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Reapers #3
Ride to Ruin
When a religious sect settles north of Fort Dougan in an abandoned city called Ruin, it doesn’t take long for stories to spread that something’s not right about the place. Charismatic preacher Thaddeus Blackwell has promised his flock a better life, unsullied by the decadence of Scraper society and the immorality of life on the border. With an army of cured Reapers under his command, Blackwell is determined to build a godly society…even if he has to use ungodly means to do it.
Working the ranch with the horses she loves, Ellie hasn’t paid much attention to the rumors about Ruin until her sister is charged with Blackwell’s murder. Ellie drops everything to ride to Lu’s aid only to find that her sister has fled town with a Ranger hot on her trail and Thaddeus’s son, Mordecai, out for her blood.
Ranger Garrett Landry believes Lu is the key to getting his family out of Ruin alive, and he needs to find her before Mordecai gets to her. Reluctantly accepting Ellie as his partner in the search, Garrett doesn’t expect to fall in love with the brave but in over her head rancher. And he never imagines that Ellie might be the one to save him instead.
Working the ranch with the horses she loves, Ellie hasn’t paid much attention to the rumors about Ruin until her sister is charged with Blackwell’s murder. Ellie drops everything to ride to Lu’s aid only to find that her sister has fled town with a Ranger hot on her trail and Thaddeus’s son, Mordecai, out for her blood.
Ranger Garrett Landry believes Lu is the key to getting his family out of Ruin alive, and he needs to find her before Mordecai gets to her. Reluctantly accepting Ellie as his partner in the search, Garrett doesn’t expect to fall in love with the brave but in over her head rancher. And he never imagines that Ellie might be the one to save him instead.
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First published March 28, 2015
6 people are currently reading
56 people want to read
About the author
Eleri Stone
15 books221 followersEleri Stone is a RITA-nominated author of fantasy and paranormal romance. Born and raised in New Jersey, she now lives in Iowa with her husband and their three children. All of her stories have some element of speculative fiction to them and they all end with a happily-ever-after.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
April 4, 2015
I'm really liking this series, and Stone seems to be hitting her stride with this book. It was fun to read, with a good H and h. I liked that Ellie was competent and could take care of herself, even if she had made a poor choice with the lover she dumped at the beginning of the book. I also liked that she and Garrett talked things out, so there wasn't a lot of silly miscommunication issues.
The wordbuilding in 'Ride to Ruin' was good, but other than the reapers (ghouls) and the airship that came to the rescue near the end, this could have passed for a straight western. The other books have had a more PNR feel to them.
Very good read. Oh, and there was more Flynn and Molly! I'm still waiting for them to get their own full length book and more than just the teasers we've been getting.
The wordbuilding in 'Ride to Ruin' was good, but other than the reapers (ghouls) and the airship that came to the rescue near the end, this could have passed for a straight western. The other books have had a more PNR feel to them.
Very good read. Oh, and there was more Flynn and Molly! I'm still waiting for them to get their own full length book and more than just the teasers we've been getting.
May 16, 2016
3.5
Enjoyed the action and the characters. The world was interesting I liked the gritty Wild West feel and the airships. I enjoyed learning about both the reapers and rangers. I will probably continue with the series.
Enjoyed the action and the characters. The world was interesting I liked the gritty Wild West feel and the airships. I enjoyed learning about both the reapers and rangers. I will probably continue with the series.
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October 17, 2015
4.5 stars - I really like this series, even though this time the other elements of the world altered by the presence of zombie-ish Reapers play a more minor role.
This time rancher Ellie sets off to find her sister Lu, who is wanted for the murder of a man who was the founder of a cultish utopia, and Ellie's path coincides with Ranger Garrett, whose sister and mom might be unwilling guests of the town that is now under control of the murdered man's even less savoury son.
I loved both Ellie and Garrett, she's strong and independent but with a big heart and he's sexy and a gentleman both -real hero material. Their chemistry is good, their parternership is better, the fact that they both can't help but fall for each other -even though his duty as a Reaper immune Ranger makes a future together impossible - is even better, and the ending that promises a way for Ellie to get the future she deserves and that Garrett hopes for is the best.
I also loved the teasing little catch up with Molly and Flynn - I am excited that their book is finally up next. Can't wait.
This time rancher Ellie sets off to find her sister Lu, who is wanted for the murder of a man who was the founder of a cultish utopia, and Ellie's path coincides with Ranger Garrett, whose sister and mom might be unwilling guests of the town that is now under control of the murdered man's even less savoury son.
I loved both Ellie and Garrett, she's strong and independent but with a big heart and he's sexy and a gentleman both -real hero material. Their chemistry is good, their parternership is better, the fact that they both can't help but fall for each other -even though his duty as a Reaper immune Ranger makes a future together impossible - is even better, and the ending that promises a way for Ellie to get the future she deserves and that Garrett hopes for is the best.
I also loved the teasing little catch up with Molly and Flynn - I am excited that their book is finally up next. Can't wait.
April 10, 2015
Ellie's mother died in a Reaper attack ten years ago, leaving behind Ellie and her younger sister Lu. Now Ellie is living day-to-day, sharing duties and a bed with Dan, but not all that happy with life. When Ellie finds out Lu is wanted for murder, she finally discovers Dan’s true selfish nature. Packing up and heading out to save her sister, Ellie leaves Dan behind.
Ranger Garrett Landry is on temporary leave of duties while he tries to locate and save his mom and sister from a cult-like preacher, Blackwell. Since finding both Lu and Garrett’s family are along the same path to Ruin, Garrett and Ellie partner up to make the difficult journey. Along the way, the get help from Lu’s best friend Molly and a known smuggler, Flynn. (FYI: Flynn & Molly are the main characters in their own, free online story on the Carina Press website.)
Ride to Ruin, the third title in Ms. Stone’s unique Reaper series, is highly entertaining and a delightful romance. The series is based on an alternate version of Earth, where the Reaper virus, which changes infected men into crazed, flesh-eating monsters, impacted how society developed, with the rich living in the mountains, and the rest living on the frontier, creating a “western” feel for the setting. The border towns are protected by Rangers, men (and a few women) who are immune to the Reaper virus. While reading the first two books in the series is not needed to enjoy Ride to Ruin, it helps put the story into context within its world and the dangers it holds. However, this time around, the story puts most of its energy into and focus on the romance and characters, with hardly any page time for Reapers, the cure, and all of the political issues surrounding the Rangers. I greatly enjoyed this difference and the associated devotion of time spent on the main couple. I felt the story flowed more smoothly overall, and while I wondered what was happening in the political arena, I never missed it.
I adored both Ellie and Garrett, especially as a romantic couple. They start off as partners, with both mutual distrust and respect, helping them create a strong foundation based on equality. This is something Ellie was missing with Dan, and she recognized the differences, helping her to trust and fall in love with Garrett. Their banter was light and fun, yet perfect for developing a solid relationship. However, their journey isn’t all smooth trails, for which I am thankful. The bumps in the road give the couple depth and create emotional connections.
The primary story of saving Lu and getting into Ruin to rescue Garrett’s family is exciting. My heart actually raced as they made their way into the heart of Blackwell’s territory. Although I had a minor issue with a couple of incidents that lead up to the climax, they did nothing to impact my overall enjoyment of the story.
Overall, I really enjoyed Ride to Ruin and appreciated how ending was fitting for Garrett and Ellie’s love. Keeping the focus on finding Lu and rescuing those in Ruin, while allowing love to develop from a true partnership, created a tighter, more enjoyable story than in the previous book. Ellie and Garrett are a great pair both in and out of the bed, and their romance and chemistry are steamy and playful. Since much of the book is outside of the existing political climate, it can be read standalone, and I strongly recommend the book to fans of both paranormal and western/historical romances.
My Rating: A- Enjoyed a lot
Originally posted at That's What I'm Talking About
Review copy provided by author.
Ranger Garrett Landry is on temporary leave of duties while he tries to locate and save his mom and sister from a cult-like preacher, Blackwell. Since finding both Lu and Garrett’s family are along the same path to Ruin, Garrett and Ellie partner up to make the difficult journey. Along the way, the get help from Lu’s best friend Molly and a known smuggler, Flynn. (FYI: Flynn & Molly are the main characters in their own, free online story on the Carina Press website.)
Ride to Ruin, the third title in Ms. Stone’s unique Reaper series, is highly entertaining and a delightful romance. The series is based on an alternate version of Earth, where the Reaper virus, which changes infected men into crazed, flesh-eating monsters, impacted how society developed, with the rich living in the mountains, and the rest living on the frontier, creating a “western” feel for the setting. The border towns are protected by Rangers, men (and a few women) who are immune to the Reaper virus. While reading the first two books in the series is not needed to enjoy Ride to Ruin, it helps put the story into context within its world and the dangers it holds. However, this time around, the story puts most of its energy into and focus on the romance and characters, with hardly any page time for Reapers, the cure, and all of the political issues surrounding the Rangers. I greatly enjoyed this difference and the associated devotion of time spent on the main couple. I felt the story flowed more smoothly overall, and while I wondered what was happening in the political arena, I never missed it.
I adored both Ellie and Garrett, especially as a romantic couple. They start off as partners, with both mutual distrust and respect, helping them create a strong foundation based on equality. This is something Ellie was missing with Dan, and she recognized the differences, helping her to trust and fall in love with Garrett. Their banter was light and fun, yet perfect for developing a solid relationship. However, their journey isn’t all smooth trails, for which I am thankful. The bumps in the road give the couple depth and create emotional connections.
The primary story of saving Lu and getting into Ruin to rescue Garrett’s family is exciting. My heart actually raced as they made their way into the heart of Blackwell’s territory. Although I had a minor issue with a couple of incidents that lead up to the climax, they did nothing to impact my overall enjoyment of the story.
Overall, I really enjoyed Ride to Ruin and appreciated how ending was fitting for Garrett and Ellie’s love. Keeping the focus on finding Lu and rescuing those in Ruin, while allowing love to develop from a true partnership, created a tighter, more enjoyable story than in the previous book. Ellie and Garrett are a great pair both in and out of the bed, and their romance and chemistry are steamy and playful. Since much of the book is outside of the existing political climate, it can be read standalone, and I strongly recommend the book to fans of both paranormal and western/historical romances.
My Rating: A- Enjoyed a lot
Originally posted at That's What I'm Talking About
Review copy provided by author.
April 28, 2015
Oh my, where to start? There wasn't anything about this book not to love. And all of those shelves I listed, fit.
Ellie, the female main character is at once, sweet and kind...and tough. She's got history with the reapers and the Rangers, blaming them both for her mother's death. After her mother was killed--while the town stood by and watched, she raised her little sister, Lu. But Lu grew up to be wild as the wind, and rode with other semi-lawless women on the border.
The story takes off when Ellie receives a letter from Lu, telling her that she's in trouble and to NOT come looking for her. There's a reward posted, and Lu is wanted for murder--for shooting a man in cold blood. Of course, the first thing that Ellie does is strike out to the town of Ruin to find her little sister and keep her from the hangman's noose.
She ends up riding with a ranger named Garrett--who has his own reason to ride to the town of Ruin.
Stone does everything right in this story. It's like reading a Louis L'Amour novel. It's dusty, gritty, full of lines that make you smile when you read them. The descriptions are perfect--enough that you can see their world, but not so much that they drag down the pace.
Horses, rangers, outlaws, double-crosses, an evil preacher man, and two people who aren't meant to be together but can't help but falling in love. It has an HEA.
By far, my favorite book so far in the Reaper Series, it's fine as a stand alone read.
Five shining stars...
Ellie, the female main character is at once, sweet and kind...and tough. She's got history with the reapers and the Rangers, blaming them both for her mother's death. After her mother was killed--while the town stood by and watched, she raised her little sister, Lu. But Lu grew up to be wild as the wind, and rode with other semi-lawless women on the border.
The story takes off when Ellie receives a letter from Lu, telling her that she's in trouble and to NOT come looking for her. There's a reward posted, and Lu is wanted for murder--for shooting a man in cold blood. Of course, the first thing that Ellie does is strike out to the town of Ruin to find her little sister and keep her from the hangman's noose.
She ends up riding with a ranger named Garrett--who has his own reason to ride to the town of Ruin.
Stone does everything right in this story. It's like reading a Louis L'Amour novel. It's dusty, gritty, full of lines that make you smile when you read them. The descriptions are perfect--enough that you can see their world, but not so much that they drag down the pace.
Horses, rangers, outlaws, double-crosses, an evil preacher man, and two people who aren't meant to be together but can't help but falling in love. It has an HEA.
By far, my favorite book so far in the Reaper Series, it's fine as a stand alone read.
Five shining stars...
August 27, 2015
What starts out as a rebound romance for Ellie, an independent rancher, with a hot Ranger, Garrett, quickly turns into something sweet and strong as the two partner up to save their respective sisters.
Ride to Ruin is the third book in this enjoyable series. Though a romance at its core, I love the strong world-building and depth of this world that combines elements like Western cowboys, parasitic zombies (Reapers) and airships. I appreciate how each story has been different and expanded the world we have been shown. I liked how the zombie cure discovered in book one has not been a `magic bullet` but has had repercussions to the world, resulting in this book`s menace: a zealot preacher founding a town with former Reapers called the Redeemed.
The story also features Molly and Flynn as secondary characters. I cannot wait for them to get their own book!
Note: I received a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Ride to Ruin is the third book in this enjoyable series. Though a romance at its core, I love the strong world-building and depth of this world that combines elements like Western cowboys, parasitic zombies (Reapers) and airships. I appreciate how each story has been different and expanded the world we have been shown. I liked how the zombie cure discovered in book one has not been a `magic bullet` but has had repercussions to the world, resulting in this book`s menace: a zealot preacher founding a town with former Reapers called the Redeemed.
The story also features Molly and Flynn as secondary characters. I cannot wait for them to get their own book!
Note: I received a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
April 26, 2015
I completely adore this series. From the mindless Reapers to those who have been cured of the disease and are trying to find how they fit in to this world now. From the Rangers to the citizens they protect. It all works for me. All of it.
Garrett and Ellie are just adorably sweet. Sure, he's a Ranger who's tasked with keeping the people safe and helping breed up the next generation of Rangers and she's not entirely sold on the Rangers because of her mother's untimely death, but they work so nicely together. I like them. Ellie chooses to enjoy her time with Garrett despite her reservations (or maybe because of them seeing as how she's just removed herself from a going-nowhere relationship and she's ready to throw caution to the wind and...err, enjoy herself) and Garrett knows how to show a lady a good time. Also, he liiiiikes Ellie.
Seriously, they are adorably cute.
We get to see even more sides to the cured Reapers. The bad guys started out with good intentions that went off the rails somewhere along the way. Flynn and Molly make me smile. Good times all around, my friends. Good times.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
Garrett and Ellie are just adorably sweet. Sure, he's a Ranger who's tasked with keeping the people safe and helping breed up the next generation of Rangers and she's not entirely sold on the Rangers because of her mother's untimely death, but they work so nicely together. I like them. Ellie chooses to enjoy her time with Garrett despite her reservations (or maybe because of them seeing as how she's just removed herself from a going-nowhere relationship and she's ready to throw caution to the wind and...err, enjoy herself) and Garrett knows how to show a lady a good time. Also, he liiiiikes Ellie.
Seriously, they are adorably cute.
We get to see even more sides to the cured Reapers. The bad guys started out with good intentions that went off the rails somewhere along the way. Flynn and Molly make me smile. Good times all around, my friends. Good times.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
April 7, 2015
I always love the universe created by the author, and I liked seeing the changes the cure brought. As a result, there was less talking about or encountering diseased, and the story focused on what the Reapers become after they're cured, and how someone could take advantage of them. However I thought the resolution of the plot with Mordecai was too fast, I would have like more than
As for the characters, I really liked Ellie and Garrett. They are great characters and good people at core, and their love story went smoothly and seemed like a foregone conclusion from the start.
I also like seeing again Molly and Flinn and I hope we'll have their story soon.
As for the characters, I really liked Ellie and Garrett. They are great characters and good people at core, and their love story went smoothly and seemed like a foregone conclusion from the start.
I also like seeing again Molly and Flinn and I hope we'll have their story soon.
April 11, 2015
A sweet romance in the zombie - infested west. Excellent sister relationship.
March 13, 2016
Another good read in this series. I'm glad that certain events were not too drawn out.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews