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Rook and Ronin Spinoff #3-4

Spencer: Bomb / Guns

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Spencer Shrike is a man with a plan. Get in. Get out. Move on. He loves Ron the Bomb, and her safety is the only thing on his mind. But life is a tricky bastard. And conning criminals for the better part of ten years brings its own set of problems. Sure, Rook lied her way out of a sticky situation, covering for Ronin, Ford, and Spencer’s crimes in the process. But not everyone is buying her story and Spencer is desperate to figure out who’s in town setting them up for a fall.

Veronica the Bombshell Vaughn has put up with Spencer Shrike’s shit for years and where has it gotten her? A big fat nowhere. No ring, no house, no kids, and no promises. In fact, Spencer is worse than ever—distant and moody. She’s done sitting at home, pining over a man she can’t have. She’s tired of being ignored and she’s coming out swinging.

Now there’s another man in town with his eye on her. He’s got secrets too, and he’s more than willing to share. She’s ready to jump ship. Because the last thing on Spencer’s mind is a relationship, and Ron the Bomb has had enough.

The entire Rook and Ronin series comes full circle. Every con, every lie, and every skeleton in the closet is back for one final shot at vengeance and the only way to set it right… is with GUNS.

The Rook and Ronin Series has seven books:
(1) TRAGIC
(2) MANIC
(3) PANIC
(4) SLACK: A Day in the Life of Ford Aston
(5) TAUT: The Ford Book
(6) BOMB: A Day in the Life of Spencer Shrike
(7) GUNS: The Spencer Book

416 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 14, 2015

134 people are currently reading
393 people want to read

About the author

J.A. Huss

135 books9,036 followers
J.A. Huss never wanted to be a writer and she still dreams of that elusive career as an astronaut. She originally went to school to become an equine veterinarian but soon figured out they keep horrible hours and decided to go to grad school instead. That Ph.D wasn’t all it was cracked up to be (and she really sucked at the whole scientist thing), so she dropped out and got a M.S. in forensic toxicology just to get the whole thing over with as soon as possible.

After graduation she got a job with the state of Colorado as their one and only hog farm inspector and spent her days wandering the Eastern Plains shooting the shit with farmers. After a few years of that, she got bored. And since she was a homeschool mom and actually does love science, she decided to write science textbooks and make online classes for other homeschool moms. She wrote more than two hundred of those workbooks and was the number one publisher at the online homeschool store many times, but eventually she covered every science topic she could think of and ran out of shit to say.

So in 2012 she decided to write fiction instead. That year she released her first three books and started a career that would make her a New York Times bestseller and land her on the USA Today Bestseller’s List eighteen times in the next three years. Her books have sold millions of copies all over the world, the audio version of her semi-autobiographical book, Eighteen, was nominated for a Voice Arts Award and an Audie award in 2016 and 2017 respectively, her audiobook Mr. Perfect was nominated for a Voice Arts Award in 2017, and her book, Taking Turns, was nominated for an Audie Award in 2018. Johnathan McClain is her first (and only) writing partner and even though they are worlds apart in just about every way imaginable, it works.

She lives on a ranch in Central Colorado with her family.

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5 stars
696 (67%)
4 stars
261 (25%)
3 stars
72 (6%)
2 stars
4 (<1%)
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1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
Profile Image for TF.
626 reviews71 followers
November 11, 2017
3.75 not quite 4 Stars!
Profile Image for SusanAhh.
486 reviews128 followers
September 12, 2017
"It’s like life shifted. Everything became real. You make me real, Ronnie. You started my heart. You are the missing piece..."

Both "Bomb" and "Guns" bring us insight into the forever love that Spencer cherishes with Veronica aka Ronnie, the Bomb, and Bombshell. So much so, that he has to stay away from her for fear of her being drawn into the danger that he and and his team now find themselves. He does not want one little hair on her head harmed and he is also extremely protective of her family. He is partially successful at staying away but when a man loves a woman there is only so much sainthood he can muster.
Ronnie knows deep in her heart that Spencer Shrike truly loves her but his actions are infuriating and extremely hurtful. She needs his love. She needs a change. She is getting more and more paranoid about the blood involved in her tattooing her clients. She does not appreciate the fact that she is a world class tattoo artist. She is tired of the mixed messages from Spencer and wants to move on.
Guns tells the story of their love affair from the beginning and shows the shenanigans that Ronnie gets into trying to find her place in the world and/or getting the attention of Spencer. We also gain insight into the character of Spencer and his role on "the team". It is a very exciting conclusion to the story of the team and a beautiful resolution to the love that Spencer and Ronnie share.
Spencer is that delicious, funny ,hard working, and brilliant, football player built Adonis, Alpha male. I remember him when he first began painting Rook and how gently he breathed upon her lower region while he was painting her body. He is powerful sexy. Veronica is simply "the Bombshell"! She is built like a pin-up girl with long flowing blonde hair. The sex between these two is some heady, powerful lovemaking!!! The scenes leave the reader weak in the knees.
These two books are like the whipped cream on a dessert or more likely the sauce, chocolate or otherwise. Yes, it's the sauce. Sometimes a simple sauce holds the secret to the delicious taste; pulls the whole dessert together; and is perhaps the most delicious component to the creation. Congratulations, Ms. Huss on a well made delicious tasting dessert, most especially the delicious sauce you put a ton of in these last two books of the series.
Profile Image for Jenny••Steamy Reads Blog••.
987 reviews1,970 followers
January 26, 2016
Simply Amazing. This complete series, starting at Tragic has captured not only my attention, but my heart! Ronin, Ford, & Spence captivate me!! I can't say I love one more than the other because I love them each in different ways, all three are amazing!! If you haven't dug into this series, don't hesitate, you are missing out!!!!!!!!
Profile Image for Brandi.
1,159 reviews148 followers
April 12, 2017
It doesn't matter how many times I read these books. It doesn't matter how often I pick up a Huss book. It doesn't matter. Huss is amazing. Huss rocks my world. And Spencer Shrike? Fuck. Me. That man is everything. My first real Huss love. My go-to Huss man. The artist, the bike-maker, the security.

Spencer fucking Shrike OWNS me. Fucking owns me.

Whether it's the first time or the twentieth time, I will always want Spencer. I mean, what's not to want? He's a romantic at heart. He does everything he can possibly do to protect Ronnie. And he is loyal to the Team. Loyal to Ronnie, but loyal to the Team as well.

And it's here we meet a key player for the next series (the Dirty, Dark, and Deadly series). Tet. Tet is a powerful man and his introduction in Guns is just the beginning.

"Now I fuck you with paint."
Profile Image for Caroline Taylor.
317 reviews7 followers
February 4, 2019
3.5stars

I’m going to be in the minority with this rating but after rereading the start of this series and loving it, I jus didn’t love Spencer’s book even though I wanted to.
Spencer has always been the tough one in the other books but his fear and treatment of Veronica in this book jus didn’t seem to fit with the scenes of them in the past. I was disappointed he didn’t have faith in her.
The story has the team under pressure with a court trial affecting them all, a new bike shop opening, and a businessman taking an interest in Veronica. While most of these things tie up at the end of the story, I didn’t feel like the new bike shop owner and the missing bikes were.
Profile Image for Disco Inferno.
296 reviews10 followers
June 16, 2023
2023 Version

I listened to the updated version of this Spencer omnibus, and the narration was great—especially because Huss hired three voice actors that are fantastic to read the parts of Spencer, Ronin, and Ford—as well as the short epilogue voiced by McClain who reads for five (a very young 5!) later in the “Mr.” series. Kudos all around.

Spencer and the Bomb’s story is really satisfying. Lots of suspense and mystery. I chuckled quite a few times (the Ford stories have a lot more humor as well). What can I say? I like Huss’ intricate universe that connects crime to cops and tattoos to virtue (among many, many other ideological twists). Entertaining.

Spencer’s love language is body painting, but Veronica find her own version too.
Profile Image for hopelesslyinlovewith_books.
817 reviews19 followers
March 17, 2020
This book was so great! I love the twists and turns that is a staple in all JA Huss books! She’s a phenomenal writer! I felt so sad for Veronica a lot through this book and although I didn’t agree with the way Spencer went about things I totally get why he did what he did. I can’t wait to read more!
Profile Image for ClosetReader.
323 reviews5 followers
March 3, 2017
Bomb:

First came Ronin, then came Ford. Now it's Spencer's turn. This day in the life gives us a glimpse into Spencer's life that we have desperately been waiting for. Let's just say, he does not disappoint!

Veronica, she is something else! She definitely puts the bomb in Ron the Bomb!

I love the backstory we get here. These two are so hot together! I cannot wait to read Guns!


Guns:
The first rule of Shrike Club is never talk about Shrike Club.

Spencer Shrike is a B.A.M.F. He is a biker that just oozes sex. In Guns we get to learn so much more about him than what we thought we knew. The chemistry between him and Ronnie is undeniable, that is until someone new enters the picture.

This book took me for a ride, on a custom bike no less. I was on the edge of my seat, drama, suspense, romance, Guns has it all. Getting to see the other members of the team was a special treat too. I love getting glimpses into their lives while watching Spencer's story unfold. This series is hands down a must read. JA Huss does NOT disappoint!
Profile Image for Colleen Carvalho.
146 reviews
October 22, 2016
This was the PERFECT book to end this series!!!! And the epilogues..... LOVE!

Definitely one of my fave series of all time!!!

Profile Image for ChristinaB.reads.
665 reviews4 followers
April 19, 2019
BOMB
Spencer is such a fun, sometimes serious guy who was very easy to love as a character, not to mention his dirty mouth… I mean what’s not to love! I really enjoyed reading about him in previous books.
I loved how caring he was with Veronica and the heart melting reasons he has and what he does to keep her safe. I can’t wait to get to know more about Spence and Ronnie

GUNS
I couldn’t wait to get stuck into the last book in the Rook and Ronin spin-offs and find out everything there was to know, but at the same time I tried to delay it as I just didn’t want the series to end with these starring characters (not mentioning the Happily Ever After book). The curiously got to me and I finished Spencer and Veronica’s story in no time. I couldn’t put it down and I loved it right from the first page.
Just like with Ford’s book previously, it took me a while to get even half my thoughts on this story down. These characters have settled in my heart and head and I don’t think they’ll ever be leaving.
This book was an emotional rollercoaster with hot, sexy times between Spence and Ronnie filled with longing and moments full of laughs. My heart constantly broke over these two and I was dying by the time they got their happy ending. I loved the relationship and connection these two guys had, I thought they were perfect for each other. There was never a dull moment between any of the characters. I loved the flashbacks to the past, of Spence and Ronnie’s time together, and getting more insight to how their relationship kicked off. Also loved the times with the whole Team together and getting those answers I wanted.
I loved all the turns and surprises JA Huss weaved in to this story, it definitely kept me on the edge of my seat, especially at the end, and interested to know even more about these characters as well as the new ones that were introduced.
I did have quite a few questions at the end which I’m hoping get answered in the following books. But even that couldn’t take my mind off how great this book was. That last epilogue was just the cherry of the whole book! How cute was he! It couldn’t have been more perfect and I absolutely loved it.
Profile Image for Melinda.
2,049 reviews20 followers
November 21, 2019
Hmm. Where to start with this review? I have to say at the outset that I absolutely adored the 'Mister' series - and in fact, I started in on the Rook and Ronin series specifically to get the back-story that made some of the stuff in those Mister books, a little hard to understand.

I also loved Rook and Ronin's books, adored the Ford book, and enjoyed reading about Ronnie and Spencer in this series...and now, finally, we get a full book about Spencer - what could be better?

Luckily I had enough background to understand where Spencer was coming from (him pushing Veronica away came from a place of love and safety) - because I was very tempted to DNF this book because I felt so bad for our bombshell.

I was very very cross with Spencer and how he kept the love of his life in the dark - and shut her out (in often quite nasty ways - ie: hanging orgasms against brick walls - WTF!!) all the time. There were, of course, redemptive bits - places where Spencer reminisced about how they met, first dates, and in parts when he had conversations in his head about how much he loved his 'bomb' and wanted her safe.

It was all very confusing for me - to love Spencer (from all the previous books), be sooo happy we had his book to read, to love Rook and Ronin and Ford and Ashleigh - and then be so freakin angry at how badly Veronica was treated. Spencer, Rook, Ronin, Ford and Ashleigh - they were all part of 'the club' that was to do with the trial - and they all shut Ronnie out. Doesn't matter if it was for her own good - I found it really hard to read.

So - with a heavy heart - I have to give this book a lower rating because I while I loved reading about Spencer in all the other books - I did feel came off as a big jerk in this book- and he could have just talked to Ronnie and explained shit. Idiot man.

Now I am off to read 'Five' again with more understanding than the first time around.
318 reviews
February 22, 2021
Love Spencer, but Veronica is the Bomb!

Spencer's book has Bomb and Guns. Bomb is the story of how Spencer Shrike meets Veronica Vaughn and how they fall in love. It made me love them as a couple. However, there's that pesky problem that hangs over the heads of Ronin, Ford, and Spencer. That near felony that they avoided only because of unlawful seizure and search of Ford's computer. Now that they've tied that together with Rook's past and her ex-husband's human trafficking, the team (which now consists of Rook, Ronin, Ford, Ashleigh, and Spencer) must be sure that the trial goes smoothly.

Guns covers the story of the lead up to the trial and its aftermath. Not only do they have the original threat of the guys' past, but there are new threats. The team needs to make sure that Rook's testimony convinces the jury to convict Abelli. Other threats are the grandparents and family on both sides of Ashleigh's daughter Kate.

The other, maybe bigger story, is how Spencer chooses to try to keep Veronica safe and Veronica's story of her relationship with Spencer as a nonmember of the team.

The love story told from their first encounter in Bomb through all the action in Guns is emotional. Spencer's plan is very frustrating and hurtful, but he loves her so much. Veronica loves Spencer but feels unwanted and unsure of why Spencer treats her the way he does. There's danger in both their lives and things don't go as they planned. It gets scary and Spencer realizes how easily he could lose Veronica as she's swept up in something that Spencer never saw coming. There are happily ever afters for all three couples.

Spencer (Bomb & Guns) is an exciting adventure with a love story. I highly recommend this book in the Rook & Ronin series by JA Huss.
Profile Image for dumbells.
985 reviews5 followers
August 3, 2017
Well read this one as well in the end, and this one just tanked. The whole dynamic between the main characters was just off putting and degrading to the main heroine. I get the whole loving your guy through his many many issues, but after a while it just turns degrading if you are still with him while thinking he is doing the other stuff on the side he is. And then they just settle down for family idyllic not 2 months after years of being jerked around, no explanation or serious talk? Yeah, that girl has been shot too many times to be of sound mind. Showed promise with some backbone, but it was tiny tany when you look back on it cuz it all boiled down to - she is having an existential crisis at 23 even though she is an artist and all she needs to do is find a medium that suits her artistic personality, but nooo she seeks validation from the guy that ignores her if he is not hitting her up for a good lay and friends that seem just an unrelevant in their presence and influence... And yet she has this huge ass tight family and never uses them as sounding board. No. Just write a binker book, I can see all this dysfunctional family style is going there - at least I'll know I should't read it. At least now I definitely know I will not be reading Ford's book.
Profile Image for Kate .
269 reviews
June 17, 2022
Okay, so I have a problem with how this second arc wrapped up. The Rook & Ronin books ended with Rook being a total badass, and now suddenly she's a bad witness, she's going to be blamed as a victim of domestic violence for something her abuser did, and everyone is going to jail? I think Julie just didn't want to have to write the trial.

The resolution seemed forced and too fast and basically just made Veronica look like a total idiot who I had absolutely no interest in cheering for my the end. Oh and after this entirely anticlimactic resolution in which we apparently have no trial now for this enormous human trafficking ring, we just hop to the epilogue where our protagonists have magically resolved their issues sometime in the wake of this, but it's months later now and we're pregnant and oh now it's years later and our kids are in school. Ugh whatever. Such a disappointing end to what up to this point was an exciting and intriguing suspense story line.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Theresa Maria Conde.
6 reviews
July 25, 2021
Fantástica

I have been reading J.A Huss books 1 right after another
This is the first time I do a review for her books because I don't want to stop to do a review. They are fantastic just like I said above 1 after another after another it's like I can't stop that's why I gave her all five I mean the imagination in the picture it in your mind and me being 60 years old I picture people from when I was younger being in these parts you know as Spencer as Ronnie and are these guys so I really enjoy it and even though I don't put reviews everywhere I enjoy the whole lot of them hands down
493 reviews
March 7, 2022
Amazing!

I loved Ford's series but then Spencer came along and I got so engrossed in his books, Bomb and Guns, that I read thru the 400+ pages in one day. Laundry can wait.
Spencer's story kept me on the edge of my seat. So much action, passion and love. So many twists and surprises. Spencer's love for Veronica is wonderful.
Carson was a fun character. Bobby and Merc were intriguing and I look forward to more of them in the next book.
Of course I loved Ford in this book. That man and his diabolical mind...I wouldn't want to be on his bad side.
The 2 epilogue were fantastic. Ford's made my eyes leak.
JA Huss is a fantastic author. So creative. Bravo! So well written.
996 reviews6 followers
February 15, 2019
Didn't see that coming

This book had a lot going on. It was a culmination of all the 9ther books, building up all the things going on with Ronin and Rook, with Ford and Ashleigh, and now finally Spencer and Ronnie. Only the thing with Spencer and Ronnie are so different from the other couples but still so intertwined and an integral part of the series as a whole. I want to say so much, but I don't want to have any spoilers so I have to leave it with this: It's a great finish for the initial series. I lost sleep because I didn't want to put it down.
Profile Image for Beth C..
1,856 reviews15 followers
December 6, 2021
Perfect ending to this part of the series

I seriously loved this series so much! I was invested in the characters from the first book. Initially, I wasn’t Spencer’s biggest fan. He was nice to Rook, but treated Veronica like crap. Little did I know… This book was so revealing in so many ways. (Like Ford’s book.). It cleared up questions from the others in the series and just wrapped things up so nicely. Julie’s characters and books are just the bomb!😉
I can’t wait to start “The Company”!
Profile Image for Ginelle Blanch.
930 reviews26 followers
July 6, 2023
I love Spencer and Veronica! A perfect mix of femininity and caveman. Both characters take no crap from anyone and are just so perfectly matched…but, crazy life events are smack dab in the middle of their fairytale.

I love this cast of characters so much, they’re so dynamic and loyal. I will admit to feeling bad for Ronnie always being on the outside looking in but, dang…she has her say, aye?

Sexy, dangerous, and surprising. The narrators were spot on for this set and brought it to vivid life.
Profile Image for JudyCa.
1,185 reviews
August 2, 2019
This one deserves all the stars! This was my favorite of the series so far...SO FAR! ok, so I'm not new, I've read JAH before but I just read Rook & Ronin for the first time...and now I'm so f-ing hooked! I have to read e-v-e-r-y-t-h-I-n-g! I loved Spencer & Ronnie, although they weren't my favorite couple...I so glad Tragic was picked for me for a challenge! or maybe not, lol...now everything else can just wait until I gorge myself with all these books that are linked to The Team! ;)
Profile Image for Jill  Kirtley.
1,483 reviews11 followers
May 28, 2020
There’s trouble in paradise for Spencer and Ronnie as he tries to keep her out of the trouble he’s involved in, whilst someone’s making things difficult for Ford and Ashleigh. With Rook’s trial coming up they don’t need any distractions.
Spencer (Rook & Ronin #5) isn’t short of twists and turns, humour, and thrilling danger! It’s every bit as exciting as the previous books in this brilliant series. I loved the narrators too!
Profile Image for Loretta.
1,250 reviews12 followers
August 9, 2017
Well, Spencer has developed from kick back man with a talent for sick bikes, erotic body art and heavy wet work to intense borderline jerk hiding a soft spot for one Bombshell Veronica. Just wow! Wrap that series spin-off with a flourish! I want more, that is all I can say! And the children! Oh my garage! I am so in love with the next generation already!
Profile Image for Kimberly Morehouse.
634 reviews29 followers
December 6, 2021
I have loved each and every book in this series and this was no different! So thrilled to finally see the team get their HEA. There were some issues with the recording/production of the book though. They are MANY lines that repeat and there is one entire chapter played twice. Nothing you can't look past, just odd it wasn't caught. Narration was great!!!!
Profile Image for WonderWomanNZ.
1,381 reviews1 follower
January 1, 2022
Again I found some parts of this slow, but wow the ending certainly picks up with lots of action. I started my JA Huss journey with the Bossy brothers, and now something make sense. I have been taking notes and will continue reading in order including registering to Bossy Brothers. My next book in going to be The Company.
Profile Image for Marie.
1,482 reviews1 follower
February 2, 2022
4.5 stars. I wanted to give the Spencer books 5 stars but there were too many unanswered questions. I'm going with my Pro/Con list.

PROS:
1) I loved Bomb/Ronie/Veronica, the h, and Spencer, the H. They had great chemistry.
2) I loved you the "flashbacks" into their relationship. It gave depth to their relationship, their romance and their characters.
2,180 reviews7 followers
January 14, 2024
Wow

This Author pulls you in to a world where I think I can work out the ending then bam, I have no clue and didn’t see that coming. Loved this book of Spencer trying to get his happily ever after, and he thinks he has all the parts in place. Till he doesn’t. Loved it.
Narration was amazing.
34 reviews
February 9, 2017
Great conclusion to the series!

That said, I do realize there are more books linked to this series. Great series but better if you read the rook and Ronin and ford and Ashleigh stories first.
Profile Image for Mandi.
148 reviews1 follower
September 19, 2019
ABSOLUTLY A-FREAKING-MAZING!!!! love everything about this author and her books! MUST ready!! Julie introduces us to this maze of lies, twists and turns and gets you so hooked you cannot stop until the very end!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews

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