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Some ghosts refuse to stay buried. Some women are worth dying for.
HE'S A GHOST. Mason "Ghost" Blackwood earned his call sign by vanishing in plain sight—a deadly skill that saved lives and ended threats. After losing everything that mattered, he chose isolation in the Montana wilderness with only his war dogs for company. No attachments. No complications. No one left to lose.
Until the blizzard brings her to his door.
SHE'S RUNNING FOR HER LIFE. Willow Reynolds escaped her abusive federal judge husband with evidence that could destroy him—and a body covered in bruises to prove his cruelty. Racing through a Montana snowstorm with professional killers on her trail, she crashes near a remote cabin where a dangerous stranger offers the one thing she's forgotten how to protection.
Mason should walk away. Should stay dead to the world. But one look at the fierce, broken woman seeking shelter and his protective instincts roar to life. When her husband's mercenaries close in, Mason calls in his team of elite operatives—because some things are worth breaking cover for.
Willow has spent three years learning to survive. Now she has to learn to trust—the hardest lesson of all. Mason's dominance should terrify her after what she's endured, but his controlled strength feels like sanctuary instead of threat.
ONE CABIN. ONE STORM. ONE CHANCE AT REDEMPTION.
Trapped together by a blizzard and united by a common enemy, Mason and Willow discover that healing isn't just about surviving—it's about learning to live again. He shows her what protection should feel like. She shows him what he's been missing in his self-imposed exile.
But her husband won't stop hunting. The evidence she carries threatens powerful men with everything to lose. And Mason's past is about to collide with their future in ways that could destroy them both.
In the frozen wilderness where ghost stories are born, two damaged souls will discover that sometimes the most dangerous thing isn't what's hunting you—it's what you're willing to do to protect what you love.
Because this ghost isn't staying buried. Not when she needs him.
GHOST is a full-length, high-heat romantic suspense novel
A dominant alpha hero with a haunted past ⚡A survivor heroine finding her strength 💪Protective military romance at its finest 🔥Only one bed in a snowbound cabin 🏔️Emotional healing through trust and surrender 💕War dogs who steal your heart 🐕Life-or-death stakes with a soul-deep HEA ❤️No cliffhangers. Perfect entry point to the Cerberus Security Series.
"Some women are worth breaking cover for. Some men are worth learning to trust again."
HE'S A GHOST. Mason "Ghost" Blackwood earned his call sign by vanishing in plain sight—a deadly skill that saved lives and ended threats. After losing everything that mattered, he chose isolation in the Montana wilderness with only his war dogs for company. No attachments. No complications. No one left to lose.
Until the blizzard brings her to his door.
SHE'S RUNNING FOR HER LIFE. Willow Reynolds escaped her abusive federal judge husband with evidence that could destroy him—and a body covered in bruises to prove his cruelty. Racing through a Montana snowstorm with professional killers on her trail, she crashes near a remote cabin where a dangerous stranger offers the one thing she's forgotten how to protection.
Mason should walk away. Should stay dead to the world. But one look at the fierce, broken woman seeking shelter and his protective instincts roar to life. When her husband's mercenaries close in, Mason calls in his team of elite operatives—because some things are worth breaking cover for.
Willow has spent three years learning to survive. Now she has to learn to trust—the hardest lesson of all. Mason's dominance should terrify her after what she's endured, but his controlled strength feels like sanctuary instead of threat.
ONE CABIN. ONE STORM. ONE CHANCE AT REDEMPTION.
Trapped together by a blizzard and united by a common enemy, Mason and Willow discover that healing isn't just about surviving—it's about learning to live again. He shows her what protection should feel like. She shows him what he's been missing in his self-imposed exile.
But her husband won't stop hunting. The evidence she carries threatens powerful men with everything to lose. And Mason's past is about to collide with their future in ways that could destroy them both.
In the frozen wilderness where ghost stories are born, two damaged souls will discover that sometimes the most dangerous thing isn't what's hunting you—it's what you're willing to do to protect what you love.
Because this ghost isn't staying buried. Not when she needs him.
GHOST is a full-length, high-heat romantic suspense novel
A dominant alpha hero with a haunted past ⚡A survivor heroine finding her strength 💪Protective military romance at its finest 🔥Only one bed in a snowbound cabin 🏔️Emotional healing through trust and surrender 💕War dogs who steal your heart 🐕Life-or-death stakes with a soul-deep HEA ❤️No cliffhangers. Perfect entry point to the Cerberus Security Series.
"Some women are worth breaking cover for. Some men are worth learning to trust again."
292 pages, Paperback
Published September 1, 2025
910 people are currently reading
61 people want to read
About the author
Ellie Masters
381 books1,628 followersAngsty, Steamy, Heart-Stopping, Pulse-Pounding, Can't-Stop-Reading Romantic Suspense.
Ellie Masters is a USA Today Bestselling author and Amazon Top 15 Author.
In addition, she's a wife, military mom, doctor, and retired Colonel.
She writes romantic suspense filled with all your sexy, swoon-worthy alpha men. Her writing will tug at your heartstrings and leave your heart racing.
Born in the South, raised under the Hawaiian sun, Ellie has traveled the globe while in service to her country. The love of her life, her amazing husband, is her number one fan and biggest supporter. And yes! He's read every word she's written.
Don't forget to sign up for her newsletter. Never miss another release, sale, or exclusive. https://elliemasters.com/NewsletterSi...
Ellie Masters is a USA Today Bestselling author and Amazon Top 15 Author.
In addition, she's a wife, military mom, doctor, and retired Colonel.
She writes romantic suspense filled with all your sexy, swoon-worthy alpha men. Her writing will tug at your heartstrings and leave your heart racing.
Born in the South, raised under the Hawaiian sun, Ellie has traveled the globe while in service to her country. The love of her life, her amazing husband, is her number one fan and biggest supporter. And yes! He's read every word she's written.
Don't forget to sign up for her newsletter. Never miss another release, sale, or exclusive. https://elliemasters.com/NewsletterSi...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
September 1, 2025
Oh wow Mason and Willow’s story is a sizzling page turner. From the first chapter you are hooked and have to keep reading to find out how this all works out. Willow has been through hell and her strength combined with Mason’s protective nature make for a perfect story line for this book. It’s a wonderful read plus you get to keep in touch with our Guardian family as well. A phenomenal book one in this spin off. Can’t wait for the next instalment !
September 4, 2025
A series adjacent to the Guardian Hostage Rescue Specialists series, this first book in Cerberus Personal Security starts with a bang and doesn't let up. On the run from her abusive husband, Willow runs right into Mason "Ghost", a man hiding from the world. These two immediately find something in each other. His Delta Force skills are just what she needs against the evil coming. I realize this story wouldn't be realistic, but I loved the forced proximity, you're the one who can heal me vibe I got from these two. We also meet Mason's former team mates (yum) and some old friends as well. I absolutely loved how dominate Mason was, but he still gave Willow the room to stand on her own and fight her battles, while backing her up literally and figuratively. I also love how Willow was able to embrace her submissive side with Mason, while seeing just how it was different than what she'd experienced in the past. And finally, I loved how these two took a step back, just to make sure the intensity of their situation was driving their romance. This couple got the HEA they so deserved.
September 2, 2025
Ghost and Willow
Ghost is the beginning of the Cerberus Personal Security series. This story was outstanding! I read it in one sitting. Just when I think Ellie Masters can't get any better at crafting amazing stories... she does. Willow is on the run from people who want her silenced...permanently. She has information that could shatter the carefully constructed world of her husband, who is a federal judge. Mason finds her in the middle of a blizzard after she crashes her car. He takes her in and makes sure she is safe. Willow and Mason are broken, in vastly different ways. Willow learns what it means to trust again under Mason's care. Mason finally understands that he doesn't have to keep himself in exile anymore. He will do whatever it takes to protect the woman who has unexpectedly worked her way into his heart. They are in for the confrontation of their lives when danger comes calling. They are both willing to fight for the HEA they deserve. Sorry, no spoilers.
Ghost is the beginning of the Cerberus Personal Security series. This story was outstanding! I read it in one sitting. Just when I think Ellie Masters can't get any better at crafting amazing stories... she does. Willow is on the run from people who want her silenced...permanently. She has information that could shatter the carefully constructed world of her husband, who is a federal judge. Mason finds her in the middle of a blizzard after she crashes her car. He takes her in and makes sure she is safe. Willow and Mason are broken, in vastly different ways. Willow learns what it means to trust again under Mason's care. Mason finally understands that he doesn't have to keep himself in exile anymore. He will do whatever it takes to protect the woman who has unexpectedly worked her way into his heart. They are in for the confrontation of their lives when danger comes calling. They are both willing to fight for the HEA they deserve. Sorry, no spoilers.
September 5, 2025
Cerebus Series Starts with a Winner!!
Oh my. We start at 1000 mph and it just gets more complex, more intriguing, and you are right there feeling the ache of the ribs,the desperation, and relief of the possibility of help. Willow is being hunted. Mason is former Special Forces and has sequestered himself in a remote cabin with his loyal Newfoundland Bear, and Malinois partner Chaos.
A connection is forged which is beneficial to them both. Mason is in full protective mode and calls on his team. The blizzard shields them for the moment, but the enemy will get there first.
Intense, wonderful, trust, dominance, recovery, and depth of feeling which is unfathomable. Can’t wait for more in this series. Just wow!
***** I am voluntarily leaving my honest review of this book *****
Oh my. We start at 1000 mph and it just gets more complex, more intriguing, and you are right there feeling the ache of the ribs,the desperation, and relief of the possibility of help. Willow is being hunted. Mason is former Special Forces and has sequestered himself in a remote cabin with his loyal Newfoundland Bear, and Malinois partner Chaos.
A connection is forged which is beneficial to them both. Mason is in full protective mode and calls on his team. The blizzard shields them for the moment, but the enemy will get there first.
Intense, wonderful, trust, dominance, recovery, and depth of feeling which is unfathomable. Can’t wait for more in this series. Just wow!
***** I am voluntarily leaving my honest review of this book *****
August 30, 2025
Mason is raw, untamed dominance personified, an alpha whose intensity blurs every line when his chemistry with Willow ignites into an all-consuming fire. Their connection combusts off the pages, fierce & primal, yet layered with strength & light shining through the darkness. The unbreakable bonds of camaraderie, loyalty, & love bleed through every moment, reminding you of the power of found family. The dogs? Absolute scene-stealers, seamlessly woven into the story, amplifying both the heart & the grit. With heavy emotions & ever-present danger colliding, this gripping read keeps you on edge & breathless, start to finish.
September 3, 2025
ARC review. Ghost is the first book in the Cerberus Personal Security series by Ellie Masters. Ellie is one of my go to authors as her books never disappoint. Ghost is action packed with breath catching danger lurking on every page. Mason, code name Ghost and Willow are riveting characters that brought steamy, heart stopping romance and emotions that kept me turning pages unable to stop reading until the story was complete. The supporting cast of team members and war dogs, Bear and Chaos only add to the suspenseful storyline making for the most memorable and intriguing first book in a new series that I’ve read in a long time. Ghost is definitely a must read book.
September 1, 2025
“Panic claws at my throat. I scramble through the snow, blind and frantic, my fingers already numb, searching. My chest heaves. The wind picks up, driving powder into my eyes, my nose, my mouth. I taste blood and snow and desperation.” – Willow
I was immediately hooked! Instant action, extreme danger and a roiling pent up well of dark desire! Mason Blackwood and Willow Reynolds embark on a journey of survival that quickly becomes fraught with extreme danger, but so much more.
I devoured this book! Ghost is an intense read; graphic, gritty and oh so real!
I was immediately hooked! Instant action, extreme danger and a roiling pent up well of dark desire! Mason Blackwood and Willow Reynolds embark on a journey of survival that quickly becomes fraught with extreme danger, but so much more.
I devoured this book! Ghost is an intense read; graphic, gritty and oh so real!
September 2, 2025
Ghost is book 1 in the New Cerberus Personal Security series and it’s off to a great start!
This is Mason(Ghost) and Willow’s story. They meet under dangerous circumstances where danger follows them at every corner.
Why?
You’ll have to read and find out!
The result is a fast paced, hot and intense story that was all consuming! Lines are blurred between good and evil and you don’t know who to trust!
This story was so consuming and brimming with all emotions I couldn’t put it down and read it in 1 sitting!
4.5 stars!
This is Mason(Ghost) and Willow’s story. They meet under dangerous circumstances where danger follows them at every corner.
Why?
You’ll have to read and find out!
The result is a fast paced, hot and intense story that was all consuming! Lines are blurred between good and evil and you don’t know who to trust!
This story was so consuming and brimming with all emotions I couldn’t put it down and read it in 1 sitting!
4.5 stars!
September 3, 2025
What a fantastic start to a new series! I loved both Mason and Willow and their red hot connection!
Mason, Bear and Chaos had my heart straight away, the 3 of them together were just perfection. Adding Willow to them made perfect sense!
I loved the dynamic with Mason and his team and am really excited to read their stories.
The connection between Mason and the Guardians made the story even more special and I loved Mitzy, Summer and Forrest in the book
Overall a brilliant start to the series and I’m ready for book 2!
Mason, Bear and Chaos had my heart straight away, the 3 of them together were just perfection. Adding Willow to them made perfect sense!
I loved the dynamic with Mason and his team and am really excited to read their stories.
The connection between Mason and the Guardians made the story even more special and I loved Mitzy, Summer and Forrest in the book
Overall a brilliant start to the series and I’m ready for book 2!
September 5, 2025
I have been anxiously waiting for the first book of the Cerberus Personal Security series, and I wasn’t disappointed. I love every page of the action-packed, grabs you from the first page and doesn't let up. This series is separate from Guardian HRS, however, we still get the added bonus of CPS working with our beloved HRS on occasion. It’s a win-win.
I loved Mason and Willow’s story along with Mason’s highly trained K-9 partners, Bear and Chaos.
Ellie Masters never disappoints and I can’t wait for the next book in the series.
I loved Mason and Willow’s story along with Mason’s highly trained K-9 partners, Bear and Chaos.
Ellie Masters never disappoints and I can’t wait for the next book in the series.
September 5, 2025
OMG!! 5+ stars don't even come close to how awesome this book is!! I have read every single book that Ellie Masters has written and I think that this one is one of the best ever!! It starts out strong with Willow running for her life and Mason, code named Ghost finds her in a crazy snowstorm and rescues her. Then the action, suspense and twists and turns continue throughout the whole book! During all of this Ghost and Willow develop a strong amazing love that is beautiful and emotional. I highly recommend reading this book!!!
August 31, 2025
One day! That's all it took for me to devour this fresh, new, series starter from Ellie Masters! I was hooked! I'm seeing a theme in 2025 from Ellie Masters! She must love snow! In this case, it was nearly death, but also a cover for survival. Awesome characters, including the well trained war dogs. Enjoyed a visit to somewhere we've been before! What an awesome read! I'm hoping we'll see more of Mason and Willow in the upcoming Cerberus Personal Security series!
September 2, 2025
If this first book is a preview of how this series is going to go get ready for edge of your seat scorched pages read. Mason was such a wonderful character and Willow is what you want in a female character. From the first paragraph to the last sentence I couldn’t put the book down.
I loved how Ellie wrote Mason’s thoughts and made them so clear you could picture what he thought and was planning. Willow was so determined to get justice for years of abuse and illegal acts she had evidence of.
Cerberus Personal Security promises to be a top series for your book shelves. I can’t wait for the next book!
I loved how Ellie wrote Mason’s thoughts and made them so clear you could picture what he thought and was planning. Willow was so determined to get justice for years of abuse and illegal acts she had evidence of.
Cerberus Personal Security promises to be a top series for your book shelves. I can’t wait for the next book!
September 6, 2025
Oh wow, Ellie, that was one hellava start to this brand new series!
I absolutely loved Mason and Willow's heartbreaking story.....
Can't wait to meet the rest of the team. This is going to be an awesome series!
It's great to see members of Guardian HRS in the story and the role they played helping the Cerberus Personal Security Specialists.
Brilliant storyline with fantastic characters and absolutely loved the HEA.
I received an ARC copy of this book from the author, and I'm willingly leaving an honest review.
I absolutely loved Mason and Willow's heartbreaking story.....
Can't wait to meet the rest of the team. This is going to be an awesome series!
It's great to see members of Guardian HRS in the story and the role they played helping the Cerberus Personal Security Specialists.
Brilliant storyline with fantastic characters and absolutely loved the HEA.
I received an ARC copy of this book from the author, and I'm willingly leaving an honest review.
September 8, 2025
Totally engrossed from beginning to end
2 broken people mending each other in a gripping and heart rending tale which combines with Guardian security to bring about the end of an abuser.
Cannot wait for more of this series.
You know with some books you think just get on with the story and stop filling the pages with repetitive words, Elle Masters thankfully doesn’t write like that, every word counts and is necessary for a beautiful tale and beginning of a new series.
2 broken people mending each other in a gripping and heart rending tale which combines with Guardian security to bring about the end of an abuser.
Cannot wait for more of this series.
You know with some books you think just get on with the story and stop filling the pages with repetitive words, Elle Masters thankfully doesn’t write like that, every word counts and is necessary for a beautiful tale and beginning of a new series.
September 6, 2025
exciting
Ellie you’ve done it again! Ghost was worth waiting for and Mason was typical of your alpha hero’s , but you gave us a wonderful heroine in Willow.
If you haven’t read any of Ellie Masters books yet do yourself a favour and start from the beginning with Angel Fire, and I can’t wait to read the next Cerberus book.
Ellie you’ve done it again! Ghost was worth waiting for and Mason was typical of your alpha hero’s , but you gave us a wonderful heroine in Willow.
If you haven’t read any of Ellie Masters books yet do yourself a favour and start from the beginning with Angel Fire, and I can’t wait to read the next Cerberus book.
September 7, 2025
What an amazing start to a new series and so cool to connect with Guardian HRS! Willow and Mason’s story, and both of their trauma and strength to overcome is the perfect kickoff to a whole new group of commandos and their fierce, independent loves. The addition of Bear and Chaos was perfect as well and I hope we see them in many stories going forward.
September 1, 2025
Willow is running from an abusive relationship and being hunted when Mason finds her. Taken under his protection, Willow changes, and so does Mason. This romantic suspense is intriguing and folds in old friends.
September 3, 2025
Snow Passion and Peril
Willow and Mason in this thrilling new series take you on a ride of a lifetime. Their romance might be a bit unconventional since she is running from her husband, but when you find love doesn’t always have a timeline.
Willow and Mason in this thrilling new series take you on a ride of a lifetime. Their romance might be a bit unconventional since she is running from her husband, but when you find love doesn’t always have a timeline.
September 4, 2025
Ellie Masters NEVER disappoints!
I could not put this down! Intense, nerve wracking, and oh, so hot! Already know I’m going to love this entire series. And it was really great to have Charlie team in the picture.
I could not put this down! Intense, nerve wracking, and oh, so hot! Already know I’m going to love this entire series. And it was really great to have Charlie team in the picture.
September 7, 2025
Ghost is the exciting first book in Ellie Masters Cerberus Personal Security Series.
This is an intense, fast paced, sizzling romantic suspense that keeps you on the edge of your seat.
I can't wait for the rest of this series!
This is an intense, fast paced, sizzling romantic suspense that keeps you on the edge of your seat.
I can't wait for the rest of this series!
September 3, 2025
Wow. OMG, what a book. Ellie has certainly raised the bar with this new series, and I didn't think that was possible as her books are so good. This is a breathtaking read, so be prepared to read it in one sitting. We are introduced to Mason (Ghost) as he finds Willow during a blizzard, running from the men her husband sent to kill her. With information on her that could destroy him, her husband will stop at nothing to get it back from her. Both Mason and Willow have their issues but for the first time in a long time Willow feels safe and protected by Mason and their chemistry is combustible. With the entire Cerberus team helping them, together with Chaos and Bear (2 military dogs who live up yo their names and will melt your heart) and Guardian HRS, we get to see familiar faces helping Willow stand up and fight against her corrupt husband, a man who will use every piece of deadly force available to him to get what he wants. A brilliant start to this series and I can't wait for more on the team at Cerberus.
September 3, 2025
Willow is Stefan’s wife.
Stefan is Williow’s husband and a Corrupted Federal Judge with criminal activities.
Drake is Stefan’s enforcer.
Mason as The Ghost works and owns Cerberus Personal Security.
Willow and Ghost meet, when she stumbles out in the forest near his cabin as she is being chased by her husband’s
enforcer, because she has damming evidence of his criminal doings.
Can Ghost and his team ( Cerberus Personal Security) And Guardian Hostage keep her safe and they can have a
Happily Ever After?
This was a great start to A new series. I loved it !!!
This book has edge of your seat suspense, danger, intrigue twists, turns.
Great Job Ellie Masters !!!!
Stefan is Williow’s husband and a Corrupted Federal Judge with criminal activities.
Drake is Stefan’s enforcer.
Mason as The Ghost works and owns Cerberus Personal Security.
Willow and Ghost meet, when she stumbles out in the forest near his cabin as she is being chased by her husband’s
enforcer, because she has damming evidence of his criminal doings.
Can Ghost and his team ( Cerberus Personal Security) And Guardian Hostage keep her safe and they can have a
Happily Ever After?
This was a great start to A new series. I loved it !!!
This book has edge of your seat suspense, danger, intrigue twists, turns.
Great Job Ellie Masters !!!!
September 5, 2025
Ellie Masters has hit this one out of the park!! Mason and Willow ate explosive!
Ellie Masters has created an adventurous romantic book! The characters feel so real and her words pull you into their world. Love you his series. Thank you Ellie for creating a world where a reader can go and get lost in. 🔥🎉😺💜📚
Ellie Masters has created an adventurous romantic book! The characters feel so real and her words pull you into their world. Love you his series. Thank you Ellie for creating a world where a reader can go and get lost in. 🔥🎉😺💜📚
September 11, 2025
Romance
Thank you for sharing these wonderful romance novel series books. Please keep writing more of these wonderful books. Thank you
Thank you for sharing these wonderful romance novel series books. Please keep writing more of these wonderful books. Thank you
January 17, 2026
This one just gives the ick. The MMC wants to dom the FMC that is beat to crap and nearly dead from hypothermia. It's really all he can think about. This btw is not a DR. Its just blah crap.
Read
September 17, 2025DNF 9%
Not into BDSM.
Not into BDSM.
September 19, 2025
Wow! Willow and Mason had me captivated from the very beginning. A few cameos from my favorites, but I am so excited for more in this series! Willow has been beaten and abused but she is taking back her power back with the evidence she gathered on her "judge husband" and finding justice. While she's running and being hunted Mason and his war dogs find her. Who saved who is up for debate, but they are both gearing up for a fight. Willow and Mason help each other heal and find a way to a HEA. This book is full of the suspense I love, dogs, strong team dynamics, and spicy alphas that this author writes so well.
October 10, 2025
Parts were really good, but Willows trauma was terribly written.
I very nearly gave up reading this after 25% as it was really annoying me, but it did get a lot better. Willow’s trauma was just skimmed past as though she’s perfectly fine now and she wouldn’t be fine at all!!! She’s badly injured, been beaten, whipped by two different men and other things s*xually yet she can have really rough s*x against a wall with no foreplay or gentleness!!! 😡😡😡😡 JUST NO! The action scenes are written really well, there are still some mistakes but it kept me really engrossed. There are a lot of mistakes though, stupid things like Mason’s two dogs never get fed, or let out to go to the toilet, they never have a drink of water. They get into a helicopter and start talking to each other without head pieces on and there’s no way that would happen. Also the dogs would need ear protection. It never explains how Willow managed to escape her husband and his security who are all ex delta force soldiers. Especially as she’s seriously injured.
Willow is on the run from her husband as she has incriminating evidence against him. She’s being chased by ex delta soldiers who are determined to stop her. Mason is living out in the woods as he’s suffering from severe ptsd and grief, when he finds Willow out in the snow and she’s badly injured. She’s got bruised ribs, a head injury, and she’s been whipped yet on the first night together she’s desperate for him. Seriously?? After all she’s gone through mentally as well as being really injured, she wouldn’t be looking at him like that! Or wanting him! 😡😡
The action scenes were fast paced and they really made the book. As her husband sends more men to eradicate her, Mason brings his team in to help. It did get really silly at the end as Willow after a few days of training and fighting thinks she can take her husband on in a fight. 😂😂😂😂
I don’t know whether I’ll read the second book. For me the author skimming over Willow’s trauma ruined it and way too many mistakes. Like the dogs who never ever need to go out to do their business.
I very nearly gave up reading this after 25% as it was really annoying me, but it did get a lot better. Willow’s trauma was just skimmed past as though she’s perfectly fine now and she wouldn’t be fine at all!!! She’s badly injured, been beaten, whipped by two different men and other things s*xually yet she can have really rough s*x against a wall with no foreplay or gentleness!!! 😡😡😡😡 JUST NO! The action scenes are written really well, there are still some mistakes but it kept me really engrossed. There are a lot of mistakes though, stupid things like Mason’s two dogs never get fed, or let out to go to the toilet, they never have a drink of water. They get into a helicopter and start talking to each other without head pieces on and there’s no way that would happen. Also the dogs would need ear protection. It never explains how Willow managed to escape her husband and his security who are all ex delta force soldiers. Especially as she’s seriously injured.
Willow is on the run from her husband as she has incriminating evidence against him. She’s being chased by ex delta soldiers who are determined to stop her. Mason is living out in the woods as he’s suffering from severe ptsd and grief, when he finds Willow out in the snow and she’s badly injured. She’s got bruised ribs, a head injury, and she’s been whipped yet on the first night together she’s desperate for him. Seriously?? After all she’s gone through mentally as well as being really injured, she wouldn’t be looking at him like that! Or wanting him! 😡😡
The action scenes were fast paced and they really made the book. As her husband sends more men to eradicate her, Mason brings his team in to help. It did get really silly at the end as Willow after a few days of training and fighting thinks she can take her husband on in a fight. 😂😂😂😂
I don’t know whether I’ll read the second book. For me the author skimming over Willow’s trauma ruined it and way too many mistakes. Like the dogs who never ever need to go out to do their business.
January 25, 2026
PROS:
--A lot of great military style action
--Big time warrior ethos
--Interesting FMC who, while damaged, is no doormat
--Adult understanding and portrayal of BDSM style intimacies
--Awesome Special Forces-plus dogs!
CONS:
--Nonreciprocal intimacies in the oral dept
--Fixation on intercourse/penetrative $ex only during intimacies
--Unsatisfying ending for the evil husband
--Unsettling/unsatisfying ending for adjacent drug warlord
PLOT--an abused wife escapes her evil husband's clutches with a thumb drive filled with enough intel to end the husband's evil empire. After a weather-related car crash, she runs into the arms of a damaged Special Forces-plus warrior trying to recover from a mission gone wrong that ended up in the tortue/murder of his former submissive several years back. PTSD and all that. The two immediately form a solid bond, and the remainder of the story is about their efforts to escape the husband and his minions while getting the evidence together to bury him.
The FMC is pretty solid. I liked her demeanor under pressure and her interest in getting the husband before he got her. The MMC is a standard warrior type with the amazing skillset and super loyal friends. I wasn't very enamored of his $exual behaviors, although the BDSM aspect was pretty light all things considered. I had issues with the spice--she helpfully enjoyed him orally, but he never even hinted at returning that favor. And for all the talk about "control" and "who's in charge" as well as some cursory light bondage, I didn't really feel that BDSM was truly in the playbook. All of the $ex was focused on penetration. While that's OK, this is supposed to be a romance with some level of explicitness and BDSM. I can't say that happened. Since 70% of women never achieve orgasm through penetration, it's hard to get on board with an explicit romance where that's ALL that happens.
My other issue is with the ending. When the evil husband is cornered, one of his evil cohorts makes a deal to remove mentions of himself and his drug/trafficking/gun running empire in lieu of a drawn out war of attrition with the good guys. They acquiesce! Sure, initially the good guys were outnumbered but after performing many miraculous tricks throughout the book, I felt confident their compatriots would come to the rescue. It was just a downer that they made a deal with a truly Big Bad Guy like that. Of course there are other books in this new series, so maybe that's the thread that will string them all together.
There's a lot of good in this book, but there's a good bit of disappointment for me. I may give the next book and try just to see if it's more my speed.
--A lot of great military style action
--Big time warrior ethos
--Interesting FMC who, while damaged, is no doormat
--Adult understanding and portrayal of BDSM style intimacies
--Awesome Special Forces-plus dogs!
CONS:
--Nonreciprocal intimacies in the oral dept
--Fixation on intercourse/penetrative $ex only during intimacies
--Unsatisfying ending for the evil husband
--Unsettling/unsatisfying ending for adjacent drug warlord
PLOT--an abused wife escapes her evil husband's clutches with a thumb drive filled with enough intel to end the husband's evil empire. After a weather-related car crash, she runs into the arms of a damaged Special Forces-plus warrior trying to recover from a mission gone wrong that ended up in the tortue/murder of his former submissive several years back. PTSD and all that. The two immediately form a solid bond, and the remainder of the story is about their efforts to escape the husband and his minions while getting the evidence together to bury him.
The FMC is pretty solid. I liked her demeanor under pressure and her interest in getting the husband before he got her. The MMC is a standard warrior type with the amazing skillset and super loyal friends. I wasn't very enamored of his $exual behaviors, although the BDSM aspect was pretty light all things considered. I had issues with the spice--she helpfully enjoyed him orally, but he never even hinted at returning that favor. And for all the talk about "control" and "who's in charge" as well as some cursory light bondage, I didn't really feel that BDSM was truly in the playbook. All of the $ex was focused on penetration. While that's OK, this is supposed to be a romance with some level of explicitness and BDSM. I can't say that happened. Since 70% of women never achieve orgasm through penetration, it's hard to get on board with an explicit romance where that's ALL that happens.
My other issue is with the ending. When the evil husband is cornered, one of his evil cohorts makes a deal to remove mentions of himself and his drug/trafficking/gun running empire in lieu of a drawn out war of attrition with the good guys. They acquiesce! Sure, initially the good guys were outnumbered but after performing many miraculous tricks throughout the book, I felt confident their compatriots would come to the rescue. It was just a downer that they made a deal with a truly Big Bad Guy like that. Of course there are other books in this new series, so maybe that's the thread that will string them all together.
There's a lot of good in this book, but there's a good bit of disappointment for me. I may give the next book and try just to see if it's more my speed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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