Strike

The Beat and the Pulse #10

by Amity Cross

Callie Winslow is on the verge of realizing her wildest dreams. When her cake shop on one of Melbourne’s most vibrant shopping strips opens to the public, she’ll be on her way to the top of the food chain…literally. But one night, days before the launch, everything goes up in flames.
As fire engulfs her shop, Callie is trapped inside with no way out, until a handsome mystery man bursts through the inferno and carries her to safety. Problem is, he vanishes soon after without telling her his name.
Haunted by the stranger who saved her life, Callie pulls out all the stops in her attempts at finding him, but she isn’t quite prepared for the man she finally meets.

Mark “Storm” Ryder is a shell of his former self. Accused of a crime he didn’t commit, he was banned for life from professional MMA and sent home with his reputation in tatters. Left with nothing to his name, he fights at the illegal cage fighting league known as The Underground to make ends meet. Plagued by the stigma of his downfall, he’s closed himself off to everything and everyone, believing it’s for the best.
Then one night, he hears a cry for help and rushes headfirst into danger without a second thought. When he pulls a beautiful woman from a burning building, he knows he can’t stick around and face her inevitable judgement, so he disappears, but little does he know, the mystery woman won’t let him vanish as easily as that.

Brought together by fate and flames, Callie knows if she wants to crack open Storm’s heart and show him he deserves to be loved, she’ll need to strike while the iron’s hot or risk him disappearing forever.

From Amity Cross comes Strike, the sizzling tenth instalment of the Internationally Best Selling MMA fighter romance series, The Beat and The Pulse.

Genres: Sports

175 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 12, 2017

About the author

Amity Cross is the author of wicked stories about rock stars looking for redemption, gritty romances featuring MMA fighters and dark tales of forbidden romance. She loves to write about alpha males and the strong women who challenge them to fall in love.
Amity lives in a leafy country town near Melbourne, Australia and can be found chained to her desk, held at ransom by her characters.
Don’t send help. She likes it.

AVAILABLE SERIES:
The Beat and The Pulse - (Series Complete)
Unexpected - (Series Complete)
Royal Blood - (Series Complete)
L is for Luminous - (Stand Alone Romance)
The Thornfield Affair - (Series Complete)
The Devil’s Tattoo - (Series Complete)
Fortitude MC - (Series Complete)

And more coming soon!


Find out more about Amity and her books by visiting:
http://www.amitycrosswrites.com

Want to be notified about new releases? Sign up for the VIP newsletter and get occasional free books, bonus stories, and more: http://bit.ly/AmityCrossNews

Give a new hero a try! Grab the FREE Amity Cross Starter Library today:
http://bit.ly/AmityFreebies

Reviews

[♡ Jeri's Book Attic ♡ Jeri the Romance Bibiliophile ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amity Cross’ latest ‘hero’, Mark “Storm” Ryder, seems to be anything but a worthy alpha male in her newest release Strike; in fact, based on his tainted reputation, his asshole demeanor, and his ability to keep people at a distance with his prickly personality, he’s much more a villain than a hero. And, he seems to be find with this perception of him until one woman’s cry for help forces him to put his pity party on hold and save her life, offering a glimpse of the man underneath the broken spirit and nasty attitude.

At face value, Callie Winslow is too pure and too innocent to take on someone like Mark Ryder, but she refuses to heed the warnings and finds herself in the eye of a storm that she doesn’t quite know how to handle, but it’s also one she’s willing to trudge through because his sad eyes have haunted Callie since the night he saved her life.

Readers will easily identify with Callie’s character because she’s a genuinely good person who is reaching for her dreams of opening her own bakery. She’s an everyday woman who has insecurities when it comes to her body and how others perceive her, and while her views of herself do play a role in how she often doesn’t put herself out in the dating world, as a baker, she revels in her skills and uses them as a way to express her feelings and make a living.

Mark and Callie are definitely an unlikely couple, but even though their pairing may be a bit cliche due to the good girl transforming the bad boy trope, developing a solid connection amidst the anxiety and torment of rebuilding a business and dealing with a self-destructive man who doesn’t deem himself worthy of anything but pain and suffering takes the stereotypical story line and adds deeper emotions and character depth that explains Mark’s mental deterioration and his need for someone to believe in him when he can’t believe in himself.

Amity Cross’ The Beat and the Pulse series, once again, introduces a couple who have been fighting for and against themselves since the beginning and it’s only after they both realize the cost of not fighting for what they want that any real progress can be made as individuals and as a team.

4 Poison Apples (The Fairest of All Book Reviews)

[✰ BJ's Book Blog ✰Janeane ✰ · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC received from author for an honest review

I don't even look at the blurb any more of a book in The Beat and The Pulse series. I know I am going to get a sexy and sweet (in his own way) MMA fighter and a girl that will win his heart.

To say that Storm and Callie's relationship starts of hot and steamy is an understatement! Phew, was it sexy or what?!?!

I adore Callie. She is sweet and fun and sexy - but has those self doubts that we all have.

Mark "Storm" Ryder is the bad guy of The Underground, and he perpetuates that image so no one sees the real guy behind it all. Ugh, I wanted to slap him and hug him and talk some sense into him.

I loved that spark between them, that no matter what they couldn't stay away from each other, as hard as they tried. I was their biggest cheerleader as the story progressed.

I loved getting back to The Underground, little snippets of characters from earlier in the series.

Strike is full of emotion, and I am not going to lie, I may have shed a tear or two whilst reading.

There were some great secondary characters, especially Callie's best friend Macy - though I am still undecided about my thoughts on her, I still like her.

It is sad that this series is only one book away from coming to a close. - these characters have become like friends over the past couple of years.

Now to see what Ms Cross brings us next.

[Kristen Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I'm sad to see this series end, I loved this last book of it.

Full Review to Come

Strike delivers yet another steamy love story between an MMA fighter and the woman who is his perfect match. One of my favorite things about the books in this series is that I know I'll be getting a story that is full of heat - but also has a lot of heart.

Callie and Storm's story is full of emotion and a little rocky - but proves that fighting for love is worth it.

Storm is a man who knows he's made mistakes, he punishes himself daily for his past just as he knows others judge him based on what they think they know. But Storm allows everyone to believe things that aren't true, he perpetuates a bad image of himself because he believes he deserves such treatment. So when he does something good and nice, such as saving Callie from her burning building, he doesn't want it out there in the world to be analyzed; if only the woman wasn't so intent on discovering who saved her.

Callie has worked long and hard to get to where she is today, she's so close to realizing her dream when a fire breaks out in her building, almost killing her and pushing her dreams further away. But Callie's focused on the stranger who saved her - crazy as it sounds she felt something between them for those few minutes as he rescued then left her.

What comes after these two meet up is a roller coaster of emotions as Storm tries to push away Callie not feeling deserving of her and her goodness and Callie tries to break through his walls and help him see what she sees in him. But when the past comes out to haunt them both - can they survive the pain and anger to see the truth between them? This is one love story where it's not only our MMA figure who's doing the fighting.

Strike sucked me back into the world of the Beat and the Pulse, grabbed my attention, and held me captive as I watched things work out between these two amazing people. With interactions between some old but well loved characters of the series, there was the usual level of caring and familial bonds present. There was a lot more going on that just two people finding love with each other and Amity Cross brought it all together in a well balanced story.

[Nina ~ Meleth Bookaddicted ~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have found my favorite fighter within the Beat & Pulse series by Amity Cross! And it’s Mark ‘Storm’ Ryder – sadly, the last fighter to get his story. I haven’t read all books yet, but of those I’ve read, this story is by far my favorite. With its setting it is darker and grittier than most of the stories, making it dangerous and oh-so intriguing.

Storm, being a disgraced UFC fighter now swinging his fists in The Underground, is one of the bad guys – brooding and aloof, and a mystery to most people. Nobody really knows the guy behind the gloves, and he prefers to keep it that way. He has basically given up on his life, on himself even, refusing to see any good in his own character.

And then there is Callie, a sweet, sexy, yet incredible normal girl with the usual self-doubts all of us have from time to time. She is so close to fulfill her dream of owning a bakery – only to see it quite literally going up in flames. But Storm is there, hearing her cries and saving her – and sparks he definitely did not need in his life start to fly, refusing to be extinguished…

I adored both characters, although I had a frequent urge to slap some sense into Storm, who surely was the more broken one of these two. They definitely have chemistry, which made for some seriously sizzling and steamy action full of passion. Phew!

And whereas I am grateful that Amity Cross does not keep going with this series forever, I am sad seeing it end nonetheless – especially because I have come to love Faye and so hoped for her to get her own story. Instead, I’ll go back to the start and immerse myself into the emotional and angst-ridden world of those sexy fighters.

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

Storm has returned the underground to make easy money and stay underneath the radar after his world spectacularly fell apart. Karma is a bitch and unfortunately he knows this first hand, aware that he is paying the price for being a fame hungry cold bastard that trampled on people in his rush to succeed. Living in the shadows, keeping every one at a distance he uses his fists to earn money and constantly bears the weight of sins on his shoulders. An unexpected act of heroism triggers a chain of events that makes him question his whole outlook on life. Is he worth loving, can he find his redemption?

Callie is an ambitious woman who has focussed her every on achieving her dream, but when it literally goes up in smoke she is haunted by the sad chocolate eyes that saved her. Going viral in the hopes to find her mystery saviour she gets a little more than she planned for when he reveals himself to her. Can she see beyond the facade and to the man so desperately in need of someone in his corner?

Once again Amity Cross delivers a story filled with heart ache, sorrow and pain intertwined with redemption, hope and love. Two seemingly mismatched characters finding their happily ever after in the most unlikely of places. The underground is the back drop to a very hot and sweet romance but it's great to catch up with some other characters too. I really love this series and all the characters regardless of how much of an asshole they seem to be! Sassy strong females, alpha males this series has it all.

A four and a half star read.

Reviewed on behalf of Obsessed by Books.

[Tonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the tenth book in The Beat and The Pulse series. It is a standalone, but Hammish and Lori are in this book. Their story is book 6, Flow.

This is the final book in the series. Ignite is book eleven and is already out. It's in the Dark Desires box set.

Callie is at the point in her life where her dreams are coming true. She has her bakery and it's almost ready to open!

That is until it goes up in flames, literally. And she's trapped.

Luckily someone hears her cries for help.

Disgraced ex UFC fighter, Mark "Storm" Ryder hears her. He jumps through flames to save her.

I absolutely love Callie. She's great. She's normal. She's not the supermodel that's skinny. She has normal self image issues, that every woman has. She's a hard worker.

Mark has basically given up. He has nothing except for the Underground fights. All because of a con from a ring girl. He doesn't really have any fight left in him. He's an asshole and pushes everyone away.

I love all the characters in this series. I can't say how much I have loved these books. When I get them, I inhale them. I can't put them down. I'll miss these fighters. I'm sad this is the end.

I wanted Faye to get a story.

[Mel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read every single book in this series including the final book you can only get in the anthology Dark Desires until the end of the year when it releases on its own. This book, Strike, has become my favorite. I think mostly because Storm is a completely broken character. He doesn't feel he is redeemable or worthy of anything good. Callie is soft and sweet and not just because of her baking. She is the fighter on the inside that Storm is on the outside. I seriously love this. Their relationship is about fighting for what you want and in Storm and Callie's case fighting for what you deserve. She is the light and he has to decide if he is worthy of walking in it or remain a shadow.

This is the 10th book in the series yet it is a complete standalone. A reader does not need any of the previous books to enjoy this one, it stands on it's own pages. I would highly recommend this book. The plot is unique and the characters are consuming. I found myself completely drawn in by them. As much as I hate saying goodbye to one of my favorite series I'm so happy the last book was my favorite.

[Kari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Strike is #10 and the final installment in Amity Cross’s The Beat and The Pulse series. I am a huge fan of this MMA/Underground fighting series and am so sad that it is over.

Callie is one of my favorite h’s out of all of the books. She is on the threshold of making her dreams come true and she is just so sensible. A little quirky, but she reasons things out and finds her way.

Storm is a jerk. He knows it, owns it, but is starting to wake up from that and finding his conscience. He wants to do the right thing, wants to be believed, but is more comfortable punishing himself than letting anyone in and putting himself out there emotionally.

I really enjoyed how their relationship developed and the decisions Callie struggled with propelled the story. The conclusion was great and I’m glad Storm found his path.

Thank you, Amity, for a fabulous look into the world of The Beat and The Pulse and am looking forward to what will be next.

* I received an ARC from this author for an honest review*

[Nikki Costello ***Crazy Cajun Book Addicts Blog*** · Rating 4 out of 5]

Strike is book 10 and the final book in the fantastic series from Amity Cross.

Mark 'Storm' Ryder had it all, money women and he was on his way to the top as a professional MMA Fighter then thanks to one girl's lies he lost everything. Now he's back in Australia and fighting illegally at the Underground
Callie Winslow has always wanted her own bakery and finally her dreams are coming true but when a fire breaks out on the premises and she finds herself trapped, her knight in shining armour comes in the form of a man with sad, chocolate brown eyes, but no sooner is he there he then disappears .
When they finally come face to face sparks fly, but with Mark hiding things from Callie is there really any hope for them. Could Callie be the one to break down the walls around his heart and show him that he is worthy of being loved.

I'm so sad that this series has come to an end but I'm also excited to see what Amity Cross will give us next!!!

[Patti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cannot believe that this is the tenth book in this series. What an amazing book it is. Amity Cross’ world of MMA fighters are gruff, troubled and really amazing guys just looking to be loved.

When Strike jumped out of the car of yet another hot chick’s car, just looking to get away from her, he had no idea that he would stumble upon a burning building. And stumble on saving the life of the girl that was the new owner, who was passed out in the storage room in the back.

Callie, was on cloud nine, painting her new shop, ready to open the doors and server her favorite confections to the town she loved. What she wasn’t ready for was the stunning chocolate brown eyes that saved her.

The rollercoaster of emotions that you go through on their journey to find each other after the fire is wonderful. This book has all the feels that one looks for in a great one sitting read. Which of course I devoured this in about 5 hours. Love this series, so sad it is over!!

[Louise White · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am gutted that this series has come to an end but it goes out on a high. In this highly charged finale we met Callie, a woman with a dream. She is hard working and determined but when it comes to matters of the heart she is full of self doubt. When she saved from her burning shop by the brooding Storm she can not stop thinking about him. Storm has faced a tough few years and wont let anyone get close to him, fearing that he is no good. The relationship between these two will have you wanting to shake Storm and tell him not to be so stupid (as a few ladies do in the book). Its great to catch up with older characters from the underground. I don't feel like the series has been wrapped up and could continue reading these stories of hot MMA fighters and the ladies that love them but it has to come to an end at some point.

This story is passionate and steamy, a fairly quick and easy read that will strike a cord within you.

[Amanda White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

As with the previous books of this series, I absolutely loved this book. Couldn't put it down! Amity Cross' writing style is just so easy to read and so fluid. Good story line and plot, a touch predictable at times but then not predictable at all in other areas. Dialogue between the characters was good and felt natural. I liked both the male and female lead characters. All in all well worth the read!

[Marcie Wegner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent book in The Beat and the Pulse series. Strike is book 10 in the series but is easily read as a stand alone. Amity Cross has done it again with this wonderful story. Callie and Storms' relationship is rocky to say the least, but it is real. It is wonderfully written and, with the characters being fully developed, the reader can live the story along with them. I am sorry to see the series ending, but I am looking forward to seeing what Amity Cross publishes next.

[Natarsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

I’ve been hanging for this book since Flow and it didn’t disappoint. What really surprised me was how emotional I felt at times reading this - I just wanted to give Storm a hug so bad! Word of warning, he will more than likely frustrate you but I guess that’s what seriously damaged characters do to you.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this series so much and I'm so sad to see it end thank you Amity Cross for bringing these characters to life

[Jardine Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

5*

Another amazing read from the Beat and Pulse series.
Following the path of Mark and Callie.
Totally enjoyed it can't wait for the next book.

[Christine Peterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was almost 5 stars but it fell a little short. The story felt like it was missing something and wasn’t long enough. I would have like to delve deeper into their story.

[Marika · Rating 1 out of 5]

⛔️(in notes)