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Silverstone #1
Trusting Skylar
From bestselling author Susan Stoker comes a sizzling new series about four former military operatives who rid the world of the worst of humanity while fighting to protect the best part of their lives: the women they love.
Former military operative Carson “Bull” Rhodes hasn’t dated seriously since he and his teammates left the army. Since then he’s opened Silverstone Towing—which is a front for his other job: hired killer. When kindergarten teacher Skylar Reid calls for help while stranded on the side of the interstate, the attraction is instant. The problem is Bull’s career has jaded him. Skylar’s innocent, and he wants to keep her that way.
Cautious by nature, Skylar never expected to fall in love with her tow truck driver. Even so, once Bull reveals what he really does for a living, she’s not sure she can handle it. When Skylar faces threats that have nothing to do with Bull’s job but are just as deadly, the stakes are higher than ever.
With the help of the Silverstone team, Bull will use everything he’s learned over the years to bring the woman he loves home—because the alternative is unthinkable.
Former military operative Carson “Bull” Rhodes hasn’t dated seriously since he and his teammates left the army. Since then he’s opened Silverstone Towing—which is a front for his other job: hired killer. When kindergarten teacher Skylar Reid calls for help while stranded on the side of the interstate, the attraction is instant. The problem is Bull’s career has jaded him. Skylar’s innocent, and he wants to keep her that way.
Cautious by nature, Skylar never expected to fall in love with her tow truck driver. Even so, once Bull reveals what he really does for a living, she’s not sure she can handle it. When Skylar faces threats that have nothing to do with Bull’s job but are just as deadly, the stakes are higher than ever.
With the help of the Silverstone team, Bull will use everything he’s learned over the years to bring the woman he loves home—because the alternative is unthinkable.
301 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 2020
3549 people are currently reading
4119 people want to read
About the author
Susan Stoker
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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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http://www.stokeraces.com/contact-1.html
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.
Follow SUSAN:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/authorsstoker
www.facebook.com/authorsusanstoker
Instagram: www.instagram.com/authorsusanstoker
Twitter: www.twitter.com/susan_stoker
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/susan...
Amazon: http://amzn.to/238Jw8c
For all upcoming books click here: http://www.stokeraces.com/coming-soon...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 823 reviews
December 27, 2020
"You're mine."
Trusting Skylar is the first book in the Silverstone Series. Once again, Susan Stoker has created a world of alpha men who fight for the good of the world and the beautiful women that they are called to protect. Carson “Bull” Rhodes has been out of the dating scene for quite a while. He and his friends have found a way to continue their military work off the grid and they are using their towing company as a cover. After a dangerous mission, Bull meets a beautiful woman named Skylar as he tows her car to safety. Skylar is a Kindergarten teacher and is quite taken by Bull. Although, a school teacher and an assassin may seem to be a very unlikely pair somehow these two just click. With passion and romance blooming, there seems to be nothing that will keep them apart!
"I'm yours."Told in multiple POV, Trusting Skylar is another winning read by Susan Stoker. It never fails to amaze me how much I adore the instant connection her characters form and the way in which the plot slowly builds and unfolds. The Silverstone Series promises to be another blockbuster series for romance fans everywhere to devour!
"You came into my life for a reason."Overall, Trusting Skylar will appeal to contemporary romance fans who enjoy military men and strong heroines! Stoker books are always full of action, passion, and flirty fun!
For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:
June 13, 2022
4 I'm Trusting Stoker Stars
* * * * Spoiler Free
I happen to love it when Susan Stocker puts together her series with all the Alpha Men who have Service experience, doing edgy things, and the women who catch them by surprise and turns their life upside down. Stocker knows exactly how to make that happen and this is a new series cut from that same cloth.
We have a group of men who fought for their country, were extremely good at it, and made a judgment call that was correct, yet when the powers that be decided...they cut the fellows from the Service forever.
Now these Brothers in Arms vets have come together under a different umbrella. They are still fighting the "good fight" just not with the official government outward approval...in other words, it's on the down-low.
Enter Silverstone Towing. All the guys work there and then they also do missions. Carson “Bull” Rhodes is called to tow kindergarten teacher Skylar Reid when she is stuck on the side of the road.
From the get-go, Bull is protective of this sweet, innocent woman knowing the big bad world could eat her up and spit her out. Skylar, on the other hand, understands things are not always as they seem but is more of the glass half full mindset that will make Bull even more protective.
These two are attracted to each other in spite of all the alarms going off...and we get to be right there. Thank you, Ms. Stoker.
There are sexy steamy times, and heartfelt ones, too. All the other guys have their books planned and it should be a good time for the Stocker fans.
Trusting Skylar (Silverstone #1)
Trusting Taylor (Silverstone #2)
Trusting Molly (Silverstone #3)
Trusting Cassidy (Silverstone #4)
For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
* * * * Spoiler Free
I happen to love it when Susan Stocker puts together her series with all the Alpha Men who have Service experience, doing edgy things, and the women who catch them by surprise and turns their life upside down. Stocker knows exactly how to make that happen and this is a new series cut from that same cloth.
We have a group of men who fought for their country, were extremely good at it, and made a judgment call that was correct, yet when the powers that be decided...they cut the fellows from the Service forever.
Now these Brothers in Arms vets have come together under a different umbrella. They are still fighting the "good fight" just not with the official government outward approval...in other words, it's on the down-low.
Enter Silverstone Towing. All the guys work there and then they also do missions. Carson “Bull” Rhodes is called to tow kindergarten teacher Skylar Reid when she is stuck on the side of the road.
From the get-go, Bull is protective of this sweet, innocent woman knowing the big bad world could eat her up and spit her out. Skylar, on the other hand, understands things are not always as they seem but is more of the glass half full mindset that will make Bull even more protective.
These two are attracted to each other in spite of all the alarms going off...and we get to be right there. Thank you, Ms. Stoker.
There are sexy steamy times, and heartfelt ones, too. All the other guys have their books planned and it should be a good time for the Stocker fans.
Trusting Skylar (Silverstone #1) Trusting Taylor (Silverstone #2) Trusting Molly (Silverstone #3) Trusting Cassidy (Silverstone #4)For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
December 13, 2020
I miss Miss Stoker's book. It has been a while since I picked up her work. Her romance story usually involving a alpha male heroes with miltary background. His writing is sweet, tender with enough boldness.
Trusting Skylar is small town military romance. You can read the summary on the blurp. What I can say is I am smitten with Carson and Skylar chemistry. They both so adorable together. Their first meet got me hook on the story.
What a perfect book to close my weekend.
4 stars
Trusting Skylar is small town military romance. You can read the summary on the blurp. What I can say is I am smitten with Carson and Skylar chemistry. They both so adorable together. Their first meet got me hook on the story.
What a perfect book to close my weekend.
4 stars
July 7, 2021
Part-time Tow Truck Drivers + Part-Time Assassins = Full-Time Fun!!!
Seriously, you have to suspend realitya little
a lot to read this, but it’s a fun, sweet read.
A few things that took away stars:
1. There is an excessive focus on the heroine’s “petite” stature. Carson just LOVES petite women. His fellow tow truck associates tower over the short red head. The heroine discusses her own short stature multiple times.
It is sorta weird that the author chose to focus on that detail but more importantly..........
The heroine is FIVE FOOT FOUR.
Am I living under a rock, or is 5'4 not all that short??? I’m pretty sure that’s average. In fact, I just looked it up and the CDC stated that 5’4 was the average height of American women in 2018. So, Skylar isn't short. She's average. If you are going to create a character with a big kink for petite women, make the heroine actually petite. Just sayin'.
2. The hero is INTENSE. The first few times he’s around Skylar, he’s instantly into her. Great. He feels a strong need to look out for and protect her. Kinda weird, but okay. The way in which he communicates this, is to continually remind Skylar of all the ways she could be abducted, tortured and killed every time he sees her.
I don’t know about you, but that comes off atad SUPER creepy. ALSO, during their first date, Carson lays down ALL of his feelings and plans for their future while sitting in front of his friends. I don’t like guys that play games either but a little mystery could have helped Carson.
3. The heroine is a kindergarten teacher and encompasses EVERY stereotypical thing you could possibly imagine with that job title. Cue eye roll. I don’t know about you, but I am so over heroines who are kindergarten/preschool teachers, bakers, artists, and ballerinas.
4. The ‘sexy times’…….
This is a new author to me, so I’m not familiar with her work. I discovered that she likes to use the term “make love.”
……………………………………………..
Everyone has their trigger words. For some it’s “moist.” For others, it’s the endearment, “honey.” For others, it’s “make love.” For me, it’s ALL OF THOSE. GAG!!!!
Putting that aside, the hot and heavy times were totally awkward. The dialog had me squirming and giggling uncomfortably.
Despite those issues, I actually enjoyed this book. Plus, it really picked up towards the last 25%.
Since I got it for free on Amazon via KU, and the next one in the series is also free, I will be continuing on with this series.
*Also, the epilogue of this book isn’t actually an epilogue but a preview chapter of the next book where some chick has prosopagnosia. Yeah, I didn’t know what that was either, but now that I do, I am going to have to read book 2.
Seriously, you have to suspend reality
A few things that took away stars:
1. There is an excessive focus on the heroine’s “petite” stature. Carson just LOVES petite women. His fellow tow truck associates tower over the short red head. The heroine discusses her own short stature multiple times.
It is sorta weird that the author chose to focus on that detail but more importantly..........
The heroine is FIVE FOOT FOUR.
Am I living under a rock, or is 5'4 not all that short??? I’m pretty sure that’s average. In fact, I just looked it up and the CDC stated that 5’4 was the average height of American women in 2018. So, Skylar isn't short. She's average. If you are going to create a character with a big kink for petite women, make the heroine actually petite. Just sayin'.
2. The hero is INTENSE. The first few times he’s around Skylar, he’s instantly into her. Great. He feels a strong need to look out for and protect her. Kinda weird, but okay. The way in which he communicates this, is to continually remind Skylar of all the ways she could be abducted, tortured and killed every time he sees her.
I don’t know about you, but that comes off a
3. The heroine is a kindergarten teacher and encompasses EVERY stereotypical thing you could possibly imagine with that job title. Cue eye roll. I don’t know about you, but I am so over heroines who are kindergarten/preschool teachers, bakers, artists, and ballerinas.
4. The ‘sexy times’…….
This is a new author to me, so I’m not familiar with her work. I discovered that she likes to use the term “make love.”
……………………………………………..
Everyone has their trigger words. For some it’s “moist.” For others, it’s the endearment, “honey.” For others, it’s “make love.” For me, it’s ALL OF THOSE. GAG!!!!
Putting that aside, the hot and heavy times were totally awkward. The dialog had me squirming and giggling uncomfortably.
Despite those issues, I actually enjoyed this book. Plus, it really picked up towards the last 25%.
Since I got it for free on Amazon via KU, and the next one in the series is also free, I will be continuing on with this series.
*Also, the epilogue of this book isn’t actually an epilogue but a preview chapter of the next book where some chick has prosopagnosia. Yeah, I didn’t know what that was either, but now that I do, I am going to have to read book 2.
November 21, 2020
I love the we are getting another team to fall in love with. I'm such a fan of Susan Stoker's heroes. Trusting Skylar was like an adorable love story with some serious and a bit of dark content. You wouldn't think that those two would go together, but I find that this author is really good at this kind of romance.
The adorable love story is more about how the heroine, Skylar is a kindergarten teacher who has somewhat of a charmed life and just sees the good in people. She goes above and beyond for her kids and while she has had brushes of not so good people, she still has some naivety to her.
The darker content of the story is the evil that our hero, Bull and his teammates see everyday with their secret job with the government. Bull takes one look at Skylar and he sees so much innocence and all he wants to do is preserve that in her but also open her eyes to the dangers of the world so that she will always be protected.
While Skylar and Bull's courtship was not always realistic, it was romantic and cute and a lot of what I like to see in a feel good love story. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series!
The adorable love story is more about how the heroine, Skylar is a kindergarten teacher who has somewhat of a charmed life and just sees the good in people. She goes above and beyond for her kids and while she has had brushes of not so good people, she still has some naivety to her.
The darker content of the story is the evil that our hero, Bull and his teammates see everyday with their secret job with the government. Bull takes one look at Skylar and he sees so much innocence and all he wants to do is preserve that in her but also open her eyes to the dangers of the world so that she will always be protected.
While Skylar and Bull's courtship was not always realistic, it was romantic and cute and a lot of what I like to see in a feel good love story. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series!
December 11, 2020
Frustrating and preachy
I’m actually surprised that I finished this book. I’ve read a lot of the authors previous stories, but I think this is my last one. I liked Bull and his friends, even Sandra. I didn’t like Sky and pretty much the way she handled anything, especially Bull revealing his secret. The pacing of the story seemed slow too, but that could be because of the other content.
The thing that bothered me most was feeling preached at. Everyone is aware of the current issues with school funding and how some people feel they are treated. Dragging on for pages about it again and again made it feel like the author was trying to force those things to the forefront of the book. It went beyond raising awareness to standing on a soapbox with a bullhorn. If you want to write a book about those things , then write a book about those things. But tone it down in a romance. A paragraph here or there is one thing, but please don’t go on and on... and on. I read romance to take a break from current issues and remember that there are positive things in the world. This book definitely didn’t give me the escape I was looking for. And unfortunately, I have felt that same discontent with the last couple books I’ve read by this author. I guess they are just not for me anymore. Sad.
I’m actually surprised that I finished this book. I’ve read a lot of the authors previous stories, but I think this is my last one. I liked Bull and his friends, even Sandra. I didn’t like Sky and pretty much the way she handled anything, especially Bull revealing his secret. The pacing of the story seemed slow too, but that could be because of the other content.
The thing that bothered me most was feeling preached at. Everyone is aware of the current issues with school funding and how some people feel they are treated. Dragging on for pages about it again and again made it feel like the author was trying to force those things to the forefront of the book. It went beyond raising awareness to standing on a soapbox with a bullhorn. If you want to write a book about those things , then write a book about those things. But tone it down in a romance. A paragraph here or there is one thing, but please don’t go on and on... and on. I read romance to take a break from current issues and remember that there are positive things in the world. This book definitely didn’t give me the escape I was looking for. And unfortunately, I have felt that same discontent with the last couple books I’ve read by this author. I guess they are just not for me anymore. Sad.
November 27, 2020
Ah guilty pleasure time. Sometimes I love to escape into a story where a no messing alpha sees what he wants and single-mindedly goes after her.
In real life this would be classic stage five clinger behaviour, but it's so easy to get lost in this story and not be weirded out by the guy publicly declaring his intentions as he picks her up for their first date.
And I have a few unresolved questions about just how a tow truck company can turn such a tidy profit, but, yeah, details.
I loved the feels I got from this and the tension built nicely towards a dangerous situation that, of course, required a daring rescue.
This is the first in a new series about a group of four ex delta force vets who run the (extremely profitable) tow truck company while enjoying a super secret sideline in black ops. This is Bull's story and it's a complete story that could be read as a standalone. I already know I'll be scrambling to read about the others. Recommended.
*Thanks to the publishers via netgalley for my arc.*
In real life this would be classic stage five clinger behaviour, but it's so easy to get lost in this story and not be weirded out by the guy publicly declaring his intentions as he picks her up for their first date.
And I have a few unresolved questions about just how a tow truck company can turn such a tidy profit, but, yeah, details.
I loved the feels I got from this and the tension built nicely towards a dangerous situation that, of course, required a daring rescue.
This is the first in a new series about a group of four ex delta force vets who run the (extremely profitable) tow truck company while enjoying a super secret sideline in black ops. This is Bull's story and it's a complete story that could be read as a standalone. I already know I'll be scrambling to read about the others. Recommended.
*Thanks to the publishers via netgalley for my arc.*
Read
November 20, 2020Their jobs are dangerous, but so is falling in love. When you have something to lose, risking it all suddenly becomes something more than a given. As good as they are at saving lives, the men of Silverstone are equally good at protecting the women they love.
Trusting Skylar
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3d57zQQ
Amazon UK: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B085XWDTJ8/
Amazon AU: www.amazon.com.au/dp/B085XWDTJ8
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Audio: https://adbl.co/3fNE4V6
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Add to your TBR shelf at Goodreads https://bit.ly/2LCoI7I
Trusting Skylar
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3d57zQQ
Amazon UK: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B085XWDTJ8/
Amazon AU: www.amazon.com.au/dp/B085XWDTJ8
Amazon CA: www.amazon.ca/dp/B085XWDTJ8/
Audio: https://adbl.co/3fNE4V6
Paperback: https://amzn.to/3aY5Pa8
Add to your TBR shelf at Goodreads https://bit.ly/2LCoI7I
December 11, 2020
Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) provided by the Author and Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an fair and honest review.
My bar wasn't set very high for this book to begin with and it didn't even reach my lowest level of expectation. In other world, this book was boring. A real snooze, perfect if you can't sleep at night. The hero was a loner whose family is his Team brothers. The heroine is a sweet, innocent, inner city kindergarten teacher. The book didn't tax the reader by trying to get beyond the superficial, but repetitive dialogue and the angst factor made skim reading a must.
When Army Delta solider, Carson “Bull” Rhodes, and his team find themselves out of the Army, they decide to stay together and open Silverstone Towing as a way to make money and cover their clandestine operations based on intel from the FBI and Homeland Security. He has had his fill of the kind of casual relationships that are necessary when you really can't be honest with a woman about what you really do. Enter the beautiful, innocent, kindergarten teacher, Skyler Reid, who is stranded on the side of the road.
Skyler has been hurt in the past and is very wary when it comes to men. She just doesn't trust her instincts when it comes to picking a good one. She is a very giving teacher, going way beyond for her students on a daily basis. As she gets closer to Bull, she judges him to be one of the good ones . . . until he comes clean about what he really does.
As Skyler and Bull take a time out, a stalker is ramping up his plans and this has nothing to do with Bull's secret activities, but his skills sure come in handy when Skyler and one of her students are in danger.
My bar wasn't set very high for this book to begin with and it didn't even reach my lowest level of expectation. In other world, this book was boring. A real snooze, perfect if you can't sleep at night. The hero was a loner whose family is his Team brothers. The heroine is a sweet, innocent, inner city kindergarten teacher. The book didn't tax the reader by trying to get beyond the superficial, but repetitive dialogue and the angst factor made skim reading a must.
When Army Delta solider, Carson “Bull” Rhodes, and his team find themselves out of the Army, they decide to stay together and open Silverstone Towing as a way to make money and cover their clandestine operations based on intel from the FBI and Homeland Security. He has had his fill of the kind of casual relationships that are necessary when you really can't be honest with a woman about what you really do. Enter the beautiful, innocent, kindergarten teacher, Skyler Reid, who is stranded on the side of the road.
Skyler has been hurt in the past and is very wary when it comes to men. She just doesn't trust her instincts when it comes to picking a good one. She is a very giving teacher, going way beyond for her students on a daily basis. As she gets closer to Bull, she judges him to be one of the good ones . . . until he comes clean about what he really does.
As Skyler and Bull take a time out, a stalker is ramping up his plans and this has nothing to do with Bull's secret activities, but his skills sure come in handy when Skyler and one of her students are in danger.
November 24, 2020
It's been a while since I've had the chance to get my hands on an advanced reader copy of a Susan Stoker novel, so long in fact that I'd forgotten just how fabulous her novels are, and this first book in her new Silverstone series, was a gem, and was it ever worth waiting for. I was hooked from the start and loved every minute of it--it's a 5-star read.
Carson "Bull" Rhodes and his Delta Force teammates, Eagle, Gramps and Smoke, have formed a close bond/brotherhood over their many missions, and while taking down one terrorist leader, thanks to Eagle's ability to never forget a face, they manage to not only take down their target, but one one slightly lower on the list at the same time. Instead of being lauded, their superiors are livid and it's been decided that the team will be separated, and when their enlistments are up, will not be allowed to re-enlist. The guys are devastated, and while they're drinking at a local bar, are approached by a stranger, who just may have the solution to their separation from each other and the military, and, after some discussion and surprising news, Silverstone Towing is born in Indianapolis--a legitimate business that's a cover for these men to continue doing what they are best at--killing terrorists, serial killers, child sex-traffickers and drug lords. Five years later, it's a successful venture and doing well.
One night, when Bull goes out to pick up a stranded driver and her car, he meets Skylar Reid, who is unlike anyone he's ever met--she's a 32-year-old kindergarten teacher with a heart of gold, and when Bull gets on her case about pulling off the road near a copse of trees, the fact that she never asked him to prove who he was, was standing outside her car when he arrived, she's both put off by his domineering attitude but attracted to his protectiveness, his good looks, and soon, his charm--and so their relationship begins, and I absolutely loved these two characters and the way their relationship developed. Big, tough, dominant Bull has a truly sweet and sensitive side that drew Skyler and this reader like a bee to a rose garden. As a former teacher, Skylar's love, commitment and dedication to her giving her young, disadvantaged students the best start in life she possibly could, impressed the heck out of Bull, as well as it impressed me. And when the relationship between these two really heats up--wow!
This is far more than a simple romance novel--there are stumbling blocks ahead, some you will see coming and some you won't. If you think that wondering how Skylar will handle the truth about what Bull and his friends really do when they aren't towing cars, is the only one, are you ever going to be surprised--especially considering the fact that there is another mission ahead soon, time is short in this new relationship, and if that isn't enough, there's a plot twist I certainly didn't see coming.
This was, quite simply, an excellent, emotional, tender, steamy, well-paced, well written, well plotted novel with wonderful characters and I cannot recommend it highly enough, and, finally, I cannot wait to read the rest of the novels in this series!
As stated at the outset, I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy of this novel. The opinions expressed are my own.
Carson "Bull" Rhodes and his Delta Force teammates, Eagle, Gramps and Smoke, have formed a close bond/brotherhood over their many missions, and while taking down one terrorist leader, thanks to Eagle's ability to never forget a face, they manage to not only take down their target, but one one slightly lower on the list at the same time. Instead of being lauded, their superiors are livid and it's been decided that the team will be separated, and when their enlistments are up, will not be allowed to re-enlist. The guys are devastated, and while they're drinking at a local bar, are approached by a stranger, who just may have the solution to their separation from each other and the military, and, after some discussion and surprising news, Silverstone Towing is born in Indianapolis--a legitimate business that's a cover for these men to continue doing what they are best at--killing terrorists, serial killers, child sex-traffickers and drug lords. Five years later, it's a successful venture and doing well.
One night, when Bull goes out to pick up a stranded driver and her car, he meets Skylar Reid, who is unlike anyone he's ever met--she's a 32-year-old kindergarten teacher with a heart of gold, and when Bull gets on her case about pulling off the road near a copse of trees, the fact that she never asked him to prove who he was, was standing outside her car when he arrived, she's both put off by his domineering attitude but attracted to his protectiveness, his good looks, and soon, his charm--and so their relationship begins, and I absolutely loved these two characters and the way their relationship developed. Big, tough, dominant Bull has a truly sweet and sensitive side that drew Skyler and this reader like a bee to a rose garden. As a former teacher, Skylar's love, commitment and dedication to her giving her young, disadvantaged students the best start in life she possibly could, impressed the heck out of Bull, as well as it impressed me. And when the relationship between these two really heats up--wow!
This is far more than a simple romance novel--there are stumbling blocks ahead, some you will see coming and some you won't. If you think that wondering how Skylar will handle the truth about what Bull and his friends really do when they aren't towing cars, is the only one, are you ever going to be surprised--especially considering the fact that there is another mission ahead soon, time is short in this new relationship, and if that isn't enough, there's a plot twist I certainly didn't see coming.
This was, quite simply, an excellent, emotional, tender, steamy, well-paced, well written, well plotted novel with wonderful characters and I cannot recommend it highly enough, and, finally, I cannot wait to read the rest of the novels in this series!
As stated at the outset, I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy of this novel. The opinions expressed are my own.
April 11, 2022
Needs review
December 31, 2020
This book is one of suspense as the genre suggests. As with a number of Susan Stoker stories the focus is on military teams. This one features an ex Delta team that due to political reasons decided to leave the military and form their own black op group working for or with the FBI and Homeland Security, fronted by a tow truck business.
The 4 men Bull, Eagle, Smoke and Gramps are as close as family and run their outward facing business well keeping their extracurricular business on the downlow. They have discussed the potential of meeting a female and divulging their secrets to the ‘right’ woman.
Bull is the first to fall after feeling jaded returning from a mission and deciding to undertake a towing job he meets Skylar, a kindergarten teacher who sees the good in everyone. They fall fast but he isn’t sure how she will react to what he actually does.
When Skylar finds her life on the line Bull does everything he can to save her.
The story certainly features suspense however not to the same degree as others I have read by Susan Stoker. It kept me engaged in the story and is well written. I liked the characters and I’m looking forward to learning more as the series continues. There was slight repetition in outlining Skylars naivety and Bull believing he wasn’t good enough for her but other than that there are no negatives from me.
I received a copy of this book on return for my honest review.
#TrustingSkylar #NetGalley
The 4 men Bull, Eagle, Smoke and Gramps are as close as family and run their outward facing business well keeping their extracurricular business on the downlow. They have discussed the potential of meeting a female and divulging their secrets to the ‘right’ woman.
Bull is the first to fall after feeling jaded returning from a mission and deciding to undertake a towing job he meets Skylar, a kindergarten teacher who sees the good in everyone. They fall fast but he isn’t sure how she will react to what he actually does.
When Skylar finds her life on the line Bull does everything he can to save her.
The story certainly features suspense however not to the same degree as others I have read by Susan Stoker. It kept me engaged in the story and is well written. I liked the characters and I’m looking forward to learning more as the series continues. There was slight repetition in outlining Skylars naivety and Bull believing he wasn’t good enough for her but other than that there are no negatives from me.
I received a copy of this book on return for my honest review.
#TrustingSkylar #NetGalley
December 7, 2020
Susan Stoker has been using the same predictable story line for the last several series. As a reader and reviewer I like to see if the author changes up their style of writing. Susan Stoker uses the same story lines just change them enough to sound like a new story or series.
Her stories are unbelievable and over the top at the best. This new series isn't anything new and it neither add to her current book list. The story is all introduction to the new characters, their past and what the future will be focused on.
The story works for those who are fans of this authors writing style.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of Susan Stoker Trusting Skyler.
Her stories are unbelievable and over the top at the best. This new series isn't anything new and it neither add to her current book list. The story is all introduction to the new characters, their past and what the future will be focused on.
The story works for those who are fans of this authors writing style.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of Susan Stoker Trusting Skyler.
Read
July 27, 2020Susan Stoker is taking everything you love about her protective, alpha heroes and bringing it to a whole new level in her Silverstone series. A perfect mixture of swoony romance and edge-of-your-seat suspense, Trusting Skylar is a must-read romantic suspense fans.
June 20, 2021
Trochę myślałam że to będzie inaczej ale nie znaczy to że było źle bo było naprawdę emocjonująco. Zwłaszcza z powodu małej Sandry. Nienawidzę tego naprawdę szczerze z całego serca nienawidzę... o.
June 20, 2021
przyjemna historia, nie zabrakło akcji czy też elementu zaskoczenia ;)
October 2, 2021
Repetitive, Boring, & Sickly Sweet Characters
As an English Major with a concentration in fiction, I’ve learned a lot of things about good and bad writing. For one, if you want your characters to seem real, they NEED to have flaws. If they are too perfect (like with these characters) then the story is boring and the people aren’t realistic. There’s also lots of dialogue and information that the author should have left out. If the dialogue doesn’t move the story along, cut it. I’d say about half of the book should be cut. I also highly recommend she get an editor (or a better one if she already has one). The readers don’t need to know about every single student in her class, and their parents, and their parent’s jobs etc. If the characters don’t play an important role in the story, leave them out or glance over them. We also don’t need to know every single person’s race/ethnicity. She pushes race on the reader over and over again and it makes it seem like the author may be struggling with her own racism/prejudices, and like she is trying to overdo it in the book to prove to everyone that she’s not a racist. Her comments about where the teacher lives and how her color makes her not fit in is also disgusting. I don’t want to hear her say that people don’t fit into a place because of their skin color.
I won’t be reading anymore from this author until she educates herself on a lot of things, including what good writing is. This book reads like it’s her first draft.
As an English Major with a concentration in fiction, I’ve learned a lot of things about good and bad writing. For one, if you want your characters to seem real, they NEED to have flaws. If they are too perfect (like with these characters) then the story is boring and the people aren’t realistic. There’s also lots of dialogue and information that the author should have left out. If the dialogue doesn’t move the story along, cut it. I’d say about half of the book should be cut. I also highly recommend she get an editor (or a better one if she already has one). The readers don’t need to know about every single student in her class, and their parents, and their parent’s jobs etc. If the characters don’t play an important role in the story, leave them out or glance over them. We also don’t need to know every single person’s race/ethnicity. She pushes race on the reader over and over again and it makes it seem like the author may be struggling with her own racism/prejudices, and like she is trying to overdo it in the book to prove to everyone that she’s not a racist. Her comments about where the teacher lives and how her color makes her not fit in is also disgusting. I don’t want to hear her say that people don’t fit into a place because of their skin color.
I won’t be reading anymore from this author until she educates herself on a lot of things, including what good writing is. This book reads like it’s her first draft.
December 21, 2020
I actually did not finish this book. I was enjoying it until the author decided to lecture me about white privilege and racism.
April 11, 2021
Bardzo ciekawa historia, trochę inna niż sztampowe historie. Lubię jak bohaterowie mają dylematy, a tu zdecydowanie tak było. Zakończenie zachęca do sięgnięcia po kolejną część.
January 22, 2021
This is like a 2.5 for me. I listened on audiobook so that might have affected it negatively by a little, but I had a lot of issues with both main characters.
There are a lot of weird preachy moments that the hero has that are like so clearly things that the writer thinks a man would say, but are just not things a man would say. For example, there were so many long diatribes about personal safety to the point it read like an instruction manual and there were multiple paragraphs about how teachers are underpaid and deserve more. It felt like too much. Like they were things the author thinks, and wanted to share so she had her male just spout on about them.
I like alpha heroes to an extent, but Bull was borderline misogynistic in some of the shit he said. He pretty much inserted himself into and then took over Skylar’s life and schedule within a week. Red Flag.
Skylar herself wasn’t really that bad, but the way people talked about her and handled her drove me nuts. How many conversations do you need to have about how ‘innocent and sweet’ the heroine is? Bull has conversations like this with his friends, her parents, her neighbors, and even her. If I were her I’d be insulted. Let the story do the talking and let readers draw their own conclusions rather than including testimonials from every single person that meets the girl. We can see she’s nice from the actions she takes, it doesn’t need to be reiterated via dialogue 10,000 times..
It was also so weird to have her poised as like the Snow White of the ghetto being ‘protected’ by all the hood people in her neighborhood. The neighborhood that they tell you in multiple conversations is so extremely dangerous but that she insists on living in to prove she can be self sufficient. Sharing all her holy white privilege with her poor, brown students. This part of the story just screamed white savior complex to me....
I don’t think I was the target audience for this one.
Side note: I was VERY creeped out by the twist in the story especially considering we experience a POV of the villain while he is fantasizing about his victim. You’re lead to believe the fantasy is about Skylar, which is disturbing enough as it is, but to later find out that he was targeting a child and thus that was the object of his fantasy is just really fricken disturbing to me. I wish that part of the POV was not included.
There are a lot of weird preachy moments that the hero has that are like so clearly things that the writer thinks a man would say, but are just not things a man would say. For example, there were so many long diatribes about personal safety to the point it read like an instruction manual and there were multiple paragraphs about how teachers are underpaid and deserve more. It felt like too much. Like they were things the author thinks, and wanted to share so she had her male just spout on about them.
I like alpha heroes to an extent, but Bull was borderline misogynistic in some of the shit he said. He pretty much inserted himself into and then took over Skylar’s life and schedule within a week. Red Flag.
Skylar herself wasn’t really that bad, but the way people talked about her and handled her drove me nuts. How many conversations do you need to have about how ‘innocent and sweet’ the heroine is? Bull has conversations like this with his friends, her parents, her neighbors, and even her. If I were her I’d be insulted. Let the story do the talking and let readers draw their own conclusions rather than including testimonials from every single person that meets the girl. We can see she’s nice from the actions she takes, it doesn’t need to be reiterated via dialogue 10,000 times..
It was also so weird to have her poised as like the Snow White of the ghetto being ‘protected’ by all the hood people in her neighborhood. The neighborhood that they tell you in multiple conversations is so extremely dangerous but that she insists on living in to prove she can be self sufficient. Sharing all her holy white privilege with her poor, brown students. This part of the story just screamed white savior complex to me....
I don’t think I was the target audience for this one.
Side note: I was VERY creeped out by the twist in the story especially considering we experience a POV of the villain while he is fantasizing about his victim. You’re lead to believe the fantasy is about Skylar, which is disturbing enough as it is, but to later find out that he was targeting a child and thus that was the object of his fantasy is just really fricken disturbing to me. I wish that part of the POV was not included.
February 2, 2024
This was a surprise - I wasn't expecting to get to read this for another couple months!
Carson & Skylar's story is intense, wonderful, and highly enjoyable! I love the beginning of this new series & am looking forward to Eagle, Smoke & Gramps getting their HEAs! Especially after the tease of Eagle's book. The way all the guys rally around Bull & Sky's relationship was very heartwarming in a BA Alpha sort of way. ; )
I love the way Carson & Skylar meet - he's immediately protective of her & she's drawn to him at least in part because of that. He makes her feel safe, and she makes his heart beat. The majority of the story is their getting to know each other, and us getting to know them. There's the sweet, the fun, the steam & of course the (should be patented) chance for Sky to be a hero as well as Carson. She proves that just because you're innocent & naive in a lot of ways doesn't mean you're weak. She is a BA in her own right!!
Love the story & so happy to have been able to immerse in it!!
: )
Carson & Skylar's story is intense, wonderful, and highly enjoyable! I love the beginning of this new series & am looking forward to Eagle, Smoke & Gramps getting their HEAs! Especially after the tease of Eagle's book. The way all the guys rally around Bull & Sky's relationship was very heartwarming in a BA Alpha sort of way. ; )
I love the way Carson & Skylar meet - he's immediately protective of her & she's drawn to him at least in part because of that. He makes her feel safe, and she makes his heart beat. The majority of the story is their getting to know each other, and us getting to know them. There's the sweet, the fun, the steam & of course the (should be patented) chance for Sky to be a hero as well as Carson. She proves that just because you're innocent & naive in a lot of ways doesn't mean you're weak. She is a BA in her own right!!
Love the story & so happy to have been able to immerse in it!!
: )
December 18, 2020
Carson and his three military buddies have devoted their lives to serving their country only to find out that their efforts were not appreciated. They now manage Silverstone Towing but their real mission is to ensure that those who are the most dangerous are dealt with in a lethal way.
Skyler is a teacher who would do anything for those she cares about however she hasn’t made the best choices when it comes to her romantic past. When her car needs to be towed it is Carson that comes to her aid and from their first meeting there is no denying the chemistry between them but will his occupation and the danger escalating around Skyler be too much to overcome?
All of Carson’s protective instincts come to the forefront when he meets Skylar and there is nothing he won’t do to keep her safe while Skylar is stronger and more resilient than even she realizes. This is a great start to a new series and I am looking forward to his teammates stories.
Skyler is a teacher who would do anything for those she cares about however she hasn’t made the best choices when it comes to her romantic past. When her car needs to be towed it is Carson that comes to her aid and from their first meeting there is no denying the chemistry between them but will his occupation and the danger escalating around Skyler be too much to overcome?
All of Carson’s protective instincts come to the forefront when he meets Skylar and there is nothing he won’t do to keep her safe while Skylar is stronger and more resilient than even she realizes. This is a great start to a new series and I am looking forward to his teammates stories.
December 21, 2020
What a great start to a fab new series! Loved "Bull" and Skylar!! And as a former teacher, I always love when teachers are the leading ladies! Wonderful story!
June 21, 2021
Well…
I hate how these stories are hit or miss for me. This one was just okay. I had a hard time staying engrossed in the storyline.
I hate how these stories are hit or miss for me. This one was just okay. I had a hard time staying engrossed in the storyline.
January 19, 2021
Liked it!
This was a good first book of the series about Carson (nickname Bull) and Skylar. He is part owner of a towering company, which is also a front for their other job which is working as a black ops team for the government. She is a kindergarten teacher. Good story. Can't wait to read the next book.
This was a good first book of the series about Carson (nickname Bull) and Skylar. He is part owner of a towering company, which is also a front for their other job which is working as a black ops team for the government. She is a kindergarten teacher. Good story. Can't wait to read the next book.
April 8, 2021
Another strong start to a new series. I really enjoy Susan Stoker’s writing style and character development. I will definitely be continuing with this series.
November 24, 2020
A VERY solid start to a new series! I always seek out Stoker's books when I'm in the mood for some suspense, but this one brings the romance to the forefront and made me love the couple - before any action kicked in. The focus is definitely on our couple and the guilt our hero feels about not only lying about his job, but also not being a good enough man for this kind, somewhat naive heroine. While there are touches of suspense, it stays in the background for much of the story. So I was able to truly connect to this couple's relationship before things escalated, and that made for a much more satisfying read.
The story follows Carson "Bull," a former military operative whose team was sidelined after they took out an unapproved target. Though this group of four friends truly believe they were in the right by taking out a terrorist, the government doesn't see it that way. Fast forward five years later, and this group of friends has started up their own team, running a successful towing business as a front while taking out targets in secret with the assistance, if not approval, of the government. When Carson meets kindergarten teacher Skylar, he's immediately smitten and taken aback by her genuine kindness and positive outlook. It's something he craves in his own life, but no longer feels worthy of - he does kill people for a living, after all. As the two get closer, Carson has to figure out the right time to tell the woman he's falling for that there's more to the man she's given her heart to.
I love the concept behind this series - it's romance first, suspense second. There's definite potential with future storylines, and each of these men seems to truly want love in their lives, whether they feel like they can keep it or not. While there's one pretty dark storyline (involving children) that ramps up the action, the focus is on the complexities of falling for someone when you're keeping a secret. I loved Carson - he's caring and protective, a true gentleman in a lot of ways while also being an alpha. Skylar felt too sheltered at times, but that's also part of the story. She's no damsel in distress, but she's certainly too trusting. I liked a lot of the concepts here, and the actual relationship is a great slow burn with plenty of sweetness. I do have to mention that a few of the references to race sat wrong for me, but it's also clear that the author is making a concerted effort to include a more diverse group of characters in her stories, which I appreciate. I'm definitely intrigued by the other guys we met, and am looking forward to more from the series. I received an early copy via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review of this suspenseful romance.
The story follows Carson "Bull," a former military operative whose team was sidelined after they took out an unapproved target. Though this group of four friends truly believe they were in the right by taking out a terrorist, the government doesn't see it that way. Fast forward five years later, and this group of friends has started up their own team, running a successful towing business as a front while taking out targets in secret with the assistance, if not approval, of the government. When Carson meets kindergarten teacher Skylar, he's immediately smitten and taken aback by her genuine kindness and positive outlook. It's something he craves in his own life, but no longer feels worthy of - he does kill people for a living, after all. As the two get closer, Carson has to figure out the right time to tell the woman he's falling for that there's more to the man she's given her heart to.
I love the concept behind this series - it's romance first, suspense second. There's definite potential with future storylines, and each of these men seems to truly want love in their lives, whether they feel like they can keep it or not. While there's one pretty dark storyline (involving children) that ramps up the action, the focus is on the complexities of falling for someone when you're keeping a secret. I loved Carson - he's caring and protective, a true gentleman in a lot of ways while also being an alpha. Skylar felt too sheltered at times, but that's also part of the story. She's no damsel in distress, but she's certainly too trusting. I liked a lot of the concepts here, and the actual relationship is a great slow burn with plenty of sweetness. I do have to mention that a few of the references to race sat wrong for me, but it's also clear that the author is making a concerted effort to include a more diverse group of characters in her stories, which I appreciate. I'm definitely intrigued by the other guys we met, and am looking forward to more from the series. I received an early copy via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review of this suspenseful romance.
December 20, 2020
Trusting Skylar by Susan Stoker
Silverstone #1
Excellent introduction to what will no doubt be a splendid series! The first chapter set the stage, introduced four men that I admired, and made me want to see what would happen next.
What I liked:
* Carson “Bull” Rhodes: capable, precision shooter, great teammate, friends closer than brothers, excellent boyfriend material, really liked him
* Skylar Reid: kindergarten teacher, warm-hearted, caring, a bit naïve, great friend, fierce, loyal, really liked her.
* Smoke, Eagle and Gramps: business partners with Bull in Silverstone, teammates, exceptional men – can’t wait to learn who they will end up with when their books are written.
* Shawn Archer and his daughter Sandra: good people that needed a break as their life wasn’t easy
* Tiana and some other neighbors of Skylar
* Dayana and Corey Reid: Skylar’s parents…they made me smile
* The relationship that developed between Carson and Skylar
* The way Silverstone treated their employees
* All of it really except…
What I didn’t like:
* Jay Ricketts: so glad he didn’t get away with what he had planned
* Having to say goodbye to the characters and now having to wait for the next book to be available.
Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Definitely!
Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for the ARC – This is my honest review.
5 Stars
Silverstone #1
Excellent introduction to what will no doubt be a splendid series! The first chapter set the stage, introduced four men that I admired, and made me want to see what would happen next.
What I liked:
* Carson “Bull” Rhodes: capable, precision shooter, great teammate, friends closer than brothers, excellent boyfriend material, really liked him
* Skylar Reid: kindergarten teacher, warm-hearted, caring, a bit naïve, great friend, fierce, loyal, really liked her.
* Smoke, Eagle and Gramps: business partners with Bull in Silverstone, teammates, exceptional men – can’t wait to learn who they will end up with when their books are written.
* Shawn Archer and his daughter Sandra: good people that needed a break as their life wasn’t easy
* Tiana and some other neighbors of Skylar
* Dayana and Corey Reid: Skylar’s parents…they made me smile
* The relationship that developed between Carson and Skylar
* The way Silverstone treated their employees
* All of it really except…
What I didn’t like:
* Jay Ricketts: so glad he didn’t get away with what he had planned
* Having to say goodbye to the characters and now having to wait for the next book to be available.
Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Definitely!
Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for the ARC – This is my honest review.
5 Stars
June 21, 2021
ARC received for review
Great start to this new series. We briefly hear about Silverstone Towing in Rex and Raven's HEA (Defending Raven). Silverstone goes in and takes care of the really bad guys. According to the military they took out one too many (which was not the case), and Silverstone was born. Carson meets Skylar when her car breaks down. He "yells" at her for being too trusting. He falls hard and fast, and so does she. She runs when she finds out his other job. Her neighbor helps, plus getting kidnapped by a bad guy does too.
The teaser for the next book...I'm betting it's going to be Eagle's
Note to author/publisher...in my ARC I think the first two paragraphs are completely unnecessary
Great start to this new series. We briefly hear about Silverstone Towing in Rex and Raven's HEA (Defending Raven). Silverstone goes in and takes care of the really bad guys. According to the military they took out one too many (which was not the case), and Silverstone was born. Carson meets Skylar when her car breaks down. He "yells" at her for being too trusting. He falls hard and fast, and so does she. She runs when she finds out his other job. Her neighbor helps, plus getting kidnapped by a bad guy does too.
The teaser for the next book...I'm betting it's going to be Eagle's
Note to author/publisher...in my ARC I think the first two paragraphs are completely unnecessary
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