Mac's Vow

by Anne Rainey

He’s watched her. Ached for her. Now he’ll have her. Mac grew up on the streets and knows all about the ugly side of human nature. Sweet was never in the cards for him. Alyssa thinks he’s a hero. A good guy. And that’s exactly why Mac swears to keep his hands off. She’s his best friend’s baby sister and he doesn’t deserve to breathe the same air as her. But when their paths unexpectedly collide and Mac sees the black eye marring Alyssa’s delicate face, every protective instinct kicks in. He might not have wanted to play her hero, but shit happens. Now, she’ll belong to him and he’ll break anyone who dares to touch her. Alyssa has loved bad-boy Mac Braden since the ninth grade. So of course he avoids her like the freaking plague. When Alyssa’s abusive ex-boyfriend decides to use her as a punching bag Mac comes to her rescue. He’s gentle and attentive as he nurses her back to health. For the first time in years, Alyssa is determined to know what it feels like to be loved by the dark and brooding loner. But will she be left in pieces once the dust settles and she no longer needs a protector?

Audible Audio

Published July 26, 2024

About the author

“Rainey is an erotic storytelling virtuoso!” — Romantic Times Magazine

Anne Rainey creates steamy romance stories with just the right amount of heat. Her books frequent best seller and top pick review lists. Anne is an accomplished author of over thirty titles. Her books can be found in Target stores and other popular online retailers. Canada’s largest newspaper, The Toronto Star, recommends Anne’s books as an alternative read to Fifty Shades of Grey. Anne actively markets her work and sells an average of 133,000+ print and digital copies per year.

Anne grew up in a small town in central Ohio the only girl with three rowdy, older brothers. When she wasn’t playing tackle football with them she could be found tucked away in her mother’s book room getting lost in mysterious worlds created by authors such as Martha Grimes and Andrew M. Greeley. She’s had a variety of odd jobs including Chiropractic Assistant, Frame Stylist, Restaurant Hostess, and Nail Technician. Anne now lives with her fabulous husband, two gorgeous teenage daughters, two ornery dogs and three snooty cats.

Reviews

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, the heat is HOT, and the physical chemistry is captivating so be careful you may just get burned all the heat coming off these pages. There were some "oh no" "oh wow" " what the what" moments and add in uncanny mishaps, shenanigans, and suspense the good kind that makes you keep turning the pages till last page has been turned. Mac has stared in all of Alyssa dreams since 9th grade see he is best friends with her brother, but Mac never paid any attention to her because he felt she was too innocent and good for him. Fast forward some years and they run into each other on the street but the bruises on her face tell him all he needs to know about what is happening to her and it brings out every protective fiber in him. The attraction he felt for her years agon come to the surface and this time he isn’t going to walk away and he will protect her and make sure whomever did that to her pays can they find their own HEA?

[Karen Roma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mac's Vow is the first instalment in Anne Rainey’s Saint's Investigations and covers a few different tropes; bad boy, “Bro Code”, and abuse. Mac and Alyssa have known each other since childhood, but the attraction of youth was tightly packed away when Mac rejected his best friend Jimmy’s little sister and sent her on her way. Years later, Alyssa seeks Mac’s help and the attraction they feel won’t be the only battle they fight as they face the seedy side of life and the less than upstanding citizens that dwell in its filth. This is an emotional, heart-wrenching romantic suspense that is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat and eager for the next exciting tale.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Alyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Man, Mac and Alyssa sure are good together! She sure does hero worship him, but he seems to have such a kind heart and it’s only proven when he helps her with her abusive ex-boyfriend. I think that this seems like a great start to a new series and this was such a romantic story to read and an enjoyable one for a relaxing read over the weekend

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Vivian Chrisman · Rating 4 out of 5]

No Refunds. No Returns.

I loved this story! My only problem was it was short. I would have liked to had more Mac and Alyssa. Yet, Ms. Rainey did manage to pack a lot into this story and set things up for this new series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Shanna D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mac's Vow (Saint's Investigations Book 1) by Anne Rainey. This is a new author for new and after reading this story I will be excited to read many more stories from her. After reading the blurb, I was intrigued and after reading the book, I was captivated. Story is well written, and I found it to be entertaining and enjoyable. Tons of drama, heavy heat, combustible energy between Mac and Alyssa, and a touch of action and suspense. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jeanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book.

Alyssa has just about always had a crush on Mac. Mac has wanted her since a particular fateful night when she was fifteen, but he doesn’t feel like he deserves her. When her ex physically abuses her, Mac is the one she seeks out, not her brother Jimmy who is his best friend. Things very quickly take an amorous turn and Mac doesn’t care if he deserves her—he will protect her. There are multiple bad guys in the one. Disgusting criminals disguised as upstanding citizens. The story was really good. Steamy and emotional. The secondary and tertiary characters are great too, right down to the elder bar waitress.

[SaDonna Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mac walks into Leo's Bar to sit down and have a beer after a long week. The bartender leans over the bar and tells him she thinks there is someone there to see him. The person there is none other than the woman who stole his heart ten years ago Alyssa. Alyssa is his best friends baby sister. Alyssa was just abused by her ex. She has bruises from head to toe, bite marks and her ex beat her with a belt. Mac is furious and will do anything to take care of his soul mate. No refunds and no returns.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Escape to the pages · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and am eagerly waiting for the stories of the other characters who were introduced so well without detracting from the story at all.

Alyssa has longed for her bro hers best friend for years but other than one short but steamy encounter when she was younger he won’t give her the time of day. So she did exactly what he wanted and started a relationship with someone who could give her all he felt she deserved. That didn’t include the beating she got when he had too much to drink though...when Mac finds out he decides the time has come to make Alyssa his despite what her brother might think.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jenni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mac grew up on the streets never knowing the good of the world, until Alyssa his best friends little sister was to innocent for his world so avoided her until one day he couldnt not notice her. Alyssa had held a torch for Mac for years but felt shunned by him, so she decided to move on, at first things were going great until he started to beat her. When Mac sees the black eye on Alyssa he knows what he has to do, the one thing he should have done a long time ago, claim her. will these two get their HEA? or will they fizzle out once danger no longer lurks? well written with a great story that keeps you invest all the way! the characters burst with chemistry from the get go!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love sexy romantic fast reads. Anne Rainey gets to the point and covers all the essential points of the story. Heroine, bad guy, hero, concerned brother, worse guy and love. Lots of love. I highly recommend this love story.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mac Braden had lived a rough life on the streets. He knew how people could be. So despite his feelings for Alyssa, his best friend’s younger sister, he makes it a point to stay away. She sees him as a hero, and she’s too good for him.

Alyssa has loved Mac Braden for a long time, but he never showed an interest in him. When he finds her in a bar, beaten up by her abusive ex-boyfriend, the time has come to stake his claim. He will protect her and no one will ever harm her like that. He will show her how he feels about her, and she will experience what it’s like to have him love her. But is this just for a little while? Until she is not in danger anymore? Or is it forever?

This was a good story line. I was relieved to see Alyssa go to Mac after her attack. She picked the right man to know how to protect her from the bad guys out there. Grab your copy and see if the two of them are ready to begin the relationship they have waited for all this time.

[Tc · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 1st book in the Saints Investigation series and this is Mac and Alyssa's story. Mac and Jimmy Saint are best friends and partners in Saints Investigation. Alyssa is Jimmy’s baby sister and has always loved Mac. When Mac goes to Leo's bar he finds Alyssa there. He sees bruises on her face, so he takes her back to her apartment where he discovers that it was her ex-boyfriends who beat, bit and whipped her with his belt. He is now in full protective mode! He vows that no one will ever harm her again! He has always wanted her but now he is staking him claim and wasn’t letting her go.
What will happen next?

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Elsie Pitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a quickie but it has a lot going in those few pages! It will make your heart pitter patter and you will be routing for Mac and Alyssa. Tis a strange heat that these two have but they are perfect for each other. The love Alyssa has for Mac is endearing and will make you fall giddy for these men and the women that love them with all their hearts! I enjoyed it and am thrilled to see that there are more of this world in the future. you will not be sorry that you picked up to see what is happening with in Saint's Investigations.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Debra Akers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a first story for me by this author and won't be the last. I really enjoyed Mac and Alyssa's story. Mac grew up never knowing what it felt like to have goodness in his life until his best friend's sister Alyssa. Alyssa has always had a crush on Mac but nothing ever came of it because Mac knew he wasn't good enough for her. Years later Alyssa turns to Mac after being attacked by her ex boyfriend..will things work out for them this time around. This story has lots of drama, chemistry, and keeps attention through out the book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cathy Greco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mac is no stranger to the horrible side of people. Alyssa is all that is light and good, so Mac stays away. Then he sees the black eye and comes to her rescue. He will protector and she wants to know what it feels like to be loved by Mac. I thought the characters were well developed and believable. I really liked how protective Mac became. Alyssa I liked her and felt drawn to her. The story was well written and it flowed right along. Great book. I was entertained and engrossed in the story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Maggi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 1st book in the Saints Investigation series. Mac and Jimmy Saint were best friends and were partners in the investigation business. Alyssa is Jimmy’s baby sister and she has always been in love with Mac. After finishing up a case, Mac heads to Leo’s bar for a beer and is told by the bartender that Alyssa is there. When he approaches her, he sees bruises on her face and he is instantly angry and in the protective mode. Taking her to her apartment he finds out it was her ex-boyfriend who beat on her, bit her and whipped her with his belt. Mac swears to her that no one will ever harm her or touch her again. He had always cared about her too but didn’t think he was good enough for her or that her brother would approve. He decided to make his claim and wasn’t letting her go. A good storyline that keeps you enthralled from beginning to end. I thoroughly enjoyed this read and look forward to Jimmy’s story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[evieo17 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good read. I just didn’t understand why Mac took so long to acknowledge how he felt about Alyssa. His issues why he shouldn’t have been with her was enough to keep him away but she shows up with bruises and it’s like no barriers were ever there at all. His reasoning sucks.

[Nate · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a hot one. Wow! I couldn't put it down. I received a free copy of the book. And am voluntarily leaving my honest opinion.

[Gillian · Rating 1 out of 5]

I never finished this book it was BORING biggest load of rubbish I have ever read my true rating -5

[Becky Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!

Really enjoyed Mac's Vow. The storyline was exciting. Saint's investigations is a series you can't miss. Kudos to Anne Rainey.