What do you think?
Rate this book
Kairos #1
Blood in the Water
Ashleigh Carter is no stranger to crime, but she’s no criminal; or at least, not technically. By association she’s as guilty as sin. Her father is President of the Priests MC, a motorcycle club that rides on the wrong side of the law.
Paul ‘Shark’ Reardon is caught in the middle. What starts out as a simple, yet dangerous, mission for his club, the Rabid Dogs MC is soon complicated by acceptance, friendship and a blue-eyed blonde who is very definitely off-limits.
Everyone’s hiding something and trust is in short supply. Hazardous lives, already fraught with tension, are twisted into cross and double-cross. Somewhere in the middle of the plots and lies is a chance for love, if everyone can just make it out the other side alive.
Paul ‘Shark’ Reardon is caught in the middle. What starts out as a simple, yet dangerous, mission for his club, the Rabid Dogs MC is soon complicated by acceptance, friendship and a blue-eyed blonde who is very definitely off-limits.
Everyone’s hiding something and trust is in short supply. Hazardous lives, already fraught with tension, are twisted into cross and double-cross. Somewhere in the middle of the plots and lies is a chance for love, if everyone can just make it out the other side alive.
465 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 2, 2014
30 people are currently reading
1159 people want to read
About the author
Catherine Johnson
17 books154 followersI am an incredibly average person with an overactive imagination.
I was the kid in class who was always being called out for daydreaming. I live in the north of England, in the foothills of the Pennines, one of the cradles of the Industrial Revolution. There’s a lot of history here, and with the derelict mills, bleak moors and lush river valleys, there’s plenty of inspiration to be found.
I’m a wife, mother and spinner of plates. Writing is my passion, inbetween raising the rug rats, keeping house and working. It’s my escape. I have no particular genre that I prefer. I go wherever my mental wanderings take me.
I discovered Fan Fiction in September 2012 and started writing for it in October 2012 thanks to a house move that meant most of my books spent a couple of months packed up in someone else's garage. Fan Fiction gave me a place to practice, a place to learn and the inclination to try writing original fiction. Then I signed up for National Novel Writing Month 2013. The result was Powerless, and the rest, as they say, is history.
I’m privileged to be part of a group of women who as well as being my friends, are inspirational, motivating and supportive writers. We are the Freak Circle Press and you can find more information at our blog: tfcpress.wordpress.com and on Facebook: www.facebook.com/freakcirclepress
I was the kid in class who was always being called out for daydreaming. I live in the north of England, in the foothills of the Pennines, one of the cradles of the Industrial Revolution. There’s a lot of history here, and with the derelict mills, bleak moors and lush river valleys, there’s plenty of inspiration to be found.
I’m a wife, mother and spinner of plates. Writing is my passion, inbetween raising the rug rats, keeping house and working. It’s my escape. I have no particular genre that I prefer. I go wherever my mental wanderings take me.
I discovered Fan Fiction in September 2012 and started writing for it in October 2012 thanks to a house move that meant most of my books spent a couple of months packed up in someone else's garage. Fan Fiction gave me a place to practice, a place to learn and the inclination to try writing original fiction. Then I signed up for National Novel Writing Month 2013. The result was Powerless, and the rest, as they say, is history.
I’m privileged to be part of a group of women who as well as being my friends, are inspirational, motivating and supportive writers. We are the Freak Circle Press and you can find more information at our blog: tfcpress.wordpress.com and on Facebook: www.facebook.com/freakcirclepress
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews
October 5, 2022
5 Stars
I just love gritty MC club books.
Makes me feel like I'm living a badass life for a few hours instead of just sitting on my very clichéd middle class white suburban couch with my puggle-dachshund and a coffee cup that says "Bottom Ho."
I've been hitting some serious pay dirt in the MC romance department lately and I'm seriously stoked about it.
Not only that, but between this and the Dartmoor series - which are both established series that I am late to find (how this happened, I have no idea, but I'm glad) - I now have numerous already published books to look forward to.
Numerous.
And that, my friends, it what we call a serious book win, no?
I mean, really, is there any better feeling than knowing you have multiple books on your tbr, with characters that feel like family, in stories you just know are going to be awesome?
That said, this book.
Not gonna lie (not that I ever do), this thing started off a wiiiiddle slow.
The writing is a kind of different style - limited third person narrative - and felt a bit choppy at first.
Also, the story started in the somewhat distant past with what at first felt like boring, superfluous background details regarding the lives of three of the more prominent characters.
At first it felt a smidgen tedious, but somewhere along the way all those details and seemingly trivial scenes lent themselves to what turned into a pretty awesome story.
I really liked Ashleigh - it's always SO nice to have a heroine who is a reasonable adult and not a TSTL idiot who does and says dumb shit.
Also, as I alluded to earlier, the club itself here is a legit MC club that actually discusses and carries out illegal and crazy shit...not just some group of guys who pretend to be badass and call themselves an MC club, but are really on the straight and narrow side of the law because ROMANCE novel.
NOT that I don't appreciate those books, because I do (if done well).
But sometimes, but it's nice to have real and truly gritty feeling MC club in my completely fictional and probably very unrealistic romance novel.
And Paul?
SOLD.
Looking forward to the next one.
I just love gritty MC club books.
Makes me feel like I'm living a badass life for a few hours instead of just sitting on my very clichéd middle class white suburban couch with my puggle-dachshund and a coffee cup that says "Bottom Ho."
I've been hitting some serious pay dirt in the MC romance department lately and I'm seriously stoked about it.
Not only that, but between this and the Dartmoor series - which are both established series that I am late to find (how this happened, I have no idea, but I'm glad) - I now have numerous already published books to look forward to.
Numerous.
And that, my friends, it what we call a serious book win, no?
I mean, really, is there any better feeling than knowing you have multiple books on your tbr, with characters that feel like family, in stories you just know are going to be awesome?
That said, this book.
Not gonna lie (not that I ever do), this thing started off a wiiiiddle slow.
The writing is a kind of different style - limited third person narrative - and felt a bit choppy at first.
Also, the story started in the somewhat distant past with what at first felt like boring, superfluous background details regarding the lives of three of the more prominent characters.
At first it felt a smidgen tedious, but somewhere along the way all those details and seemingly trivial scenes lent themselves to what turned into a pretty awesome story.
I really liked Ashleigh - it's always SO nice to have a heroine who is a reasonable adult and not a TSTL idiot who does and says dumb shit.
Also, as I alluded to earlier, the club itself here is a legit MC club that actually discusses and carries out illegal and crazy shit...not just some group of guys who pretend to be badass and call themselves an MC club, but are really on the straight and narrow side of the law because ROMANCE novel.
NOT that I don't appreciate those books, because I do (if done well).
But sometimes, but it's nice to have real and truly gritty feeling MC club in my completely fictional and probably very unrealistic romance novel.
And Paul?
SOLD.
Looking forward to the next one.
February 12, 2019
2.75 Stars
It started out very promising but it was so looong.
Nothing was really going on except for the numerous introductions. And there were A LOT of characters to introduce.
The writing is solid but I didn’t connect with any of the characters. None of them were developed enough to gain my affection. We did get a lot of details on them but something was missing.
Both the hero and the heroine were uninteresting. Their romance was lukewarm. They practically didn’t interact until the middle of the book.
Despite everything, this book is not bad. In fact, it’s better than a lot of MC books out there. It just didn’t live up to my expectations.
Oh well.
When you make pancakes, the first one rarely turns out perfect. But the second one is always better.
On to book two!
It started out very promising but it was so looong.
Nothing was really going on except for the numerous introductions. And there were A LOT of characters to introduce.
The writing is solid but I didn’t connect with any of the characters. None of them were developed enough to gain my affection. We did get a lot of details on them but something was missing.
Both the hero and the heroine were uninteresting. Their romance was lukewarm. They practically didn’t interact until the middle of the book.
Despite everything, this book is not bad. In fact, it’s better than a lot of MC books out there. It just didn’t live up to my expectations.
Oh well.
When you make pancakes, the first one rarely turns out perfect. But the second one is always better.
On to book two!
August 5, 2015
The thing is, I am a creature of habit. I like what I like and tend to stick with it. The fact that MC is one of my favorite genres is no secret. I love the simplicity of the culture, if you will. I love that the things they care about are simple things yet things that matter most: family (of blood relation and the kind you make for yourself in life) & loyalty, just to name the two. I like that betrayal is frowned upon to the point that you [almost] never live long enough to get a second chance.
I know there are plenty of MC books out there but [for me] none really have the depth of the stories that are born inside the beautiful mind of Freak Circle Press authors.
‘Blood in the Water’ by Catherine Johnson is my latest FCP read.
From the way we get to know the main characters [through the events that happen early on in their lives and shape them into people they become] to the curve-ball Catherine throws in around 22% that makes you go ‘WTF????’, the story sucked me right in!
This is yet another fantastic tale of discovering something you didn’t know was missing in your life, re-evaluating friendships, testing loyalties and having love being the driving force behind certain actions that may mean the difference between life and death. It’s a story about real people, having real issues, dealing with real problems. It’s a story about finding out you belong at the same time you are forced to make a choice that can change the course of your entire life forever. I am not sure if the author planned it but the fact that this story takes place in a town called “Absolution” is really symbolic [to me].
The beauty of the characters created by the Freaks is that they are always flawed but they seem to OWN their flaws. They are who they are and you either take them as they come or watch them as they go. They are usually the hardest on themselves and even the strongest of characters have weaknesses which only proves they are human and makes them very easy to relate to.
If you appreciate well written stories that take time to develop, characters that come with enough emotional baggage you’d probably need a U-Haul to carry it all, supporting cast that gives said stories even more layers, you’ll love ‘Blood in the Water’.
May 18, 2015
5 "Reckon your right, beauty." Stars
My FCP freak for life reading buddy and I read Blood in the Water together for our latest stop on our FCP MC tour. In her review, Irene states she's a "creature of habit" when she finds a certain kind of book she wants to read all she can. The same can be said for me. We were fortunate enough to find the MC books from the Freak Circle Press and while each author from the FCP we've read presents something different in terms of writing, plot, and characters but they all share the same kind of realist perspective on MC culture that has proven both highly addictive and larger than life.
Catherine Johnson starts her journey with a long prologue of sorts in which she delves into the childhoods of both the hero and heroine of Blood in the Water. We immediately realize a major contrast in how the two were raised. It's worth mentioning here because it really sets the tone for Paul Reardon as our hero. Our sympathies lie with him a lot more because Ms. Johnson has made it impossible for the reader to feel anything but compassion in the small things Paul notices or feels; small things any one else would take for granted.
Paul "Shark" Reardone is a man who bases his loyalties on a warm bed and a brotherhood he found after spending his youth in and out of juvie. He's an enforcer within the MC and let's just say compassion isn't something you'd believe he possesses. But it's there in every thing he does, even the most gruesome of acts. The compassion might not be for whom but for the art of his "craft". It shines in him when he meets Ashleigh and the members of The Priests MC to which he is reassigned in a sense. The Priests, led by President Samuel Carter, provide a very different kind of life, a different kind of warm bed and brotherhood to which Paul can't help but want the more and more he receives. Ashleigh wants to feel the ultimate protection of a man who loves her fiercely. Having grown up the daughter of an MC president she understands fierce and more than understands, Ashleigh accepts and cherishes the kind of family she has in The Priests. She's a woman who's guarded with her feelings about relationships but once she's in, she's all the way in showing Paul a tenderness he's never known.
There's so much I can say about these characters and the loyalties they portray in this book. Each of the members of the MC brought something unique to the table. Catherine Johnson wasn't afraid to make us hurt in this book. She made us feel deeply for this club then made us hurt with them. We were tested in the sames ways Paul was, in the same ways Samuel was, and Ashleigh. We felt everything as were reading this book and to us that's the mark of great MC writing: to feel and to hurt and to shine when the characters do. To feel content in the events that happened but still hurt because of them.
If you love MC, you'll enjoy Blood in the Water. I can't wait to see where Ms. Johnson takes this story in the next book.
May 4, 2017
Another winner from the Freak Circle Press. This was a first time author for me and I can say without a doubt that I look forward to more books from this author. She has a fluid writing style and the ability to draw you into the characters’ lives and emotions. I would like to say that I hate it when I love the bad guys, but how I do love these bad boys with their emotional baggage, alpha-possessive traits and sexiness.
The H, Paul Reardon, has never known real love. He’s been on his own his whole life and only the depraved members of the Rabid Dogs MC offer him a sense of belonging. He is sent on a mission to kill the president of the Priests MC. That plan goes to hell when, upon his arrival to the Priests MC, he is shown nothing but love, support and the true meaning of family. Add to that the immediate connection between him and the president’s daughter, Ashleigh. Ashleigh is coming down from a bad marriage and does not want to trust any man again with her heart. The sexual tension and sex scenes are off the chart hot. The tenderness and love that Paul feels for Ashleigh is so strong, you can feel it as you read. This is one of those books where you ask, how can a man who can commit such acts of torture be so gentle and loving. But I got it. All of the primary and secondary characters were real and you feel them as they struggle with their own emotions, both the ups and the downs. One of the secondary characters dies and that was a heart wrenching, tear jerking moment in the book.
There is a HEA for the H/h and no cheating. I look forward to book 2 in this series and could see myself reading many more books by this author.
The H, Paul Reardon, has never known real love. He’s been on his own his whole life and only the depraved members of the Rabid Dogs MC offer him a sense of belonging. He is sent on a mission to kill the president of the Priests MC. That plan goes to hell when, upon his arrival to the Priests MC, he is shown nothing but love, support and the true meaning of family. Add to that the immediate connection between him and the president’s daughter, Ashleigh. Ashleigh is coming down from a bad marriage and does not want to trust any man again with her heart. The sexual tension and sex scenes are off the chart hot. The tenderness and love that Paul feels for Ashleigh is so strong, you can feel it as you read. This is one of those books where you ask, how can a man who can commit such acts of torture be so gentle and loving. But I got it. All of the primary and secondary characters were real and you feel them as they struggle with their own emotions, both the ups and the downs. One of the secondary characters dies and that was a heart wrenching, tear jerking moment in the book.
There is a HEA for the H/h and no cheating. I look forward to book 2 in this series and could see myself reading many more books by this author.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 5, 2014
Catherine Johnson is a friend and fellow writer in the Freak Circle Press.
Paul “Shark” Reardon and Ashleigh Carter have immediate, powerful chemistry, but there are major obstacles between them and the relationship they both discover they want—more and bigger obstacles than Ashleigh even realizes.
Paul, a club enforcer with a renowned talent for, um, extracting information from unwilling subjects, comes to the Priests MC under murky pretenses. He patches over from the Rabid Dogs MC, a supposed ally of the Priests. But he comes with a secret, a mission that could ruin Ashleigh’s life and end the Priests.
But from the moment he moves to Absolution, Louisiana, Paul is overwhelmed by the warm welcome and the strong, loving sense of family among the Priests and their kin. The Rabids have nothing like it, and Paul, with a dark, sad history, has never known love and care like the Priests show him before he’s even unpacked his furniture. It changes everything he knows about the world, and it changes his reason for being in Absolution.
Ashleigh is a big part of that. The President’s daughter, she’s one of the first people he meets, and she captures his attention completely. Knowing how his mission would hurt her, he tries to stay away, but he can’t. They embark on a torrid, intense love affair.
But he still has that secret. The main arc of Blood in the Water follows Paul’s integration into the Priests, his education in the loving ways of real family, his deep love for Ash and her for him, and his crisis as he tries to figure out how to leave his old life and claim his new without taking down the very family he’s come to love and value.
Catherine Johnson creates a vivid world full of lively, real people with real relationships and real problems and complaints. And real love and affection. Paul’s start in life is positively heartbreaking, but he becomes a strong, honorable, powerful man capable of great love. Ashleigh’s life has not been quite so painful but has not been without its challenges. They make a wonderful couple with sizzling chemistry. And the Priests are a family I want to get to know more of. I can’t wait for more books in this series.
Paul “Shark” Reardon and Ashleigh Carter have immediate, powerful chemistry, but there are major obstacles between them and the relationship they both discover they want—more and bigger obstacles than Ashleigh even realizes.
Paul, a club enforcer with a renowned talent for, um, extracting information from unwilling subjects, comes to the Priests MC under murky pretenses. He patches over from the Rabid Dogs MC, a supposed ally of the Priests. But he comes with a secret, a mission that could ruin Ashleigh’s life and end the Priests.
But from the moment he moves to Absolution, Louisiana, Paul is overwhelmed by the warm welcome and the strong, loving sense of family among the Priests and their kin. The Rabids have nothing like it, and Paul, with a dark, sad history, has never known love and care like the Priests show him before he’s even unpacked his furniture. It changes everything he knows about the world, and it changes his reason for being in Absolution.
Ashleigh is a big part of that. The President’s daughter, she’s one of the first people he meets, and she captures his attention completely. Knowing how his mission would hurt her, he tries to stay away, but he can’t. They embark on a torrid, intense love affair.
But he still has that secret. The main arc of Blood in the Water follows Paul’s integration into the Priests, his education in the loving ways of real family, his deep love for Ash and her for him, and his crisis as he tries to figure out how to leave his old life and claim his new without taking down the very family he’s come to love and value.
Catherine Johnson creates a vivid world full of lively, real people with real relationships and real problems and complaints. And real love and affection. Paul’s start in life is positively heartbreaking, but he becomes a strong, honorable, powerful man capable of great love. Ashleigh’s life has not been quite so painful but has not been without its challenges. They make a wonderful couple with sizzling chemistry. And the Priests are a family I want to get to know more of. I can’t wait for more books in this series.
July 20, 2014
If I were truly honest, I would've given 1 star, but the last 15% of the book was really good. I thought the book was about Paul and Ashleigh, but their story did not start until at the 50% or 53% mark on my kindle. I skimmed most of this book. To me, there wasn't much of a story or plot until the end. The first 50% is not really a story so much as it is just introducing many characters and describing their day to day life. It starts in the 1980's and continues up until present day. I understand when you have to give some back story to start with the main story, but this was to much. For example, at the beginning Ashleigh's dad was in prison. One chapter is all about him and his daily life in prison. Then it would go to the next chapter which would be about someone else and their day to day life and so on up until 50%. At one point in the story it introduced every member of the mc (with info. about their live) that sat at the table in church. There was just a lot of information that I didn't see as having anything to do with the actual story of the H and h. For me, there is such a thing as too much info. Please don't let me dissuade you from reading this book. I'm not saying it was a bad book, I'm just saying it wasn't for me.
September 12, 2015
Blood in the Water is the first Book of the Kairos Series and it´s Paul and Ashleighs Story.
It starts of with a long view into the protagonists past and lots of backound info and i loved it.
Alternating POV´s telling us so much about Samuel, Paul and Ashleigh and other members as well.
The glimpses of their childhood, incarceration, the way and why they became who they are now, made me that much more invested in everybody and this story.
When Ashleigh and Paul finally meet, they are very much instantly attracted to eachother but neither one of them is ready to give in. -Of course this beeing a romance they dont stand a chance ;)
Their Story is not free and easy, there is heartbreak, there is danger, there is loss but there is love, passion, family, forgiveness and brotherhood too.
Ashleigh is a strong heroine, independent with a mind of her own and Paul is full of dedication, strenght and loyalty.
I´ve read a couple of FCP Authors and their Books by now and i really did love some of them, this one beeing no exception. The Story was great and has me looking forward to the next Book in the Series Bones by the Wood.
July 27, 2018
4 Stars
I love when I come across a hidden motorcycle club gem.
The mc sub-genre mayhaps be my all-time favorite. With that said, I always look for a stone I have yet to turn in the motorcycle club world. This one has been on my radar, but like most, I easily judge a book by its cover and its low amount of reviews. I'm glad I started clearing out my motorcycle club TBR and gave this one a shot.
This is one of those books that it paints a motorcycle club universe. It's gritty, it's not always easy, yet you have empathy and are rooting for everyone, even if you have to search for their redeeming qualities at the same time.
I will say this. This book starts slow AF. I'm talking a real snail's pace. The author really takes her time creating a world. With that though, you already find yourself attached to who's in this world when the story finally takes off.
I lived for Shark and Ashleigh. You want this to happen. And they are both great and well-developed MCs. And this was a slow burn on multiple levels. A - because of the aforementioned plot building. And B - just an actual slow burn.
You also read this with a sense of dread. Although it takes time for this to really kick off, the crumbs you're given just give you the most anxiety because you know it has to get a lot worse before it can get better.
I wish there could have been more of Shark and Ashleigh. But this kind of leaned toward more of an mc world than a focused romance. And in this case, I'm not mad at it, but I just really vibed on them a lot.
So at the end of the day, cheers. Another great read. And I eventually have plans to get to Book 2.
I love when I come across a hidden motorcycle club gem.
The mc sub-genre mayhaps be my all-time favorite. With that said, I always look for a stone I have yet to turn in the motorcycle club world. This one has been on my radar, but like most, I easily judge a book by its cover and its low amount of reviews. I'm glad I started clearing out my motorcycle club TBR and gave this one a shot.
This is one of those books that it paints a motorcycle club universe. It's gritty, it's not always easy, yet you have empathy and are rooting for everyone, even if you have to search for their redeeming qualities at the same time.
I will say this. This book starts slow AF. I'm talking a real snail's pace. The author really takes her time creating a world. With that though, you already find yourself attached to who's in this world when the story finally takes off.
I lived for Shark and Ashleigh. You want this to happen. And they are both great and well-developed MCs. And this was a slow burn on multiple levels. A - because of the aforementioned plot building. And B - just an actual slow burn.
You also read this with a sense of dread. Although it takes time for this to really kick off, the crumbs you're given just give you the most anxiety because you know it has to get a lot worse before it can get better.
I wish there could have been more of Shark and Ashleigh. But this kind of leaned toward more of an mc world than a focused romance. And in this case, I'm not mad at it, but I just really vibed on them a lot.
So at the end of the day, cheers. Another great read. And I eventually have plans to get to Book 2.
May 12, 2015
4.5
Another beautiful story by a 'new to me' Freak Circle Author, Catherine Johnson. It will definitely not be my last by her. I had planned on working my way through the Freak Circle Authors eventually.... However, The Literary Gossip gave me the needed nudge by gifting me an copy of this e-book.
The glances into the main characters history was a welcome addition to learning the mindset of the main characters and who they became in later years.
Paul finds himself in an awful predicament when he is patched over to the Priests MC. How could he know that he'd finally find everything he's wanted and even more he didn't know he was missing.
How can he possibly get through this without hurting those he has come to call family and giving up a place he now calls home? The only option-truth. He hopes that his actions and value will be of worthy enough to keep him from condemnation. A chance he's willing to take that chance...for her.
Another beautiful story by a 'new to me' Freak Circle Author, Catherine Johnson. It will definitely not be my last by her. I had planned on working my way through the Freak Circle Authors eventually.... However, The Literary Gossip gave me the needed nudge by gifting me an copy of this e-book.
The glances into the main characters history was a welcome addition to learning the mindset of the main characters and who they became in later years.
Paul finds himself in an awful predicament when he is patched over to the Priests MC. How could he know that he'd finally find everything he's wanted and even more he didn't know he was missing.
How can he possibly get through this without hurting those he has come to call family and giving up a place he now calls home? The only option-truth. He hopes that his actions and value will be of worthy enough to keep him from condemnation. A chance he's willing to take that chance...for her.
July 29, 2014
So excited to have the first Freak Circle writer I discovered on Fanfiction.net come out with an MC novel of her own. I always loved how this author's characters had an understated but undeniable chemistry. Not insta-love, but certainly attraction that always managed to meld into something more in a natural, realistic progression. Her characterizations are sublime, and the plot was realistic and enthralling. Ashleigh is a club princess, but not in the way you're read a thousand times over already. And Shark is certainly the worst kind of bad news for her, but these are adults coming to an inevitable conclusion which makes the plot unlike what you've already read. The relationships are set up to be doomed, and that's exactly why you keep reading. Plot- and character-rich, 100%.
July 5, 2017
The beginning was fantastic. The author did a fabulous job introducing the characters, this MC world and their history. My slight disappointment was that it never really came up after that. I thought we'd get at least a conversation between Paul and Ashleigh about how shitty his past was. Nope, never came up. Come to think of it, I don't even think she asked him WHY he decided to move to Louisiana. They had a strong attraction, but not much character growth between the two. Mostly just sex. You learn the most about these people in the beginning of the book before they even meet each other. It was a good read, but could have been fucking great. Just a little lacking and by the middle/end I started to lose interest. First book I've read by this author. Not sure I'll go back for seconds.
July 6, 2014
This book is really good, if you can go pass the first 20% of the book. The first 1/4, it is very confusing. Back and forth in time, that got me lost and almost frustrated because had to go back and 're_read over, for me to understand. I almost give up on reading. At times, the author elaborated scenes and chapters too much, she could've resume, and shrink and condensed. It would've come out better.
I like to give authors the chance, and so glad I did. After the first quarter, as soon as Paul arrived at the compound, the story takes off until the end, with a satisfactory and nice landing and a beautiful conclusion and HEA.
I like to give authors the chance, and so glad I did. After the first quarter, as soon as Paul arrived at the compound, the story takes off until the end, with a satisfactory and nice landing and a beautiful conclusion and HEA.
March 4, 2016
Wow! Another 5 star mc book, yeah! I loved this one!
I think I'm gonna have to create a new bookshelf entitled Epic MC reads and Blood in the Water by Catherine Johnson will be in there with books from Lauren Gilley
, Jessica Gadziala
, and Susan Fanetti
.
If your looking for a quick, cheap, mindless mc read stay away. But if you value great writing, realistic character development, and a well thought out plot in your mc books - I recommend this for you.
I think I'm gonna have to create a new bookshelf entitled Epic MC reads and Blood in the Water by Catherine Johnson will be in there with books from Lauren Gilley
, Jessica Gadziala
, and Susan Fanetti
.If your looking for a quick, cheap, mindless mc read stay away. But if you value great writing, realistic character development, and a well thought out plot in your mc books - I recommend this for you.
October 5, 2022
I read this one a few years ago and seeing as I am having somewhat of a book slump I’ve decided to reread some grittier books. This one is definitely gritty.
It was a confusing start because I was being a lazy reader which only meant I had to go back and reread years/peeps and circumstances. It was m etrying to place who Ashleigh belonged to and what ages the characters were. I guess the author could have made Part 1 easier but it settled in just fine once all characters converged.
I don’t know why I never read onto the other books but I will now!🙃
It was a confusing start because I was being a lazy reader which only meant I had to go back and reread years/peeps and circumstances. It was m etrying to place who Ashleigh belonged to and what ages the characters were. I guess the author could have made Part 1 easier but it settled in just fine once all characters converged.
I don’t know why I never read onto the other books but I will now!🙃
July 11, 2014
I really liked this book. I will buy future books from this author. It may have some triggers, the torture scenes are graphic (I confess I skimmed or skipped) and a main character dies. I was bummed about the character that died, but I realize his is the author's baby so to speak and her choice but I would have loved him as an H in a later book. I though the book was well written and engaging and I couldn't put it down.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 10, 2014
I really like this one! The beginning was a bit slow with the build up of both H/h and could of been done within a chapter or two but i think it went on for 4 lol The author really did a great job at describing in detail all aspect going through both H/h and also secondary characters mind... This was a Novel definite and i had a good feeling when finishing this book that i got my $$$ worth. H is definite Alpha!!!!
July 10, 2014
This came as a recommendation from several authors from Freak Circle Press. Where do find these writers? I love them all. I have to say if I see the Freak Circle 0ress it has become an automatic buy for me.
This story was wonderful and well worth the time. Story had depth and enough detail to paint the characters fully in your mind. I will be watching for this author's next release.
This story was wonderful and well worth the time. Story had depth and enough detail to paint the characters fully in your mind. I will be watching for this author's next release.
August 13, 2014
Good story, very good story line, only four stars because I couldn't get emotionally invested in the characters, wasn't enough description for them was the only problem. The story got quite gorey at times enough to make my stomach queasy and have to skip over some of those parts ):
August 8, 2014
Great MC book!
I love all things MC related. There are tons of MC romances out there that are just absolutely horrible,this is not one of them. The writing is excellent and the story is wonderful. If you like a well written MC romance then this is a great read.
I love all things MC related. There are tons of MC romances out there that are just absolutely horrible,this is not one of them. The writing is excellent and the story is wonderful. If you like a well written MC romance then this is a great read.
July 13, 2014
I cant wait for book 2 to come out.
January 28, 2020
Not for me.
While Paul and Ashleigh has ok chemistry right at the beginning, that slowly fizzled out for me. Once they were actually together I couldn’t figure out why they got closer seeing as they barely talked to each other and just had sex constantly.
This book was so unnecessarily long. For having a pretty simple and unremarkable plot this story DRAGGED. The introduction was so fucking long and tedious. The only intro that was actually beneficial to the story was Samuel’s and even then it could have been shortened.
This author took 20 pages to explain something that could have been said in a few sentences, a paragraph at the most.
Also what the hell was with all the slurs???? Racial slurs, homophobic slurs, ableist slurs....
While I understand we’re talking about criminals and dudes who don’t give two fucks about anything, it felt like the author used that as an excuse to slip in some fucked up opinions.
That definitely ruined what could have been an OK book.
While Paul and Ashleigh has ok chemistry right at the beginning, that slowly fizzled out for me. Once they were actually together I couldn’t figure out why they got closer seeing as they barely talked to each other and just had sex constantly.
This book was so unnecessarily long. For having a pretty simple and unremarkable plot this story DRAGGED. The introduction was so fucking long and tedious. The only intro that was actually beneficial to the story was Samuel’s and even then it could have been shortened.
This author took 20 pages to explain something that could have been said in a few sentences, a paragraph at the most.
Also what the hell was with all the slurs???? Racial slurs, homophobic slurs, ableist slurs....
While I understand we’re talking about criminals and dudes who don’t give two fucks about anything, it felt like the author used that as an excuse to slip in some fucked up opinions.
That definitely ruined what could have been an OK book.
August 26, 2017
This is a decent MC read, which was throughly enjoyable. Great characters, great storyline, told in third person. Great connection between h&h, good sex scenes, respect for old ladies, respect for kuttes (hate some MC books when they get chucked on the floor - pet hate of mine), good feeling of brotherhood and family.
All of the above mentioned has rounded this first book up by Catherine Johnson as a very good read, reasonable price to at about £2.50 and over 450 pages long.
Definitely going to be reading books two and three.
All of the above mentioned has rounded this first book up by Catherine Johnson as a very good read, reasonable price to at about £2.50 and over 450 pages long.
Definitely going to be reading books two and three.
January 16, 2018
I usually like a slow-burn story but this was just too slow for me.
August 13, 2017
3.75 Stars
August 1, 2015
Blood in the Water (Kairos #1)
By: Catherine Johnson
5/5 stars
Ashleigh Carter is the daughter of the Priests MC President, Samuel. She’s always known that her club family wasn’t strictly on the right side of the law. Especially since her father did a 6 year stint in prison while she was a young girl. But her MC family has always been there for her in any capacity needed and supportive of her mother, brother and herself.
Paul “Shark” Reardon had an extremely crappy childhood with an unknown father, a drunk for a mother, and a continual string of worthless men in her life. She never protected or actually took care of her young son, and it was a miracle that he ended up half as normal as he did. But he did find his eventual home and brotherhood with the Rabid Dogs MC in Texas.
When a friendly move, with a dubious order, takes Shark from the Rabid Dogs MC in Texas to the Priests MC in Louisiana, he is taken aback by the welcoming committee and homecoming effort by his new MC & family. And is also immediately struck by a blue-eyed, blonde haired beauty, who happens to be off limits because she is his new President’s daughter.
Ashleigh’s confidence has recently taken a big hit and she is somewhat unsure of herself. But she does take notice of the hulk of man that is Shark Reardon. Her brother, Dean, tries to warn her away from him, because he knows what Shark’s job was in his previous club. Dean also warns Shark away from his sister, because she isn’t one of the sweet butts or just a one-nighter.
Shark and Ashleigh eventually come together and Shark claims her in the club, so it is very much public information. Shark knows that without a doubt that he could never follow through with the orders from Texas, even to the detriment of his own life. But if he tells Samuel and the Priests about those orders, he’s as good as dead anyway. And now he has Ashleigh to protect.
I was pleasantly surprised with this book. We get a solid MC with well-thought out and deep characters as well as a solid MC story line and a love story as well. I liked to see the early age progressions of both Shark and Ashleigh’s lives and felt as though it gave us a deeper perspective that just “flashbacks” or thinking/dreaming about the past. During this time, I also felt like we got a close bearing of Samuel and I really liked him too. I wouldn’t mind if the author wrote a prequel about Samuel growing up in the club and his and Moira’s story up to the point of when he was sent to prison.
I’ll definitely be getting the next books in this series!
By: Catherine Johnson
5/5 stars
Ashleigh Carter is the daughter of the Priests MC President, Samuel. She’s always known that her club family wasn’t strictly on the right side of the law. Especially since her father did a 6 year stint in prison while she was a young girl. But her MC family has always been there for her in any capacity needed and supportive of her mother, brother and herself.
Paul “Shark” Reardon had an extremely crappy childhood with an unknown father, a drunk for a mother, and a continual string of worthless men in her life. She never protected or actually took care of her young son, and it was a miracle that he ended up half as normal as he did. But he did find his eventual home and brotherhood with the Rabid Dogs MC in Texas.
When a friendly move, with a dubious order, takes Shark from the Rabid Dogs MC in Texas to the Priests MC in Louisiana, he is taken aback by the welcoming committee and homecoming effort by his new MC & family. And is also immediately struck by a blue-eyed, blonde haired beauty, who happens to be off limits because she is his new President’s daughter.
Ashleigh’s confidence has recently taken a big hit and she is somewhat unsure of herself. But she does take notice of the hulk of man that is Shark Reardon. Her brother, Dean, tries to warn her away from him, because he knows what Shark’s job was in his previous club. Dean also warns Shark away from his sister, because she isn’t one of the sweet butts or just a one-nighter.
Shark and Ashleigh eventually come together and Shark claims her in the club, so it is very much public information. Shark knows that without a doubt that he could never follow through with the orders from Texas, even to the detriment of his own life. But if he tells Samuel and the Priests about those orders, he’s as good as dead anyway. And now he has Ashleigh to protect.
I was pleasantly surprised with this book. We get a solid MC with well-thought out and deep characters as well as a solid MC story line and a love story as well. I liked to see the early age progressions of both Shark and Ashleigh’s lives and felt as though it gave us a deeper perspective that just “flashbacks” or thinking/dreaming about the past. During this time, I also felt like we got a close bearing of Samuel and I really liked him too. I wouldn’t mind if the author wrote a prequel about Samuel growing up in the club and his and Moira’s story up to the point of when he was sent to prison.
I’ll definitely be getting the next books in this series!
March 13, 2016
4 freaking stars
So this is one of the freaks authors, this has to me become a sure sign of a good read. So let me just say that my expectations was perhaps a bit high - well that was not a problem, im so glad to say Paul "Shark" and Ashleighs story just confirmed it; Chatrine Johnson will be adding a new fan to her base, and FCpress; no need to doubt - they always deliver the good stuff from the best writers.
The characters ; serioulsy freaking amazing - loved Paul and Ashleigh - and to add the other characters made me just that more in need to know more. So thats the way to hook me into my i.can.not.put.this.down mode. And i love when a book gives me that, im greedy like that, i always want more. Storyline is good, mixed in are all the elements that make up for a good MC story.
I could say so much more ... really i can.. but i wont bother... im off to read the next book so i dont have the time to write more.
So this is one of the freaks authors, this has to me become a sure sign of a good read. So let me just say that my expectations was perhaps a bit high - well that was not a problem, im so glad to say Paul "Shark" and Ashleighs story just confirmed it; Chatrine Johnson will be adding a new fan to her base, and FCpress; no need to doubt - they always deliver the good stuff from the best writers.
The characters ; serioulsy freaking amazing - loved Paul and Ashleigh - and to add the other characters made me just that more in need to know more. So thats the way to hook me into my i.can.not.put.this.down mode. And i love when a book gives me that, im greedy like that, i always want more. Storyline is good, mixed in are all the elements that make up for a good MC story.
I could say so much more ... really i can.. but i wont bother... im off to read the next book so i dont have the time to write more.
August 6, 2014
I really liked it, the writing felt different from all the other biker books I read lately, but in a good way. Loved the characters, even if at a moment in the book I had to go back to sort out who is who (too many names between 2 MC to remember who belong to which MC).
the story line was great and I loved that we get the back stories at the beginning of the book from the main characters. I read some reviews that complain about it, but it really worked for me, gave me more understanding from where the characters where coming from.
Will keep my eyes open for more book from this author.
the story line was great and I loved that we get the back stories at the beginning of the book from the main characters. I read some reviews that complain about it, but it really worked for me, gave me more understanding from where the characters where coming from.
Will keep my eyes open for more book from this author.
June 30, 2015
I don’t know at what point a person officially becomes obsessed the MC romances, but I’ve got to be pretty close to that point. Blood in the Water, was great. Simply put, the book was a great MC read. The one thing that hooked me was Catherine Johnson’s ability to write intriguing characters. I loved both Shark and Ashleigh and all the supporting characters. The story line is typical of an MC based book, but the characters were what really brought this book to life for me. This was my first book by Catherine Johnson and all I can say is great job!
July 31, 2014
Loved it!!!
she gives you a whole story you know the characters and how they came to be there no feeling of missing information or wondering and she got some really gritty scenes that make you cringe all in all. you get invested in the story and her characters. the sex is hot too. lol
I got sucked in didn't put it down and now I'm hoping the sequel on it's way
she gives you a whole story you know the characters and how they came to be there no feeling of missing information or wondering and she got some really gritty scenes that make you cringe all in all. you get invested in the story and her characters. the sex is hot too. lol
I got sucked in didn't put it down and now I'm hoping the sequel on it's way
Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews