Phantom

Shotgun Saints MC #3

by Elizabeth Knox

She kept my blood from me. Now she's going to give me everything

Phantom

Twenty-one years ago, I let Marlena Hutchins walk away.

She was eighteen. I was twice her age, drowning in divorce and club business. I convinced myself pushing her out of Sharp was the right thing to do.

Turns out she left pregnant with my kid.

A daughter I've never met. Twenty years of birthdays, first days of school, graduations—gone. Stolen by the woman who just walked back into my life like those two decades don't matter.

Now Marlena's back in Sharp. Back in my bed. And pregnant again.

My ex-wife wants her dead. My daughters want answers. And my secret daughter—Presley—is coming home for the summer, ready to meet the father who abandoned her.

Except I didn't abandon anyone. I didn't even know she existed.

Marlena kept that from me. Lied for twenty fucking years.

I should throw her to the wolves. Let my psychotic ex have her revenge. Let Marlena face the consequences of hiding my blood from me.

But she's carrying my child.

My land. My bed. My rules.

She's not running this time. I'm keeping her at lockdown at the ranch where I can watch every breath, every move, every tear. Where she'll learn that the Shotgun Saints' President doesn't forgive betrayal.

I collect debts, and Marlena owes me twenty years.

I'm collecting in the only currency that matters—her complete and total surrender

She wanted to keep secrets? Now she gets to live with a man who buries them six feet deep.

Welcome home, Marlena.

You're never leaving again.

DARK CONTENT Morally grey Prez, forced proximity, breeding kink, violence, obsessive possession, and a man who solves problems permanently.

Genres: Second Chance, Westerns

354 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 10, 2026

About the author

Elizabeth Knox is a USA Today Bestselling romance author who specializes in romantic suspense, and dark romance. She’s well-known for her intense page-turning motorcycle clubs, and sinister dark mafia books. 

While Elizabeth loves to write, she is an avid reader as well, who reads a mixture of genres. She lives on a farm with her husband in the northeastern United States with her rescue animals. When she isn’t working, you can find her horseback riding, riding ATVs, or out on the farm with her animals.

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Reviews

[Ashley]

So we’re victim blaming now?

The audacity of a man to sleep with a woman who’s barely an adult, push her away because he’s still married, then gets mad and feels betrayed when he finds out he had a 21 y/o daughter. Forget morally grey, Harlan is straight up black tar to think he had any right to feel “betrayed.” He literally created and forced the circumstances Marlena lived through.

I’d also like to add, Presley? Ungrateful brat. Her mom bent over backwards to give her a good life and provided her with a nice, non “morally grey” father figure and all she’s focused on is her trashy sperm donor. Like father like daughter. Blaming the mom as if she grew up in squalor or something.

This book is incomplete btw. Chapters 10-20 are not there

[Doris]

Secrets and Second Chances

Phantom is a Texas rancher, President of the Shotgun Saints MC and a family man. This was a darker MC book with age gap, a crazy ex and a woman from Phantom’s past that left with a secret over twenty years ago and now is back with that secret.

The ups and downs and the family drama was exceptional. I did love how this story developed and it made it a big page turner.

[Lisa Garrido]

Story: 4 ⭐
Performances: 5 ⭐
Overall: 4.5 ⭐

Phantom is a second-chance romance and a love story that will not be everyone's cup of tea since our main characters came together for the first time at the wrong time.

Marlena & Phantom reunite after 21 years, and it's like no time has passed at all. They instantly reconnect: it's raw, controlled, and steamy as hell. While to some it may seem like she gave in too quickly, they were made for each other - why fight it? I loved how Marlena challenged Harlan, aka Phantom, every step of the way, though. To me, she allowed someone to take care of her while remaining in control of who she is.

And Phantom? I have a love-hate relationship with this man. He is morally grey, which is what one should expect from a club Prez, plus all sorts of controlling and possessive. He takes; he does not ask. But at the same time, he does have respect towards those he loves. Phantom should have handled the situation better, especially since we already knew he had stopped loving Joleen long ago. He does take accountability for his actions, and unfortunately, he is entitled to feel some way given Marlena kept Presley from him, whether we agree with it or not. Especially when he was in the dark about what Joleen did, which ultimately pushed Marlena even further away. There are always two sides to every story in real life, no different with fiction. Fiction shouldn't always be this perfect world of how things should be. As a reader, we are responsible for the way we perceive a story.

To me, this story is not straightforward: it's nuanced and messy. Every party involved is guilty in some way and could have done better - especially Joleen & Phantom. I really disliked Joleen and her entitlement. You're divorced and still hanging around the man like a fly around rotten fruit? Her blame should have been aimed at Phantom & not Marlena.

I noticed negative reviews towards the book for exposing this type of situation and story... It seems that the moral police have forgotten that this happens in everyday life and the "other woman" is rarely defended the way this fictional "other woman" is being defended. I think it's a bit hypocritical since in real life, people always stand behind their partner no matter how terrible a person she is—food for thought. The main reason we can empathize with Marlena is due to her POV; we can sit with her thoughts and see things from her perspective. I am personally really enjoying Knox's writing style. These books are written in a way that really showcases the story's emotional depth.

There were some bits in the story that did not make sense to me. For example, Joleen claimed to have lost a child that was visibly enough for her to hold, yet Phantom never knew about this? And Marlene being two months pregnant and she can already feel the baby kick? I could not get past these two bits, which lowered the overall rating for the book.

On to the performances. Blair Thatcher and Christian Gilliland were amazing! I love a female narrator that sounds like a woman: Blair was perfect for Marlene AND Joleen. She really brought Joleen to life in a way that made me dislike the character even more. So good! And Christian? His low & gruff voice was the perfect fit for an older character who is both dominant and assertive. He also added just the right amount of Southern accent to the part. These two voice actors were an amazing team.

Thank you BNA for the ALC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Bookish Shann]

📖:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🎧:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️

🎧 Audiobook Review 🎧

OMGGGG!!! This is why I love audiobooks! These narrators brought these characters to life and they literally sounded just like the characters ! I found a new fave male narrator because omg his voice and the way he played the MMC?! Yes please ! 🔥🔥
Both of them did a phenomenal job! 😍😍

She left for twenty years and he never knew she was pregnant! The hate to love was REAL‼️

I liked the characters, storyline, plot, drama/problems, tension, emotional chapters & spice.

I loved the FMC! She was a badass and I loved her independence and the mother/daughter love she had with her daughter. The MMC was serious, calm and collected but with her he was different🥹🥹 I respect and understood their reasonings and I’m so glad they got their HEA 🫶🏽 However, JOLENE OMGGGG I felt bad but then I didn’t but I get it cause grief but I can’t forgive her lmao.

I definitely recommend the book and the audio! These books keep getting better and better !

It’s on KU and the audio is available TOMORROW‼️

“I want you. Exactly as you are. Stubborn, angry, building your little salon on Main Street like it’s a fortress against me.”

“She’s not performing. She’s just existing. And her existence undoes me.”

[Sinful Bookwyrm]

Ugh, this hero was so unlikeable. He was way older than her, she was 19, and freaked out after his wife threatened her, but whatever, let's blame her. This book made me so mad from the start. He's playing the victim, but he and his ex were the problem... Everyone's blaming her for everything. Why isn't anyone looking at the grown man who was married? Or the crazy ex who just wanted status? The power dynamic was super messed up, and it was way too toxic. I definitely can't recommend this.

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

[tyna]

A little disappointed. I expected more resistance from Marlene, she just agreed with everything as if it was her fault. She was still a teenager, unlike Phantom, but he and his wife were adults, so it was their fault. I don't like Jolene's ending, she should have ended up in prison or at the hands of someone else. I'm afraid of his children finding out and their reactions.

[angelictaleslibrary]

3.5 ⭐️

This is a gritty and high-stakes addition to the Shotgun Saints MC series. The forced proximity at the ranch, the danger surrounding Phantom’s ex-wife, and the sheer history between Phantom and Marlena made for a fast-paced, high tension read. Elizabeth Knox knows how to write a protective, possessive alpha hero, and the dark MC atmosphere was completely spot on.
However, the main reason this didn't rate higher for me was the heavy element of victim-blaming. Phantom pushed Marlena away decades ago to protect her, yet he spends a lot of time penalising and blaming her for keeping their daughter a secret. It was deeply frustrating to watch Marlena bear the brunt of the anger for choices she was forced to make, and it made it harder to fully root for Phantom at times.
Overall, if you can look past the frustrating character dynamics, the plot itself is incredibly engaging and spicy. It is a solid dark romance, but the handling of accountability kept it from being a top-tier read for me.

[Anna Stone]

This series is so good. Cowboys and motorcycle club.

[Riley]

I received an advance review copy and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This is my own opinion and I am not influenced by anyone.

Phantom is the next book in the Shotgun Saints MC by Elizabeth Knox. He is the president and quite unlikeable. I want to say I enjoyed the book but not really. I have loved the series so far but I just didn't find the characters of Phantom nor Marlene likeable. It made for a difficult read because Inam drawn the characters, even morally gray characters. I wouldn't want to ever meet them.

[Faiza]

Phantom — Shotgun Saints MC #3 by Elizabeth Knox
Narrated by Blair Thatcher & Christian Gilliland

Phantom easily became my favorite book in the Shotgun Saints MC series so far. There’s something about this story that grabbed my attention early and refused to let go. Elizabeth Knox brings together second chances, old wounds, family complications, danger, and plenty of heat, creating an MC romance that feels emotional without losing that gritty edge.

Marlena and Phantom have a history that makes their relationship anything but simple. She has carried her feelings for him for years, and returning to town with her daughter puts everything they tried to leave behind right back in front of them. Phantom may be a man who keeps his emotions locked down, but underneath that controlled exterior is a whole lot of anger, regret, protectiveness, and feelings he clearly hasn't managed to bury.

I really liked Marlena as a heroine. She isn't someone who simply falls back into Phantom's life and lets him make every decision for her. She's determined to build a life for herself and her daughter, even when the town, her past, and the people around her make that incredibly difficult. Her strength gave the romance a nice balance, especially with Phantom's very dominant and protective personality.

And Phantom... that man is dangerous in the best possible way. He's quiet, intense, possessive, and the kind of man who doesn't need to raise his voice to make his point. There is something incredibly effective about his calmness because you always feel like there is so much happening underneath it. His relationship with Marlena has plenty of tension, but it's the emotional history between them that really makes their scenes hit.

The romance isn't the only thing happening here either. Elizabeth Knox adds family issues, loyalty, secrets, betrayal, and a threat that brings another layer of suspense into the story. The danger feels personal, which made me want to keep listening because I needed to know how everything would unfold. There are also moments where forgiveness and moving forward become just as important as falling back in love.

The audiobook made the experience even better. Blair Thatcher and Christian Gilliland were fantastic together. Blair Thatcher brought so much emotion and personality to Marlena that I could feel the vulnerability, frustration, strength, and softer moments in her performance. Christian Gilliland's deep, commanding voice suited Phantom incredibly well. He gave Phantom that controlled alpha presence while still allowing the more emotional side of the character to come through.

The combination of Elizabeth Knox's writing and the performances of Blair Thatcher and Christian Gilliland worked beautifully for me. The chemistry, emotional tension, danger, and spice all blended together into a story that kept me invested.

For me, Phantom is the standout of the series so far. I loved the complicated history between Marlena and Phantom, the strong personalities, the emotional layers, and the way the story allows both of them to deal with what happened in the past while figuring out what they actually want for their future.

A gritty MC romance with a second-chance love story, protective alpha energy, family drama, suspense, emotional baggage, and plenty of chemistry. And with Blair Thatcher and Christian Gilliland bringing these characters to life, this was definitely a memorable listen for me.

[E Loprete]

Phantom (Shotgun Saints MC #3) by Elizabeth Knox is an intense, raw, emotional second chance at love journey between Phantom, President of SSMC and Marlene a young woman who he had an affair 20 years ago when he was separated from his now ex wife Jolene. Phantom runs his club with an iron fist as he and his brothers deal with a club enemy while running his ranch. His daughters from previous books have a pivotal role in this story as family and his club is everything to him. If you love Cowboys/Bikers who are larger than life and powerful than this series is one that should be read, the storyline is intense, emotional and dangerous with characters that are complex, obsessive and passionate towards their loved ones.

Phantom rules his club with an iron fist as well as the ranch that has been in his family for generations as a father of three. When a new intern named Presley works at his ranch he finds he is drawn to this young girl who is a wiz as a ranch hand. Now he finds his past comes back to haunt him when he learns that Presley is his daughter. Marlene is the only woman he has ever loved, but 20 years ago he ended their relationship due to her age and told he he was going to give his marriage one more try even though he never loved Jolene. When a nervous Marlene arrives at the ranch the meeting between these two is explosive, passionate and consuming, now Phantom tells Marlene he is collecting a debt for being seperated from his daughter for 20 years. These two once again will begin an affair that is explosive, sensual and overwhelminng as the love between them could no longer be denied as the years apart only made their love stronger. When his ex Jolene learns Marlene is back she will do all she can to put a wedge between them even trying to use her daughters but when Marlene ends up pregnant with Phantom's baby Jolene becomes unhinged and vindictive. Will Phantom and Marlene's second chance at happiness be torn apart ? A dark dangerous turn of events is put into play when Jolene targets Marlene by destroying her business in order for her to leave town and Phantom.

So many twist and turns in this story as Phantom will do all he can to protect and save the woman he loves as well as trying to keep his family together .Who will come out unscathed when Marlene takes a stand? Will a family be torn apart by plan that turns deadly?

Once again Elizabeth Knox haa taken her readers on one hell of a journey with Shotgun Saints MC series, Phantom is a must as you will be left on edge from beginning to end! Can't wait for book 4!

[Jen Strimbeck]

Phantom gave me exactly what I want from a second chance romance because Elizabeth Knox doesn’t make the years between Marlena and Phantom disappear just because they find themselves back in each other’s lives. Everything that happened between them still matters, including the consequences that neither of them fully understood at the time.

Phantom was drawn to Marlena when he knew he shouldn’t be. He tried to do what he thought was right, and that decision ended up costing him far more than he ever realized. Nearly twenty years later, happenstance puts Marlena back in his path. Their second chance isn’t simple, and I loved getting to see them figure out whether there is still a place for the love they never really got over.

There’s also so much happening outside of their romance. Presley is trying to find her place on the ranch while getting to know the father she never had the chance to know. I loved hearing her hope slowly grow even when she wasn’t completely sure where she fit into a family with so much history.

Then you have Jolene, who is desperately clinging to the life she believes belongs to her. Her character arc surprised me, especially as you start seeing just how far that desperation reaches.

Marlena has spent years living with the choices she made to protect Presley, and being back in Phantom’s life means finally facing everything she left behind. Elizabeth Knox did such a great job allowing the past to unfold alongside what is happening now without losing the heart of Marlena and Phantom’s relationship.

Blair Thatcher absolutely blew me away with the work she did portraying Marlena, Presley, and Jolene. These women never blurred together. I could hear Presley trying to find her footing, while Jolene had this almost unhinged desperation that made it feel like she was physically clinging to something that wasn’t hers. Marlena’s performance carried the history of everything she had sacrificed without making her feel stuck in the past.

Christian Gilliland was such a fantastic Phantom. There’s a gruffness to his performance that fits a man who has spent years carrying responsibility for everyone around him, often at the expense of his own happiness. When Marlena comes back into his life, you can hear that carefully controlled part of him start to give. I especially loved the moments when he begins realizing what his decision all those years ago actually cost him.

Elizabeth Knox gave me a second chance story where I genuinely cared about how these people found their way forward. Blair Thatcher and Christian Gilliland brought so much to the characters she created, and Phantom ended up being an incredible listen.

Tropes: second chance romance, motorcycle club, ranch setting, small town romance, secret baby, age gap, MC president, Cowboy/ranch setting, The one who got away, Possessive & protective MMC, found family

[Andra Shaw]

Phantom is the third installment in Elizabeth Knox’s Shotgun Saints MC series, and it starts with a deeply emotional moment that immediately sets the tone for everything that follows. I have read and loved the previous books in this series, so I already knew I was stepping back into a world full of loyalty, grit, heart, and heat. Still, this book managed to pull me in quickly because the emotion feels real, the drama has weight, and the family dynamics are written with the kind of depth that makes you care about every choice these characters make.

One of the things I love most about the Shotgun Saints is how different they feel from some other MC worlds. These men are not just bikers; they are hardworking cowboys with deep roots in the land they protect. The ranch has been in Phantom’s family, the Lyles, for generations, and that history gives the club a strong sense of legitimacy, purpose, and identity. They work hard, protect what is theirs, and stand by the people they claim as family.

Of course, this is still an MC romance, so “law-abiding” comes with a few gray areas, especially when someone becomes a threat to the club or the people they love, even if it is former family. But that is part of what makes this series so compelling. The Shotgun Saints are not out looking for trouble, but they are absolutely willing to handle it when trouble comes for them. That balance between ranch life, club loyalty, and fierce protection gives the story a grounded, believable edge.

Elizabeth Knox does what she does so well here: she creates a world that feels lived in and characters who feel like they belong to it completely. Phantom has foundation, suspense, romance, steam, action, tragedy, and emotional intensity, but at the center of it all is loyalty. Blood family and chosen family both matter in this world, and with the Shotgun Saints, both bonds are equally strong.

This book delivers the grit and danger I expect from a good MC romance, but it also brings heart, vulnerability, and a powerful sense of belonging. For readers who love MC stories with cowboys, ranch life, emotional stakes, protective alpha energy, and a club that truly feels like family, Phantom is absolutely worth picking up.

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

[Jammie Bebout]

This is the third audiobook in Elizabeth Knox’s incredibly-addictive dark, western MC romance series, Shotgun Saints MC. I am so utterly obsessed with this series! Phantom can be listened to as a standalone, but if you’re not listening to the other audiobooks in this series, you are seriously missing out. Harlan Lyle, aka Phantom, is the notorious president of the Shotgun Saints MC and a proud, Texas rancher—an immovable force and a commanding presence in the MC and on his ranch. Not much shakes his infamous control. But when a young, ranch intern shows up claiming to be his daughter, he’s rocked to his core—especially when her mother turns out to be Marlena Hutchins, the one woman he’s never been able to forget. He’d been married but separated when they’d met, over twenty years older, too caught up in club business, and definitely old enough to know better. She’d been too young, too naive, too caring, and too hard to resist. He’d sent her away for her own good and his own sanity, but she’d never left his heart or his mind. But even that won’t save her from his wrath for keeping his daughter hidden from him for twenty years. As expected, their reunion is explosive in more ways than one. And as much as he wants to punish her for her betrayal, he wants her back in his life and in his bed even more. Things are never easy for Phantom, though. Between another club encroaching on club territory, getting to know a new daughter, his three older children adjusting to an unexpected sibling, a rekindled relationship with Marlena (which includes another baby on the way), and an angry and increasingly-unraveling ex-wife, he’s got almost more than even he can handle. This story is super-spicy, non-stop chaos, danger, excitement, and heart—all anchored by a sexy, morally-grey, dominant, and possessive MC Daddy. Just good old dark MC romance catnip!

The duet-style narration from Blair Thatcher and Christian Gilliland is absolute perfection! I cannot imagine how anyone could have voiced these characters more brilliantly than these two talented voice actors. They expertly and flawlessly captured every nuance and emotion of these characters and this story. And Phantom’s sexy, controlled, deep, gravelly Texan drawl will live on rent free in my mind forever. This is absolutely a “don’t you dare miss” title!

[Amie]

A story about a divorced motorcycle president and the woman who he fell for decades ago that left without a word due to threats that were made towards her.
The woman comes back after she finds out that her daughter is there and soon she finds out that her daughter met him. The daughter is on his ranch due to an internship that the ranch does with the college that she is at.
The woman goes to see him and after finding a rental house and a place that she can start her own business in. During this time both he and the daughter are upset with her but he helps her still.
The two get closer during this time period as well as become intimate. Before she can tell him he finds out that she’s pregnant with his child. At this time his ex-wife starts going after her and his daughters from his ex-wife start talking to her. Soon he has her moving in at the ranch with him.
The motorcycle club finds out about another motorcycle club coming into their territory without permission. So they watch the situation closely.
A fourth of July party at the ranch gets out of hand when the ex-wife shows up going after the daughter, talking about secrets no one knew about. A sit down meeting with the motorcycle club president gives the motorcycle club a chance to find out what the other club is up to, they find extra money in their books so they decide to investigate further.
The ex-wife is still going after the woman but stops when she finds out that he has the club watching her. When the club decides to go after the other motorcycle club's trucks she goes after the woman. The club finds what they were looking for in the trucks but instead of hurting the men they have them send a message to their president. While he was with the club dealing with the matter his ex-wife went after the woman, by the time he got to the woman something terrible happened.
He as well as the club covers what happened. The daughter graduated and is back at the ranch. Their son is born and they get married with just the family in attendance. Even though their beginning was rocky their ending was full of love and happiness.

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

[Catherine Michele]

Overall - I love this series and will continue to read as long as the author continues to write.

This particular story would have rated higher for me if one particular storyline had not been written. Phantom and Marlena were very well written characters, and the narrators gave a top notch performance in their recordings. Only critique on the narration is: The male narrator's voice was too low. Even when the volume was set to 100, it was still hard to hear the story at times. This is by no mean the fault of the writer...just an observation.

Now, on to the part where I had a HUGE problem with the storyline. The next part is a spoiler.

Jolene. Yes, Phantom's ex. Her character was well written, but the part that made ZERO sense was where she held a grudge so hard against Marlena that she attacked her. Maybe that sounds like a real thing...but...Jolene was going on and on about how she was so sad about a miscarriage and then got angry with Marlena for hiding the fact she was pregnant and gave birth to her husband's daughter.

Really? Jolene blamed Marlena for being with Phantom while she and Phantom were separated, heading toward divorce. Both Phantom and Jolene told Marlena to get lost, never come back, and Jolene threatened her life should she return to town. THEN, Jolene tries to kill Marlena because she hid her daughter? Like I said, that part made zero sense.

Also, I was not impressed with how Phantom's daughters acted. Especially Grace. Now, I really liked Grace's story. In this book, though? Grace was a witch with a capital "B". She was rude and demanding. Just because she is Phantom's and Jolene's daughter does not giver her Carte Blanche to treat Marlena the way she did.

Marlena was an innocent 19-year-old girl who ended up in the wrong situation. Phantom was 31, married (but separated), and he KNEW better. Yet, Marlena was blamed for everything...and took that blame.

Okay...that's my problem with the plot. It didn't make sense. The rest of the book, though...it was very good. Again, I'm looking forward to the next book (if there is another).

[Jodi]

Phantom learns that he has a daughter that was kept from him for 21 years by Marlena, the girl he had to let go of. She was also threatened by his then wife, which helped establish the fear of coming back. Phantom had just recently told his ex-wife, Jolene, that she had to leave the ranch. She's angry, devastated and unwilling to let go. Then Marlena steps back into Sharp, and the past comes back to hit all of them, including the children they now have. Jolene makes it a point to let Marlena know shes not happy that she's back and with Phantom. The secrets start to unfold, causing pain and anger. Amongst all of this, Phantom also has to be the MC President and take care of issues with another MC club. He navigates what the club has to do and what he has to do, personally, to protect his family. Marlena has to find her place again, and fight for what is hers outside of Phantom's possessiveness.

This story kept my attention the entire time. It has a lot packed into it but it flowed easily. There's intense emotions and actions, secrets, revenge, second chances, family decisions, forgiveness and love.

Audio: I highly recommend listening to this book. Blair Thatcher and Christian Gilliland were perfect for these characters. Blair hits Marlena's strong-willed personality. You could hear when she knew she had to stand up for herself, but also the quiet, vulnerable moments. Blair also had Jolene's voice down to how I pictured it. Entitled, power, and a little scary. The straight way she said things made me dislike her character more and more. Christian has a strong, rough voice that is Phantom. His voice is strong, dominant yet calm. The kinda calm you should be afraid of sometimes. He showed his power side as an MC President and over his family, along with a few of his quiet, soft moments. The two were an amazing pair! They brought the characters and story to life and kept me engaged through the entire story.

[Kris]

Such a rage read

Harlan “Phantom” and Marlena

Oh my lord… this was one unlikable hero.
He was married, sent her away 20-odd years earlier, went back to his wife and kids, and has the absolute gall to be angry at her for picking herself up and giving her daughter the best possible life she could give her.
He was almost twice her age, she was 19-years-old, and scared out of her wits after his wife told her what would happen if she ever returned or contacted him, but sure…. she’s the one in the wrong.

Don’t get me started on her daughter…. I suppose, she could have stayed in town and dealt with the drama of being the illegitmate child of the side piece… I’m sure that would have been a much better life for her…
it took until the crazy ex took public action for her to finally accept it… She’s ungrateful.

And Jolene - a vindictive harpy who manages to garner everyone’s sympathy when she was the cause of their problems…
Of course… he can understand HER pain, but won’t accept Marlena’s… He OWES Jolene, but owns Marlena…

This was such a rage read from the very first page.
He’s turned himself into the victim when he and his ex-wife were the predators… Everyone, and I mean everyone, is pushing all of the blame onto her for everything that happened… Why is no one looking at the man that was fully grown and married when they got together. Why is no one looking at the crazy lady who wouldn’t let go, and essentially only wanted status??

I don’t know how the author expected us to believe in their love, when every action (including the forced property tattoo) says control and ownership, not love.

The only thing I liked was how Dakota, Grace and Shiver started to accept Marlena and actually listened to her version.

Oh, and of course Jolene’s comeuppance.

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

[shanelle maree]

a͓̽u͓̽d͓̽i͓̽o͓̽ ͓̽r͓̽e͓̽c͓̽ ͓̽&͓̽ ͓̽r͓̽e͓̽v͓̽i͓̽e͓̽w͓̽

🌟:5 🌶️:3 🎧:5

Narrated by: Blair Thatcher & Christian Gilliland in duet

•–•Some tropes I think you’ll love•–•
▪️ western mc romance
▪️ second chance
▪️ secret baby
▪️ age gap

If you’re not listening to this MC series, then what are you doing?! 🤦🏻‍♀️

To me, Elizabeth can always pack a punch in her books and I always enjoy how she’s able to capture everything you need in a romance to connect to a story and the characters, and she does all of this in under 400 pages, which I can appreciate. I blast through them every time! Phantom was no exception. I devoured this one on audio. 😍

Phantom/Harlan is everything you could want in a morally grey, possessive MC president. He’s hard-edged, commanding, and dangerous, yet beneath all of the grit and anger, his fierce protectiveness and deep-rooted pain make him completely captivating. And Marlena isn’t just a passive heroine. Her resilience, the quiet courage she shows while protecting her secret, make her such a strong female lead. She holds her ground against Harlan and it makes their dynamic electric and the tensions sizzle. They have incredible chemistry together and I’ll just say Elizabeth did not come to play with the spicy scenes in this one. 🫠🔥

The duet narration by Blair and Christian was incredible. Blair delivered a truly fantastic performance as Marlena, capturing every ounce of emotional vulnerability, fear, and quiet strength. Meanwhile, Christian J. Gilliland embodied Phantom with absolute perfection. His performance brought a gritty, sorrowful weight and a commanding gravel to Phantom’s voice that gave me chills, yet also kind of soothed me? It was my first time hearing him, and for sure will not be my last!

Highly recommend if MC romance is up your alley! 💖✨

[Dimitra A.]

Phantom & Marlena’s overdue HEA!

This was a very emotional story for me and one that I will definitely remember for a long time. Phantom, the President of Shotgun Saints MC is a man with a messy past regarding his ex-wife, Jolene, and her place in his life even if they have been officially divorced for thirteen years. She feels that she gave everything (and the sad thing is that she had) and didn’t get what she deserved in the end. Two daughters and a son, thirty years, but Phantom was never truly hers. Twenty one years ago, while they were separated for a time, Phantom met an 18-year-old girl that truly spoke to his soul. But five months later, his three kids and the age-gap (he was 31 at the time) forced him to make a cruel decision. He left her and Marlena, heartbroken and thoroughly threatened by Jolene, left. But she carried a big secret with her; one she herself found out about a couple of months later. She was pregnant with their daughter, Presley. Now, Presley knows the truth and comes back to Sharp to meet her real father. A chain reaction is put in motion, one that is as much emotional as it is devastating, and a rollercoaster of events begins. Phantom’s (always “Harlan” for Marlena) and Marlena’s hearts never forgot and neither did their bodies. But can Marlena and Phantom move past the pain and build something new? And how will Jolene or Phantom’s other children (Dakota, Grace and Shiver) – and the club – react to this new development? I must admit, that after Shadow, I didn’t expect the route this story arc took. It was bittersweet in my eyes. But I loved every emotional turmoil! 5 stars!

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

[Grinning Cat]

Sometimes, a book has that perfect synergy between plot and characters that sends a shiver down my spine. This is one of those books.
I love a good psycho-ex plot, and it’s really well done here. Jolene has grief, anger, and psychotic hatred, which all make her dangerous and unhinged. But the grief comes from life experiences, terrible loss, and loving a man who didn’t love her, but was with her out of obligation. But she truly goes mad and is someone who throws pity in everyone’s face and chooses to be vindictive and vengeful. Girl can hold a grudge.
I am not a fan of cheaters, and although there are some gray areas here, Harlan did stray off the ranch. I can see why his family is angry when they find out about Marlene and the secret daughter, Presley. I can understand why Harlan is angry, and I can understand why Marlene kept their daughter away from them all.
I think it’s very hard to make characters so realistic that they are multifaceted and have aspects that cause contempt or 8tred of the character while evoking pity and/or caring. Knox is really good at this. Phantom/Harlan may be a very definite yes-or-no kind of man, but in his personal life he’s all the shades of gray (and there are more than 50. Dislike that book with the heat of 1,000 suns, y’all).
The plot is exciting and nail biting near the end. Psycho ex, secret baby, rival MC=excellence
Triggers are very much present, and there’s an excellent trigger warning in the author’s message at the start of the book. It didn’t hit my triggers, but might hit yours, so please be aware of your mental health.
I pulled this out of the list of books I couldn’t finish due to a family emergency, and I read it now.

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

[Toya]

Thank you to Blue Nose for the opportunity to listen to Phantom by Elizabeth Knox Book 3 in the Shogun Saints MC series. Performed in duet by Blair Thatcher and Christian Gilliland.

I was completely engrossed in this book. Hearing Phantom's backstory and his relationship with his ex-wife and his children—Dakota, Grace and Shivers—was compelling. I enjoyed finding out that another child unbeknownst to him is working on his ranch. The mother is a blast from his past. All the secrets came crashing down when the truth came out.

Jolene is definitely the opposite of Dolly Parton's version.

For a half a second I felt bad for her, trying to build a life with a man you love and hoping you love him enough for both of you.

Dakota was right; her mamma deserves to be loved for who she is not for loneliness. Phantom doesn't have it in him to love her the way she deserves.

Marlena came home once she saw her daughter's location, showing where her present and past collided as she literally slid down the kitchen wall. Packed and drove 300 miles to face her past.

She drives onto the ranch, the one place she vowed never to return 20 years ago.

Phantom is waiting for her and he wants to know everything and how she could have kept his own flesh and blood from him.

She owes him and this is where their second chance begins.

This book was phenomenal. Blair Thatcher and Christian Gilliland were freaking bloody brilliant in their narration of the anger, the gritty rawness of the hurt and the lies and all the things that come with starting over and trying to build trust and a new life with the ex wife still refusing to stay the ex wife.

Thank you Blue Nose for the opportunity to listen and review this. Can't wait for the next installment.

[Jess]

Phantom is the 3rd book in Elizabeth Knox’s Shotgun Saints series. This series has been unlike any other MC series I have read before and I can’t seem to get enough of it!

Phantom is a second chance, age gap romance that follows Phantom aka Harlan and Marlena. When Harlan pushed Marlena away all those years ago, neither one of them knew she was carrying his baby at the time. Marlena has kept this secret in order to provide a better life for her daughter, Presley. Now that the cat is out of the bag, Presley wants to meet her father, so she takes a job on his ranch, forcing Marlena to follow her and reunite with Phantom. It’s been 21 years since these two have seen each other, but when they reunite the raw lust, attraction and emotional connection is stronger than ever before.

Each book has been so uniquely written in this series. I adored Marlena and her fierce personality and unwavering commitment to providing her daughter with a better life. I had a love-hate relationship with Phantom that turned more into the love side when he finally gave Marlena the space she needed to be her fierce self and he was there to support her instead of do things for her. Their connection was raw and unfiltered, there was tension and spice, and it all added up to one emotional ride!

Let’s talk narration: Phantom is narrated in duet by Blair Thatcher and Christian Gilliland. I absolutely love listening to Blair, but listening to her in this role was unlike anything I am used to from her and she was phenomenal which is a testament to her incredible talent. This was my first time listening to Christian and I can’t imagine a better male narrator to bring Phantom to life. His deep, powerful voice was so commanding and the perfect fit for Phantom’s powerful presence.

[Patty]

Phantom
Shotgun Saints MC#3
By: Elizabeth Knox
Narrated by: Blair Thatcher, Christian Gilliland

Get ready for this alpha male! Phantom is president of Shotgun Saints MC. a relatively quiet man and when he speaks his words are law. Marlena has loved him for years, but was sent away by him when he decided to give his marriage a second try. Broken hearted she left, but she carried a piece of him with her. Now she and her daughter are back, and Marlena faces the brutality of both Phantom and the town she left. Everyone knows who she is and life is not going to be easy as she tries to put down some roots. Phantom is both angry and happy for her appearance. But this second chance isn't the only thing he has to deal with. Danger is lurking, and where it comes from is not only too close to home, but one that is next to impossible to deal with. Where does it go? Marlena is a strong woman, not willing to give up no matter what is thrown at her. She needs not only the love of Phantom, but the independence she craves. Phantom is an overprotective, alpha male, and if he speaks, she listens. It's that calm demeanor that you have to be careful of! Give this one a listen. Small town, mc family and a second chance for love.

Blair Thatcher and Christian Gilliland are the storytellers for this gem, and together they are incredible. Thatcher has an amazing voice, full of nuance and emotion. She brings all the feels for this one. Gilliland has a deep baritone, one that is commanding and perfect for Phantom. He has a sound that is easy to fall for despite the conflicting emotions he has. Loved these two and their performance.

[Avid MC Reader]

This is the third book in the series and is all about messy relationships. While Harlan is separated from his wife, Jolene, he has an affair with Marlena, an eighteen year old waitress. Harlan, 31 years older than Marlena, breaks it off and decides to give his marriage to Jolene another try. Marlena is on her way out of town when Jolene confronts her and threatens her basically implying that she will be killed if she tries to return or contact Harlan.
Marlena found out to later that she was carrying Harlan's child and considers contacting Harlan but afraid that Jolene will follow through on her threats decides to raise their child alone. Fast forward twenty years and her grown daughter, Presley takes an internship at the ranch where she eventually tells Harlan that he is her father. When Marlena realizes that Presley is at the ranch, she packs up and rushes there.
Now that they are all in one location, the scene is set for an explosion of epic proportions. Jolene still has it in for Marlena, Harlan is furious with Marlena for keeping Presley from him, Harlan's other daughters surprisingly make friends with Presley, and a MC is watching the ranch.
I don't want to spoil the ending so I'm going to let you read the book to find out what happens next.
I will say that Harlan treated and continued to treat both Jolene and Marlena badly throughout the book. It was hard for me to feel sorry for him despite his missing out on the first twenty years of his daughter's life.

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

[Mafia Wife]

Years ago she ran. She had met a handsome alter biker in a bar one night and they had a steamy relationship until the night. He told her that he was going to give things another shot with his ex for the sake of their children. She led down and everything she knew to put space between them, and then found out she had taken something else with her. Their daughter. Now that her daughter is grown and found her father. She has pulled back to where it all began to face the consequences of her decisions. He sent her away once, but when she rolls back into town, he isn’t going to let her run again. He is angry about the secrets she’s kept but he also knows there is no turning back. And when he finds out that history is repeating itself, and she is once again, carrying his child, there is no way he is letting her out of his sight or his bed. This is the third book in the series, and it carries along the same steam, power struggles, complex family dynamics, found family, and brotherhood that you come to expect from this author. The storyline is good and engaging and it pulls you in right from the very beginning. While this couples story is its own standalone, it still pulls in characters from the other stories, giving you not only life updates, but also including them as the arc goes forward. The steam between the two main characters is evident from the beginning. Despite their age gap, they have incredible chemistry that draws them right back together again only this time ending in their HEA.

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

[Phyllis Wolford]

Phantom is the president of the shotgun saints, and also the largest land owner in his area with a working ranch. Marlena is a girl he used to know in when his marriage had a rough patch and they were separated. He, he broke it off. His ex ex-wife threatened her so she left town and when she left unknown to either of them, she took a little piece of him with her..
Years later, their daughter Presley came back as an intern through through A&M college and eventually told phantom that she’s his daughter and it’s safe to say he feels like he’s gotten knocked off a bull the hard way.
Marlena worried about Presley and not knowing what’s going on runs back to sharp Texas and the man that she has loved for over 21 years. It is not a nice homecoming or meeting. He goes off on her and together the fire that burned with between them before ignite into a raging forest fire..
His ex-wife Jolene is not thrilled with the fact is that the woman that she threatened and thinks broke up their marriage, even though it was in trouble before his back in town with a daughter that he didn’t know about she caused his problems, threatens Presley and Marlena damages Marlene‘s property and finally flips her wig and attack Marlena. Marlene takes care of the problem, accidentally fatally..
Along the way Phantom and Marlena their love starts to grow stronger and burn hotter and they come to an understanding that together. They’re better than they are apart. It’s an adjustment period for everybody on the ranch, especially his his children from his first marriage, Presley and Marlena..

[Curlylox_75]

PHANTOM by Elizabeth Knox (Shotgun Saints MC #3) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Bluenose ALC Review Thankyou both for the opportunity 🥀💕

I have to say my favourite in the series so far. I love the expressiveness of Elizabeth’s writing and the way the narrators spoke those words just melted through me. Phantom really pulled me in from the start. It’s a gritty, emotional MC romance with strong chemistry and tension that carries all the way through the book. 🖤

Phantom & Marlena have a complicated past, and you can feel every bit of it. There are unresolved feelings, history that still lingers, and a connection that never really went away. Their relationship is messy in a very human way both of them flawed, guarded, and carrying emotional baggage that makes their story feel real and grounded.

Elizabeth Knox goes beyond just the romance here. There’s a lot of emotional depth woven through the story with family ties, loyalty, regret and the possibility of forgiveness. It’s not just about the romance, but about everything that shaped these characters and the choices they’ve made along the way. All of it is wrapped in that MC world grit, danger, and a good dose of spice.

🎧 The duet narration by Blair Thatcher & Christian Gilliland was perfection. They really captured the emotional weight of the story and the chemistry between the characters in a way that made it even more engaging to listen to.

A strong, emotional MC romance that stays with you long after it’s finished. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Preorder Date: August 10th
Release Date: August 18th

[Toni]

Phantom is the President of the Shotgun Saints. He owns their ranch and it's the home of the club. He has a new intern and meets her in the barn checking on her when she tells him she's his daughter. He goes still as he checks her over and sees himself in her.
Marlena is the woman he broke up with after being with her for months. He was separated from his wife.
Jolene is Phantom's ex wife who is bat crazy. She has know for years he didn't love her like she loved him.
When she finds out her rival from 21 years ago is back with a daughter she goes over the bend.
Now life becomes even more complicated and dangerous. There's a new MC using his territory to move product. His ex wife is taking her anger and angst and using it in destructive ways against Marlena. Marlena needs to navigate everything including a daughter who loves her but is unsure why she kept her real father from her until she finds out why the hard way.
A very fast moving story that grabs the reader's attention from the first page as the story line is set. It's a story of a man who found a true love but let her go to protect her. It's the story of a woman who loves but at 18 is scared away by the threats given by her lover's wife. It's the story of a wife who is unhinged because her love became an obsession that turned dangerous. Who will win and who will lose?.

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

[Linda Stokes]

Phantom is the president of the Shotgun Saints MC. He was married to Jolene for a total of thirty years. They have three children, son Shiver and daughters Dakota and Grace. Phantom met a young woman while he was separated from Jolene, her name was Marlena. Phantom sent her away because he thought she was too young and it was too dangerous for her. Marlena was confronted by Jolene after Phantom broke up with her and Jolene threatened Marlena about not coming back to the ranch because the club makes problems disappear. Twenty years later a new intern at the ranch informed Phantom that he was her father, her mother is Marlena. Marlena finds out that Presley her daughter is working at the Sharp Shooter Ranch which is Phantom’s. Marlena goes to the ranch and has to explain to Phantom why she never told him about Presley. Jolene finds out that she is at the ranch and comes to the 4th of July BBQ and she causes a scene. Jolene lost a baby when she was with Phantom and she gets real upset when she finds out about Marlena being pregnant again. The Shotgun Saints are dealing with another group coming on their territory. Will Phantom and the club be able to solve the issue with the other group? Will Shiver, Grace and Dakota welcome Marlena into their father’s life? Will Jolene go crazy? Will Marlena take care of Jolene or will Phantom?
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book via Booksprout.

Phantom and Marlena’s Story is Awesome!!