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Marauders #3.5
Speed of Light
Kathleen had been a successful political journalist in Washington, D.C for over a decade when she put her trust in the wrong person. Less than a month later, her reputation destroyed, she was transferred to the local weekly paper in Greenville, Arizona. She has a very limited number of ways to get back up to the top, and all of them include finding a good story. At first glance, the only thing even remotely interesting she can find to write about locally is the Marauders.
After the hotshot reporter from Washington visits them at the garage, the Marauders decide that Mace will handle their public relations. He’s more than willing, since as soon as he saw her, he decided that she was his kind of woman.
They soon start something that's not quite a relationship. But as much as Mace likes Kathleen, he’s not sure he can trust her, and he also knows that she’s just waiting for the chance to leave Greenville—and him—behind.
After the hotshot reporter from Washington visits them at the garage, the Marauders decide that Mace will handle their public relations. He’s more than willing, since as soon as he saw her, he decided that she was his kind of woman.
They soon start something that's not quite a relationship. But as much as Mace likes Kathleen, he’s not sure he can trust her, and he also knows that she’s just waiting for the chance to leave Greenville—and him—behind.
198 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 27, 2015
19 people are currently reading
194 people want to read
About the author
Lina Andersson
15 books483 followersLina Andersson was born and raised as far up north as you can go in Sweden. The long, dark winters were made for reading and writing, which is pretty much all she ever did. In her early twenties, she packed up her husband and son and moved to the slightly warmer climate of southern Sweden, where they still live, more than a decade later. When she's not writing, she's an avid gamer and film geek.
Keep an eye on the FCP website for updates on coming books and for Marauder short stories.
Keep an eye on the FCP website for updates on coming books and for Marauder short stories.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
November 17, 2015
**Speed of Light generously provided in exchange for an honest review.**
5 "Prove it." Stars
I'm a huge of the Marauders series by Lina Andersson and have been looking forward to reading Mace's story. As this is an interlude to the Marauders series it doesn't carry forward the MC plot in an overt way but rather reminds us what the Marauders are working toward. The story focuses on the changing lives of Vincent "Mace" Mullen and Kathleen Keegan. It could be read as a stand alone but it will spoil some things in previous books and you'd really be missing out on the greatness of the series if you don't read in order.
Andersson structures the story within Speed of Light quite perfectly. Drama hits the reader at the beginning where we learn a little more about Mace while also setting us up for interesting dynamics later on. When he "meets" Kathleen all bets are off in his life. There's an immediate attraction for both of them leading to insta-lust. Andersson juxtaposes two completely opposing life styles with these two characters and shows us how that doesn't matter when you know someone just viscerally understands you. Mace and Kathleen start a passionate relationship that evolves into something so effortless it's nothing short of perfection.
One of my favorite aspects of Andersson's stories is how she doesn't create angst or conflict out of misguided feelings or misunderstood interpretations. Her characters are strong-minded and open about what they want and always rationally justified in their actions. The beauty of the mature relationship budding between Mace and Kathleen lies within that openness and the fact they "get" each other on a primal, instinctual level where trust and companionship can blossom. The simplicity in their connection, in the heat resonating from it, leads to feelings conjured between the two leading the reader to the place where a very special bond forms. That simplicity and openness is quite refreshing to read.
I feel it pertinent to mention Sisco from S-Duality, one of my favorite characters and books in the series-book 2.5, plays a very pivotal and emotional role in this story. Because of my feelings towards this specific character and the author's choice to expound upon what we know about Sisco in Mace's story, the bond between he and his best friend Mace was strengthened in Speed of Light. Also, Andersson showed me once again the soft spot in Sisco's heart and his vulnerability yet fierce strength. She concurrently showed this while exposing the same parts of Kathleen. The scene between Kathleen and the best friend of her lover was quite profound for me. From that stemmed an equally vulnerable yet lovely, cute, and life changing scene between Mace and Kathleen that I believe was perfectly executed in how Andersson conveyed their relationship throughout the book.
Lina Andersson has a gift for story telling. Her writing immerses you in her MC worlds leaving you feeling more than fond of the characters who live there. Mace and Kathleen's easy, effortless, mature love story is a great addition to this series. And while I say goodbye to them in a lovely way I look forward to Tommy's story in the next book Resonance.
BR with my FCP lover for life, Irene!
My reviews of the previous books in the Marauders Series:
Short Story 0 M-Theory
Book One Arrow of Time
Book Two Perfect Collision
Novella 2.5 S-Duality
Book Three Center of Gravity
May 26, 2015
If you’re looking for a MC romance full of grit, violence, and mayhem this book is not the one for you. If you’re looking for a deep romance between two mature characters that draws you into the story and makes you understand their real loneliness then this is the book for you. You’re not going to read about the wars between rival clubs, you’re going to read a love story that starts off with sex but slowly develops into a true, deep, committed love. Kathleen, a hotshot political reporter, is banished to the Greenville Observer from her high profile job in Washington. She’s miserable and can’t believe that at age 40 she’s back to writing about weddings and gossip. She desperately wants to find a big story that will get her back to a big city. So she decides she’ll dig deep on the Marauders and try to come up with something that will get her back where she wants to be. Enter Mace from the Marauders. When Kathleen takes her car to the Marauders’ garage on the pretense of needing a tune up, she talks to mechanic Mace. The Marauders know she is digging on them but they’re not concerned. Mace volunteers to get close to Kathleen and keep the club updated on if she finds anything that will harm them. Let the sex begin. Mace is 50, has never been in love and has always been the man ho. He’s laid back, kind and considerate. He doesn’t try to change Kathleen. He loves her independence and her determination. Kathleen vows she will never change for any man. The love develops slowly and it’s beautiful because they both accept each other as they are. There are bumps in the road before they get to their HEA, but it’s the bumps that make you realize what a perfect match they are. If you’re a Freak Circle fan and like their writing style, you really must read this book. It’s a love story that stayed with me a while.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 5, 2022
3 ⭐⭐⭐ - OK, or decent reads.
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I have pet peeve when the heroine who is a journalist or reporter.
Read August 27, 2022
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I have pet peeve when the heroine who is a journalist or reporter.
Read August 27, 2022
March 31, 2016
To begin, I love this series, four and five stars for every other book so far! But this one...just started out bad for me and I couldn't ever get over that. If by the third page you've got a strong negative feeling about one of the lead characters chances are your going to have a horrible time finishing the book. I did manage, but only because I really adored Mace and it managed to sort of balance I extreme dislike of Kathleen. I'll give it to Lina, she wrote a great character in Kathleen, sadly it's just a character that pissed me off immediately with her attitude. I'll say Kathleen is a strong woman, her feminist side is okay, and by the end of the book I like what she's writing about and trying to bring to light. My problem with her is her feelings at the beginning of the story, she hates Greenville, it's understandable that "small towns" are not everyone's cup of tea, but she's just a real bitch about it. She gives off the feeling of being "BETTER" it's just one thing that drives me nuts. But again, I have to give it to Lina, I haven't disliked a character like this in a long time that was actually well written. Dear Lina has given me a wonderful character to LOVE TO HATE.
April 26, 2025
I first read Speed of Light in 2018, but couldn’t find my review. Hence why I decided to reread the Marauders series again. So glad I have, because I have spent the last week, going from one book to the next and enjoying every minute doing so.
Kathleen and Mace’s romance due to their age and maturity was a BS free read! I loved the way Kathleen navigated her way through life by being herself. She celebrated her successes when they came her way while at the same time not coming across as pompous or entitled just self assured.
The interactions between Mace’s mother and them was sweet and added another positive dimension to the story.
My favourite parts were Sisco’s generous gift, Pamela’s gift and the epilogue.
Kathleen and Mace’s romance due to their age and maturity was a BS free read! I loved the way Kathleen navigated her way through life by being herself. She celebrated her successes when they came her way while at the same time not coming across as pompous or entitled just self assured.
The interactions between Mace’s mother and them was sweet and added another positive dimension to the story.
My favourite parts were Sisco’s generous gift, Pamela’s gift and the epilogue.
August 28, 2019
Speed of light
Ok. Probably my least favorite. Mace and Kathleen. Mace/Vince is a fifty yr old washed up biker who drinks too much and sleeps around. Kathleen is a forty yr old disgraced reporter at hick town newspaper. They meet, sleep with each other, and kind of meet the family and club. Kathleen is not very nurturing,hates romance. I am surprised they even got serious with each other. I did like Mace and mom's relationship,and Mace and his brother.
Ok. Probably my least favorite. Mace and Kathleen. Mace/Vince is a fifty yr old washed up biker who drinks too much and sleeps around. Kathleen is a forty yr old disgraced reporter at hick town newspaper. They meet, sleep with each other, and kind of meet the family and club. Kathleen is not very nurturing,hates romance. I am surprised they even got serious with each other. I did like Mace and mom's relationship,and Mace and his brother.
April 10, 2019
Really enjoyed mace n Kathleen's story. So nice to read about older adults rather than teens all the time!
Beautifully written as usual.
Freaking love this series so much
Beautifully written as usual.
Freaking love this series so much
August 19, 2015
Another good side story about one of the MC members.
This is Mace's HEA. In his 50's, he's feeling the aches and pains of a hard life. We find out about his reason for being single all this time and get to know more about his mother, brother, and SIL.
Meanwhile, the new woman in Greenville, Arizona is disgraced former hotshot DC political reporter, Kathleen Keegan. Daughter of rich Irish parents, the unplanned baby of three siblings, she's nothing but a disgrace and a disappointment to them because of her feminist views and her choice of career. Routine drunken rants are the type of calls she gets from her mother and really, the whole family is a total write off as far as she's concerned. Setup to fail spectacularly on her last big story in DC, she was shuffled off to the Greenville Observer by the company which owned her previous newspaper job. Now she needs a huge story to get her out of this awful little place.
The story progresses through their initial meeting and as their relationship grows, has ups and downs, etc. outlooks change, attitudes adjust and in the end, they both get exactly what they need and life looks a whole lot happier and promising.
This novella not only fills us in on one of the brothers, it moves us along in the overall story arc of the new alliance with the Dutch Ghouls and the progress of some of the other family and club members. It can be read as a stand alone but as with any excellent series, you will get more out of the story by starting at the beginning with Arrow of Time.
This is Mace's HEA. In his 50's, he's feeling the aches and pains of a hard life. We find out about his reason for being single all this time and get to know more about his mother, brother, and SIL.
Meanwhile, the new woman in Greenville, Arizona is disgraced former hotshot DC political reporter, Kathleen Keegan. Daughter of rich Irish parents, the unplanned baby of three siblings, she's nothing but a disgrace and a disappointment to them because of her feminist views and her choice of career. Routine drunken rants are the type of calls she gets from her mother and really, the whole family is a total write off as far as she's concerned. Setup to fail spectacularly on her last big story in DC, she was shuffled off to the Greenville Observer by the company which owned her previous newspaper job. Now she needs a huge story to get her out of this awful little place.
The story progresses through their initial meeting and as their relationship grows, has ups and downs, etc. outlooks change, attitudes adjust and in the end, they both get exactly what they need and life looks a whole lot happier and promising.
This novella not only fills us in on one of the brothers, it moves us along in the overall story arc of the new alliance with the Dutch Ghouls and the progress of some of the other family and club members. It can be read as a stand alone but as with any excellent series, you will get more out of the story by starting at the beginning with Arrow of Time.
August 5, 2023
Mace & Kathleen Keegan
4 stars
Read May 2016
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Kathleen had been a successful political journalist in Washington, D.C for over a decade when she put her trust in the wrong person. Less than a month later, her reputation destroyed, she was transferred to the local weekly paper in Greenville, Arizona. She has a very limited number of ways to get back up to the top, and all of them include finding a good story. At first glance, the only thing even remotely interesting she can find to write about locally is the Marauders.
After the hotshot reporter from Washington visits them at the garage, the Marauders decide that Mace will handle their public relations. He’s more than willing, since as soon as he saw her, he decided that she was his kind of woman.
They soon start something that's not quite a relationship. But as much as Mace likes Kathleen, he’s not sure he can trust her, and he also knows that she’s just waiting for the chance to leave Greenville—and him—behind.
4 stars
Read May 2016
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Kathleen had been a successful political journalist in Washington, D.C for over a decade when she put her trust in the wrong person. Less than a month later, her reputation destroyed, she was transferred to the local weekly paper in Greenville, Arizona. She has a very limited number of ways to get back up to the top, and all of them include finding a good story. At first glance, the only thing even remotely interesting she can find to write about locally is the Marauders.
After the hotshot reporter from Washington visits them at the garage, the Marauders decide that Mace will handle their public relations. He’s more than willing, since as soon as he saw her, he decided that she was his kind of woman.
They soon start something that's not quite a relationship. But as much as Mace likes Kathleen, he’s not sure he can trust her, and he also knows that she’s just waiting for the chance to leave Greenville—and him—behind.
May 14, 2015
UH OH!!
I hate to give this review and struggled with the 2 star rating (2.5 if I could). I have liked this series and read the stories of the series back to back for the last few days and then I read this one. Thank God it was the last one published or I would never read this series. It was so boring! I was so looking forward to reading about Mace, instead this book was about Kathleen, a feminist reporter who hooked up with Mace. A feminist reporter with a biker could have been interesting or maybe even funny, but nope a whole bunch of nothing and lots of sex. (Nothing exciting with the sex either). No biker business, no information regarding the "family", I'm not sure of the purpose to this story. Please, go back to the Marauders if you plan on continuing this series. What happens with their business and the US Ghouls? What happens with Sisco, Tommy, Bull and the merging MCs?
I hate to give this review and struggled with the 2 star rating (2.5 if I could). I have liked this series and read the stories of the series back to back for the last few days and then I read this one. Thank God it was the last one published or I would never read this series. It was so boring! I was so looking forward to reading about Mace, instead this book was about Kathleen, a feminist reporter who hooked up with Mace. A feminist reporter with a biker could have been interesting or maybe even funny, but nope a whole bunch of nothing and lots of sex. (Nothing exciting with the sex either). No biker business, no information regarding the "family", I'm not sure of the purpose to this story. Please, go back to the Marauders if you plan on continuing this series. What happens with their business and the US Ghouls? What happens with Sisco, Tommy, Bull and the merging MCs?
September 23, 2015
I'm so glad MACE got his own woman. It was a very realistic and slow to love type of 'courtship' as only an MC guy can do! Goes to show that it's never too late.......to fall in love.
The MC group moves along as well.....but the Dutch Ghouls........it is worrisome. Hope this all works out and that our MC members make it through.
Now.....it's really bothering me that SISCO isn't letting himself fall into love again. I just can't help but feel that there is some special woman out there for him. His heart loved once (TRUDY) and it can love again; not in the same way but certainly it can be strong and real.
GREAT addition to the series. I loved it. Thank you.
The MC group moves along as well.....but the Dutch Ghouls........it is worrisome. Hope this all works out and that our MC members make it through.
Now.....it's really bothering me that SISCO isn't letting himself fall into love again. I just can't help but feel that there is some special woman out there for him. His heart loved once (TRUDY) and it can love again; not in the same way but certainly it can be strong and real.
GREAT addition to the series. I loved it. Thank you.
January 6, 2016
I liked this book but I must admit I was disappointed by the story. That's hard for me to say because I really have come to love this series. I just felt the characters didn't get the story they deserved. Kathleen and Mace's relationship is developed so authentically and in such a lovely manner that I felt sad that the story was so slow. I feel they were an opportunity missed, even just with this short novella. Saying that this book kept the spirit of the other books alive and I loved the conversations and sweet moments the characters had outside of sexual scenes. The story just never got going for me and it felt slightly formulaic in places. Hopefully I'll enjoy the next one more.
September 29, 2015
Grown-up Romance
I like all the books in this series but I think this one just jumped to the front of the line. I like it because it depicts a grown-up relationship. I love that Mace and Kathleen are adults. They don't like and don't have time for games. They're just straightforward people. I didn't think I was going to like her at first but I think she's actually one of the best female characters I've ever read. Also, you could feel them fall in love and it's a good feeling. I definitely recommend this book.
I like all the books in this series but I think this one just jumped to the front of the line. I like it because it depicts a grown-up relationship. I love that Mace and Kathleen are adults. They don't like and don't have time for games. They're just straightforward people. I didn't think I was going to like her at first but I think she's actually one of the best female characters I've ever read. Also, you could feel them fall in love and it's a good feeling. I definitely recommend this book.
April 20, 2015
So I am big fan of Lina Andersson's books. I haven't loved them all but I have definitely enjoyed the stories and the character's she creates. Speed of Light was not bad but I was a bit let down with this story. For me the story was too short, I felt like it was a small window into the story as opposed to a whole story, I just wanted more. Would I recommend this book? Yes.
April 3, 2016
Really liked Mace and Kathleen's "interlude" and I love the way Lina Andersson tells a story. She doesn't focus on the small details or things that usually end up annoying me. And I like the fact that she doesn't feel the need to "romance" everything up. Sometimes things are just the way they are. 4 stars.
April 17, 2015
4 Stars
I really enjoyed this book. I may not have loved it completely, but I did love the ending and little snippets into the world of the marauders. Kathleen and Mace were the perfect fit for one another. I also really want Sisco to have a HEA! He really deserves a second chance at love after all that he's been through.
I really enjoyed this book. I may not have loved it completely, but I did love the ending and little snippets into the world of the marauders. Kathleen and Mace were the perfect fit for one another. I also really want Sisco to have a HEA! He really deserves a second chance at love after all that he's been through.
July 24, 2015
Wow, totally missed this!!!
Ohhhhh, the blurb does no justice to this book. Yes, it's not as long as others in the Marauders series, but, it's hard hitting, hot steamy and sexy. Loved both characters, and the dynamic of their relationship.
Ohhhhh, the blurb does no justice to this book. Yes, it's not as long as others in the Marauders series, but, it's hard hitting, hot steamy and sexy. Loved both characters, and the dynamic of their relationship.
August 30, 2015
Another Novella
Again not needed but you just have to love the Marauders.. Tommy next, I'm going to be sad when I finish these books.
Don't judge the books by the covers, I nearly didn't read them for that reason. So glad I changed my mind..
Again not needed but you just have to love the Marauders.. Tommy next, I'm going to be sad when I finish these books.
Don't judge the books by the covers, I nearly didn't read them for that reason. So glad I changed my mind..
February 19, 2016
Lina Anderson just keeps getting better and better. I love the various ages of the characters and how you will always find one you can relate to. Mace is a man who knows what he wants in life and knows how to get it.
January 13, 2017
3.5 stars. Another good hot, sexy, steamy read in this series. Wasn't crazy about Kathleen's character for a lot of the book. Would have liked to see interaction between Kathleen's family and Mace. On to the next in the series...
September 13, 2015
A great read. This is a really good series to read. This book was a sweet romance with a little drama. Great story. Rated very good
August 11, 2016
3.75 stars this s great series and this book is lite in the mc but still a great addition to the series
April 3, 2015
Another great read
May 3, 2015
Some great scenes, but overall not as engaging as the other books.
August 7, 2015
I love this authors style of writing and that she is willing to address events and behaviours that so many are prepared to ignore
October 12, 2015
I really love the Marauders! We've not really seen much of Mace, so this was kinda new. Sweet and sexy. Good character interaction
January 27, 2016
Another great book in the Marauders Series
Well written
Love Kathleen's staunch, no bullshit attitude and love Mace's ability to be man enough to let her be her
Well written
Love Kathleen's staunch, no bullshit attitude and love Mace's ability to be man enough to let her be her
March 13, 2016
I missed the club, I missed the interaction between everyone. I did like the unique take on reporter angel. I also enjoyed the relationship Kathleen and Mace.
August 25, 2016
I've loved this series but for some reason I found this book hard to get into but once I did it didn't let me down.
September 3, 2015
Great read!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews