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Sex & Mayhem #4
No Matter What: Coffin Nails MC
--- A gentle heart has no place in an outlaw’s chest ---
Ghost. Not a member of the Coffin Nails MC. Not a doctor anymore. Not gay.
Luca. Bent, not broken. Will not let go of Ghost. No matter what.
Ghost finds out the hard way that people you meet online aren’t always who they seem to be. When he met ‘Zara’ five years ago, they became inseparable. She’s been with him through the rough and the smooth. He’s been there for her when her abusive boyfriend had her in tears.
She is The One, and despite all his friends considering him crazy, Ghost is about to propose.
But ‘Zara’ turns out to be Luca, and Luca is most definitely a guy. Yet Luca is the same person with big dark eyes, so desperate to be saved that Ghost can’t help but fall head first.
Luca’s so-called boyfriend is not just abusive. He is a Sicilian drug lord, a man dangerous and ruthless. If Ghost is to ever save the person who wreaked havoc on his heart, he has to make a deal with the Coffin Nails MC. But being a member is a destiny he’s always tried to avoid. And when a life of violence becomes too much to bear, he might be the one needing Luca to catch him when he falls.
POSSIBLE SPOILERS:
Themes: Outlaw motorcycle club, criminal activity, hurt/comfort, abuse, catfishing, independence, sexual orientation issues, mafia, PTSD
WARNING: Adult content. Explicit gay sex, strong language, violence, potentially triggering sexual abuse scenes. Reader discretion advised.
Ghost. Not a member of the Coffin Nails MC. Not a doctor anymore. Not gay.
Luca. Bent, not broken. Will not let go of Ghost. No matter what.
Ghost finds out the hard way that people you meet online aren’t always who they seem to be. When he met ‘Zara’ five years ago, they became inseparable. She’s been with him through the rough and the smooth. He’s been there for her when her abusive boyfriend had her in tears.
She is The One, and despite all his friends considering him crazy, Ghost is about to propose.
But ‘Zara’ turns out to be Luca, and Luca is most definitely a guy. Yet Luca is the same person with big dark eyes, so desperate to be saved that Ghost can’t help but fall head first.
Luca’s so-called boyfriend is not just abusive. He is a Sicilian drug lord, a man dangerous and ruthless. If Ghost is to ever save the person who wreaked havoc on his heart, he has to make a deal with the Coffin Nails MC. But being a member is a destiny he’s always tried to avoid. And when a life of violence becomes too much to bear, he might be the one needing Luca to catch him when he falls.
POSSIBLE SPOILERS:
Themes: Outlaw motorcycle club, criminal activity, hurt/comfort, abuse, catfishing, independence, sexual orientation issues, mafia, PTSD
WARNING: Adult content. Explicit gay sex, strong language, violence, potentially triggering sexual abuse scenes. Reader discretion advised.
277 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 24, 2015
116 people are currently reading
899 people want to read
About the author
K.A. Merikan
130 books3,027 followers(Goodreads profile run by Kat)
K. A. Merikan is a duo of queer writers who don’t believe in following the well-trodden path. In their books you can dip your toe into dangerous romance with mafiosi, outlaw bikers and bad boys, all from the safety of your sofa. They love the weird and wonderful, stepping out of the box, and bending stereotypes both in life and in fiction. Their stories don’t shy away from exploring the darker side of M/M romance, and feature a variety of anti-heroes, rebels, misfits, and underdogs who go against the grain.
Be prepared for shocking twists, dark humor, raw emotions, and sizzling hot scenes.
K.A. Merikan also writes steamy M/M romcoms as Devon Doe.
e-mail: kamerikan@gmail.com
More information about ongoing projects, works in progress and publishing at:
K.A. Merikan’s author page: http://kamerikan.com
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/kamerikan
K. A. Merikan is a duo of queer writers who don’t believe in following the well-trodden path. In their books you can dip your toe into dangerous romance with mafiosi, outlaw bikers and bad boys, all from the safety of your sofa. They love the weird and wonderful, stepping out of the box, and bending stereotypes both in life and in fiction. Their stories don’t shy away from exploring the darker side of M/M romance, and feature a variety of anti-heroes, rebels, misfits, and underdogs who go against the grain.
Be prepared for shocking twists, dark humor, raw emotions, and sizzling hot scenes.
K.A. Merikan also writes steamy M/M romcoms as Devon Doe.
e-mail: kamerikan@gmail.com
More information about ongoing projects, works in progress and publishing at:
K.A. Merikan’s author page: http://kamerikan.com
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/kamerikan
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 213 reviews
May 3, 2015
** 2-2,5 “I’m lost in what you make me feel.” STARS **
“You saved me again.”
“I will always be there for you, NO MATTER WHAT.”
GHOST is desperately in love. With a girl who lives across the Atlantic. A girl he met online on a sci-fi game app, who was just a suicidal 16-year-old back then. A girl he only saw one photo of and instantly fell in love with… Now it’s been 5 years, and Ghost can’t help but think this girl, Zara, is “The One”, and the only thing he wants is to take her away from her abusive boyfriend and make her HIS.
When Ghost learns that Zara will be in New York for 2 days, he choses a ring and goes to sweep the love of his life off her feet. But Zara is not who he thought she was… The same shoulder-length wavy black hair, the same big brown eyes, the same dark olive skin… But with a masculine scent and broad shoulders, because Zara is A MAN.
LUCA is desperately in love. With a man who lives across the Atlantic. A man with pale skin and whitish-blonde hair and the warmest heart ever… It’s been 5 years since the first day they started talking online, and Luca hasn’t been very honest with the love of his life…But now it’s too late to go back…
When Luca sees Ghost, in the flesh, in front of him, with heartbreak all over his face and fury shining in his eyes, he knows it’s all over. He lied. He had to, to be able to keep on wanting to live. Luca lied to the one person in the world he really cared about and now he will lose him and forever be a prisoner of Frederico Villani, the monster that has kept him for his “pleasure” since he was 15 years old to cover for the money Luca’s father owed him.
Ghost is not ready to let go of this relationship and let 5 years of his life go down the drain… So he decides to rescue Luca away from his boyfriend and take him home. Even with his heart broken, he can’t leave him in danger with that monster, after all! But just because he feels sorry for him… It has NOTHING to do with Luca’s pretty face… Or his soft hair… Or the feeling of his kiss still lingering on his lips… No. Ghost is doing this just out of pity.
Or so he thinks…
“I love you forever... I’ll go with you wherever you want to go.”
~ LUCA
So why only 2,5 stars?
Because Ghost confused the sh*t outta me!
#1 // He was supposed to be angry, and heartbroken, and at least make Luca work for his forgiveness a little bit. But Ghost got over all the drama LIGHTNING FAST and started acting like a love-struck puppy and like nothing was ever wrong.
#2 // Maybe this is a “It’s not you, it’s me…” kinda situation, and this only feels weird to ME...but:
For a , he became okay with this whole “I thought you had a V where you clearly have a P!” situation SO INCREDIBLY WELL, that it sorta didn't sit well with me.
What felt so unrealistic to me was the fact that it was ALWAYS Ghost (let's not forget that he had been lied to and almost deceived into a virtual relationship) who took a step first to make things right:
-----> He was the the one to first suggest that they could make things work and try building a real relationship.
-----> He was the one that willingly suggested they could take it “further” in the bedroom, and he is the a**-virgin in the relationship.
-----> He was the one to start professing his undying love for Luca A THOUSAND TIMES A DAY (which started to become really tiring after awhile), saying he couldn’t sleep because he was afraid Luca might leave (I mean where the f*ck would he go?) and thinking stuff like “I’d always thought I’d meet a girl and be the support she needed buuuuut Luca is a dude, so he can keep ME safe and be MY support, YAY!” (which is ULTRA SEXIST by the way). I seriously can't understand why he had to shift to the more feminine side of the line after having started anal sex. Please do explain, if you can...
OVERALL: I adore K.A. Merikan's books, “Guns N' Boys” is one of my fav M/M series and I really enjoyed the previous books in this series as well. Though, this one just didn't work for me. Ghost and Luca were cute and seeing Lucky&Tooth from the previous books was awesome, sure, but nothing else really gripped me.
Read
April 23, 2015Read chapter 1 here - http://kamerikan.com/archives/no-matt...
PREORDER :) - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00WHBI318
DAT COVER *drool*
PREORDER :) - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00WHBI318
DAT COVER *drool*
August 30, 2017
This book was really serious, really depressing. Almost too depressing. It was like being hit with horror left and right, with no chance to be able to catch a breath and calm ourselves. And for this reason, that the book was too dark and dangerous and horrifying, without many soft parts (at least not soft enough for me), I didn't end up loving the book. It was fine enough, but the rushed and mysterious ending didn't exactly leave me in good spirits. After having held my breath for so long, I wanted a sweet, gooey ending. Feeling really let down... *sighs*
August 1, 2015
*This review is cross-posted on Reviews by Jessewave. I received a copy of this book from the authors in exchange for an honest review*
Ghost
“I will always be there for you. No matter what.”
Ghost is the son of a member of the Coffin Nails MC. He lost his medical license when he broke the law to save someone else's life .For the last five years the only person who keeps him sane is Zara, the girl he met online. When Zara visits New York with her abusive boyfriend, Ghost takes the chance to meet her face to face for the first time. But what happens when he finds out that Zara is actually Luca, a guy?
Luca
“I love you forever... , I’ll go with you wherever you want to go.”
Luca's online chats with Ghost are the only thing that helps him survive the abuse of his drug lord boyfriend. So he lies about his gender. When he least
expects it , Ghost is there to catch him despite his lies.
But nothing comes for free and if they want to be with each other and safe they will have to pay the cost.
I have to say that I'm very pleased and actually relieved with the way Ghost's sexuality was handled.
The fourth book of the series carries all the familiar K.A.Merikan traits with one substantial difference.For the most part of it is a sweet book. Yes, Ghost and Luca are surrounded by violence and death, but this has nothing to do with who they are. Ghost is a doctor, he heals people , he doesn't kill them. The life of a MC member doesn't suit him. Luca needs safety and love since abuse and violence is all he has ever known.
So, if you want badass characters like Stitch or Tooth, look elsewere. These guys are all in from the get go. They love each other and don't hesitate to tell and show it.
Their HEA is the only HEA I would want them to have.The one that keeps them together but let them be themselves.
Favorite moments:
-Tooth and Lucy moments. All of them! I am happy we got a healthy dose of these two.
-Impossibly funny situations , like a body dropping from a window next to you while kissing your boyfriend because Tooth does not want to get his clothes dirty.
-The villain, coming straight from Guns & Boys. I want to slit his throat and feed him to the dogs.
-Parts of the online chats the boys had between chapters, starting from when they first met to the day they saw each other in real life.
-The sex scenes. I don't even have words.
-Action. Of course, there have to be action. Not as much as in the previous books, but enough to suit this story.
So overall I enjoyed this a lot and there is plenty more to wait for, like a smoking hot ginger and Grim's
![Profile Image for Lilly [Hiatus due to School] .](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1663899589i%2F10381707._UX200_CR0%2C0%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
June 8, 2023
"You're the closest person on earth to me,...You just get me. You were with me through my worst."
This story, while it can technically be read as a stand-alone, sorta picks up from where the last book left off, so I would strongly recommend reading The Devil's Ride: Coffin Nails MC first.
We have Ghost, the son of a respected member of the Coffin Nails and a doctor. He's lost his licence after an incident/rescue mission at his hospital involving the MC. He hates violence and wants nothing to do with his father's club despite the man pushing him towards it. However, things change when the girl he has been talking to for the past years online (and fell in love with) is now in the US and in order to secure their freedom agrees to become a prospect.
Zara, or rather Luca, is the current boy toy of Fredicro, who we meet in the Guns n' Boys series. His family owed a debt to the man, and despite their deaths, he was given as payment when he was 15 years old. Through an online game, he was able to escape reality and form a connection with Ghost while pretending to be a girl.
I really enjoyed No Matter What. It was interesting to see the Sicilian Mafios make an appearance. I actually panicked and thought I would spoil something for myself from Guns n' Boys but nope. What I found interesting is that Luca and Ghost already had a romantic connection and a pretty deep one as well. Ghost was totally in love with Luca despite not knowing what "she" looked like and was ready to propose. He's totally and absolutely in love and would do anything for him. So the story starts off with them basically as an established couple and now navigating the MC, Federico-related things and Ghost's sexuality.
I liked them as a pair. Ghost struggled with his sexuality and Luca with his masculinity, and seeing Ghost embrace Luca as a man 100% was sweet. I liked that once Ghost committed, he didn't run away from him or freak out (too much).
I really enjoyed seeing Luci and Tooth! They appeared quite often in this story, so that was a delight. I also got to officially meet Grim, and let's say I'm very interested to get to his story.
Overall this story had a bit of a different vibe from the others in the series so far, but I still really enjoyed it. I can't wait to read the next book!
This story, while it can technically be read as a stand-alone, sorta picks up from where the last book left off, so I would strongly recommend reading The Devil's Ride: Coffin Nails MC first.
We have Ghost, the son of a respected member of the Coffin Nails and a doctor. He's lost his licence after an incident/rescue mission at his hospital involving the MC. He hates violence and wants nothing to do with his father's club despite the man pushing him towards it. However, things change when the girl he has been talking to for the past years online (and fell in love with) is now in the US and in order to secure their freedom agrees to become a prospect.
Zara, or rather Luca, is the current boy toy of Fredicro, who we meet in the Guns n' Boys series. His family owed a debt to the man, and despite their deaths, he was given as payment when he was 15 years old. Through an online game, he was able to escape reality and form a connection with Ghost while pretending to be a girl.
I really enjoyed No Matter What. It was interesting to see the Sicilian Mafios make an appearance. I actually panicked and thought I would spoil something for myself from Guns n' Boys but nope. What I found interesting is that Luca and Ghost already had a romantic connection and a pretty deep one as well. Ghost was totally in love with Luca despite not knowing what "she" looked like and was ready to propose. He's totally and absolutely in love and would do anything for him. So the story starts off with them basically as an established couple and now navigating the MC, Federico-related things and Ghost's sexuality.
I love you. I'd love you even if you hit me and left because I know I deserve it. You're a good person, much better than anyone else I know. You saved people's lives in Syria; you saved mine... isn't that impressive enough?
I liked them as a pair. Ghost struggled with his sexuality and Luca with his masculinity, and seeing Ghost embrace Luca as a man 100% was sweet. I liked that once Ghost committed, he didn't run away from him or freak out (too much).
It almost felt like, along with his freedom, he was reclaiming his masculinity as well. He couldn't even begin explaining to Ghost how much it meant to him.
I really enjoyed seeing Luci and Tooth! They appeared quite often in this story, so that was a delight. I also got to officially meet Grim, and let's say I'm very interested to get to his story.
Overall this story had a bit of a different vibe from the others in the series so far, but I still really enjoyed it. I can't wait to read the next book!
April 28, 2015
3.75 - 4 StArS
Review written 27 April'15
A Gentle Heart Has No Place In An Outlaw’s Chest
Ghost
After 5 long years of chatting to a mysterious girl 'Zara' whilst online gaming, and forming a inseparable friendship. Ghost, son of a member of the Coffin Nails MC...is all but declaring he's undying love for her. Before they have even meet!!
When Zara announces she is coming to the States with her abusive boyfriend, Ghost wants to surprise her, be her knight in shining armour and rescue her from her abusive relationship.
But all is not as it seems.....especially if the crazy lady ka merikan has anything to do with it.....
As ‘Zara’ turns out to be Luca, and Luca is most definitely a gorgeous dark eyed Italian GUY!!
Yep...let the fun begin.
There is lashing's of funny one liner's...that will have you snickering from now till next Sunday.
A NASTY EVIL Sicilian drug lord and he's goon that will have you cursing....
And of course some hot hairy bikers from the Coffin Nail's crew!!
For me....this wasn't my fav in series, Ghost was a little to sappy for me....he needed some more GUTSO...if I'm honest.
But what a GREAT LOOKING CHARACTER!!
As alway's with Missy Merikan's books...they are a whole lot of fun, a whole lot of sexy....and mega huge on character!!
ARC kindly provided by author, for honest review.
Review written 27 April'15
A Gentle Heart Has No Place In An Outlaw’s Chest
Ghost
After 5 long years of chatting to a mysterious girl 'Zara' whilst online gaming, and forming a inseparable friendship. Ghost, son of a member of the Coffin Nails MC...is all but declaring he's undying love for her. Before they have even meet!!
When Zara announces she is coming to the States with her abusive boyfriend, Ghost wants to surprise her, be her knight in shining armour and rescue her from her abusive relationship.
But all is not as it seems.....especially if the crazy lady ka merikan has anything to do with it.....
As ‘Zara’ turns out to be Luca, and Luca is most definitely a gorgeous dark eyed Italian GUY!!
Yep...let the fun begin.
There is lashing's of funny one liner's...that will have you snickering from now till next Sunday.
A NASTY EVIL Sicilian drug lord and he's goon that will have you cursing....
And of course some hot hairy bikers from the Coffin Nail's crew!!
For me....this wasn't my fav in series, Ghost was a little to sappy for me....he needed some more GUTSO...if I'm honest.
But what a GREAT LOOKING CHARACTER!!
As alway's with Missy Merikan's books...they are a whole lot of fun, a whole lot of sexy....and mega huge on character!!
ARC kindly provided by author, for honest review.
April 23, 2015
What did I think? Two big thumbs up!!
Have you ever seen the movie or the MTV show Catfish? You know the risk when you meet someone online. Are they really as they seem? Ghost met Zara while playing a game online and soon a budding relationship started over the keyboard. They talked for five years and never met face to face until, one day, Ghost got the idea to surprise Zara and show up while she was at a restaurant. The roller coaster ride begins!
When the book first starts, Ghost is on his was to surprise Zara, and he brings his friends Tooth (if you've read the first 3 books in the series you will definitely remember him from book 2....l-o-v-e him!) and Milk (another brother from the Coffin Nails MC) with him. Supportive as ever, they give him words of encouragement to ease his nerves such as 'I bet she's got a wooden leg' and 'Or she's twice the weight of a baby elephant'. Determined as ever, there was no stopping Ghost until he happens upon Zara and realizes....she is most definitely a he, and his name is Luca. BOOM!
From that point, the story is a whirlwind between Ghost and Luca, Ghost and Luca's past, Ghost and the Coffin Nails, Ghost and his parents....I think you see where I'm going...Ghost has a lot of shit that he needs to work out.
So let's start with Ghost. He is such a gentle soul. He is a doctor by trade, but his license to practice was revoked when he was helping to save Tooth's boyfriend (Lucky) in book 2. He doesn't start out as a member of the Coffin Nails, but his father, Don, is a member. When he first realizes that Zara is actually Luca, his feelings are all over the place. He spent five years building a relationship with him, but he thought it was a 'her' the entire time. He struggles with his feelings of being upset with Luca, but also struggles in the fact that he *does* still have feelings even though Luca is a man. Luca is in a horrible situation with Frederico Vallani and Ghost steps up to the plate and does what he has to to remove Luca from Frederico's clutches. Of course, this comes with a price that totally takes Ghost out of his comfort zone, but you will need to read this to find out what that is....I can't give everything away! :)
Frederico and his right hand man, Antonio, were pure evil. Since Luca was 15, they pretty much kept him against his will in order to pay back a debt incurred by Luca's parents. They didn't treat him as a human and Ghost knew he was in a bad situation when they talked online. I must admit that I did get excited when I saw 'vallani' as that always makes me think of Dom and Seth (different series). I was secretly hoping that they would come in and kick some Frederico ass (well Dom, would kick some ass and Seth would just be cute and adorable and cook them something great to eat after), but alas, Ghost needed to handle this himself.
Back to the story....while Ghost has rescued Luca from his awful situation, he now has to deal with his feelings about actually having feelings for a man. As you can guess, this isn't something that comes easy to him. Luca is also dealing with being in a new situation. He was totally caught off guard when Ghost came to surprise him and his life was essentially turned upside down when Ghost rescued him from Frederico. It was so much fun to read as these two really learned about each other and explored each other. Each willing to sacrifice themselves for the other because, after five years, even though they had never met, they had fallen in love. Oh my God, they are so good together. But Ghost summed it up perfectly when he said 'It's...complicated.'
I love the fact that Tooth and his boyfriend Lucky were also in this book. I totally loved them from book 2. They have a unique relationship, but it works for them and they are 100% in love with each other. Lucky straight up said it when he told Luca 'He's my whole world'. That doesn't mean that Lucky might not get a spanking every now and then, but it's sort of their 'thing', and they both enjoy it. I really love them! I especially loved the part where
Aside from Ghost/Luca finding their way in their relationship, so many other things are happening regarding Luca and Frederico/Antonio. Needless to say, there was never a dull moment and I loved every minute of it.
I'm guessing that you could probably read this as a stand alone, but I would definitely read the 2nd book in this series first as you will get a feel for some of the characters that are prominent in this book. I could gush on and on for days, but just take my word and start reading, I don't think you'll be disappointed. Well, just when it's over, because then you have to wait for the next book! ;)
Have you ever seen the movie or the MTV show Catfish? You know the risk when you meet someone online. Are they really as they seem? Ghost met Zara while playing a game online and soon a budding relationship started over the keyboard. They talked for five years and never met face to face until, one day, Ghost got the idea to surprise Zara and show up while she was at a restaurant. The roller coaster ride begins!
When the book first starts, Ghost is on his was to surprise Zara, and he brings his friends Tooth (if you've read the first 3 books in the series you will definitely remember him from book 2....l-o-v-e him!) and Milk (another brother from the Coffin Nails MC) with him. Supportive as ever, they give him words of encouragement to ease his nerves such as 'I bet she's got a wooden leg' and 'Or she's twice the weight of a baby elephant'. Determined as ever, there was no stopping Ghost until he happens upon Zara and realizes....she is most definitely a he, and his name is Luca. BOOM!
From that point, the story is a whirlwind between Ghost and Luca, Ghost and Luca's past, Ghost and the Coffin Nails, Ghost and his parents....I think you see where I'm going...Ghost has a lot of shit that he needs to work out.
So let's start with Ghost. He is such a gentle soul. He is a doctor by trade, but his license to practice was revoked when he was helping to save Tooth's boyfriend (Lucky) in book 2. He doesn't start out as a member of the Coffin Nails, but his father, Don, is a member. When he first realizes that Zara is actually Luca, his feelings are all over the place. He spent five years building a relationship with him, but he thought it was a 'her' the entire time. He struggles with his feelings of being upset with Luca, but also struggles in the fact that he *does* still have feelings even though Luca is a man. Luca is in a horrible situation with Frederico Vallani and Ghost steps up to the plate and does what he has to to remove Luca from Frederico's clutches. Of course, this comes with a price that totally takes Ghost out of his comfort zone, but you will need to read this to find out what that is....I can't give everything away! :)
Frederico and his right hand man, Antonio, were pure evil. Since Luca was 15, they pretty much kept him against his will in order to pay back a debt incurred by Luca's parents. They didn't treat him as a human and Ghost knew he was in a bad situation when they talked online. I must admit that I did get excited when I saw 'vallani' as that always makes me think of Dom and Seth (different series). I was secretly hoping that they would come in and kick some Frederico ass (well Dom, would kick some ass and Seth would just be cute and adorable and cook them something great to eat after), but alas, Ghost needed to handle this himself.
Back to the story....while Ghost has rescued Luca from his awful situation, he now has to deal with his feelings about actually having feelings for a man. As you can guess, this isn't something that comes easy to him. Luca is also dealing with being in a new situation. He was totally caught off guard when Ghost came to surprise him and his life was essentially turned upside down when Ghost rescued him from Frederico. It was so much fun to read as these two really learned about each other and explored each other. Each willing to sacrifice themselves for the other because, after five years, even though they had never met, they had fallen in love. Oh my God, they are so good together. But Ghost summed it up perfectly when he said 'It's...complicated.'
I love the fact that Tooth and his boyfriend Lucky were also in this book. I totally loved them from book 2. They have a unique relationship, but it works for them and they are 100% in love with each other. Lucky straight up said it when he told Luca 'He's my whole world'. That doesn't mean that Lucky might not get a spanking every now and then, but it's sort of their 'thing', and they both enjoy it. I really love them! I especially loved the part where
Aside from Ghost/Luca finding their way in their relationship, so many other things are happening regarding Luca and Frederico/Antonio. Needless to say, there was never a dull moment and I loved every minute of it.
I'm guessing that you could probably read this as a stand alone, but I would definitely read the 2nd book in this series first as you will get a feel for some of the characters that are prominent in this book. I could gush on and on for days, but just take my word and start reading, I don't think you'll be disappointed. Well, just when it's over, because then you have to wait for the next book! ;)
April 26, 2015
So freaking good. I loved seeing Luci and Tooth. Ghost I loved him. Another great add to the series.
July 19, 2016
I read this book a few weeks back and though is a good m/m story with the MC club as the background, I missed the plot like the one we get in The Devil's Ride: Coffin Nails MC. We have organ snatcher in that book! But for the last two book that I read, namely #3 and #4, things are pretty tame around the club. I missed the Merikan bizarre-ness. I need it back!
April 26, 2015
3.75 stars. Ghost is about to meet the woman he's in love with who he's also been having an online relationship with for 5 years. He knows she has an abusive boyfriend, but he's meeting her in NYC to save her from him. Oh, and propose. Surprise!
The surprise is on Ghost though because "Zara" turns out to be Luca - a very attractive Italian man.
This is an MC book, and we were fully entrenched in the MC life in book #2 (I skipped #3 bc it's m/f). But Ghost and Luca aren't MC members (not fully anyway), though we still get the full on MC experience because they both are indirectly linked if not full members.
Luca has been through hell. I adored him. I can't imagine having his life. Maybe it's for that reason I took to him more than Ghost.
While I love this series, this one I rated a smidge lower because I really, and I mean REALLY, don't like the martyr story line. Where an MC will give up his entire life's happiness for the other.....without discussing it with the other either. Just personal preference maybe, but it will knock points off my review every time.
The surprise is on Ghost though because "Zara" turns out to be Luca - a very attractive Italian man.
This is an MC book, and we were fully entrenched in the MC life in book #2 (I skipped #3 bc it's m/f). But Ghost and Luca aren't MC members (not fully anyway), though we still get the full on MC experience because they both are indirectly linked if not full members.
Luca has been through hell. I adored him. I can't imagine having his life. Maybe it's for that reason I took to him more than Ghost.
While I love this series, this one I rated a smidge lower because I really, and I mean REALLY, don't like the martyr story line. Where an MC will give up his entire life's happiness for the other.....without discussing it with the other either. Just personal preference maybe, but it will knock points off my review every time.
November 19, 2015
I'm gradually working my way through all the biker books I can find and this was another great one from the Sex & Mayhem series. Ghost and Luca have a lot of issues to work through (that's putting it lightly!) but everything works out well in the end. I was thrilled that Tooth and Lucky were a fairly large part of the story, they're still my favourite couple I think. Tooth really made me chuckle when . Great fun!
May 24, 2015
This is the most "tame" of this M/M Motorcycle Club book series, and can be read as a standalone.
The Coffin Nails are a Detroit-based motorcycle club. The characters recur, but they are peripheral to the featured couple.
"Ghost" is a hangaround, son to the secretary of the Coffin Nails and disgraced physician. He lost his license due to helping save Tooth's boyfriend, Lucky, from dying after Lucky was targeted by an organ stealing ring. He has befriended Zara in an online gaming community, and has felt a strong affection grow for her in the five years of their increasingly intimate communications.
He learns that Zara has an abusive boyfriend, and also that Zara and the boyfriend are traveling from Milan to NYC, and convinces two of the Coffin Nails to bike there with him and "rescue" Zara.
Zara actually isn't a woman--he's a 21 y/o man named Luca--and Ghost is mighty pissed. But he's a stand-up guy and he believes Luca is still in trouble and stages a rescue anyway. Luca has been serial raped and maimed since Frederico took him in to settle Luca's dead parents' debts. He has been Frederico's boytoy since the age of 16--and he hates Frederico. He never would have guessed Ghost would truly save him, but he's not unhappy that he does. Thing is, Frederico's family is one that supplies drugs to other Coffin Nails clubs, and is not willing to be embarrassed by a guy who isn't even a club member.
In the process of freeing Luca, Ghost becomes indentured to his dad's club, much to his mother's dismay. He also begins to embrace that bisexual side he had never acted upon, much to his father's dismay.
There is a revenge plot, and Ghost is a target. Luca and Ghost build a relationship, which one of them sacrifices to save the other. It all turns out good, with all parties happy--and three dead bodies, all of whom the characters agree the world is better off without.
I has a little trouble with the convenience factor--Luca is the property of Frederico who is the drug supplier for the Coffin Nails, yet no one knew this... Ghost seems to like Luca a lot--loves him and tells him so--yet does dumb stuff like go out all night because he "needs space." The book dragged a bit, for me. Still, it's a good read and didn't give me the heebie-jeebies. Only one death and one mutilation on the page, so that wasn't bad.
I received a copy of this book via Goodreads' Don't Buy My Love program in exchange for and honest review.
The Coffin Nails are a Detroit-based motorcycle club. The characters recur, but they are peripheral to the featured couple.
"Ghost" is a hangaround, son to the secretary of the Coffin Nails and disgraced physician. He lost his license due to helping save Tooth's boyfriend, Lucky, from dying after Lucky was targeted by an organ stealing ring. He has befriended Zara in an online gaming community, and has felt a strong affection grow for her in the five years of their increasingly intimate communications.
He learns that Zara has an abusive boyfriend, and also that Zara and the boyfriend are traveling from Milan to NYC, and convinces two of the Coffin Nails to bike there with him and "rescue" Zara.
Zara actually isn't a woman--he's a 21 y/o man named Luca--and Ghost is mighty pissed. But he's a stand-up guy and he believes Luca is still in trouble and stages a rescue anyway. Luca has been serial raped and maimed since Frederico took him in to settle Luca's dead parents' debts. He has been Frederico's boytoy since the age of 16--and he hates Frederico. He never would have guessed Ghost would truly save him, but he's not unhappy that he does. Thing is, Frederico's family is one that supplies drugs to other Coffin Nails clubs, and is not willing to be embarrassed by a guy who isn't even a club member.
In the process of freeing Luca, Ghost becomes indentured to his dad's club, much to his mother's dismay. He also begins to embrace that bisexual side he had never acted upon, much to his father's dismay.
There is a revenge plot, and Ghost is a target. Luca and Ghost build a relationship, which one of them sacrifices to save the other. It all turns out good, with all parties happy--and three dead bodies, all of whom the characters agree the world is better off without.
I has a little trouble with the convenience factor--Luca is the property of Frederico who is the drug supplier for the Coffin Nails, yet no one knew this... Ghost seems to like Luca a lot--loves him and tells him so--yet does dumb stuff like go out all night because he "needs space." The book dragged a bit, for me. Still, it's a good read and didn't give me the heebie-jeebies. Only one death and one mutilation on the page, so that wasn't bad.
I received a copy of this book via Goodreads' Don't Buy My Love program in exchange for and honest review.
March 18, 2018
No Matter What
This one was ok. Definitely Not as good as book 2 for sure that’s still my favorite so far (& I skipped B3 since it was m/f). But it was entertaining to read. I liked how the characters Luca and Ghost met and the Catfishing aspect. And how that was tied into the entire story with the messages. And the entire premise in general was good. the romance between the two progressed at a decent pace, but the way it was all written in tied to the club was a little odd to me. There were a few spots I was just not a fan of. But we’ll see how the next few book go. They seem to be alternating hit/miss for me.
This one was ok. Definitely Not as good as book 2 for sure that’s still my favorite so far (& I skipped B3 since it was m/f). But it was entertaining to read. I liked how the characters Luca and Ghost met and the Catfishing aspect. And how that was tied into the entire story with the messages. And the entire premise in general was good. the romance between the two progressed at a decent pace, but the way it was all written in tied to the club was a little odd to me. There were a few spots I was just not a fan of. But we’ll see how the next few book go. They seem to be alternating hit/miss for me.
September 16, 2016
Ah yes, the next book in K.A. Merikan’s series about outlaw bikers and their shenanigans is finally here. I approached it, as I do all of the books of the “Sex & Mayhem” variety, with a mix of eager anticipation and utter dread. Anticipation because, if nothing else, all of these stories are about fascinating characters, intense situations, and deeply emotional relationships that almost don’t survive under the onslaught of exterior forces. But I also dread reading each one, because they are brutal, gritty, and just this side of the limits to my comfort zone. This novel covered both ends of that spectrum in spades, but the one thing that helped me this time around was that most of the horrible brutality occurs in the beginning of the book (and let me tell, you, it’s not pretty!). Luca and Ghost are then left to pick up the pieces and there is plenty of conflict and drama to go around but I was able to breathe a little easier. Mind you, that is all relative, since this is by no means an easy read! Worthwhile – yes, easy – no.
Ghost is a familiar face from ‘The Devil’s Ride’. He is the doctor who saved one of the bikers’ life under “questionable” circumstances, and lost his license to practice medicine as a result. He has now become the MC’s doctor, and in many ways is one of them, but he is not a full member, nor does he want to be. He abhors violence after his stint in Syria and doesn’t even want to touch a gun! When he figures out that the woman he met online five years ago is actually a man, and that said man, Luca, is being abused by a cruel Mafioso, he will do anything to help. And I do mean anything! It’s fascinating to see how he deals with Luca being a man, and it shows his true character how he manages to focus on what’s really important. He is determined to save Luca, and ends up going through an ordeal that would make a weaker man give up the will to live. I take my hat off to him!
Luca is in deep trouble. As in life-threatening trouble. Taken as “payment” for a debt his father owed to the evil mafioso who now forces him to be his “boyfriend”, Luca has never known freedom. He gets beaten up and worse o a regular basis, but he sees no way out of his predicament. His only entertainment is an online game where he plays a female character (probably so nobody recognizes him). That is where he meets Ghost, and by the time they start to talk about more than he game, it is too late to tell Luca he truth. Luca has been through an ordeal already, but what he has to suffer before the Mafioso will let him go is absolutely brutal. He cannot believe his luck when Ghost doesn’t kick him out, but there are quite a few obstacles to overcome and twists and turns to survive before he can breathe easy.
As always in this series, heed the warning labels and believe what they say—the authors put them there for a reason. This is not romantic fluff! It is, however, a moving love story that crosses the lines of perceived gender as well as a tale about crime of all kinds, and that, to me, made it a great read.
If you like outlaw bikers and those who live with them, if you enjoy stories with two strong heroes who each suffer enormous pain to be with the other, and if you’re looking for a read filled with emotion, desperation, and violence, then you should definitely give this novel a try. It has the same pronounced “danger vibe” as the other volumes in this series, but the story underneath it all, as always, is well worth it – at least it is for me.
NOTE: This book was provided by the author for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Ghost is a familiar face from ‘The Devil’s Ride’. He is the doctor who saved one of the bikers’ life under “questionable” circumstances, and lost his license to practice medicine as a result. He has now become the MC’s doctor, and in many ways is one of them, but he is not a full member, nor does he want to be. He abhors violence after his stint in Syria and doesn’t even want to touch a gun! When he figures out that the woman he met online five years ago is actually a man, and that said man, Luca, is being abused by a cruel Mafioso, he will do anything to help. And I do mean anything! It’s fascinating to see how he deals with Luca being a man, and it shows his true character how he manages to focus on what’s really important. He is determined to save Luca, and ends up going through an ordeal that would make a weaker man give up the will to live. I take my hat off to him!
Luca is in deep trouble. As in life-threatening trouble. Taken as “payment” for a debt his father owed to the evil mafioso who now forces him to be his “boyfriend”, Luca has never known freedom. He gets beaten up and worse o a regular basis, but he sees no way out of his predicament. His only entertainment is an online game where he plays a female character (probably so nobody recognizes him). That is where he meets Ghost, and by the time they start to talk about more than he game, it is too late to tell Luca he truth. Luca has been through an ordeal already, but what he has to suffer before the Mafioso will let him go is absolutely brutal. He cannot believe his luck when Ghost doesn’t kick him out, but there are quite a few obstacles to overcome and twists and turns to survive before he can breathe easy.
As always in this series, heed the warning labels and believe what they say—the authors put them there for a reason. This is not romantic fluff! It is, however, a moving love story that crosses the lines of perceived gender as well as a tale about crime of all kinds, and that, to me, made it a great read.
If you like outlaw bikers and those who live with them, if you enjoy stories with two strong heroes who each suffer enormous pain to be with the other, and if you’re looking for a read filled with emotion, desperation, and violence, then you should definitely give this novel a try. It has the same pronounced “danger vibe” as the other volumes in this series, but the story underneath it all, as always, is well worth it – at least it is for me.
NOTE: This book was provided by the author for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
April 30, 2015
A review by The Blogger Girls.
This was another great addition to this series. I skipped book 3, Stripped Raw, as it was m/f written under the pen name Miss Merikan. No Matter What takes place with members of the club from the first two books. I believe it could be read as a stand alone, as the background information brings you up to speed nicely, but I recommend reading the first two so you get to know the other players better.
I loved how this one was a bit different from the first two stories. Here, we have Ghost, not quite a member of the club, much to his bad ass biker father’s disappointment. He was a physician until he lost his license after a previous scuffle where he helped the club out by saving Lucky’s life, getting him into trouble with the law. He is a bit lost at this point, not really knowing what direction his life should go now that he cannot practice anymore. During that time, however, he met Zara while playing an online game. They had an on-line relationship for a few years, but Zara was stuck with an abusive boyfriend. When the opportunity came for Ghost to actually see Zara, he was all ready to propose and steal Zara away. Unfortunately, Zara was not what Ghost had expected.
Zara, I mean Luca, was such a sweet thing. He suffers, and has suffered, quite a bit at the hands of his drug lord boyfriend, who took him in at 15 to pay off his deceased parents’ debt. There are some really well written but quite harsh scenes when he is involved. But, much in the same way as Zara helped Ghost through his hard time, chatting with Ghost saved Luca as well. I loved how we were shown snippets of their chats in the beginnings of the chapters.
Once the truth comes out about Zara, Ghost doesn’t just walk away – he decides to save the friend he knows, be it Zara or Luca. The person he fell in love with is still there, and he has a hard time denying that fact. In private, he has no problem giving in to his feelings and their relationship grew even closer. However, on the outside, Ghost was having some issues coming to grips with the Luca aspect. His parents, especially his biker father, were not keen on the whole gay thing, even though they accept Tooth and Lucky’s relationship for the most part. The other club members are sort of in the same boat of not quite accepting it all. Add to that fact the pressure on Ghost to actually join the club, and he has a whole lot going against him.
Circumstances force things to happen though, and things heat up pretty quickly. As time goes by, Ghost realizes Luca’s importance to him and how he makes him happy. He does what it takes to secure Luca’s freedom and chance at a new life.
This was a pretty fast, intense read, especially towards the end. I really enjoyed these guys together, and it was great to see Tooth and Lucky again. I love how things turned out for everyone, though I wished there had been more closure with Ghost’s father. All in all, this was another great addition to this series, and I’m looking forward to what comes next.
May 29, 2015
I GOT IT!!!!!!!
review @ScatteredThoughts and Rogue Words
Ghost: I think I’ve fallen in love with you. Please don’t be angry…
Zara:…Angry? Wow, I’m just… I’ve had feelings for you for a while now.
Ghost: I just didn’t want you to feel like it’s the only reason I stick around. I’m not a creep.
Zara: I know you’re not ;) You’re the kindest person I’ve ever met.
Zara: I love you too…
First of all please read the warning. It’s important you know what you’re going to read. Kat and Agnes don’t write easy books. There’s one scene in particular in this one where I truly wondered for a minute why I was even bothering myself with KA’s books knowing there could be some really “hard to take” parts. I should have known since I’m a huge fan. My hesitation lasted just the length of the scene.
No Matter What is the fourth book in the Sex & Mayhem series and the sweetest one I read by these authors, considering it’s my eighth and considering the setting and the dark plot with a couple of heavy scenes. It was definitely unexpected but so welcome. It was interesting cause I’m used to KA’s dark and hard worlds and now I know they can write something a little different.
It was strange at the start looking at Ghost, grown up in the club, not wanting to live that life and searching for a way out. But falling in love with Luca will bring Ghost to follow in his father’s footsteps and join the club to save and protect his lover.
I loved how there was not so much fussing about Zara being a man, Luca. Apart from the obvious initial shock, Ghost slowly realizes he loves Luca and tries to act on it, cause they already were in love for five years. They supported each other in their dark times, when Ghost loses his medical license or when he was shot in Syria, or when Luca saw suicide as the only solutions to all his problems.
There were great second characters, but my favorite couple in this series is Tooth and Lucky and I met them again in No Matter What. I wanted to kill Tooth, he really is a better person with Lucky, here he was (almost always) a fucker!
About the choice of lightly mixing this series with the Guns n’ Boys one, I appreciated it, don’t expect Dom or Seth in it, but someone I was so hoping to be killed here but nope, I have to meet him again soon.
I particularly loved the ending, I wasn’t so sure I could have this kind of HEA. It will be impossible cause I’m aware these girls have a busy writing time coming (we readers are really happy of it, of course), still I’d so love to know more about them, even in a little story, living their deserved happy ending.
I can’t recommend this book or this series or other ones by KA Merikan enough. When I first started reading their books, I was sure they weren’t for me. Well I was so wrong, I was caught in their amazing words’ web. Give them a try!
Cover art by Natasha Snow. Short version, there isn’t a cover made by Natasha I don’t love.
review @ScatteredThoughts and Rogue Words
Ghost: I think I’ve fallen in love with you. Please don’t be angry…
Zara:…Angry? Wow, I’m just… I’ve had feelings for you for a while now.
Ghost: I just didn’t want you to feel like it’s the only reason I stick around. I’m not a creep.
Zara: I know you’re not ;) You’re the kindest person I’ve ever met.
Zara: I love you too…
First of all please read the warning. It’s important you know what you’re going to read. Kat and Agnes don’t write easy books. There’s one scene in particular in this one where I truly wondered for a minute why I was even bothering myself with KA’s books knowing there could be some really “hard to take” parts. I should have known since I’m a huge fan. My hesitation lasted just the length of the scene.
No Matter What is the fourth book in the Sex & Mayhem series and the sweetest one I read by these authors, considering it’s my eighth and considering the setting and the dark plot with a couple of heavy scenes. It was definitely unexpected but so welcome. It was interesting cause I’m used to KA’s dark and hard worlds and now I know they can write something a little different.
It was strange at the start looking at Ghost, grown up in the club, not wanting to live that life and searching for a way out. But falling in love with Luca will bring Ghost to follow in his father’s footsteps and join the club to save and protect his lover.
I loved how there was not so much fussing about Zara being a man, Luca. Apart from the obvious initial shock, Ghost slowly realizes he loves Luca and tries to act on it, cause they already were in love for five years. They supported each other in their dark times, when Ghost loses his medical license or when he was shot in Syria, or when Luca saw suicide as the only solutions to all his problems.
There were great second characters, but my favorite couple in this series is Tooth and Lucky and I met them again in No Matter What. I wanted to kill Tooth, he really is a better person with Lucky, here he was (almost always) a fucker!
About the choice of lightly mixing this series with the Guns n’ Boys one, I appreciated it, don’t expect Dom or Seth in it, but someone I was so hoping to be killed here but nope, I have to meet him again soon.
I particularly loved the ending, I wasn’t so sure I could have this kind of HEA. It will be impossible cause I’m aware these girls have a busy writing time coming (we readers are really happy of it, of course), still I’d so love to know more about them, even in a little story, living their deserved happy ending.
I can’t recommend this book or this series or other ones by KA Merikan enough. When I first started reading their books, I was sure they weren’t for me. Well I was so wrong, I was caught in their amazing words’ web. Give them a try!
Cover art by Natasha Snow. Short version, there isn’t a cover made by Natasha I don’t love.
November 3, 2015
No Matter What had a slightly different feel than the previous books in this series. Neither Ghost, nor Luca are members of the MC. Ghost, however, is the son of a long time member, so he is quite familiar with the goings on of the club. But Ghost isn't interested in becoming a member. He is a doctor. Or, at least he was, until he broke some laws in order to save a life. Ghost wants to save lives, not take them and he abhors guns. So, even though he gets a lot of pressure to prospect, well, Ghost is really not cut cut out for that life. Not at all.
Luca is the latest "toy" of a Sicilian drug lord. He is terrorized and abused and has no way out. Five years ago, Luca befriended Ghost in an online game and they became very close. But, Ghost knows Luca as a woman named Zara. And that's who Ghost fell in love with.
The moral of this story, boys and girls, is to be careful what you believe and whom you trust, if it's coming from the internet. Or, hell, even in real life.
Now, pretty much every aspect of Zara is Luca. He lied about his gender, but not much else. But when Ghost tracks Zara down in New York, to propose, well...lets just say that not all goes to plan.
Overall, there was less angst and violence in No Matter What, than in most KA Merikan books I've read. That's not to say it's nonexistent, though. And, unlike the previous books in this series, we're not given a senseless death of a supporting character. Thank fuck. I do get that this universe is a violent one, but damn.
I loved watching Ghost face and open up about his bisexuality and his continued attraction to Luca, even though Luca isn't what Ghost expected. And, I loved watching Luca gain confidence and strength. That boy has been through so much. But he's not broken.
So, of you like your stories gritty and the sex real and hot -- read this series, or Guns n' Boys, by these same authors. Hell yeah.
Luca is the latest "toy" of a Sicilian drug lord. He is terrorized and abused and has no way out. Five years ago, Luca befriended Ghost in an online game and they became very close. But, Ghost knows Luca as a woman named Zara. And that's who Ghost fell in love with.
The moral of this story, boys and girls, is to be careful what you believe and whom you trust, if it's coming from the internet. Or, hell, even in real life.
Now, pretty much every aspect of Zara is Luca. He lied about his gender, but not much else. But when Ghost tracks Zara down in New York, to propose, well...lets just say that not all goes to plan.
Overall, there was less angst and violence in No Matter What, than in most KA Merikan books I've read. That's not to say it's nonexistent, though. And, unlike the previous books in this series, we're not given a senseless death of a supporting character. Thank fuck. I do get that this universe is a violent one, but damn.
I loved watching Ghost face and open up about his bisexuality and his continued attraction to Luca, even though Luca isn't what Ghost expected. And, I loved watching Luca gain confidence and strength. That boy has been through so much. But he's not broken.
So, of you like your stories gritty and the sex real and hot -- read this series, or Guns n' Boys, by these same authors. Hell yeah.
April 27, 2015
4.5 Stars
First off I live in the Detroit area AND graduated from Michigan State University so Thanks Ladies!!
This book had me up and down throughout. It was well written and had me angry and sad and happy. It really drew me in.
I loved how Ghost wasn't as rough and tough as the usual MC Members. For God's Sake he was a Doctor and was shot in Syria so how the hell did Tooth and Priest think he would do well as a prospect and with a gun? The scene of the shootout and Tooth yelling at Ghost after had me so angry. PTSD asshole!!
Poor Luca coming from Frederico Villani. Basically raped since he was 15. Luci/Lucky didn't seem to come across as very understanding of this recent bad history. He had multiple fingers cut off by this man and 1 of them was fresh! I was so pissed when he told Luca to "Stop being so Whiney". Really? I love you but you tend to get whiney too Luci/Lucky! Overall I didn't much like Lucky or Tooth in this book. Tooth did redeem himself in the last chapter though.
Bringing in the Villani's and Mr. Tropico was outstanding!! I love how you make the 2 different series crossover in little ways.
First off I live in the Detroit area AND graduated from Michigan State University so Thanks Ladies!!
This book had me up and down throughout. It was well written and had me angry and sad and happy. It really drew me in.
I loved how Ghost wasn't as rough and tough as the usual MC Members. For God's Sake he was a Doctor and was shot in Syria so how the hell did Tooth and Priest think he would do well as a prospect and with a gun? The scene of the shootout and Tooth yelling at Ghost after had me so angry. PTSD asshole!!
Poor Luca coming from Frederico Villani. Basically raped since he was 15. Luci/Lucky didn't seem to come across as very understanding of this recent bad history. He had multiple fingers cut off by this man and 1 of them was fresh! I was so pissed when he told Luca to "Stop being so Whiney". Really? I love you but you tend to get whiney too Luci/Lucky! Overall I didn't much like Lucky or Tooth in this book. Tooth did redeem himself in the last chapter though.
Bringing in the Villani's and Mr. Tropico was outstanding!! I love how you make the 2 different series crossover in little ways.
March 28, 2017
Not quite as much mayhem for this pair
This one's an odd one out in the series so far as it has an almost sweet note to it. I say almost because hey, this is a book about bikers and their violent ways, but Ghost and Luca are much more gentle characters.
There's an interesting cameo from Guns 'n Boys big nasty Frederico Villani in this one too which adds a bit of background to what's been going on with Dom and Seth in that series.
You could still read this book if you haven't read G&B though as the story is self contained. Tooth and Luci, now going by Lucky, are in this one a bit too but, again, not enough that you'd need to have read their story.
I didn't like this one as much as the previous but it's still a seriously good headrush through the world of the Coffin Nails.
Now, when do we get Grim's story?!
This one's an odd one out in the series so far as it has an almost sweet note to it. I say almost because hey, this is a book about bikers and their violent ways, but Ghost and Luca are much more gentle characters.
There's an interesting cameo from Guns 'n Boys big nasty Frederico Villani in this one too which adds a bit of background to what's been going on with Dom and Seth in that series.
You could still read this book if you haven't read G&B though as the story is self contained. Tooth and Luci, now going by Lucky, are in this one a bit too but, again, not enough that you'd need to have read their story.
I didn't like this one as much as the previous but it's still a seriously good headrush through the world of the Coffin Nails.
Now, when do we get Grim's story?!
April 25, 2015
Let me start by saying I'm not into m/m books....but WOW! This was HOT!! Steaming hot! I love this writer, her style, touch of detail & emotion!! I love her character development...please give me Grim next!! I loved Ghost! He is who he is...can't change that. Luca surprised me in some ways which was refreshing. I also enjoyed Nomad, great touch!! I did receive a free copy for my honest review. Hea Yeah! No cliffhanger Yeah! If you like hot mc alpha male books, with passion, emotion, pulls at your heart strings, hot steaming sex scenes....this is for you! I enjoyed it!
January 30, 2016
It may have started and ended with some rather graphic violence, but, for the most part, the middle was full of ooey gooey sweetness (just like Ele promised). As much as I appreciated the originality of the storyline, it still felt like this story was more disjointed than the last one I read in this series (The Devil's Ride: Coffin Nails MC).
October 11, 2019
READ THE WARNINGs!!. They wrote the warning for our benefit.
This is my 10th book under the name K.A Merikan that I have read. I can safely say I'm a fan. I had the biggest grin on my face when I got my hands on this book. I have been waiting for ages (probably a month and change) for their latest book. My first thoughts after reading this book is if they took out the club drama/ sadists from Italy who shall not be named, this couple was the most saccharine couple out of the whole series. Ghost is the son of one member of The Coffin Nails and Luca (Zara) is essentially the property of The sadist from Italy.
Ghost | One thing you learned for sure is that: Ghost is just not about that life. He is mostly calm in fixing people but not the other way around and harming them. I was a bit surprised by that. You would think with his Dad being part of the club and him hanging around them all these years. He would be used to it all. I could just chalk this up to what happened to him in Syria and why he just not about the illegal side business of this club. I have to say watching Catfish a few times and watch this similar scenario played out...I kind of wish some of them made a genuine love connection despite the huge lie. I love them together.
Luca | Luca ..LUCA aka Zara. Life has dealt him a shitty hand. Chapter 5 was just ..no no NO. They will give you more than enough to make sure you know that they may write about bad men but Sadists from Italy who shall not be named are on a different level and are just pure evil. Thankfully they cut out of the rest of Luca's last night. Annnnnd now I just realized that stuff went down after he lost a digit. What I miss from his character is his post reactions of finally being free from Sadists from Italy who shall not be named. He was more concerned with his relationship. I know I'm a sucker for this but I loved how he loved Ghost unconditionally. There was some dust up but I got most of it from Ghost.
Familiar faces and an Introduction We meet up again with Lucky and Tooth. That bit was nice and a bit eye opener. I think people will be surprised by Tooth's attitude in this book. I had to realizes that Ghost is a friend, not someone he is falling in love with. Did we all forget what he did to Milk? Tooth is not the man in the white hat. His hat had heavy smudges on it. I have got to say I loved Lucky just a bit more in this book.
We get to meet Grim in this book. GRIM!! He wasn't in there long but he made an impression. He was nothing like I expected but turns out I loved what they had come up with so far.
Final Thoughts>Overall I enjoyed the story. But I think the one main thing that was missing for me is that Ghost and Luca were too busy being too sweet with each other. There wasn't any real struggle or dust-up between the two of them regarding the lie or Ghost accepting/finally exploring his attraction to men. There was mention of teaching Luca a lesson for lying and it never happened or did I just miss it. One thing I would like to mention is that this book connects another favorite series of mine by them. I don't know If this will go any further. I most definitely will be continuing with this series.
* I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is my 10th book under the name K.A Merikan that I have read. I can safely say I'm a fan. I had the biggest grin on my face when I got my hands on this book. I have been waiting for ages (probably a month and change) for their latest book. My first thoughts after reading this book is if they took out the club drama/ sadists from Italy who shall not be named, this couple was the most saccharine couple out of the whole series. Ghost is the son of one member of The Coffin Nails and Luca (Zara) is essentially the property of The sadist from Italy.
Ghost | One thing you learned for sure is that: Ghost is just not about that life. He is mostly calm in fixing people but not the other way around and harming them. I was a bit surprised by that. You would think with his Dad being part of the club and him hanging around them all these years. He would be used to it all. I could just chalk this up to what happened to him in Syria and why he just not about the illegal side business of this club. I have to say watching Catfish a few times and watch this similar scenario played out...I kind of wish some of them made a genuine love connection despite the huge lie. I love them together.
Luca | Luca ..LUCA aka Zara. Life has dealt him a shitty hand. Chapter 5 was just ..no no NO. They will give you more than enough to make sure you know that they may write about bad men but Sadists from Italy who shall not be named are on a different level and are just pure evil. Thankfully they cut out of the rest of Luca's last night. Annnnnd now I just realized that stuff went down after he lost a digit. What I miss from his character is his post reactions of finally being free from Sadists from Italy who shall not be named. He was more concerned with his relationship. I know I'm a sucker for this but I loved how he loved Ghost unconditionally. There was some dust up but I got most of it from Ghost.
Familiar faces and an Introduction We meet up again with Lucky and Tooth. That bit was nice and a bit eye opener. I think people will be surprised by Tooth's attitude in this book. I had to realizes that Ghost is a friend, not someone he is falling in love with. Did we all forget what he did to Milk? Tooth is not the man in the white hat. His hat had heavy smudges on it. I have got to say I loved Lucky just a bit more in this book.
We get to meet Grim in this book. GRIM!! He wasn't in there long but he made an impression. He was nothing like I expected but turns out I loved what they had come up with so far.
Final Thoughts>Overall I enjoyed the story. But I think the one main thing that was missing for me is that Ghost and Luca were too busy being too sweet with each other. There wasn't any real struggle or dust-up between the two of them regarding the lie or Ghost accepting/finally exploring his attraction to men. There was mention of teaching Luca a lesson for lying and it never happened or did I just miss it. One thing I would like to mention is that this book connects another favorite series of mine by them. I don't know If this will go any further. I most definitely will be continuing with this series.
* I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 12, 2016
Yup. Just finished reading ‘No Matter What’ and, even though I was in tears at the end, I LOVED IT!!!!!
So, for those of you who have been following these sexy bikers, this is Ghost’s story. After five years of online chatting with Zara, Zara turns out to be Luca – a guy! Yes. A guy. But after years of leaning on, supporting, and falling in love with the essence of this beautiful person, Ghost is unable to walk away. Sure, this online friend isn’t a girl, but is the SAME person who he has grown to love, except for one major … or minor …? difference. Yup. Gender.
So, we go with these boys on their journey -- Ghost, as he discovers his sexuality and comes face to face with what he had been denying for many years, and Luca, as he gains his freedom. And what a wild ride this was!
I had liked Ghost from ‘The Devil’s Ride’ (DR); but I fell – head over heels – crazy in love with him while reading this Book 4. Ghost was gentle, kind, sincere, and honorable. Despite having lost his medical license in DR, he is still a caring (illegal?) doctor. We see him in this role caring for Luca and caring about saving one of the club’s enemies. And we see him caring for Luca as a lover. This was always tender, passionate, and even sacrificial. (Gotta read to find out more of this! ☺)
And Luca. What a sweetie. This guy loved his Ghost. Fiercely. Selflessly. Completely. Sacrificially, too, even to the point of enduring physical pain and harm.
Their story made me cry at least three times. It’s the stuff that makes good romance: finding your soul mate, learning and growing together, loving, and being willing to sacrifice your happiness for them. This was beyond beautiful. And the sex? HAWT!!!!!!!
In the midst of their loving, though, there was blood – lots of blood -- and there was cruelty … from the outside. Sometimes this was difficult to read. And there was Ghost prospecting. Poor Ghost.
But, it was also good to see other club members like Milk, Priest, and Grim (kina club member?). (Can we get Grim’s story soon??) Best of all, though, I enjoyed seeing more of Lucky and Tooth. I ABSOLUTELY ABSOLUTELY loved them from DR, and it was great to see them affectionate and still very much in love … still going strong. Still rocking their bedroom antics. *wink wink*
All in all, this was a great read. Took me three days to finish only because work got in the way! I swear, my priorities are in place. ☺
Would I recommend it? Absolutely! Will I read it again? Most definitely! My advice? Just read it already!
***Really glad I was stalking K. A. Merikan because I just happened to see her generous offer, and I was lucky to be one of the anonymous ones who received a copy for an honest review. I really appreciated getting this opportunity! First time ever getting such an honor!!!!!!!!!!!!****
To the writers: YOU ROCK!!!!
So, for those of you who have been following these sexy bikers, this is Ghost’s story. After five years of online chatting with Zara, Zara turns out to be Luca – a guy! Yes. A guy. But after years of leaning on, supporting, and falling in love with the essence of this beautiful person, Ghost is unable to walk away. Sure, this online friend isn’t a girl, but is the SAME person who he has grown to love, except for one major … or minor …? difference. Yup. Gender.
So, we go with these boys on their journey -- Ghost, as he discovers his sexuality and comes face to face with what he had been denying for many years, and Luca, as he gains his freedom. And what a wild ride this was!
I had liked Ghost from ‘The Devil’s Ride’ (DR); but I fell – head over heels – crazy in love with him while reading this Book 4. Ghost was gentle, kind, sincere, and honorable. Despite having lost his medical license in DR, he is still a caring (illegal?) doctor. We see him in this role caring for Luca and caring about saving one of the club’s enemies. And we see him caring for Luca as a lover. This was always tender, passionate, and even sacrificial. (Gotta read to find out more of this! ☺)
And Luca. What a sweetie. This guy loved his Ghost. Fiercely. Selflessly. Completely. Sacrificially, too, even to the point of enduring physical pain and harm.
Their story made me cry at least three times. It’s the stuff that makes good romance: finding your soul mate, learning and growing together, loving, and being willing to sacrifice your happiness for them. This was beyond beautiful. And the sex? HAWT!!!!!!!
In the midst of their loving, though, there was blood – lots of blood -- and there was cruelty … from the outside. Sometimes this was difficult to read. And there was Ghost prospecting. Poor Ghost.
But, it was also good to see other club members like Milk, Priest, and Grim (kina club member?). (Can we get Grim’s story soon??) Best of all, though, I enjoyed seeing more of Lucky and Tooth. I ABSOLUTELY ABSOLUTELY loved them from DR, and it was great to see them affectionate and still very much in love … still going strong. Still rocking their bedroom antics. *wink wink*
All in all, this was a great read. Took me three days to finish only because work got in the way! I swear, my priorities are in place. ☺
Would I recommend it? Absolutely! Will I read it again? Most definitely! My advice? Just read it already!
***Really glad I was stalking K. A. Merikan because I just happened to see her generous offer, and I was lucky to be one of the anonymous ones who received a copy for an honest review. I really appreciated getting this opportunity! First time ever getting such an honor!!!!!!!!!!!!****
To the writers: YOU ROCK!!!!
April 25, 2015
4.5 stars
Ghost is finally gonna surprise his beloved that he's been talking to over the net for years. If only he could pinpoint her. What he ends up meeting with is a full grown male with nothing feminine about him. He can't fckin believe this shit.
But that's still no excuse NOT to kidnap said person is it.
So Luca might have lied a bit but Ghost was his only tie and strength to keep him going. He would do anything to make it work with him if only he could show him he's still that same person, only with a dick.
This story was a little different from the others in the series regarding the main guy. Ghost was not a hardcore violent guy but he for damn sure took care of business when it came to his Luca. When it came to the romance, in the beginning he did think it over a lot but I was so fckin happy he didn't fight it the whole book. I hate shit like that. His first time was hot.
Luca had his issues but was also down to do anything for ghost. I was so excited when he took care of his when ghost had a panic moment in the middle of a shootout. And he never thought less of him for it either. He just knew that Ghost was not that type of guy and he still loved him whole heartily.
One side character in particular did stand out and I hope he gets a book in the NEAR future. Grim was fckin awesome and just didn't understand wtf Luca would want with Ghost instead of him. Lol definitely stirred Ghosts jealousy. Anyways, I think I'd like to see Grim with one of the new addition rascals, keep him on his feet and occupied for sure. Can't wait for the next book! I'm so fckin down with this series.
***ARC provided by author for an honest review***
Ghost is finally gonna surprise his beloved that he's been talking to over the net for years. If only he could pinpoint her. What he ends up meeting with is a full grown male with nothing feminine about him. He can't fckin believe this shit.
But that's still no excuse NOT to kidnap said person is it.
So Luca might have lied a bit but Ghost was his only tie and strength to keep him going. He would do anything to make it work with him if only he could show him he's still that same person, only with a dick.
This story was a little different from the others in the series regarding the main guy. Ghost was not a hardcore violent guy but he for damn sure took care of business when it came to his Luca. When it came to the romance, in the beginning he did think it over a lot but I was so fckin happy he didn't fight it the whole book. I hate shit like that. His first time was hot.
Luca had his issues but was also down to do anything for ghost. I was so excited when he took care of his when ghost had a panic moment in the middle of a shootout. And he never thought less of him for it either. He just knew that Ghost was not that type of guy and he still loved him whole heartily.
One side character in particular did stand out and I hope he gets a book in the NEAR future. Grim was fckin awesome and just didn't understand wtf Luca would want with Ghost instead of him. Lol definitely stirred Ghosts jealousy. Anyways, I think I'd like to see Grim with one of the new addition rascals, keep him on his feet and occupied for sure. Can't wait for the next book! I'm so fckin down with this series.
***ARC provided by author for an honest review***
September 23, 2015
Enjoyable, but I liked the other books in this series more. There was a lot of violence in this book, maybe more extreme than either of the others, against Luca. I hated that he had to go through what he went through that night.
I really did like both Ghost and Luca, although I found Ghost to be a bit too squicky about the idea of gay sex, considering he's always fought an attraction to men. I also felt he let his friends walk all over him, and I found myself not liking Tooth nearly as much this time around. But, all this really fits the type of series this is. These aren't the fluffy bunny bikers we see all too often, but sometimes, it can be a bit much for me.
I really did like both Ghost and Luca, although I found Ghost to be a bit too squicky about the idea of gay sex, considering he's always fought an attraction to men. I also felt he let his friends walk all over him, and I found myself not liking Tooth nearly as much this time around. But, all this really fits the type of series this is. These aren't the fluffy bunny bikers we see all too often, but sometimes, it can be a bit much for me.
November 5, 2015
This book was certainly entertaining and I did enjoy it alot, not a favourite though. I could see what other people were saying about Luca being needy and Ghost being...odd about his bisexuality and feelings towards Luca, but I felt this was fairly realistic for the characters and their individual life experiences.
I really enjoyed how these two were not made for club life and that added more individuality to their story.
I liked the balance between the the two storylines, Luca's healing from his abuse and Ghost's prospecting, it never felt like a story just about one or the other, they were nicely interwiined.
I really enjoyed how these two were not made for club life and that added more individuality to their story.
I liked the balance between the the two storylines, Luca's healing from his abuse and Ghost's prospecting, it never felt like a story just about one or the other, they were nicely interwiined.
November 4, 2020
My thoughts in 3 sentences:
- I highly enjoyed the first chapters!
- I was losing interest fast middway until the ending
- Romance feels and reads like a YA most parts
And the worst of it all: Luca confessed to Ghost that he was raped by these men and Ghost's reply was in the lines of "Move on. It happened in the past." Let me tell you this, the other biker guys in this series WOULD NEVER SAY SOMETHING LIKE THAT!!! I was fuming.
Overall, this whole story was an okay read. The three stars up there may or may not be biased because of these authors' way of storytelling.
- I highly enjoyed the first chapters!
- I was losing interest fast middway until the ending
- Romance feels and reads like a YA most parts
And the worst of it all: Luca confessed to Ghost that he was raped by these men and Ghost's reply was in the lines of "Move on. It happened in the past." Let me tell you this, the other biker guys in this series WOULD NEVER SAY SOMETHING LIKE THAT!!! I was fuming.
Overall, this whole story was an okay read. The three stars up there may or may not be biased because of these authors' way of storytelling.
May 24, 2015
*Heaves a sigh*
I'll give this one three stars because I did kinda like the story, but why did Merikan have to build a tragic romance at the expense of characters I liked from one of the previous books? Tooth and Luci are in this book, and at best, they're useless. At worst, they're total tools. Can't really forgive that, and this book suffered as a result.
I'll give this one three stars because I did kinda like the story, but why did Merikan have to build a tragic romance at the expense of characters I liked from one of the previous books? Tooth and Luci are in this book, and at best, they're useless. At worst, they're total tools. Can't really forgive that, and this book suffered as a result.
June 13, 2015
2.5 stars.
"No Matter What" is not my usual M/M fare, but I wanted to branch out and try something new. I hadn't read the previous books in the series, so it was all new to me. I figured it would be chock full of violence and brutality with a bit of loving thrown in; little did I know it would be the opposite. Up until recent national U.S. news happened, I never thought I'd be thinking that some of the situations in this book sounded plausible. I thought these biker gang plots were just some made up bullshit that made for a good story. Little did I know, right?? Little did I know...
The storyline:
Biker MC Ghost fell in love with a girl named Zara online after knowing her for a long time. He thought he would whisk her off her feet one day while stealing her away from her abusive boyfriend, but boy was he surprised when Zara turned out to be a very pretty man named Luca. Needless to say, much drama ensues as Ghost figures out that "Zara's" abusive boyfriend is really an extremely violent Mafioso, along with trying to come to terms with the fact that he just might be bisexual.
My thoughts:
There's a lot of drama in this book. A lot. Ghost is not some super macho biker dude here, he's a sensitive ex-doctor that doesn't have the stomach for being in a biker gang, but has been forced into it by circumstance. He's also dealing with Luca and all that entails, which leads to much soul searching and quite a bit of hurt/comfort. I didn't mind Ghost as a character, I just felt he seemed very out of place in the world he grew up in. The character I didn't care for that much was Luca. I get that he was , so he would be very needy. I totally get that. He just felt feminine and very woobie-ish to me, as well as super whiny.
The one thing I actually really disliked was the extra flowery language. It felt false, and quite unlike anything I could imagine a biker uttering in his life. There was also way too much of it, especially during the sex scenes. Oh and about those: they went on for pages and pages of dialogue and super slow action. I ended up not even just skimming but skipping past most of them(can you imagine?). I know this book is self published, so I imagine some of these issues could be fixed by a good editing. But then again, something that I have an issue with could be something that another reader thoroughly enjoys, so there's that.
There were some minor grammatical and spelling errors but they did not take away from the book in any way. This book can be read as a standalone.
So, if you're looking for a bit of the old ultra violence, then this is not the book for you. If you're looking to read some hurt/comfort featuring a fluffy biker, then this is the one for you. Beware of some on page sexual and physical abuse if that's the sort of thing that bothers you.
I received this book in exchange for an unbiased review from the M/M Romance group Don't Buy My Love program.
"No Matter What" is not my usual M/M fare, but I wanted to branch out and try something new. I hadn't read the previous books in the series, so it was all new to me. I figured it would be chock full of violence and brutality with a bit of loving thrown in; little did I know it would be the opposite. Up until recent national U.S. news happened, I never thought I'd be thinking that some of the situations in this book sounded plausible. I thought these biker gang plots were just some made up bullshit that made for a good story. Little did I know, right?? Little did I know...
The storyline:
Biker MC Ghost fell in love with a girl named Zara online after knowing her for a long time. He thought he would whisk her off her feet one day while stealing her away from her abusive boyfriend, but boy was he surprised when Zara turned out to be a very pretty man named Luca. Needless to say, much drama ensues as Ghost figures out that "Zara's" abusive boyfriend is really an extremely violent Mafioso, along with trying to come to terms with the fact that he just might be bisexual.
My thoughts:
There's a lot of drama in this book. A lot. Ghost is not some super macho biker dude here, he's a sensitive ex-doctor that doesn't have the stomach for being in a biker gang, but has been forced into it by circumstance. He's also dealing with Luca and all that entails, which leads to much soul searching and quite a bit of hurt/comfort. I didn't mind Ghost as a character, I just felt he seemed very out of place in the world he grew up in. The character I didn't care for that much was Luca. I get that he was , so he would be very needy. I totally get that. He just felt feminine and very woobie-ish to me, as well as super whiny.
The one thing I actually really disliked was the extra flowery language. It felt false, and quite unlike anything I could imagine a biker uttering in his life. There was also way too much of it, especially during the sex scenes. Oh and about those: they went on for pages and pages of dialogue and super slow action. I ended up not even just skimming but skipping past most of them(can you imagine?). I know this book is self published, so I imagine some of these issues could be fixed by a good editing. But then again, something that I have an issue with could be something that another reader thoroughly enjoys, so there's that.
There were some minor grammatical and spelling errors but they did not take away from the book in any way. This book can be read as a standalone.
So, if you're looking for a bit of the old ultra violence, then this is not the book for you. If you're looking to read some hurt/comfort featuring a fluffy biker, then this is the one for you. Beware of some on page sexual and physical abuse if that's the sort of thing that bothers you.
I received this book in exchange for an unbiased review from the M/M Romance group Don't Buy My Love program.
October 17, 2016
da www.sognipensieriparole.com
A parte quest'ossessione per il taglio delle dita (che mi fa più Yakuza giapponese che mafia nostrana - però non sono un'esperta...), e una lieve insistenza didascalica nelle scene di sesso (ammetto che sì, mi piace, ma non ho proprio bisogno d'essere condotta in visita pelo per pelo sui corpi altrui... ho una certa immaginazione visiva :) ), questo nuovo volume della serie mi è piaciuto MOLTO, anche più del primo.
Fantasma è di un romanticismo cuccioloso che non fa cascar le braccia, ma ti riscalda il cuore.
Zara - Luca è ... Zara-Luca. Punto e basta.
La trama è avvincente, un qualcosina splatter, pure divertente. Stile Merikan, insomma.
Anche se consiglierei la lettura dopo i precedenti volumi dei Guns N' Boys, tanto per partire con una certa conoscenza della famiglia Villani.
Alla fine ci si affeziona anche ai motociclisti, giubbotti, toppe e gavette.
E Tristo, dove lo vogliamo mettere??
Attendo nuovi esaltanti sviluppi sul pitone e il suo padrone... (e non è uno spoiler).
A parte quest'ossessione per il taglio delle dita (che mi fa più Yakuza giapponese che mafia nostrana - però non sono un'esperta...), e una lieve insistenza didascalica nelle scene di sesso (ammetto che sì, mi piace, ma non ho proprio bisogno d'essere condotta in visita pelo per pelo sui corpi altrui... ho una certa immaginazione visiva :) ), questo nuovo volume della serie mi è piaciuto MOLTO, anche più del primo.
Fantasma è di un romanticismo cuccioloso che non fa cascar le braccia, ma ti riscalda il cuore.
Zara - Luca è ... Zara-Luca. Punto e basta.
La trama è avvincente, un qualcosina splatter, pure divertente. Stile Merikan, insomma.
Anche se consiglierei la lettura dopo i precedenti volumi dei Guns N' Boys, tanto per partire con una certa conoscenza della famiglia Villani.
Alla fine ci si affeziona anche ai motociclisti, giubbotti, toppe e gavette.
E Tristo, dove lo vogliamo mettere??
Attendo nuovi esaltanti sviluppi sul pitone e il suo padrone... (e non è uno spoiler).
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