Saved by the Hitman

Hitman #3

by Alexis Abbott

She was the girl that got away. Now she thinks I murdered her dad.

It took me years to get untangled from the Bratva -- the Russian mafia. But I've gotten my life together, with my Club behind me. Sure, we still operate outside of the law. It has to be like that, because we're up against something far worse.

Then she shows up, asking about her dad's murder. She's a fiery mystery from my past, and this time, I'm not going to let her get away.

But first, I have to prove to her that we're lookin' for the same person. That whoever killed her dad has been hurting my club and the people I care about most. So I'm going to find the scumbag who hurt my Cherry, and my club, and I'm going to make them pay.

Even if I have to turn back to my former hitman ways...

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Suspense, Dark, Contemporary, Romantic Suspense, Erotica

328 pages, Paperback

Published April 15, 2016

About the author

Alexis Abbott is a Wall Street Journal & USA Today bestselling author who writes about dangerous men and the women who love them. If you can't resist a bad boy who is a good man, you just found your next addiction. With heart-stopping action, mouth watering sex, and passionate romances that will leave you breathless, Alexis Abbott writes romantic thrillers like no one else can.

When she's not writing your next book boyfriend, you'll find her living a real life romance novel with her own bad boy soulmate in Bonavista, Newfoundland, Canada.

http://alexisabbott.com/newsletter

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Series

Alexis Abbott's Hitmen Series:


Bound to the Bad Boy Series:


Standalones
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Reviews

[Mindy Lou's Book Review · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alexis Abott does a really good job of providing the bad boy turned good. You get the excitement of a bad boy who is the modern day robin hood helping out the less fortunate. Saved By The Outlaw is no different. This is an MC book with the main Hero as the club Prez who is trying to clean up his hometown. Cherry, the heroine and reporter, has come back home to investigate her fathers murder. The two reunite and work together to solve not only her fathers murder but also try to save the town from a huge corporation from moving into town and ruin the local business'. They find out there is more than meets the eye. You've got corrupt FBI, human trafficking and murders. As exciting as this all sounds, I couldn't get that excited for this story. It was good and I did like the characters but it was just an ok read for me. I would have liked a bit more excitement. Overall, I enjoy Alexis Abott and will continue to read her stories.

ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review.

[Lisa Menor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Cherry goes to the abandoned warehouse where her father was murdered. She is looking into his death and wants to find his killer. She wants the truth. Leon is the head of the Union Club M/C. The Boss. The Prez. He is second generation Russian and in his past, has been affiliated with them. Leon is also looking for info on Cherry's father. When their paths cross, they are in for one wild ride. Speaking of wild rides, THE SEX WAS OFF THE CHARTS ! Leon is the handsome, sexy white knight leading the charge to fight for what he believes in. With the help of Cherry, gorgeous and tenacious, they become unstoppable.
THIS BOOK HAD ME FROM THE START ! GREAT STORYLINE, VERY ORIGINAL, FILLED WITH INTERESTING CHARACTERS ! ROMANTIC SUSPENSE AT ITS BEST !

[Nikki Brackett]

This book truly depicts the meaning opposites do attract. One can never judge a book by it's cover, as they say. In Saved by the Outlaw this has never been more true.

Leon was previously in the Bratva til the big wheels, they say, moved in and shut everyone down resulted in Leon and some others setting up there on Club. Leon is the Prez and values in helping others. He doesn't want to be like his old man, hurting people, so he and the others set off helping anyone they can. This is meaning anything from helping people not lose their jobs and being treated like equals regardless of who they are to protecting people's lives. Leon thought everything was going smooth and life couldn't be more balanced for someone like him til Cherry walks back into town.

Cherry has returned to her hometown to try to figure out what happened. She is a journalist in New York doing small jobs trying to make a career out of journalism. She promised herself she would do it to make her Father proud, and now this couldn't be anymore a goal. Leon and Cherry have encountered each other in the past but things change people and as one gets older so do our looks. Leon is attracted to Cherry from the beginning and always felt a connection since they where younger but she left.
Cherry doesn't trust anyone and after seeing Leon in his element she definitely focuses on trying to stay away from him and the others but once she sees Leon is not who he portrays she starts to soften. So they set off together to find answers but their lust for each other won't settle.

This books truly depicts the meaning "opposites do attract." Leon and Cherry couldn't be more opposite/different. One can never judge a book by it's cover, as they say, because by hearing that Leon is in a club automatically makes Cherry think: bad and dangerous. Leon is nothing like this though, sure he gets what he wants, but he truly wants the best for people there in his hometown of Bayonne, NJ and not to hurt them like his old man. Leon does everything and anything he can/ or what he has to fight for justice for the people of Bayonne. He is seen as a good guy, hero to some but has enemies, just the same like Agent Boyle. Boyle has it out for Leon and this sets off another turn of events that will leave Leon and Cherry fighting for not only themselves but for the town folk of Bayonne NJ. Cherry has to step up and finally, after Leon once saved her, has to do what she can to save her man...making her vow this time to make her father proud.

I highly recommend this book for everyone.
I received this as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Deborah Bean · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just have to say that when I started reading Saved by the Outlaw, I was not expecting to go to work on only an hour and a half of sleep. That is exactly what happened though because I just could not seem to stop reading this book.
Is it about a motorcycle club? Yes. Is there sex? Yes. Now before you get going on this is the same old same old, let me tell you, it is not. The “club” is not running guns, drugs, or women. This is one group that is working to save the less fortunate. There is a “wild” party, but it is a community event. Now, before you go to thinking that this is going to be oh so boring, WRONG!!!
Cherry comes back to town to investigate the death of her father. She soon finds herself in a tight spot that could lead her into danger. Leon is trying to help the town get out from under corrupt officials. This couple will have to work together to save the town and their own lives.
There is action, adventure, some sex, and you find yourself at the edge of your seat praying that everything is going to turn out ok. I have to say that I work at a desk all day, and it was hard to turn away from Leon and Cherry’s story. I sometimes get tired of serials, but this is one that I hope turns into one because I would love to learn more about Lukas and Genn.
I definitely give this book 5 *****s because it kept me up all night in a good way. I look forward to reading more from Mrs. Abbott.

[Whitney Cannavina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an ARC for an honest review.
Review by The Club.

Cherry is a journalist who comes home for the burial of her father. But that's not enough. She wants to see why he was murdered, because she doesn't believe it was an accident. Through a series of unlucky events, she finds her life at the hands of an MC president. But what she doesn't know is he's not truly the man she originally thought.

Leon has known that things in his town have gone downhill fast. Running into Cherry, the girl he saved from drowning as a kid, has given him a nice distraction. He's done bad things and life is about to get dangerous and he doesn't want her in to get hurt, but she is always there being his support.

I have loved Alexis stories but I didn't exactly connect with this one. The storyline was great and their constant support of each other and Cherry's always wanting to be next to Leon was endearing. I just didn't feel like they had any real substance I guess. More explanation Ito their past encounter, more info when it can to her fathers death, and maybe more involved with the couple would have helped me connect. It wasn't a bad story though. And the writing style was good.

[Jos · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Suspenseful Stars

I was graciously given an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. I can honestly say that I am a huge fan of Author Alexis Abbott and although this wasn't my favorite book of hers I still liked it, I just didn't love it!

The storyline was fast paced, it was suspenseful, mysterious and yes, it had a hint of romance. Now, that's where it fell a tad bit short for me. I love a good romance, romance being the major role of my story but in this book I felt the romance department took a back seat for me, hence, why I only gave it 4 Stars.

The writing and characters were great and the storyline flowed beautifully but for me personally, I wanted much more time with Leon and Cherry. I felt the mystery and suspense overshadowed their relationship for me. I wanted so much more dialogue and interaction between the two, more so than the mystery and suspense if that makes sense.

Congrats Author Alexis Abbott, keep up your good work and I look forward to your next book as always!!!!!

[Becky · Rating 1 out of 5]

So I'm a bit confused. This isn't really a mc read, kind of a romance, mob type book trying to be mc book, short story rough draft. See why I'm confused. This had a beginning a middle and ending but not much in the middle. It just felt unfinished like these should be so much more to the story. The story was a good concept. Small town, corrupt cops and FBI, human trafficking and a bunch of Russian unionworkers turned bikers for the greater good and for those who can't stand up for themselves. Sounds good right...well then for fucks sake develope the story!!!! And oh my gosh if I have to read one more time how her honey mixed with his seed, her honey flooding his shaft, or his spear pistoned into her or his purple crown this ugh..... Please shoot me now!!!! Ok enough ranting , bottom line I didn't really care for this book (can you tell :) the characters didn't hold my attention and Cherry got on my nerves with her descriptions of their sex (or I should say Ms. Abbottt did) causing me not to really like our h.
My opinion it had potential but failed in execution.

[Chantal ❤️]

Ok I must have missed something here somewhere? This story was hard for me to follow. I kept going back over the chapter before to understand what happened. They are in a warehouse ,Then in a car, Then they are in a liquor store ,what!? How do they keep seeing each other. How does she know where he is? How does this story make sense? She is trying to find out what really happened to her dad (suspicious death) and so is he but how did it happen to be at the same place at the same time?
I was more confused by the minute even when they get together, I am confused. They know each other, they are attracted to each, the whole evolution of the decline of the neighborhood was very confusing even as he was saying it. Union MC and others coming together was very confusing. I will try to re-read the story again before to see if I missed something here. I must have or maybe I just have book brain overload!!!

[Alexis Abbott]

US: http://alexabbottauthor.com/saved-by-...
CA: http://alexabbottauthor.com/saved-by-...
UK: http://alexabbottauthor.com/saved-by-...
AU: http://alexabbottauthor.com/saved-by-...

[R yatsko · Rating 5 out of 5]

# review

Cherry is a journalist. She wants to wants more then the fluff stories she has been assigned....
Well, while chasing a story...about who may killed her father....she finds more than she bargain for...

Leon, ex mafia hitman turn president of mc club, who is investating into a murder of friend..
...while questioning suspects, chased down a firey redhead who spying on them in the warehouse..

Later finding out her identity....blast from the past!
Later they join forces, to find the answers they are looking for..

This story is intense, heart wrenching,and STEAMY HOT!!!!!!!!!

[Sonja van der Merwe · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC provided for an honest review ;)

Cherry and Leon make an awesome couple... what starts out a bit slow becomes extremely addictive after around Chapter 3.

When I first started I thought Leon was a real asshole, but he proved himself over and over again. It would be awesome if Genn could get a book as well.

Loved the dynamic of the MC with a twist.. as they are not your usual biker club.. they are actually so much more.

[Jennifer McGurk Finn · Rating 4 out of 5]

To follow

[Himanish Prabhakar · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this whole series one by one and I would rate this whole book series.

My rating for whole book series is 3.5 stars.

This book starts good but lost me in the mid and that I think made me to give this one, series starters a 3.5 stars. Characters are good, but they are not great though there were ample plot to expand them through. There are few problems in the characters that are little confusing. I liked the plot, with Mafia in it. That I think may be the nice click to this. The flow and the pace of the story is good and I liked the way the scenes are written. I would say a nice one to read.

Little disappointed in comparison to the first one. Though it has something nice to read. I like the story and the characters but the one character is too much powerful that it took the other character completely and that's what I think little low for me. That's why I'm rating this book as 3.5 stars. The story and the plot can be more better, all around. I really liked the pace of the story with lot of love in it and that's I think that's the best thing about this book.

I liked this one because there is a mystery in it and there was something about the characters that made me connect with the story. There is a strong characters in the book and that made it fun to read, though I would have loved little more thrill in the book. I would like to rate this book as 4 stars. The plot is well written and the scenes are good. I like the dialogues. There is a ring to this book which is lovely.

This whole book series is like written around Mafia, and that's I think the good part about the series. You will like it and there is a reason why this book series is actually named as Hitman. The whole book series is thrill to read, though there are more to it but also there are some low points to the series in the books.

But on n all I would say this book series, I enjoyed to read this whole book series.

[Kim R · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ADRENALINE-PUMPING, SWOONY OUTLAW STARS!

SAVED BY THE OUTLAW is an action packed, heart thumping MC romance that left me on the edge of my seat! This is the third bad boy romance by Alexis Abbott that I have read and her fresh talent and incredible versatility continues to shine through. This book is a bit of a departure from her other books because it has an MC premise. The hero, Leon Volkov, is a former hitman for the Bratva who is now the Prez of the Union Motorcycle Club. But instead of causing murder and mayhem and leaving a path of destruction in their wake, his club’s purpose is to expose corruption by the fat cats and champion the city workers who can’t fight for themselves. The heroine, Cherry LaBeau, a reporter who has built a career writing innocuous fluff articles and fashion blog posts, is bent on investigating her beloved father’s untimely death. She returns to her hometown of Bayonne to seek justice but what she finds is trouble with a Capital T! Her junior sleuthing brings her smack dab in the middle of dangerous MC club “business”, and what could potentially be a criminal lair, and she comes face to face with a man from her murky past in all his masculine glory. And holy wow is he a sight to behold!

“He’s 6’2” of second-generation Russian clad in denim jeans and a worn, dusty leather jacket emblazoned with all the colors of the most well known bunch of men in town. He’s the leader of this pack of hounds, and looks it.” As she gaze into his “"flashing green eyes and sees his wicked, half-smile, something about him awakens a long-buried sentiment deep in (her ) soul, sunken under over a decade of memories.” She doesn’t recognize him at first, but before long, she realizes that her savior in black kuttes who make her quiver with fear and arousal is the same boy who saved her from drowning at the beach when she was a little girl.

“He’s the closest thing to a knight in shining armor I’ve ever met, and if fate brought us back together once… then just maybe I’ll be lucky enough to find him again.”

Leon has been working behind the scenes to investigate her father’s death even before she arrived in town. When she gets caught in the crossfire they must go on the lam together to hide from law enforcement and slowly fall in love as they work with the MC brotherhood and their trusted allies to expose small town corruption, solve a series of heinous murders and bust a human trafficking ring.

As she and the hero reconnect and fall head over heels in love, Cherry's life as a “high-maintenance, high-rise Park Avenue princess who was afraid to get her hands dirty” no long holds appeal. She’s transformed herself into a new woman , and to the hero’s surprise and delight she actually proves to be one tough broad! “She can run with the wolves. She fights for what’s right, even when it’s hard. She isn’t afraid of getting down in the mud and getting filthy when need be.” Still she must reconcile her love for the hero and the need he fulfills in her for a life of adventure and excitement with his dangerous lifestyle and cutthroat methods to achieve the greater good. Can she prove she is strong enough to stick by his side where so many others have been drawn to his gorgeous dark looks and daring personality, but when it got too hot to handle, they ran for for the hills?

Ms. Abbott’s trademark is penning swoony outlaws and Leon certainly does not disappoint on that front! He is tall, powerfully muscular and street tough. And NEVER abandons his own! Like his predecessors in the last two books, he has ties with the Bratva, but in his case he got out and found a new calling…vigilante justice as the highly revered Prez of the MC club. He commands respect wherever he goes. And I admire the heroine a great deal as well! Cherry is strong and spunky, with a lot of gumption and fire. Although she’s built her career on writing puff pieces and wearing “knock-off Carrie Bradshaw outfits the higher ups expected of her, beneath all that superficiality is a real, hard-hitting journalist, just itching to break free and finally write something of substance.”

I enjoyed the sweet interaction between the hero and heroine and the sex was definitely steamy and well choreographed, but where I feel the author missed the mark a bit was on the execution of the romance. I just did not connect with these characters as much as I did in her previous two books because there was very little smoldering chemistry between Leon and Cherry and not enough sensual or emotional tension to sustain momentum. I do not feel it was a lack of skill because Ms. Abbott has a proven track record for penning electrifying romances that sets hearts on fire. Instead, I feel the romance failed to fully ignite because she got so caught up in the suspense plot that the "feels" fell by the wayside. This book was very plot driven and the main focus was on the MC Club/murder mystery/corruption investigation, not enough on the development of the romance.

So while I enjoyed the whole vigilante justice storyline and how the MC use their unique “skill set” to rally for the underdogs and fight for people who can’t fight for themselves, it dominated too much of the storyline. I loved how the hero and heroine stormed back into each other’s lives under very dramatic circumstances—“He’s the one who reached down and pulled me out of the ocean when I thought I was lost forever. He’s the one who rescued me. And now we’ve found each other again. It has to be fate —some magnetic force of nature that’s drawn us back together again so many years later. We’re inevitable”--but it never really reached its full potential . And there was a lot of spark in the beginning but unfortunately it kind of fizzled out midway when the shift of the book shifted predominately on the action/suspense. If Ms. Abbott had provided a better balance between the suspense plot and emotional components I think it would have struck a deeper chord.

Since the romance was secondary to the mystery plot line, the love story felt a bit generic and this book did not have that special emotional pull that sets this book apart from so many other bad boy romances currently saturating the marketplace. However, I did like the MC premise and believe this book generated a lot of excitement for her new biker spinoff series. Hopefully the next book will be more romance driven with more character building and deeply layered emotional conflicts and backstories so we can really get swept up in a “feel good” love story.

Despite the above mentioned drawbacks, I do recommend SAVED BY THE OUTLAW for fans of action-packed MC romances with sizzling hot sex and nonstop adventure!

[Eve · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is kinda like a Motorcycle Club who really are a bunch of Robin Hoods. Leon their Prez is the leader of the Union Club which if I remember correctly started to help the immigrated dock works in Bayonne, New Jersey.
Cherry is a fashion reporter who is in Bayonne trying to find out what happened to her father, she doesn't believe his death was an accident.
When they eventually meet and things get cleared between the two they uncover a big conspiracy that involves a lot of lives.
There is a lot of action and corruption in this story. It almost sounds believable. I'm sure there are really a lot of dirty people out there who are sworn to protect us. I'd put money on that 70% of them are corrupt!
Anyway, I adored the characters in this story and how the community protected it's own! Only in the books you see that lol. I loved Cherry's tenacity and courage. Admired Leon's loyalty and commitment.

[ChristinaB.reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I quite liked this story about Leon and Cherry but it wasn’t one of my favourites by Alexis. There were a few parts in the story I was questioning and was a little confused about, I found myself stopping and trying to figure out how some things connected and what was happening.
I enjoyed reading about these characters and the members of the Union Club. There were a few times where I wasn’t a fan of Cherry, I found her quite annoying and irrational in parts of the story but I did like how strong of a character she was. I loved Leon. Just loved how mysterious, strong and caring he was at times especially with Cherry. I liked how Cherry just didn’t give up on him.
I would love to have read about their past together more and how much time had passed since then and what happened, although still a good read
3.5 stars

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book from the author for my honest opinion, thank you Alexis.
Wow, where to start? Cherry, back in her hometown to investigate the sudden death of her father, stumbles onto a "meeting" between darkly mysterious men in the warehouse her father "died". Turns out that Leon and Cherry'd met when they were both young when he'd saved her life while she was drowning. The chemistry these two have is amazing and the story has some nice twists and turns that kept me glued to it throughout the whole story.
Alexis, imho, I'd say you're writing is just getting better and better. So amazing

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a MC book this is okay. Cherry gets into trouble, witnessing something she misunderstands. She misunderstands a lot. There were things going on that, as a child, she never knew.

Leon is the Prez of the MC and they're trying to keep their town safe from corrupt people, FBI and cops. Of course some of those corrupt cops are in cahoots with the MC, but you knew that.

This book doesn't grab you and drag you into the story, but it does keep you going.

[Terri Reid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Series

I again enjoyed another book in series. I thought Cherry was going to be a stick in the mud with her "I'm scared of everything" attitude and she really surprised me. All of us "weaker" women get strong with a strong man behind us. Leon needed her in his life to keep him grounded, even tho she messed up his head for a good minute. Can't wait to read about Mikhail now.

[Ruby McDemon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how Leon's and Cherry's story branches out from The Hitman Series world a little. This mix of MC and mob is awesome. Alexis has a wonderful way of making her own world, and throwing in twists like this one is pretty awesome. How she created Cherry and Leon's love seems so real and authentic and just this entire small town is beautiful.

[Tracey Tranter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful story, entertaining storyline, plenty of drama and intrigue.

The story delivers exactly what was promised; a fantastic thrill ride from start to finish. Lots of hot sex with some hunky guys and a smart, sassy heroine. Loved every minute of it.

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

[Bridgett Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say I am hooked on these books. I look forward to racing Alexis Abbott especially the Hitmen books. Dark, alphas that know what they want and he to get what they want and the women who end up falling for them.

[Mardi Sauve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another huge hit by the hit man!

I love the writing and style of this series! The stories have a perfect combination of sexy romance, alpha male dominance and exciting drama! I recommend reading this series because you'll love it!

[Holli Cadwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good

I have all the hitman books downloaded for reading to start with. This book was the first of them that I had the chance to read. I enjoyed the storyline and the characters read real to me. Keep up the good work, you are quite talented.

[Rosemary Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

He saved her from drowning as a young thing, now here she is, red hair aflame and green eyes flashing, standing up to him, regardless of height and weight difference and being surrounded by his men.

[Mercedes · Rating 3 out of 5]

MC and Mofia bad boy and good girl make a interesting story.
Good action ,suspense drama and romance.
Enjoyed reading.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yaaasssssss

[Gloria Nuckols · Rating 4 out of 5]

Puff writer meets mafia hitman. Well all is not as it seems, as the story unfolds you seem them both in a very different light. One sexy couple for sure.

[Jill K. Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweeter than your typical "hitman" book, I loved that the female was just as involved in the fight as her man.

[Marika · Rating 1 out of 5]

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