The Riders: Three legendary brothers who kept the Baba Yagas safe. The Riders’ immortality was stripped away, along with their mission. But they are still much more than Human, and their story is far from over…
His brothers may have found new paths to follow, but Alexei Knight isn’t even looking. If he can’t have the life he was meant to lead, there is no second choice. So he is bent on drinking and brawling his way across the country until he winds up on Cape Cod in a bar called The Hook and Anchor, where he finds challenges he was never expecting, a feisty red-haired bartender, and maybe a lot more than that…
Bethany McKenna left behind an almost-completed law degree to return home and care for her cranky disabled father and run his bar for him. If that wasn’t enough, she also agreed to foster a very pregnant Great Dane. She has enough to deal with without adding in a giant bearded brawler, no matter how appealing he is. Yet somehow he ends up living in the guesthouse, taking care of her father, and sneaking his way into her heart…
Alexei and Bethany both think the lives they wanted have come to an end, but after dealing with a mysterious sea monster, pirates, dragons, and some adorable puppies, they might just discover that love is the greatest adventure of all…
Deborah is the author of over a dozen non-fiction books on modern witchcraft and a tarot and oracle decks from Llewellyn. Her fiction includes the Baba Yaga series, The Broken Rider series, and the Veiled Magic series, and her cozy mysteries The Catskill Pet Rescue series (mostly from Berkley) as well as a few stand-alone novels.
Deborah lives in a 130 year old farmhouse in upstate NY with multiple cats. She believes in magic, laughter, chocolate, and wine. The order may change depending on the day.
I really been enjoying these books. These guys used to be The Riders helping the Baba Yagas solve problems and deal with supernatural creatures, but they were trapped and their immortality was taken and now they have to adjust to being "regular" guys - I use quotes because they'll never just be "regular."
I call these my "catnip" books - fun light paranormal romances :)
Alexei is at loose ends at the start of this one and only settles because there is nothing better for him, yet where he ends up turns out to be the best thing for him. In Bethany and her dad, heck even Lulu, Alexei finds people that need him and won't put up with his crap. I liked seeing Alexei settle in, but the best was when a Baba Yaga came by for a job and pulled Alexei in for help, it was just the thing for Alexei to see that he wasn't usless.
The battle at the end was great! Loved how everyone helped and how the bad guy was punished and those affected got help. I really liked Alexei's plan on how to live his live going forward, was glad that it worked out for him!
Dangerously Fierce is the conclusion of the trilogy, spin-off of the Baba Yaga series, about the Riders , three former immortal whose mission was to follow and help the Baba Yagas in their different quest. Now humans, thanks to an evil witch, they had, each in turn, to find a new purpose and discover who they are and want to be. But being mortal doesn't mean there's not some kind of magic left.
I'm grateful that Deborah Blake gave us the chance to read the final book and self-published it when she didn't get the contract with her previous publisher for this one. It was great to see Alexei realize he can be more than the brawler and I liked Bethany's fierce personality. But where's the reunion between the hero and his brothers ?
Pirates, sea monster, magic and puppies were a great combination for the last book.
This was a really good wrap up for the Broken Riders series. I have been looking forward to Alexi's story since I read the first Baba Yaga book and it did not disappoint.
Alexei is the last of the Riders who finds a way to make his way back from the brutal torture by an insane Baba Yaga. I enjoyed the revealing of Alexei's carving talents and how I wished that I could really see his woodworking.
This is a solid ending to the three books surrounding the Broken Riders, and I do recommend it.
"Dangerously Fierce" may be my favorite of the Broken Riders trilogy. This is especially impressive when you learn that Deborah Blake's publisher decided not to continue with the series after book#2. Blake independently published the book. She did a great job. The cover art fits well with these other books and the story is a fully fleshed and engaging tale. As a reader, there is no bigger frustration than becoming emotionally and financially invested in a series and then have the series end suddenly. I have so much respect for authors that find some way to conclude their series. And in turn, that cements my absolute loyalty to that author and I will find ways to show my appreciation and support financially for their further endeavors. Ok, off my soap box and now onto the charming novel! Although I enjoy all the Riders, I really connected to Alexei. He was so gruff and sweet. I knew he would help the love interest, Bethany's elderly father immediately and he did in such a charming way. The east coast fishing community provided an interesting and unusual environment for the story as well. Also who doesn't love a book about treasure, pirates and the Kraken? Also, I always enjoy the visits from the Baba Yagas. And don't even get me started on the adorable Great Dane! I flew through this novel faster than the two previous ones. I honestly don't read a lot of paranormal romance (or contemporary romance) anymore but I just wouldn't miss these little gems.
A fun, sweet romance with just enough action to keep things moving. Bonus points for guest staring Beka, my favorite Baba Yaga. I'm going to have to reread both series until Deborah Blake's next great read comes out.
Loved this story of the final of the 3 riders, the one who hasn't seen his brothers in a year. Who finds himself basically at the end of the continent, and finds a place where he can't quite leave, and adventures ensue! So great to read!
I hope someone at PRH is choking on their decision to cut this series. Fortunately, the author decided to self-publish this last Rider book - and it did not disappoint! I found myself howling with laughter at her clever word-play (can't tell you what, because spoilers). Definitely pick this up, especially if you liked the previous two in the series. And if you haven't read the preceding Baba Yaga novels..what are you waiting for?
Really enjoyed the story of the third Rider, fighter Alexi, as he finds his place in the human world. Bethany and her assorted trials offer a chance to be a different kind of hero, even if she doesn't need rescuing.
I’m really glad that Blake decided to self-publish this book. As soon as I received it I was kind of frustrated, the book was so much bigger than the rest of the books in the Broken Riders series. And then I read the forward – the publishers decided not to go ahead with Alexei’s story, so Blake did instead. And, I for one, am very, very, very glad. I would have been constantly wondering what happened to the third brother and how he found his happy ending.
There is a bit of a difference in reading a self-published book and one that is produced by a publishing house. And it’s fairly obvious when reading Dangerously Fierce. But other than a few slight issues in the grammar or spelling, this story is just as amazing as the rest of Blake’s stories. The romance is sweet and endearing, the characters vivid and all strong in their own way, and the sense of pain in Alexei is heart-rendingly real.
My favourite thing about this story was the fact that it was set in a bar on the coast. The nautical feeling (including the presence of pirates) fed perfectly upon the idea of a small bar run by a busty red head. I’m not sure why red heads always seem to be feisty and busty, but it works perfectly in this tale. Especially when she gets out her baseball bat and threatens a bar full of large lads. From the very beginning, this had such a great vibe and a great feel to the setting. It might actually be my favourite Baba Yaga world location – there is just something about a bar on the sea.
Although his brothers settled into new lives after losing their immortality, the third of the Riders, Alexei Knight, isn't interested in doing so if he can't be what he once was. So he decides to drink and brawl across the country. He ends up in the Hook and Anchor bar where his life's plans run into a serious roadblock as he meets a bartender with red hair and an attitude to match along with challenges he hadn't counted on. Bethany McKenna returned home to care for her disabled father and run his bar but she hadn't counted on meeting a big burly guy who tugs on her heart strings despite her best intentions. After Alexei is in a fight that damages the bar, she gets him to agree to help cover the damages he caused and to taking care of her father and the pregnant Great Dane she's fostering while she works. She allows him to stay in their guesthouse where he learns he can talk to dogs. Soon the fishermen are telling stories of a giant squid taking their catches and destroying their boats. Alexei is sure that it's a kraken which makes him wonder why one is around. Baba Yaga Beka comes at the request of the supernatural beings in the area and gets Alexei to help her with the mystery since it turns out that Alexei can also speak dolphin as Beka suspected. Dangerously Fierce is a great read. We follow Alexei on his path as he learns there's life after immortality.
There is something beautiful about a broken man, one who can pick up the pieces of himself and put them back together. And maybe, all the pieces don't fit like they used to, and maybe, some pieces fit a lot better. That's The Broken Riders.
ALL THE LOVE FOR: *Talking to pregnant dog named Lulu, the dolphins, and the sharks made me laugh out loud. *Red the dragon has ridiculously funny exchanges with Len *The kraken. Who doesn't love a kraken?
Seriously, this is Deborah Blake's funniest novel! Kraken me up! And, I'm pretty sure she is physically and mentally incapable of making a weak female character. That's why I love her books. They are empowering!
I truly love all the Baba Yaga novels and the other 2 rider books. This one was just ok in my opinion: 1. Alexei was very weak and didn’t really contribute much. 2.The villain’s sidekick was a joke and the villain himself was mediocre. 3. The heroine was decent and the relationship seems well thought out, but the story was sadly lacking
Recommend reading the rest of the series, but sorry I would wait for this one to drop in price.
What do you get when you combine a former Rider, a bar, a Baba Yaga, pirates and sea monsters? The next Broken Rider adventure as Alexei tries to recover from the aftermath of the torture and loss of his immortality. Isolated from his brothers and all of his known friends, he is spending his time drinking and fighting across America, until that fateful day when he steps into The Hook and Anchor Bar in Cape Cod. This is an enjoyable tale of finding oneself. I look forward to more tales with the Riders and Baba Yagas.
Kudos to Deborah for not letting her publisher stop her from writing the final book in this trilogy and self-publishing it herself.
The self-published book is better than many I've seen. Good cover art, well-done printing, and the writing is excellent. I only found four editing errors--and I've found those in books that were not self-published, but these should have been found.
As to the story....very very nice. Loved having Beka step in, enjoyed watching Alexei's struggle with the changes in his life, applauded our heroine, and the setting was lovely. A bit of humor and a visit to the Queen's court cap a terrific read.
With a cast of characters which includes a talking Great Dane, a Kraken, dragons, a Baba Yaga and a crabby old man, Deborah Blake weaves a fast paced, thrilling adventure for Alexsei, the last broken rider. The story sucks you in like a tidal wave. You won't put it down until you get to the last page! I hope we will see some of these characters again in future stories.
I have to admit that when I heard that this book was out and I could read about the last of The Riders I was so excited and sad. Sad, because this is it, no more Baba Yaga, no more Riders, but damn it was an amazing read My advice to anyone, read ANYTHING by Deborah Blake.
My only complaint is not enough lulu. When the next story about them comes around I want way more lulu and puppies. I really want to know what she thinks puppy baby talk sounds like. What the sharks sounded like was great. Otherwise this was just what I was in the mood for. Romance with some action that was also humorous. 💞 and extra dragons! 🐲
This is one of my fave light, fun easy-reading paranormal series. Great when you just want to turn your brain off and enjoy a fluffy, entertaining read.
Baba Yagas, dragons, crusty old sailors, and a light romance with plenty of humour, really, what's not to like?!
I really enjoy all this author's books, and recommend them if light paranormal romance is your thing.
I hope to see more of the Riders and Baba Yagas. I really enjoyed the characters in this book. I loved the psychic power of talking to animals. I was also very excited to see the appearance of a certain smooth talking dragon.
I loved this story. Deborah Blake has once again written a fantastic story. I feel for Alexei and it's great to see him finally staying in one place. I love the Baba yaga's and their chudo-yudo dragons. I'm hoping that there is more from this world.
Great series. I'd taken a break and then picked up Dangerously Divine and then immediately read this one. Witches, Baba Yagas, the Otherworld, dragons, beautiful people and great problems to solve. Who could want anything more?
Alexei is the final rider to get his HEA. This lacked sizzle for me. Bethany and her dad seemed nice but it all lacked a tension that makes you engage.