Cold Ignition

Black Tide #4

by Maia Dylan

Keanu “Torch” Palani doesn’t do complicated—he survives, fights, and walks away before anything can hold him.

Rangi Te Aho is controlled chaos, relentless and unyielding. Alexios Petrakis is precision and strategy, always one step ahead. Together, they’re already dangerous.

When a violent underground racing network turns into something far darker, their worlds collide in a way none of them expected. What begins as tension ignites instantly—no slow burn, no hesitation—just heat, connection, and something undeniable.

But lives built on loyalty, violence, and secrets don’t leave room for easy choices.

With enemies closing in and war on the horizon, they’ll have to decide—was this just a spark… or something worth risking everything for?

177 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 11, 2026

About the author

Mother, Wife, Author, and all around crazy...

I write the kind of books that I love to read. Love stories between strong men and their independent soulmates. Usually, their path to Happily Ever After is a bumpy one, but there is always a Happy Ever After.

​In the world's I create there is someone (or two, or three) for everyone! Love comes in many forms and I believe it is all beautiful and should be celebrated!

I live, love and write in New Zealand, married to my husband of eleven years with two beautiful children who I truly believe were sent as a blessing, but sometimes to try my patience, and I wouldn't have it any other way!

Reviews

[Andra Shaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cold Ignition is the fourth book in Maia Dylan’s Black Tide series, and this is definitely a series that should be read in order. The storylines are interconnected, the threats keep building from one book to the next, and each installment reveals another layer of the larger battle surrounding the men of Black Tide. After meeting Alexios and Rangi in the previous book, I had a feeling Keanu would be next, and I was right.

This installment gives us a deeper look at Keanu and reveals that he has a past only Kael knew about. It is a past Keanu clearly hoped would stay buried, but circumstances force him to pull out skills he thought he had left behind. This time, those skills are needed to protect the men he has come to care about and to help take down a dangerous organization known as the Crucible, which is “disappearing” people.

Of course, with Black Tide, nothing is ever quite that simple. As the team digs deeper, they discover that the Crucible is connected to the Directorate, which immediately raises the stakes and makes it clear that an even bigger fight is coming. That larger conspiracy continues to be one of the most compelling parts of the series because every answer seems to reveal an even more dangerous problem underneath it.

Keanu’s story has the mix of romance, danger, and hidden history that works so well in this world. There is plenty of steam, but the action never takes a back seat. The Black Tide men are definitely not subtle when it comes to dealing with the bad guys, and honestly, that is part of the fun. When they decide someone is a threat, they handle it in very Black Tide fashion.

I read Cold Ignition in one sitting because it is a page-turner. Between Keanu’s past coming back into play, the growing threat from the Crucible and the Directorate, the romance, and the action, there is always something pushing the story forward.

The ending makes it pretty clear that Luca is about to find himself right in the middle of what comes next. I would be very surprised if he is not the focus of the next book, and after everything this installment set in motion, I am definitely ready to see what happens.

I received a free copy of this book via Evernight and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Book Hoarder · Rating 5 out of 5]

At the end of Controlled Drift (Book 3), Keanu Palani meets the two contractors that joined Black Tide for the take-down of Ethan’s Father. Leaving the property, Rangi and Alexios pull Keanu into their orbit for just a minute that seems like it could be permanent. Now Keanu is back at the Black Tide compound still thinking about the two. He knows they are a couple and is not sure how he would fit in. An emergency call comes in from Pathfinder, Rangi and Alexios are in serious trouble and need Ahi to save them. Keanu has not been the driver Ahi for a long time, that identity was packed away. But he pulls out the car and goes for them. Ahi knows the racing circuit they are investigating is more than it seems and very dangerous. Now the duo is asking him to help take them down from the top, with Black Tide’s assistance.
I love this series which takes place mainly in Hawaii, an Hawaii most people don’t know exists. But Black Tide book four is not a standalone although there is an HEA at the end of each book. If you love military/ex-military security, I would start at the very beginning with the four books of Sniper Team Bravo then the five books of Pathfinder before you jump into the Black Tide series as they show up in the early books.
I received a free copy of this book via Evernight and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nicole Deanne Veracruz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Black Tide is once again on the hunt to take down the bad guys. Rangi and Alexios were pinned down behind enemy lines. They were trying to disrupt a criminal organization that was using street racers. They reached out to Pathfinders because they needed the help of a racer who had disappeared from the circuit named Ahi. Imagine their surprise when they finally found out that Ahi was really Keanu from Black Tide. I love how the three of them came together so seamlessly. I can't wait for them to finally take down the Directive. I'm excited to read Luca and Troy's book.

I received a free copy of this book via Evernight and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[stardragon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me tell you this book had me at the edge of my seat. Keanu/Ahi/Torch is the center of this book, even though Black Tide is a lethal unit. Rangi and Alexios need rescuing and Keanu is the driver to do the job. There is a lot going on in this story a beautiful romance, plenty of spice and so much action. The author puts you in the middle of the action perfectly. Waiting to see what happens next, because Luca has set a trap and laced down the gauntlet the bad guys can’t ignore.

[Akasha721 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an action packed, heart racing book Wondering what happens next with Black Tide leaves you on the edge of your seat. There are a few steamy scenes that have you reaching for a fan too. Over all this is a great book!.

I received a free copy of this book via Evernight and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kurtins R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actionpacked, intense, and reveals a past that Keanu wants to remain hidden.
Book 4 in the Black Tide sereis is awesome as per usual for Maia Dylan stories. There is a lot going on in this story an awesome romance, lots of spice and so much action. The author puts you in the middle of the action perfectly.
a Great story.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another exciting chapter in the Black Tide series. Strongly MMM themed, the relationship between these three require strength, endurance, and forgiveness. Rangy, Alexios and Keano fight through their regrets, their impulsiveness and their intensity to forge a bond stronger than ever.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fourth book in Maia Dylan’s Black Tide series and it is another great addition, this series is definitely better read in order and the action packed stories keep you on the edge of your seat, can’t wait for book five.