Stasia was born in Georgia, grew up in Texas, recently spent a freezing five-year stint in Minnesota, and now is happily planted in sunny California, which she will never, ever leave.
She loves writing, reading, listening to podcasts, and has recently taken up biking after a twenty-year sabbatical (and has the bumps and bruises to prove it). She lives with her own personal cheerleader, aka, her handsome husband, and their teenage son. Wow. Typing that makes her feel old. And writing about herself in the third person makes her feel a little like a nutjob, but ahem! Where were we?
Stasia’s drawn to romantic stories that don’t take the easy way out. She wants to see beneath people’s veneer and poke into their dark places, their twisted motives, and their deepest desires. Basically, she wants to create characters that make readers alternately laugh, cry ugly tears, want to toss their kindles across the room, and then declare they have a new FBB (forever book boyfriend).
The following ratings are out of 5: Romance: 💙💚💜 Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 Story/Plot: 📕📗📘📙📔 World building: 🌎🌍🌏🌎🌍 Character development: 🙂😀🤩😍🥰 Narrator(s): 🎙🎙🎙 Narration Type: Solo Narration
The heroine:Drea - she was imprisoned in President Goddard’s detention center in the basement of a hotel. Godard was the president of the republic after joining the delegation from Jacobs Well to try to give her troops to go to the island of No Man’s Land in West Texas to rescue the women she had promised to keep safe. Goddard turned out to be a mysogynistic pig and when Drea questioned him she ended up behind bars.
The Heroes:Commander Eric Wolford - Founded Jacobs Well after the fall and ran the larger territory in Central Texas. He came up with the idea of the bride raffle where one woman would marry 5 men to keep the peace in a world where men outnumber women in a ratio of over 10 to 1. Billy - A young guy who was willing to help Drea and Eric out of a bad situation. He was astute enough to still have a truck and a gun despite living on his own. He been a doctor before the fall, but now he had problems. Garrett - He grew up in the Black Skulls MC along with Drea, he was abused by his father and wouldn’t run away with her, because he couldn’t see a future outside the MC. He always had a crush on Drea. General David Cruz - He and his troops went to the caves where the people of Jacobs Well were hiding out from Travis’s forces. Colonel Jonathon - He is David’s right hand man and a smart man in his own right, he used to be a hacker and has loved David like an older brother since they first met.
The Story: The Exterminate virus had killed off 90% the Earths female population years ago. Drea and a bunch of women had gone to No Man’s Land to stay away from all the men who had gone crazy after the virus and EMP attacks. Though the Black Skulls MC took over the island and started to abuse and train the women for the female slave trade. Drea was “rescued” by a group of men who came to rescue their wife and now she wanted to save the rest of the women.
After President Goddard is assassinated by Travis and his soldiers, Eric rescues Drea from the jail. Travis owns a large piece of land near Jacobs Well and pretends to be a benevolent leader, but behind the scenes is a dictator and slave trader. Drea and Eric take off from the capitol after stealing a Black Skulls motorcycle with Drea driving and they head towards No Man’s Land. They end up crashing.
We later find out much more about the situation in the Republic and about Arnold Travis himself. He and Eric used to be friends and now he is aligned with the Black Skulls MC and has taken over the presidency. The group from Jacobs Well that are hiding in the caves plus the General and his troops have to do something against Travis and his people.
I like the flow of the book and how Drea came across each of her men at different times, so the chapters introducing each of their stories were split apart. I love that we get background on each of the men and that each has a different background and personality. I also love the Drea is such a fierce warrior in her own right, but also is not totally fearless. The story goes into how afraid she was at times, though she pushed through her fear and did what was necessary, including confronting and besting a cruel sex trafficker and abuser of women.
This audiobook was told in multiple points of view though was narrated in Solo narration by Parker Douglass. I don’t think I have ever heard her narration before. She has a deep voice for a woman, and very clear which lends itself well to doing both male and female characters, though I wasn’t too fond of a female with such a deep voice. At least it wasn’t an annoying squeaky or too high voice.
This was by far the strongest book so far. And the first one I felt I couldn’t just put down without a second thought.
For the most part Drea made a good female lead. The problem was she was too much at times and annoyed me. The story was better here and I happily kept reading.
Yes it desperately needs editing. And it felt jumpy at times. But on the whole it’s not a bad read.
This is the final book for me. I know there’s one more. But it’s Sophia’s book and she drives me crazy. But to be fair I skimmed through the reviews just in case. But I soon realised it’s not the book for me.
Basically I said that Drea and Commander Eric Wolford butt heads frequently. Drea is basically a pain the ass to Eric and normally he'd get her married off to get her out of his hair, but Drea is a lesbian and therefore exempt.
When President Goddard is assassinated, Eric is implicated and needs to get out of the Capital before his arch enemy Colonel Arnold Travis, now President, finds him as it would mean certain death.
Acting as a team, Drea & Eric make a daring escape that does end in consequences that put them at risk. The two will have to rely on the help of others though it will come at a cost too. A cost that requires Drea to expose her deception and become the newest Marriage Lottery bride.
The New Republic is the law of the land with President Travis now in control. An army at his disposal to end his ongoing feud and get rid of all competition
* * *
This is the newest installment in the Marriage Raffle" series that can be read as a stand alone. It is a true reverse harem romance that features a m-f-m-m-m relationship dynamics. That means no male on male action - it's all about pleasing the girl.
The first half of this story dragged for me. I wanted to fast forward but kept with it. The problem was that events moved along at a snail's pace. Finally around the 50% mark, the action adventure suspense thriller elements of the story kicked in and left me suitably satisfied. The end takeaway is that for anyone having a similar experience, stick with it as the later portions of the story more than make up for things.
Secondary characters are a mix of old and new. The new being the addition of Drea's new husbands. The old being ... Sophia. I continue to feel that Sophia is TSTL and don't change that opinion especially after a certain scene that had me wanting to have a little one on one quality time with her. I do see Sophia will be featured in the next installment but for me I'll give it a miss.
The take away from this story is the author doesn't shy away from controversial or emotional issues. This story takes place in the U.S. post Apocalypse. Not all is good in the world as the strong take control and prey on the weak. They know they're at the top of the food chain. Eric is trying to change that and bring back the pride and normalcy the U.S. was known for. It's a case of "bad things happen to good people. It's how you deal with it that counts." There is a lot of angst issues to work through and not all scenes are warm and fuzzy but that's the way this world is for the situation.
My issues are two. First - grammar and spelling. Nothing a spell check could have solved and/or a good editor/copy line editor. Second is the slow snail's pace start to this story. Yes, the second half more than made up for this slow start but it shouldn't have - it should have been able to shine on it's own. Hence I went with a middle of the road rating.
This was one of the stronger installments of the series. I love Drea and her men. Their journey as a clan made sense and validated that a marriage could work under these conditions. For anyone who's been reading the series, this one does move the series plot along and had a surprise or two that made it worth reading for me.
*Downgrading this from 5 to 4 stars because I got a little irritated with Drea. Also the Hs had very distinct personalities, but we weren't really told almost anything about their appearances. Not even hair or eye color. I'm a very visual reader so I can't imagine a character the author doesn't tell me what they looked like.
Man this series is so crazy, and Drea is the baddest bitch I think I've ever read.
I loved Drea....but I also didn't always quite like her. She just always thought she was right, that she knew the best course to take. So that got a little annoying to me. Drea flying by the seat of her pants, and not allowing herself to really rely on her husbands or even take their advice or input, caused more death and torture for innocent women. In her mind it was only ever her that could take care of business. She never wanted to let anyone else do anything. Now she truly is a crazy warrior women, but it's a miracle half of her hijinks didn't get her ass killed.
So we have had some major accomplishments happen in the big storyline. Drea played it smart and picked a strong clan to back her and help rescue her women. Everyone of the guys has special skills that are really needed and sought after in this new world. Though Drea is able to form a connection with her guys, and some she already had one, it takes going through battle together to realize how special what they have is. What this team/clan is able to accomplish is amazing. Now they're really is a civil war going down in Texas, but Clan Valentine has leveled the playing field so they are on even footing with Travis. Rumors and stories are quickly spreading about Drea and her purpose, leading many to want to back Drea as the next president of Texas. So we'll see what happens.
This is definitely one of the darkest of the series, really seeing some of the torture and other things that the women being held as slaves have been enduring. It's just terrible. Not to mention with all the fighting there is a lot of blood, gore, and death. Women of the new world are lucky they have such a champion as Drea, who will stop at nothing to see women safe and free.
Action packed, fast paced, with hot hot hot steaminess.
Drea is pretty much a BAMF. She's like Samuel L Jackson on steroids. I would not mess with her one little bit. Her husbands are kind of stupid sometimes, but what can you do?
This series started out questionable in its plot execution, but it was okay, and I didn't hate it. Then a second book happened that was not as good with characters, and I didn't much care for any of them. Then a third, where two characters were okay, but they all seemed stereotyped in some manner, and it dragged.
And then this book.
Too many errors/typos. So, so long. Too many repeated names-- how many Juans exist? Are they the same generic person and I missed something, or is it the only Hispanic name known? Nix a man, and Nix a hospital? I mean, there are millions of names in the world for people and things, why repeat? Were these double uses actually editing typos? Speaking of names-- Drea's full name is preposterous. If going to use the middle name as a plot device, then have a simpler, less cheesy last name. As is, she'd have spent the whole test filling in bubbles for her name and then time's up. Her "husbands" she chose, aside from two, are nonsensical. The other three were for forcing the strategic marriage motive into the plot, and it's not believable that they were friends, let alone loved, when she says it. And then they are IN A CAVE. Have you ever been in a cave and someone sneezes? A child in the group screams? The 20ish dude next to you starts playing a penny whistle like you're in Zelda? Yeeeah... no. Absolutely not believable in a cave packed full of thousands of people who are just there trying to survive.
I think there's a book 5-- but I might pretend it ended with book 3, and instead say these last hours of book 4 were spent sleeping instead.
What I didn't like - It needed more editing. There were too many errors. Certain things were worded too grossly. I didn't like that Garrett had slept with club women. The "secret" about who Eric's old friend was was lame because a similar thing happened in book 2 and it was already mentioned before that they were friends or served together or something. It just wasn't new info, so the way the secret was done in this book was lame. The Billy thing was basically done before, too, so I feel like the same things are being repeated. Something new would be nice. Unless I'm really confused or don't understand the time line, there is at least one inconsistency. The solution at the end was pretty awesome but not very likely. Sophia is acting stupid. The whole satellite thing was cool and very smart but it messes things up a lot.
What I did like - I like the world that was created in this series in general. I'm interested in how it all plays out. I like some of the characters.
Overall - More bad qualities than good, but I keep reading just because I want to see how it all ends up. I have been waiting forever for Sophia's book, but I'm worried I'll hate it because the other books have been so disappointing (the 1st was probably the best, though) that I'm worried I'll dislike this next one, too.
Well one, the cover is misleading. Drea doesn’t look like that and there’s 5 guys. Drea is definitely a fighter but the story just kind of seems thrown together. There was just non-stop action. The escalation of this relationship just jumps right in and didn’t feel authentic. Sophia was just dumb. And although I liked Drea, she does not make an excellent leader. Wouldn’t Garrett have known about Billy? That makes no sense. There was no love or romance.
It’s been a while since I read the previous book and I felt like we’re just thrown in with no refresher.
Loved this book and was hooked from page one. This is my fave so far from this series. I did cry at one point. Love when I get emotional in a book. Loved how Drea chose her clan. Will she truly open up to her men? I highly recommend this book.
Imprisoned in President Goddard’s personal detention center just for requesting troops to rescue a group of women she had left behind in Nomansland three months ago, Drea does not know how she is going to get herself free. But the assassination of said president sets forth a series of events, including the appearance of Eric Wolford, the founder of the Jacob’s Well community, outside her cell announcing this news. Escape on a motorcycle with Eric runs her into even more danger, but both are saved by a stranger named Billy and his truck. Now, all three are headed towards Nomansland and the Black Skulls MC and an impressive reckoning!
Righting the wrongs and holding to her promise of saving the women imprisoned by the MC and used in their sex slave industry has been Drea’s only objective. She was not good for anything else, as her mother has told her. She is intelligent, a fast thinker, and has a huge heart, still broken after one of the most unforgettable awakenings to what she was shield from her whole life. Now with absolute vengeance and plans she makes up along the way, Drea gradually surrounds herself strategically with men who can get her the furthest by offering herself as their bride, to include General David Cruz and his right-hand man, Colonel Jonathan, who have been in the military together for the past seven years. Many twists are woven into this huge story, which make it a real page-turner of a read. Loved both Eric and Jonathan’s insightfulness into Drea’s character, Eric being the biggest supporter besides Garrett with his faith in what Drea is capable of. Much of this story is of the personal dynamics between the characters, which enriched the bond they form at the end.
One of the best reads of this series for me so far!
Out of all the books in the series, I enjoyed this one the most. It had a lot of action, twists and turns, unexpected revelations and so much more... It cleared up some storylines, but opened some new ones. I am excited to see where the following book/books(I hope there are several more!) are headed. The author impresses me because she doesn't take the reverse harem genre and dumb it down like I see so many doing. It's not insta love, there is a lot of imaginative and amazing world building. These could just be a regular romance books and be just as good...maybe even make it less about romance and they would work, just sayin...not that I want that to happen. Please don't. LOL!! My only issue...the epilogue. I wish it had been about this book, these characters and what happened after, well, everything. Cause there was a lot that happened. Instead the epilogue focused on setting up the next installment in the series. That could have been done in a preview, or some other way. But I always love a good catch up with the characters after the body of a story. So an epilogue is kinda important to me. If you're going to include one, please make it about the book I just read, not one I will be reading in ___days/months. I won't remember it then. But I will try remember that I didn't get the closure I needed on the previous book. I know the last book kinda did the same thing. So, yeah, I remember that it happened, but I don't remember what it said. If it's the first chapter of the next book, then you've wasted my time. I'm gonna read it again as soon as the next book comes out. Again, just giving my opinion here. May not be the same as others, but it's how I feel. ;)
1/3 into the book reaction: Wow, this is great. 2/3: Okay, this is getting long. 3/3: Why so many spelling and grammar errors?
The h is badass, but emotionally distant because of her fucked up past and inability to forgive herself. She collects a harem that are politically powerful, strong, and useful. However, I didn't feel the love between them all, especially the last two additions she secured for I am not even sure what reason.
The author is excellent in making me empathize with the characters with all their backstories showcasing their vulnerabilities. I also liked how there was a lot of action, angst, and story in this. More so than other books in these series.
However, I wished for several things to have gone differently. I wish Drea had told Billy that he was more than useful to her for his doctoring skills. This never happened in the book, even after "I love you's" were exchanged. I wish I got more insight of what the guys thought of being married together, like what I read in previous books. Everything was so mission-centered that I got no taste of how their family dynamic will work. I also wish she didn't feel the need to punish herself (that sex scene was a bit awkward for me) or distance herself from others to supposedly help them because she couldn't save them all. Although I understand why people would react this way, I will always hope for more healthier methods of coping. I also wish she got some words in before killing evil man "Suicide" Travis. Yes, it might have been cheesy to have an evil v. good showdown, but this alternatively felt so realistically sudden.
On a personal level, I admire badass characters like Drea, because that's something I find myself wishing to be at times, because my sort of strength is not the kind that can be measured like a man's. She would have perfect if she was as initially emotionally strong as she is physically, but what is a story without some character growth? Anyways, it bugs me that I am literally physically incapable of doing what this fictional character in this dystopian world can, because it is usually the psychically rough, tough and strong that survive. I put myself in the character's shoes and I know my reaction would have been a 180. I am more of a counselor, mediator, always wanting to help, making sure everyone feels comfortable type. And I know this is a the grass is greener on the other side situation, that Drea might wish for some mental resilience and peace as I want some Wonder Woman kick your ass to the ground skills, and I know that there is power and well-deserved appreciation to all of our combinations of strengths, but I just still can't help still wishing I encountered more of my type badass characters to relate to.
Anyway, personal rant aside, I liked the book and I am looking forward to seeing the type of strong Sophie is in the next book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I'm grateful to the author for this ARC, and I'm giving this review as my honest opinion. Stasia Black's series of reverse harem romances set in a dystopian future has been great so far. I've enjoyed the story of each woman who finds her way to Jacob's Wells, and end up the bride prize to a harem of five men. But secretly, I've always felt something was off about the whole trope. I mean, how come the woman has no real power in the process? If this is a reverse harem, then shouldn't SHE be the one calling the shots, with her men to serve her? (Harems, after all, are not noted as particularly democratic institutions). Theirs to Defy rectifies all that. Finally, the woman is on top! SHE calls the shots. SHE chooses her husbands, and they follow her lead. It helps that Stasia Black has created the most fabulous heroine in Drea. The woman may be flawed, she may be damaged and sometimes lack political sensitivity or miss emotional nuances. SO WHAT? Name me a male leader is one of theses novels who can't be described exactly like that - and it isn't a barrier to his leadership. It's not a stopper for Drea, either. She has heart, guts, skills, and principles. She's taken on a mission, and it's morphed into a crusade. And damned if she doesn't succeed. Don't get me wrong. Her men are not wusses. Some of them would be considered Alpha males, and all of them show strength of character and strong identities - even the poor junkie doctor. But none of them are stupid, or foolish; they know leadership when they see it in action, and they follow willingly. And bless Ms. Black for making Drea a leader with a distinctly female MO. Drea is an Alpha female, but she's no Queen Bee. She leads by example ands by empowerment. She gives each of her men the lead as their particular skills and experience benefits the mission. She accepts their testosterone-driven needs for control, domination, and the protector role - WHEN and IF it takes nothing away from her. Under fire and in dire straits, the Drea Valentine clan pulls together. Drea's men, and Drea too, learn the real meaning of family, the value of trust, and the true power of love. Very sexy, very violent, and so incredibly empowering! There aren't enough stars in the Amazon rating system for Theirs to Defy.
Soooo Ive been waiting for a while to see how the Commander and Andrea /Drea/ Bella/ Belladonna would work out. Boy was this worth the wait.
Warning: if you want to get the cutesy story and spoilers, Please go right ahead and read someone else's tame review
This review is not it.
Without getting into too much US politics, this is a story fit for its time.
about a strong, feisty woman with a mission who is focussed on a goal to make the dystopian world she is faced with a much better place than she has experienced. Soft and gooey right?
Nope!! Soooo nope.
Drea is a bad-FaFo in all senses of the word. Good with a blade or gun - check Can handle a motorbike, car, truck or tank - check Curves for days and can use them as a weapon - check Patriotic and powerful - check Leader, companion, friend, sassy boat had - check, check, check
All I can say to douche bad guys is do a very, very thorough check on any mysterious hottie you let into your boys night rave. Stasia Black, dunno if this was a subconscious scream against the current US admin and recent national confirmation outcome but it points the way for any of your strong women who want to shake up the crap going on over there at the minute.
Eric, the Commander is everything a leader should be. strong, measured, protective of the weaker and vulnerable under his care.
David, the General is a great foil for Eric, with so many similarities and yet brought up through the traditionally focussed West Point tradition that gives him structure but also puts him at a a disadvantage when it comes time for him to go off script and be innovative.
That's where both Garret - ex MC enforcer - and Johnathan, David's right hand officer come into their own. Born and bred in the streets and rough underbelly of life these two bring an almost feral power to the group
Then there's Dr Billy. Ah Billy. Who doesn't love a doc....(no spoilers here, mate!)
Drea bursts out of these pages, yelling like WonderWoman and wins hearts, minds and D for days.
Ok. No way was I going to end without some smut right...😂
The amount of details that goes into every story of this series boggles my mind. Especially, this book in particular. This is definitely not a cheesy 3/4 sex and 1/4 story here. The story and the details are the foundation to the book. The steamy times, when they happen, are the like the adjectives in which they are there to enhance the story. When they happen it is hotter(and messer) than a Louisiana swamp in August.
Each book in this series gets better and better. In this book we get to know Drea. What she has been through breaks my heart. Yet, she perservered. She's been opposed to the marriage lottery because of her past. Yet, she finds away around it. Eric, the first husband was in charge of Jacob's Well ( where this story started). It was nice to finally get his backstory because he is delicious. Billy. Not everything is as he appears but he won my heart in the end. Garrett, the boy who has always loved her and such a gentle giant. Jonathan and David. This dynamic confused me at first but I came to like them both. However, hands down, Eric is mine out of all the books.
I cannot wait to see where this goes next. I implore everyone to read this series. The books are huge. It is not a cookie cutter romance nor is it cheesy. I'm so glad I took a chance on this author and not assumed that it would be just all fluff and eye rolling type moments. It's intense. It's so real that it's unreal because it isn't unrealistic in this world we live in. Kudos to the author for another stellar read.
This talented author has written another intriguing reverse harem romance, although it is slightly different to the previous books, I will admit that I really enjoyed reading it. This book is set in a post-apocalyptic world and is about a strong-willed female (Drea) who is determined to save the women at the all women island of Nomansland and will do anything to ensure this happens, and the five men (her nemesis: Eric, David, Garret, Johnathan & Dr. Billy), who are involved with her. Each of these men has a history with some issues and problems of their own. What you will find in this book is: suspense, some drama, intrigue, twists & turns, some humor, adventure, action, danger, enemies, bikers, slave trade, drugs, violence, threats, assassination, secrets, anguish, insecurities, conflict, memories, emotional feelings, revenge, mutilations, guns blazing, rescues, deceit, betrayal, retribution, attractions, verbal conflict, anger, repercussions, love, lust, passion and steamy scenes. The characters are quite well-developed with individual personalities which results in verbal conflict /verbal confrontation, at times they entwine fairly well with each other, and react with varying emotions to the situations they find themselves in. The story-line is well-thought out and written, there is also a tantalizing glimpse of the next book. I would recommend this Reverse Harem Romance to people who like to read this kind of book, I doubt that you would be disappointed in this book.
I really enjoyed this book... for the most part. There was a lot of great action and it kept me engaged the whole time.
I have been looking forward to the story of Drea and Eric since I realized they would end up together. They ended up great together, and I loved seeing their relationship grow. The problem is that the others (especially Jonathan and David), seemed to be there 'just because'. Since 5 is the arbitrary number that was decided on, then Hey, let's throw in these two more guys to get to 5. For me, most of the connection seemed to be with Eric and then she invited Garrett and Billy to join. Then lets throw in David and Jonathan to get to 5. I didn't really get any feelings from the last 2 at all.
I do enjoy RH, but honestly I felt like this one would have been better off as just 1x1 with Eric. To keep with the multiples theme and consideration due to the state of the world, then maybe Billy and Garrett (MAYBE), but even then Billy didn't seem to have much depth until the very end. David and Jonathan seemed to have more of a relationship with each other than with Drea.
I'll go ahead and eventually read the next one, simply because it is the last one in the series, but I'm honestly not looking forward to it much. These books are just not long enough to establish the characters or their chemistry/connection with each other. I will probably not read these again and would hesitate to recommend them.
This book follows Drea by far the most badass girl thus far. I thought Vanessa was bamf, bruh Drea. This bitch hides a switch blade in her vagina while she seduces a guy just to cut his dick off.
So back up, Drea was the leader/founder of Nomansland before it was over taken by the black skull MC. We met her in book one when Audrey is captured on her quest to “nomansland” and then they both get saved by Nix, though Drea’s saving requires being tranq’d. Drea ends up being the daughter of the once President of the black skulls MC, though she and the new president have an even juicier history. After Eric returns to get her from the president Goddards holding cell after his assassination, they realize quickly their exits are limited. Drea reroutes them finding a bunch of motorcycles and then their off. Eric thinks she’s taking them to the caves where everyone else has gone and Drea is just fine letting home think so. Though their trip takes a turn for the worst when they run into Travis guards and get caught on a set of road strip spikes wrecking the motorcycle and badly injuring Eric.
Drea’s guys all get found through out the story and while the connection is there for 2 of them the other three I didn’t get as strongly, but mostly Billy.
This book was really the most apocalyptic feel and had a lot more focus on the action, I liked it.
Como ya sabéis estas novelas nos van a mostrar un mundo apocalíptico en el que apenas hay mujeres. Según la ley, en Nueva República, las pocas que quedan se deben casar con cinco hombres. Formando así lo que se llaman clanes.
Al igual que en cada libro de esta serie, los personajes son muy variados y nunca se repiten sus personalidades. Siempre destaco a las mujeres más que a sus maridos porque están maravillosamente construidas, igual que ellos, pero con las chicas la autora se ha lucido. Drea va a ser la protagonista y menuda protagonista. La que más me gusta hasta ahora. Sea lo sea que se proponga, va a luchar con uñas y dientes para conseguirlo y no se dejará amedrentar por nadie, ni siquiera por sus esposos. Fuerte, decidida, de armas tomar y muchas cualidades más que me han hecho amarla con facilidad.
Tenía muchas esperanzas en esta historia dado que la novela predecesora me decepcionó un poco. Me alegra haber comprobado que no lo he hecho en vano. La trama es una auténtica maravilla. Tiene de todo lo que a mí me gusta. Acción, violencia, amor, escenas sexuales (muy hot) sin ser repetitivas (que ya es bastante difícil) y muchas cosas más que dejo que descubráis por vosotros mismos. Sigue siendo de lectura rápida y nada pesada, detalles cuidados a la perfección, ninguna falla en la historia y personajes increíbles. Recomendado 100%.
Amazing, beautiful, gripping edge of your seat suspense
Theirs To Defy by Stasia Black is absoutely fantastic. This book, for readers who have read the previous, answers many questions and puts Drea and Eric in new light. The state of the world alone is taumatic and tragic, the backstories of Drea and her clan is no less. This group choose each other as family for a variety of reasons, but the overwelming theme throughout all the hardships, danger and evil is together is better. I love each of the characters in this new-found clan and Drea is amazingly strong and yet in need of so much love that only her clan can give her. Each of her hubands offer her exactly this, unconditionally, while also bolstering each other. It's a beautiful thing to read about. I find this series fascinating, engaging, enthralling and spellbinding. I did not want to put this one down and when I reached the end, I wanted more! So looking forward to the next installment. Overall, a very well written book. Well developed characters, complex and intertwined plots and the apolcalyptic setting is interesting and unique. Well worth more than five stars and your time! I received an ARC of this book via BookFunnel and voluntarily share my review.
So realistically this series is pretty much a 3 star read and I think I’m being generous. I totally skimmed the second book because I could see the crap a mile away and all the people with the whining and what not. This installment wasn’t bad per se. It actually started as a favorite. Drea is such a badass character and her story is both sad and inspiring. One of the problems I had was with her “husbands”. I liked how she chose for herself. The Commander was a given and I honestly think this would have been more successful for me if she just chose him and didn’t add the other dudes. They felt like filler. I didn’t feel any real chemistry with them and her. And speaking of filler...the sex scenes are just...ridiculous is the word that comes to mind. Now the last book really felt like a bunch of sex with a little bit of story thrown in. This at least had a pretty decent storyline...that got distracted by the sex. It felt distracting and clunky to me. The ending also felt super rushed. I’ll probably read Sophia’s book because I’m an idiot that way, but I can pretty much guess what’s gonna happen and I’m sure she’ll get on my nerves. Overall I really liked Drea...her husbands...not so much.
FIRST..let's give applause to another stunning Marriage Lottery installment. *APPLAUSE* Secondly I must say that this installment was so WHACK-A-FREAKING doodle wild that I am still crawling the walls. This story about a ONE WOMAN ViGILANTE is like so tight. She is rough and tumble. Don't take any SugarHoneyIcedTea from no one. She is determined to burn down that bridge that every bad guy is standing under. Although she is hard as a brick wall nestled in that hardness is a woman looking without seeing. She meets the first of her five husbands. She didn't like him. She felt he was a narcissitic A-hole but those eyes that weren't seeing were SEEING. He was a strong enigmatic male with secret eyes only for her. Their adventure together is WILD ROCKY EXPLOSIVE SITTING ON THE EDGE OF YOUR SEAT but they get there. Once the rest of the *husbands come into light things really get wild but also venture on something so paramount it will take your breath away. It's Blood Gore and Adventure that leads to the most amazing thing EVER. This is the HOT SPOT book to read. That five star rating isn't for naught. It is well eanred for a KICK A$$ read.
A continuation of the post-apocalyptic world where 90% of them women have been wiped out due to a pandemic called xterminate. You see two previous characters Drea and Eric, and it is their story along with four others. Eric was the commander of Jacob's Well, Drea was the woman they saved in the first book and was the leader of an island that saved women. However, that island was taken o Dr by bikers and the women trained to be sold, among other things. Later, we meet Billy, a doctor who is addicted to pain pills, Garrett, a man from Drea's past, and two military men David and Jonathan. We find out about Eric's past and what happened after the military, and Drea's past, and what happened to her when she was little. Drea is strong willed, defiant at times, sassy and also soft. These men are just the men to open Drea up and break down her walls. They all have a strong connection with Drea separately, and an even stronger one all together. This story has action, secrets, lies, betrayal, revenge, forgiveness and love. Although these are all standalone, I think they are better when read from the beginning.
1st reading: Same comments as before regarding the quality of writing - incorrect punctuation, sentence fragments, the occasional misused word, and continuity errors. However, again we have a couple of well-developed main characters - Eric and Drea - with less well-developed surrounding characters. Of the other four husbands, Garrett in particular is only slightly better than two-dimensional. He is reminiscent of one of the characters in Sons of Anarchy - just can't put my finger on the character's name. The buildup to Drea's revenge on Thomas "Suicide" Tillerman unfortunately didn't pay off; the climax was a bit of a disappointment. Other scenes - the takedown of College Station and the battle at JSC/NASA - had more impact. While I'm very interested in seeing now the resolution to the political intrigue (am dying to see Eric take out Travis, really hoping we don't have a letdown here), I'm *not* looking forward to the final book's MFC, Eric's daughter Sophia. She's been annoying as hell since the first book, and spending even just the epilogue/1st chapter in her head made me cringe. I hope the author can redeem her, but I'm not holding my breath.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This has such a strong story line and is written extremely well. It’s the end of the world but the main female character really pulls through and keeps getting stronger. I didn’t read any of the previous books in the series and I found that everything made sense to me, it didn’t feel like I missed anything.
I don’t usually like it when there is more than one point of view, but in this book it really works. You are given really deep and meaningful background history and character insights of each of the lead people in this book. It feels like you really know these people and that you are there in the room with them.
This book is a reverse harem, so romance is a key feature and is explored beautifully. However, it is the end of the world, so there is a lot of death and gun fights. I really liked the action scenes with the main female character, she was handy with a gun! This book could have it’s own sequel just to show how the reverse harem develops or what the female lead fights against next.
I loved Drea but I kinda hated her too 😭 I feel she only actually liked Eric and maybe Garret is a childhood friend who crushed on her so it made sense for her to want to be with him. but it came of like she kept Billy around because she needed him (so she can get over the guilt of not saving her mom and also because he is a doctor). The other two men in her harem were there because they were useful and it was all political. The author didn’t do a good job of describing the characters, I don’t know what Billy looks like only that he was slim, looks sketchy and nobody wanted to lay him so he was almost a Virgin ish. I know that Eric is ripped (Her favorite MMC) and Garret is a big teddy bear and one of the other MMC is Hispanic but that’s all. Also when they say drea has blonde dreadlocks what does it mean? I kept searching online but I couldn’t get a good picture of it.
PS: I never forgave Drea for slapping poor Billy because he didn’t want to shove it. I feel she wouldn’t have slapped another MMC she actually liked in that same position.
Every time I pick up a new book by this author, not just in this series, I think they cannot possibly be better than the last. But she keeps proving me wrong. And, though I mentioned this in another review from earlier in this series, it bears repeating... This is an series that began with a disclaimer about how the author does not like dystopian settings...coulda fooled me, because she keeps on fleshing out this post Fall.world and building on the plot along with all of the romance. And the romance is just as steamy and raw as you could want. I honestly did not care much for Drea in the earlier books, but Stasia made me love and root for her and her clan just as much as all the other heroines and clans that came before. Please read this book, I doubt you will be sorry...just read the books in order or you might get lost in the larger plot.
I received an ARC of this book and am choosing (with pleasure) to review it.