Hank Jerry…Her personal and professional life on the skids, a family emergency forces her to return to the small town, and the aunt, she left behind.
Jack ‘Gent’ Darcy…Fresh out of prison, he’s bent on cutting ties with the Creds, but when you're a war counselor in a national gang, they don't let you just walk away.
Injured and on the run, Jack lands on Hank's doorstep, and makes her a proposition she can’t refuse: write his story about life inside one of the most powerful gangs in the country.
It’s simple – she’ll get her career groove back, and he’ll bury the gang, then disappear – his version of freedom.
Only problem is, they can’t help falling for each other, and they’ve both got something to hide that could blow up in their faces.
With time running out and gang enforcers closing in, will the trust they’ve forged survive the ultimate test?
Raised on a down home blend of Johnny Cash, Jack London, Sherlock Holmes, the Steelers, and all things small town, Rebecca feels blessed to have grown up in a close knit, fun loving and artistic family. Her mother, a voracious reader and scratch cook, and her father, an entrepreneur, English teacher and lover of literature, taught Rebecca and her brother to work hard, aim for the stars, and live life.
With music, books and laughter as constant companions, she grew up working, cooking and eating in the family’s restaurant business. A certified book and hoagie junkie, Rebecca thrives on live music, mysteries and the outdoors. She's a cheddar enthusiast, lover of cats, teddy bears, hot coffee, cold beer, thunderstorms, the blast of a train’s whistle, the change of seasons, country roads, woodpeckers, spoon rings, cool office supplies, and the Food Network.
She's a sucker for a happy ending, and strives to write the kind of stories she loves to read—those featuring authentic, edgy and vulnerable characters, smack dab in the middle of action that explodes from page one.
Careers, past and present, include freelance writing, accounting, mother, problem solver, doer and head bottle washer.
When Hank Jerry's journalist career hits the skids in New York and a family emergency occurs, Hank finds herself back in her hometown of Fiddler's Elbow, Pennsylvania running her aunt's diner.
Jack Darcy wants to start his life over after being released from prison. He wants to cut his ties with the Creds, a dangerous national gang, but they don't let their members just walk away, so he tries to stay out of their clutches.
When Hank and Jack unexpectedly meet at the diner, sparks fly, but hidden secrets and a dangerous decision to expose the gang throw a wrench into their budding romance. Can they survive the danger while falling in love?
In A Mighty Good Man, author Rebecca E. Neely weaves an intense and fast paced tale of intrigue, suspense, romance, secrets, and danger.
The reader will easily be drawn into this exciting story with its strong cast of characters; a gritty and passionate storyline that delves into the romance and battle scars of two broken people; a dangerous criminal gang element; and a good mixture of romance and suspense that will keep the reader sitting on the edge of their seat; while smiling at Hank and Jack's humorous banter, undeniable chemistry, sexual tension, and steamy sex scenes.
A Mighty Good Man is a must read for anyone who enjoy reading romantic suspense novels.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book blast event hosted by Goddess Fish Promotions.
Hank has returned to the small town to help out her aunt's restaurant while her aunt is in the hospital. Normally, Hank is a freelance writer (magazines, etc.).
Jack is a man on the run. Fresh out of prison, he's being chased by men from his former gang. He's done with that life and wants to start fresh.
The two meet when he is literally running away (on feet) as she is outside the restaurant taking a smoke break. He's limping and bloody, and she makes a split decision to help him.
Turns out, Jack is a good cook, so hiding him in the kitchen as the cook is a great idea.
When Jack figures out that he's read some of her articles, he wants her to write his story. She agrees, eventually.
And of course, there is chemistry! The lines of work and pleasure blur. Quite a few action sequences in this story.
I generally liked the main characters, but the 'bad guys' were cliché. One 'thinks he's smart' guy partnered with a bumbling idiot, and some boss that makes demands over the phone. The talk of love so quick was also a little unbelievable, as is an entire town (including close family and friends) demanding the couple stays together after approximately 2 days of knowing Jack - and knowing he's fresh out of prison with gang-affiliations.
This is why I am rating the story as 3.5-4 stars. If you can get out of your head and not think about tv shows and such about gang activity, you'll enjoy it. The love scene was pretty hot!
Romance Readers received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
This book was an action-packed 5 star read. I was pulled into the story from the first page and just could not put it down. All of the characters were written extremely well. There were some edge of my seat moments, and some super hot sexy moments. Overall, this book had everything I’m looking for in a romantic suspense.
After her life and career are shattered Hank finds herself back in the small town she grew up in. This is not a place she wants to be, and she is looking for a way to get back into journalism in the big city. I liked her tough attitude which did not diminish her compassion for others.
Jack definitely has that sexy bad boy quality. Oh, and he can cook. He’s looking for a way out of his old life with a major gang and willing to do anything to accomplish that. Despite his past and his ruthless determination to put it behind him, Jack is a good guy at heart.
The chemistry between Hank and Jack was hot from the very beginning, and it had me dying to see them give in to it. Now, I didn’t just like the sexual tension these two shared, I really enjoyed the conversations where they got to know each other. There was a surprising amount of depth in this short read. While I would have liked more Hank and Jack, I was not left feeling like the story was missing something.
This book is a must read for anyone who enjoys romantic suspense, and I am looking forward to seeing what this new author has in store in the future.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Hank has returned to the small town to help out her aunt's restaurant while her aunt is in the hospital. Normally, Hank is a freelance writer (magazines, etc.).
Jack is a man on the run. Fresh out of prison, he's being chased by men from his former gang. He's done with that life and wants to start fresh.
The two meet when he is literally running away (on feet) as she is outside the restaurant taking a smoke break. He's limping and bloody, and she makes a split decision to help him.
Turns out, Jack is a good cook, so hiding him in the kitchen as the cook is a great idea.
When Jack figures out that he's read some of her articles, he wants her to write his story. She agrees, eventually.
And of course, there is chemistry! The lines of work and pleasure blur.
Quite a few action sequences in this story.
I generally liked the main characters, but the 'bad guys' were cliché. One 'thinks he's smart' guy partnered with a bumbling idiot, and some boss that makes demands over the phone. The talk of love so quick was also a little unbelievable, as is an entire town (including close family and friends) demanding the couple stays together after approximately 2 days of knowing Jack - and knowing he's fresh out of prison with gang-affiliations.
This is why I am rating the story as 3.5-4 stars. If you can get out of your head and not think about tv shows and such about gang activity, you'll enjoy it. The love scene was pretty hot!
Independent Reviewer for Archaeolibrarian I Dig Good Books
Hank returned home to look after her aunt's diner. Jack comes crashing into her life, with the story of her career. Can they pull it off??
Short, only 137 pages, just an hour reading time for me. I really dont think it would have worked as a longer book, since a lot of the detail in the book is time sensitive, so dragging it out for another 100 pages would not have worked.
What it is, though, is faced paced and fast moving and you gotta be up to speed to keep up with it, and I liked that, I really did. It did make for a not-put-down book, and thats always good.
Something, however, just didn't click with me. Thats why its got 3 stars not 4, its short length and its whatever didn't click.
It is well written, and I really liked Aunt Henry and her insight.
A modern Nellie Bly type reporter, Hank takes on assignments that most sensible women would avoid. When things go south for her in NYC, she’s called back to her small hometown when her aunt lands in the hospital. Running a restaurant isn’t her usual line of work but one early morning it does land her in a position to do yet another potentially dangerous article when a wounded man stumbles to her café’s rear door asking for help. Jack is not only a dangerous man, he wants her to tell his story, expose the gang he was once the war leader for so that he can shed his past and live a life of his own choosing. The trick will be both of them surviving the gang head determined to kill the story – and possibly them – while falling in love. A MIGHTY GOOD MAN by Rebecca Neely.
Wow, I was sucked into this story from the first page. I fell instantly for the heroine, Hank, she’s feisty and snarky…a great character, with flaws to overcome. And don’t get me started on Jack, sigh…such a handsome bad boy, with a sordid past, but a heart of gold. The story is believable, and I didn't stop reading until I finished. Ms. Neely weaves a story of intrigue, secrets, family, sexual chemistry, and love. I really enjoyed Hank and Jack's story.
I loved this book!! A little bit of romance combined with some mysterious characters and add the Creds gang in for some action, definitely my kind of book. I really enjoyed the two main characters and quickly turning the pages to find out what secrets they were hiding. I especially liked the references to small town Western Pa and related to so many of the references the author used. Looking forward to reading more from this author!
I was gifted this book today and read it straight through in about 3 hours; could not put it down. The plot line is credible; the main characters are complex and likable; the action is nonstop. Strong man meets equally strong woman and sparks fly as they peel back one another's history and join together to bring down a gang lord. You won't regret the time you spend speeding through this thrill-a-minute ride.
Likable characters, interesting and unusual storyline.
I went into this knowing the book was very short, but I really would have liked to read a longer version of this story. The storyline is pretty unusual and I wish there was more development of it. A main part of the book is using the expose to secure Jack's freedom yet we never learn anything about its contents. Nor do we see any hesitation or misgivings from Hank about being with a man who has undoubtedly done evil things during 15 years in a gang, especially as a high ranking member. The lack of these things gave the book a very superficial feeling.
I received this book for free in exchange did my honest review.
I liked this book. It was fast paced, implausible, and sexy. The sex scene was a little wanting, but was decent enough. The secondary characters felt real even though they were not completely flushed out. If you're looking for a fast, hot story, this will satisfy your craving.
This well written short story is a different spin on second chance romances. Two wounded souls are brought together by fate for a second chance at life and love. Jack is wounded and running from one of the country's most dangerous gangs shows up at the diner. Hank, a reporter has returned to town to help her sick aunt run her diner. Heartwarming and fast paced. No spoiler here, but a good read.
I am voluntarily reviewing an advanced reader's copy of this book📚 This book was fast, interesting read. Jack and Hank were compelling characters for the most part and their the chemistry was good. Sometimes, the plot felt forced, but an OK read.
Ms. Neely is a new author to me and I am glad that I found her (perhaps she found me). I was a little hesitant at first when I started reading and realized that the H was part of one of the largest gangs in the country and he is running from them.
I am not one to turn someone that has been into gangs, mafia or a typical bad guy, into a good guy. I have never felt that someone that did terrible things was not redeemable. Having said that, it was clear that the ‘H’ was not a model citizen, however, the back story made sense for how he migrated into the “gang” and now he wanted to “get out”.
The story takes place in a former mill town, Fiddler Elbow, Pennsylvania. You know Fiddler Elbow is behind times when they feel that ‘Dial Up’ is high tech. The small town is very much a close-knit community where everyone is ‘up in your business’ and they knew everything that’s going on. The story focuses on 3 days, 2 people and this 1 story so you probably put on your boots because this is a fast-paced ride.
Ann Margret ‘Hank’ Jerry, came back to Fiddler Elbow because her aunt Henry had a heart attack and needed someone to take care of her diner, Mighty Ricky’s, until she recovered. Hank’s aunt raised her and the diner was like a second home. Hank’s objective was to get out of Fiddler Elbow as soon as possible. She moved to New York City working for Avenue Magazine as a receptionist just to be near her dream of being a writer.
One morning before dawn, Hank was opening the rear of the diner when someone in the shadows asked her to “hide him”. Jack Darcy looked weak and beaten up, she finally let him in and hid him in the cooler. As the men after Jack came into the diner Hank convinced them she didn’t know anyone named Jack and they left, for now.
Hank insisted that if she was going to help Jack he had to tell her everything. Jack was in a gang called “Creds”. Hank had heard of them, they were the most powerful and well connected gangs in the country. Jack stated that for several years he held a high-ranking position with the Creds, War Counselor. This information was disturbing to Hank because she knew of the Creds and this could put everyone in danger.
Jack went on to say that he had just gotten out of prison for a crime he didn’t commit. Instead of heading back “home” to the Creds, he had chosen to leave them, but they were hot on his trail. He wanted a “normal” life and leave the Creds behind him. The Creds was not about to let him go, so he asked Hank to help him. He wants to use her skills as a writer to get out once and for all. As Jack and Hank worked closely together, the chemistry was so strong that each day it grew harder and harder to not give into the passion. When they do give into their desires, she needs to keep a piece of her heart because he will leave as soon as he is free.
After Hank finds out that Jack has betrayed her and lied to her, she was shattered and nothing could comfort her. She sent Jack away and was determined to nurse her broken heart.
Find out if Hank gets her HEA and if Jack can peacefully leave the Creds. And, don’t miss “Big Nancy”, Aunt Henry and others from the small town. They all are a Hoot that will having you LOL.
“I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley for an honest review.
Quite honestly, I found this story not very exciting or all that interesting. I couldn't really connect with any of the characters. Overall, it's not a badly written story, it just failed to engage me. There was nothing really annoying about either Hank or Jack they were just there for me but I didn't love or hate them. It all just lacked depth for me.