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Alison Anders is a nobody.
Alone, awkward and plain, she goes through life under the radar. Until the day comes when she can’t take it anymore.
When she hears about the dark and enticing Underground, she gathers up the courage to go.
The Underground is an illegal cage fighting league that’s full of primal violence, debauchery and passion. Where sex and pain are delivered by the alpha male fighters who dominate in the ring.
When Alison steps through those doors, she can be anyone she wants. Anyone but the nobody she is when the sun comes up.
What does she have to lose? Just her heart, body and soul…

ebook

Published October 1, 2017

7 people are currently reading
134 people want to read

About the author

Amity Cross

55 books784 followers
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

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5 stars
24 (32%)
4 stars
24 (32%)
3 stars
13 (17%)
2 stars
10 (13%)
1 star
3 (4%)
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
Profile Image for ✰  BJ's Book Blog ✰Janeane ✰.
3,034 reviews12 followers
October 4, 2017
It is always a bittersweet moment when you get to the end of an amazing series.

I have fallen hard for the guys and gals of The Beat and The Pulse series, and enjoy every bloodthirsty visit to The Underground.

Blade and Ali's story had me hooked from the start. The feelings, the emotional connect I had with Ali, the wanting the hunka hunka burning love that is Blade/Liam. They are everything neither of them wanted, and I adored seeing the changes they made in each other.

There is just something about an Amity Cross story that drags me in every single time. I can't help but fall for each and every new couple as the series is released.



Smokin Hot Book Blog Email
Profile Image for Nina ~ Meleth Bookaddicted ~.
1,567 reviews48 followers
June 21, 2017
IGNITE is book eleven in Amity Cross’ The Beat and The Pulse series and is featured in the Dark Desires Boxed set.

I have not read all books of the series yet, so cannot be completely sure about that, but for me this story has a different feel than the others – darker and dirtier in its setting in The Underground, a place where illegal cage fights and gambling is taking place. There was an underlying feeling of danger throughout the story, and while I enjoy reading about forthright MMA fighters very much, I loved the constant buzz, the awareness and the suspense this kind of fighter romance entails.

But not only the setting is different, the heroine, Alison Anders, is as well. She is not one of those natural beauties, more of a sleeping beauty, who desperately needs a wake-up-call to see and reach her own potential. She is plain, always hiding, almost invisible to other, with no family, no friends, and working in a job she hates where she is taken advantage of. Gathering that bit of confidence she has she decides it is time to break the monotony that is her life and shake it up with a visit to The Underground...

Liam ‘Blade’ Maguire is an up and running fighter at The Underground. He is fighting for his chance at the belt, but apart from a casual no-strings f++k here and there he keeps pretty much to himself, preferring loneliness in his internal fight against his own demons. Then that innocent mouse, trapped in a precarious situation, captures his attention. But even after diffusing the danger he cannot shake the impulse to protect her…

Both characters are broken in their own way, for each of them the other is everything they never wanted, and watching them slowly realize how good they can be together, to recognize they do not only share a physical connection, but an emotional as well, had me glued to the pages.

A wonderful journey of self-discovery spiked with danger and suspense. I am looking forward to more books of the series – hoping that maybe one day Faye – a wonderful supporting character in this story – can be tamed as well. She needs her story to be told!
Profile Image for Jill.
786 reviews9 followers
June 14, 2017
4 stars for - Ignite - book eleven in The Beat & The Pulse series by Amity Cross. This book can be read as stand alone to the series and as always there is a Happily Ever After. ​The Underground is where illegal cage fighting, gambling and all around mayhem goes down however it has also been the catalyst to many hot and steamy romances too. This is Blade and Ali's story...
Alison Anders a plain, strait-laced girl who is quite literally the "grunt" at work is tired of her boring life. When she hears of the Underground and what exactly happens there she is beyond intrigued. Hoping she will find that extra confidence in herself that has been lacking she decides to attend a fight night.
Liam "Blade" Maguire is one of many fighters at the Underground but he is in the running for the championship. When he sees a new face one night he can't help but want to rescue her from things she has no business being part of. He recognizes a innocent and scared woman when he sees her and for some reason he feels compelled to protect her.
This is another great edition to this solid series of fighters who never expect to fall in love. The chemistry is as always, perfect and the supporting characters always leave you wanting more. Can't wait for the next one :) 
Profile Image for Louise White.
376 reviews20 followers
June 19, 2017
This story features in the Dark Desires Box set. Having read a few of the stories from the Beat and the Pulse series, this book has a different fill in the way that it is written. However being part of a box set where readers may not have read any of the authors work before then they will know no different.

This story is actually set away from the gym's that we know and love. It is centred around the illegal "Underground" fight club. The main female character goes on a journey of self discovery, a complete plain Jane, Alison is ignited when she takes a risk and goes to watch a fight at the illegal club that she has overheard her colleagues talking about.

Liam, the fighter who has ignited Alison is all kinds of hot and he is struggling with his own demons. The Underground is a dangerous and dirty place where you do not want to expose your weaknesses and Liam has potentially shown his. The "will they, wont they" push and pull of the story was gripping. Alison is at rock bottom and has nothing, where as Liam is at the top of his game, can they get past all of the BS to make it work?

Read to find out!
Profile Image for Hopelessly Addicted To Books .
3,627 reviews150 followers
June 13, 2017
Although this story has a different feel to it than the other books in the series I really enjoyed it.
Alison is the girl who nobody sees, she's coasting through her life by just making do, at work they use her and her social life is non existent she has no friends and no family. When she decides to take a risk she goes to the Underground where she meets Liam aka Blade.
It took me a while to warm up to Alison but that's because I would never be able to hold my tongue at her workmates but when I was cheering when she decided to fight back. I misjudged Liam at first I thought he was just your typical fighter but once you get to know him you get to see the real him.
I really enjoyed this story but the whole Faye thing i would have knocked her out and I would have liked a longer last chapter or maybe an epilogue to finish the book.
14 reviews
June 16, 2017
This is actually book 11 in Amity Cross’s, “The Beat and The Pulse,” series. Easily a stand alone read, but I totally recommend reading the whole series.

Centered around illegal cage fighting, “The Underground,” is where Alison goes to find some excitement in her life. Her boring job, where she is bullied and her boring life, where she is lonely, has just become too much for her. Wanting to find a different path for herself she musters the courage to try something new.

Liam, or Blade, a fighter looking to go all the way, notices her and is drawn to her. He is struggling with his own self worth and fights his feelings, pushing her away, but never going far. Liam is not my favorite of this series, but I get why his actions were dictated by his life experience.

HEA after a bumpy road.

*Advanced copy read in exchange for an honest review*
Profile Image for Tonya.
2,072 reviews10 followers
July 4, 2017
I absolutely love The Underground series. I have to read them as soon as I can. This is the eleventh book in the series, but it is a stand alone. If this is the first one you read, you won't be lost at all.

This is a quick read, but it is action packed with both fighting and steamy sex scenes. You won't be disappointed at all.

Alison "Ali" Anders is bullied at work, she's taken advantage of. She lets it happen. She's shy. She's lost. She's not living.

Going to The Underground changes every thing for her.

Liam "Blade" only has fighting. He is in the running for the championship.

Neither of these characters have anyone that fights for them. They came into each others life at the perfect time.

I love the growth they both had.

I have to say, I absolutely love Faye!

I read this in Dark Desires Anthology
Profile Image for Amanda White.
582 reviews10 followers
July 15, 2017
I really loved this book! I couldn't put it down, I finished it in one day. I bought this book as part of the dark desires box set, which I only bought because it had this book in it. I LOVE the beat and the pulse series so it's no surprise I enjoyed this book. If you enjoyed the previous books in this series then this is a must read!
August 2, 2023
Ugh this was complicated. I both liked and hated the book. It is a huge pet peeve of mine when the MMC fucks another woman after not only meeting the FMC but also having slept with her. Especially since I really liked Faye (the other woman) she was the perfect BFF for the FMC. Liam really needed to get his shit together sooner and pull his head out if his ass
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Dorel.
4,354 reviews38 followers
July 6, 2017
This is the 1st book I read by Amity Cross. I'm sorry this book's story line or characters didn't grab my interest.
Profile Image for Jardine Clark.
627 reviews12 followers
October 19, 2017
5*

Another brilliant 5 star read from Amity.
I absoultey love the Beat and Pluse series getting to read all the different underground fighters and there journey at finding Love.
Profile Image for Jardine Clark.
627 reviews12 followers
October 19, 2017
Another brilliant 5 star read from Amity.
I absoultey love the Beat and Pluse series getting to read all the different underground fighters and there journey at finding Love.
Profile Image for Maria (semi hiatus).
548 reviews116 followers
April 4, 2021
I really loved the Beat and Pulse series, but this last and final book was a bit disappointing.

This book is about Ali and Liam. Ali is a bit of a mouse, she’s all alone without any family and friends. At work she is bullied by some coworkers. One day she overhears them talking about a place called The Underground, full of hot men. They bully Ali that she would never dare to go there. That night Ali decides to visit The Underground and is overwhelmed with how out of her comfort zone this place is. I really liked Ali as a character, it’s great to see her come out of her shell during the book.

She meets fighter Liam aka Blade at her first night at The Underground. He saves her from a rough fighter who’s making a move at her and from then they start bonding. Liam is a bit troubled and thinks he’s not good enough for Ali. He doesn’t do relationships and Ali doesn’t make a difference (at least during 98% of the book). It’s obvious he’s developing feelings for her but he can’t admit to it. I didn’t like Liam as a hero much. He does some dumbass things and I personally can’t look past this. Technically there’s no cheating, but if you want a safe book this might not be for you. There is sex with OW, meaning a casual sex agreement with Faye (Ali’s friend) which our hero doesn’t end himself, and no groveling to our heroïne. Not for me, I’m a safe girl. The fact that Liam keeps having sex with Faye after he slept with Ali isn’t romance for me.

So Ali became friends with Faye, the bartender at The Underground. I could punch Faye in the face, when she tells Ali she and Liam are having sex for months. Ali was hurt and their friendship is on the line. It would have been great to see a book for Faye, but since this is the last in the series that’s not going to happen.

Although this isn’t a bad book, for me only 2,5 stars. I didn’t like Liam and could personally not believe he truly loved Ali. Liam doesn’t make any effort to be with Ali. She’s the one who keeps chasing him. Call me old fashioned, but I like my heroes doing the chasing.

If you want to pick up a book with a real hero in this series, I would suggest to read Quake. You can’t help falling in love with Caleb who will definitely swipe you of your feet!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Nikki Costello ***Crazy Cajun Book Addicts Blog***.
2,083 reviews56 followers
June 18, 2017
Ignite is a great read from Amity Cross. This book does have a bit of a different feel to it as it's told more from the heroines pov than the previous books in the series but it takes nothing away from your enjoyment of the story. I read it in one sitting, I was sucked in immediately.

Alison Anders is what you would call a plain-jane she has no family or friends and is in a job she hate. When she decides her life needs a shake up she finds herself at the Underground where she meets Liam 'Blade' Maguire.
Liam is a fighter at the underground and when he sees Alison in trouble he steps in to save her, suddenly she evokes all these feelings within him and he has no clue how to deal with them.
Both Alison and Liam are a little broken but together they may just get their HEA.

Book 11 in the Brat and Pulse Series but can be read as a standalone.

***Complimentary copy received for an honest review***
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews

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