Being President of the Iron Shadows MC isn’t just a title. It’s my whole damn life. Every day, another crisis, another burden weighing down shoulders that should’ve buckled long ago. But I don’t break. I built this club from the ashes of a past better left forgotten, and now? We’re known. We’re feared. Nothing else matters.
Until Riley walks into my compound, her son against her chest, looking for protection. And just like that, my world shifts. The weight on my shoulders gets heavier, but for them, I’ll carry it gladly. Because keeping them safe means more to me than the club, more than my own life.
I'll do whatever I have to do in order to protect them.
Even if it means going to war with the entire Palm Springs Police Department.
Series In the ruthless world of the Iron Shadows MC, love isn’t soft—it’s savage. These men are monsters forged in blood and betrayal, but even monsters have a breaking point. When they find the one who ignites their soul, they’ll destroy anyone who threatens to take them away. Love in their world isn’t a weakness—it’s a reason to unleash the darkness. Because even in the shadows, the fiercest hearts burn for their person—and they’ll protect them with everything they have.
Carol Dawn was born in Maysville, Kentucky, USA, under the name Carolyn Jacobs. Carol is a stay-at-home mom where she spends her days making pb&j sandwiches, picking up toys, and giving her kids more cuddles than they want.
At the young age of five, Carol received a reading medallion for reading over twenty-one books in an eight-week period. So, her literary journey began. She wrote poems, songs, short stories and read many books.
Carol has a slight (MASSIVE) obsession with alpha male/insta-love romance books. If she isn't reading about them, she's writing about them.
When she isn't writing, reading or playing mom, you will find her watching re-runs of Stargate SG1, Startrek Voyager, cooking, coloring mandalas or performing her favorite songs for her invisible audience.
I wish I could give this more than five flaming stars because it deserves it and so much more . I couldn't put this book down and found that when I had to, I couldn't wait to get back to reading it again to see what happens next.
My heart went out to Riley because, as a domestic abuse survivor myself, I could relate to her storyline on every level. I love how despite what she had been put through, her love and determination to keep baby Asher safe was paramount in all ways .
Spike is an alpha and doesn't take no crap from anyone . With the weight of the world on his shoulders as MC president, he wasn't looking to add to that heavy load, but when Riley comes calling, asking for shelter spike knew he would carry a mountain and then some to keep what he saw as his from any harm .
With a cast of characters within the MC who brought it all to the table in their own way and despite the subject matter, I found them convincing of their loyalty and brotherhood and I had several laugh out loud moments.
This is a brand new series by author Carol Dawn, and what a fantastic start. I highly recommend this book. I'm so looking forward to reading more.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This new series is definitely a page turner and very emotionally powerful and very good. The roller coaster of emotions you feel everything from the highs to the lows, the hurting, the trauma, the fears, the manipulation, danger, drama, and all the love a person could want.
Riley might seem damaged and broken to begin with but with the love and support of Spike and the Iron Shadows MC she becomes strong and fearless.
Oh and seeing my Knoxy boy in a small part so worth it🤣🤣
This is a great start to another wonderful MC series
What's not to love about this book? Everything you need for a perfect story: - Spike is an MMC like we love them, a true alpha who'll do anything to protect those he loves. - Riley the FMC is one of the strongest heroines we've ever met, even if she doesn't realize it.
Once again, I don't see what's not to love... It's a story with raw emotion, angst that keeps us on the edge of our seats, a plot that develops at a perfect pace and makes us want to find out what happens next.
In short, Carol Dawn succeeds in drawing us into this new series with this first book. The story and characters are realistic, adding even more depth to the story. I can't wait to find out what Carol Dawn has in store for the members of the Iron Shadows MC.
Absolutely loved the first instalment of the Iron Shadows MC, an excellent story that keeps you involved. I also loved Spike and Riley’s story, she definitely needed some goodness in her life and she found it in the most unlikely place. A definite page turner and very entertaining. 100% recommend this book to everyone ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ you will not be disappointed 😎🖤
Spike is a protector of everyone he loves. His job is a leader and when Riley needs help, he's there for her and her baby. Riley is running from a monster. She is scared and alone, until Spike. His family will go against anyone trying to hurt her and her baby. She is what Spike didn't know he needed. This is the first of a new series and I loved it. It grabs you from page 1 and keeps you hooked. Can not wait for more.
Just wow this was a great start to a new series. I love how different each of Carol Dawn's MCs are. This was a wild ride for the first book into the Iron Shadows world but I of course couldn't put it down and wished for more. Also I'm claiming Skip as my Best Biker Friend and can't wait to learn more about him. Actually I can wait to learn more about all of the brothers.
Why do I keep reading Carol Dawn's books..... I'll tell you why. They are so good. Everyone time I start a new book i can't put it down. This book is the start of a new series with cameos from other books Spike is the president and Riley comes to the club house for help. Without giving too much away, we get to read about this new club and its members. I can't wait to read more. You won't be disappointed in this book i promise you.
Washers golden fountain for Spike was so expected. Riley went through brutal hell. I do not know how she made it. Spike was such a Alpha asshole, I really started out hating him. But his love for Riley and Asher changed my opinion. Their path was a rough and brutal journey. I must admit Ole Chuckie got off way to easy. Max needs his story. I hope Tank and Abby have a book coming.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Some parts were really good, but some parts were terrible and there are huge mistakes.
I’m really sorry but this isn’t anywhere near as good as this authors previous books. The book starts off with Riley running with a PREMATURE 48 hours old baby, after she’s had a caesarean! RUNNING!!! 😡😡😡😡 Then sleeping on park benches. Oh good grief. As the Iron Shadows are enemies of her husband and he’s scared of them, she goes to them for help. Erm WHY?? Why would she think that they would help her? Riley’s husband has seriously beaten her even while she was pregnant with their son. They do help her, (Eventually.) and as soon as Spike the club president sees Riley he feels drawn to her. So instead of acknowledging his feelings, he ignores her then he’s spiteful and says vile things to her. So Riley goes back to her husband. Aaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrggggghhhhh!!! 😡😡😡
I didn’t like Spike to be honest. The author is constantly telling us how much under pressure Spike is under yet he misses so many things. He’s got a traitor in the club but that’s never explained. Somehow Riley’s husband finds out where Riley is, again it’s not explained how he finds out. They think the clubhouse might be bugged, so they talk out loud how they are going to hide in Spike’s safe place UNDER his house. So if anyone is listening they know exactly where it is! 🙄🙄🙄 Soon Riley and Spike are madly in love and I didn’t believe in their love. Riley is not in a good place to be falling in love.
There are good parts later in in the book but they’re really rushed and it ruined it. The sex scenes are terrible with no foreplay and I’m sure they didn’t wait for six weeks!!!
Riley is running (with her newborn baby) from her severely abusive, police commissioner husband, Chuck. She goes to Spike’s clubhouse to ask for protection in order to sleep for a night because Chuck is afraid of them and she thinks he won’t look for them there. Spike develops feelings for Riley and her baby and vows that “Chuck’s a problem. We get that. But problems have solutions. And if he’s stupid enough to come for you here, he’ll find out real quick why we’re feared.”
Fast forward a few days later, after Chuck begins publicly looking for his wife and son. Riley offers to call police to let them know they are alive so they don’t look for them at MC clubhouse. Spike’s response-“How fucking stupid can you be, Riley? You might as well have stayed and let him use and abuse you while he raised your child with another woman.” He goes on like this for 4 pages…“You don’t think, Riley. That’s the problem. You never think. And now, we’re all cleaning up after your mess. We’re gonna have more targets on our backs because you couldn’t handle your shit. Maybe you should’ve stayed where you belonged. At least then the rest of us wouldn’t be stuck risking our lives for someone too selfish to see what’s at stake.”
She then goes back to Chuck, in order to protect the club. She gets the shit knocked out of her and hospitalized. She’s almost dead. That’s when Spike decides he’s furious and will do anything to protect her and her baby. Give. Me. A. Break.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
What a fantastic start to the Iron Shadows MC series. Heed the trigger warnings regarding violence and abuse. Like all of the author’s books, she knows how to tell a tough story but also knows how to intermingle some humor.
Riley is on the run with her newborn from her abusive BF who is a man with some power. Spike is an alpha-hole who isn’t afraid of any one including the abusive BF regardless of his power. I liked Spike when he first met Riley but he turned on her in a big way that ended terribly for her. When he does get his head out of his butt, he does redeem himself and becomes the man Riley deserves and the dad that Asher needs. Property of Spike is a roller-coaster ride through all of your emotions. The Iron Shadow family looks out for each other and really came together to support and protect Riley and Asher. I’m excited for the next Iron Shadow to get their story.
I really enjoyed this book. The supporting characters were great. Both the MMC and the FMC were great. Spike upset me for a minute when he treated Riley badly, but I understood it was out of frustration. Nonetheless, it did get Riley hurt, so I felt there wasn't enough groveling on his part afterward.
The reason I couldn't give it 5 stars is because it wasn't a romance in the true sense of the word. Yeah, they loved each other, but there was zero spice, zero yearning intimacy. He did let her know how much he loved her, but it always felt a little superficial. Though Spike was a lot more vocal about the way he loved Riley... it still didn't feel intimate, and that is why I couldn't go with full 5 stars. Had the author added more romance, this would have been beyond great. If I wasn't looking for an MC romance, then this would have been perfect, but it definitely did not fill what I was looking for.
3.5⭐️ Can I just say that I love when an author makes the kids apart of the story! I just love reading those cute moments. Anyways, I think this is my first MC book where sweet butts are non exist so that was kind of interesting. I’m not gonna lie Spike (40) messed up and said some things that although were true I wanted to jump through my kindle and slap him! I wish there would’ve been some groveling. I did appreciate the fact when he pulled his head out of his butt he realized that Riley and Asher are his. Riley (?) is honestly someone I want to wrap in bubble wrap. I wish we would’ve seen more of her healing journey, I feel like the things she went through before Spike were kind of glossed over. I kind of feel like Riley was just there, she for all she went through just came off as plain to me. I don’t know it’s just I feel like this was more Spikes story than hers. I will say I am intrigued with the other bikers so I’ll be continuing this series.
Soooo good!! Riley has been thru so much! having a baby and spending years being horrifically abused by the police chief commissioner (which is her so called husband) is insane!! she survived tho and she escaped him. she found a safe haven for a while in the iron shadows MC club and the president of thay club is spike and omg he is sexy! Spike ends up falling for Riley and wanting to protect her. he def has a hard battle ahead with the commissioner for sure. that man is beyond evil 😈 its no wonder Riley is so scared and traumatized. but shes strong and he didnt break her. I love this story. the mc club is awesome! I love how the brothers in it are like a real family. they take Riley and her baby Asher in and they all fall for her and the baby and want to protect her. I truly loved this story and I read it super quickly! I only wish it lasted longer haha.
OMG!!! I love starting a new series and then we get a little easter egg from an old one. 😁
Spike and Riley.....OH I wanted to stay mad at Spike but he definitely redeemed himself throughout the book. Poor Riley, her story breaks my heart but dang Carol can you put ypur FMC's through some struggles and only make them stronger once they come out the other side.
This first book in this new series is awesome. At no point was I not hooked on the story and all the characters involved. I would've liked a little bit more back story/younger history on Spike and Riley but we are given enough that it doesn't take away from the story. That is just my personal preference. I have that soft spot for Skippy. 😜
Carol Dawn has started a new series in her universe. As with all the previous series she writes about perception and actuality and writes a story that makes the reader see many sides of an issue. Spike and Riley’s story – It’s a story of a couple who are dealing with society’s perceived monsters and actual monsters people deal with every day. Spike and his crew are the monsters that society says to stay away from because they live an outlaw life that is rough and dangerous. While Riley runs from the true monster that hides in plain sight. Spike saves Riley providing the safety she seeks so they find the love they share is the fortress they both need against what the world throws at them. I give this book 5 stars and recommend reading Carol Dawn’s other books.
What an opener to this new series featuring the Iron Shadows MC had me hooked from the start.
Spike carries the responsibility of the MC on his shoulders when Riley turns up at his compound with a baby; she becomes another responsibility, one which he was not prepared for but will protect with his life. Riley is escaping an abusive relationship, and when he uses his position to manipulate Riley under his control, he won't stop until Riley and baby Asher are back where they belong.
An emotional storyline of triumph over an adversary, an MC family whom are loyal and strong, which I would recommend for all who like gritty emotional stories.
Bonus, our little Knox makes a cameo, very cute :-)
This is the first book in the Iron Shadows MC. Spike is the president of the club. Riley shows up asking for help and gets turned away. She's on the run with her newborn son. Where will she go? What should she do? She goes back one more time asking for help. This time, Spike happens to overhear the way she's being talked to and doesn't like it. He brings her inside the MC compound and... Oops, I'm telling what happens. I shouldn't be doing that. I'll stop and let you read this book for yourself. I did like there were just a few things that were a bit unbelievable, that's why the 4 stars. I am looking forward to reading about Bones. I really want to read Max's story that sounds like it would be very interesting.
Spike is such an alphahole. I started the book by hating him. I thought he was going to be the worst MMC. Then he changed my mind. He shifted the focus and became the alphahole Riley needed him to be. The emotions take you on a roller coaster, with highs and lows, free falls. Riley is the perfect combination of strength and vulnerability. She endures. Carol Dawn! You have done it again by writing this amazing story. Thank you for taking me on this fantastic journey with you. You don't just put words down on paper. You put feeling and heart into all of your works.
Yeah a new series by carol and it’s a great start.
This was a kind of darker MC book by Carol but I absolutely loved it. Spike was a brilliant MC president of the Iron Shadows he is a strong bossy alpha male, with a great secret slightly softer side. Riley is so strong to run with a new born and go to the iron shadows.
I honestly think this was a brilliant start for the Iron Shadows and it definitely leads the way for a brilliant series. Not that I expect anything else from Carol xx
This was a really good start for this series 👏 👌! Riley suffered horrible abuse from the Police Commissioner, husband. She walks to the Iron Shadows MC compound because she knew her husband feared them, so she hoped for protection for her and her newborn premature baby. Not giving any spoilers, so grab your copy and enjoy. Spike is the President of the Iron Shadows MC, and he has an interesting and wonderful members that have his back. The story keeps you turning the pages! Happy reading! Highly recommend!
A great start to a new series by Carol Dawn! I’m excited to dive into the world of the Iron Shadows. While this first book focused on Spike, it also left me eager to see what happens to the other brothers. I didn’t start off loving or even liking Spike, but the way he fully committed to Riley and took on her problems made him every bit the hero she needed. The character development in this book was fantastic. I also loved the cameo appearances of Knox and Taylor from Obsidian MC. I can't wait for more!
This book is AMAZING! I couldn’t put it down. It has everything. A heroine who is in the clutches of a despicable evil man in power. Trigger warning: domestic violence. Spike, the MC Prez saves her and her newborn baby many times. The MC fall in love with her and the baby and put their lives on the line for them. Riley, our heroine is strong mentally but tries to hold her own physically but Spike and his club step in to take that part from her. HEA and JUSTICE is netted out in a very, very satisfying manner. I’m going on to the next book in the series. Happy Reading!!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Desperate and weak after just giving birth, Riley approaches the Iron Shadows MC for sanctuary and protection. Will Spike and his club help her?
What a fantastic beginning to this new series: a toxic enemy, manipulation, danger, drama and angst. A great cast of new characters and an old familiar face from the Obsidians.
I couldn’t put this book down and can’t wait for more from the Iron Shadows.
ove everyone of Carol’s books. That’s a true and accurate statement. However, some are just far superior to others. Sometimes you just really relate to a character. Sometimes they just hold your heart. I absolutely loved this book. And Riley has to be the most amazing mom ever!!! All that she went through. And then her and Spike together are just pure magic. And don’t get me started on her little boy. Aaaawwww!!! I loved it!!!Absolutely loved it.
Should have been listed as an insta-love, which is how it reads. Spike and Riley made a cute couple, but their story was a little bland. There was limited spice, but the premise was pretty good. I read some of the other reviews, but I'm glad I decided on my own to go ahead and read the story. This author is pretty good but somehow missed the mark when it comes to making the read memorable. Will look into the next story and other series she may have.
The book itself was okay just not my cup of tea. I didn’t really get into the whole obsession he had with her and the baby so quickly seemed very unnatural and at times uncomfortable with how he talked about her breastfeeding. Yet again I think that’s just not my cup of tea but I know someone out there probably loves it. The story itself was good, I won’t be reading any more of the series as though I don’t feel like I ever got truly attached to the characters enough to care for more.
Wow, what An amazing way to start a new series. This story not only has an alpha male biker but also a strong female to match. This author sure knows how to write different books and to keep things different. This book is a lust at first sight, instant family book. I had a hard time putting it down. I am excited to see what else she has in store for us in the series.
I have been reading books just to finish them lately. This book stopped me in my tracks! I loved the story! It pulled at my heart strings! I can't wait to see what happens with the rest of the crew! I feel like this had a litrle something extra to it than other story journeys from this aurhor. I would highly reccommend!