Wrath

The Elite Seven #3

by Claire C. Riley

I’m a motherless son to a father who hates me. Fury has lived and breathed in my black heart for so long, it’s a part of my soul now. The only thing that’s ever mattered to me is protecting my twin sister, Sabella, from my father’s temper.

So when the chance to join a secret society presents itself, there’s no question I’ll do whatever it takes to become a member and earn my place in the ranks of only the most Elite.

With a taste for the deviant, I’m drawn to the darkest of desires, and no one ever leaves my bed unscathed.
My task: seduce Patience Noelle, St. Augustine’s sweetheart and the mayor’s beloved daughter—then break her heart.

Sinning is what I live for, and deviance is my passion. Failing has never been an option.

But what happens when my sin becomes my curse—when destroying the only woman I’ve ever wanted is my key to protecting my sister?
Accept your sin wisely, for the tasks given to earn your place are not for the weak...they’re for The Elite.

This isn’t just my chance, it’s my legacy and reckoning.
I am Samuel Gunner.
I am WRATH


The Elite Seven Series
Lust (The Elite Seven, #1) by Ker Dukey https://amzn.to/2Wm4mnB
Pride (The Elite Seven, #2) by J.D. Hollyfield https://amzn.to/2WEDvDa
Wrath (The Elite Seven, #3) by Claire C. Riley https://amzn.to/2EjJNBg
Envy (The Elite Seven, #4) by M.N. Forgy https://amzn.to/2ECLHvs
Gluttony (The Elite Seven, #5) by K Webster https://amzn.to/2XDlaGo
Sloth (The Elite Seven, #6) by Giana Darling (Coming in May!)
Greed (The Elite Seven, #7) by Ker Dukey and K Webster (Coming in May!)

Are you a sinner?

https://tinyurl.com/THEELITESEVEN

Genres: Romance, Dark, Dark Romance, College, New Adult, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance

Unknown Binding

First published March 11, 2019

About the author

Claire C. Riley is a USA Today and International bestselling author.

She lives in the United Kingdom with her husband, three daughters, and ridiculously naughty rescue beagle.

* Gryffindor * Targaryen * Zombie slayer *


MC ROMANCE:
Devil's Highwaymen Ride or Die Series (3 books)
The Devil's Highwaymen Nomad Series (4 books)
Tame his Beast duet (2 books)

MAFIA ROMANCE:
Deviant Prince #1
Twisted Princess #2
Royal Blood: The Brotherhood

ROMANTIC SUSPENSE/THRILLER
Beautiful Victim (standalone)
Fragments of Delores (standalone)

NA ROMANCE
WRATH #3 in the Elite Seven Series

POST-APOCALYPTIC
Odium The Dead Saga Series 8 books
Odium Origins Series 3 books
Out of the Dark (standalone)
Red Eye The Armageddon Series - co-authored with Eli Constant (3 books)
Thicker than Blood series - co-authored with Madeline Sheehan (3 books)

PARANORMAL ROMANCE
Limerence (The Obsession Series)
Twisted Magic (standalone)

ROMANCE
Shut Up & Kiss Me - Co-authored with Madeline Sheehan

HORROR
Blood Claim (standalone)

FIND ME
She can be stalked at any of the following and always welcomes any questions readers may have.

www.clairecriley.com
https://www.facebook.com/ClaireCRiley...
http://bit.ly/clairecrileyamazon/
https://twitter.com/ClaireCRiley
https://www.google.com/+ClaireCRiley
and redheadapocalypse on Instagram

Reviews

[The Sassy Bookworm · Rating 3 out of 5]

I went into this one with lowered expectations regarding the romance aspect and thank god I did because AGAIN the romance was the weakest part of this book. In fact, at this point I think I would enjoy this series more had it been an erotic thriller series, with no romance at all. There was also too much OW sex in this one. the "hero" literally has sex with three different women before he even gets to the heroine (not all at the same time), and we get a lovely orgy scene so you get to read ALL about the other guys having sex with OW. Including LUST who we have already read about in book one...which was really not cool. "I" don't want to read about a hero having sex with other women AFTER I've already read a book about him in which he got his HEA. Call me picky, I guess. However, I tried not to let it affect my rating too much because at this point I figure that type of thing will be in every one of these books, but there was too much of it for me to overlook completely. One detailed scene, I could have rolled with, but two overly descriptive scenes, and a third non descirptive one, ya, not so much. I debated throwing in the towel several times. Last, after three books parts are getting a little repetitive in places.



Those issues aside the book wasn't BAD. I am sure many people will love it. It was well written, and I appreciated that it was on the longer side so it felt a little more developed. I can't say I ever warmed up to Wrath, but Patience was an OK heroine. We don't really get much page time with her, so it was hard to really connect with her character. That said, I am still enjoying the Elite Seven angle, and the ending left me going...WTF!! I need the next book NOW! So again...a very mixed bag. This entire series is turning out that way, yet I still have enough intrigue in it to want to carry one.

[SueBee★bring me an alpha!★]

LIVE! | AMZ US | AMZ UK |


Stand-alone
LIVE! | AMZ US | AMZ UK |

Books in The Elite Seven are stand-alones:
Book 1: LUST
Book 2: PRIDE
Book 3: WRATH
Book 4: ENVY
Book 5: GREED
Book 6: GLUTTONY
Book 7: SLOTH

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was just an ok read for me. I found it very hard for me to become emotionally invested in the main characters . Also, the love story theme in this third instalment just didn’t take a front seat to anything. In fact, I wouldn’t even call it a romance. I’m eager to move on to the next instalment but my expectations for a romance are going to be lowered quite a bit.

Thanks Steph for another Buddy read together!!!❤️

[Natalie ~ The Biblioholic · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Hulk Smash stars

Samuel Gunner/Wrath is a very angry young man. He's suffered years of abuse, more than his share in order to protect his twin sister, and he's fed up. Now that he feels like he's grown, he's more likely to solve his problems with his fists rather than his words. His fists allow him to unleash his rage. His fists give him the space to breathe. His fists are his answer to most everything. Even entrance to The Elite. When a man feels like he has no heart, he's willing to do just about anything. So what happens when the task he's required to complete to be "in" takes away the new heart he's found?

I felt that this book took a bit of a departure from where I thought this story was going. It felt like it's own story within the story. I loved it's erotic feel and Sam's need for control.



But the tone was different, the character I had come to know as Wrath was different, and the side characters seemed different. Nothing was really as I thought it was, yet it was still the same. Like looking at everything through a different lens, I guess. I found it really hard to connect with Samuel. I just wanted him to calm the hell down. I wasn't a fan of the scenes with him and other women, although they did help build what was supposed to be his character's preferences and personality. I'm still not really feeling his relationship with Patience, although I think that given some more time, I would be. In the end, this was a quick, hot read with one wowza of an ending. I'm loving this series and I can't wait to see what's next for these guys!


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[Sabrina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Seeing all of the 5 Star reviews that this book has I'm really starting to thing that I'm the problem when it comes to this series. I love these types of books and there are so many things that I'm enjoying about this series as a whole, but I just did not love this book and it's really bumming out.

I will say that there was a good portion of the story that I was enjoying. And I did like Samuel and finding out about his path to becoming Wrath. He and Patience also had a pretty interesting relationship and that was actually my favorite part of the book. I love that kind of chemistry they had where it is very push-pull between two clearly opposite characters. And the heat! Boy, there was some heat packed into this book. I can't say I was a huge fan of every sexual scene, especially ones that didn't involve the two main characters, but I can't lie and say that I didn't get very intrigued during those parts.

Basically the middle part was where I was all in and intrigued to find out more. But the beginning and end lost it for me. The beginning was just so very long before we even got to any of the Elite storyline or before Patience became a real player in the game. Honestly there was just a lot of scenes that seemed a little pointless to the storyline and I couldn't understand why they were in the book at all.

Then the ending. Oh, the ending. Based off of the middle and how much more I was enjoying it than the beginning I was thinking that this book would be at least a 3 Star for me. And then it happened. The scene that just ruined it all for me. And here's the thing, it wasn't even the scene itself that I didn't like or that bothered me. It was the fact that it took place right near the ending and then everything blew up and bam it was over without us having any closure over what we had just witnessed. The next book is obviously going to focus on different main characters so I just can't see that I'll ever actually get closure over what happened in this book and that's what really bothers me.

Clearly I am in the minority with this story and I would never tell someone to not read a book so I do still recommend this one. Anyone that likes these mind-fuck types of stories that are full of some pretty major twists should definitely give this series a try.

Also I also have to say that the name thing, where everyone has a name but then also a nickname, like Wrath, was not confusing in this book. After the last installment where I struggled to keep up with all the names I was a little worried that I would just be struggling the entire series, but I didn't have any issue with that in this book.

ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.

[warhawke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genre: Romantic Suspense
Type: Book 3 of 7 from The Elite Seven series
POV: First Person - Male
Rating:
(4.25 stars)



From a very young age, Samuel Gunner learned the hard way how it felt to be unwanted. Even though he came from a wealthy family, life had no meaning if it wasn’t for his sister. Craving independence, he wanted to be part of the Elite Seven but things were not as easy as it seemed especially when Patience Noelle was thrown into the equation.



One thing this book is successful in achieving is incurring my wrath. And I meant it in a good way - wrath for what happened to the characters, their actions and the consequences.

The only time I ever feel relief from the anger that bubbles inside me is when I am fighting, beating another man to a bloody mess, or when I fuck a woman into submission.

From the powerful prologue, I can’t help but root for Samuel. And the last 20% were breathtakingly intense. However, I had an issue with the middle. I could already predict which direction the story was going because it mirrored what happened in the last two books in the series.

There’s only so much a person can take before they snap—before they decide enough is enough.

I’m glad that it ended up taking a different turn that shook up the story, which what this series needed. I loved how the book ended even though technically the storyline is not concluded which made me curious about how it’s going to be tackled in the next book.

Wrath is a story of taking control. I’m hoping the next one will take the series to a more daring direction.

Books in the series:




🔸 ☢ 🔸 . . . (F)BR With Twinsie CC & Loyda . . . 🔸 ☢ 🔸





For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:

[Lo Bookfrantic · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5★★★★Stars

Genre:  Romantic Suspense
Type:  Book 3 of 7 from The Elite Seven series
POV:  First Person – Male

 

❝ I'm a cannon set loose upon the world, filled with anger and demons.❞

 

Samuel Gunner felt unwanted since the day he was born, he felt it and even could understand why his father and grandparents felt the way they did.  Samuel had to grow up so fast so soon and take care of himself and his twin sister.  Life was definitely not easy for him. 

 

❝ I run and run and run. But I'll never be able to run from the memories or the words that haunt me.❞

 

The beginning of this book was full of pain and I couldn't stop the tears from falling.  I was so angry and upset and full of emotions while reading Samuel's story.   When he meets Patience Noelle as a kid it brought some temporary happiness to his sad life and I instantly liked Patience due to it.  I really liked how so many things connect to the other characters and yet it makes me question everything at the same time.  

 

❝ It's our history, our childhoods entwined. Our paths which were always destined to cross no matter how far apart we were.❞

 

Wrath is the third installment in the elite seven series; I was fascinated with all the events in this story specially the beginning and the last twenty percent had me a total nervous wreck.  I was a mess towards eighty percent, like seriously my anxiety levels were up the roof and I am so happy I buddy read this book because holy roller coaster ride.  In fact I absolutely loved the direction this book is heading because it honestly caught me by surprise I had no idea it was going to turn out like this and I loved it.  Readers following the series will truly enjoy this book.

 

Books in the series:
      

🔹. . . This was a (F)BR With CC & War . . . 🔹

 






For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:

 

[Syndi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am confused with Wrath. I want to give this book 2 stars but the story is addicting despite a very bad structure and development. The POV is mainly from Samuel. Miss Riley did give a little bit of background of Samuel. But it is a lot of inner dialog and telling. Not enough showing.

What makes me more confuse it his relationship with Patience. There is not actual connection between Samuel and Patience. Miss Riley only give a quick flashback of their childhood friendship then they lost contact for about 8 years. When they met again, they instantly fall into lust. Again, only telling but not showing.
I am not feeling the chemistry between Samuel and Patience. And that makes me more disconnect from the story.

Overall, I just give this book 3 stars.

3 stars

[Sentranced Jem · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finally a book in this series that has a resembles to it's sin.

In a world where everyone and everything is controlled and calculated, there is Samuel Gunner: The untameable. So much anger. so must distain.

Samuel is filled with so much anger. I kept waiting for him to snap and smash everything in his way. Kinda reminds me of hulk. oops.

Patience wasn't my favourite character but she's ok.

Wrath has so far been the only book in this series so far that I have enjoyed?? I don't know what it is but there is something about this series that keeps pulling me into it. There is a pulsating sense of intrigue that keeps me coming for more.
To be honest, the romance in this book isn't anything to go on and on about. but much like the Elite, there is a sense of mystery and intrigue and secrecy that keeps me on my toes.

But hey! At least we have to thank the author for actually writing a book where the character is the epitome of wrath.

[NiCoLeTa E. {Addicted To Books} · Rating 4 out of 5]

***4 "Furious!!!!" stars***



“We’re in this together—whatever the fuck this is.”

A secret society...
Seven sins...
Seven men...
Seven authors...
Seven different stories...
And as i have told before, I'm very impressed from the way that all these authors are synchronized between them and they are giving us a perfect result... The stories are interwined together, even though they are about different people with different lives... Those men are connecting between them and I'm positive that at the end they would be like a fist....



"There’s only so much a person can take before they snap—before they decide enough is enough."

It was Wrath's turn in this book, as the title is prologuing...
Wrath's name is Samuel Gunner.... As mostly of the other members of the elite, Sam is a privileged boy... His family has money and power, but unfortunately they are lacking in the love part...
From his early years, Sam had tasted hatred and anger had fueled him for the rest of his life...
His only wish is for him and his twin sister to get away under their father's thub and the only way is for him to enter the secret society, the seven Elite!!!!



"I'm a cannon set loose upon the world, filled with anger and demons."

As the rest of the guys, he was given a task to complete in order to get in the secret society...
A task that he used to know very well, once upon a time... A woman that he had already got hurt in the past.... A woman that he has to break her heart for once again... Nothing difficult here, right???
Or it would be more difficult that he is expecting, as Patience is the only person that can ease the storm inside of him???



“I’m not the good guy, and I’ve never claimed to be. I’ve surrounded myself with rage and darkness, embracing the hateful side of myself for so long, it’s become a living thing inside me.”

Well, Sam had so much anger inside of him... And yes, he mostly had good reasons to be like that... But sometimes, it was too... much, i think!!!
The one thing that mattered to him was his sister, Sabela, and yep, beside anger, that man had more things inside of him... He was just really hurt by his father and extended family... And of course, from the loss of his mother when he was born!!!
Patience from the other hand was so sweet, but i liked that she had a backbone and she was giving him hell in the beginning... He was deserving it after what he did to her in the past...

"It's our history, our childhoods entwined. Our paths which were always destined to cross no matter how far apart we were."



"I don’t love like most. I love darkly, cruelly, and brutally, or not at all."

Those two were meant to be together from the beginning... They were perfect for each other...
But the Elite was standing between them, and they wanted destruction...
What will happen after all???
I understand Sam at the end with his tasks, but hell... what happened at the end, was wrong in many levels!!!! That pain in the end was unbearable!!!! My heart was aching for both Sam and Patience, but mostly for her!!!
And at this point, i have to say...

“Love is confusing. Blinding and breaking bad much as it is all-consuming. Painful and beautiful in equal measures. It breaks us apart before putting us back together. And that’s how I feel about Patience.”



"She's my band-aid. My medicine. My bandage. She's pieced me back together after feeling broken for so long."

What the hell, Sebastian??? What have you done??? What have you done??? (Double!)
Gawd.... This ending made me furious in many levels and I'm not really sure if i will like Envy in his book!!! My mind is playing out too many ugly shits!!!!
Yep, i need the fourth book, because i need some answers!!!
And yep, i haven't told anything about Sam's twin, because I'm sure that she will have a big part in the next book...
Also, this story felt uncomplete and I believe that in the next book, we take some answers!!!!
And I'm wondering, how Envy will avoid Sam's wrath!!!! Damn, Sebastian!!!! What did you do??? And why have you left Patience behind alone????



Before i close my review, i'm really wondering about the Elite!!!!
It seems like a bullshit!!!! Why you wanna be a part of it, when their tasks are meant only for a person's destruction???
Seriously, guys!!!! All these tasks seems like Lillian's personal agenda...
I understood that when she was younger, some shitty things happened to her, but if this is her revenge, it's a shitty thing to put others to do the dirty work for her.... Arrrrrrr!!!!
I want this woman gone at the end, and not only her!!!! Her awful husband too!!!!!
I'm so angry!!!! I think the title affected me!!!! Bahahaha....

[Kay's Blushing Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

★★★ A Blushing Book Review ★★★
Wrath by Claire C.Riley

GENRE: Dark Romance
NARRATION: First Person - Samuals POV
This is Book#3 in the Elite 7 Series

THE STORY IN A NUTSHELL

Samuel Gunner AKA Wrath is certainly one angry and aggressive young man! The abuse he suffered by his grandparents and nannies all his childhood has made him this way. He fights with his fists, his built-up anger taken out on those less deserving of his rage.

Desperate to escape the hold his father has over him and his twin sister, he wants to be selected into the Elite. The money, power and positioning the Elite brings could help him be free of his father once and for all, only problem is the task he is set will not only destroy his old friend and lover Patience Noelle , but also the only peace and happiness he has ever known.



MY REVIEW

This is definitely my favourite of the series so far! Its raw, dirty, sexy and full of Wrath.
Samuel is a dark character, he is so broken, so desperate, he just wants to be loved and accepted by his family. But the one person he needed the most, his father, is the same person that has pushed him away his whole life. His anger and bitterness are a direct result of how he has been treated throughout his childhood, and it's heartbreaking.

This is more erotic than the first two books and takes on a slightly different tone. Told solely through Samuel's POV we are treated with some more delicious details on the secrets within the elite. I really enjoyed hearing the same scenes we have read about in the previous two books but through a different set of eyes.

Patience is a good fit for Samuel, she is strong-minded and not afraid to stand up to him. She calms the storm inside him. Claire C. Riley is a new-to-me author and I will be checking out her other books she had me hooked.

I am really loving this series and can't wait for the next book Book 4: ENVY

MY RATINGS: (All ratings are out of 5)
HEROINE RATING:5
HERO RATING: 5
BLUSH RATING: 5
PLOT RATING: 5
OVERALL: 5 Blushing Stars

An ARC was kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.
Teasers used are from the authors facebook page



PURCHASE LINKS
AMAZON US
AMAZON UK
AMAZON CA
AMAZON AU

Books in The Elite Seven so far
Book 1: LUST
Book 2: PRIDE

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[CC · Rating 4 out of 5]

Samuel “Wrath” Gunner was raised in a privileged home, but never felt the love or adoration of a parent. Learning to protect himself and his sister, Samuel harnessed the hatred and remained focused on revenge. Becoming part of the Elite is his ticket to independence, but Samuel will have to decide to follow his plan or take a risk and deviate.

“I’m not the good guy, and I’ve never claimed to be. I’ve surrounded myself with rage and darkness, embracing the hateful side of myself for so long, it’s become a living thing inside me.”

Told solely from Samuel’s POV, the immediate tone is grim and this experience certainly fuels his wrath. Not letting many see his vulnerable side, Samuel revisits a friend who once had significance in his life. While Samuel believes he has the situation under his control, it all unravels.

“Because I don’t love like most. I love darkly, cruelly, and brutally, or not at all.”

Being the third book in the Elite series, the implications of becoming a selected member is full of consequences. What I do like is how each book is following the same timeline, while focusing in depth on the titled book character. This writing strategy is allowing the plot to solidify while creating intrigue to continue the series.

In Wrath, the character development was thoughtful and I liked the push/pull dynamic between Samuel and Patience. As with other books in the series, the romance element is starting to feel formulaic in how it ties into the Elite, but I am still interested to know the motivations and ultimate end game for all these characters. Lastly, this is my first book by Claire C. Riley and I found her writing to be engaging and look forward to reading more of her books.

Wrath is about sacrifice and vengeance. This book will appeal to those seeking a story driven by suspense with romantic elements.



The Elite Seven series:



*An ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review.*


*This was a (F)BR with Twinsie Hawkey and Loyda!*


For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:

[Rochelle ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Elite Seven continues as dark, deranged and dangerous as before. I’m learning to expect the unexpected; don’t assume we’ll receive answers and romance isn’t a priority in this series. I wanted to love Wrath—a man hellbent on enacting revenge on an unloving father with a penchant for sexual deviance used to conquer and destroy an innocent woman called to me. However, the execution was lackluster.

I don't love like most. I love darkly, cruelly, and brutally, or not at all.

Driven by hatred and fuelled by vengeance inspired by harrowing childhood experiences, Samuel Gunner won’t stop until the Elite Seven notices his presence. But when they finally notice, in an unexpected turn, Samuel is torn between protecting Sabella, his twin sister and luring the mayor’s sweet daughter, Patience.

Patience Noelle is an endearing, innocent woman caught within this devious game. I admired the attitude she showed Samuel, creating an enemies to lovers vibe with an irresistible and delicious chemistry between two opposites. Intense and heated, the encounters between Samuel and Patience are sexually deviant, passionate and filthy. And the way Patience manages to keep Samuel grounded—the rare occurrences of sweetness to soothe the raging bitterness—makes my heart flutter tenfold!

I’m not the good guy, and I’ve never claimed to be. I’ve surrounded myself with rage and darkness, embracing the hateful side of myself for so long, it’s become a living thing inside me.

I loved these two characters together, but the moments we witness between them is awfully limited, making it difficult to fully appreciate their chemistry. Reading the beginning and ending of this novella made me lose interest—Samuel’s backstory was far too descriptive, a massive information dump essentially that could’ve been disclosed through flashbacks or passing remarks. And the crude sex scenes featuring other woman to highlight Samuel’s deviant nature wasn’t really necessary.

Wrath sets a different tone for this series. It is lengthier, written with gripping scenes and tantalising encounters that made this difficult to step away from; however, it is missing more moments between Samuel and Patience, as well as deeper insight into the Elite Seven. In saying that, if you are into mind-numbing and jaw-dropping dark romances; a dominant hero; an endearing heroine, I recommend picking up this series because while it does lack in certain areas, it is good for what it is!



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[Kahea · Rating 5 out of 5]

***5 Stars***

*Jaw drops, eyes boring into the Kindle as my finger keeps tapping the screen even though NO. MORE. WORDS. Are showing up*

Seriously??

SERIOUSLY??

That’s where things are left???

O.M.G.

I get that there is crazy in the book, but that’s just not cool…

Not cool at all.

*Takes a very slow, deep breath in, then a slow, deep breath out*

Ok. I’m good.

Samuel aka Wrath is intense. I loved him, but boy did I want to reach out and shake some sense into him because when he goes big. He. Goes. BIG. and sometimes they go sideways. But the thing is, he’s got reasons for the way he is and I couldn’t ever truly fault him for his actions because beneath the rage is a man with a bruised, yet still pretty golden heart.
Patience, I ADORED this girl. I did. She’s strong, fierce and boy does she give as good as she gets. The evolution of their relationship was an interesting one, to say the least, but it all worked for me, even the crazy, smexy parts. They have his connection that is undeniable and I loved them together.

Obviously there is a cliffy and all that, but man did this one pack a punch all around. Things get intense, not that the first two books ~ Lust and Pride ~ weren’t, but now that we (the reader) have more of an understanding of what’s being done behind the scenes it does up the ante. (And seriously, when is that person finally going to be cannonball shot off the island??)
This is my first read by the author, and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The writing was engaging, pacing was good and the first person POV was potent. I loved getting more of the rest of the Elite, and though I’m not all too sure how I feel about Envy, I’m definitely looking forward to seeing what crazy his book brings to the game!

~ Copy provided via the author/Just Another Book B & voluntarily reviewed ~

[Elle G. Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Release Date: March 11, 2019
Genre: New Adult. Romantic Suspense.
Series: The Elite Seven series #3 (should be read in order)

Wrath is the 3rd book in the Elite Seven series which follow a group of men (college aged) as they become part of an elite club within St. Augustine. At first this club seems to be the best thing that could ever have happened to them. The get wealth, privilege, and power for being part of the Elite. But soon, they realize that they need to make serious sacrifices. And those sacrifices may mean causing pain to those they love...

If you haven't read the series and are planning to I suggest reading them in order. I am only on book 3 right now and can tell that you'll have a much better understanding in terms of what is happening OVERALL in the story line if you do this. Each of these books are leading up to what I assume is a big showdown and I think potential readers will miss out if read out of order.

That being said, I like this book. It was a little too quick for my tastes and I felt like we only got to know Wrath and Patience on a surface level (well, Patience more so) but it's a good book. Wrath makes Christian Grey look like a kitten FYI. He is one sexual being! Wowza. Some of the scenes (like when they first go to the club) are HOT. Claire C. Riley knows how to set the panties on FIRE!!! And while I wouldn't necessarily consider this erotica, it certainly is on the line of it.

Anyway, this is a short book so I won't say too much about it as I don't want to spoil it for potential readers. It's not my favorite of the series but I am glad to see how Wrath fits into the Elite and I loved seeing him go from being a caged animal to a lover.

[Kim BookJunkie ~ Editor & Proofreader · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Deep down, we all have dark desires, but none are as dark as my own, and most don’t act on those urges. But I’m not most people. I’m Samuel “The Machine” motherfucking Gunner. Wretched brother to a twin sister, shameful son to a dead mother, an undefeated champion in the ring, and a master of sin in the bedroom.”

This quote pretty much sums everything up, but of course I need to ramble about how much I enjoyed this book!! Prior to this installment, we’d seen very, very little of Samuel Gunner. That coupled with the fact that I had never read anything by Riley before, I went into this book not knowing what to expect. I shouldn’t have had any doubts... This book was just as engrossing, captivating & sexy as the first two, again surprising me by how seamlessly each installment flows with one another!!! Samuel is just as moody and exciting as his brothers, yet fortunately for us, he’s angrier, darker and edgier (making him in my opinion, sexier). Like Mason, he has only his sister as his priority and like the others, he too had a crap childhood. Although Sam’s story is similar to the others in that he too is given a task he doesn’t want to fulfill because feelings get involved, there are soooo many other, exciting, unpredictable things happening in this book!! I couldn’t put it down and read way, way too late into the night! I can’t wait to see what the next book will bring!!!

[Mirjam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This isn’t just my chance, it’s my legacy and reckoning.
I am Samuel Gunner.
I am WRATH





The third book in The Elite Seven Series is again a solid four star read. The series is getting better with each sin.

Wrath, Samuel Gunner, has a story that is not one a child should have, turning him in the angry jerk he is. But, in light of his circumstances, his behaviour is understandable and I think he is a likeable and honourable character.





Wrath has lost all contact with his childhood friend and crush, Patience Noelle, for a long time so he is convince that his task would be an easy one seduce Patience Noelle, St. Augustine’s sweetheart and the mayor’s beloved daughter—then break her heart.




Spending time with Patience makes Wrath realise that his childhood crush is still very much alive, so hands in his coin. But will he be able to execute the new task?

Will he be able to make amends with his father and what will happen with his twin sister, Sabella?







Part of the The Elite Seven Series and are best enjoyed when read in order.
Ker Dukey:“ The stories are connected. The love stories are complete in each book, but the back story carries on throughout the series.”


“You’ve been chosen as the crème le de crème of St. Augustine, and you will be joining the ranks of the most powerful and influential members of society.
Accept your sin wisely, for the tasks given to earn your place are not for the weak...they're for THE ELITE.”

[Dana ~ The Dirty Smut'atter · Rating 5 out of 5]

How does it just keep getting better and better. What a piece of work Jillian aka "The Cunt" is...........and what the heck just happened at the end!! Sebastian I know I am missing some, but seriously WTF did you do.

[✨ Denise’s Dreamy Reads ✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ DREAMY’S REVIEW ✨

MY JAW IS DROPPED.
OPEN. WIDE.
NOT CLOSING.

EYES BLINKING.
WAITING.
IMPATIENTLY WAITING.

THE VERY LAST FEW PAGES, THAT FUCKING ENDING.

I CAN’T. I CAN’T. I CAN’T.

WHERE IS THE REST?! I NEED THE REST!

*****

My first Claire C Riley book and she didn’t disappoint!

She brought so much emotion, an interesting backstory, a strong hero, a sweet heroine, a second chance romance, and a super angry Wrath by the last page!

This series just gets better and better.

*****

Samuel Gunner.

He is so intense. His characters has layers. He is an unapologetic asshole. He has such a strong front with an equally strong attitude. You don’t fuck with him.

I. LOVED. HIM.

I could never fault him for his actions, even when it seemed out of line. When you read his backstory, you understand why and you’ll understand why he IS Wrath.

“I’m a cannon set loose upon the world, filled with anger and demons.”

Patience Noelle.

She’s sweet, lovable, and has such a good heart. She didn’t get much page time, but I loved her character. I loved her boldness when it came to Samuel and I also saw her vulnerability. I loved how they shared a connection at such an early young age and you could see how much it blossomed even as time passed, and the hurt and angry was still very much present.

But their emotion connection was very much strong, very much present, very much emotionally charged.

“Love is confusing. Blinding and breaking bad much as it is all-consuming. Painful and beautiful in equal measures. It breaks us apart before putting us back together. And that’s how I feel about Patience.”

*****

The Elite Seven is digging deeper and deeper and I’m right there with them. The bond better the brothers...

“We’re in this together—whatever the fuck this is.”

Samuel’s journey to embodying his sin, Wrath, stayed true through and through until the very last page. This story shook me to the core!

I am BEGGING for the next book! The epilogue was brutal af and I need to know what happened to Sab, Patience, Wrath, Envy, and the rest of the boys. NEED!

ENVY, MARCH 25th, HURRY UP! PLEASE!!!!!

I. NEED. ANSWERS.
I. NEED. MORE.

FIVE ‘GET HIM OUT’ STARS: 💫💫💫💫💫

[Valeen Robertson (Live Thru Books Blog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Samuel had a horrible, horrible childhood, spending it being abused by his grandparents and father, all to protect his twin sister, Sabella. So now that he's in college, he's grown into a WRATH-filled young man, angry at the entire world. He uses his fists and violence now, to express himself and to earn money to get out from under his father's thumb. He wants entry into The Elite Seven, but will the initiation be something he can't do, will take away what little humanity he's found in himself?



I've read a lot of other reviews that dislike all the scenes with OW, and I have to admit those scenes aren't my favorite part of this story, but honestly, they are kind of inline with his character to that point, and I am not reading this series for the romance aspect, so they didn't really bother me that much. I like the relationship Samuel and Patience have, what little of it is shown, and I do wish they had had more time together as an actual couple, but as a story that furthers the whole secret society aspect, Wrath is superb. What it is NOT is a romance or a love story, just as the previous 2 have not been romances or love stories, either. What it IS is an erotic, edgy, intriguing look at one main character, and a continuation of this whole mystery of The Elite Seven society. And that ending?!? Wow! I can't even tell you how on edge it has me, waiting anxiously for Envy to release!!



ARC via author.

Full review posted here ---> Live Through Books Blog.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/4 CROWNS - I honestly can’t decide.

Wrath is an intriguing story, and as a part of the series, I would completely give it four stars. It is, however, Sam’s and Patience’s complete story and it left me wanting in places.

Sam is one angry man, which she truly be expected. I got his anger. I understood his behavior, and I enjoyed who he became when he finds his peace within Patience. Patience was a little under developed for me. She serves the purpose of evolving Sam’s character, but beyond that I didn’t know much about her. Their relationship, especially in the bedroom, sizzles, though, and I cared enough about her to be devastated about the events at the end of their story. I was enraged just like Sam.

What really left me feeling unsettled was how this all ends. At the same time, this is part of the series, and each book reveals more secrets and pieces to this intricate puzzle being put together. In the grand scheme of things, the end of Wrath leads into Envy, but I just felt unsatisfied with the end. I didn’t feel like I was left in a good place with Sam and Patience. Neither found peace or happiness, and that makes me sad. However, I do hope that it will come in Envy. That these two stories are so closely entwined that it will come.

I am loving this series. The secrets that are slowly revealed mess with my mind. I want these boys to rise up and take on these corrupt leaders. I want them to come with their women to take them all done. I want answers, and so I will be anxiously awaiting Envy.

ARC received in exchange for an honest review.

[Keri Loves Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Expect the Unexpected
You think you know what’s going to happen, but you don’t.

When you let the ghosts of your past dictate your future...everything crumbles. Sam will be tested. His anger consumes him. He needs to control his WRATH or his fate will be sealed.

Sam grew up protecting his sister, no matter the cost. He took all the pain, so that she wouldn’t have to. It fueled his anger, his need to fight.

Now Sam’s all grown up and wants to shed the tethers of his family. He wants both him and his sister to be free of their father. The Elite is his path to freedom.

Everything comes with a price. Will the price be too great? The Elite never asks for something easy. You will always be forced to lose something.

Patience was the girl from his past. She was a good part. One of the things he didn’t want to forget. Now she’s all grown up and he needs to make her love him and then crush her. Sam is all about control and he’s about to school Patience in his taste for the darker side. It’s all for the Elite or is it?

This story will keep you guessing. More questions, less answers. Love, hate, and the need for revenge that will consume him. An ultimate betrayal that will leave permanent scars. This story delivers it all!

The Elite Seven is an addiction!!! I NEED ENVY!

[SimplyƝì₭ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am Samuel "The Machine" Gunner... Wretched brother to a twin sister, shameful son to a dead mother, an undefeated champion in the ring, and a master of sin in the bedroom."


The story of Wrath become my favorite sin, the book exploded on every page, consumed your quest for answers and rocked so hard. Samuel is a complex character that has built up this wall of hardness to protect his broken heart and troubled life. You see him rise and fall over and over again.

"You don't move, you don't touch, and you don't come until I say you can."

This series is so lit!! Every book I am left more speechless, more crazy and needing the next installment. The authors blend so smoothly, you actually get lost in the fact you are reading someone new. I had not read a Clare Riley book, but she is badass. The title and/or sin of the book becomes the major factor. With wrath you are constantly in turmoil, wrecked and destroyed repeatedly. Riley lure you into thinking Samuel is redeeming himself, then slams you back into his truth. Samuel Gunner is dark, twisted and there will never be anything good about him.



Available Now
US https://amzn.to/2EjJNBg
UK https://amzn.to/2TV2MHr
CA https://amzn.to/2E83jPZ
AU https://amzn.to/2SflLLa

Thank you for my ARC of this book

[Steph's Romance Book Talk · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars / 5 Steam Fans

This book, this series is getting even more twisted as each book is released!! Samuel "Wrath" has every reason to embrace his rage. To avoid spoilers I will leave it there. I can't wait to see what happens next!! I have this strange feeling about The Elite and I look forward to finding out about Envy because that ending....OMG!!

This specific video review will be included in the March 2019 wrap-up.

For other video book reviews check out my YouTube Channel: Steph's Romance Book Talk.

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my damn. Oh my damn. Oh my damn. That's all I keep saying after finishing this book.

THIS is what I have been waiting for in this series!! Claire definitely took this series to the next level.

Wrath is the third book The Elite Seven series. While each book is about one particular brother, there is an underlying plot playing out in every book so it is best to read them all in order. And this book truly needs to be before reading the next book, which is Envy.

Wrath is my favorite book so far in this series. I really enjoyed getting to know who Wrath (Samuel) is and his past. Claire does a great job of fleshing out the details and making it all flow perfectly from the first two books into the next one along with adding new twists to the main plot.

Wrath felt much more mature than the previous two books, which for me, is a huge plus. I was beginning to wonder if these were just romantic stories with a small storyline of suspense about each sin. But Claire definitely proved that as each sin is unraveled, there is more depth to the story that first realized.

I am definitely looking forward to Envy as this is the first time where I truly sense how each book is pieced together in a certain way.

[Bookholic Ralou · Rating 5 out of 5]

POST: https://collectorofbookboyfriends.com...

This series is simply insane and without a doubt one of the most bloody perfectly inspired ideas that has ever been created. The pure rawness that runs through every corner of The Elite Seven world takes you hostage and changes you. An experience that never can be forgotten.

Book after book, story after story, character after character establishes, even more, its majestic darkness and deliciousness. You just can’t help yourself from being pulled to its depth.

This time, the spotlight belongs to Samuel Gunner, aka the Seven Wrath. From where to begin really with him. He is such a diverse male and has so many different layers that it’s impossible to find just one word to describe him. He is so many but so few at the same time. As for the connection he (re-)develops with Patience has the intensity and power that can’t be put into words. You only need to see the shivers that are going down my back every 20 seconds to get a fraction of what is happening between them inside those pages.

DAMN! I still haven’t realized and got my breath back from what happens in the EPILOGUE and that excruciating last 25%!! The shock is too much! I am all over the place, even in my sleep.!

[The Smutbrarians · Rating 5 out of 5]

Feels 4
Steam 5
Storyline 5
Overall Rating 5
Kindle eArc provided by Author
Reviewed by Robin

Samuel Gunner and his twin sister Sabella were born to a father that hates them. Fury has fueled Samuel’s black heart for so long that he can barely remember when it wasn’t a part of him. When the Elite offer him an escape from his family and a way to save his sister, he will do anything to earn his place. But what happens when his task is to take down his childhood friend and confidant, Patience Noelle. When faced between the choice between destroying the woman he desires and his sister, who will Samuel choose for the Elite?

“She’s my band-aid. My medicine. My bandage. She’s pieced me back together after feeling broken for so long. Just like a wound, I’ll never be the same again after Patience.”

My emotions feel so ramped up after this one! This story was gritty, intense and out of control. Samuel Gunner was such a broken and angry young man. I just wanted to wrap him up and try to fix him. Patience is a sweet, girl from his childhood who he’s tasked to break. I loved how she was so much stronger and willing to not only hold her own with Samuel but to step up to fight for what’s right. This entire story was such a twisted and impossible situation. But what do you expect with the Elite? This series just keeps getting better and better!

You really, really don’t want to miss the Elite Seven. Starting with Lust and working on through the seven deadly sins, each sin just get crazier and crazier. I literally am jumping out of my skin waiting for the next hit of this series.

[Nerdy Dirty & Flirty · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars ~ Jess

Well, now I see why Samuel has been given the sin of Wrath. He might just be one of the angriest characters I have ever read. Most of his anger comes with solid reasoning; a not-so-great childhood coupled with a zero-loving family, followed up years of using his fists rather than his words.



When Samuel finally makes it to the Elite he feels like he has found the solutions he has been looking for. BUT like the others have learned, the Elite is not for the faint of heart. While we have yet to see how all of these pieces will blend together at the end, with each passing book I am more and more sucked into this world. It is dark and twisted, there are secrets about secrets, you never quite know who is really pulling the strings and each of our seven seems to have a different agenda.



This story ends with a HUGE, WTF is happening right now? And WTH does what was said even mean? Thankfully there is not long to wait because jeez. What I also find truly fascinating by this series is that each book is so different but no. All of the authors have done a really great job of making the story become cohesive and it is a pretty intricate web of a story to all come together on. There are characters I am ready to be gone, but they keep coming back. There is now a new mystery and Wrath is in a place that makes me wonder even more about what the end goal is. I cannot wait to learn more and to see how this is all going to shake out.

[Alecia (The Staircase Reader) · Rating 4 out of 5]

These boys are legit killing me!!!!
These cliffhangers are so freaking brutal!
I need answers and I need them right now!

About Wrath:

Wrath is the third book in The Elite Seven series. Samuel's story is written by author Claire C. Riley. Claire C. Riley is another new to me author and after reading this one, I'll be keeping my eyes on the lookout for future releases from this author!

Sam's story blew me out of the freaking water. Given the other two books in the series, I was expecting this book to be gutsy and downright dirty. But what I wasn't expecting was to feel this man's pain, agony, and the brutality that comes from living in a loveless world.

When Patience comes along Sam realizes his world isn't completely loveless. It's just his household that lacks love. Patience and Sam have an immediate connection, a chemistry that makes you believe there is always someone lurking on the sidelines and that someone will have your back no matter what. But fate has a way of stepping in and muddling perfect moments. She's a fickle bitch, and a moment of bad judgement causes Sam and Patience's bond to be severed.

Now for Sam's initiation into The Elite Seven, he must capture what he broke all those years ago, Patience heart.

My Thoughts:

My jaw is still hanging on the fucking floor. I AM BEYOND FLOORED!

I loved the hell out of Wrath and all the dynamics behind this novel, not only is there a MASSIVE amount of angst, there is also sweet puppy love, sexual tension, and a level of camaraderie that is unlike any other. There's also a hint of betrayal....hmmm...

Not only is Sam a badass with a very short fuse, he's also a dominant and kinky as hell! I cannot get over this man and his wicked ways between the sheets...or against a punching bag.....HOLY HELL! There were moments I had to set my kindle aside for a breather.

I rated this a 4 star instead of a 5 because even thought I loved the story and I loved the characters, I felt a few important scenes were rushed, basically meaning I didn't have time to actually form a reaction or become invested in the moment, pertaining to certain situations, before they were over. I wanted a little bit more from these moments towards the end. I wanted to feel more.

Overall, I loved Wrath's story and I'm going crazy with that fucking cliffhanger!!! Good thing we only have to wait a few weeks for Envy's story to come out. This girl needs answers!!!



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[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

This third book in the serial follows the same formula as the previous two books, with a man struggling through his teen years, who has the misguided belief that membership to the Elite will fix everything. Silly boy!

One thing I've noticed with this series, is each man's childhood seems to top those featured in the previous books, in terms of awfulness. Of the three stories so far, I was most sympathetic to Samuel's, who is raised by a father and grandparents who loathe his mere existence.

I'm not sure if I was on board with Samuel's methods of fighting back against his family, but I was 100% on board with the reasons, and liked that he actually did fight back instead of letting them continue to abuse him unchecked. I also liked how he shouldered their anger, in order to protect his twin sister, Sabella.

As I mentioned already, I'm not sure why Samuel was under the belief that The Elite could save him.

The Elite is for the strong, not the weak. The important, not the unnoticed. And I've made sure I'm both of those things.

Given what he heard from his father, there clearly was a connection between the secret group and the family ties he was trying to break. But he was determined, and nothing would stop him from joining . . . until he discovered his task. The girl!

"You think this shit is easy for me? For any of us? The Elite owns us. They own you, Sam."

I feel bad being critical here, but the romance elements within this serial are becoming repetitive, to the point where it is predictable what will happen in terms of the relationship. I would have liked a different direction in this book than the previous two. However, I was surprised by how things played out for Samuel in the end, and I liked that twist.

Given the animosity between some of the Elite brothers follow the events in this book, things should get interesting in the next installment, Envy's story, written by M.N. Forgy.

*An ARC was received for an honest review.

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