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Noir et Bleu Motorcycle Club #2
The Handler
He promised he would never be an outlaw . . .
While searching for the member of an outlaw motorcycle gang who murdered his dad, Cain Allen is offered a boatload of cash to "handle" the stunning teen popstar Lincoln Todd. Although he doesn't need the headache of a high-maintenance celebrity, getting out of town will help him keep a low profile until he testifies against the other two killers.
Touring Europe with Lincoln proves to be more complicated than Cain anticipated, and despite his efforts, the line between their personal and professional lives blurs. She’s sweet, smart, and totally unpredictable. And he loves it.
But Lincoln’s association with Cain puts her in more danger than anyone could have imagined. When he joins forces with the Noir et Bleu Motorcycle Club to protect her, Cain discovers the lengths he's willing to go, and the person he's willing to become to protect the people he loves…
While searching for the member of an outlaw motorcycle gang who murdered his dad, Cain Allen is offered a boatload of cash to "handle" the stunning teen popstar Lincoln Todd. Although he doesn't need the headache of a high-maintenance celebrity, getting out of town will help him keep a low profile until he testifies against the other two killers.
Touring Europe with Lincoln proves to be more complicated than Cain anticipated, and despite his efforts, the line between their personal and professional lives blurs. She’s sweet, smart, and totally unpredictable. And he loves it.
But Lincoln’s association with Cain puts her in more danger than anyone could have imagined. When he joins forces with the Noir et Bleu Motorcycle Club to protect her, Cain discovers the lengths he's willing to go, and the person he's willing to become to protect the people he loves…
316 pages, ebook
First published April 28, 2015
7 people are currently reading
283 people want to read
About the author
D.R. Graham
14 books90 followersDanielle R. Graham is a multi-published cross-genre author with HarperCollins. From sweet, romantic and funny to edgy, psychological and historical, D.R. Graham’s books blend genres and break boundaries.
Danielle R. Graham is also an art and play therapist in private practice. Her romance, suspense, and psychological thrillers deal with issues relevant to young adults in love, transition, or crisis.
She splits time between Vancouver and Mayne Island, British Columbia with her husband. Visit her website: www.drgrahambooks.com
Or join her mailing list: http://eepurl.com/bieKQz
Danielle R. Graham is also an art and play therapist in private practice. Her romance, suspense, and psychological thrillers deal with issues relevant to young adults in love, transition, or crisis.
She splits time between Vancouver and Mayne Island, British Columbia with her husband. Visit her website: www.drgrahambooks.com
Or join her mailing list: http://eepurl.com/bieKQz
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
October 11, 2016
Had high hopes for this one at 25% in. Really enjoyed the plot line and characters. Second half, conversation became stilted and storyline just kind of fizzled.
April 15, 2015
I had loved book one in Noir et Bleu Motorcycle Club series and I was quite sure that I'll like this one too. Happy to say that I loved it! It is even better than book one in many ways. Although both books can be read as stand alones. It has drama, romance, beautiful singer, bikers and a lot more. I especially loved the twist in plot at the end. That was very well done.
Cain is looking for his father's murderer. His girlfriend is not happy about him being so far away. His sister also wants him at home but he has to do this if he wants to live in peace with himself. But then he is offered a job, it paid well and all he has to do is babysit a teen singer. He never thought it could be as difficult as it turns out to be. Soon he is trying to keep his distance from Lincoln and also trying to protect her from his past. Now because of him her life is in danger to and he must take action before it is too late.
P.S. I recieved a complementary copy of this book.
Cain is looking for his father's murderer. His girlfriend is not happy about him being so far away. His sister also wants him at home but he has to do this if he wants to live in peace with himself. But then he is offered a job, it paid well and all he has to do is babysit a teen singer. He never thought it could be as difficult as it turns out to be. Soon he is trying to keep his distance from Lincoln and also trying to protect her from his past. Now because of him her life is in danger to and he must take action before it is too late.
P.S. I recieved a complementary copy of this book.
May 2, 2015
Great Story, Great Plot Cain owed Mug two months' rent. He gave Cain until Friday. Cain's girlfriend is Liv. Cain worked with Tomcat whenever he got the chance. Cain's dad had been murdered and Liv and Cain had seen 3 guys running from the burning house. The cops caught 2 of the 3 and they saw the LA Boom Slangs tattoo. Digger is the international President of the Noir et Blue Motorcycle Club. He had been one of Cain's dad's best friends since they were kids. Tomcat and Cain and the rest of the group were fixing a video shoot for a pop star named Lincoln Todd. Cain's best friend back home said he had seen Liv out with another guy. Cain didn't want to believe she was cheating, but online pics confirmed she was getting cozy with him. Lincoln looked like she could use a friend and Cain felt bad for her. He ended up letting her stay at Mug's with him (he slept on the floor). Lincoln spent her best day ever with Cain. Lincoln is a very insecure person, never making her own decisions, at least in the beginning of the book. She is used to having her whole life controlled. Even though she supported her addicted father and mentally incompetent mother, she still loved them. I found her to be loyal, caring and compassionate. She was also responsible. She grew up a lot throughout this story and it was great watching it happen. Cain was a very careful young man. With the stage he was in at this point, he was always looking over his shoulder and always looking for the third person. I found him to be caring, giving, and compassionate. He tried to be responsible, but also doing what he felt he had to do. He also grew throughout this story. It was a great story with a great plot. I highly recommend it.
April 30, 2015
James "Cain" Allen meets Tessa "Lincoln" Todd as he helps on her music video. She is a famous rock star with a bored and lonely attitude. He is a hard working college kid who is trying to find his father's killer.
Lincoln tells Cain she wants to run away and have a break. He talks her into being responsible and finishing her video shoot. Then, her manager pays him to talk her into the rest of her schedule. She wants to cancel her tour, and invites Cain along or she won't go.
European tour aside, Cain needs the money for his family. He decides to go with her. She think he is only there for the money, but he truly wants Lincoln to be okay. Her manager does not screen those he hires for her very well, it seems.
Cain is in the middle of dueling biker gangs. Has a baby sister who needs him at home, and Lincoln is very needy about wanting him to leave her. They end up being photographed around Paris, and now the biker gangs are in Europe trying to kill him.
To save everyone, Cain must find a way to solve the outcome and keep everyone safe. To keep himself safe from Lincoln, he tells her he still has a girlfriend. Will the hassles never end? There is so much to do and too little time to do it in.
Very clever story with a lot going on. Tons of surprises and a genuine romance brewing in the middle. Character development was a bit slow, but I enjoyed the journey.
***This ARC copy was given free from Netgalley.com and its publisher, for review purposes. My honest opinion is my own and does not reflect Netgalley, nor its affiliates.
Lincoln tells Cain she wants to run away and have a break. He talks her into being responsible and finishing her video shoot. Then, her manager pays him to talk her into the rest of her schedule. She wants to cancel her tour, and invites Cain along or she won't go.
European tour aside, Cain needs the money for his family. He decides to go with her. She think he is only there for the money, but he truly wants Lincoln to be okay. Her manager does not screen those he hires for her very well, it seems.
Cain is in the middle of dueling biker gangs. Has a baby sister who needs him at home, and Lincoln is very needy about wanting him to leave her. They end up being photographed around Paris, and now the biker gangs are in Europe trying to kill him.
To save everyone, Cain must find a way to solve the outcome and keep everyone safe. To keep himself safe from Lincoln, he tells her he still has a girlfriend. Will the hassles never end? There is so much to do and too little time to do it in.
Very clever story with a lot going on. Tons of surprises and a genuine romance brewing in the middle. Character development was a bit slow, but I enjoyed the journey.
***This ARC copy was given free from Netgalley.com and its publisher, for review purposes. My honest opinion is my own and does not reflect Netgalley, nor its affiliates.
April 21, 2015
This is the first time in reading this author for me. This also was a little different than most other club novels I have read. I think some of it was because of Cain. He is but not part of this club. Having family business to handle with also his sister in hiding, while on a job he confronts Lincoln. Thanks to honesty on his part he is asked to "handle" the young star. This is also where it gets to be really different than most and you are given depths on these two that as they travel together. As all this is going on they are also building a unique and special relationship. Even though a strong attraction to each other they build a stronger better relationship. As part of this also is danger in the big D kind because of Cain. It makes him even more determined though which makes you the reader really admire him but also smack him because these two are really good together and your heart will go out to Lincoln. The reading of the whys will tell you even stars can be really lonely people. They will both learn together what is important but face danger more and more until you reach the high point of it all.The truth on how this started for Cain with the one he was looking for which led him to Lincoln was not what it seemed at all, I tell you I for one did not see that one coming either. I also found the romance on the sweet side for a club novel which is also why I classify it as different. I also like how this author will really bring it home in the best way possible. Received a copy for a honest review.
April 25, 2015
I really enjoyed One Percenter and was looking forward to The Handler. This book did have some of the Characters from the Noir et Bleu Motorcycle Club in the book but the story mainly featured around a character that we hadn't heard much of James (Cain) Allen. Cain is doing some work for a company that handles a young pop star Lincoln Todd. Cain has never heard of her before and finds her demands for the video they are shooting dangerous and over the top and voices his opinion. Of course that does not go down well with Ms Todd and she tries to be smart asking what he would do instead.
Cain outlines what he thinks would be a better idea and Lincoln finds she likes what he suggests and feels more comfortable with him than she has felt with anyone else ever. She wants to keep him around so with the offer of an obscene amount of money for a short forty-three days, he agrees to be her "Handler", keeping her company, an eye on her and making sure she is safe and well during her tour.
During the tour time there are many dramas with family, rival MC Clubs and other forces trying to separate Cain and Lincoln for many different reasons.
This is a well written story and kept me interested the whole way through. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to review the book. I look forward to reading other books by this Author.
Cain outlines what he thinks would be a better idea and Lincoln finds she likes what he suggests and feels more comfortable with him than she has felt with anyone else ever. She wants to keep him around so with the offer of an obscene amount of money for a short forty-three days, he agrees to be her "Handler", keeping her company, an eye on her and making sure she is safe and well during her tour.
During the tour time there are many dramas with family, rival MC Clubs and other forces trying to separate Cain and Lincoln for many different reasons.
This is a well written story and kept me interested the whole way through. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to review the book. I look forward to reading other books by this Author.
May 4, 2015
3 ½ - 4 stars
This book is a bit of different, a bit of different I liked. It’s not your usual plot line but it is if you get what I mean. The execution is different and the characters are different. I found myself reading a rather nice story about two people falling slowly in love, although initially it is a bit forbidden as the main character is too young, there’s no out right heavy petting or sex in this book. It often felt like there was a lead up to something like that happening but it didn’t and I wasn’t in the slightest bit disappointed. It suited the story very much.
So it’s diva pop princess meets the outlaw who doesn’t want to be. I found both characters ok, but Lincoln did grate on me a little, possibly due to the age of her and her status. She mellows throughout the book and becomes a fun character that you start to really like and enjoy reading about. Cain isn’t your typical alpha male, just a guy who finds himself in a very bad position due to the murder of his parents. He’s trying to protect what’s left of his family. There’s some ups and downs, twisty plot lines that do engage the reader quite well. But it isn’t a hundred mile an hour ride.
Worth a read, and I think maybe I would even go and seek out another of this author’s work as I do like the biker angle even though this book wasn’t immersed in that culture.
This book is a bit of different, a bit of different I liked. It’s not your usual plot line but it is if you get what I mean. The execution is different and the characters are different. I found myself reading a rather nice story about two people falling slowly in love, although initially it is a bit forbidden as the main character is too young, there’s no out right heavy petting or sex in this book. It often felt like there was a lead up to something like that happening but it didn’t and I wasn’t in the slightest bit disappointed. It suited the story very much.
So it’s diva pop princess meets the outlaw who doesn’t want to be. I found both characters ok, but Lincoln did grate on me a little, possibly due to the age of her and her status. She mellows throughout the book and becomes a fun character that you start to really like and enjoy reading about. Cain isn’t your typical alpha male, just a guy who finds himself in a very bad position due to the murder of his parents. He’s trying to protect what’s left of his family. There’s some ups and downs, twisty plot lines that do engage the reader quite well. But it isn’t a hundred mile an hour ride.
Worth a read, and I think maybe I would even go and seek out another of this author’s work as I do like the biker angle even though this book wasn’t immersed in that culture.
August 28, 2017
Cain Allen is under the protection of the Noir et Blue biker club while he waits for the 2 men who killed his father and set his mother and home on fire, to go on trial. The only problem is the third one escaped before he could be arrested and is still on the loose and Cain is the only one who can identify him. Burdened with growing expenses and hospital bills, Cain is working odd jobs to make some money. When he is offered a huge sum to "handle" superstar Lincoln Todd on a European tour, there aren't many reasons he can come up with to refuse the job. But when his feelings for Lincloln, and persistent paparazzi stalkings becomes public knowledge, it puts them both is danger because now everyone including his father's murderer knows where they are.
This is a very sweet story, with a lot of heartbreak but a happy ending. I would say it is suitable for teenaged readers though it does have some suggestive scenes, language and violence in it.
Advanced Reader Copy provided for voluntary review consideration.
This is a very sweet story, with a lot of heartbreak but a happy ending. I would say it is suitable for teenaged readers though it does have some suggestive scenes, language and violence in it.
Advanced Reader Copy provided for voluntary review consideration.
May 4, 2015
This was the first book I read in which the POV was solely from the males perspective and I didn’t mind at all. I think I enjoyed this book more from Cain then if it would have been a duel POV. This was also only my second bike novel, and who doesn’t love a bike guy. There were some twist and turns during this novel and I have to admit every time I tried to guess the plot, I was wrong. I liked this book a lot and even better it kept me on my toes.
April 14, 2015
**Review To Come**
January 1, 2016
This new adult romance, second in the Noir et Blue MC series but easily read as a standalone, is the story of Cain and Lincoln. Cain is searching for his father's murderer and the motorcycle club his father used to belong to is assisting him as they want payback too but Cain is the only one who can identify the man on sight. He does some odd jobs for the club and when one of those jobs involves stage set up for stunning pop star Lincoln, he ends up with a pretty sweet offer - be her 'handler' for $10,000 a day while she goes on a European tour. No one can resist that kind of money and besides, Lincoln looks like she needs someone to be on her side anyway. He agrees, but his father's MC past puts them both in danger. Now he's got an extra job - to protect her while still pursuing his father's killer. Can he find the man before things get out of control?
I really enjoyed this story! One of the refreshing things about it is that there is no sugarcoating of what life around a motorcycle club is like. There is the power that comes with being in a position that scares the general population and that power enables things to happen quickly for Cain. But there is also the danger inherent in having that power and things can easily spiral out of control. Cain isn't part of the club, he's just being helped because of his father's previous association with them. But as the story progresses he finds himself torn between keeping his distance and getting what he wants. The club is on the periphery in the first part of the story but gets more and more involved the closer Cain gets to finding out the identity of the killer. There is lots of action, intensity and drama as things play out. Along with the MC action there is Cain's relationship with Lincoln. She has a rather sad history and hasn't ever had anyone she can really rely on - until Cain comes along and his blunt honesty is what she's never had before. And she likes it. It makes her feel like she's worth something, that someone is willing to give her the unvarnished truth. I liked the two of them together and the slow progression of their relationship. They are still young, under 20 and it was nice that they didn't just hop into bed together. While Lincoln may act sexually mature for her music videos , it's just an act and in reality she isn't that way at all, something Cain soon comes to realize and value. It was also really interesting to have a male/female romance all in the male point of view, and I really liked that. It's Cain's story after all and it made sense to have him tell it all.
Overall I found this to be a really entertaining, dramatic and well paced story with lots of action in the second half to keep the reader fully engaged. The romance is sweet and the characters believable. 5 stars.
Note: a copy of this story was provided by the publisher via NetGalley for review.
I really enjoyed this story! One of the refreshing things about it is that there is no sugarcoating of what life around a motorcycle club is like. There is the power that comes with being in a position that scares the general population and that power enables things to happen quickly for Cain. But there is also the danger inherent in having that power and things can easily spiral out of control. Cain isn't part of the club, he's just being helped because of his father's previous association with them. But as the story progresses he finds himself torn between keeping his distance and getting what he wants. The club is on the periphery in the first part of the story but gets more and more involved the closer Cain gets to finding out the identity of the killer. There is lots of action, intensity and drama as things play out. Along with the MC action there is Cain's relationship with Lincoln. She has a rather sad history and hasn't ever had anyone she can really rely on - until Cain comes along and his blunt honesty is what she's never had before. And she likes it. It makes her feel like she's worth something, that someone is willing to give her the unvarnished truth. I liked the two of them together and the slow progression of their relationship. They are still young, under 20 and it was nice that they didn't just hop into bed together. While Lincoln may act sexually mature for her music videos , it's just an act and in reality she isn't that way at all, something Cain soon comes to realize and value. It was also really interesting to have a male/female romance all in the male point of view, and I really liked that. It's Cain's story after all and it made sense to have him tell it all.
Overall I found this to be a really entertaining, dramatic and well paced story with lots of action in the second half to keep the reader fully engaged. The romance is sweet and the characters believable. 5 stars.
Note: a copy of this story was provided by the publisher via NetGalley for review.
April 29, 2015
Received a review copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review; original post can be found at:
http://mnonmklreviews.blogspot.com/20...
Jamie "Cain" Allen is the son of a motocycle club man -- Southpaw -- who was killed. When his dad was killed, his mother suffered pretty badly, too. As such, Cain is trying to pay his mother's hospital bills, keep his kid sister safe, and pay for rent. His girlfriend is back home and he's pretty sure she's sleeping around, but he's in love and will just put that on the backburner, something to worry about later. He's been living with the club, in the non-member house, and has missed rent last month and this month.
Before going out for his electrician job, he's given an ultimatum -- two months' rent by Friday or he was out, kid of Southpaw or not.
...and this, my friends, is where things started to be a little too good to be true in my book.
The job is for a music video set for some Lincoln Todd chick, a sixteen year old pop sensation who just left the arms of Disney. But the girl pulling sexual moves in a shower and bed is certainly not someone Cain wants his kid sister to look up to.
Lincoln is actually closer to eighteen than sixteen, but her father felt that she would get more jobs as a younger actress/singer, one who appeared older than she was. Lincoln, who's real name is Tessa, has been nothing but a paycheck for her father, and he's not even around anymore to boss her around -- he hired someone to do that. All Lincoln really wants is a break, a break from the diva attitude, a break from singing, a break from touring.
She's done.
But then she meets the smart mouthed, brutally honest Cain.
Cain is offered ten grand a day to hang out with her and be her handler. Not about to look a gift horse in the mouth, he takes the job, even though his girlfriend isn't exactly thrilled with the prospect of him hanging out with a girl twenty-four seven.
I enjoyed the friendship that these two eventually fell in to, and equally, I loved them more as their feeling grew. While this could story could have easily been filled with sex -- they were the ages and had the backgrounds -- it wasn't, and I rather appreciated it. If gave Tessa and Jamie's feelings more truth to them -- the actions and feelings between the two were about Jamie and Tessa, and not Cain, the handler, and Lincoln, the popstar.
This was an altogether, well-written cute story. I just felt that some of the events were horribly coincidental and unlikely.
http://mnonmklreviews.blogspot.com/20...
Jamie "Cain" Allen is the son of a motocycle club man -- Southpaw -- who was killed. When his dad was killed, his mother suffered pretty badly, too. As such, Cain is trying to pay his mother's hospital bills, keep his kid sister safe, and pay for rent. His girlfriend is back home and he's pretty sure she's sleeping around, but he's in love and will just put that on the backburner, something to worry about later. He's been living with the club, in the non-member house, and has missed rent last month and this month.
Before going out for his electrician job, he's given an ultimatum -- two months' rent by Friday or he was out, kid of Southpaw or not.
...and this, my friends, is where things started to be a little too good to be true in my book.
The job is for a music video set for some Lincoln Todd chick, a sixteen year old pop sensation who just left the arms of Disney. But the girl pulling sexual moves in a shower and bed is certainly not someone Cain wants his kid sister to look up to.
Lincoln is actually closer to eighteen than sixteen, but her father felt that she would get more jobs as a younger actress/singer, one who appeared older than she was. Lincoln, who's real name is Tessa, has been nothing but a paycheck for her father, and he's not even around anymore to boss her around -- he hired someone to do that. All Lincoln really wants is a break, a break from the diva attitude, a break from singing, a break from touring.
She's done.
But then she meets the smart mouthed, brutally honest Cain.
Cain is offered ten grand a day to hang out with her and be her handler. Not about to look a gift horse in the mouth, he takes the job, even though his girlfriend isn't exactly thrilled with the prospect of him hanging out with a girl twenty-four seven.
I enjoyed the friendship that these two eventually fell in to, and equally, I loved them more as their feeling grew. While this could story could have easily been filled with sex -- they were the ages and had the backgrounds -- it wasn't, and I rather appreciated it. If gave Tessa and Jamie's feelings more truth to them -- the actions and feelings between the two were about Jamie and Tessa, and not Cain, the handler, and Lincoln, the popstar.
This was an altogether, well-written cute story. I just felt that some of the events were horribly coincidental and unlikely.
May 15, 2015
Nineteen-year-old Cain Allen is in California living and working while he searches for one of the men who killed his father and burned his mother almost to death. He’s working as an electrician when he meets Lincoln Todd – a young girl who has just recently moved off of the Disney Channel. After watching the making of one of her music videos he’s not necessarily got a high opinion of the girl as she’s mouthy and opinionated, but she seems to take his advice about different things pretty seriously. They start to talk and next thing you know they’re hanging out together – against Cain’s better judgment. He knows he can’t get involved with her because of her age but also because of the fact that he has a girlfriend back home in Canada (who was a complete bitch, imho.)
Cain somehow gets roped in to handling Lincoln for the next day and the next thing you know he’s being offered $10,000 a day to be her handler during her 43 day European tour. How can he pass that kind of money up when it can help his family and his mother so much? He can’t. He goes on the road with Lincoln but hasn’t given up the hopes that he’ll find his father’s killer. Cain starts having feelings for Lincoln and finally decides that he can act on them when his situation changes with his girlfriend and he finds out her real age. Unfortunately, getting closer to Lincoln means putting her in danger along with his grandparents and his 14 year old sister. In fact, the killer ends up finding Cain (rather than the other way around) and things start going downhill from there.
I have to say that I was slightly disappointed that this wasn’t a story about one of the actual Noir et Bleu MC members but after reading the story I was quite pleased with it anyway.
Cain was a good guy – trying to find the murderer and taking care of his grandparents and sibling. He tried so hard to stay away from Lincoln but she turned out to be a really nice yet incredibly lonely woman. She really cared for Cain and I loved their relationship as it was very sweet.
We still get some danger because the Noir et Bleu MC is involved in the story. This book still had that dark, gritty feel to it that book one had, and frankly it was hard to put it down once I started reading. Graham certainly has a way of pulling me in and not letting go. I’ve liked this series so far and I’m looking forward to reading more about NeB.
Rating: 4 out of 5
This review was originally posted on Book Binge by Tracy.
Cain somehow gets roped in to handling Lincoln for the next day and the next thing you know he’s being offered $10,000 a day to be her handler during her 43 day European tour. How can he pass that kind of money up when it can help his family and his mother so much? He can’t. He goes on the road with Lincoln but hasn’t given up the hopes that he’ll find his father’s killer. Cain starts having feelings for Lincoln and finally decides that he can act on them when his situation changes with his girlfriend and he finds out her real age. Unfortunately, getting closer to Lincoln means putting her in danger along with his grandparents and his 14 year old sister. In fact, the killer ends up finding Cain (rather than the other way around) and things start going downhill from there.
I have to say that I was slightly disappointed that this wasn’t a story about one of the actual Noir et Bleu MC members but after reading the story I was quite pleased with it anyway.
Cain was a good guy – trying to find the murderer and taking care of his grandparents and sibling. He tried so hard to stay away from Lincoln but she turned out to be a really nice yet incredibly lonely woman. She really cared for Cain and I loved their relationship as it was very sweet.
We still get some danger because the Noir et Bleu MC is involved in the story. This book still had that dark, gritty feel to it that book one had, and frankly it was hard to put it down once I started reading. Graham certainly has a way of pulling me in and not letting go. I’ve liked this series so far and I’m looking forward to reading more about NeB.
Rating: 4 out of 5
This review was originally posted on Book Binge by Tracy.
April 26, 2015
***A gifted copy was provided by the publisher for an honest review***
This is a terrific book one in Noir et Bleu Motorcycle Club series. Cain is looking for his father's murderer. His girlfriend is not happy about him being so far away and his sister also wants him at home but he has a job to do to he ever wants to live in peace – that job is to find that last man responsible for killing his father and putting his mother in the hospital. He just was stuck –stuck away until the case went to trial.
Low on cash, he liked it when his friend Tomcat called him in on a job, since his housing involved a couple of bikers from the Noir et Bleu Motorcycle Club and he needed to pay his way or risk making them really mad. All he had to do was become the “handler” for a teen pop “princess” Lincoln Todd. The amount to handle her was four hundred and thirty thousand dollars – all he had to do was be her friend and keep her safe.
Soon as he entered her life, his life changed. He told her how things were. He was very honest. Didn’t tell her lies like others did. His honesty goes a long way with Lincoln. She saw that he was different , not out to hurt her and that made him earn trust in her eyes. But his decision to "handle" her causes way more trouble than he thought. He starts falling for her and because of that, how can he keep his distance and keep her safe when the dangers he went looking for in California follow her on tour.
WOW! This story blew me away. There are sooo many twists and turns; both physically and emotionally. Cain starts the story off having a one girlfriend but by the end of the book, he is in love with another woman. Plus he finds out a heartbreaking secret and it almost destroys him. I do not want to give away the spoiler(s) but just have to say, the author did a great job saving it toward the very end. I didn’t see that coming. I loved this story and can’t wait to read more in this series. I LOVED how the H/h was falling in love and how he was honorable in trying to do right by her and wait til she becomes of age. I really loved it when Lincoln confessed her true age (LOL) and how Cain then was able to go on ahead and pursue Lincoln fully and for their relationship to move forward. This was a fantastic story and just can’t wait to read more. There was so much rich detail and story that really recommend that you read this and sink yourself into this story and enjoy because I know, I really did.
My rating: 5.0 stars *****
This is a terrific book one in Noir et Bleu Motorcycle Club series. Cain is looking for his father's murderer. His girlfriend is not happy about him being so far away and his sister also wants him at home but he has a job to do to he ever wants to live in peace – that job is to find that last man responsible for killing his father and putting his mother in the hospital. He just was stuck –stuck away until the case went to trial.
Low on cash, he liked it when his friend Tomcat called him in on a job, since his housing involved a couple of bikers from the Noir et Bleu Motorcycle Club and he needed to pay his way or risk making them really mad. All he had to do was become the “handler” for a teen pop “princess” Lincoln Todd. The amount to handle her was four hundred and thirty thousand dollars – all he had to do was be her friend and keep her safe.
Soon as he entered her life, his life changed. He told her how things were. He was very honest. Didn’t tell her lies like others did. His honesty goes a long way with Lincoln. She saw that he was different , not out to hurt her and that made him earn trust in her eyes. But his decision to "handle" her causes way more trouble than he thought. He starts falling for her and because of that, how can he keep his distance and keep her safe when the dangers he went looking for in California follow her on tour.
WOW! This story blew me away. There are sooo many twists and turns; both physically and emotionally. Cain starts the story off having a one girlfriend but by the end of the book, he is in love with another woman. Plus he finds out a heartbreaking secret and it almost destroys him. I do not want to give away the spoiler(s) but just have to say, the author did a great job saving it toward the very end. I didn’t see that coming. I loved this story and can’t wait to read more in this series. I LOVED how the H/h was falling in love and how he was honorable in trying to do right by her and wait til she becomes of age. I really loved it when Lincoln confessed her true age (LOL) and how Cain then was able to go on ahead and pursue Lincoln fully and for their relationship to move forward. This was a fantastic story and just can’t wait to read more. There was so much rich detail and story that really recommend that you read this and sink yourself into this story and enjoy because I know, I really did.
My rating: 5.0 stars *****
April 29, 2015
Graham just earned her way into my auto-buy authors list!
Every once in a while a book comes along that I don't even need to finish before I'm telling everybody I can get to listen, "go buy this NOW!". Not only is this one of those books, I have a feeling I'm going to be doing that a lot with D.R. Graham books.
THE HANDLER is a wild ride that kicks the engine on and doesn't let up pace until the end. I'm quite bewildered that there wasn't a higher page count because there is so much packed into this story and none of it ever feels superfluous. With the characters facing the chaos of celebrity life topped with a side of dangerous dudes trying to kill Cain there is a lot of action. From Oslo and Miami to Paris and Montreal the adventure is a world tour in itself. Every character, including the secondaries, is complex and interesting and while they naturally follow certain stereotypes to a point they never feel like caricatures.
Lincoln's world of celebrity life is a terrific mash-up of real stories we know. I thought for sure I was going to hate her but Graham masterfully writes her through the snotty star intro into someone with so much depth I wound up loving her. I don't generally dig first person narratives in romance but getting the story through Cain's really worked. He's unexpectedly treading the line between Alpha male and beta and as a reader who prefers the latter I really enjoyed how he could roll with the Noir et Bleu crew without attempting some cave man romance hero antics. Hands down, he's one of my new favorites and I think it's going to take a lot for another to unseat him.
While I wouldn't call this an MC romance because Cain isn't a member and his affiliation is pretty circumstantial I do think fans of the subgenre will enjoy it a lot. If you're a big New Adult reader this is one I would recommend to you and the newbies both, I don't read a lot of NA and this is one series that is going to keep me coming back over and over. Haven't read ONE PERCENTER yet? Each of the Noir et Bleu stories stands alone so they can be read in any order. Do yourself a favor... go buy them now and you can thank me when you post your review. ;)
Notes: ARC received via NetGalley.
Every once in a while a book comes along that I don't even need to finish before I'm telling everybody I can get to listen, "go buy this NOW!". Not only is this one of those books, I have a feeling I'm going to be doing that a lot with D.R. Graham books.
THE HANDLER is a wild ride that kicks the engine on and doesn't let up pace until the end. I'm quite bewildered that there wasn't a higher page count because there is so much packed into this story and none of it ever feels superfluous. With the characters facing the chaos of celebrity life topped with a side of dangerous dudes trying to kill Cain there is a lot of action. From Oslo and Miami to Paris and Montreal the adventure is a world tour in itself. Every character, including the secondaries, is complex and interesting and while they naturally follow certain stereotypes to a point they never feel like caricatures.
Lincoln's world of celebrity life is a terrific mash-up of real stories we know. I thought for sure I was going to hate her but Graham masterfully writes her through the snotty star intro into someone with so much depth I wound up loving her. I don't generally dig first person narratives in romance but getting the story through Cain's really worked. He's unexpectedly treading the line between Alpha male and beta and as a reader who prefers the latter I really enjoyed how he could roll with the Noir et Bleu crew without attempting some cave man romance hero antics. Hands down, he's one of my new favorites and I think it's going to take a lot for another to unseat him.
While I wouldn't call this an MC romance because Cain isn't a member and his affiliation is pretty circumstantial I do think fans of the subgenre will enjoy it a lot. If you're a big New Adult reader this is one I would recommend to you and the newbies both, I don't read a lot of NA and this is one series that is going to keep me coming back over and over. Haven't read ONE PERCENTER yet? Each of the Noir et Bleu stories stands alone so they can be read in any order. Do yourself a favor... go buy them now and you can thank me when you post your review. ;)
Notes: ARC received via NetGalley.
April 28, 2015
The Handler is the first book I have read by author D. R. Graham. I have to say that I am impressed by her writing and really enjoyed this book. It had a fresh plot, solid writing, interesting characters, and a smooth flow. Although this is the second book in the Noir Et Bleu Motorcycle Club series, it can be read as a stand alone novel. I was so impressed with this book that I plan on reading the first book in the series, One Percenter.
Cain Allen is at crossroads in his life. While trying to search for the man responsible for his father’s murder and his mother’s injuries, he is very low on cash. His girlfriend is pissed that he is so far away from home. His sister wants him home. He’s living with some guys from the Noir ET Bleu MC and needs to pay rent. When his friend Tomcat calls and offers him a job as a “handler” for a teen pop star, it seems like easy money. All he has to do is make sure the princess pop star , Lincoln Todd, is safe and secure while traveling.
Thus begins the unique relationship between Lincoln and Cain. Cain is brutally honest with Lincoln and tells her the way things really are. He doesn’t sugar coat or spoil her like all the other people in her life. He earns her trust and she wins his heart. How can he keep her safe when he can’t distant himself or his heart.
The dangers he went looking for are following Lincoln on her tour. Can they both survive and come out with their hearts in one piece?
This fast paced and highly suspenseful book is full of twists and turns. It was not predictable and doled out surprises throughout the book. The romance that bloomed between Cain and Lincoln was very touching. He started out the book with a girlfriend and ended with his heart belonging to another. The author handled this with a grace that won’t turn the readers off. This book was indeed a gem.
I highly recommend The Handler by D. R. Graham!
April 20, 2015
Having throughly enjoyed the first book in this series I was more than happy to have the opportunity to read this sequel and I certainly haven’t been disappointed. It is another superb read with Cain Allen searching for the biker who murdered his dad, seriously injured his mother and traumatised his younger sister whilst he also tries to keep himself safe until he testifies against the other two killers who are already in police custody. He’s being protected and supported by the Noir et Bleu bikers.
To earn money, he’s working as an electrician and one day that involves working on the set of teen popstar, Lincoln Todd. He’s never heard of her and isn’t afraid to voice his honest opinion in front of her when she makes what he believes are unreasonable demands. She fires him but then changes her mind, liking the fact that he’s honest with her, so much so that her minder offers to pay him a substantial sum to help keep her working and then to accompany them on a European tour to keep her company. So much for keeping a low profile so the rival bikers can’t find him, his picture is plastered over social media as he’s photographed with Lincoln wherever they go. Can he survive flying- especially as he’s so terrified of it and its a long way from the US to Europe? Can he keep himself, his family and Lincoln safe from the bikers who want to stop him testifying? Can he ignore the attraction between himself and Lincoln?
With tragic history, life threats, more one percenters, a stroppy but actually lonely, lovely mega star, strong alpha males, more hot bikers, misunderstandings and double dealing this is another hard to put down story from a terrific writer who makes her stories come to life for the reader. Another superb story that I have no hesitation in recommending and I will continue to look out for more work by this amazing author!
Thanks to the author, publishers and NetGalley, too, for letting me read an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
To earn money, he’s working as an electrician and one day that involves working on the set of teen popstar, Lincoln Todd. He’s never heard of her and isn’t afraid to voice his honest opinion in front of her when she makes what he believes are unreasonable demands. She fires him but then changes her mind, liking the fact that he’s honest with her, so much so that her minder offers to pay him a substantial sum to help keep her working and then to accompany them on a European tour to keep her company. So much for keeping a low profile so the rival bikers can’t find him, his picture is plastered over social media as he’s photographed with Lincoln wherever they go. Can he survive flying- especially as he’s so terrified of it and its a long way from the US to Europe? Can he keep himself, his family and Lincoln safe from the bikers who want to stop him testifying? Can he ignore the attraction between himself and Lincoln?
With tragic history, life threats, more one percenters, a stroppy but actually lonely, lovely mega star, strong alpha males, more hot bikers, misunderstandings and double dealing this is another hard to put down story from a terrific writer who makes her stories come to life for the reader. Another superb story that I have no hesitation in recommending and I will continue to look out for more work by this amazing author!
Thanks to the author, publishers and NetGalley, too, for letting me read an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
April 27, 2015
Check out my full review on Bookaholics Not-So-Anonymous.
Note: This ARC was provided by Entangled Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
The Handler is the second novel in the Noir et Bleu MC series by D.R. Graham but can be read as a standalone since, other than the motorcycle club, there's no direct connection between this and the first book, One Percenter (which I loved!). This was a story about a young man desperately seeking justice for the murder of his father and the physical damage done to his mother and the emotional upheaval brought upon himself and his sister Huck and how he finds love with someone he never expects. The regular-guy-and-famous-girl-fall-for-one-another was a nice touch and I liked how he thought she was too young for him at sixteen, only to find out she's actually closer to turning eighteen, a mere year younger than him.
I loved the lead characters, Cain and Lincoln, and how they seemed different but well suited for each other. There was more to them than the biker dude and the celeb chick. They were also James and Tessa, two regular people underneath all the layers and labels. While I did have to suspend my disbelief that someone with Lincoln's fame and popularity would be given someone without any prior experience in the entertainment industry or in handling celebrities, the story was creative and refreshing. I was thoroughly entertained from start to finish and I liked the suspense thriller aspect mixed in with the romance. The Handler was a great follow-up to One Percenter and I look forward to the rest of the series! 4.5 stars, rounded off to five stars for Goodreads! ♥
Note: This ARC was provided by Entangled Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
The Handler is the second novel in the Noir et Bleu MC series by D.R. Graham but can be read as a standalone since, other than the motorcycle club, there's no direct connection between this and the first book, One Percenter (which I loved!). This was a story about a young man desperately seeking justice for the murder of his father and the physical damage done to his mother and the emotional upheaval brought upon himself and his sister Huck and how he finds love with someone he never expects. The regular-guy-and-famous-girl-fall-for-one-another was a nice touch and I liked how he thought she was too young for him at sixteen, only to find out she's actually closer to turning eighteen, a mere year younger than him.
I loved the lead characters, Cain and Lincoln, and how they seemed different but well suited for each other. There was more to them than the biker dude and the celeb chick. They were also James and Tessa, two regular people underneath all the layers and labels. While I did have to suspend my disbelief that someone with Lincoln's fame and popularity would be given someone without any prior experience in the entertainment industry or in handling celebrities, the story was creative and refreshing. I was thoroughly entertained from start to finish and I liked the suspense thriller aspect mixed in with the romance. The Handler was a great follow-up to One Percenter and I look forward to the rest of the series! 4.5 stars, rounded off to five stars for Goodreads! ♥
April 28, 2015
Review copy courtesy of the publisher via NetGalley.
What happens when a brutally honest guy meets a lonely superstar? He becomes her handler and offered a four hundred and thirty thousand dollars to be her friend.
Cain Allen wanted nothing more than to find the last man responsible for killing his father and putting his mother in the hospital, but with the trial six months away and with him being no closer to finding the third guy involved, Fireball, he was stuck being away from his little sister and girlfriend.
Strapped for cash, he appreciated his friend Tomcat for calling him in on a job, since his housing accommodations involved a couple of bikers from the Noir et Bleu Motorcycle Club and he needed to pay his way or risk angering them.
Little did he know... His life was going to change the second pop star Lincoln Todd entered the picture. His brutal honesty earns him Lincoln's trust and a way to earn money to help his family. But his decision to "handle" her causes more trouble than he anticipated. How can he keep his distance and protect her when the dangers he went looking for in California follow them on their tour?
I loved this story! The author did an amazing job developing the characters and made them all related. I was rooting for Lincoln and Cain from the second she confessed her age lol and was happy with how the story progress. By the end, I didn't know who to trust and was seconds from pulling out a pen and paper and trying to take a crack of who the untrustworthy suspects were.
I would recommend this book to anyone and will be reading more from this author.
What happens when a brutally honest guy meets a lonely superstar? He becomes her handler and offered a four hundred and thirty thousand dollars to be her friend.
Cain Allen wanted nothing more than to find the last man responsible for killing his father and putting his mother in the hospital, but with the trial six months away and with him being no closer to finding the third guy involved, Fireball, he was stuck being away from his little sister and girlfriend.
Strapped for cash, he appreciated his friend Tomcat for calling him in on a job, since his housing accommodations involved a couple of bikers from the Noir et Bleu Motorcycle Club and he needed to pay his way or risk angering them.
Little did he know... His life was going to change the second pop star Lincoln Todd entered the picture. His brutal honesty earns him Lincoln's trust and a way to earn money to help his family. But his decision to "handle" her causes more trouble than he anticipated. How can he keep his distance and protect her when the dangers he went looking for in California follow them on their tour?
I loved this story! The author did an amazing job developing the characters and made them all related. I was rooting for Lincoln and Cain from the second she confessed her age lol and was happy with how the story progress. By the end, I didn't know who to trust and was seconds from pulling out a pen and paper and trying to take a crack of who the untrustworthy suspects were.
I would recommend this book to anyone and will be reading more from this author.
May 3, 2015
Cain is on a mission to find the man who got away, the one who has for some reason set out ot hurt his family even if it means they all end up dead. To this end he travels to L.A. and is housed with a biker gang that is also determined to get this guy. While on his search he has to make a living so he takes a few contracting jobs on the side. One of those jobs happens to land him at a set for a popular pop star, granted one he’s never heard of but whatever. His initial impression of Lincoln is that she is hot but also a huge pain in the arse. Lincoln is used to getting her way so when some construction dude actually tells her the truth instead of what she wants to hear she is stunned and intrigued. Needing a break from her everyday life Lincoln ropes Cain into joining her on tour. She could use a friend and he can use the money. The longer they are together the more their feelings develop. Danger seems to follow them no matter where they go. Are they after Lincoln or Cain? When the man Cain is hunting seems to appear at all their locations he is determined to keep his family and Lincoln all safe. When Cain finally gets the answers to all his questions will it leave him with a sense of peace or broken? Can a normal man actually have a shot at a relationship other with an international star? What started out as just a job turns into so much more.
June 10, 2015
The Handler had me hooked fairly quickly. This is not your usual MC Biker story. Cain, aka Jamie, is the college age son of a former, founding member of the Noir et Bleu MC. When he is killed, Cain goes looking for the assassin who got away. By chance he ends up working an electrical job on a video shoot. He meets the demanding 16 yr old Diva, Lincoln when she makes an ridiculous demand to change things, NOW. He tells her like it is, she doesn't like it, but takes his advice after she fires him. Cain ends up with the job titled "Handler" keeping Lincoln company/occupied/busy/happy after she nearly breaks down from the stress of her public life. Lots happens on the tour.
DR Graham has written a very different and enjoyable story of life on the outskirts of a MC. Cain is not a member but he and his family are protected by his fathers "brothers" while they look for the man who took the life of Cain's father. He isn't privy to the MC's way of doing things and has no interest in living the life. This is a sweet story of young people falling in love. No falling into bed etc. Refreshingly done in regards to the youth and growth of Lincoln as the story progresses..
DR Graham has written a very different and enjoyable story of life on the outskirts of a MC. Cain is not a member but he and his family are protected by his fathers "brothers" while they look for the man who took the life of Cain's father. He isn't privy to the MC's way of doing things and has no interest in living the life. This is a sweet story of young people falling in love. No falling into bed etc. Refreshingly done in regards to the youth and growth of Lincoln as the story progresses..
June 22, 2015
Copy provided by Netgalley
This is the second book in the series but definitely can be read as a stand alone. Just like the first book I got caught up in the story. This author has a way of capturing your attention and not letting it go. The pace moves along nicely. The characters are well developed and likable. They are, however, very young. (18 and 19). It is sweet romance with a little mystery and danger. Cain is trying to find the third person involved in the murder of his father. He wants to do it legally but is willing to cross lines to get it done. While working a job to help pay rent he meets Lincoln Todd; a sexy famous pop star. He helps her through a meltdown and is offered a boatload of money to "handle" her for 6 weeks. We watch them become friends and then things get complicated. Danger followed Cain across the world. He has to protect himself as well as Lincoln. The pace picked up a lot towards the end of the story. I thought the ending was a little abrupt. But overall I enjoyed the story.
This is the second book in the series but definitely can be read as a stand alone. Just like the first book I got caught up in the story. This author has a way of capturing your attention and not letting it go. The pace moves along nicely. The characters are well developed and likable. They are, however, very young. (18 and 19). It is sweet romance with a little mystery and danger. Cain is trying to find the third person involved in the murder of his father. He wants to do it legally but is willing to cross lines to get it done. While working a job to help pay rent he meets Lincoln Todd; a sexy famous pop star. He helps her through a meltdown and is offered a boatload of money to "handle" her for 6 weeks. We watch them become friends and then things get complicated. Danger followed Cain across the world. He has to protect himself as well as Lincoln. The pace picked up a lot towards the end of the story. I thought the ending was a little abrupt. But overall I enjoyed the story.
May 2, 2015
The Handler is a heart stopping story of love, revenge and finding closure. The characters are nicely written. I enjoyed the first meeting between Lincoln Todd, the teen popstar, and Cain Allen. Their interaction made the characters come to life. Cain is determined to see his father's murders brought to justice. I admired his courage and determination. The Noir et Blue motorcycle club gave the story an edgy feel. How they are portrayed was different that what I expected. It made for an interesting storyline. Lincoln was a complex character. She may have fame and adulation, but she needed a friend. Cain was a person she could depend on to be honest. They made an interesting couple. D.R. Graham writes with flair. I found her secondary characters interesting. They definitely added suspense to this fast moving story. It was easy to be pulled into this book. I needed to know if Lincoln and Cain had a chance at a relationship. The ending was powerful and took me completely by surprise. I liked this off-beat story. I want to read more of D.R. Graham.
May 16, 2015
I gave One Percenter (one of the other standalone novels in the Noir et Bleu MC series) 5plus stars and didn't expect that The Handler could be better, but it was! Fast paced, well written, edgy and sweet at the same time. Lincoln is a wonderfully layered character that on the surface fits the cliche popstar image but deep down she is so more than that, and I couldn't help but feel for her situation. Cain, aaah, Cain. So protective, so sweet, and so badassed deep down. There is quite literally something for everyone to enjoy about this book. Cannot wait for the next Noir et Bleu MC book.
April 28, 2015
Cain is searching for the man that murdered his father while at the same time trying to stay hidden to be safe. While he's waiting Cain is offered a job to watch over Lincoln who is a pop star. Not only is he protecting her from those who threaten her, but he also has to protect her from what is happening with him. Then there is the attraction they have for each other.
I really liked the suspense part of their story. It framed their romance so well.
I give The Handler 4 hearts!
I really liked the suspense part of their story. It framed their romance so well.
I give The Handler 4 hearts!
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April 28, 2015DNF @ 25%. I wanted to love it, I really did, but the main character Lincoln drove me nuts with her "pop princess" diva attitude. I had high hopes that the character would not follow along that path. However, maybe Lincoln chills out as the story continues but I honestly could not take it anymore.
April 30, 2015
I was a little worried after reading One Percenter that The Handler wouldn't hold up. But it so does. I have no words, except for that I absolutely loved it.
May 28, 2015
Cute and sweet and cuddly this book is.
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