ist das totale Gegenteil von Eliza. Arm geboren, mit einer katastrophalen Kindheit, erlaubt er sich nicht, von einem festen Happy End zu träumen. Es ist so süß zu sehen, wie Fish und Eliza gegen ihre Mauern ankämpfen und sich nicht trauen, das Glück zu akzeptieren oder zu versuchen.
Das ganze Team, einschließlich der pensionierten Mitglieder, versucht, den Bösewicht zu identifizieren und Eliza in Sicherheit zu bringen.
Als die Gefahr zuschlägt, kommen die wahren Gefühle zum Vorschein, und das ist, wie immer in Büchern von Julie Ann Walker, eine emotionale Wendung nach unten und nach oben. Die Autorin schreibt sehr ausführlich über das Innenleben ihrer Protagonisten, was sehr zu Herzen geht. Trotzdem sind alle Figuren in diesen Büchern etwas Besonderes. Schon allein wegen ihres Berufes. Diese Mischung ist nie langweilig, sondern immer perfekt auf die Handlung abgestimmt. Der Bösewicht ist in allen Büchern präsent, und man denkt immer, man hätte ihn entlarvt. Aber ist das wirklich der Fall? Ich liebe diese Mischung aus harten Kerlen und weichen Gefühlen.
In diesem Buch werden neue Gefühle von alten, Wunden überschattet, und ihre eigenen Urteile über ihr eigenes Leben erlauben es den Protagonisten nicht, sich zu öffnen.
Mir gefällt auch sehr gut, dass es in diesen Büchern nicht direkt zur Sache geht, sondern dass die Spannung im Vordergrund steht und die erotischen Momente dezent, aber dennoch sehr präsent in der Geschichte sind.
In den vorherigen Büchern musste ich oft schmunzeln wegen der Neckereien, die Eliza und Fisher ständig miteinander hatten, und es ist so schön für mich, ihr HEA zu erleben.
Ich denke nach jedem Buch: Dieses Buch ist jetzt mein Lieblingsbuch, aber da man das Geplänkel von Eliza und Fisher schon eine Weile 'ertragen' musste, ist dieses Buch jetzt irgendwie mein besonderer Favorit.
Ich freue mich schon auf die Geschichte von Fishers bestem Freund und einer gewissen FBI-Agentin.
June 9, 2024
Liza and Fish are action with a side of poetry.
Eliza Meadows, US Chief of Staff's only daughter, manager/handler of the new Black Knights operatives; liaison to the President and foodie extraordinaire has been in love with bad boy, poetry lover Fisher Wakefield since inception but have kept her feelings locked, always putting assignments first. We have had glimpse of them since Back in Black, BKI Reloaded started. Their exchanges always been pure chemistry, poetry and humor.
Fisher Wakefield, former Delta Force, bayou boy turned bad boy has always fancy Eliza, but knowing her, he can't accept that a woman like Eliza will be interested in a serious relationship with a southerner, son of a felon. Fish is full of charm, that with his harmonica and love for poetry but he is always aware of his “obsessive nature" and jealousy which he thinks are direct result of his father actions.
Man in Black starts with Fish watching Eliza get ready for a date while he is working in the shop and waiting his next assignment along with his wingman and bestie, Britt Rollins. Eliza is going to a social event as the plus one of a US Senator and the event is full of Washington DC movers and shakers and the elite who support them. The invitation came as something unexpected considering how many VIPs were on attendance, but Eliza never thought nothing nefarious will come out of it; but the event ended in a massacre where the BKI’s Friday Girl is one of the few survivors and eventually will be the sole survivor. This horrific event made Fish and Eliza finally acknowledge their feelings, but are they enough to survive while in the middle of a crisis? Never doubt, Fish and the other Knights will protect Eliza from further danger while trying to solve the what, who, how and why those events happened.
Man in Black is the kind of book that reads like an action, political thriller movie/TV show. Julie Ann Walker has created a fantastic world that sometimes mirror current events with magnificent characters in all her books and this is not exception. The Black Knights will go the distance and never stop until the danger is contained and the bad actors face justice. We will meet with some of the OG Knights. They will bring experience, comic relief and a sense of family within the walls of the bike shop. Mysterious bad guy Bishop continues his subversive agenda and still is the puppet master in all incidents. His real ID continue to be concealed, but with each new installment of the series we are closer to unmask him. In a twist of what we are used to get from Ms. Walker, Man in Black gave us a cliffhanger!
Personally, I don't like this type of ending because as a reader, I'm too invested. There are some serious loose ends that are close to be resolved and a glimpse to the next couple in the series. Seriously, I can't wait for the next book of this series! I wish it will be a wild ride like its predecessors and Bishop will turn to be the person that I have in mind…or not. Ms. Walker, please hurry and blow our minds with the reveal. I rate this book a 4.5, minor deduction for a "kind of cliffhanger" ending.
Eliza Meadows, US Chief of Staff's only daughter, manager/handler of the new Black Knights operatives; liaison to the President and foodie extraordinaire has been in love with bad boy, poetry lover Fisher Wakefield since inception but have kept her feelings locked, always putting assignments first. We have had glimpse of them since Back in Black, BKI Reloaded started. Their exchanges always been pure chemistry, poetry and humor.
Fisher Wakefield, former Delta Force, bayou boy turned bad boy has always fancy Eliza, but knowing her, he can't accept that a woman like Eliza will be interested in a serious relationship with a southerner, son of a felon. Fish is full of charm, that with his harmonica and love for poetry but he is always aware of his “obsessive nature" and jealousy which he thinks are direct result of his father actions.
Man in Black starts with Fish watching Eliza get ready for a date while he is working in the shop and waiting his next assignment along with his wingman and bestie, Britt Rollins. Eliza is going to a social event as the plus one of a US Senator and the event is full of Washington DC movers and shakers and the elite who support them. The invitation came as something unexpected considering how many VIPs were on attendance, but Eliza never thought nothing nefarious will come out of it; but the event ended in a massacre where the BKI’s Friday Girl is one of the few survivors and eventually will be the sole survivor. This horrific event made Fish and Eliza finally acknowledge their feelings, but are they enough to survive while in the middle of a crisis? Never doubt, Fish and the other Knights will protect Eliza from further danger while trying to solve the what, who, how and why those events happened.
Man in Black is the kind of book that reads like an action, political thriller movie/TV show. Julie Ann Walker has created a fantastic world that sometimes mirror current events with magnificent characters in all her books and this is not exception. The Black Knights will go the distance and never stop until the danger is contained and the bad actors face justice. We will meet with some of the OG Knights. They will bring experience, comic relief and a sense of family within the walls of the bike shop. Mysterious bad guy Bishop continues his subversive agenda and still is the puppet master in all incidents. His real ID continue to be concealed, but with each new installment of the series we are closer to unmask him. In a twist of what we are used to get from Ms. Walker, Man in Black gave us a cliffhanger!
Personally, I don't like this type of ending because as a reader, I'm too invested. There are some serious loose ends that are close to be resolved and a glimpse to the next couple in the series. Seriously, I can't wait for the next book of this series! I wish it will be a wild ride like its predecessors and Bishop will turn to be the person that I have in mind…or not. Ms. Walker, please hurry and blow our minds with the reveal. I rate this book a 4.5, minor deduction for a "kind of cliffhanger" ending.
May 25, 2024
4.5stars--MAN IN BLACK is the third instalment in Julie Ann Walker’s contemporary, adult BLACK KNIGHTS INC: RELOADED romantic suspense series- a spin off set in the author’s BLACK KNIGHTS INC world. This is Fisher Wakefield, and Eliza Meadows’ story line. MAN IN BLACK can be read as a stand alone but for back story and cohesion, I recommend reading the series in order as there is an ongoing plot, as well as Eliza and Fisher’s story begins in book one.
Told from several omniscient third person perspectives including Fisher and Eliza MAN IN BLACK follows in the aftermath of the assassination of several members of the US government. As one of only three survivors, Eliza Meadows is under the protection of the crew at BKI (Black Knights Inc) but when the other two survivors are murdered, the FBI makes other arrangements for our story line heroine. Nothing goes according to plan when an attack at the BKI compound threatens the lives of the entire crew, forcing Eliza to face down the man who had stolen her heart. Enter BKI agent Fisher Wakefield, the man who fell in love with Eliza the first day they met. What ensues is the building but contemptuous relationship between Eliza and Fisher, and the potential fall-out as Fisher struggles with the demons from his past, pushing Eliza out of his life.
The world building follows several pathways including the attempts on the lives of the BKI members, all black ops and former black ops soldiers. Several of the original team members offer guidance and familiarity, as the new crew of members find their own happily ever afters but Fisher struggles with what was, and believes he is not capable of happiness or love.
The relationship between Eliza and Fisher struggles in the face of unrequited love. Eliza has been dating a senator’s son as Fisher watches from the sidelines as his heart is destroyed. Eliza knows her heart belongs to someone else but their animosity is pulling our couple apart. The $ex scenes are limited but passionate and intense.
Once again, several original members of the BKI family return including Becky and Boss. We are introduced to FBI Agent Julia O’Toole, and the return of Britt Rollins. There is something developing between Britt and Julia. The requisite evil has many faces
MAN IN BLACK is a story of betrayal and vengeance, secrets and lies, power and control, acceptance, forgiveness and love. The premise is captivating and compelling; the romance is seductive but struggles in the face of ridicule and scorn; the characters are desperate, determined and broken.
copy supplied for review
www.thereadingcafe.com
Told from several omniscient third person perspectives including Fisher and Eliza MAN IN BLACK follows in the aftermath of the assassination of several members of the US government. As one of only three survivors, Eliza Meadows is under the protection of the crew at BKI (Black Knights Inc) but when the other two survivors are murdered, the FBI makes other arrangements for our story line heroine. Nothing goes according to plan when an attack at the BKI compound threatens the lives of the entire crew, forcing Eliza to face down the man who had stolen her heart. Enter BKI agent Fisher Wakefield, the man who fell in love with Eliza the first day they met. What ensues is the building but contemptuous relationship between Eliza and Fisher, and the potential fall-out as Fisher struggles with the demons from his past, pushing Eliza out of his life.
The world building follows several pathways including the attempts on the lives of the BKI members, all black ops and former black ops soldiers. Several of the original team members offer guidance and familiarity, as the new crew of members find their own happily ever afters but Fisher struggles with what was, and believes he is not capable of happiness or love.
The relationship between Eliza and Fisher struggles in the face of unrequited love. Eliza has been dating a senator’s son as Fisher watches from the sidelines as his heart is destroyed. Eliza knows her heart belongs to someone else but their animosity is pulling our couple apart. The $ex scenes are limited but passionate and intense.
Once again, several original members of the BKI family return including Becky and Boss. We are introduced to FBI Agent Julia O’Toole, and the return of Britt Rollins. There is something developing between Britt and Julia. The requisite evil has many faces
MAN IN BLACK is a story of betrayal and vengeance, secrets and lies, power and control, acceptance, forgiveness and love. The premise is captivating and compelling; the romance is seductive but struggles in the face of ridicule and scorn; the characters are desperate, determined and broken.
copy supplied for review
www.thereadingcafe.com
April 17, 2024
4.5 stars
I loved the OG BKI men and woman, and so far, the new BKI crew has been just as good as their predecessors! Eliza and Fisher aka Fish have been dancing around each other for a long time, sometimes bantering and sometimes straight out sniping at each other, but it's all in the name of UST.
Fisher's youth was not pretty, and his fear that the evil that resided in his father was passed onto him keeps him from trying for that great big BKI love with Eliza. Watching her dating and getting serious with another man feeds the green-eyed monster, but that just makes Fish even more convinced that he would be the worst thing that could ever happen to her if they were in a relationship.
Eliza is left shaken and stunned as the sole survivor of an attack that kills her boyfriend and his father, a powerful US Senator, especially when the two other people who were left alive die within 24 hours after the attack. Once again, the mysterious Bishop and assassin Yang are behind it all, and now Eliza is in the crosshairs as the last possible witness who may be able to identify Bishop even if she doesn't realize it yet. Fisher's protective instincts are on high alert, and he doesn't trust the FBI to keep her safe. His internal battle against what he thinks are his toxic traits and his driving need to put himself between Eliza and the danger nearly tear him apart, particularly when Eliza more than hints that life is too short to pass up exploring what could be between them. She respects herself too much and her heart is too involved to allow him to walk all over her though, and she refuses to be just another notch in his bedpost.
The push and pull between these two borders on painful at times as the whole team works to identify and eliminate the danger to their beloved Girl Friday. We get some great interaction with the original BKI couples along the way, and it seems that the identity of Bishop has been pretty clearly laid out to the reader by the end of the story... or has it? I feel like it is obvious, but at the same time I can't help but wonder if the author is going to throw a twist at us with that one in the end.
Man in Black has the action, suspense, humor and heat that I have come to expect and love in this series, and I look forward to seeing more of Fish and Eliza in the next book. I also love how we get to see the foundation of the next couple's relationship being laid in each book, and I am already looking forward to Britt's story.
ARC provided by author
I loved the OG BKI men and woman, and so far, the new BKI crew has been just as good as their predecessors! Eliza and Fisher aka Fish have been dancing around each other for a long time, sometimes bantering and sometimes straight out sniping at each other, but it's all in the name of UST.
Fisher's youth was not pretty, and his fear that the evil that resided in his father was passed onto him keeps him from trying for that great big BKI love with Eliza. Watching her dating and getting serious with another man feeds the green-eyed monster, but that just makes Fish even more convinced that he would be the worst thing that could ever happen to her if they were in a relationship.
Eliza is left shaken and stunned as the sole survivor of an attack that kills her boyfriend and his father, a powerful US Senator, especially when the two other people who were left alive die within 24 hours after the attack. Once again, the mysterious Bishop and assassin Yang are behind it all, and now Eliza is in the crosshairs as the last possible witness who may be able to identify Bishop even if she doesn't realize it yet. Fisher's protective instincts are on high alert, and he doesn't trust the FBI to keep her safe. His internal battle against what he thinks are his toxic traits and his driving need to put himself between Eliza and the danger nearly tear him apart, particularly when Eliza more than hints that life is too short to pass up exploring what could be between them. She respects herself too much and her heart is too involved to allow him to walk all over her though, and she refuses to be just another notch in his bedpost.
The push and pull between these two borders on painful at times as the whole team works to identify and eliminate the danger to their beloved Girl Friday. We get some great interaction with the original BKI couples along the way, and it seems that the identity of Bishop has been pretty clearly laid out to the reader by the end of the story... or has it? I feel like it is obvious, but at the same time I can't help but wonder if the author is going to throw a twist at us with that one in the end.
Man in Black has the action, suspense, humor and heat that I have come to expect and love in this series, and I look forward to seeing more of Fish and Eliza in the next book. I also love how we get to see the foundation of the next couple's relationship being laid in each book, and I am already looking forward to Britt's story.
ARC provided by author
March 27, 2024
Fisher Wakefield, former Delta Force soldier, is a covert operative for Black Knights Inc. He believes their resident office manager is too good for the son of a convicted felon. Fisher tries to keep Eliza at arm’s length. However, all his good intentions go out the window after Eliza witnesses a massacre. Fisher will do anything to protect her from an unknown threat. Can Fisher convince Eliza to keep things platonic between them?
Eliza Meadows is the Chief of Staff’s only child. She is the link between the Black Knights boys and the U.S. president. When she becomes the only witness to a massacre, Eliza depends on ‘her guys’ to keep her safe. However, one is determined to keep her at an emotional distance. Eliza refuses to become another one of Fisher’s conquests. Can Eliza convince Fisher to take a chance on them? Will he break her heart?
Eliza and Fisher are indeed like ying and yang. However, those differences balances things out between them perfectly. I adore how Eliza never once held Fisher’s background against him. She respects (and loves) him for the person he is within. Eliza does not care that he is a felon’s son or that he grew up poor. I understand Fisher’s reasons for keeping a distance between them given his family history. He feared that history would repeat itself, and he refused to put Eliza through the same horror his mother experienced.
MAN IN BLACK is the third book in Julie Ann Walker’s romantic suspense series, BLACK KNIGHTS INC: RELOADED – a spinoff from her BLACK KNIGHT INC books. Yes, this series can stand alone. However, characters from the first one do make appearances throughout the story. I enjoy seeing the children from the first group! Ozzy is great as usual. I still love his music choices unlike Fisher’s (lol). I miss his snarky, wise cracks.
Again, Ms Walker sets up the next couple within this book. It is going to be Britt and Julia! I always like that about her books. Also, I have a hunch on who “Bishop” is. I may be way off the mark… or I may be correct in my suspicions. Either way, I cannot wait for the next installment!
Eliza Meadows is the Chief of Staff’s only child. She is the link between the Black Knights boys and the U.S. president. When she becomes the only witness to a massacre, Eliza depends on ‘her guys’ to keep her safe. However, one is determined to keep her at an emotional distance. Eliza refuses to become another one of Fisher’s conquests. Can Eliza convince Fisher to take a chance on them? Will he break her heart?
Eliza and Fisher are indeed like ying and yang. However, those differences balances things out between them perfectly. I adore how Eliza never once held Fisher’s background against him. She respects (and loves) him for the person he is within. Eliza does not care that he is a felon’s son or that he grew up poor. I understand Fisher’s reasons for keeping a distance between them given his family history. He feared that history would repeat itself, and he refused to put Eliza through the same horror his mother experienced.
MAN IN BLACK is the third book in Julie Ann Walker’s romantic suspense series, BLACK KNIGHTS INC: RELOADED – a spinoff from her BLACK KNIGHT INC books. Yes, this series can stand alone. However, characters from the first one do make appearances throughout the story. I enjoy seeing the children from the first group! Ozzy is great as usual. I still love his music choices unlike Fisher’s (lol). I miss his snarky, wise cracks.
Again, Ms Walker sets up the next couple within this book. It is going to be Britt and Julia! I always like that about her books. Also, I have a hunch on who “Bishop” is. I may be way off the mark… or I may be correct in my suspicions. Either way, I cannot wait for the next installment!
May 29, 2024
Man in Black is book 3 in the Black Knights Inc Reloaded series and features Fisher and Eliza.
Fish has a history of violence in his family. His father killed his mother in a fit of rage after raping her. Fish and his brother were too young to have witnessed this atrocious crime. Because of this, Fish believes he can never fall in love and get married for fear he has the same violent gene from his father. He does not want to ever hurt a woman. So instead he keeps his distance.
Eliza is the President's Chief of Staff's daughter, who was placed with the Knights to help coordinate between them and the President. She butts heads with Fish over anything and everything. He goads her and then she snipes at him. And then they reverse positions.
Both are jealous of the people the other go out with. Eliza does not want to be another notch on Fish's bedpost and Fish won't commit because of what his father did and for fear he has the same violence in him.
But when chaos reigns down on Eliza, will Fish be the one to protect her? Or will he leave that to his wingman, Britt? Hanky panky is had until it's not. And the sniping begins again, only worse.
When the guys return from a failed mission, with serious injury, Fish retires to his room to avoid any confrontation with Eliza. Instead, the rest of the team decide to unwind with a bonfire. After a heart to heart with Boss by the firepit, Fish realizes maybe he's wrong. Now, will he act on this new information? And will Eliza give him another chance?
So I still have a lot of questions, but we are treated to a snippet of an answer. Who is Bishop? Who is Yang? The little sneak peak at the end of the book just whetted my whistle and really makes me want to know who the players are and what is going to happen next.
Fish has a history of violence in his family. His father killed his mother in a fit of rage after raping her. Fish and his brother were too young to have witnessed this atrocious crime. Because of this, Fish believes he can never fall in love and get married for fear he has the same violent gene from his father. He does not want to ever hurt a woman. So instead he keeps his distance.
Eliza is the President's Chief of Staff's daughter, who was placed with the Knights to help coordinate between them and the President. She butts heads with Fish over anything and everything. He goads her and then she snipes at him. And then they reverse positions.
Both are jealous of the people the other go out with. Eliza does not want to be another notch on Fish's bedpost and Fish won't commit because of what his father did and for fear he has the same violence in him.
But when chaos reigns down on Eliza, will Fish be the one to protect her? Or will he leave that to his wingman, Britt? Hanky panky is had until it's not. And the sniping begins again, only worse.
When the guys return from a failed mission, with serious injury, Fish retires to his room to avoid any confrontation with Eliza. Instead, the rest of the team decide to unwind with a bonfire. After a heart to heart with Boss by the firepit, Fish realizes maybe he's wrong. Now, will he act on this new information? And will Eliza give him another chance?
So I still have a lot of questions, but we are treated to a snippet of an answer. Who is Bishop? Who is Yang? The little sneak peak at the end of the book just whetted my whistle and really makes me want to know who the players are and what is going to happen next.
June 1, 2024
I loved the original Black Knights' series. The first book in this series was good. I gave the second book 4 stars, but it was good. Things have gone downhill from there. There is no suspense in this book. It is more about how Eliza and Fisher feel about each other. The book was rather boring to me.
There is a mystery that I guess will run the entire 6 books. I do not like that. To me, it is a ploy to get one to buy the books. Just be done with Bishop. I do not need nor want to go 3 years wondering who he or she is.
Fisher's use of 'ya' was annoying. In fact it was used 227 times. I was born and raised in the deep South and still live in the South. I do have a southern drawl. I do not use 'ya.' I use 'you.' Even people who identify as redneck' use 'you.' I guess because of our drawl people want to project us as dumb. Even with advanced degrees we still speak with a drawl. Fisher was not dumb. In fact, he was rather intelligent. Characters in books that take place in the Louisiana bayou region do not use 'ya.'
I found many editing mistakes. The use of me instead of my and the instead of than is more an editing mistake than grammatical. However, the use of guy's instead of guys' and murder's son instead of murderer's son is grammatical.
I will still read the next book because it does sound like it will have more suspense. However, it will not be published for another 10 months. Come on, the author can do better than that. After all the first 2 books of the series were published in consecutive months.
There is a mystery that I guess will run the entire 6 books. I do not like that. To me, it is a ploy to get one to buy the books. Just be done with Bishop. I do not need nor want to go 3 years wondering who he or she is.
Fisher's use of 'ya' was annoying. In fact it was used 227 times. I was born and raised in the deep South and still live in the South. I do have a southern drawl. I do not use 'ya.' I use 'you.' Even people who identify as redneck' use 'you.' I guess because of our drawl people want to project us as dumb. Even with advanced degrees we still speak with a drawl. Fisher was not dumb. In fact, he was rather intelligent. Characters in books that take place in the Louisiana bayou region do not use 'ya.'
I found many editing mistakes. The use of me instead of my and the instead of than is more an editing mistake than grammatical. However, the use of guy's instead of guys' and murder's son instead of murderer's son is grammatical.
I will still read the next book because it does sound like it will have more suspense. However, it will not be published for another 10 months. Come on, the author can do better than that. After all the first 2 books of the series were published in consecutive months.
May 28, 2024
Eliza & Fisher
So Good! This is an intense story from the very beginning. Eliza suffers a heartbreaking trauma that she will carry with her forever. She is also in immediate danger and doesn’t realize it.
Fisher and the team are Eliza’s family, not of blood, but of living and working as a team that depends on each other for their safety and well being. They create their special bubble of protection and support to help her cope with her recent loss and grief. With the danger to Eliza everywhere and anywhere, Fisher is there to protect her. They are opposites in every way with nothing in common except Black Knights Inc. A relationship between them won’t work, so they don’t acknowledge the attraction they feel for each other, each choosing to keep it secret, until it isn’t.
This story is packed full of intensity and action. The numerous twists in events keep you guessing and we still don’t know who the enemy, named Bishop, really is. We almost get the killer - Fisher was SO close! There is a lot going on in this story and so much of it would be considered spoilers that I will keep this very brief so everyone else can enjoy this fabulous journey and experience their own adventure. Packed completely full of all the good stuff that makes this a great story and one I enjoyed immensely!
I love all the details and intricate nuances building this story. I absorbed every word so I didn’t miss a thing! Can’t wait for more!
So Good! This is an intense story from the very beginning. Eliza suffers a heartbreaking trauma that she will carry with her forever. She is also in immediate danger and doesn’t realize it.
Fisher and the team are Eliza’s family, not of blood, but of living and working as a team that depends on each other for their safety and well being. They create their special bubble of protection and support to help her cope with her recent loss and grief. With the danger to Eliza everywhere and anywhere, Fisher is there to protect her. They are opposites in every way with nothing in common except Black Knights Inc. A relationship between them won’t work, so they don’t acknowledge the attraction they feel for each other, each choosing to keep it secret, until it isn’t.
This story is packed full of intensity and action. The numerous twists in events keep you guessing and we still don’t know who the enemy, named Bishop, really is. We almost get the killer - Fisher was SO close! There is a lot going on in this story and so much of it would be considered spoilers that I will keep this very brief so everyone else can enjoy this fabulous journey and experience their own adventure. Packed completely full of all the good stuff that makes this a great story and one I enjoyed immensely!
I love all the details and intricate nuances building this story. I absorbed every word so I didn’t miss a thing! Can’t wait for more!
June 1, 2024
I'm a big fan of the Black Knights Inc series and I love Julie Ann Walker's writing style so I was thrilled to read Man in Black. This story has been building throughout the last two books. Eliza Meadows is the BKI team's Girl Friday. She was raised in private schools and is nothing less than perfect. Nothing gets under her skin except for Fisher Wakefield. He's rude, crude, a player extraordinaire and much to her dismay she's wildly attracted to him. Fisher knows that Eliza is so far out of his league and yet he still chases after her and torments her like a five year old schoolboy with a crush. When Eliza is almost killed at a senator's party, the team steps in to find out what and how something like this could happen. This was a really good story and my only issue was that I didn't like Fisher very much. I know that he had baggage from his childhood but I felt that he was using that excuse as an endless reason for his bad behavior. I loved Eliza. She's everything that I could want in a leading lady. Smart, funny, kind, basically the whole package. So all in all, Man in Black was a good, solid addition to the series. I'm really looking forward to the next installment in the series and I recommend the entire series to fans of romantic suspense. It was told from dual POV and has action, intrigue, angst and plenty of heat!
March 28, 2024
Years ago, I fell in love with the original BKI series and each of the operatives. I confess I was sad when the series ended and was delighted when the author decided to give us BKI 2.0 . A series with a whole new set of operatives while the original group make cameo appearances.
This latest addition to the new series takes the readers on a rollercoaster ride.
BKI operative and former Delta Force Fisher Wakefield and BKI’s “girl Friday” Eliza Meadows have been attracted to each other for the past four years. But their differences and his player status has kept Fisher at a distance.
Fisher grew up poor with a murderous father and a childhood that was devastating. Meanwhile Eliza grew up with a silver spoon and is the daughter of the US president’s Chief of Staff.
When a massacre occurs and Eliza is one of three survivors, Black Knights Inc , and specifically Fisher, are determined to keep her safe.
In the midst of the danger and whodunit, feelings are revealed. Will they be able to find their HEA or will Fisher’s past and the danger following Eliza keep them away?
This was a great addition to the series. Already looking forward to what else the author has in store for us.
I was entrusted a copy of this book. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
This latest addition to the new series takes the readers on a rollercoaster ride.
BKI operative and former Delta Force Fisher Wakefield and BKI’s “girl Friday” Eliza Meadows have been attracted to each other for the past four years. But their differences and his player status has kept Fisher at a distance.
Fisher grew up poor with a murderous father and a childhood that was devastating. Meanwhile Eliza grew up with a silver spoon and is the daughter of the US president’s Chief of Staff.
When a massacre occurs and Eliza is one of three survivors, Black Knights Inc , and specifically Fisher, are determined to keep her safe.
In the midst of the danger and whodunit, feelings are revealed. Will they be able to find their HEA or will Fisher’s past and the danger following Eliza keep them away?
This was a great addition to the series. Already looking forward to what else the author has in store for us.
I was entrusted a copy of this book. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
April 3, 2024
This has been a story in the making for a long time and I have been looking forward to the telling of it for the same amount of time!
Fisher, former Delta force operative and current BKI operator has had an attraction and feelings for Eliza for a while. He is the son of a convicted felon and feels that he isn't good enough for her but still can not resist her. Eliza is the office guru of BKI. She is the daughter of the US President's Chief of Staff and grew up in a different circle than Fisher. She too has been attracted to Fisher but his player ways are a stumbling block for her. When the pair end up in a situation where Eliza needs protecting all bets are off between this pair.
This third installment started out and continued to be an action packed read. I loved the cameo appearances from the original BKI operatives. I was hooked on this well written book from page one. This story was a long time in the making and I have been patiently awaiting for since the start of this series.
Fisher, former Delta force operative and current BKI operator has had an attraction and feelings for Eliza for a while. He is the son of a convicted felon and feels that he isn't good enough for her but still can not resist her. Eliza is the office guru of BKI. She is the daughter of the US President's Chief of Staff and grew up in a different circle than Fisher. She too has been attracted to Fisher but his player ways are a stumbling block for her. When the pair end up in a situation where Eliza needs protecting all bets are off between this pair.
This third installment started out and continued to be an action packed read. I loved the cameo appearances from the original BKI operatives. I was hooked on this well written book from page one. This story was a long time in the making and I have been patiently awaiting for since the start of this series.
June 5, 2024
Gripping suspense with lots of action
Julie Ann Walker's Man in Black book 3 in the Black Knights Inc (BKI) Reloaded series
I began with the first BKI series and each new book added a set of new operatives. Then we received BKI 2.0 Reloaded Series. These books can be read stand-alone but reading them in sequence leads to more suspense and builds the entire story. Often previous operatives reappear in later books. This book was even more action packed than I anticipated. I was drawn in immediately and I couldn’t put the book down. I like how the author introduces the next operatives in the previous book. It is a very busy book, and it has a lot going on at the same time. The suspense and the danger factors make this a great read. I am still trying to figure out who the main villain really is and why they are doing what they are doing. This kept me gripping the pages and intently reading the book. I am excited for the next adventure and new operatives mentioned in this book.
Julie Ann Walker's Man in Black book 3 in the Black Knights Inc (BKI) Reloaded series
I began with the first BKI series and each new book added a set of new operatives. Then we received BKI 2.0 Reloaded Series. These books can be read stand-alone but reading them in sequence leads to more suspense and builds the entire story. Often previous operatives reappear in later books. This book was even more action packed than I anticipated. I was drawn in immediately and I couldn’t put the book down. I like how the author introduces the next operatives in the previous book. It is a very busy book, and it has a lot going on at the same time. The suspense and the danger factors make this a great read. I am still trying to figure out who the main villain really is and why they are doing what they are doing. This kept me gripping the pages and intently reading the book. I am excited for the next adventure and new operatives mentioned in this book.
January 17, 2025
Eliza Meadows is the Girl Friday for the new Black Knights. Her father is the Joint Chief of Staff and she’s dating a wealthy man. While at a cocktail party, everyone there is gunned down except for Eliza and a Senator and her husband. When the other two survivors die, the FBI believe Eliza is next. For four years Eliza has been in love with Fisher Wakefield but he believes he’s not good enough for her. When Eliza is about to be put in a safe house and all heck breaks loose, they decide to let her stay at the compound. Fisher asks Eliza if she wants to be friends with benefits but she declines. Then when she’s almost gunned down again she takes Fisher up on his offer. Fisher thinks everything is going good until he hears Eliza admit her love for him and he breaks it off with her. Will Fisher ever think he is good enough for Eliza?
At first it was good but it sort of leaves you hanging. Not enough action and suspense for me. Just one attempt on Eliza and the killer gets away. I was a little disappointed in this story.
At first it was good but it sort of leaves you hanging. Not enough action and suspense for me. Just one attempt on Eliza and the killer gets away. I was a little disappointed in this story.
May 28, 2024
Eliza Meadows wakes up unsure of where she is except that something terrible happened. She soon discovered that her boyfriend, and nearly all the others who were at the senators house for dinner are dead. When the two other survivors also are mysteriously killed at the hospital, the FBI investigates and makes plans to move Eliza to a safe house, they end up bringing the danger to the BKI compound.
Fisher, who is constantly fighting with Eliza realizes that he nearly lost the girl her loves (but doesn’t think he’s good enough for). He tries to provide comfort but thinks that she’s mourning the loss of her boyfriend. As he continues to push her away, she pushes back harder reminding him that he’s not his past.
This continues to be one of my favorite series and I loved seeing a few OG BKI appear. This one also introduces new characters from the FBI that I'm sure we will see again.
Fisher, who is constantly fighting with Eliza realizes that he nearly lost the girl her loves (but doesn’t think he’s good enough for). He tries to provide comfort but thinks that she’s mourning the loss of her boyfriend. As he continues to push her away, she pushes back harder reminding him that he’s not his past.
This continues to be one of my favorite series and I loved seeing a few OG BKI appear. This one also introduces new characters from the FBI that I'm sure we will see again.
May 28, 2024
Let me begin by saying that this was such a fun read! This story was entertaining and insightful and tough at times, but well worth the reading effort. Julie Ann Walker puts into words many of the things that we are all thinking—especially about certain politicians. There are good ones and bad ones that operate within this story, but the main focus is on Eliza Meadows and Fisher Wakefield. Eliza coordinates things for BKI, and Fish is one of the operatives that works there. Fish has been crushing on Eliza for four years, but she’s pedigreed and educated, while he is the son of a murderer. Because he is jealous of the guy that Eliza has been dating, he fears that he is just like his dad, so he stays away from Eliza. This leads to conflicting feelings and some hurt. Nevertheless, they finally work things out, until something happens. You’ll need to read this wonderful story to see what happens!
June 3, 2024
I felt like this one was super slow and the couple annoyed me. I hated how they sniped at each other, hate it more that both of them explained they were attracted to each other and how Fisher thought he wouldn't be good enough for Eliza. Then they did the whole FWB, but it ended when Fisher heard words he wasn't supposed to and then he was an ass to Eliza. I felt bad for the rest of the crew having to deal with all the drama. Even when things were resolved for them to have their HEA, I didn't care at that point.
In between all of that, there was the horrible shooting that Eliza was in the middle of and how that case worked out. It really sucked that it wasn't solved, or at least not solved to what we as readers know. I'm sure that bad apple with show up again.
And while I was annoyed with Eliza and Fisher, I really liked the other couple flirting up a storm with the Star Wars references. I hope they are the focus of the next book!
In between all of that, there was the horrible shooting that Eliza was in the middle of and how that case worked out. It really sucked that it wasn't solved, or at least not solved to what we as readers know. I'm sure that bad apple with show up again.
And while I was annoyed with Eliza and Fisher, I really liked the other couple flirting up a storm with the Star Wars references. I hope they are the focus of the next book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 12, 2024
This was everything I was hoping for and more! Fisher and Eliza are the perfect match! Their story was the one I was waiting to read and it did not disappoint.
Fisher had a rather rough childhood and he's convinced that he's not good enough for Eliza. His childhood may have shaped him into who he is now, but it does not define him. He's a good man and a great friend. He just needs to come to terms with that.
Eliza is connected, but when danger finds her the only people she can count on to protect her and save her are her men in the Black Knights Inc. It doesn't matter who her father is, she knows she can count on these men to keep her safe.
I loved this story and I am so anxious to read more. The plot of these books has kept me hooked and I can't wait to read the next book in the series. They're great! I loved the original Black Knights Inc. books and this series - Reloaded has lived up to the originals. I can't wait to read more.
Fisher had a rather rough childhood and he's convinced that he's not good enough for Eliza. His childhood may have shaped him into who he is now, but it does not define him. He's a good man and a great friend. He just needs to come to terms with that.
Eliza is connected, but when danger finds her the only people she can count on to protect her and save her are her men in the Black Knights Inc. It doesn't matter who her father is, she knows she can count on these men to keep her safe.
I loved this story and I am so anxious to read more. The plot of these books has kept me hooked and I can't wait to read the next book in the series. They're great! I loved the original Black Knights Inc. books and this series - Reloaded has lived up to the originals. I can't wait to read more.
May 27, 2024
Fisher and Eliza have always bickered as enemies, yet there’s this playground mentality to their relationship: boy like girl, boy pulls ponytail of said girl. An evening of hell changed everything for them, feelings erupted. Bishop is still haunting the world with his assassinations and still no identity. While the FBI, an agent I’m sure we’ll read about in another book, attempts to solve this major crime the newest love birds are attempting to figure themselves out. This series is a spin off from the original BKI, we even get a few cameos, but the new team is just as deadly and talented. There is an underlying story among all the books but each has a love interest couple. You could read a book from anywhere but it’s more intriguing to start from the beginning and get the whole picture. I had the privilege of reading an early copy and wrote my review voluntarily.
June 4, 2024
Well it’s official…. She’s done it again! Julie Ann Walker has once again taken us on an exhilarating journey into the world of the Black Knights! How can we not fall in love with Fisher Wakefield? A bad boy from the wrong side of the tracks with a heart of gold. Fisher doesn’t believe he’s worthy of love. Especially not from such a vibrant beauty like Eliza Meadows. However, Eliza knows that he is exactly what she needs and definitely who she wants! With plenty of action and danger at every turn we are left at the edge of our seats wondering if these two will ever be able to come together. Julie Ann Walker continues to establish herself as one of my favorite authors. If you are a fan of the Black Knights you won’t be disappointed. If this is your first time entering the world of the Black Knights, this story will leave you scrambling to read all the other books in this series!
April 3, 2024
This story certainly starts with a bang! There's action right from the beginning and it doesn't let up! I really enjoyed Eliza and Fisher's banter and thought they had great chemistry. I do enjoy this kind of romance trope, and I think the fact that Fisher felt he wasn't good enough for Eliza made me love him even more. The action kept things moving quickly, but the pacing felt slightly off towards the end. Don't get me wrong, I still enjoyed the ending, I just would have preferred if it was stretched out a bit more. This author also always sets up the next couple throughout the story - I'm interested in Britt and Julia's story, but not in an "I need to know what happens to them immediately!" kind of way.
May 31, 2024
Over the last two books in the Reloaded series, we have seen Fisher and Eliza dance around each other and it has been fun at times. Now we get to see them finally have their HEA, however in order to get there they will have to go through some harrowing experiences and allow their walls come down to find their way to each other.
Man In Black, was soo good and has us biting our nails or on the edge of our seats wanting to know what happens. I miss Boss' advice in these books and I was so glad to see him play a bigger role in this one. I always am thrilled to catch glimpses of the old crew. I am excited to see what is in store for us next and I know who I am hoping for it to be, but will we finally find out who the traitor is or will we catch more clues as to who it is? I am starting to put together ideas.
I received an ARC in exchange for voluntary honest review from Julie Ann Walker.
Man In Black, was soo good and has us biting our nails or on the edge of our seats wanting to know what happens. I miss Boss' advice in these books and I was so glad to see him play a bigger role in this one. I always am thrilled to catch glimpses of the old crew. I am excited to see what is in store for us next and I know who I am hoping for it to be, but will we finally find out who the traitor is or will we catch more clues as to who it is? I am starting to put together ideas.
I received an ARC in exchange for voluntary honest review from Julie Ann Walker.
June 8, 2024
"Man in Black" by Julie Ann Walker is the next installment in the "Black Knights Inc." series. In this novel, the focus is on Fisher Wakefiled, bad boy from the bayou turned Black Knights operative, and Eliza Meadows, an elegant and refined woman who finds herself in danger due to her being lone survivor and only witness to murder of a US Senator and his family.
As Fisher and Eliza navigate the dangers that surround them, they also grapple with their growing attraction to each other. The book is filled with suspenseful action sequences, steamy romance, and the trademark wit and humor that fans of the series have come to love.
Overall, "Man in Black" is a must-read for fans of romantic suspense novels with a military twist.
As Fisher and Eliza navigate the dangers that surround them, they also grapple with their growing attraction to each other. The book is filled with suspenseful action sequences, steamy romance, and the trademark wit and humor that fans of the series have come to love.
Overall, "Man in Black" is a must-read for fans of romantic suspense novels with a military twist.
July 23, 2024
I was rather disappointed in this book. Loved the original Black Knights. And was pleasantly surprised and enjoyed the first two books in this series. However this book was a hot mess dislike for me. I found myself skimming parts of it. For a few reasons. I did not feel a connection between Fisher and Eliza. The first half of the book or more was basically the never ending night about the event that took place. A lot of things were crammed into a short amount of time. That stuff always annoys me cuz it feels so unrealistic. The biggest annoyance with this book though was the amount of inner thoughts by each character that went on and on….and was very repetitive.
On a positive I finally have a suspicion who Bishop might be.
On a positive I finally have a suspicion who Bishop might be.
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