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Desert Dogs #3
Burn It Up
In the latest from the acclaimed author of Give It All, mount up and ride a roaring motorcycle to Fortuity, Nevada, where the heat is rising…
After a decade spent chasing shadier pursuits, Casey Grossier has come home to the badlands to settle down in Fortuity. Vowing to put his days of dirty money behind him, he’s cleaned up his act and become co-owner of Benji’s Saloon. But despite his efforts to be a better man, he can’t shake his crush on his sweet-faced bartender, even though the woman screams trouble.
Abilene Price hopes she can outrun her mistakes and build a safe, respectable life for herself and her baby. So she’d be wise to keep her distance from her boss, Casey, and the rest of his roughneck motorcycle club, the Desert Dogs. But she just might need their help. The return of a violent figure from Abilene’s past ignites a powder keg—and it’s only the beginning…
After a decade spent chasing shadier pursuits, Casey Grossier has come home to the badlands to settle down in Fortuity. Vowing to put his days of dirty money behind him, he’s cleaned up his act and become co-owner of Benji’s Saloon. But despite his efforts to be a better man, he can’t shake his crush on his sweet-faced bartender, even though the woman screams trouble.
Abilene Price hopes she can outrun her mistakes and build a safe, respectable life for herself and her baby. So she’d be wise to keep her distance from her boss, Casey, and the rest of his roughneck motorcycle club, the Desert Dogs. But she just might need their help. The return of a violent figure from Abilene’s past ignites a powder keg—and it’s only the beginning…
331 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 3, 2015
29 people are currently reading
542 people want to read
About the author
Cara McKenna
41 books2,239 followersSince she began writing in 2008, Cara McKenna has published nearly forty romances and erotic novels with a variety of publishers, sometimes under the pen names Meg Maguire and C.M. McKenna. Her stories have been acclaimed for their smart, modern voice and defiance of convention. She was a 2015 RITA Award finalist, a 2014 RT Reviewers’ Choice Award winner, a 2012 and 2011 RT Reviewers’ Choice Award nominee, and a 2010 Golden Heart Award finalist. She lives with her husband and baby son in the Pacific Northwest, though she’ll always be a Boston girl at heart.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
October 26, 2015
3 stars. Review posted October 26, 2015
I liked Burn It Up. I even enjoyed it in parts. As per usual, I definitely dug McKenna's very good writing. Although Burn It Up was also my least favorite in the series, mainly due of the annoying heroine. I do prefer my heroines to be self-confident and the opposite of shy. I want them to embrace their sexuality, be demanding and strong in more ways than one. Abilene, however, is the blushing, self-conscious type and that is…well...not really my kind of type. Also, I thought that Abilene was very self-righteous and mean when Casey did the right thing by being honest with her. He told her what he did in the past few years and it wasn't pretty at all. Yet Abilene rejected him even though Casey deserved some credit. He not only tried to be a better man, he really was. He came home, bought Benji's Saloon together with Duncan, started to help Vince taking care of their mother and supported Abilene and her baby in a very loving and selfless way.
Casey didn’t discriminate when it came to women’s bodies, and Abilene’s was everything essentially feminine to him. Petite and . . . and lush.
THIS^^^^^^^^^^^^^
It's great that authors occasionally try and write voluptuous heroines. After all, not all women look like starved, model-thin sticks (sorry, I know that some are naturally thin).
In the past, he would have run for the hills, but he changed and took his responsibilities seriously. As I saw it, Casey did have some unquestionably redeemable qualities in him. On the other hand, I must be honest here. This is fiction and I feel a little bit conflicted because in real life, this would not have been good enough for me. A man with Casey's criminal past has to do time in prison as a first step on his way to making amends. Fact is, atonement based on cutting his old ties, acting reasonably and being considerate, caring, selfless and supportive can't really cut it in the end. Well, I guess it does in Romancelandia.
Back to Abilene. When it was finally time for her to reveal her dirty secrets, I was even more convinced that she didn't have any right to act the way she did when she pushed Casey away after he came clean about his shady past. This girl It is absolutely mind-boggling that she said this…
What.In.The.Actual.Fuck?
Oh, and let's be clear here. Both were at fault. She was a willing participant.
I have not pity, no empathy for thisgirl woman. And let's stop making excuses that she but the fallout thereof was even worse. Not going into those details, though. You'll just have to read the book to get a couple answers.
Anyway, I still got something exciting out of this story. I'm not sure but it looks like Miah's possible love interest has been introduced at 89%. He is my favorite character in the Desert Dogs series and I'm impatiently awaiting the release of his book. Upon finishing Burn It Up, there remain some questions, and I'm hoping to get my answers while digging into Miah's story.
Burn It Up can be read as a standalone. However, I would advise you to read the entire series to really get a good feel and understanding of each character's background and to get the full enjoyment out of this series. Also, I think that reading Burn It Up is very important before diving into Miah's story because something major happened in Burn It Up that will not only affect Miah but his future love interest as well.
All quotes are taken from the pre-published copy and may be altered or omitted in the final copy
**ARC courtesy of PENGUIN GROUP Berkley, NAL / Signet Romance, DAW in exchange for an honest review**
I liked Burn It Up. I even enjoyed it in parts. As per usual, I definitely dug McKenna's very good writing. Although Burn It Up was also my least favorite in the series, mainly due of the annoying heroine. I do prefer my heroines to be self-confident and the opposite of shy. I want them to embrace their sexuality, be demanding and strong in more ways than one. Abilene, however, is the blushing, self-conscious type and that is…well...not really my kind of type. Also, I thought that Abilene was very self-righteous and mean when Casey did the right thing by being honest with her. He told her what he did in the past few years and it wasn't pretty at all. Yet Abilene rejected him even though Casey deserved some credit. He not only tried to be a better man, he really was. He came home, bought Benji's Saloon together with Duncan, started to help Vince taking care of their mother and supported Abilene and her baby in a very loving and selfless way.
Casey didn’t discriminate when it came to women’s bodies, and Abilene’s was everything essentially feminine to him. Petite and . . . and lush.
THIS^^^^^^^^^^^^^
It's great that authors occasionally try and write voluptuous heroines. After all, not all women look like starved, model-thin sticks (sorry, I know that some are naturally thin).
In the past, he would have run for the hills, but he changed and took his responsibilities seriously. As I saw it, Casey did have some unquestionably redeemable qualities in him. On the other hand, I must be honest here. This is fiction and I feel a little bit conflicted because in real life, this would not have been good enough for me. A man with Casey's criminal past has to do time in prison as a first step on his way to making amends. Fact is, atonement based on cutting his old ties, acting reasonably and being considerate, caring, selfless and supportive can't really cut it in the end. Well, I guess it does in Romancelandia.
Back to Abilene. When it was finally time for her to reveal her dirty secrets, I was even more convinced that she didn't have any right to act the way she did when she pushed Casey away after he came clean about his shady past. This girl It is absolutely mind-boggling that she said this…
What.In.The.Actual.Fuck?
Oh, and let's be clear here. Both were at fault. She was a willing participant.
I have not pity, no empathy for this
Anyway, I still got something exciting out of this story. I'm not sure but it looks like Miah's possible love interest has been introduced at 89%. He is my favorite character in the Desert Dogs series and I'm impatiently awaiting the release of his book. Upon finishing Burn It Up, there remain some questions, and I'm hoping to get my answers while digging into Miah's story.
Burn It Up can be read as a standalone. However, I would advise you to read the entire series to really get a good feel and understanding of each character's background and to get the full enjoyment out of this series. Also, I think that reading Burn It Up is very important before diving into Miah's story because something major happened in Burn It Up that will not only affect Miah but his future love interest as well.
All quotes are taken from the pre-published copy and may be altered or omitted in the final copy
**ARC courtesy of PENGUIN GROUP Berkley, NAL / Signet Romance, DAW in exchange for an honest review**
November 13, 2015
3-3.5 Stars?
In the previous book, Casey was clearly smitten with Abilene and even finding out she was pregnant didn’t seem to deter him much. In Burn it Up Casey has become so much more to Abilene, a friend, a helper, and pretty much a surrogate father to baby Mercy. He delivered Mercy when they couldn’t get to the hospital in time, so has more than just an attraction for Abilene; he has a deep connection to both her and the baby. Abilene has come to rely on him so much, and she is attracted as well, so when the baby’s father, James is released from jail, Abilene turns to Casey for protection and support. All the Desert Dogs, Vince, Raina, Duncan and Miah, are there to help as well and I thought Abilene was so very fortunate to find friends like them.
Casey’s mother suffered from early onset dementia, basically losing her mind at around forty, so he didn’t know if he had much of a future because of genetics. In the past, he took risks and earned his living in a very shady way. Abilene also had a questionable past, and was far from a saint before she got pregnant and became a mother. Abilene wants to be a good mother, a good person and not repeat the mistakes of her youth. Getting involved with a criminal is out of the question. But as they spend time together, Casey and Abilene find it hard to ignore their desires; they’ve been building gradually and with intensity for so long. With all these concerns, Casey and Abilene agree to a non serious relationship without any expectations for the future, but when the heart is so involved, in my opinion, it’s impossible to not to get your heart broken if things don’t work out.
Cara McKenna did a wonderful job exploring the emotions behind Casey and Abilene’s insecurities, and why they felt a relationship between them wouldn’t work. At times, though it felt a little repetitive. For about 75% of the book I was really pleased with how things were working out romance wise, but at that mark Abilene becomes extremely judgmental over Casey’s past, and I was ticked. Abilene was far from a saint! I can understand why she wouldn’t want anyone knowing her past, because it wasn’t good. At all! And yet Really?!! Like I said in my status update: Don’t throw stones when you live in a glass house! I was even more upset because Casey did so much for Abeline and baby Mercy without any expectations. I think I would’ve been more okay with what happened if Abeline did some proper groveling. Not enough for me to forgive her actions, and . All I have to say, is Abeline is one lucky girl.
Even with all of that, I must say that Ms. McKenna is very talented at writing chemistry and building steam, laying the foundation for some very heated sex scenes! The whole mystery aspect of the story was a plus for me as well, and we finally see some of Casey’s predictions play out, albeit in an unexpected way.
A copy was kindly provided by Signet in exchange for an honest review.
In the previous book, Casey was clearly smitten with Abilene and even finding out she was pregnant didn’t seem to deter him much. In Burn it Up Casey has become so much more to Abilene, a friend, a helper, and pretty much a surrogate father to baby Mercy. He delivered Mercy when they couldn’t get to the hospital in time, so has more than just an attraction for Abilene; he has a deep connection to both her and the baby. Abilene has come to rely on him so much, and she is attracted as well, so when the baby’s father, James is released from jail, Abilene turns to Casey for protection and support. All the Desert Dogs, Vince, Raina, Duncan and Miah, are there to help as well and I thought Abilene was so very fortunate to find friends like them.
Casey’s mother suffered from early onset dementia, basically losing her mind at around forty, so he didn’t know if he had much of a future because of genetics. In the past, he took risks and earned his living in a very shady way. Abilene also had a questionable past, and was far from a saint before she got pregnant and became a mother. Abilene wants to be a good mother, a good person and not repeat the mistakes of her youth. Getting involved with a criminal is out of the question. But as they spend time together, Casey and Abilene find it hard to ignore their desires; they’ve been building gradually and with intensity for so long. With all these concerns, Casey and Abilene agree to a non serious relationship without any expectations for the future, but when the heart is so involved, in my opinion, it’s impossible to not to get your heart broken if things don’t work out.
Cara McKenna did a wonderful job exploring the emotions behind Casey and Abilene’s insecurities, and why they felt a relationship between them wouldn’t work. At times, though it felt a little repetitive. For about 75% of the book I was really pleased with how things were working out romance wise, but at that mark Abilene becomes extremely judgmental over Casey’s past, and I was ticked. Abilene was far from a saint! I can understand why she wouldn’t want anyone knowing her past, because it wasn’t good. At all! And yet Really?!! Like I said in my status update: Don’t throw stones when you live in a glass house! I was even more upset because Casey did so much for Abeline and baby Mercy without any expectations. I think I would’ve been more okay with what happened if Abeline did some proper groveling. Not enough for me to forgive her actions, and . All I have to say, is Abeline is one lucky girl.
Even with all of that, I must say that Ms. McKenna is very talented at writing chemistry and building steam, laying the foundation for some very heated sex scenes! The whole mystery aspect of the story was a plus for me as well, and we finally see some of Casey’s predictions play out, albeit in an unexpected way.
A copy was kindly provided by Signet in exchange for an honest review.
November 9, 2015
Overall rating: 3.5 stars!
Triggers:
Cheating:
Love triangle:
Sex with om/ow:
Intimate pasts:
Push/pull:
OM/OW drama:
HEA:
This was a fairly drama free book. It was also very low angst. I first picked it up because it was a trigger free single parent romance, which I love! But I found that there weren't enough scenes with our hero and the heroine's daughter. I would have loved to see more. And I would have loved to see more relationship development as well between these two characters. I already know this author doesn't like epilogues, so I should have known I would have been disappointed as far as that goes.
Overall, a decent read.
Triggers:
Cheating:
Love triangle:
Sex with om/ow:
Intimate pasts:
Push/pull:
OM/OW drama:
HEA:
This was a fairly drama free book. It was also very low angst. I first picked it up because it was a trigger free single parent romance, which I love! But I found that there weren't enough scenes with our hero and the heroine's daughter. I would have loved to see more. And I would have loved to see more relationship development as well between these two characters. I already know this author doesn't like epilogues, so I should have known I would have been disappointed as far as that goes.
Overall, a decent read.
November 3, 2015
In the third installment to the Desert Dogs series, Cara McKenna finally gives Casey Grossier his book. From the very first book, Casey has been my favorite of the boys. He has that bad boy thing going for him, but now that he also a bar to run, he’s really come far from his wayward ways.
This becomes especially true when a woman and a child come into his life. Though neither of them belong to him, Casey is more than willing to take care of Abilene Price and Mercy from the threat of her ex, a newly released criminal deadset on taking back what is his.
What I liked about this book is that it has a very laid back feeling to it, but McKenna does amp it up every now and then with the suspense scenes. I particularly liked seeing some of James’ POV because it just adds that bit of tension to the storyline. It makes this entire series different from the other biker books out there as it toes the line between Contemporary Romance and Romantic Suspense.
As always, McKenna’s writing draws you in like a beacon. I’m such a fan of her voice and just her ability to get inside her character’s head makes each book such a thrill to read. The title of this book perfectly sums this story up – it’s a slow burn that builds and builds until it catches fire.
Read my alternate review at Fresh Fiction
January 6, 2016
I didn't quite like some developments in the final 20% but those are minor quibbles and overall it's a another solid story by Ms. McKenna.
Now, give me Miah's HEA, pretty please!
I'm late with my full review but here it is.
I love Cara McKenna's writing and her erotic stories push many of my boundaries in reading. This romantic suspense series is tamer in terms of sex scenes but it still has the depth of exploring relationships and the human mind/emotions which I consider typical of Ms Mckenna's romances.
While I liked this story it is not my favourite in the series. The premise of a single mother and a wayward but nice guy who finally gets his stuff together is one a usually like but I had some issues with the heroine here.
I liked Casey, he really grew up in this story, his struggle what to do with his life felt real. We see more of the rest of the gang and their relations and I especially enjoyed this aspect of the story. The author managed to create a real sense of community and friendship without turning the what the characters have into the typical, semi-illegal, violent biker club.
We see Casey as a brother, a bar owner, being responsible, trying to break up with his past. His desire to be needed, to be useful, appreciated was presented really convincingly.
My main problem in this story was Abilene. I understood a lot about her, being a young, single mom, hiding from the father of her daughter who is violent criminal, yet there were a lot about her that annoyed me. She was not honest with or about her baby's father - leading everyone around her to believe is a danger to her and her kid. I felt it was a strong point in the story that he is a criminal, yet he cared about his kid and wanted to change, to be a good dad, give Abilene and Mercy what they needed.
I was most angry with the way Abilene rejected Casey because of his criminal past. Like, she is the one to talk, when she was keeping her own (no less grave) mistakes a secret. I understand her desire to move on, to be better, to provide the best possible future for her daughter but I felt she was unfair to Casey. She didn't value his efforts to change, to become someone worthy of love and trust.
The chemistry between them was strong, their physical coming together was done with the intensity and depth typical for Ms McKenna's writing. The intimacy was real and moving and I loved it. In a way, Abilene's (unforgiving and dismissing) attitude after that was even more hurtful and unacceptable for me because of that.
Ms McKenna once again creates multi-layered, complex characters dealing with their past and present to the best of their abilities, often failing but never really giving up
There is a common suspense plotline running through the whole series and it gets further developed here though some questions still remain unanswered. We get some hints about Miah's potential HEA and I'm really looking forward to it in the next and final book in the series.
Overall I'd say this book is a good addition to the series, with a wonderful Casey and slightly annoying Abilene.
Now, give me Miah's HEA, pretty please!
I'm late with my full review but here it is.
I love Cara McKenna's writing and her erotic stories push many of my boundaries in reading. This romantic suspense series is tamer in terms of sex scenes but it still has the depth of exploring relationships and the human mind/emotions which I consider typical of Ms Mckenna's romances.
While I liked this story it is not my favourite in the series. The premise of a single mother and a wayward but nice guy who finally gets his stuff together is one a usually like but I had some issues with the heroine here.
I liked Casey, he really grew up in this story, his struggle what to do with his life felt real. We see more of the rest of the gang and their relations and I especially enjoyed this aspect of the story. The author managed to create a real sense of community and friendship without turning the what the characters have into the typical, semi-illegal, violent biker club.
We see Casey as a brother, a bar owner, being responsible, trying to break up with his past. His desire to be needed, to be useful, appreciated was presented really convincingly.
My main problem in this story was Abilene. I understood a lot about her, being a young, single mom, hiding from the father of her daughter who is violent criminal, yet there were a lot about her that annoyed me. She was not honest with or about her baby's father - leading everyone around her to believe is a danger to her and her kid. I felt it was a strong point in the story that he is a criminal, yet he cared about his kid and wanted to change, to be a good dad, give Abilene and Mercy what they needed.
I was most angry with the way Abilene rejected Casey because of his criminal past. Like, she is the one to talk, when she was keeping her own (no less grave) mistakes a secret. I understand her desire to move on, to be better, to provide the best possible future for her daughter but I felt she was unfair to Casey. She didn't value his efforts to change, to become someone worthy of love and trust.
The chemistry between them was strong, their physical coming together was done with the intensity and depth typical for Ms McKenna's writing. The intimacy was real and moving and I loved it. In a way, Abilene's (unforgiving and dismissing) attitude after that was even more hurtful and unacceptable for me because of that.
Ms McKenna once again creates multi-layered, complex characters dealing with their past and present to the best of their abilities, often failing but never really giving up
There is a common suspense plotline running through the whole series and it gets further developed here though some questions still remain unanswered. We get some hints about Miah's potential HEA and I'm really looking forward to it in the next and final book in the series.
Overall I'd say this book is a good addition to the series, with a wonderful Casey and slightly annoying Abilene.
September 3, 2016
1.5 stars
November 4, 2015
Java Girl's review posted at Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews
Cara McKenna never does the expected, and she certainly doesn’t follow any ‘romance novel formula’. Her characters, one of my favorite things about her novels, are often blue collar, ex-cons, criminals, other shady types, and even the occasional ‘regular person’. Burn It Up’s Abilene Price and Casey Grossier are no exceptions. Both Abilene and Casey have many secrets, and honestly, their secrets are pretty bad. Some readers may not like characters with such dark histories, so much damage, and questionable morals, but in Ms. McKenna’s deft hands, these characters really come to life. We see their flaws, and bad decisions, but we also see the good. We see their actions, we are privy to their thoughts and motivations, their desires to be better people. Their friendship has grown, and Abilene has come to rely on Casey more and more since the birth of her daughter, Mercy. The book takes place over a brief period of time–about two weeks–but the pace of their relationship grew in a way that felt completely natural, never rushed or forced. I like that Casey is a very different man from his brother, Vince. I loved his introspection, and the genuine effort he made to be honest and real with Abilene, and the other people in his life. There is a noticeable difference from the Casey who first showed up in Lay it Down. I found his confessions and admissions profound and moving. Unexpectedly, I found myself crying several times while reading this book.
Change, growth, and forgiveness, accepting responsibility for past decisions and moving forward are the prevalent themes here, and it was a joy to watch these characters, as well as a few of the secondary characters, come to these realizations.
If you’re looking for lighthearted and fun, this probably isn’t that book or series, but I love these characters with all their flaws and imperfections, and the ongoing mystery surrounding recent murders, the casino project and government corruption is no less intriguing three books into the series. In fact, there is even additional intrigue to be found in Burn It Up. As always, I eagerly await the next book in this series from one of my favorite authors.
Review copy provided for an honest review.
Cara McKenna never does the expected, and she certainly doesn’t follow any ‘romance novel formula’. Her characters, one of my favorite things about her novels, are often blue collar, ex-cons, criminals, other shady types, and even the occasional ‘regular person’. Burn It Up’s Abilene Price and Casey Grossier are no exceptions. Both Abilene and Casey have many secrets, and honestly, their secrets are pretty bad. Some readers may not like characters with such dark histories, so much damage, and questionable morals, but in Ms. McKenna’s deft hands, these characters really come to life. We see their flaws, and bad decisions, but we also see the good. We see their actions, we are privy to their thoughts and motivations, their desires to be better people. Their friendship has grown, and Abilene has come to rely on Casey more and more since the birth of her daughter, Mercy. The book takes place over a brief period of time–about two weeks–but the pace of their relationship grew in a way that felt completely natural, never rushed or forced. I like that Casey is a very different man from his brother, Vince. I loved his introspection, and the genuine effort he made to be honest and real with Abilene, and the other people in his life. There is a noticeable difference from the Casey who first showed up in Lay it Down. I found his confessions and admissions profound and moving. Unexpectedly, I found myself crying several times while reading this book.
Change, growth, and forgiveness, accepting responsibility for past decisions and moving forward are the prevalent themes here, and it was a joy to watch these characters, as well as a few of the secondary characters, come to these realizations.
If you’re looking for lighthearted and fun, this probably isn’t that book or series, but I love these characters with all their flaws and imperfections, and the ongoing mystery surrounding recent murders, the casino project and government corruption is no less intriguing three books into the series. In fact, there is even additional intrigue to be found in Burn It Up. As always, I eagerly await the next book in this series from one of my favorite authors.
Review copy provided for an honest review.
dnf
July 18, 202326% and I can't seem to bring myself to finishing it...
I hate it when lies get exaggerated to an extend that they become a plot device, the story feels like a trip with a grenade in hands waiting for it to blow up.
Plus I don't really like the heroine, she makes a somewhat brainless impression and it's exhausting.
I hate it when lies get exaggerated to an extend that they become a plot device, the story feels like a trip with a grenade in hands waiting for it to blow up.
Plus I don't really like the heroine, she makes a somewhat brainless impression and it's exhausting.
November 19, 2015
Having spent a decade on the shadier side of life, Casey Grossier has returned home and cleaned up his act but despite his best efforts he can’t shake his crush on his sweet-faced bartender in this riveting romantic suspense.
Abilene Price is trying to outrun her mistakes and build a safe, respectable life for herself and her baby which means she needs to keep her distance from her boss and the reader can’t help but enjoy this emotional romance that grips the heart as Casey and Abilene both try to reconcile the past with their present and forge some kind of happily ever after. The relationship is a sweet and spicy mix of sizzling passion, emotional turbulence and good intentions with some hot and steamy sex and quite a few emotional clashes that keep the romance on the uncertain side throughout the story while the strong, compelling characters are easily related to but has the reader questioning some of their choices.
Spine tingling tension builds as a violent figure from Abilene’s past causes a bit of chaos and emotional distress which has the Desert Dogs on edge and a shady character has been seen lurking around the ranch which begs the question…is it related or is it something else which adds quite a bit of intrigue to the story. The steady paced well written scenes capture the imagination while the well-orchestrated events draw the reader in and refuse to let go.
I couldn’t help but become engaged in Abilene and Casey’s characters as this story is quite the emotional rollercoaster of a romance but while the romance part of the plot has an ending there is some sad affairs that affect the Desert Dogs and the town of Fortuity that hasn’t been resolved, so there is a bit of a cliffhanger which of course means that I really can’t wait to find out what happens next.
- Eva
Abilene Price is trying to outrun her mistakes and build a safe, respectable life for herself and her baby which means she needs to keep her distance from her boss and the reader can’t help but enjoy this emotional romance that grips the heart as Casey and Abilene both try to reconcile the past with their present and forge some kind of happily ever after. The relationship is a sweet and spicy mix of sizzling passion, emotional turbulence and good intentions with some hot and steamy sex and quite a few emotional clashes that keep the romance on the uncertain side throughout the story while the strong, compelling characters are easily related to but has the reader questioning some of their choices.
Spine tingling tension builds as a violent figure from Abilene’s past causes a bit of chaos and emotional distress which has the Desert Dogs on edge and a shady character has been seen lurking around the ranch which begs the question…is it related or is it something else which adds quite a bit of intrigue to the story. The steady paced well written scenes capture the imagination while the well-orchestrated events draw the reader in and refuse to let go.
I couldn’t help but become engaged in Abilene and Casey’s characters as this story is quite the emotional rollercoaster of a romance but while the romance part of the plot has an ending there is some sad affairs that affect the Desert Dogs and the town of Fortuity that hasn’t been resolved, so there is a bit of a cliffhanger which of course means that I really can’t wait to find out what happens next.
- Eva
eventual-reviews
July 31, 2015Damn gorgeous covers on this series!
Reviewing for herding cats & burning soup.
Reviewing for herding cats & burning soup.
March 2, 2019
Rated 3 Stars
I liked the first 2 books but just didn't care for this one. : (
I liked the first 2 books but just didn't care for this one. : (
April 2, 2016
This third story in the Desert Dogs series doesn’t focus too much on the mysteries that have been part and parcel of the first two books in the series, but is definitely a continuation of the plot. Each book in the series can be read as a standalone, and there is enough background given that you could jump into the series at this point, but I do recommend going back and reading the first 2 books if you haven’t already, as they give you a good sense of all the characters, and what’s been happening in the small town of Fortuity (murder and mayhem!) since the Casino development company came in and tried to strong arm the inhabitants into accepting them with open arms. This story is more character driven, and is about choices, decisions, consequences and fallout.
Casey is a wayward son who has returned home. After a 10 year absence, he’s back, ready to take on some of the responsibility for his ailing mother (from whom he may have inherited an early age dementia gene) and committed to running the local bar with Duncan (OCD hero of book 2). He’s also become good friends with Abilene, one of the bartenders whom he had a crush on, prior to finding out she was pregnant by her ex-boyfriend. She’s given birth to a beautiful little girl, and Casey has found himself stepping into the role of male father figure bit by bit. But Abilene’s ex is due to get out of jail soon, and she’s not sure what his reaction will be to the baby. As well, Abilene herself is keeping other secrets, ones she’s afraid will destroy the friendship she and Casey have, as well as the dormant attraction that is starting to resurface. With the town still on edge and questions about the Casino development unanswered, will the relationship Abilene and Casey are starting to build be over before it’s even begun?
This one had a slow start for me, in part because stories with babies aren’t my favourite. It took probably a third of the story for me to really get into the characters and their motivations. Abilene comes across as a bit of an enigma – you see right off the bat that she’s very dedicated to her child Mercy but you know that she’s not on the up and up with everyone around her and that she’s keeping secrets – ones she’s worried her ex will spill when he gets out of jail. As a result there is a lot of tension surrounding her and she brings that tension to the people around her by not telling them why she’s so concerned about him coming to see her and the baby. Casey comes across as a dedicated and loyal friend, his attraction to Abilene undiminished by her pregnancy and the birth of her daughter. If anything, her stint as a mother now, her physical shape, all soft and womanly is even more attractive to him. (And thank you Ms. McKenna for writing a heroine with a shape women can relate to!). Though Casey is quite clear that he’s not looking for marriage or partnership, Abilene isn’t above seducing him for her own sexual interests and they share some steamy scenes together. When Abilene’s ex James shows up, he’s not quite the way Abilene had described him. In fact, I quite liked him as a character, despite the wrongdoings that ended him in jail. I thought it was interesting to take the ‘villainous’ character and make him into someone with many facets, not all of them bad. In fact, when some of Casey’s secrets come to light, one is hard pressed to decide who has done the most wrong. It certainly made for an interesting take on the consequences of one’s actions, and how something one might perceive as harmless is anything but. To his credit, Casey works hard to regain the value he used to have in Abilene’s eyes when she discovers the truth about his past (and learns that her own past isn’t as much of a deal breaker as she thought it would be).
Miah is a prominent secondary character in this story, as in the previous two. It’s clear that he’s got his hands full running the ranch and events transpire that test him to his limits (no spoilers, but the second half of the story is full of some suspense and action scenes). There is a woman introduced to the readers in the latter part of the story, one who could end up being his love interest when he gets his happy ending (hopefully soon!). While this isn’t my favourite of the series, it definitely picked up for me and by midway I was fully committed to Casey and Abilene’s relationship. 4 stars for another sexy and suspenseful story in the Desert Dogs series!
Note: a copy of this story was provided by the publisher via NetGalley for review.
This review appears as a blog post at http://straightshootinbookreviews.com...
Casey is a wayward son who has returned home. After a 10 year absence, he’s back, ready to take on some of the responsibility for his ailing mother (from whom he may have inherited an early age dementia gene) and committed to running the local bar with Duncan (OCD hero of book 2). He’s also become good friends with Abilene, one of the bartenders whom he had a crush on, prior to finding out she was pregnant by her ex-boyfriend. She’s given birth to a beautiful little girl, and Casey has found himself stepping into the role of male father figure bit by bit. But Abilene’s ex is due to get out of jail soon, and she’s not sure what his reaction will be to the baby. As well, Abilene herself is keeping other secrets, ones she’s afraid will destroy the friendship she and Casey have, as well as the dormant attraction that is starting to resurface. With the town still on edge and questions about the Casino development unanswered, will the relationship Abilene and Casey are starting to build be over before it’s even begun?
This one had a slow start for me, in part because stories with babies aren’t my favourite. It took probably a third of the story for me to really get into the characters and their motivations. Abilene comes across as a bit of an enigma – you see right off the bat that she’s very dedicated to her child Mercy but you know that she’s not on the up and up with everyone around her and that she’s keeping secrets – ones she’s worried her ex will spill when he gets out of jail. As a result there is a lot of tension surrounding her and she brings that tension to the people around her by not telling them why she’s so concerned about him coming to see her and the baby. Casey comes across as a dedicated and loyal friend, his attraction to Abilene undiminished by her pregnancy and the birth of her daughter. If anything, her stint as a mother now, her physical shape, all soft and womanly is even more attractive to him. (And thank you Ms. McKenna for writing a heroine with a shape women can relate to!). Though Casey is quite clear that he’s not looking for marriage or partnership, Abilene isn’t above seducing him for her own sexual interests and they share some steamy scenes together. When Abilene’s ex James shows up, he’s not quite the way Abilene had described him. In fact, I quite liked him as a character, despite the wrongdoings that ended him in jail. I thought it was interesting to take the ‘villainous’ character and make him into someone with many facets, not all of them bad. In fact, when some of Casey’s secrets come to light, one is hard pressed to decide who has done the most wrong. It certainly made for an interesting take on the consequences of one’s actions, and how something one might perceive as harmless is anything but. To his credit, Casey works hard to regain the value he used to have in Abilene’s eyes when she discovers the truth about his past (and learns that her own past isn’t as much of a deal breaker as she thought it would be).
Miah is a prominent secondary character in this story, as in the previous two. It’s clear that he’s got his hands full running the ranch and events transpire that test him to his limits (no spoilers, but the second half of the story is full of some suspense and action scenes). There is a woman introduced to the readers in the latter part of the story, one who could end up being his love interest when he gets his happy ending (hopefully soon!). While this isn’t my favourite of the series, it definitely picked up for me and by midway I was fully committed to Casey and Abilene’s relationship. 4 stars for another sexy and suspenseful story in the Desert Dogs series!
He studied her face and throat. “What do you need tonight?” he whispered. “Comfort, or distraction, or . . . ?”
“Both.” She drew him close by the collar, and in a breath he was up to speed, exactly the man she needed. His hands were warm on her ribs, and his eyes closed as he brought his mouth to hers. He felt restless and hungry, and in no time his hands were urging her, directing her. He sat up, cross-legged, drawing her onto his lap, hugging her legs around his waist.
It was the deepest kiss of Abilene’s life. The hottest, and the sweetest. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders, hugged their centers together, and still she needed him closer. Needed to feel his strong, warm body on hers, to hear him, smell him. She let her hands roam as they wished, exploring his arms and chest and back.
It had been ages since she’d wanted a man this way. With abandon and ferocity instead of cautious curiosity. Even when she’d seduced James, she’d managed to be passive about it. But she trusted Casey so implicitly, the old role no longer fit. Every other lover she’d had had been like a lion or a wolf or some other skittish beast to be approached with deference, won through submission. But this man . . .
She wanted to be on top of him, just like this. To rub her body against his in whatever ways felt good, and to hell with whether it made her look aggressive or impolite. Sick of playing the helpless little girl part, she wanted to feel like a grown woman for the first time. Wanted to take, instead of be taken.
Note: a copy of this story was provided by the publisher via NetGalley for review.
This review appears as a blog post at http://straightshootinbookreviews.com...
June 24, 2016
3.5 Stars So Abilene and Casey have been the dark horse couple of the series so far. They both have huge secrets and that is part of the frustration of the book, was we wanted in on the secrets as well and they were both pretty big secrets. I get why Abilene reacted the way she did, but what I was disappointed about was that the whole issue was wrapped up in the last two pages of the book. They make a good couple though and I look forward to seeing them in other books. I hope that James Ware gets a book, because I really like him and thinks he really needs a HEA. Also have we met Miah's HEA? I hope so because if there was ever a dude ready for an HEA it is him. I gave it that 1/2 star less because of the shortness of the ending. PS Why didn't Abilene's parents pursue charges?? Shame???
February 3, 2016
Slow and steady wins the race :) this was such a down to earth book and so human that I hope I get at least another one because we still have a bachelor in Fortuity:)
Read
August 25, 2015Setting this aside - about half way through the story and I'm so bored. There is no spark or chemistry between the leads, the story is dragging, it's just boring.
January 29, 2024
3.5 stars
this was so sweet and adorable.
this was so sweet and adorable.
October 30, 2015
This joint review was originally published at The Book Pushers
Reviewed by: E and Marlene
E: I have been enjoying McKenna’s very unorthodox “Motorcycle Club” series since the first installment. It is full of murder, conspiracy, friendship, and finding love while trying to save a dying town. One of the other reasons why I enjoy this series is because it doesn’t contain any of the elements I find problematic with more typical Motorcycle Club stories. I got a laugh when McKenna herself had a character poke fun at their title as a Motorcycle Club.
Marlene: Absolutely. The Desert Dogs is definitely a motorcycle club series for people who don’t like motorcycle club series! All the members of the club seem to have discovered that they are kind of past the idea of a motorcycle club, but are definitely not past the idea of losing track of the lifelong friendship that the club created. They are all still there for each other, even when things get very, very tough. The series is all about what binds them, especially the dying town of Fortuity.
E: Casey and Abilene have been two fascinating characters. Outwardly the most “normal” I loved watching Casey’s attempts to hit on Abilene get shut down time and again until he became co-owner of Benji’s Saloon and therefore her boss. Feeling a certain sense of responsibility and decency he kept their encounters business-like even while filling in as a support role after Abilene had her baby. His struggles to turn over a new leaf and avoid the temptation of his past seemed very real. Especially with his doubts about how long he would actually enjoy his life given the combination of his visions and his mother’s dementia. Abilene also fascinated me. Finding out her secrets and learning why she was so determined to be independent and yet so scared of her past was moving.
Marlene: While Casey and Abilene may have seemed normal, under the scrubbed surface they seem to be just as screwed up as the rest of the residents of Fortuity, although in slightly different ways. Their interactions in the earlier book, as Abilene kept shutting Casey down, were kind of cute. Casey hits on everything, but isn’t heartbroken when he gets turned down. His relationship with Abilene develops so many layers because she closes off the easy-sex route. And as Casey finally starts taking responsibility for his life and his actions, helping Abilene becomes a part of his somewhat late growing up. It seemed like once Casey started taking responsibility, he grew up fast. And it was great that he started to “man up” before he finds out for certain whether he’s going down the same path as his mother or not.
Abilene had lots of secrets. I understood and liked the way that having a baby made her finally take responsibility for her own actions. The slow tease about her past occasionally gave me fits. Not because she hadn’t dug herself a deep hole that she needed to climb out of, but because the way that her background was hinted at led me down a path that turned out to be close but not quite as catastrophic for her. Again, what did happen was pretty bad, but the way Abilene hides her name and identity made me think that someone was chasing her.
E: I enjoyed how Casey and Abilene worked through their slow-growing romance for the most part. I did have one part where I thought Abilene was being rather hypocritical, she did mostly redeem herself when she admitted later maybe she wasn’t being fair. Even while I thought that I could understand her immediate reaction because of her past, her self-image, and her attempts to become a different person. I still thought she needed to make amends towards Casey and meet him part way.
Marlene: It made sense in the story that their relationship grew very, very slowly. There’s a lot of trauma in Abilene’s past, and she just had a baby. Casey thinks he can’t be in a serious relationship because he’s afraid of turning out just like his runaway father. And because he might succumb to early-onset Alzheimer’s like his mother. He doesn’t want to make a commitment he won’t keep, or can’t keep. It’s when he starts looking around and realizing that he has already made commitments that he finally becomes an adult is ready for Abilene.
I also felt that Abilene was being a bit of hypocrite, At the same time, finding out that your would-be boyfriend is a happy pyromaniac might be a bit much for anyone to take. But she hangs on to her condemnation a little too long. There’s not a way of saying his secrets are better or worse than hers, but the way that she gets the entire town mobilized to protect her when her ex-con ex comes back, not because he’s really scary but because she’s afraid he’ll reveal her secrets, made her reaction to Casey feel extremely unfair.
E: Despite my mixed feelings towards Abilene I did really admire how McKenna kept her characters from beginning one dimensional even when they were set up as the boogie man or the victim. That complexity is a key role in my reading enjoyment. When I finished reading I did feel almost as if the original starting couple Vince and Kim’s interactions were an afterthought or forgotten. Thinking back on Burn It Up now, I missed seeing the other relationships interwoven into the story instead of briefly mentioned. I would have enjoyed seeing their changes over time. I think this was also the case with Give It All but I didn’t notice it as much. I was more focused on the mystery and conspiracy while I felt relationships were the lodestone in this case.
Marlene: I also had some mixed feelings about Abilene, but then again, Abilene has some mixed feelings about herself. One of things I like about this series is that while the romance may be foreground, there’s a very, very rich background to each story. Several things are rotten in the town of Fortuity, and something happens in each book that moves that story along. In this one, it’s a tragedy that is not resolved at the end of the book, and it really whets my appetite for whatever is coming next. And I say that in spite of the fact that there was more than enough crazy stuff going on that the characters should have seen something like this coming. Abilene’s panic over her ex sent a lot of people looking in the wrong direction for evildoers.
E: I continue to enjoy McKenna’s Desert Dogs series and found Burn It Up a solid entry into the mix. Some new questions were raised, some new tragedies occurred, and some happiness was found. I am looking forward to the next installment and I am also hoping McKenna can help a certain jail releasee also find happiness.
I give Burn It Up a B/B-
Marlene: I like this series, and I don’t otherwise like motorcycle club books. (The only other motorcycle club series I’ve enjoyed is Julie Ann Walker’s Black Knights, Inc, but then that motorcycle club isn’t exactly a typical motorcycle club either) The tragedy in this book is not resolved at the end, which means more “interesting times” for the Desert Dogs and the town. The two things I want out of that next installment are some resolution to the tragedy, and for Miah to finally get all the way over Raina and grab some happiness in this mess. The ex-con can get his later.
I give Burn It Up a B
Reviewed by: E and Marlene
E: I have been enjoying McKenna’s very unorthodox “Motorcycle Club” series since the first installment. It is full of murder, conspiracy, friendship, and finding love while trying to save a dying town. One of the other reasons why I enjoy this series is because it doesn’t contain any of the elements I find problematic with more typical Motorcycle Club stories. I got a laugh when McKenna herself had a character poke fun at their title as a Motorcycle Club.
Marlene: Absolutely. The Desert Dogs is definitely a motorcycle club series for people who don’t like motorcycle club series! All the members of the club seem to have discovered that they are kind of past the idea of a motorcycle club, but are definitely not past the idea of losing track of the lifelong friendship that the club created. They are all still there for each other, even when things get very, very tough. The series is all about what binds them, especially the dying town of Fortuity.
E: Casey and Abilene have been two fascinating characters. Outwardly the most “normal” I loved watching Casey’s attempts to hit on Abilene get shut down time and again until he became co-owner of Benji’s Saloon and therefore her boss. Feeling a certain sense of responsibility and decency he kept their encounters business-like even while filling in as a support role after Abilene had her baby. His struggles to turn over a new leaf and avoid the temptation of his past seemed very real. Especially with his doubts about how long he would actually enjoy his life given the combination of his visions and his mother’s dementia. Abilene also fascinated me. Finding out her secrets and learning why she was so determined to be independent and yet so scared of her past was moving.
Marlene: While Casey and Abilene may have seemed normal, under the scrubbed surface they seem to be just as screwed up as the rest of the residents of Fortuity, although in slightly different ways. Their interactions in the earlier book, as Abilene kept shutting Casey down, were kind of cute. Casey hits on everything, but isn’t heartbroken when he gets turned down. His relationship with Abilene develops so many layers because she closes off the easy-sex route. And as Casey finally starts taking responsibility for his life and his actions, helping Abilene becomes a part of his somewhat late growing up. It seemed like once Casey started taking responsibility, he grew up fast. And it was great that he started to “man up” before he finds out for certain whether he’s going down the same path as his mother or not.
Abilene had lots of secrets. I understood and liked the way that having a baby made her finally take responsibility for her own actions. The slow tease about her past occasionally gave me fits. Not because she hadn’t dug herself a deep hole that she needed to climb out of, but because the way that her background was hinted at led me down a path that turned out to be close but not quite as catastrophic for her. Again, what did happen was pretty bad, but the way Abilene hides her name and identity made me think that someone was chasing her.
E: I enjoyed how Casey and Abilene worked through their slow-growing romance for the most part. I did have one part where I thought Abilene was being rather hypocritical, she did mostly redeem herself when she admitted later maybe she wasn’t being fair. Even while I thought that I could understand her immediate reaction because of her past, her self-image, and her attempts to become a different person. I still thought she needed to make amends towards Casey and meet him part way.
Marlene: It made sense in the story that their relationship grew very, very slowly. There’s a lot of trauma in Abilene’s past, and she just had a baby. Casey thinks he can’t be in a serious relationship because he’s afraid of turning out just like his runaway father. And because he might succumb to early-onset Alzheimer’s like his mother. He doesn’t want to make a commitment he won’t keep, or can’t keep. It’s when he starts looking around and realizing that he has already made commitments that he finally becomes an adult is ready for Abilene.
I also felt that Abilene was being a bit of hypocrite, At the same time, finding out that your would-be boyfriend is a happy pyromaniac might be a bit much for anyone to take. But she hangs on to her condemnation a little too long. There’s not a way of saying his secrets are better or worse than hers, but the way that she gets the entire town mobilized to protect her when her ex-con ex comes back, not because he’s really scary but because she’s afraid he’ll reveal her secrets, made her reaction to Casey feel extremely unfair.
E: Despite my mixed feelings towards Abilene I did really admire how McKenna kept her characters from beginning one dimensional even when they were set up as the boogie man or the victim. That complexity is a key role in my reading enjoyment. When I finished reading I did feel almost as if the original starting couple Vince and Kim’s interactions were an afterthought or forgotten. Thinking back on Burn It Up now, I missed seeing the other relationships interwoven into the story instead of briefly mentioned. I would have enjoyed seeing their changes over time. I think this was also the case with Give It All but I didn’t notice it as much. I was more focused on the mystery and conspiracy while I felt relationships were the lodestone in this case.
Marlene: I also had some mixed feelings about Abilene, but then again, Abilene has some mixed feelings about herself. One of things I like about this series is that while the romance may be foreground, there’s a very, very rich background to each story. Several things are rotten in the town of Fortuity, and something happens in each book that moves that story along. In this one, it’s a tragedy that is not resolved at the end of the book, and it really whets my appetite for whatever is coming next. And I say that in spite of the fact that there was more than enough crazy stuff going on that the characters should have seen something like this coming. Abilene’s panic over her ex sent a lot of people looking in the wrong direction for evildoers.
E: I continue to enjoy McKenna’s Desert Dogs series and found Burn It Up a solid entry into the mix. Some new questions were raised, some new tragedies occurred, and some happiness was found. I am looking forward to the next installment and I am also hoping McKenna can help a certain jail releasee also find happiness.
I give Burn It Up a B/B-
Marlene: I like this series, and I don’t otherwise like motorcycle club books. (The only other motorcycle club series I’ve enjoyed is Julie Ann Walker’s Black Knights, Inc, but then that motorcycle club isn’t exactly a typical motorcycle club either) The tragedy in this book is not resolved at the end, which means more “interesting times” for the Desert Dogs and the town. The two things I want out of that next installment are some resolution to the tragedy, and for Miah to finally get all the way over Raina and grab some happiness in this mess. The ex-con can get his later.
I give Burn It Up a B
October 26, 2015
The third book in the Desert Dogs series tackles the story of Casey Grossier and Abilene Price. Casey is the Prodigal who came home to help, but reluctantly. Abilene has been lost for a long time, but has found a home in the dusty 'end of the earth' desert town of Fortuity.
Alright, so this is a story that I was ready for since Casey blew into town and had that tantalizing secret past and the strange dream connection to his mother. I wondered what would be the new direction of the series after the wrap up of the last book's murder mystery. Now I know and it’s another doozy that waits to show up in full until near the end. Whew boy is it a rough one and leaves me gasping for the next book. The books in this series feature a different Desert Dog each time, but the series arc does build on the ones before so I would highly recommend getting them in order.
So this one starts out a few months after the last one with Abilene already had the baby and now is living out at the ranch with Miah's family to give her some protection when her angry ex gets out of prison and follows through on his threat that he is coming to see his baby. The dust is settling on the Casino plot, but there is still the developers after the ranch and Abilene's ex as potentially dangerous. The Desert Dogs have an uneasy peace particularly between Miah and Raina, but they come together to back Abilene. Abilene is on edge both because James will come after her because of his daughter, but also because he knows her secrets and they are not ones she wants her new friends to know. She has a new name, a new life, and a new chance, but it’s all built on lies. Then there is Casey. He thinks she's wonderful and she couldn't bear it to see him turn away in disgust if he knew the truth not that he's not harboring his own secrets and has made it clear that he doesn't do relationships.
Casey feels absolutely twitchy because he's cutting free from the life he has been living for several years and putting down roots. Between worrying about having his mother's mental illness, trying to do right by Abilene, and setting up the bar and restaurant as co-owner with Duncan, he is maxed on responsibility and duty which he has avoided for years. Vince is proud of him as is Abilene, but they don't know just what he has done and the temptation to drop everything and go back to all that carefree living. He can't be what Abilene needs for long-term, but he will stand between her and her ex to protect her and the baby girl he knows deep down are more his than that man's.
This one was an interesting blend of table setter for what comes next in the suspense and the current romance. Like the others, it has an earthy, gritty quality to its characters, plot, and setting. These people are raw, rough, but essentially good. The author has a gift for place. I've been in this part of Nevada and she has nailed it. She also has a gift for taking flawed people and getting them on a good path without it becoming some sort of hearts and rainbows affair. It was also interesting to see how the author did a few misdirects to keep things interesting. It's definitely a good series to not assume because people or situations are not always what you think. I enjoyed the startling reveals in that aspect. As to the romance, Casey and Abilene were not the stuff of romance particularly in their past lives, but maybe that's why they work. They both appreciate the dream of starting over with a new slate.
I wasn't really a fan of their romance because I wasn't an Abilene fan. I felt she was a manipulator and talked the talk, but didn't walk it. She's busy insisting that she's going honest, but she lied to herself, to Casey, and well, to everyone. She stirred up a lot of people and made a certain person out to be a bad guy to cover her own butt. No respect for that stuff, Abs! Her little couch seduction scene didn't work for me either. Again, it smacked of manipulation and her getting high off controlling men instead of wanting to be with Casey and caring about him. Might not be perceived that way by others, but that's how it went down for me. Then she pulled this high road crap on Casey when he came clean while she was still hiding her dirty past. I knew this was where she would grow and finally change, but I guess I wasn't into her enough to care. I didn't hate her or their road to romance, but was more indifference than anything.
I will say Casey and Abilene's baby girl was some sweet loving that I did adore. Big rough men gentling around babies and caring for them will melt me every time.
The stuff stewing in the background out at the ranch between the worries over developers, the drug runners, and the shadowy visitor, and Miah's slow recovery from losing Raina were actually my favorite part. I also loved seeing the Desert Dogs come together for each other. That big scene near the end left me gulping back tears for another loss. Man, this group can't catch a break it seems. But it's all leading to something big in Miah's book. Can't wait!
All in all, it’s still a captivating, rough and tumble passionate series. I'm not sure if its Contemporary Romance or Romantic Suspense, but I think those who like those genres when they get a little gritty and spicy might want to give these a go.
My thanks to Penguin Group for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Alright, so this is a story that I was ready for since Casey blew into town and had that tantalizing secret past and the strange dream connection to his mother. I wondered what would be the new direction of the series after the wrap up of the last book's murder mystery. Now I know and it’s another doozy that waits to show up in full until near the end. Whew boy is it a rough one and leaves me gasping for the next book. The books in this series feature a different Desert Dog each time, but the series arc does build on the ones before so I would highly recommend getting them in order.
So this one starts out a few months after the last one with Abilene already had the baby and now is living out at the ranch with Miah's family to give her some protection when her angry ex gets out of prison and follows through on his threat that he is coming to see his baby. The dust is settling on the Casino plot, but there is still the developers after the ranch and Abilene's ex as potentially dangerous. The Desert Dogs have an uneasy peace particularly between Miah and Raina, but they come together to back Abilene. Abilene is on edge both because James will come after her because of his daughter, but also because he knows her secrets and they are not ones she wants her new friends to know. She has a new name, a new life, and a new chance, but it’s all built on lies. Then there is Casey. He thinks she's wonderful and she couldn't bear it to see him turn away in disgust if he knew the truth not that he's not harboring his own secrets and has made it clear that he doesn't do relationships.
Casey feels absolutely twitchy because he's cutting free from the life he has been living for several years and putting down roots. Between worrying about having his mother's mental illness, trying to do right by Abilene, and setting up the bar and restaurant as co-owner with Duncan, he is maxed on responsibility and duty which he has avoided for years. Vince is proud of him as is Abilene, but they don't know just what he has done and the temptation to drop everything and go back to all that carefree living. He can't be what Abilene needs for long-term, but he will stand between her and her ex to protect her and the baby girl he knows deep down are more his than that man's.
This one was an interesting blend of table setter for what comes next in the suspense and the current romance. Like the others, it has an earthy, gritty quality to its characters, plot, and setting. These people are raw, rough, but essentially good. The author has a gift for place. I've been in this part of Nevada and she has nailed it. She also has a gift for taking flawed people and getting them on a good path without it becoming some sort of hearts and rainbows affair. It was also interesting to see how the author did a few misdirects to keep things interesting. It's definitely a good series to not assume because people or situations are not always what you think. I enjoyed the startling reveals in that aspect. As to the romance, Casey and Abilene were not the stuff of romance particularly in their past lives, but maybe that's why they work. They both appreciate the dream of starting over with a new slate.
I wasn't really a fan of their romance because I wasn't an Abilene fan. I felt she was a manipulator and talked the talk, but didn't walk it. She's busy insisting that she's going honest, but she lied to herself, to Casey, and well, to everyone. She stirred up a lot of people and made a certain person out to be a bad guy to cover her own butt. No respect for that stuff, Abs! Her little couch seduction scene didn't work for me either. Again, it smacked of manipulation and her getting high off controlling men instead of wanting to be with Casey and caring about him. Might not be perceived that way by others, but that's how it went down for me. Then she pulled this high road crap on Casey when he came clean while she was still hiding her dirty past. I knew this was where she would grow and finally change, but I guess I wasn't into her enough to care. I didn't hate her or their road to romance, but was more indifference than anything.
I will say Casey and Abilene's baby girl was some sweet loving that I did adore. Big rough men gentling around babies and caring for them will melt me every time.
The stuff stewing in the background out at the ranch between the worries over developers, the drug runners, and the shadowy visitor, and Miah's slow recovery from losing Raina were actually my favorite part. I also loved seeing the Desert Dogs come together for each other. That big scene near the end left me gulping back tears for another loss. Man, this group can't catch a break it seems. But it's all leading to something big in Miah's book. Can't wait!
All in all, it’s still a captivating, rough and tumble passionate series. I'm not sure if its Contemporary Romance or Romantic Suspense, but I think those who like those genres when they get a little gritty and spicy might want to give these a go.
My thanks to Penguin Group for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
March 25, 2016
I read this book not knowing it's the latest in a series....that being said I found it easy to catch up on who's who and how they fit together.
That being said, Casey is a trip...trying to leave his past behind and become a "better man" while worrying if he's going to go off the bend like his mom has. Should he get involved further with Abilene and baby Mercy when there's a chance he won't remember them in a few years? And what of this no more running from responsibility and putting others before himself. His old partner, Emily, wants him to do "just one more" job and then she'll leave him alone. While I knew it wasn't exactly legal I didn't come close to guessing what it is he used to do. He did consider doing this last job, but only as a way to get money for Abilene to get her little dream house and maybe go to school. Once again, putting others before himself.
Now Abilene, not her real name, is....well she's sort of...um...okay straight up she's annoying and a hypocrite. She's running scared from her ex (who's just getting out of prison) and letting everyone think it's because he's abusive. WRONG, he knows her secrets and is afraid he will spill the beans then no one will stand by her and her baby will be taken away. When they do talk James, the ex, tells her he basically wants to be sure the baby is safe with her....an ex-heroin addict who's known for running from her problems as much as being one to deny there is any problem. She convinces him that she is changing. That having a baby has made her realize that she needs to grow up, change her way of doing things, and stop falling for the wrong kind of men...criminals to be exact. He wants to help her and his kid but she won't take "dirty" money so now it's up to him to find a legal job to be able to help them.
Here is where I have issue with Abilene and her small mindedness. I will cut her a small break after finding out she was raised in a strict religious household and broke free. Going a little wild would seem reasonable. Now she's trying to grow up and be the best she can for her daughter, also admirable. The "guidelines" she has for the man she is going to let into her life seem ...well as rigid as the home life she ran away from.
Casey falls hard for her and for the first time in his life decides to share what he did and why. Instead of being forgiving and trying to reason with him, she gets her panties in a twist and tells him they can not be together and that eventually she hopes they can go back to being friends. Okay... hold the phone...here you are talking about not being able to handle the secrets he voluntarily gave you because he cares and didn't want those secrets to come between you yet you haven't shared with him the fact that Abilene isn't your real name. That you have a shady past and are not the innocent girl you look like. AND with all your talk of feeling a need to have your crucifix back to be able to possibly rebuild your relationship with God you condemn Casey for his sins...oh let he who isn't without sin cast the first stone. Obviously you forgot some pretty important lessons you were taught as a kid. UGH...just wanted to slap some sense into her.
Add to all their drama...a man creeping around the Triple C at night, a fire and a death that hurts just to think about it. Poor Miah!
Yes they do get their HEA but I don't know if I'm that happy about it. Takes her a long time to "wake up" to what a wonderful man her and Mercy have in Casey and the fact that love changes everything. For the last part of the book I thought Casey was too damned good for her judgmental ass and if he wasn't so heartbroken he'd be better off without her....but what would he do without baby Mercy whom he's come to love as his own.
Oh well, good luck to them. Now...let's get Miah's story. After his heart break in this one....ah he so needs to find him some Happy.
That being said, Casey is a trip...trying to leave his past behind and become a "better man" while worrying if he's going to go off the bend like his mom has. Should he get involved further with Abilene and baby Mercy when there's a chance he won't remember them in a few years? And what of this no more running from responsibility and putting others before himself. His old partner, Emily, wants him to do "just one more" job and then she'll leave him alone. While I knew it wasn't exactly legal I didn't come close to guessing what it is he used to do. He did consider doing this last job, but only as a way to get money for Abilene to get her little dream house and maybe go to school. Once again, putting others before himself.
Now Abilene, not her real name, is....well she's sort of...um...okay straight up she's annoying and a hypocrite. She's running scared from her ex (who's just getting out of prison) and letting everyone think it's because he's abusive. WRONG, he knows her secrets and is afraid he will spill the beans then no one will stand by her and her baby will be taken away. When they do talk James, the ex, tells her he basically wants to be sure the baby is safe with her....an ex-heroin addict who's known for running from her problems as much as being one to deny there is any problem. She convinces him that she is changing. That having a baby has made her realize that she needs to grow up, change her way of doing things, and stop falling for the wrong kind of men...criminals to be exact. He wants to help her and his kid but she won't take "dirty" money so now it's up to him to find a legal job to be able to help them.
Here is where I have issue with Abilene and her small mindedness. I will cut her a small break after finding out she was raised in a strict religious household and broke free. Going a little wild would seem reasonable. Now she's trying to grow up and be the best she can for her daughter, also admirable. The "guidelines" she has for the man she is going to let into her life seem ...well as rigid as the home life she ran away from.
Casey falls hard for her and for the first time in his life decides to share what he did and why. Instead of being forgiving and trying to reason with him, she gets her panties in a twist and tells him they can not be together and that eventually she hopes they can go back to being friends. Okay... hold the phone...here you are talking about not being able to handle the secrets he voluntarily gave you because he cares and didn't want those secrets to come between you yet you haven't shared with him the fact that Abilene isn't your real name. That you have a shady past and are not the innocent girl you look like. AND with all your talk of feeling a need to have your crucifix back to be able to possibly rebuild your relationship with God you condemn Casey for his sins...oh let he who isn't without sin cast the first stone. Obviously you forgot some pretty important lessons you were taught as a kid. UGH...just wanted to slap some sense into her.
Add to all their drama...a man creeping around the Triple C at night, a fire and a death that hurts just to think about it. Poor Miah!
Yes they do get their HEA but I don't know if I'm that happy about it. Takes her a long time to "wake up" to what a wonderful man her and Mercy have in Casey and the fact that love changes everything. For the last part of the book I thought Casey was too damned good for her judgmental ass and if he wasn't so heartbroken he'd be better off without her....but what would he do without baby Mercy whom he's come to love as his own.
Oh well, good luck to them. Now...let's get Miah's story. After his heart break in this one....ah he so needs to find him some Happy.
November 8, 2015
Having noticed the two leads in the previous books as secondary characters, I was not excited to hear this book would be about them. A very young (22) single mother who bartends and is attractive for being small, soft and big eyed in a naive virginal way - so, not kick ass. And an irresponsible, shiftless 33 year old man-boy who is skinny with a red beard.
Yeah, no.
But this is Cara McKenna and a series with a continuing storyline I'm interested in, so I bought it in print and settled in to take the ride, if not enjoy it completely.
Naturally it was way better than I imagined it could be. I wound up rooting like crazy for the leads and really enjoying getting to know both of them. It's a coming of age story for both leads, who are emotionally about the same age, and there are a lot of strong personal revelations, including moral and ethical considerations that you don't generally see addressed in romances. This is not a story about a man who turns to the good through the love of a good woman (thank goodness that trope is squashed here.) it is a story of two damaged people who have been in dark places who are both growing up due to a variety of factors of which their affection for each other is a result more than a cause.
Happily, although the plot could have been played for melodrama, it's not. It feels more honest than that. And happily, although the baby could have been played as a plot moppet, she is really not, just a baby who screams and is a pain in the ass sometimes. Also, the past boyfriend set up as Mr. Wrong winds up being far more complex than that and continues to surprise through the story. I hope we see more of him.
So McKenna deftly avoids a lot of common romance novel tropes, while exploring very familiar themes.
She also, shockingly for the genre, brings lube into sex play, and not for anal. Just for regular. The leads have a little discussion in which they talk about the fact that normal people use lube for normal circumstances. It's ok that a woman, even a young one who is in love, may not always be dripping wet at the drop of a hat. Somebody give McKenna a Service To Humanity pin to wear.
And religion is part of the plot line. Again, something you rarely see in romances. This is NOT a Christian romance, and far right evangelicals don't come off well. But the heroine wears a cross, sees her faith as a strength, and considers attending the church in town (which happens to be Unitarian). This shows you can include faith in a romance in a realistic way. Thank goodness. I'm tired of books where either religion does not exist at all or we are beaten over the head with it. There is a broad middle ground and McKenna has found it.
The storyline otherwise carries on, mysterious forces threaten the ranch, there's a new deputy sheriff in town, the bar is expanding to serve food, and a respected townsperson is murdered. So, it's clear there's more to come. Thank goodness because I'm enjoying this series!
P.s. As always, despite the cover, this is not a motorcycle club story. The friends who form a club joke about this in the story several times.
Yeah, no.
But this is Cara McKenna and a series with a continuing storyline I'm interested in, so I bought it in print and settled in to take the ride, if not enjoy it completely.
Naturally it was way better than I imagined it could be. I wound up rooting like crazy for the leads and really enjoying getting to know both of them. It's a coming of age story for both leads, who are emotionally about the same age, and there are a lot of strong personal revelations, including moral and ethical considerations that you don't generally see addressed in romances. This is not a story about a man who turns to the good through the love of a good woman (thank goodness that trope is squashed here.) it is a story of two damaged people who have been in dark places who are both growing up due to a variety of factors of which their affection for each other is a result more than a cause.
Happily, although the plot could have been played for melodrama, it's not. It feels more honest than that. And happily, although the baby could have been played as a plot moppet, she is really not, just a baby who screams and is a pain in the ass sometimes. Also, the past boyfriend set up as Mr. Wrong winds up being far more complex than that and continues to surprise through the story. I hope we see more of him.
So McKenna deftly avoids a lot of common romance novel tropes, while exploring very familiar themes.
She also, shockingly for the genre, brings lube into sex play, and not for anal. Just for regular. The leads have a little discussion in which they talk about the fact that normal people use lube for normal circumstances. It's ok that a woman, even a young one who is in love, may not always be dripping wet at the drop of a hat. Somebody give McKenna a Service To Humanity pin to wear.
And religion is part of the plot line. Again, something you rarely see in romances. This is NOT a Christian romance, and far right evangelicals don't come off well. But the heroine wears a cross, sees her faith as a strength, and considers attending the church in town (which happens to be Unitarian). This shows you can include faith in a romance in a realistic way. Thank goodness. I'm tired of books where either religion does not exist at all or we are beaten over the head with it. There is a broad middle ground and McKenna has found it.
The storyline otherwise carries on, mysterious forces threaten the ranch, there's a new deputy sheriff in town, the bar is expanding to serve food, and a respected townsperson is murdered. So, it's clear there's more to come. Thank goodness because I'm enjoying this series!
P.s. As always, despite the cover, this is not a motorcycle club story. The friends who form a club joke about this in the story several times.
May 7, 2017
In Burn It Up, the Desert Dogs have been boiled down to a small group of men who meet once in a while around a kitchen table to talk about almost nonexistent business. Casey Grossier, who was once a wild member of the Desert Dogs, has now settled down to owning a bar and occasionally riding his motorcycle for excitement. Abilene Price and her baby have been taken in and are living on the ranch. Her baby's father, James Ware, is being released from prison, and Abilene expects trouble from him. She warns Casey and his friends about this terrible man who may come and try to take her baby.
After an interesting beginning, this story turns into a long, drawn out story about a woman with what seems to be a sexual addiction who can't seem to make a decision or a commitment, and judges others without considering that her own life has been littered with problems, many which were of her own making.
This book is a disappointment and terribly overrated.
After an interesting beginning, this story turns into a long, drawn out story about a woman with what seems to be a sexual addiction who can't seem to make a decision or a commitment, and judges others without considering that her own life has been littered with problems, many which were of her own making.
This book is a disappointment and terribly overrated.
November 21, 2015
Having spent a decade on the shadier side of life, Casey Grossier has returned home and cleaned up his act but despite his best efforts he can’t shake his crush on his sweet-faced bartender in this riveting romantic suspense. I couldn’t help but become engaged in Abilene and Casey’s characters as this story is quite the emotional rollercoaster of a romance but while the romance part of the plot has an ending there is some sad affairs that affect the Desert Dogs and the town of Fortuity that hasn’t been resolved, so there is a bit of a cliffhanger which of course means that I really can’t wait to find out what happens next.
See my full review at:
http://paranormalhaven.com/2015/11/re...
See my full review at:
http://paranormalhaven.com/2015/11/re...
November 5, 2015
Burn It Up, Desert Dogs #3, by Cara McKenna
Grade: DNF; F
No matter how hard I tried I couldn’t finish this book. I got about 70% of the way through and finally gave up. I struggled for over a week with trying to get into Casey and Abilene’s story and not matter how hard I tried it just wasn’t going to happen. I have read both previous books in the series and was actually excited to read about Abilene and Casey but I found their dialogue horrible and the romance to be really lacking. I am really disappointed with this book and sad to say I will not continue on with this series.
Grade: DNF; F
No matter how hard I tried I couldn’t finish this book. I got about 70% of the way through and finally gave up. I struggled for over a week with trying to get into Casey and Abilene’s story and not matter how hard I tried it just wasn’t going to happen. I have read both previous books in the series and was actually excited to read about Abilene and Casey but I found their dialogue horrible and the romance to be really lacking. I am really disappointed with this book and sad to say I will not continue on with this series.
November 25, 2015
All of these stars are for Casey. Abilene made me furious with how ridiculously judgmental she was over his admittedly shady past, especially considering her own checkered history. Casey did so much for her and the baby and worshiped the ground she walked on without asking for anything in return. Ugh, she just made me super mad. The smut was hot, though. Cara McKenna never disappoints when it comes to that.
November 12, 2015
I love this series...so much! Seriously, I do not like Abilene at all but still, this book was pretty awesome! That's a testament to some mighty fine writing, don't you think?
Lola and I did a video review, follow the link for a look-see!
http://www.scandaliciousbookreviews.c...
Lola and I did a video review, follow the link for a look-see!
http://www.scandaliciousbookreviews.c...
December 10, 2016
I'm a fan of the Desert Dogs and I've been anxious for Casey's story. I felt let down with this installment because there was minimal focus on his "dreams" or "flashes" of future events. I must have assumed incorrectly as I thought light would've been shed on this characteristic or "ability" of his. Instead focus was directed on DNA and his anxiety about having dementia in his older years. Casey and Abilene have shady pasts that few people know about. Their relationship begins to blossom into something beautiful, and I felt anger towards Abilene for her reaction. Her shaming of Casey and his past. I was frustrated overall and it bums me to say that because I've adored this series and these characters thus far in the series. I will say, I was pleasantly surprised by Ware. Hopefully he'll get his HEA at some point. The plot, was easy to follow until a separate story grew into the first. I became more attached to the second plot than the first, which led to further frustration with no resolutions. Abilene's truth comes. At the end. Everything is wrapped in a pretty now. This is unrealistic to me and didn't settle well. This is in part due to my attachment to the unfinished second plot. With that being said, I absolutely can not wait for Miah's story. I have faith in Cara's writing. So this three star is not a negative, it's an enlightenment that not all installments will be amazing for the reader. But Cara still has me excited and built enough tension and fight in me to tough through the answers when it comes to Miah's story.
January 29, 2018
I wanted to like this more than I did, just because I liked the second one so much and was hoping to find out more about Casey's visions. The first half felt a little repetitious - there's only so long I can read "oh my secrets" without being annoyed that I'm not getting any of them. Then things picked up.
However, while I love how she writes the relationships between her main characters, and this book was no exception (and she writes real sex scenes between real people which is awesome), I had two problems with it this time. First, I felt I needed to see more about Abilene's past sooner so I could *see* how she was changing instead of just hearing about it. We got that for Casey, why not for Abilene? Second, the other characters, who I had come to care about from the earlier books, felt wooden. As if with all the focus on Casey and Abilene they just fell away. Usually when I read a repeat character in a series, especially a character I like, I get happy to see them again. But here they felt like cutouts. Which made me so sad because I really liked Duncan and Reina.
And what about Casey's visions?
There's still a mystery at the end and I bet we're going to see Miah's HFN, but I don't think I care.
However, while I love how she writes the relationships between her main characters, and this book was no exception (and she writes real sex scenes between real people which is awesome), I had two problems with it this time. First, I felt I needed to see more about Abilene's past sooner so I could *see* how she was changing instead of just hearing about it. We got that for Casey, why not for Abilene? Second, the other characters, who I had come to care about from the earlier books, felt wooden. As if with all the focus on Casey and Abilene they just fell away. Usually when I read a repeat character in a series, especially a character I like, I get happy to see them again. But here they felt like cutouts. Which made me so sad because I really liked Duncan and Reina.
And what about Casey's visions?
There's still a mystery at the end and I bet we're going to see Miah's HFN, but I don't think I care.
August 16, 2018
3,5⭐️
What a stern read!
Wow. No fun here.
As always with Cara McKenna, I found in this book everything I like about genuine feelings and complex characterization.
But the reading was laborious, maybe because of the heroes carrying so many heavy secrets from their past and the need they had to think about their choices.
It wasn’t an easy romance with rainbow and butterflies. But a slow and somehow painful one with the Fortuity’s mystery on the background.
What a stern read!
Wow. No fun here.
As always with Cara McKenna, I found in this book everything I like about genuine feelings and complex characterization.
But the reading was laborious, maybe because of the heroes carrying so many heavy secrets from their past and the need they had to think about their choices.
It wasn’t an easy romance with rainbow and butterflies. But a slow and somehow painful one with the Fortuity’s mystery on the background.
December 18, 2018
Well-written but also depressing. Both MCs are trying to pull themselves up out of bad situations (which they have varying levels of insight about), but the struggle is gritty. There’s love and sex, but this lacked some magic for me... like the characters lives went from terrible to just okay. I prefer a smidge for fantasy, apparently, but again, solid writing, good pace and good plot.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 17, 2017
The storyline was good and the characters mature. I didn't read the first two books in the series, but The characters from those earlier installments play a significant role here, so I may have to go back and read their stories.
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