Hidden Heat

Brothers of Mayhem #1

by Carla Swafford

Sizzling with passion and suspense, perfect for fans of Joanna Wylde and Julie Ann Walker, the Brothers of Mayhem series revs up as a headstrong beauty faces off against an outlaw motorcycle club—and falls for the bad boy she never saw coming.

Cassidy Ryder refuses to be intimidated by anyone, even the hell-raising, hard-drinking Brothers of Mayhem. The daughter of their former president, she’s not above smashing a few heads to keep her teenage brother safe. But when Cassidy’s big mouth gets her in trouble, the only thing that saves her is some quick thinking from the Brothers’ bartender. He’s commanding and strong, and as smooth as the whiskey he pours: the ultimate temptation for a girl who swore she’d never be a biker’s plaything.

But Thorn Savalas is no ordinary biker. He’s a cop, and he’s worked too hard earning the Brothers’ trust to blow his cover over a female—even one who rocks a pair of jeans like Cassidy. The only way to protect her is by claiming she’s his old lady. Trouble is, Thorn can’t just pretend. He wants Cassidy, and every scorching touch tells him she feels the same. But acting on their hottest fantasies could leave them both exposed . . . even if nothing else has ever felt so real.

Genres: Romance, New Adult, Contemporary Romance, Erotica, Romantic Suspense, Suspense, Contemporary

218 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 16, 2016

About the author

Carla Swafford loves romance novels, action/adventure movies, and men, and her books reflect that. And that’s not all, she’s crazy about hockey, and thankfully, no one has made her turn in her Southern Belle card. Carla is​ married to her high school sweetheart and lives in the southeastern U.S.

Be sure to check out her website. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest, and BookBub.

www.carlaswafford.com

Reviews

[XxTainaxX Curvy and Nerdy · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I enjoyed Thorn and Cassidy's story. It was nice to get perspective into an undercover cop in an MC. Thorn of course has all the makings of a take charge dominant H but he also has a sweet side that wants to protect Cass while she does her best to keep her brother out of the life that ruined her parents and caused her to make some mistakes in her youth. At some points through the book it seems like there's a certain level of immaturity from Cass though I suppose it can come from her age. I do like her gutsy attitude even though she tends to get Thorn in trouble with it quite frequently lol The main plot was interesting but it felt a bit scattered. It also leaves more questions than answers towards the end. What happens to Thorn and Cass is also not very clear. I guess it's a good thing because it makes me want to read the next one to find out what happens but it also leaves me with a sense of dissatisfaction with the current story. As far as safety, there are no other people for either character in any way, though it does allude to Cass being shared in the past. Not by Thorn but by an ex.

ARC received in exchange for an honest review.

[Bri · Rating 3 out of 5]

NOW LIVE!!!
*Amazon*Barnes & Noble*iBooks*

Cassidy Ryder is the type of woman that isn't afraid to walk into a biker bar and start smashing glasses with a baseball bat so she can get answers about her brother. When it comes to him she has no fear for herself, but her quest for answers leads her to more trouble than she was expecting. Her late father was the president of the Brother's of Mayhem MC and up until now that has protected her from harm. Now, though, bigger things are in play and none of the members care any longer who her father was.



Undercover cop, Thorn Savalas has never met a woman like Cassidy but after he saves her by making the MC believe he fucked her, all he wants to do is strangle her. She's gotten them both mixed up in a dangerous deal the brothers are trying to make and now Thorn has to work twice as hard to keep them both alive. Nowhere in his plan was he supposed to fall for her but plans sometimes change.



There was a lot going on with this story and I had a hard time keeping up at times. It was going really well in the beginning and I loved seeing Cassidy going to bat -see what I did there ;)- for her younger brother. She was loyal as hell when it came to her family and I found that a great part of her character. But then it became the annoying part. There were times where it wasn't her trying to save her brother, she was just out of control and I those parts just needed to go.



Thorn was only okay for me. I think I would have liked him a lot more if we learned more about him but everything we knew was just small details that were thrown in. I feel like his backstory could have potentially been really great, especially with the crazy family he came from but we didn't get too much of that. I can say he was sexy as hell, though!



Some of the book became really slow when it didn't feel like a lot was happening even though there was a lot of information being thrown out about the club and it's dealings. I think part of what made it slow was that there was too much happening at one time and it was getting a hard to follow. What, I think, were supposed to be shockers were just heh? moments and some of them I had to go back and read over to make sure I had my information correct.



The ending was a bunch of information thrown together for us to try and make sense of and then it was over. It was too rushed for me and honestly I wasn't all that happy with how one of the situations ended. Is Cassidy's brother going to get a story? If so I'm not even sure if I would be happy about that or not. Yet again, I'm left wanting to know more.



Overall this was an okay MC story but nothing more than okay. I liked the relationship between Thorn and Cassidy but the Club stuff was frustrating me and especially with the way it ended. I hope this story will work better for everyone else and I think a lot of you will fall for Thorn.

ARC kindly provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm always drawn to books with undercover cops and Hidden Heat was no exception. As soon as I read the blurb I knew that I had to give this one a go. And while it wasn't everything I was hoping it'd be, Hidden Heat was still a pretty good read.

Everything starts up pretty quickly in this one when Cassidy shows up at the bar looking for her brother and her mouth gets her into a little bit of trouble. Having grown up in the life she's not afraid of a bunch of bikers, but luckily, Thorn still steps in and rescues her.

Both Thorn and Cassidy intrigued me from the beginning. Cassidy comes off as kind of a badass and I couldn't wait to see if it was all a front... And Thorn... Well what can I really say about him?! And undercover cop posing as an MC bartender who rescues a damsel in distress... Sigh! That's my favorite kind of hero.

As soon as Thorn claims Cassidy as his old lady things heat up pretty quickly between them and that heat doesn't fade out until the end. Can we say bathroom quickie?! Unfortunately Thorn isn't exactly in the position to have any lasting relationships and Cassidy figures that a god guy like Thorn wouldn't want her for the long term anyway.

There's a decent amount of danger and suspense in this one that kept me interested. I mean, Thorn is an undercover cop after all... It's only a matter of time before he's made or he has to finish up his assignment and move on.

This one probably would have been closer to a four star read for me if it wasn't for the end. Everything wraps up so quickly and easily and Thorn disappears to go on his next undercover assignment without any contact with Cassidy for eleven months... And what does she do when he shows back up?! Falls right into his arms and agrees to marry him. Where's the big grovel that most women would have demanded?!

Other than that though, Hidden Heat was a decent read with a different perspective into the MC lifestyle that offered a nice change from the norm. And even though I didn't exactly love this one, I'm definitely still interested in continuing the series.

*ARC kindly provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Alyse · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hidden Heat is the first in Carla Swafford's new Brother's of Mayham series. This was also the first book I've read by this author. I thought Hidden Heat was just okay to me. At times, it felt rushed and information was just thrown at you (seemingly coming from nowhere) and other times if felt like it was dragging. There seemed to be no middle ground.

Cassidy Ryder is just trying to get her little brother out of the Brothers of Mayham grasp. She KNOWS the trouble this motorcycle gang is having grown up as the daughter of the former president. But when her attitude gets her into trouble, the only one that can help her is a Brothers bartender, Thorn Savalas.

Only Thorn isn't your typical Brother of Mayham member. He is an undercover cop trying to bring the biker gang down. But when Cassidy comes into his bar looking for trouble, he gets more than he has bargained for and the only way to protect her is to make everyone believe he claimed her as his "old lady". She has gotten them mixed up in some dangerous stuff and he can't decide if he wants to strangle her or f*ck her.

But they can only play pretend so long, and as real feelings develop the danger gets closer...

One thing that annoyed me with Cassidy, is that while she is EXTREMELY loyal to her brother and seems to be willing to do anything to protect him, there were times throughout the book that weren't about protecting him. She just was out of control and pissy with MEN THAT COULD/WOULD KILL HER. She seemed to have no self-control or common-sense in that department.

Rating: 3 out of 5

**I received an ARC through Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.**

OTHER PLACES TO FIND ME:
Blog: http://alysenovak.blogspot.com
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/AlyseNovakBlog
Twitter: www.twitter.com/alyseypoo21
Bloglovin': https://www.bloglovin.com/alyseypoo21
Google+: https://plus.google.com/+AlyseNovak
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/alyseypoo21

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, I'm not usually one for MC romances but I liked this one. Carla is great at weaving suspense into her romances so this was hit for me.

Not usually a fan of MC (Motorcycle Club) romances, I was a bit hesitant reading HIDDEN HEAT by Carla Swafford but having read her Circle series, I knew she could pack a wallop when she needed to so I took a chance. I’m glad I did. This story was about more than bikers, causing trouble, and behavior bordering on misogynistic. It was tough but emotional, forgiving, and steamy as all get out. Cassidy is a woman with her own mind. Yeah, there were a few times when I thought she pushed the envelope a bit in her defense of her brother, Storm but hey, she is a badass biker chick. But then there is Thorn…hey, he could bring out the femininity in any woman, even the most badass like Cassidy. Carla is good at conjuring real men in her stories and that’s what you get with Thorn. He is sex personified. He’s everything you’d expect from a biker but then he’s not. The pairing was perfect.

HIDDEN HEAT, book one in the Brothers of Mayhem series by Carla Swafford is action from the start and it just keeps going. There’s so much going on in the story that you have to stay glued to it just to keep track. I do think the ending felt a bit rushed but it worked so I can’t complain too much. However, it would’ve been nice if it lasted just a little bit longer so I didn’t have to say good-bye to Thorn yet.

If you’re a fan of MC romance, you’ve got to read HIDDEN HEAT by Carla Swafford. If you’re like me, and kind of on the edge, give it a try because I think it might surprise you as much as it did me.

***eARC provided by author via NetGalley in exchange for an honest and unscripted review.

[Kahea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hidden Heat was one of those books that popped up as a “Since you’ve read that book, we think you’ll like this one…” email and after reading the description it definitely sounded like something I’d enjoy reading. Now, I’m not an MC junkie by any means, but I do have a few favorites that have brought on massive hangovers after finishing them, and couple that with the whole undercover cop aspect I gave it a go and as a whole I did enjoy the book. The beginning started off strong and though I did have some issues as the book progressed I was still fully engaged in the story and wanted to see how everything played out and the end of the book came and I had very mixed feelings on where things were left standing.

The book starts off strong with Cassidy marching her ass into the MC’s clubhouse and I had to wonder if this chick had balls of steel or bat shit crazy. Turns out she’s a bit of both. Her desire to keep her brother out of the biker world was strong and came from a good place, but her tendency to fly off the handle had me wanting to reach out and smack her. I couldn’t help but admire her determination and tenacity, but I’d have thought that a person who grew up in the life ~ not to mention was the child of the ex president of the MC ~ would have a clue how to handle things and not make things worse.

Thorn is just as determined and tenacious as Cassidy, but much, much more level headed. In part it is because of his job because becoming a loose cannon will more than likely get him killed, but he assess a situation quickly and figures out what the best plan of attack is and executes it. He’s that good guy that you can’t help but like and could definitely be labeled a “Knight in shining armor.”

Their feelings for each other evolve quickly, though I wouldn’t label it an insta-love situation. They are thrust together in what one could term ‘forced intimacy’ and it’s in both of their best interests that they go along with it. Thankfully they are attracted to each other and there is definite chemistry between them. The way that their issues were resolved were a bit quick for my tastes, but I’m also happy that it didn’t drag out, so looking at what it could have turned into I’m okay with it. My only issue with their relationship is that while we learned about Thorn’s past, I never felt like we, or Cass, really got to the heart and soul of him. Cass, we learn a lot about and see where her issues come from, but Thorn’s were always surface. He’s still that knight in shining armour but I wanted a little more from him.

This is my first book by the author and as I stated in the beginning I was completely engaged in the story and wanted to know how things turned out, but at the end of the book I felt like the only thing that got any sort of closure was Thorn and Cassidy’s relationship.I know that this is a first in series and laying out all your cards doesn’t happen, but there were quite a few relationships that are still in the “loose end” category and all I can hope for is that they do get tied up as the series progresses. Of the secondary characters I found Wolf and Angel to be the most interesting and am crossing my fingers that they get their own books.

The Bottom Line: This is a decent start to a new series and it’s peaked my interest enough to keep an eye out for the next book to see if Wolf and Angel do get their own stories as well as to see if the loose ends get tied up.

~ ARC provided by Random House Publishing Group - Loveswept via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review ~

[Linda (un)Conventional Bookworms · Rating 3 out of 5]

This review was originally posted on (un)Conventional Bookviews
Hidden Heat is a fast-paced romantic suspense that unfolds in the midst of a criminal MC, and where the heroine should stay far away, but she wants to keep her brother safe.



The danger lurking everywhere in Hidden Heat kept me on the edge of my seat, and the absolute hotness between Cassidy and Thorn sweetened the deal! Cassidy did get on my nerves a little at times, though - she never really thought things through - especially if she was upset about something. And she was that. Quite often, too. She would go off on people she'd be much better off not even talking to in the first place, and she put herself and others in danger when she knowingly insulted the president of Brothers of Mayhem. Because she had grown up in the club, she couldn't plead not knowing how things worked, either...

I really enjoyed Thorn, though - he was great in his role both as bartender and as Cassidy's protector / boyfriend. He had a big heart hidden beneath his cut, and most of the time, Cassidy realized this. Hidden Heat managed to keep me interested, though, as both the overall storyline and the plot lines kept me wanting more, and trying to figure things out. The fast pace had me feeling out of breath at times, like I needed to run to make sure Cassidy and Thorn would be safe when things went to hell...

Written in third person point of view, past tense, the narrative was quite close to the two main characters, though, and the readers did not know much the protagonists didn't know. This kept the suspense going until the end, though, and made for a tense and quick read.



Yeah, the girl - no scratch that - the woman was trouble, but he always had a thing for strong women. Sex was so much more fun and interesting when they surrendered. His dick twitched.

Though she grew up with pot and meth in whatever rental they lived in, she'd never messed with her parents' stash. Whenever she'd even looked at their paraphernalia in curiosity, they blew their tops, but not from fear of what might happen to her, or because she was too young to use drugs, but because they hated sharing.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an arc copy from netgalley for an honest review.

This was such a good read. The ending was rushed, but I loved the story so much it still got a 5 from me. I love my books with a bad ass female lead. Cassidy has no fear when it comes to trying to save her brother. With that said she obviously needs someone to protect her when her mouth gets her in trouble with the pres. That is where her man steps up. Bad boy who is actually good, so hot.

[Lustful Literature · Rating 4 out of 5]

Josie's Review


Hidden Heat is filled with a remarkable storyline. An undercover DEA that uses his skills in the military and strong family ties to get into the inner circle of a MC, YES PLEASE! This book was more than just your typical MC novel it was filled with suspense, danger, drugs, violence and dealt with some really tough issues such as rape. The two main characters of this book are Thorn and Cassidy, two very different people brought together because of their dislike of the MC.


Thorn’s undercover work is going well, he has spent months working to bring down the MC and its very sick, twisted and demented Prez. That is until one very feisty, strong and very determined woman walks into the club’s bar causing an uproar. Cassidy is a woman that is not easily frightened, so when she finds out that her brother is hanging around the very clubhouse that got her father sent to jail she is determined to bring him out, even if she has to break some legs along the way. Cassidy’s mouth and attitude make her a target of the President of the MC and Thorne for some reason feels the need to protect her.


As soon as we are introduce to Cassidy’s character, I admired her. She grew up surrounded by the MC. She hates that lifestyle and the roles of the women, she definitely did not fit into the be seen and not heard scenario. Her experiences with the MC have never been favorable. When she was younger she suffered a very traumatic experience that has left her unable to trust any man, especially one who is part of the MC. She has worked hard to get over what happened and built a better life for herself and her brother away from the MC. She vowed never to fall for a biker, but when she is with Thorn she feels safe, protected and cared for.


Thorn is so much more than I bargained for he was caring, protective and even though his job was to bring down the MC he could not help but want to make sure Cassidy was protected. His career and job were important but so was Cassidy. Thorn does the only thing he can think of to save her life, he claims her as his Old Lady. What started out as pretend morphed into something real. The more time they spent together the more he got to know her and how she suffered.


The story is fast paced and for easy to follow. The author does an amazing job in not only giving readers a very hot and steamy love story but also one that is filled with suspense and plenty of twists and turns. I love when an author gives readers a bit of the characters pasts, such as the case with Hidden Heat. The glimpses of their pasts and alternate POV’s gave the characters a strong background and offered a better understanding of who and what they are. I felt the deep connection between the characters and loved how this author took the time to give the characters a more realistic and natural relationship. My only dilemma with the book was the ending. I would have liked to see more and not felt like it was rushed, but all in all it was a really good read and I can’t wait for the next book in this series.

[WTF Are You Reading? · Rating 4 out of 5]

21-year old Cassidy Ryder is a close to MC royalty as one can get in the world of the Alabama biker clubs.
As the daughter of a fallen Skull (president) and now the foster daughter of a former vice president of the Brothers Of Mayhem.  Cassidy should be able to do no wrong in the eyes of the rough and tumble brotherhood.

But life as it should be, and life as it is for both Cassidy, and her brother Storm are two different things entirely.
Never one to hold her tongue, or find herself cowed by any man.  Cassidy and her quest to protect her soon to be 18-year old hot headed sibling from the evils of biker life, are putting her on the wrong side of the clubhouse equation.

Enter Thorn...
A relatively new addition to the club.  It seems that Thorn is always there to save Cassidy from both herself, and other club members.
Able to both walk the walk and talk the biker talk, Thorn seems the perfect fit for the hard living and speed loving biker club.  Until his mask slips however, and Cassidy gets a glimpse of the gentleman underneath.

But Thorn has secrets that are far more dangerous than the softer side that Cassidy can't help wanting to curl into.
He is a man straddling a dangerous line.  A line between right and wrong.  A line between light and dark.  A line that if crossed too far on one side or the other, could mean the end for them both.

Given the fact that it is a given from the word "go" that Thorn and Cassidy are destined for couplehood.  The incessant necessity for Thorn to fight battles brought on by Cassidy's sass and 'tude' gets old, the further that one goes into the story.

There is also an uncomfortable sleaze factor about acting Skull, Stonewall, that rears its ugly head whenever he is within leering distance of Cassidy.

The most appealing thing about this read...is not the romance.
It is the way that all of Thorn's unexpected secrets unfold.
Showing readers that he has a bigger stake in everything than  anyone.

Be warned that there is a big disconnect between Cassidy and Thorn at book's end.  There is no way to prepare for it.
Just be ready to fall off of a really high emotional cliff into a big black hole of WTF?

Not to worry though...you are saved eventually!
By a sweet but awkwardly executed "happily..."

[Carmella · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

Cassidy was raised with bikers. She was tough and outspoken. Her father had been the President of the club until 7 years ago, when he went to prison for killing his wife, Cass' mother. She had no use for anything biker.

Her 17 year old brother Storm had different ideas though. He wanted to be part of the club and had been spending time with them. She went to the biker bar one night in search of her brother. This is where she meets Thorn, the bartender and also part of the club.

She starts arguing with the VP, Mac about her brother and is seriously pushing her luck. Thorn bails her out of trouble with the bikers. Since the President is of other things to do with her mouth, Thorn basically tells him she is his old lady to protect her.

Cass knows something is off about Thorn, he is too nice and respectful and bikers are not respectful of their women! She questions him and he talks it down.

Thorn is undercover and really wants to take these guys down. He can't watch Cass endanger herself with them though. Of course, the attraction between them doesn't help either.

This was a pretty good book. Cass was a decent young woman trying to keep her brother on the straight and narrow and not in jail like their father. He is at the age where he doesn't listen though, all her warnings equal nagging to him.

Thorn has some family issues of his own to deal with, a slimy Uncle by the name of Trick and a younger brother who could benefit from some attention from his big brother.

This is a good read, I would recommend it of you like bikers and their crude world.

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads

Hidden Heat isn't your typical MC read. Thorn is a brother in the Brothers of Mayhem MC club...but he's hiding who he truly is from everyone or it could mean his life. Thorn is undercover, trying to bring the outlaw biker gang to justice. Cassidy Ryder grew up in the MC world, after her MC President dad killed her mother and was sent to prison she and her brother are fostered by the VP of the club. Cassidy hates the MC life, she's trying to find a life outside the MC but she refuses to leave her brother, Storm, behind with the men and a club that had destroyed her life.
After Cassidy charges into the MC demanding to know where her brother is, wielding a baseball bat, Thorn falls for her unrelenting drive and need to protect her little brother. She hates the MC life but gets drawn to Thorn, he's different, she feels it, he's a good man. Little does she know he's trying to bring the club down. Can he protect her and the only family she's ever had while bringing down the Brother of Mayhem?
I completely enjoyed this story, it's many plot twists & turns had me riveted. I loved Thorns crazy relatives! He's betrayed by some and helped by others and you never knew who to trust!! Very well written! I will definitely be reading the next book and hope we get some closure on Storm. Great ending ties up lots of loose ends for Cassidy & Thorn, so I was happy there was no cliff hanger.

[*P · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Star story

I never read the entire synopsis prior to reading this book. I was pleased to see how well the title placed into the underlying theme of the story. Thorn makes for an enjoyable hero while Cassidy is a total badass heroine.

Cassidy is only looking out for her brother. She never intended to follow for the bartender/biker.
Unfortunately Cassidy's smart mouth gets her into trouble. Even though she could be considered MC royalty, she needs Thorn to get her out of trouble.

The chemistry between the two is pretty dynamic and hot. The little twists that come along did keep it interesting. Unfortunately the ending of the story totally killed my perception overall. The ending was way too rushed. I was really bummed that Cassidy and Thorn came to such a quick resolution after spending time apart. I did enjoy the information provided in the final chapter but it still was not enough to make me feel really good about the story overall. There is inklings to suggest Cassidy's brother will be getting his own story but I am not entirely certain I will have interest in reading it since I had no interest in the other MC characters, except for maybe Thorn's brother Wolf.

Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[S.M. Harshell · Rating 4 out of 5]

**I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.**

Hidden Heat wasn't my typical MC read.

Cassidy Ryder has a history with the club. Before her father was sent to prison he was once the national president and her foster father, Mitch, used to be the VP before his accident that put him in a wheelchair. Now her brother will do anything he can to be a member. She is trying to keep him safe and out of that life. When she meets Thorn, he's different than the other Brother's. He doesn't act like the other Brothers, he may actually care about her and go out of his way to keep her safe.

Thorn is working as an undercover cop within the club. He's operation is almost over but he needs Cassidy. They trust him a little more if he's messing with "club royalty".

I was instantly pulled into this story. It was an easy read. It had a great flow to it. I am looking forward to the next in the series.

[Simply Love Book Reviews · Rating 2 out of 5]

Paige's review posted at Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews

I liked the premise of the book but it failed to deliver for me. The story line was weak and in the end the author tried a lot of cliches to save the book.

Cassidy grew up in the lifestyle but had a falling out with the club since her father's incarceration. For being raised in the MC she was awfully naive. There were several times when her character was put in unrealistic situations. The scenarios were too over the top and unrealistic.
Thorn has been undercover and infiltrated the Brother of Mayhem MC. He was able to fool the club and his family, who is part of the criminal underworld, but he wasn't able to pull the wool over Cassidy's eyes. If he was so transparent with someone he just met, I can't believe he was a successful agent.

There is no doubt that the pair was compatible in the bedroom. They had some pretty hot sex scenes. Although, I did feel some of the descriptions of them were kinda off.

Review copy provided for an honest review.

[LeeAnne · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Read and reviewed for Wicked Reads Review Team*

This isn’t your typical MC read but is pretty good none-the-less!

Cassidy Ryder’s father was president of the local MC before being put away and her current foster father was the VP before being involved in an accident that’s bound him to a wheel-chair. Now her brother is doing everything he can to become a prospect and Cassidy is fighting tooth and nail to keep this from happening… even putting herself in danger to trying to come to his rescue.

Thorn is a member of the MC and he’s not sure what to do about the crazy woman whose come busting in demanding to know the were-about’s of her younger brother. Thorn’s not sure why but he has this intense need to protect Cassidy and he does everything in his power to keep her safe.

Super easy read, great flow, great character development and I really enjoyed it.

[Bella · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,25 stars
This was one short MC read. Writing was ok, character interesting. I just got problem with the whole plot. I just didn't feel the story you know all the undercover things and reason for hooking up. Cass was strong and sassy at first but then she kind become annoying with her mouth. And Torn he was ok very hot very bad boy biker. Coming back together was also complete bullshit. She forgave him without him saying a word. The end was confusing to me, was he undercover again and the whole family was involved?
It really had potential at the start and there were some funny happenings. But toward the end I lost my interest.

*ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

[Christine Woinich · Rating 4 out of 5]

I could not put this book down. I loved Cassidy and her determination to protect her brother from the harsh life within the MC. She also had the strength to realize that he needed to learn by making his own mistakes. Her journey included a run in with the leadership of the MC, forcing her to accept the help of Thorn. Their attraction is instant and strong. Despite the situation, Thorn is caring, gentle, and very male. I hope to read more from Carla Swafford.

I had an opportunity to read this through Netgalley.

[She Hearts Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Goodness I sure did love Cassidy. She was smart and sassy and absolutely perfect for Thorn is so many ways. She was so tired of the MC taking parts of her and now they have her brother working for them. She would love nothing more than helping take them down and Thorn totally gives her that option. Well that and a whole lot of sizzle between them. Thorn is all alpha sexy man with a badge to back it up. I so loved them together and enjoyed their story.

I give Hidden Heat 4 hearts!

[Heather Pollock · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC copy through NetGalley

You can never go wrong with a MC book.
I think I'm a Carla Swafford fan now.
Hidden Heat had everything I was expecting. Just the perfect amount of romance and drama. Plus the perfect main characters in Cassidy and Thorn. I can't wait for the next few books to come out.

[Vfc · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unremarkable. Corruption, violence, death...not necessarily in that order.

[StinaMadsMN · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Hidden Heat, Cassidy is trying to save her younger brother from the same destructive life their parent's lead in the Brothers of Mayhem MC. Thorn is working undercover to bring down the entire MC and their illegal operation smuggling motorcycle parts. When Cassidy takes it too far and gets on the bad side of Stonewall, the club's president, Thorn steps in and saves her by claiming her as his old lady. As they begin to trust each other, Thorn lets Cassidy in on the operation by making her his CI. He'll do anything to protect her from Stonewall. Neither of them expected to fall in love along the way.

This book was different from any of the other MC romances I've read. While most MC romances focus on the MC and the people within it, Hidden Heat shows two people trying to break free of it. The actual club in Hidden Heat wasn't like any of the other's I've read about. The others seemed more like families. The women, specifically the old ladies, and children were respected and protected. In this book, the women in the MC were treated terribly and the children even more so. The Brothers of Mayhem MC seemed more like a group of men who were only together for their own gain and no one else's. Whereas in the others I've read, they all worked together for what was best for the entire club and the people in it. I think I prefer the kind of MC's that are more family-based, even if they still do illegal things like the Brothers of Mayhem. I liked how Hidden Heat focused more on this undercover cop who has infiltrated the club in an effort to bring it down. We get to see all the planning that goes into that kind of operation. At first, Cassidy seems like a liability to the operation, but when Thorn sees how desperately she wants to save her brother and see the club destroyed, she becomes a great strength to him, even though she still causes some problems. I just really liked this different angle in an MC romance.

As I mentioned, Thorn is an undercover cop in the Brothers of Mayhem MC. But he is also a part of the Savalas criminal family. Although he went the straight and narrow way, his connections to such a family give him an advantage in his undercover work. He has a younger brother named Wolf, who I thought was adorable and at times I felt sorry for him. He really just wants to know that his brother cares about him. Wolf really doesn't seems like a bad guy at all. I'd love to see a brotherly scene between Thorn and Wolf. Cassidy is the daughter of the Brothers of Mayhem's founding president and the foster daughter of their founding vice president. She and her brother Storm never had a good life growing up and that has led her to make come pretty bad choices, but now she's trying to keep her brother from making the same mistakes that she did. Storm is on the cusp of turning 18 and being eligible to become a prospect in the club. He doesn't like his sister nagging him about the club and he especially doesn't like it when he sees her with Thorn. They are both very head-strong people and are constantly butting heads. Then there's Stonewall, the Skull and president of the Brothers of Mayhem. He's a disgusting old man who has been wanting inside Cassidy's pants since she was a young teen. He finds ways to make things difficult for her and Thorn and he even uses Cassidy to get Thorn to do as he wants. Stonewall is a man who only cares about his own wants and needs, no matter what they are.

I liked how the story switched between Cassidy's point of view and Thorn's. We really get the whole story with this set up. I also enjoyed this different take on an MC romance, having one of the main characters as an undercover cop. Thorn is a character that you can really get behind and root for. And for Cassidy you really just want to see her have a better life, with Thorn of course. Everyone loves a happy ending. There is a happily ever after for them, but it definitely doesn't come easy. There are some surprises in store for them and some sacrifices. Stonewall, while I hated his guts, was a very good villain in this story. I really want to read Storm's story, There seems to be more going on than Cassidy or anyone else, including us the readers, realize. I want to know what's been going through Storm's head. All in all, Hidden Heat has everything you could want in a story. A new take on most other MC romances, characters you root for, a villain you can't help but hate, scenes that leave you wondering what else could possibly happen next, and characters you want to know more about in the future books in the series.

[Mollien Fote Osterman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: Hidden Heat: A Brothers of Mayhem Novel
Author: Carla Swafford
Series: A Brothers of Mayhem
Publisher: Loveswept
Reviewer: Mollien
Release Date: February 16, 2016
Genre(s): Romance, Biker Romance, Police Romance
Page Count: 218 pages
Heat Level: # 4 flames out of 5
Rating: # 4 stars out of 5
Blurb:

Sizzling with passion and suspense, perfect for fans of Joanna Wylde and Julie Ann Walker, the Brothers of Mayhem series revs up as a headstrong beauty faces off against an outlaw motorcycle club—and falls for the bad boy she never saw coming.

Cassidy Ryder refuses to be intimidated by anyone, even the hell-raising, hard-drinking Brothers of Mayhem. The daughter of their former president, she’s not above smashing a few heads to keep her teenage brother safe. But when Cassidy’s big mouth gets her in trouble, the only thing that saves her is some quick thinking from the Brothers’ bartender. He’s commanding and strong, and as smooth as the whiskey he pours: the ultimate temptation for a girl who swore she’d never be a biker’s plaything.

But Thorn Savalas is no ordinary biker. He’s a cop, and he’s worked too hard earning the Brothers’ trust to blow his cover over a female—even one who rocks a pair of jeans like Cassidy. The only way to protect her is by claiming she’s his old lady. Trouble is, Thorn can’t just pretend. He wants Cassidy, and every scorching touch tells him she feels the same. But acting on their hottest fantasies could leave them both exposed . . . even if nothing else has ever felt so real.

Review:

This is the first book of A Brothers of Mayhem series. It is a motorcycle club book full of bad boys and their illegal doings. This book revolves around Thorn Savalas, sexy former military, currently undercover cop infiltrating The Brothers of Mayhem club, and Cassidy Ryder daughter of former club president, hell bent on getting her brother, Storm Ryder away from the club and all it represents.

This book had an interesting plot, undercover cop using his family connections and military background to work his way into the inner circle of the club. All is going according to plan until headstrong, Cassidy storms into the club bar baseball bat in hand looking for her brother. Hell bent on protecting Cassidy, he does everything in his power to protect her from the current club president who would take her while he slit her throat. There is definite chemistry between Thorn and Cassidy. Use to being mistreated by men, Cassidy feels safe in Thorn’s arms and almost immediately realizes that there is more to Thorn than being a biker. The pacing is fast, and this is an easy book to read. It is pretty much written from Cassidy’s point of view, with glimpses of Thorn’s. The ending is good, a little rushed, but you feel good about it. There is no cliffhanger, leading me to believe that the books of this series will all be stand alone novels. The second book, Full Heat is expected in July. I liked the character development. The author wove in glimpses of the past of both characters throughout the story. This background helped to make Cassidy and Thorn both believable and likable.

SCORES on a scale of 1-5 Stars rate each of the Following 5 Categories
PLOT 4 Stars
CHEMISTRY 5 Stars
PACING 5 Stars
ENDING 4 Stars
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT 5 Stars

Find this book on Goodreads


ARC provided by the author and Tasty Book Tours in exchange for an honest review. Reviewed by Mollien from Alpha Book Club

[Doris · Rating 5 out of 5]

What happens to the kids of an ex-skull (president) of a MC who is in prison for murdering their mother? Let’s add to it that this MC is ruthless and has no redeeming quality. This is the life for Cassidy and her brother Storm. Their lives were full of parents who spent little to no time thinking of their kids. It was hard to when you worried about where your next fix was coming from. So when the day came that their dad was incarcerated the kids when to foster homes. Storm missed Cassidy and finally the club VP, Mitch, took them in as he promised their dad that he and his wife would. Mitch’s reign as the following skull came to an end after he had a motorcycle accident that left him in a wheelchair. Mitch had warned Cassidy to stay away from the Brothers of Mayhem MC but being a rebellious teen who didn’t feel loved by anyone other than her brother Storm she hooked up with one of the Brothers during a summer and it ended by her being passed around by her “supposed” boyfriend and his friends. That ended her attraction to anything MC related. Now it was up to her to keep her little brother safe and away from the Brothers. But as Storm reached his 18th birthday there was nothing that Cassidy could do to keep Storm safe from the life that would be ahead of him if he patched in. Storm had went missing for a couple of days so Cassidy took it upon herself to go to the club’s bar with a baseball bat in hand and order them to tell her where her brother was. She came in all gang busters but it went downhill quickly because the new skull took no shit from anyone, especially a woman. This is when Thorn enters the picture because he is behind the bar bartending when Cassidy comes in a swinging. He is the one who leaps to her rescue to stop her from getting herself killed for acting the way she was.

Thorn is a patched in Brother but unlike any Cassidy has ever known. Not only is he tatted and hot as hell is also seems to give a damn about her and her safety. This is the beginning of the Cassidy and Thorn story. It only gets better from here because there is a reason he is unlike most of his fellow MC brotherhood…he is an undercover cop who is trying to take down the club. It just so happens that Storm has come into the club at the wrong time and may be going down along with all the rest. Cassidy will do anything in her power to try to save her brother. All the time that she is trying to save Storm, Thorn is trying to save her. The only way he can do that is to make Cassidy his old lady and convince the Brothers that she is his property and he will deal with her and her attitude. Sounds easy, right? It’s not because at every turn Cassidy is risking not only her safety but that of Thorn’s.

This is a great ride that has a lot of surprises. Is Cassidy able to get Storm away from the MC before it’s too late and will Thorn be able to protect Cassidy seeing that the skull would like nothing better than to get a hold of Cassidy for his own pleasure? Is Thorn able to stay undercover when his brother becomes involved in all of this too? Be prepared to see how far Thorn is willing to go with Cassidy and will all of their together time turn into something more? Oh, believe me these are just some of the questions that will be answered. And if you are looking for that HEA, you will have to wait to the bitter end to see if such a thing is possible in the MC/undercover cop world. I am looking forward to see what’s next from this author because I have become a fan.

This book was provided as an ARC from NetGalley for an honest review.

[CatherineAA · Rating 3 out of 5]

As the daughter of the former president of the Brothers of Mayhem MC Cassidy Ryder is biker royalty, not that it matters to her. All she wants is to get her younger brother out of the clutches of the MC before he's too far gone and she doesn't plan on letting anyone or anything get in the way of her goal. Only, she forgot her place in the hierarchy and only the quick intervention of a stranger saves her from landing in a world of hurt or worse.

Thorn Savalas is an undercover cop tasked with bringing down the Brothers of Mayhem and he can't let Cassidy throw a wrench in his plans nor is he going to sit by and let her get hurt.

When Thorn stepped up to save Cassidy and declared her his old lady, I was excited about how their romance would play out, especially with her feisty and fiery way of going at things. Between the sheets, everything was as hot as I expected. But beyond that is where I had issues. There is a line between feisty and foolish and it didn't take long for Cassidy to cross it, in my opinion. For someone who grew up in an MC, she was really careless about her safety and spent whatever capital her connections had bought her by mouthing off at men who could and would do whatever they wanted to her without any fear of repercussions. Luckily for her, Thorn was really patient and protective and stood between her and the rest of the MC.

I decided to tackle genres that I have previously avoided this year and MC romances fall into that category. There have been some hits and misses along the way and HIDDEN HEAT falls somewhere in the middle. Ms. Swafford captures the gritty and dissolute lifestyle that is expected in a way that was too real and sometimes uncomfortable, as well as the illicit nature of their dealings.

However, my lack of complete enjoyment of this book can be attributed mostly to Cassidy. She was immature, reckless and out of control in an annoying way. The end of the story left me with a lot more questions than answers, but I'll still recommend checking it out for yourself.


Disclaimer: I received this book for free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.



Want more? Subscribe to my Newsletter on The Sassy Bookster.
Follow me on Twitter | Tumblr | Bloglovin’.
Like my page on Facebook.

[Nadia Debowska-Stephens (Obsessed by Books) · Rating 4 out of 5]

~*~ Obsessed by Books Netgalley copy given in exchange for an honest review ~*~

"I'd do anything to protect my brother. If you were the devil, I'd give you my soul if you promised to send Stonewall to hell. I want him away from Storm. I want the Brothers of Mayhem gone."

Cassidy is an MC brat, the daughter of the once Prez or Skull of the Brothers of Mayhem she has grown up knowing the expectations of the club and all it entails. Her foster parents have seemingly cut all ties with the club since her father killed her mother and her foster father was run off the road. Trying to live a "normal" life Cass wants her teenage brother to stay away from the MC yet Storm seems to think he can handle the heat... Cass step up trying to protect her brother from the lifestyle that ended her mother's life and landed her father in jail. Bravely walking in with her head held high she demands her brother backs but lands herself in a deeper situation when she catches the eye of the current Skull - Stonewall. The MC is filled with brutes that take what they want using violence to ensure they have no problems. Not adverse to misusing woman the club is lawless but Cass didn't realise how far they would go....

Watching the beautiful young woman flounder as her hot head gets her into a bad situation Thorn's natural protective instincts kick in and he steps up to save the fiery stranger. Going to grab lengths to keep her safe he has to keep one step ahead of the game if he wants to win. Pawns in the MC's power play to solidify links in their illegal trade who can be trusted? And why is Thorn so different to all the other Brothers? Secrets and lies, confidences that are built to be broken, Hidden Heat is a fast paced story that reads easily. At times I think I would have enjoyed more information about Thorn, his past and what led him to where we find him in this story. At times the details are a little vague but he is such an enigmatic character that I was hungry to know more. As for Cass, her trauma growing up witnessing the abuse her dad dishes out on a regular basis followed by her secret shame when a situation spiralled out of control as a teenager, explains why she reacts the way she does. She is a hot head and at times digs her own grave, yet she us naively trusting and sweet at times. There were a couple WTF moments that I did not see coming and were a little left field so I was pleasantly surprised.

Overall Hidden Heat is a fantastic introduction to the Brothers Of Mayhem with more characters to be explored such as Wolf, Angel and of course Storm...his story is not yet over.

A four star where's my bat read?!?!

[✿ MrsRaloudi | A Bookholic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Link: http://wp.me/p5GNrB-3Qn

Well, I never saw that coming! The blurb got me intrigued and gave me an idea of what I was going to read but I got off-guard. The levels of intensity of this book is off-the-charts!!!!!

So, Hidden Heat tells the love story between Thorn Savalas - I’m not going to tell you his full name because it’s so cool that I don’t want to spoil it - and Cassidy Ryder. Cassidy is the daughter of the former Prez of the Brothers of Mayhem MC and she doesn't want anything to do bikers, that’s why she fights to get her little brother away from them. Thorn is an undercover agent who has become a Brother so he can spy on the bikers and find evidence for the illegal activities of the MC. But, while he’s “on duty”, Cassidy suddenly barges into his life.

Everything starts when, while Thorn was working at the MC’s bar, Cassidy barges into the bar demanding from get the bikers to tell her about where her brother is. But, since she isn't afraid of them, she lets herself and her tongue to get away from her and Thorn gets in the middle and tries to “rescue” her. Overwhelming Protective Instinct ? Does it ring a bell? ;) And so, Thorn’s efforts to protect her from the MC, allow the amazing love that is supposed to grow between them in motion.

Both lead characters - and the others also - are simply wonderful well-written and so damn captivating. Each one has its own glowing personality and special characteristics but when they get together, they create explosions of passion and emotions. You fall for them so hard that you have no choice but to keep reading because you don’t want to miss a thing. Their love scenes are b e y o n d Hot!! Their battles of will are simply addicting.

Hidden Heat is the perfect book for those romantic souls who love reading stories about loves that are created and blooming under difficult circumstances. Carla Swafford did a wonderful job creating every single one of the characters and the way they are interacting with each other, making this book irresistible and impossible to not read. I enjoyed this journey of Hidden Heat

[Donna Repsher · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review and here it is.

First, I'm fairly new to the sub-genre of MC romance, having only read one other MC series prior to this one, and this is the first novel I've read by this author. I've a strong feeling that it will be the first of many, because I found it hard to put this novel down.

Twenty-one year old Cassidy Ryder enters the novel and the MC hangout with a bang--from her baseball bat. She's looking for her 17-year-old younger brother, Storm, who's been trying to join the Brothers of Mayhem for years, but they won't even consider him until he turns 18. Cassidy and Storm are the foster children of the former Skull (VP) of the club and the daughter of one of its founding members. Cassidy has made it her mission to protect her younger brother and keep him as far away from the MC as possible. The bartender, Thorn Savalas, leaps over the bar to stop Cassidy's baseball bat rampage and to protect her from being attacked and punished by the members of the club. Unlike the other MC series I read, the Brothers of Mayhem are mean, violent, hostile, angry criminals who are not above gang rape.

As Cassidy soon guesses, Thorn is not really a member--he's an undercover cop who's trying to bring down the club. Being fairly new and trying to infiltrate the organization, he knows that the members don't yet fully trust him. After dragging Cassidy to a back room before the others retaliate for the damage she's caused, he realizes that the members will assume he's had sex with her, and since they share their women, he now has to figure out a way to keep her safe from the others. Thorn eventually comes up with a solution--declare to the membership that he's made Cassidy is his old lady. It's no hardship because these two characters have serious chemistry between them, and their connection will help him gain the acceptance he needs to get into their inner circle and find the proof of their illegal activities so he can arrest them and bring them to justice.

This is a very well written novel--the characters are well-developed, and as the plot thickens, the author keeps us guessing. Will Cassidy be able to keep her brother from joining the club? Will Thorn's true identity be revealed? Will he be able to keep Cassidy safe? Will he be able to find the proof he needs? What will happen to Cassidy when this undercover op is over? You're going to have to read it to find out, so sit back, get comfortable and enjoy the ride.

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars
I love MC romances, so when I saw the cover the cover and read the synopsis for Hidden Heat, I couldn't resist checking it out. Cassidy Ryder hates the Brother's of Mayhem MC Club and wants nothing to do with them, especially for her younger brother, and she isn't afraid to go head-to-head with them to save him, even when it isn't the smartest or the safest thing to do. She's the daughter of the clubs former president, and hates everything the club stands for. Now that her brother is about to turn 18, she hates them even more, because he's infatuated with them. Needless to say, this more than perturbs her when she finds her self irresistibly attracted to the clubs bartender, Thorn Savalas. Thorn is more than hot. He represents everything she's trying to steer clear of, yet like a magnet, she's drawn to him. The more she gets to know him, she see's how he's different than the others, and bit by bit, her resolve weakens.

Thorn Savalas is hot, tattooed, tough as nails, and he's an undercover cop. Not quite sure how to handle things when he finds himself in the middle of one of Cassidy's tirades regarding her brother, he knows he has to protect her from the brothers, even at the risk of blowing his cover. What he didn't expect was how hard he's falling for her. Things get dangerous as his investigation begins to come to a head, testing Thorn's resolve as he tries to do his job and keep Cassidy safe at the same time, but no matter how hard he tries to keep her safe physically, he can't protect her heart, nor his own for that matter, which proves to been an even harder task than the job he's undertaken.

Filled with passion, suspense, danger, and all that you'd expect from a hot MC romance, Hidden Heat is a great beginning to what looks to be quite an enticing series. A lot happens at the end all at once, and while I was glad to see what finally transpired between Cassidy and Thorn, I was a little sad at the level of corruption in the club, while holding onto hope that there is some good to be found there eventually. The author sets the stage for the next book, and I will be looking forward to reading that, still hopeful that we ill see some good in the club, rather than just total corruption. That of course, is just my opinion, having come to love Joanna Wylde's and Kristen Ashley's MC club novels and the tight-knit groups that they both portray and make you fall for, despite and because of who they are and what the represent. I'll look forward to seeing where Carla Swafford takes this series as it progresses.

[Kate Anders · Rating 4 out of 5]

To read this review and others like it check out my site at www.homelovebooks.com

I am a big fan of MC romances, so much so that I went through a phase a couple months ago where it felt like that was all I was reading. But it's been a while since I've had a really good one to really sink my teeth into and I was really happy when this book came my way. Part of the reason why this book appealed to me so much is because it isn't just an MC book, our hero in the book is a cop, an undercover cop, which just upped the suspense and the fun of reading this book.

So this book had a tendency to go from 0 to 60 super quick, and that was probably because of Cassidy, she's one of those heroines who just goes all out all the time, especially when it comes to things she cares about. The book starts off and we have Cassidy looking for info on her brother, and she is fierce about getting information, sometimes at detriment to herself. I have to say I liked how loyal she was to her family. I also liked how full of personality she was, but I must admit there were more than a few times when I wish she had toned it down a little bit. But overall she was a fun character to read.

Now as for Thorn, man that is one hot undercover cop. I liked him, but he also kind of came off as a bit of mystery, so it was hard to really love him. I wish I had more of a backstory for him as the story continued. That being said, I thought he was a good guy, who had some great chemistry with Cassidy. This book had a lot of suspense in it, and it was great to see Thorn react to everything that was going on. I really liked his protective instincts, although I shouldn't be too surprised given that he was a cop after all.

This book was super fast paced in parts, but then it also had some parts that were a little bit too slow for me, I wished the pacing had been a little bit more consistent throughout. That being said I really enjoyed the book, and the only thing that really kept me from loving this book was the ending, I thought everything just kind of wrapped up a little too quickly, and not exactly the way I wanted thing to work out either. That being said, I liked the book, and I am looking forward to the next book in this series, I think this was a pretty good start for the series.