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A missing woman leads the alpha heroes on their boldest mission yet in New York Times bestselling author Susan Stoker’s searing Mountain Mercenaries novel.

It’s been ten years since Rex’s wife, Raven, disappeared from a Vegas casino. Never losing hope, he even formed the Mountain Mercenaries to help find her—and other missing wives, sisters, and children. Now Rex and his fearless team are following a lead to Lima, Peru, where the rescue operation is greater than they imagined.

A day at a time. That’s been Raven’s motto for a decade. Once held captive by an elusive sex trafficker, she has an indomitable will to survive. But Raven’s not ready to leave Peru. She can’t. Not yet. Because her liberation from the barrios comes with devastating consequences. One wrong move and all hope will be lost to an unimaginable hell.

For the Mountain Mercenaries, the stakes have been raised. The threats are escalating. But Rex hasn’t searched this long, risked so much, and come this far to lose Raven all over again.

311 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 30, 2020

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2378 people want to read

About the author

Susan Stoker

251 books7,324 followers
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New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author, Susan Stoker has a heart as big as the state of Tennessee where she lives, but this all American girl has also spent the last fourteen years living in Missouri, California, Colorado, Indiana, and Tennessee. She's married to a retired Army man who now gets to follow her around the country.

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 743 reviews
Profile Image for Janise Way.
21 reviews6 followers
July 4, 2020
A have a couple of issues with this book. Let me tell you...
1. This book was too short. I know you might argue with me and say, “but Defending Raven is like 304 pages. That’s a long book.” Sure, 304 pages is a long book. I don’t care. I needed more. I needed more Rex. More Raven. More David. More stars. More nights on the couch. More of it all.

2. For whatever reason this week I’m feeling a little blood thirsty (could be the weather. It’s a ridiculous 108* in my neighborhood), so I needed more scorched earth. Like when you’re so beyond angry that you’re having an ‘out of body’ experience a la Shirley McClaine. For the atrocities that Raven lived through, for the daily agony Rex lived through and for the mention of what might continue had certain events not transpired—I desired scorched earth. I wanted blood. Retribution. Revenge. Reckoning.

3. This was the last book in one of my favorite Susan Stoker series. As individual books, they are wonderful, wonderful stories. But as a series, it’s sublime. I hate thats it’s over. One of the overall, underlying themes of the books is something I try to make my daily mantra : be decent, do good, find joy. Granted, this doesn’t always work with me—I’m usually quite pissy during the summer ;) But if I can remind myself of those 3 things I mostly manage to have a happy day.

Now, let’s review:

1. Rex is a resolute and wholly dedicated individual. Every action, every thought and every breath is done for one purpose: finding his wife.
Raven is purpose, dedication, and mindful. She was plunged into a sick depraved world. And she survived. How could you not want more of their story? I did. I do.

2. After reading the book twice and double checking a few things (Mainly doing a quick self-check to make sure I’m not getting too psycho 🤪) I’m content with not getting the blood-letting I originally wanted. The revenge I wanted came in the epilogue. It’s the revenge of a life well-lived and well-loved. Maybe revenge isn’t best served cold; it’s best served over a lifetime of living happy, free and loved.

3. Last doesn’t mean the end. That’s a sweet little treat that exists in the Susan Stoker book world. Just because this series is over doesn’t mean we won’t see these guys again. There’s always the chance one of the Mountain dudes pop up somewhere else in a different series. I’m so down for that.

So, yeah. My issues aren’t as bad as I thought. You don’t need to read the previous 6 books of the series to know what’s going on in 7, but seriously? Go read 1-6 😉. You won’t regret it.
Profile Image for Izzie d.
4,300 reviews362 followers
October 6, 2022
Typical SS book in style of writing.
Man has honor, respect for women etc.

This one has the Hero and heroine as a married couple, that are separated for ten years and Hero hasn't been with anyone else.

Possible triggers.
No intimate scenes other than the Hero and heroine but the heroine has been a sex slave so she has suffered abuse and there are some references though not huge detail and it's relayed in memories rather than present events.


HEA.

Epilogues. Several years ahead.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Denise H.
1,051 reviews54 followers
June 28, 2020
The Mountain Mercenaries series is one of my top favorites of Susan’s (ACE Security being the other) and the series as a whole has been an amazing, emotional adventure and I am so sad to see it end. However, I am also happy to finally find out who the elusive Rex (the boss man) is and see him finally after so long get his happy ending. But, boy oh boy the gut-wrenching turmoil and devastation he has to face along the way is a killer. To me, I think this one was the most emotional of the series…I am talking the ugly tears too! So fair warning – have lots of tissues on hand. It was great to catch up with the other guys on the team and their families and I really love the way Susan wraps up the series as a whole with this final book. The ending epilogue and the ‘look ahead’ scenes are beautiful and so emotional. It is a great HEA for this couple.

Defending Raven is an absolutely amazing book from start to finish; I read it in one sitting and could not put it down. I was so invested in the drama woven around Rex and Raven and all the hurdles they had to overcome after many years of separation. Their struggles, insecurities, motivations, strength and determination were threaded with raw emotion and wrapped up in a story full of survival, abuse, courage, desperation, redemption, and enduring love. This book carries an air of intensity from beginning to end and definitely tears through your feelings. It is heartbreaking, somber, sweet, happy, witty, and romantic and there is plenty of gripping suspense, danger, alpha males, strong women, surprises, and a diabolical bad guy who is beyond rotten to the core that will give you chills.

As with any other Susan Stoker book, this one can be read as a standalone or enjoyed in order with the rest of the series. This book does include some sensitive issues and could possibly be triggers for more sensitive readers.
Profile Image for Celtic Chic Books.
242 reviews14 followers
July 5, 2020
So this is my review for Defending Raven by Susan Stoker. If you’ve followed my other reviews, you’re aware that I am a HUGE Susan Stoker fan. So excited doesn’t even begin to describe my feelings for this book. Especially because it’s the last book in the Mountain Mercenaries series. AKA Rex’s story. But I have to be honest after I finished the book I needed a few days to ruminate before writing this review. Rumination done. Now for my review.

As I said, this is the final book in the Mountain Mercenaries series. Rex’s story. And if you’ve read this series, you know that Susan has teased us A LOT about Rex. He was the mysterious leader of this motley band of heroes. We all speculated on who he was and felt for his plight. Knowing that he had been searching for his missing wife for a decade…*sigh*…was just heartbreaking. So anticipation for this book and the conclusion to his story was HIGH.

Defending Raven was exquisite. The depth of feels for this book is ginormous. Tissues were used. Heartstrings are tugged. And anger is felt. Anger on Rex’s behalf for the anguish he has gone through searching for his wife. Anger on Raven’s behalf for the horror and pain she has suffered. As a reader (even knowing that these are just characters in a book) I want justice. Retribution. For them to dole out punishment to those who have done them wrong. And although you do get some of this, I felt that it wasn’t enough.

Hence my rumination. And it was enlightening. This book is about so much more than revenge. It’s about reconnecting. It’s about unconditional love. It’s about friendship and family.

Ms. Stoker takes the reader on an incredible journey and shows us that with unspeakable injustice comes compassion and integrity. Rex WANTS to burn the world and avenge the atrocities that his wife has endured. He wants to make the enemy pay but instead, he realizes that he needs to put aside these feelings and support his wife. To help her move forward and make each day better. To show her that 10 years is a drop in the bucket and his love is still as strong and deep as the day he met her.

Raven has lived with unspeakable horrors for 10 years. But she is more than the horrors that were forced upon her. She has picked herself up and made herself stronger. With the appearance of her husband, her very world has been rocked. Although she doubts that he will be able to handle what she has been through she can’t change her past or who she has become.

Defending Raven is love. Honor. Commitment. In a world where chaos reigns it’s a beacon to show us that doing what’s RIGHT, though harder, is what each of us needs to do.

Take the time to read this book. It’s so much more than a “romance read”. You won’t be disappointed. You will be enlightened.
Profile Image for Deanie Nelder.
1,131 reviews24 followers
July 4, 2020
The final novel in the Mountain Mercenaries series has arrived, and it's a doozy. Throughout the series, the Mercenaries have gone on mission after mission rescuing people from human trafficking at the behest of their mysterious boss, Rex. After finding out that "Rex" is actually bartender Dave Justice, the Mercenaries are suspicious, but they go all in when learning that his kidnapped wife has turned up in Peru after more than a decade apart, and they need to help him get her back.

Crafting a finale to any series is tricky, and most of the time, Susan Stoker doesn't do it. Instead, she creates sequel series (like Seal of Protection: Legacy). With Defending Raven, she didn't just create an ending, she created an ending with more epilogues than Lord of the Rings, ending up more than ten years in the future by the end of the book. That's all I'll say, to avoid spoilers, but it's a great finale and the most ended book of any of Stoker's books.
1,354 reviews
June 29, 2020
I devoured Defending Raven by Susan Stoker all in one night and loved it so much! I believe this is her best series finale book ever and she’s had some pretty amazing ones. The storytelling in this book was amazing and beautifully written with all the feels. Raven was a true heroine who survived the most horrific things ever and still showed so much love and compassion to others. And there’s Rex, who never stopped searching for Raven for 10 years and really showed how much of a hero he is in every way, totally swoon worthy. Their love story is one that will capture your heart and I highly recommend this book. I’m already looking forward to reading this book again.
Profile Image for Jacqueline J.
3,565 reviews371 followers
July 31, 2020
I liked it over all. Good characterization of the hero. The heroine was not as well developed. I liked the little boy. I give this about a 3 on the suspense scale. Fairly well done. I'm going to be honest and go against popular opinion and say that I don't like long epilogues that tell you what happens 1 then 5 then 10 then 25 years down the road. I say let the reader imagine what they will. One short epilogue maybe a year or two later is fine. I don't want anymore than that. That dropped this book a star for me.
Profile Image for Pam.
4,625 reviews67 followers
July 2, 2020
Defending Raven: Mountain Mercenaries Book 7 is by Susan Stoker. This is the last book in this series, all of which are fantastic. Susan Stoker has a wonderful way of creating a story that keeps you moving at all times and yet is so sweet and loving that you feel you are floating in romance. One thing you can’t do with her books is put them down. They are addictive. Now it is on to another series by Susan.
“Rex” had created and run the Mountain mercenaries for the last ten years. He had connections all over the world and with some of the best and worst people around. He had recruited a team and had them meet at The Pit, a bar run by Dave Justice for an interview. It ended up just being the team members and they spent their time waiting for “Rex” to get to know each other. What they didn’t know then and didn’t know for the next ten years was that Dave was indeed “Rex”. Since he had no military background, he didn’t know if the men would listen to him so set up a persona to front for him. Dave had set up the team to go after sex traffickers. They found victims for specific families or just happened upon through research pods of traffickers. Dave was looking for his wife, Raven. She had been abducted from Las Vegas when they were vacationing. He just knew she was still alive and waiting for him to come rescue her. He searched out every lead possible. Then, after their last mission in which Zara was rescued, Meat, one of the team, had fallen in love with her. He brought her to a gathering at the bar and she recognized Raven’s picture up on the wall. However, she knew her as Mags. Mags had saved her in the barrio in Peru and she had also saved Meat when he was badly beaten there. It was then that Dave told the team members who he was and what their next mission was. Dave was determined to find Raven this time. This time he was going against Roberto Del Rio, the worst trafficker in South America. As powerful as Del Rio was, Dave believed they would win.
One thing Dave didn’t think about was that Raven might not want to come back to him as his wife. She might have completely changed while in captivity. What should he do?
Profile Image for ❀ Crystal ✿ -  PEACE ☮ LOVE ♥ BOOKS .
2,532 reviews308 followers
July 2, 2020
So I'm a cheaty McCheat A*Lot and read this book without having read any prior in the series. The good thing about S. Stoker's books is while they are best enjoyed when read together they can be read as a standalone and this one was no different. After reading the blurb I was not going to wait and had to jump in immediately. As usual I was not disappointment and I really loved this book. The hero Dave is not even an actual military member which is something unheard of from this author lol but I was not disappointed because even without official training Dave knows his shit and nothing and NO ONE will stand in his way of bringing his wife home after all these years . He has literally devoted the past ten years of his life looking for his wife and it was really just a beautiful story that proves true love will always stand the test of time. I definitely plan to read the entire series at some point but I always sporadically read books by this author and have yet to be disappointed.
Profile Image for Romanticamente Fantasy.
7,976 reviews236 followers
September 23, 2021
Bea65 - per RFS
.
Fenici, di questa serie è il primo libro che leggo, ma sicuramente andrò a leggermi anche gli altri, non perchè sia necessario per comprendere la storia, ma perché mi è piaciuto così tanto da essermi incuriosita, voglio proprio vedere se anche gli altri sono all’altezza.

Una storia molto intensa, piena di colpi di scena ma principalmente ricca di sentimenti, buoni e cattivi.

Gli argomenti trattati sono molto forti: si parla di rapimento e sfruttamento della prostituzione, la tratta di donne e bambini per il sesso, le violenze sui poveri da parte di bande.

Tutto ha inizio con il rapimento di Raven avvenuto dieci anni prima a Las Vegas, mentre lei e il marito Dave erano lì per festeggiare il loro anniversario di matrimonio.

L’uomo non si dà pace, la moglie sembra scomparsa nel nulla, la polizia brancola nel buio, così, invece di abbattersi inizia a cercarla attraverso la rete. In questo modo viene a scoprire, purtroppo, che tantissime persone spariscono così nel nulla e decide di mettere su una squadra di ex militari delle forze speciali, ossia i Mercenari di Montagna, che manderà nel mondo a salvare donne e bambini rapiti quando riesce a rintracciarli.

La vicenda si svolge in Perù, dove la squadra dei Mercenari è stata inviata per scovare e portare in salvo i bambini e le donne rapite.

Anche se nel romanzo sono descritte scene di violenza, l’autrice è stata molto brava a non renderle troppo pesanti e, anzi, è riuscita con il suo stile a farmi entrare in empatia con tutti i personaggi.

Ha descritto talmente bene i bassifondi di Lima da permettermi di percepire il suo degrado e i suoi odori, come se fossi stata davvero presente.

Non sono riuscita a togliermi dalla mente le violenze che queste donne e bambini subiscono, sapendo che sono reali, succedono veramente, e purtroppo non ne siamo immuni neanche noi con tutti i nostri diritti civili, alla fin fine se la situazione è questa è anche colpa del nostro “mondo progredito e occidentale”, siamo sempre pronti a guardare dall’altra parte.

I personaggi mi sono piaciuti tutti, malgrado la diversità di caratteri ma, forse, è stato proprio questo a rendermeli cari e a permettere la loro unione come gruppo. Anche le donne del ghetto che vivono insieme a Raven, sono tutte forti ed empatiche; si preoccupano del benessere degli altri, ma il personaggio che preferisco è Dave. Quest’uomo non ha mai mollato in particolar modo quando ormai le speranze giocavano contro. Salvare altre vite gli ha permesso di non perdere la fede e, quindi, potersi concentrare sul proprio obiettivo. Quando, alla fine, riesce a trovare Raven, non la giudica né si vergogna di ciò che ha subito, ma anzi, gliela rende più preziosa grazie alla forza dimostrata per sopravvivere.

I cattivi li brucerei vivi, perché odio dal profondo tutti quelli che stuprano e seviziano altri esseri umani.

Non posso raccontare altro, sarebbe bruttissimo svelarvi i retroscena di questo romanzo. Non voglio spoilerare perchè dovete anche voi, come me, riuscire a vivere questo capolavoro appieno e immergervi nello stile di scrittura di quest’autrice che a ogni libro che leggo apprezzo sempre di più.

Preparate i fazzoletti, se vorrete urlare, fatelo, con la speranza che tutto questo marciume prima o poi finisca.
Profile Image for Pj Ausdenmore.
928 reviews30 followers
July 3, 2020
This is not always an easy read but man, is it good. Fast-paced, compelling, suspenseful, filled with danger, and deeply emotional, it's a story that hooked me from the first page and refused to let go. What happens to these characters broke my heart but kudos to the author for extending the epilogue far enough into the future to allow readers to witness their realistic healing and eventual happiness. A fitting conclusion to what has been a terrific series, Defending Raven is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the power of love. I've been waiting for Rex and Raven's story since the beginning of the series and this book not only met my expectations, it far exceeded them.

Content warning: Kidnapping, human trafficking, rape (not on page but explicitly described), child endangerment
Profile Image for Heather.
194 reviews1 follower
July 1, 2020
Dave & Raven

Susan Stoker certainly knows how to end a series leaving no stone unturned, no loose ends and a wonderfully amazing happy ever after ending. While doing all this Susan Stoker also sets up the next book series. Silverstone Towing already has all the feels that keep this reader coming back for more. Thank you, Susan Stoker, for such amazing stories that also leaves the reader feeling more positive about the world around us. Be kind, always!
Profile Image for Sandy S.
8,246 reviews208 followers
June 26, 2020
: DEFENDING RAVEN is the seventh and final instalment in Susan Stoker’s contemporary, adult MOUNTAIN MERCENARIES romantic suspense series focusing group of former soldiers and Navy SEALS who call themselves Mountain Mercenaries, headed by the mysterious ‘Rex’. This is Dave ‘Rex’ Justice , and Raven aka Mag’s story line. The Mountain Mercenaries is a spin off from the author’s Ace Security series but you do not have to have read the previous series to understand or follow the current timeline. The Mountain Mercenaries were first introduced in CLAIMING FELICITY (Ace Security 4).

WARNING: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be some triggers for more sensitive readers.

NOTE: If you have not read the previous instalment there may be some spoilers in my review.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Raven and Dave) DEFENDING RAVEN is the culmination of seven story lines in which the mysterious Rex, takes command of a group of former military operatives in an effort to rescue and recover missing women and children around the world but to everyone’s surprise their mysterious leader and benefactor is their friend and bar owner David Justice, a man whose own wife has been missing for close to ten years. With the rescue of Zara Layne in Defending Zara #6, Dave and the Mountain Mercenaries will discover that Zara’s friend and fellow abductee Mags is none other than Dave aka Rex’s missing wife. As Dave organizes a rescue of the woman he loves, the team worry that our hero is in over his head. What ensues is the rescue and recovery of Raven Justice, and the potential fall-out as Raven refuses to leave Lima, Peru without someone she holds close to her heart.

Mags aka Raven Justice has spent ten years helping other women who have suffered as much as our storyline heroine. Abducted and sold in to sexual slavery, Raven has ‘aged’ out of the system but not out of ‘that’ world in Lima, Peru. With the appearance of her husband Dave, Raven struggles with the demons from her past, demons that refuse to let go including the possibility that her husband no longer loves the woman she has become.

Dave ‘Rex’ Justice is a man tormented by the idea that has wife has suffered at the hands of so many monsters. With Raven’s refusal to walk away from the life she now leads, Dave suspects something deeper keeping his wife from returning home.

The relationship between Dave and Raven struggles in the face of Raven’s inability to accept that her husband is still in love but Raven has a secret that goes much deeper than anything Dave could have ever imagined, a secret that keeps Raven in Lima, Peru. There are no $ex scenes but recounting of the horrors that our heroine endured.

All of the previous story line heroes play secondary and supporting roles as their friend and mentor is desperate to rescue the woman he loves. With the help of the Mountain Mercenaries, Dave Justice will bring his wife home after ten long years missing.

DEFENDING RAVEN is raw and gritty story of struggle and abuse, survival and redemption; of courage, tenderness and enduring love. The premise is heart breaking and impassioned; the characters are colorful, strong, dramatic and intense. DEFENDING RAVEN fast forwards several years so that the reader gets a glimpse into the future of the Mountain Mercenaries and their leader Dave ‘Rex’ Justice.

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley

www.thereadingcafe.com
Profile Image for Kelly (the book hussy).
1,770 reviews70 followers
July 23, 2020
2.25 Stars

I read the first book in the series. Was intrigued by this Rex guy who was sorta like Charlie from Charlie’s Angels. I didn’t like the first book enough to continue the series. But Rex’s book was finally released and I had to see who this guy was. Boy, was I disappointed.

He was not the badass I was expecting. And the bad guys get the jump on him in a situation that was stupid on his part. The narrative was repetitive. And Mountain Mercenaries was mentioned literally on almost every page when it was Rex’s POV. Dude, we get it. Your team is called the Mountain Mercenaries.

The writing wasn’t great. Which I forgot from the first book. I liked the storyline, so it definitely had potential. But it just ended up being annoying due to the issues mentioned above. Not sure I’ll read another book by this author. She seems to have great ideas with her storylines, just not great at execution.

What I did like:
— David
— The hero’s wife was missing for 10 years and he stayed faithful to her.
Profile Image for Big Joe  Rossi.
1,776 reviews49 followers
July 16, 2020
4.5 stars

Dave aka Rex learns that his long missing wife is alive when Zara sees a pic of her and says she goes by the name Mags now, and they were friends in Peru. Dave and the team rush to Peru to find, rescue, and save her.

Thing is it has been 10 yrs since Raven/Mags has been gone. She isn't the same woman she was. She also fears what he will think when he learns what she has done, how she survived but most of all she is hiding a huge secret.

This book was a great read would have been a 5-star read but the epilogue was soooooo long I found myself losing interest a little. That said the story itself is awesome.
Profile Image for KAREN SAUNDERS.
51 reviews2 followers
June 30, 2020
Slam dunk!!! Susan Stoker does it again

This review will be short and sweet.

The last book in the Mountain Mercenary Series wraps it up, not with a simper but with a huge MFing explosion. There are too many spoilers to give this book its due.
Dave has found his wife but nothing in the Stoker universe is as simple as that. A man tormented for ten years since his wife's abduction from their anniversary vacation, Dave Justice discovers where she is but once he's there, the reason she won't leave staggers him and might just do the same to you.
The Mercenaries are on their most important mission ever. We are reminded of how each member's specialty is vital to the mission. Yay Susan!
The author builds the narrative with tools she's gathered and honed in the previous stories, laying a foundation for the ultimate rescue and love story. We learn what his wife Raven endured for the last ten years of her life.
Boxes of tissues should be at hand at all times. (Don't be stingy and have one of those tiny packets).
This story has a climax as heart-pounding as a Bruce Willis, action flick. I literally jumped up when it was over.
Read it. Read it. Read it.
Profile Image for Wishy Reads.
371 reviews21 followers
July 3, 2023
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: Military
Spice: Yes 🥵 a touch
Series: Mountain Mercenaries, book 7

Thoughts - Dave MMC !!!! Ughhhhhh be still my heart! He lived up to every expectation I had formed of him and more! And then even more after the reveal. Special mention to the lifetime epilogue. I absolutely love it when authors let you know how the characters life pan out. Definitely recommend series! But this one is my fave, closely followed by book 1

Plot - 10 long years Dave has been searching for Raven, and finally, after helping another woman he has a lead. Jetting off to Peru he is determined to find her… she just might not be ready to find him.

* ⚠️ trigger warnings
* Twists and turns
* Strong MFC
* Forced proximity
* One bed

“I’m coming for you, sweetheart,” he whispered as he paced. “Just keep hanging on until I can get there.”
Profile Image for Lisa Gibbs.
802 reviews2 followers
July 6, 2020
Wow, Raven "Mags" and Dave's "Rex" story is heartbreaking, hopeful, full of love and forgiveness as well as action. While reading about everything that Raven went through all that kept running through my mind was "Fight like a girl!" from another of Ms. Stoker's books.

Raven is an incredibly strong character, arguably more than most. That is saying something because Ms. Stoker's heroines are all strong in their own right. Raven has gone through so much in the 10 years that she went missing and the fact that she survived is a miracle but her survival isn't the only one. Rex or Dave as we now know him is even more incredible than we even knew. The love these two characters have for each other shines so you can feel it. Ms Stoker also brings out so many other emotions in these two people and none of what either one went through was downplayed in the story. Everything wasn't automatically better when they found each other. There were many layers to this story that kept me glued to the pages. I chuckled a few times and I cried a few times but that is what a good book does, it makes you feel. It was as if I was right there with the Mountain Mercenaries. What a phenomenal ending to an amazing series.
Profile Image for LaTonja .
308 reviews25 followers
July 3, 2020
Anyone that read this series was waiting for Rex's story. Oh boy what a story it is. The elusive head of the Mountain Mercenaries is now uncovered. The men of the Mountain Mercenaries never knew their trusted bartender was their boss. But he had his reasons for keeping quiet about who he was. Raven...his love his wife. Now it's his turn to rescue his woman. This book was so intense. Again Susan Stoker's characters join as a true team to get back one of theirs. It is the perfect book to end this series. Please enjoy Dave "Rex" and Mags "Raven" story. Enjoy.
151 reviews
July 4, 2020
SAFETY AT LAST

It's the end an era for the Mountain Mercenaries.
Finally, Finally they know where Rex's wife is and they're heading out to get her, but things are a lot more complicated than ever before.,There's surprises for the men, Surprises for Rex and SO much more.
I absolutely Adore Susan Stoker's work and Highly Recommend This Book to Anyone and Everyone who has ever lost hope for a Missing loved one.! Or fans of her previous work, I'm again So anxious to read Susans next, Coming Soon to Be Released Series. Lol Have Fun. Cheers Veronica 😁
Profile Image for Ginny Rose.
556 reviews30 followers
July 2, 2020
What an incredible story!

I cried, I was stressed, I laughed and I even panicked in a few scenes. All acceptable emotions when reading this book, this story.

Rex and Raven had to wait a while for their happy ending, but it was SOOO worth the wait.

This is NOT a second chance romance story. This is about finding what was taken. It's about believing that love is hope and hope is faith. Faith that the one you love NEVER gave up on you.

This is a story about how you build your family through trust.

This series has taken me on an epic emotional ride. Every smile, tear and grief was worth it. Susan Stoker gives good stories and never disappoints. Highly recommend this book!
Profile Image for Julie Miller.
Author 295 books368 followers
September 2, 2021
I loved Rex/Dave--a mature hero who was a total badass and completely loyal to the wife he's been searching for for ten years. The scenes with his newfound son (I'm glad they didn't drag out that secret--a savvy reader could guess what would motivate Raven/Mags enough to stay away from the man she loved) were tender and paternal and priceless. Loved, too, that every hero in the series had a chance to shine in this last mission of the series.
Profile Image for Bette Hansen.
5,073 reviews40 followers
July 1, 2020
Loved it!

Loved this fantastic wrap up to this series. I' ve been waiting for "Rex's" and I wasn't disappointed with the story we got. These characters are intriguing and the story is fast paced and action packed with an incredible love story at the core. Don't miss this one. I highly recommend it.
19 reviews
June 30, 2020
The very best ending

It’s hard to put in words how beautifully this series had wrapped up.
My heart broke for Raven (Mags) Dave and David but im so glad I took this journey with them
Profile Image for Nicole Collins.
1,390 reviews13 followers
July 1, 2020
Second chances

Wow! Susan has another 5 star read here. Everything about this story is golden. The storyline was amazing. Dave aka Rex is such an awesome man. It was great that we finally learned more about him and fell in love with his mission in life.
Profile Image for Natasha Mahadeo.
963 reviews6 followers
October 19, 2021
Wow just wow

This book was just so gripping and heart breaking. Finally Rex and his partner get their HEA. My heart broke for all that she endured and all that she felt. This I think was my favorite story of the series.
Profile Image for Staci.
450 reviews1 follower
June 29, 2020
OMG!!! Finding your true.love after years of separation!!! All the extra WOW that happened over the years!!!
Never give up!!!
Profile Image for Jean.
810 reviews1 follower
June 30, 2020
If I could give this series more than 5 stars I would. This last book had me crying in the end but it was worth it. I have read each book in the series more than 3 times and I will be reading many many more times.
Profile Image for CJ.
532 reviews2 followers
June 30, 2020
OMG Fantastic

Brilliant read, brilliant ending, was a bit concerned it would have the same words as alot of Susan's stories have, but this was amazing from start to finish. Everyone needs a Rex (Dave) in there life only if books come true.
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