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Soldiers of Fury MC #1
Lies & Deception
How can something that feels so right be so wrong?
Detective Mitch O'Neill is the ideal man to infiltrate the Soldiers of Fury Motorcycle Club. His ex-boyfriend, Peter, is pledged with the club, which provides Mitch with the perfect cover. Despite the relationship ending badly, he's come to terms with Peter's drug addiction and his inability to help. All Mitch wants now is to bring down the Soldiers and the club president, Rocky Cummings, once and for all.
Finn Cummings hates everything the motorcycle club stands for, but he's unable to escape his brother's clutches. When Mitch is assigned as Finn's driver, they spend countless hours together, and the saying proves true--opposites do attract. Finn agonises over his feelings for Mitch--the last thing he wants is to involve himself further with criminals, not when he wants to leave that world. Mitch tries to come to terms with falling for a member of the outlaw club he's determined to destroy.
If they can survive the fallout from Rocky's violence and the investigation, they might discover it's not a case of opposites attract after all.
Note: This book has been previously published. The story content has not changed from the previously published version. There are minor changes only, specifically changing to use Australian English spelling and grammar.
Detective Mitch O'Neill is the ideal man to infiltrate the Soldiers of Fury Motorcycle Club. His ex-boyfriend, Peter, is pledged with the club, which provides Mitch with the perfect cover. Despite the relationship ending badly, he's come to terms with Peter's drug addiction and his inability to help. All Mitch wants now is to bring down the Soldiers and the club president, Rocky Cummings, once and for all.
Finn Cummings hates everything the motorcycle club stands for, but he's unable to escape his brother's clutches. When Mitch is assigned as Finn's driver, they spend countless hours together, and the saying proves true--opposites do attract. Finn agonises over his feelings for Mitch--the last thing he wants is to involve himself further with criminals, not when he wants to leave that world. Mitch tries to come to terms with falling for a member of the outlaw club he's determined to destroy.
If they can survive the fallout from Rocky's violence and the investigation, they might discover it's not a case of opposites attract after all.
Note: This book has been previously published. The story content has not changed from the previously published version. There are minor changes only, specifically changing to use Australian English spelling and grammar.
202 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 26, 2018
23 people are currently reading
156 people want to read
About the author
Nic Starr
44 books368 followersNic Starr lives in Australia where she tries to squeeze as much into her busy life as possible. Balancing the demands of a corporate career with raising a family and writing can be challenging but she wouldn’t give it up for the world.
Always a reader, the lure of m/m romance was strong and she devoured hundreds of wonderful m/m romance books before eventually realising she had some stories of her own that needed to be told!
When not writing or reading, she loves to spend time with her family–an understanding husband and two beautiful daughters–and is often found indulging in her love of cooking and planning her dream home in the country.
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Always a reader, the lure of m/m romance was strong and she devoured hundreds of wonderful m/m romance books before eventually realising she had some stories of her own that needed to be told!
When not writing or reading, she loves to spend time with her family–an understanding husband and two beautiful daughters–and is often found indulging in her love of cooking and planning her dream home in the country.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
June 26, 2018
3.5*
I've not read this author before so I wasn't sure what I'd get from this suspense romance which focuses on a Sydney biker gang.
Well, what I got was a cracking good story with great characters, a solid plot and good world building, and even though the romance was a secondary element, it worked well.
Both Finn and Mitch had good character depth and they worked well as a pairing, with a slow burn vibe. The book is light on steam but not lacking in chemistry between the two.
I'm not sure it felt particularly Aussie to me though, other than the odd colloquial term native to the country. All in all though, a good solid read.
#ARC kindly provided by the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.
I've not read this author before so I wasn't sure what I'd get from this suspense romance which focuses on a Sydney biker gang.
Well, what I got was a cracking good story with great characters, a solid plot and good world building, and even though the romance was a secondary element, it worked well.
Both Finn and Mitch had good character depth and they worked well as a pairing, with a slow burn vibe. The book is light on steam but not lacking in chemistry between the two.
I'm not sure it felt particularly Aussie to me though, other than the odd colloquial term native to the country. All in all though, a good solid read.
#ARC kindly provided by the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.
August 28, 2018
This was super good. I'm not sure why I tried this because I have a bad record with motorcycle club books. But, hope springs eternal and both the cover and the blurb caught my eye. I'm so glad I tried this because I liked it a lot.
The blurb does a good job explaining the overall plot. I was immediately caught up in the story and I also immediately liked both of the main characters. I wasn't sure I would find Finn's problems legitimate but I did and I really felt sorry for the bind he was in.
When Mitch and Finn finally get together their chemistry is off the charts. I loved the two of them together and was rooting for them the entire time.
The overall plot in regards to Mitch infiltrating the MC club was fast paced and entertaining. There is a bunch of action and it feels realistic without being too gritty.
The side characters really added to the story. I was hoping the bad guy would get his (you'll have to read to see if he does) and I was hoping for something good to happen for Peter (maybe he'll get a book of his own someday?).
This was my first time reading this author but I will definitely be checking out her other works. This was one of the more entertaining stories I've read so far this year and I highly recommend this.
The blurb does a good job explaining the overall plot. I was immediately caught up in the story and I also immediately liked both of the main characters. I wasn't sure I would find Finn's problems legitimate but I did and I really felt sorry for the bind he was in.
When Mitch and Finn finally get together their chemistry is off the charts. I loved the two of them together and was rooting for them the entire time.
The overall plot in regards to Mitch infiltrating the MC club was fast paced and entertaining. There is a bunch of action and it feels realistic without being too gritty.
The side characters really added to the story. I was hoping the bad guy would get his (you'll have to read to see if he does) and I was hoping for something good to happen for Peter (maybe he'll get a book of his own someday?).
This was my first time reading this author but I will definitely be checking out her other works. This was one of the more entertaining stories I've read so far this year and I highly recommend this.
September 19, 2018
***3.5 stars***
More mystery/suspense than relationship driven, which I thought went well with the story. I really liked the way the author wrote the scenes, to the point it I could visualize the story. I definitely will continue on with the series :)
More mystery/suspense than relationship driven, which I thought went well with the story. I really liked the way the author wrote the scenes, to the point it I could visualize the story. I definitely will continue on with the series :)
July 11, 2018
A Joyfully Jay review.
4 stars
Lies & Deception is the first book in the Soldiers of Fury MC series and is a promising start. There’s a whole different culture to biker clubs/gangs in Australia, due to strict gun laws and anti-bikie laws, which was interesting to learn about. The author makes these distinctions clear in the preface, so I was prepared for the experience. Finn and Mitch develop a strong bond and have a physical relationship and each experienced similar qualms about having relations with a man who might betray him. Their conflict of interest was a barrier, one they each had to overcome more than once. I liked that there was a decent amount of build up and estrangement that had to be bridged before they made it work.
Read Camille’s review in its entirety here.
4 stars
Lies & Deception is the first book in the Soldiers of Fury MC series and is a promising start. There’s a whole different culture to biker clubs/gangs in Australia, due to strict gun laws and anti-bikie laws, which was interesting to learn about. The author makes these distinctions clear in the preface, so I was prepared for the experience. Finn and Mitch develop a strong bond and have a physical relationship and each experienced similar qualms about having relations with a man who might betray him. Their conflict of interest was a barrier, one they each had to overcome more than once. I liked that there was a decent amount of build up and estrangement that had to be bridged before they made it work.
Read Camille’s review in its entirety here.
June 29, 2018
Undercover cops, especially those braving motorcycle gangs, fascinate me because of the narrow line they walk between staying true to themselves and impersonating the type of person they want to bring to justice. It’s not an easy job whatever “in” they use, but Mitch using his ex in this story is particularly dangerous. Not to mention the fact that even such a hardened macho detective has a heart and ends up falling for the club president’s younger brother. What a mess!
Mitch is a tough guy and determined to bring the president of the Soldiers of Fury to justice. His ex is a drug-addicted piece of scum and member of the biker gang Mitch is told to infiltrate. Aside from several homicides, Mitch has to deal with said ex and his feelings for the president’s younger brother. Mitch is appointed Finn’s driver and this means spending lots of time with the young man – and that does not make things easier for Mitch.
Finn is trying to find his feet after four years of college away in Melbourne - and wants nothing to do with his biker/addict of a brother. But Finn is new in town and needs help to get back to his feet. He spends a lot of time fighting his brother's assumption and demands that Finn will join the family business - without any success. Finn doesn’t want a driver, but he can’t really hate Mitch because he falls for him before he knows it.
The mix of murder mystery, undercover biker challenge, and the dynamics between Finn and Mitch worked really well for me. I loved the Australian setting, and even though the story takes some time to take off, I didn’t mind the careful set-up of what was to come. The main focus is on the developing relationship among the mess of danger from all sides, and the fact that Mitch and Finn can’t be completely honest with each other until the very end – so as not to break Mitch’s cover – makes things extra interesting. Finn doesn't know whom to trust and this makes it a challenging, suspenseful situation that pulled me in completely.
If you’re looking for a romance in challenging circumstances, if undercover cops and biker gangs are your thing, and if you’re looking for a read that has great pacing and stars a challenging romance with mutual subterfuge, then you will probably like this novel.
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review.
Mitch is a tough guy and determined to bring the president of the Soldiers of Fury to justice. His ex is a drug-addicted piece of scum and member of the biker gang Mitch is told to infiltrate. Aside from several homicides, Mitch has to deal with said ex and his feelings for the president’s younger brother. Mitch is appointed Finn’s driver and this means spending lots of time with the young man – and that does not make things easier for Mitch.
Finn is trying to find his feet after four years of college away in Melbourne - and wants nothing to do with his biker/addict of a brother. But Finn is new in town and needs help to get back to his feet. He spends a lot of time fighting his brother's assumption and demands that Finn will join the family business - without any success. Finn doesn’t want a driver, but he can’t really hate Mitch because he falls for him before he knows it.
The mix of murder mystery, undercover biker challenge, and the dynamics between Finn and Mitch worked really well for me. I loved the Australian setting, and even though the story takes some time to take off, I didn’t mind the careful set-up of what was to come. The main focus is on the developing relationship among the mess of danger from all sides, and the fact that Mitch and Finn can’t be completely honest with each other until the very end – so as not to break Mitch’s cover – makes things extra interesting. Finn doesn't know whom to trust and this makes it a challenging, suspenseful situation that pulled me in completely.
If you’re looking for a romance in challenging circumstances, if undercover cops and biker gangs are your thing, and if you’re looking for a read that has great pacing and stars a challenging romance with mutual subterfuge, then you will probably like this novel.
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review.
July 2, 2018
Mitch is a police detective working on taking down the Soldiers of Fury motorcycle club.
Finn Cummings is the little brother of Rocky, the club president. You immediately get the feeling that Finn is not happy to be anywhere near his brother of the club.
When Mitch goes undercover in the club through an in with Pete, his ex boyfriend, he is tasked with being Finn's driver. Things are strained as Mitch tries to get information without blowing his cover or getting Pete in trouble. I feared for Pete.. I kept hoping he was going to be able to get himself out of the clutches of the club to safety..
As Mitch and Finn grow closer, neither of them is completely sure they can trust each other. Can Mitch bring down the motorbike club before his cover is blown? How deeply is Finn involved in the illegal dealings of the club? Will they get caught in their affair? Will Peter be okay??
A good fast paced story that keeps you engaged the whole way through.
Finn Cummings is the little brother of Rocky, the club president. You immediately get the feeling that Finn is not happy to be anywhere near his brother of the club.
When Mitch goes undercover in the club through an in with Pete, his ex boyfriend, he is tasked with being Finn's driver. Things are strained as Mitch tries to get information without blowing his cover or getting Pete in trouble. I feared for Pete.. I kept hoping he was going to be able to get himself out of the clutches of the club to safety..
As Mitch and Finn grow closer, neither of them is completely sure they can trust each other. Can Mitch bring down the motorbike club before his cover is blown? How deeply is Finn involved in the illegal dealings of the club? Will they get caught in their affair? Will Peter be okay??
A good fast paced story that keeps you engaged the whole way through.
November 28, 2019
I really didn’t get much out of this. Suspend belief and don’t expect much of a relationship. It was a struggle to finish.
July 3, 2018
I am always a little wary starting MC books, but this one was a delightful surprise. I really liked that we got to know Mitch in his world before we met Finn in his. It gave us a good feel for his motivations and his bewilderment at being bowled over by his new assignment - Finn. Finn is caught in a web not his own making and is desperately looking for a way out.
I love that the author was able to depict the depravity and violence of the club without bowling us over with it. The side characters are both very real and in the case of Peter, sympathetic. I will definitely tune in for book 2.
I love that the author was able to depict the depravity and violence of the club without bowling us over with it. The side characters are both very real and in the case of Peter, sympathetic. I will definitely tune in for book 2.
June 28, 2018
MC story is not my typical choice for my reading, but I found this one interesting and kinda sweet.
Sure there's some rough time with the gang and all, but Finn and Mitch hit it off from the start.
But Mitch, imo, didn't really do a good job as an undercover, he's just can't stop lusting after Finn. And that's okay with me :)
I felt sorry for Pete, he's not a bad guy, he's just need to have a little backbones in the future.
I liked the dynamic between Mitch and Finn, that's all what I care for.
3,5*
August 7, 2018
I have read this author before and love her work. This is a mm contemporary story set in New South Wales Australia with a motorbike club and a police operation. I’ll read more from Nic.
February 12, 2020
3.5 stars - I like stories of cops and criminals where the bad guy isn’t so bad and gets redeemed by his actions. The blurb intrigued me because it’s set in Australia and it’s an interesting example of the trope. Mitch is a fairly straightforward guy, dedicated to his job and agrees to go undercover to bust a biker gang running drugs. The police here in the US aren’t all that different but the laws about biker gangs seemed unique. Peter, Mitch’s drug-addicted ex has turned up as a gang member, arriving with Finn, the brother of club leader Rocky. Finn thought he’d escaped the brutal life of the bike club but he’s trapped by his brother Rocky into being his accountant and getting sucked into the illegal side of his bike repair business.
I’ll admit that some of the setup for the undercover plot seemed unlikely but the author made the details work together logically. Character development was well done, including most of the secondary figures, except Rocky and the other biker gang members were kind of caricature villains. Having Mitch, Finn, and Peter remain unaware of each other’s roles through the entire book was different than I’ve usually seen with this sort of plot and I liked that. I felt the romance was rather short changed. There was some UST and a single sex scene, which was just fine but the rest of their time together was more telling than showing or focused on the problems with the club.
It was enjoyable as escapist reading with enough tension and suspense to keep the narrative moving over occasional plot holes. I was invested enough in the characters to want to see the resolution to the suspense and a happy ending for the couple. It would likely make a good beach read.
*An ARC was provided by the author, publisher or promotional service and I have chosen to publish a fair and honest review for Jessie G Books Reviews blog*
I’ll admit that some of the setup for the undercover plot seemed unlikely but the author made the details work together logically. Character development was well done, including most of the secondary figures, except Rocky and the other biker gang members were kind of caricature villains. Having Mitch, Finn, and Peter remain unaware of each other’s roles through the entire book was different than I’ve usually seen with this sort of plot and I liked that. I felt the romance was rather short changed. There was some UST and a single sex scene, which was just fine but the rest of their time together was more telling than showing or focused on the problems with the club.
It was enjoyable as escapist reading with enough tension and suspense to keep the narrative moving over occasional plot holes. I was invested enough in the characters to want to see the resolution to the suspense and a happy ending for the couple. It would likely make a good beach read.
*An ARC was provided by the author, publisher or promotional service and I have chosen to publish a fair and honest review for Jessie G Books Reviews blog*
June 11, 2018
So overall, I found this to just be okay. Mitch and Finn's chemistry was good and I really enjoyed their connection and of the one smut scene we get, it was pretty damn hot.
But they were still missing something together, and I think a big part was the writing - they were holding back so much from each other, and while I get that to an extent because of the circumstances they're in, once there is the opportunity for them to know more, it's just kind of skipped over. They talk to each other, they do, more than they do anyone else, but there was still...I dunno, a disconnect for me. I just didn't feel their feelings for each other enough, like I didn't quite feel their love for each other. A connection, yes, but love? I didn't quite feel it.
And the plot was...meh. Took me a bit to get into it, and Finn's brother the psychopath felt pretty one dimensional and his outbursts kind of...cartoon-y, I guess? For lack of a better word. They didn't feel realistic. Not that he can't blow up, just how he blew up and the things he said. I don't know, I don't know how so many people could be around Rocky and not see how...off he was, and just let him rule the gang with no dissension among the ranks. Plus, he had a girlfriend? And she was pretty cool and seemed to have smart head on her shoulders, so WHY on earth would she be with him? It made no sense - if we got a reason as to why, maybe like he was holding something over her or something like that, I would get it. Otherwise I was just confused by that.
Overall the writing just didn't flow the best, either. There was just something about it that made it hard for me to get into it at times. And also, Finn and Mitch have sex once, and then make out later, but other that that, we get basically nothing. They were supposed to be falling in love and yet they were barely all over each other? I think maybe that was a part of the disconnect I felt. Not that they had to be all the time or anything, just more than what we got, for sure.
I just wanted more from this story. It was just okay for me. Not bad, with some interesting and fun moments, but nothing that stood out or had my eyes riveted to the pages. So overall, it was fine, just needed more to it, I think.
***ARC provided by the Alpha Book Club in exchange for an honest review***
But they were still missing something together, and I think a big part was the writing - they were holding back so much from each other, and while I get that to an extent because of the circumstances they're in, once there is the opportunity for them to know more, it's just kind of skipped over. They talk to each other, they do, more than they do anyone else, but there was still...I dunno, a disconnect for me. I just didn't feel their feelings for each other enough, like I didn't quite feel their love for each other. A connection, yes, but love? I didn't quite feel it.
And the plot was...meh. Took me a bit to get into it, and Finn's brother the psychopath felt pretty one dimensional and his outbursts kind of...cartoon-y, I guess? For lack of a better word. They didn't feel realistic. Not that he can't blow up, just how he blew up and the things he said. I don't know, I don't know how so many people could be around Rocky and not see how...off he was, and just let him rule the gang with no dissension among the ranks. Plus, he had a girlfriend? And she was pretty cool and seemed to have smart head on her shoulders, so WHY on earth would she be with him? It made no sense - if we got a reason as to why, maybe like he was holding something over her or something like that, I would get it. Otherwise I was just confused by that.
Overall the writing just didn't flow the best, either. There was just something about it that made it hard for me to get into it at times. And also, Finn and Mitch have sex once, and then make out later, but other that that, we get basically nothing. They were supposed to be falling in love and yet they were barely all over each other? I think maybe that was a part of the disconnect I felt. Not that they had to be all the time or anything, just more than what we got, for sure.
I just wanted more from this story. It was just okay for me. Not bad, with some interesting and fun moments, but nothing that stood out or had my eyes riveted to the pages. So overall, it was fine, just needed more to it, I think.
***ARC provided by the Alpha Book Club in exchange for an honest review***
July 1, 2018
4 Stars!
Mitch is a police detective who is assigned to work undercover with the Soldiers of Fury Motorcycle Club in the hopes of bringing down their leader, Rocky Cummings and his Soldiers. What he didn't expect was to be assigned to drive Rocky's brother around, or that he'd be so attracted to Finn.
Finn has been trying to find a way to get out from his brother's clutches for a long time, but now that he's been forcibly moved back to Sidney, that looks more difficult than ever. Especially when he meets the MC's newest prospect and can't stop thinking about him. Not that he has any chances with the obviously straight man, or does he?
This book was quite a departure from Nic Starr's usual style, which doesn't mean that it was bad, just that it was different from what she has us used to.
It's a bit of a darker, edgier read, more focused on the MC/undercover police aspect of it than the romance. Don't get me wrong, there's still some romance there, it's just not the main focus of the story. Because of the whole undercover deal, and Mitch's interactions with both his partner and his ex, we get to know Mitch a bit better, which is more obvious near the end when we learn some things about Finn. I felt bad for Mitch, it was difficult for him to stay in character and play the part of the big bad MC prospect when he was so worried for his ex and for Finn, which in turn made him vulnerable and prone to some mistakes. I liked Finn, but there were a few times where his misplaced need for independence (as in when he would lash out at Mitch, when he was just trying to help) made me want to strangle him. But overall, I liked them together, they seemed to complement the other well and had similar interests.
Overall, I think Lies & Deception was an entertaining read, as I said before, it's different from other Nic Starr's books. As other MC books I've read, there are some darker themes and violence, but it still was a riveting read. Recommendable!
*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***
Mitch is a police detective who is assigned to work undercover with the Soldiers of Fury Motorcycle Club in the hopes of bringing down their leader, Rocky Cummings and his Soldiers. What he didn't expect was to be assigned to drive Rocky's brother around, or that he'd be so attracted to Finn.
Finn has been trying to find a way to get out from his brother's clutches for a long time, but now that he's been forcibly moved back to Sidney, that looks more difficult than ever. Especially when he meets the MC's newest prospect and can't stop thinking about him. Not that he has any chances with the obviously straight man, or does he?
This book was quite a departure from Nic Starr's usual style, which doesn't mean that it was bad, just that it was different from what she has us used to.
It's a bit of a darker, edgier read, more focused on the MC/undercover police aspect of it than the romance. Don't get me wrong, there's still some romance there, it's just not the main focus of the story. Because of the whole undercover deal, and Mitch's interactions with both his partner and his ex, we get to know Mitch a bit better, which is more obvious near the end when we learn some things about Finn. I felt bad for Mitch, it was difficult for him to stay in character and play the part of the big bad MC prospect when he was so worried for his ex and for Finn, which in turn made him vulnerable and prone to some mistakes. I liked Finn, but there were a few times where his misplaced need for independence (as in when he would lash out at Mitch, when he was just trying to help) made me want to strangle him. But overall, I liked them together, they seemed to complement the other well and had similar interests.
Overall, I think Lies & Deception was an entertaining read, as I said before, it's different from other Nic Starr's books. As other MC books I've read, there are some darker themes and violence, but it still was a riveting read. Recommendable!
*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***
June 26, 2018
**Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie by DreamSpinner Press for my reading pleasure in hopes of an unbiased opinion, a review was not a requirement.**
The synopsis of this book is pretty accurate to what the book is about. I’ve read this author before and this was definitely, in my opinion, a change from her previous books. But, what all her books do have in common, are great characters and world building. Some of the characters are likable and flawed, others are not likable and still flawed.
I didn’t feel like I got to know as much about Finn as I did Mitch and the only reason we got more of Mitch was because of his interactions with his ex. We did not get a typical relationship building between Finn and Mitch, as their interactions were typically superficial since they were both hiding who they were. For the parts regarding the police, it did seem that Mitch was hired into the gang a little too easily, based on how paranoic the leader supposedly was. Otherwise, it seemed like typical gang/police procedures as portrayed on tv. I have no experience with police and gangs in real life, so I have no idea if this is all typical.
I typically don’t read books about motorcycle clubs/gangs but because this was supposed to be a suspense novel, I thought I could overlook my dislike. For me, the suspense part of this book was pretty non-existent and the focus was really on the motorcycle gang and bringing them down. For some events, I expected more. Like when a person involved with a gang finds out the man he’s interested in is an undercover cop. But, it seemed to just happen and time to move on to the next scene.
For those that worry about the relationship in the book, that’s definitely not a focus. There is one scene between the two MC’s but otherwise, they’re not together. The book does seem to have a HEA, where regardless of what happened during the book, the two MC’s end up together. But know before going into this, that the focus is on an undercover police officer bringing down a motorcycle gang.
Rating:4 stars
The synopsis of this book is pretty accurate to what the book is about. I’ve read this author before and this was definitely, in my opinion, a change from her previous books. But, what all her books do have in common, are great characters and world building. Some of the characters are likable and flawed, others are not likable and still flawed.
I didn’t feel like I got to know as much about Finn as I did Mitch and the only reason we got more of Mitch was because of his interactions with his ex. We did not get a typical relationship building between Finn and Mitch, as their interactions were typically superficial since they were both hiding who they were. For the parts regarding the police, it did seem that Mitch was hired into the gang a little too easily, based on how paranoic the leader supposedly was. Otherwise, it seemed like typical gang/police procedures as portrayed on tv. I have no experience with police and gangs in real life, so I have no idea if this is all typical.
I typically don’t read books about motorcycle clubs/gangs but because this was supposed to be a suspense novel, I thought I could overlook my dislike. For me, the suspense part of this book was pretty non-existent and the focus was really on the motorcycle gang and bringing them down. For some events, I expected more. Like when a person involved with a gang finds out the man he’s interested in is an undercover cop. But, it seemed to just happen and time to move on to the next scene.
For those that worry about the relationship in the book, that’s definitely not a focus. There is one scene between the two MC’s but otherwise, they’re not together. The book does seem to have a HEA, where regardless of what happened during the book, the two MC’s end up together. But know before going into this, that the focus is on an undercover police officer bringing down a motorcycle gang.
Rating:4 stars
July 6, 2018
I was excited to start this one and had high expectations....
and I'm still trying to pinpoint why it fell short for me.
If I'm completely honest, I was bored. :/
I love a good undercover story but this one never clicked and grabbed me.
I thought the bad boys on bikes would snag me...it didn't.
The writing was fine.
The guys were fine.
The story was...fine.
It could very well be it was a me-not-you situation.
and I'm still trying to pinpoint why it fell short for me.
If I'm completely honest, I was bored. :/
I love a good undercover story but this one never clicked and grabbed me.
I thought the bad boys on bikes would snag me...it didn't.
The writing was fine.
The guys were fine.
The story was...fine.
It could very well be it was a me-not-you situation.
October 3, 2018
**I didn’t expect a happy ending**
Mitch and Finn are an unlikely couple. They meet when Mitch a member of the gang task force goes undercover in one of the most notorious biker gangs called the Soldiers of Fury. Finn; a mild mannered and practically a recluse turned informant is their bookkeeper, his older brother Rocky Cummings the gang leader.
Having attained his degree in accounting, Rocky summons Finn to return home. Years of Rocky’s continuous blatant abuse have soured him and when Finn starts secretly passing notes to the police, Rocky and the Soldiers of Fury don’t stand a chance. You can only keep a good man down for so long and I couldn’t help but be proud of the new Finn.
Who would have thought that Mitch and Finn would find middle ground and as they talked about their white picket fence, I knew that they were going to be alright. What a lovely ending to such a nail-biting book. If you enjoy a good suspense novel with a great story line and excellent character development hurry up and grab yourself a copy.
Mitch and Finn are an unlikely couple. They meet when Mitch a member of the gang task force goes undercover in one of the most notorious biker gangs called the Soldiers of Fury. Finn; a mild mannered and practically a recluse turned informant is their bookkeeper, his older brother Rocky Cummings the gang leader.
Having attained his degree in accounting, Rocky summons Finn to return home. Years of Rocky’s continuous blatant abuse have soured him and when Finn starts secretly passing notes to the police, Rocky and the Soldiers of Fury don’t stand a chance. You can only keep a good man down for so long and I couldn’t help but be proud of the new Finn.
Who would have thought that Mitch and Finn would find middle ground and as they talked about their white picket fence, I knew that they were going to be alright. What a lovely ending to such a nail-biting book. If you enjoy a good suspense novel with a great story line and excellent character development hurry up and grab yourself a copy.
July 8, 2018
This was an excellent story with good use of the difficulties of embracing an undercover assignment without stretching so far as to seem impossible. The story was fraught with the tension of discovery in multiple ways and the lead up to the ending is a good build. The way that it ended was little abrupt, leaving something to be desired, but the ending itself was lovely.
Mitch is a cop working on a special task force to take down biker gangs in Australia. He is sent undercover on an assignment when it turns out an old ex is a new prospect for the Soldier of Fury. Ever since Peter (the ex) started hanging around the Soldiers the cops have been receiving notes of inside information, so Mitch goes undercover to use Peter to get in and help extract more information. Not being a prospect himself Mitch is assigned to being bodyguard/babysitter/driver for the President's younger brother, Finn. Finn has been dragged back to the club to 'take his place' with his uni degree, looking out for the club finances. This is the last place Finn wants to be but if he's going to get out alive he'll keep his head down and do the job. Falling for his driver just makes things more complicated and with the threat of being killed for being gay ever present in the club, Mitch and Finn find themselves getting backed into a very sharp corner.
There is a slow but inevitable build of tension through the book that makes a driving force behind the forward propulsion of the story. Wanting to pin something on the club that will take them all down, truly dismantle the whole group, Mitch is waiting for a big job coming up. Details slip through in drips and drabs as Mitch works to ingratiate himself to the club and become someone they can trust. At the same time Mitch has to suppress his own instincts and feelings to do so- he can't look out for Peter the way he wants to, he has to act callous at times in front of Mitch, and he has to support things he despises. All of this wears on Mitch making him vulnerable and confused when it comes to Finn. Finn truly wants out of the club, but Mitch has no idea of that. Finn only sees Mitch's club persona, the man who is loyal to a crazy President and who breaks the law regularly. Finn falls for the man Mitch is when they are alone, but that doesn't mean he thinks he can trust him with secrets about his hatred for this life. Both men want to talk about their plans but between the fear of retribution and the threat of death neither one can. It makes it a story of miscommunication, but in ways that make sense and serve to simply further build the tension.
With all of the fears and misunderstandings going on, Mitch and Finn are actually quite hot. The fact that they must sort of hide their relationship and that it comes about with so many stressors makes the two of them very passionate when they can be together. There is no lacking of heat in the relationship. That is not to say that other facets are ignored. In the time they have together the two manage to build something outside of the bedroom as well, with lazy days and board games, shared suppers and a quiet drink. They fit well in so many ways which just makes it confusing to both of them about the contradiction of their feelings to their goals. Reading through them working with that confusion and still doing what needs to be done made for an excellent read!
An excellent read that has me interested in further books, but also curious as to where a series would go from here.
Mitch is a cop working on a special task force to take down biker gangs in Australia. He is sent undercover on an assignment when it turns out an old ex is a new prospect for the Soldier of Fury. Ever since Peter (the ex) started hanging around the Soldiers the cops have been receiving notes of inside information, so Mitch goes undercover to use Peter to get in and help extract more information. Not being a prospect himself Mitch is assigned to being bodyguard/babysitter/driver for the President's younger brother, Finn. Finn has been dragged back to the club to 'take his place' with his uni degree, looking out for the club finances. This is the last place Finn wants to be but if he's going to get out alive he'll keep his head down and do the job. Falling for his driver just makes things more complicated and with the threat of being killed for being gay ever present in the club, Mitch and Finn find themselves getting backed into a very sharp corner.
There is a slow but inevitable build of tension through the book that makes a driving force behind the forward propulsion of the story. Wanting to pin something on the club that will take them all down, truly dismantle the whole group, Mitch is waiting for a big job coming up. Details slip through in drips and drabs as Mitch works to ingratiate himself to the club and become someone they can trust. At the same time Mitch has to suppress his own instincts and feelings to do so- he can't look out for Peter the way he wants to, he has to act callous at times in front of Mitch, and he has to support things he despises. All of this wears on Mitch making him vulnerable and confused when it comes to Finn. Finn truly wants out of the club, but Mitch has no idea of that. Finn only sees Mitch's club persona, the man who is loyal to a crazy President and who breaks the law regularly. Finn falls for the man Mitch is when they are alone, but that doesn't mean he thinks he can trust him with secrets about his hatred for this life. Both men want to talk about their plans but between the fear of retribution and the threat of death neither one can. It makes it a story of miscommunication, but in ways that make sense and serve to simply further build the tension.
With all of the fears and misunderstandings going on, Mitch and Finn are actually quite hot. The fact that they must sort of hide their relationship and that it comes about with so many stressors makes the two of them very passionate when they can be together. There is no lacking of heat in the relationship. That is not to say that other facets are ignored. In the time they have together the two manage to build something outside of the bedroom as well, with lazy days and board games, shared suppers and a quiet drink. They fit well in so many ways which just makes it confusing to both of them about the contradiction of their feelings to their goals. Reading through them working with that confusion and still doing what needs to be done made for an excellent read!
An excellent read that has me interested in further books, but also curious as to where a series would go from here.
July 15, 2018
4.5 STARS
If those tattoos on the book cover didn’t tempt you to read this story then I don’t know if my review is going to convince you. But I’ll give a my best shot.
Finn has lived his whole life surrounded by the Soldiers of Fury Motorcycle Club. Throughout his childhood his father was the club president, and when he died Finn’s eldest brother, Carl took on the role. Though they were never a law-abiding club, Finn liked to think it was more about the mateship than the illegal activities. But that all changed when Carl also died and the next brother in line, Rocky, took up the mantle of club president. Now the club is all about status, respect forced through fear and intimidation. There is more violence, there are hardcore drugs, there are guns and there is death. Rocky is forcing Finn to take on a bigger role in the club, and Finn is too scared of his brother to refuse.
Mitch O’Neill is just the detective to go undercover in a motorcycle club. He’s big, he’s intimidating, he loves his bike, and his ex-boyfriend, Peter, has somehow gotten himself into Rocky’s inner circle. Despite knowing it’s a bad idea, he’s crazy attracted to the psychotic presidents brother, and he knows that Finn is attracted to him too. Obviously this isn’t going to go well.
I loved these characters. Not just Finn and Mitch, but the secondary characters too. Funnily enough Rocky was a favourite of mine. It was great to see an evil, violent, truly psychopathic bad guy stay true to form. Usually a character like that would have some sort of weakness, love for his little brother Finn maybe, and that’s fine, I don’t have any problem with that. But not Rocky. He’s one fucked up dude with not one little redeeming feature in sight. Which made his actions totally unpredictable and leaves you wondering just what the man might do next. In contrast to him Finn is the “nice” brother. I liked the confusion that I felt from Finn. He was so conflicted but out of his element in dealing with his brother. He wants to do the right thing but has no real idea how to achieve that or what the right thing is exactly. In some ways Mitch is similar to Finn in that he’s a conflicted man. While he isn’t in love with his ex anymore he hates seeing him in danger and involved in the club. He has no idea how he can help Peter and likewise he has no idea what to do about his feelings for Finn. With bullets flying it’s not exactly a tranquil environment conductive to rational reflection.
This story felt very Australian, and I really enjoyed that aspect. From the location in Sydney to the Aussie language used, the whole atmosphere just felt comfortably familiar. In Australia any talk on the news of gangs or guns and most people immediately think – bikie gang. It was pretty cool to be in the middle of a bikie gang war within the safety of a fictional story. While this book has a Soldiers of Fury emblem on the cover, which would usually indicate a series, I’m unaware if that’s the author’s intention here. I’m not sure how there could be a sequel which included the club, but if the author writes it I’ll definitely read it.
I’ve read half a dozen or so Nic Starr stories now, and I’d say that this is my favourite so far. While there is plenty of violence it’s definitely not a dark or angsty read. Instead, while it’s got a lot more grit than this author’s usual work, it still maintains the levels of more starry-eyed emotions that one would expect when opening a Nic Starr book.
Reviewed for Love Bytes Reviews
http://lovebytesreviews.com/2018/06/2...
If those tattoos on the book cover didn’t tempt you to read this story then I don’t know if my review is going to convince you. But I’ll give a my best shot.
Finn has lived his whole life surrounded by the Soldiers of Fury Motorcycle Club. Throughout his childhood his father was the club president, and when he died Finn’s eldest brother, Carl took on the role. Though they were never a law-abiding club, Finn liked to think it was more about the mateship than the illegal activities. But that all changed when Carl also died and the next brother in line, Rocky, took up the mantle of club president. Now the club is all about status, respect forced through fear and intimidation. There is more violence, there are hardcore drugs, there are guns and there is death. Rocky is forcing Finn to take on a bigger role in the club, and Finn is too scared of his brother to refuse.
Mitch O’Neill is just the detective to go undercover in a motorcycle club. He’s big, he’s intimidating, he loves his bike, and his ex-boyfriend, Peter, has somehow gotten himself into Rocky’s inner circle. Despite knowing it’s a bad idea, he’s crazy attracted to the psychotic presidents brother, and he knows that Finn is attracted to him too. Obviously this isn’t going to go well.
I loved these characters. Not just Finn and Mitch, but the secondary characters too. Funnily enough Rocky was a favourite of mine. It was great to see an evil, violent, truly psychopathic bad guy stay true to form. Usually a character like that would have some sort of weakness, love for his little brother Finn maybe, and that’s fine, I don’t have any problem with that. But not Rocky. He’s one fucked up dude with not one little redeeming feature in sight. Which made his actions totally unpredictable and leaves you wondering just what the man might do next. In contrast to him Finn is the “nice” brother. I liked the confusion that I felt from Finn. He was so conflicted but out of his element in dealing with his brother. He wants to do the right thing but has no real idea how to achieve that or what the right thing is exactly. In some ways Mitch is similar to Finn in that he’s a conflicted man. While he isn’t in love with his ex anymore he hates seeing him in danger and involved in the club. He has no idea how he can help Peter and likewise he has no idea what to do about his feelings for Finn. With bullets flying it’s not exactly a tranquil environment conductive to rational reflection.
This story felt very Australian, and I really enjoyed that aspect. From the location in Sydney to the Aussie language used, the whole atmosphere just felt comfortably familiar. In Australia any talk on the news of gangs or guns and most people immediately think – bikie gang. It was pretty cool to be in the middle of a bikie gang war within the safety of a fictional story. While this book has a Soldiers of Fury emblem on the cover, which would usually indicate a series, I’m unaware if that’s the author’s intention here. I’m not sure how there could be a sequel which included the club, but if the author writes it I’ll definitely read it.
I’ve read half a dozen or so Nic Starr stories now, and I’d say that this is my favourite so far. While there is plenty of violence it’s definitely not a dark or angsty read. Instead, while it’s got a lot more grit than this author’s usual work, it still maintains the levels of more starry-eyed emotions that one would expect when opening a Nic Starr book.
Reviewed for Love Bytes Reviews
http://lovebytesreviews.com/2018/06/2...
June 29, 2018
As far as mystery and suspense books go, this one was top-notch. Nic Starr did a great job with character and plot development. As soon as I had a question about how the plot could go in a certain direction while still making sense, it inevitably worked out. The beginning didn’t grab my attention at first, and I found myself getting sidetracked. As I continued, however, the book really had me captivated.
Detective Mitch O’Neill was an intriguing character. He finds himself in a bit of a predicament when his ex is a member of a gang he’s been assigned to bring down. With this new development, he decides to take a chance and go undercover to not only infiltrate the gang but also find out what his ex is doing with such a rough crowd. Infiltrating a gang where a member knows you’re a cop could only spell disaster, but luckily his ex, Peter, is smart enough to follow along. Gaining the club president Rocky Cummings trust proves to be a difficult task and he soon finds himself as the chauffeur/bodyguard of Finn Cummings, Rocky’s younger brother.
Finn Cummings wants absolutely nothing to do with the biker gang his family has been a part of for generations. In fact, he’d love nothing more than to see it all crumble apart and he’s determined to help it along. He left for Uni in order to separate himself from his family’s legacy and find his own path in the world. Unfortunately getting his education in accounting has caused his older brother to pull him back into the life he’s so desperate to leave behind. Finn decides that if he’s ever going to have his own life away from his brother’s control, then he needs to do whatever it takes to help bring it all down and it starts with him sending information to the task force Mitch O’Neill is assigned to. As these two come together, unknowingly for the same reasons, sparks fly. But can they trust each other enough to stoke the flames?
I really enjoyed how the story progressed and the slow burn between the MCs. It may have been an instant attraction but it wasn’t instant love, and that was refreshing. The book keeps a pretty fast pace after about the halfway mark, so you’ll definitely want to do a solid read through. This was my first book by this author and definitely not my last.
4.5 Optimumm
Detective Mitch O’Neill was an intriguing character. He finds himself in a bit of a predicament when his ex is a member of a gang he’s been assigned to bring down. With this new development, he decides to take a chance and go undercover to not only infiltrate the gang but also find out what his ex is doing with such a rough crowd. Infiltrating a gang where a member knows you’re a cop could only spell disaster, but luckily his ex, Peter, is smart enough to follow along. Gaining the club president Rocky Cummings trust proves to be a difficult task and he soon finds himself as the chauffeur/bodyguard of Finn Cummings, Rocky’s younger brother.
Finn Cummings wants absolutely nothing to do with the biker gang his family has been a part of for generations. In fact, he’d love nothing more than to see it all crumble apart and he’s determined to help it along. He left for Uni in order to separate himself from his family’s legacy and find his own path in the world. Unfortunately getting his education in accounting has caused his older brother to pull him back into the life he’s so desperate to leave behind. Finn decides that if he’s ever going to have his own life away from his brother’s control, then he needs to do whatever it takes to help bring it all down and it starts with him sending information to the task force Mitch O’Neill is assigned to. As these two come together, unknowingly for the same reasons, sparks fly. But can they trust each other enough to stoke the flames?
I really enjoyed how the story progressed and the slow burn between the MCs. It may have been an instant attraction but it wasn’t instant love, and that was refreshing. The book keeps a pretty fast pace after about the halfway mark, so you’ll definitely want to do a solid read through. This was my first book by this author and definitely not my last.
4.5 Optimumm
June 27, 2018
The Blogger Girls
For some strange reason, I have a thing for undercover cops, and especially, undercover cops in criminal motorcycle clubs. Mitch is a big, strong, alpha cop who is sent into the Soldier’s of Fury MC to help take down their insane and violent president, Rocky Cummings. What he doesn’t expect is to find Rocky’s baby brother, Finn, being all cute and normal, and nice and normal, and hot…and normal. He is totally screwed because Finn is not up for grabs and he so wants to grab onto him.
Finn hates his brother. He hates what his brother did to the MC after the death of their father and older brother. And he hates that he has no choice in the direction of his life. His brother has no brotherly love for him and just wants to use Finn and control his every move. Finn’s only solace for so long is his friend Pete…who also doesn’t want to be in a criminal MC, but has a drug addiction and can’t seem to help himself. Pete is also Mitch’s ex boyfriend, which makes life interesting, and Pete and Mitch must keep all that silent.
This is a story of attraction to someone who you shouldn’t want, a family who treats you like dirt, and the repercussions of drug addiction. But it is also the story of redemption, of trust and doing the right thing, and where the good guys win in the end. You only need to read through a lot of drama, violence, and discontent to get there. I was rooting for Mitch and Finn the whole time, but a part of me felt so bad for Pete, as well. He was the poster boy of the “just say no to drugs” mantra.
If you are into MC’s, undercover cops, and waiting until the end for the protagonists to realize that they are both “the good guys”, then I highly recommend you give this book a try.
For some strange reason, I have a thing for undercover cops, and especially, undercover cops in criminal motorcycle clubs. Mitch is a big, strong, alpha cop who is sent into the Soldier’s of Fury MC to help take down their insane and violent president, Rocky Cummings. What he doesn’t expect is to find Rocky’s baby brother, Finn, being all cute and normal, and nice and normal, and hot…and normal. He is totally screwed because Finn is not up for grabs and he so wants to grab onto him.
Finn hates his brother. He hates what his brother did to the MC after the death of their father and older brother. And he hates that he has no choice in the direction of his life. His brother has no brotherly love for him and just wants to use Finn and control his every move. Finn’s only solace for so long is his friend Pete…who also doesn’t want to be in a criminal MC, but has a drug addiction and can’t seem to help himself. Pete is also Mitch’s ex boyfriend, which makes life interesting, and Pete and Mitch must keep all that silent.
This is a story of attraction to someone who you shouldn’t want, a family who treats you like dirt, and the repercussions of drug addiction. But it is also the story of redemption, of trust and doing the right thing, and where the good guys win in the end. You only need to read through a lot of drama, violence, and discontent to get there. I was rooting for Mitch and Finn the whole time, but a part of me felt so bad for Pete, as well. He was the poster boy of the “just say no to drugs” mantra.
If you are into MC’s, undercover cops, and waiting until the end for the protagonists to realize that they are both “the good guys”, then I highly recommend you give this book a try.
June 26, 2018
I really liked this story. It is set in Australia, which is a refreshing change from other books in the genre. It is an action-packed story that moved really well, and I was captivated from the start.
Police officer, Mitch, goes undercover in a motorcycle club in order to dismantle the club and as a result, make an end to gang wars and illegal practices. I liked that he didn’t fall for the president of the club. That would be too easy, and in this case, an absolute nightmare as Rocky is often off his rocket. No, he falls for Rocky’s younger brother, Finn. He is a sweet guy, smart, and vehemently against what the MC stands for. For the sake of keeping the peace between him and his brother, Finn has not always a choice to stand back though. There come in the lies and deception. Despite that, Mitch and Finn are attracted to each other. The author did a good job with the dancing around each other, the pull and push between them. It is a slow-burn romance that is hindered because of the tension building up in the MC. There are not a lot of steamy scenes, but the attraction and chemistry are tangible. However, calling it full-on love would be a bridge too far for me. Let me say that it is definitely going into that direction.
Although the plot might be a bit unrealistic (at least the ease with and speed in which Mitch can infiltrate the MC), the author did tie everything up nicely. She threw some red herrings around that had me second-guessing and kept me entertained, and the scene in the garage had my heart beating in my throat.
Police officer, Mitch, goes undercover in a motorcycle club in order to dismantle the club and as a result, make an end to gang wars and illegal practices. I liked that he didn’t fall for the president of the club. That would be too easy, and in this case, an absolute nightmare as Rocky is often off his rocket. No, he falls for Rocky’s younger brother, Finn. He is a sweet guy, smart, and vehemently against what the MC stands for. For the sake of keeping the peace between him and his brother, Finn has not always a choice to stand back though. There come in the lies and deception. Despite that, Mitch and Finn are attracted to each other. The author did a good job with the dancing around each other, the pull and push between them. It is a slow-burn romance that is hindered because of the tension building up in the MC. There are not a lot of steamy scenes, but the attraction and chemistry are tangible. However, calling it full-on love would be a bridge too far for me. Let me say that it is definitely going into that direction.
Although the plot might be a bit unrealistic (at least the ease with and speed in which Mitch can infiltrate the MC), the author did tie everything up nicely. She threw some red herrings around that had me second-guessing and kept me entertained, and the scene in the garage had my heart beating in my throat.
June 30, 2018
ARC was provided by the author and publisher.
Although I have several of this author's books in my TBR this is the first one I've actually read.
There are a few authors I read who are Australian and who write their books set in their home country yet I feel like whenever I've read one there just aren't enough. I feel like they're always overshadowed by the tougher UK and American market.
Even though I haven't been fortunate enough to visit Australia yet, I got a strong sense of place while reading this book.
I thought the author did a good job as well with the character descriptions. It was very easy to imagine each one as they were interacting with each other or doing their jobs. I thought the hit and run scene was especially descriptive.
I liked the storyline with the undercover operation and the secondary romance between Mitch and Finn as well. I did feel like there were a few loose ends that didn't quite get tied up such as Peter's recovery as well as the end of the investigation but perhaps that will be addressed in the next installment of the series.
Although I have several of this author's books in my TBR this is the first one I've actually read.
There are a few authors I read who are Australian and who write their books set in their home country yet I feel like whenever I've read one there just aren't enough. I feel like they're always overshadowed by the tougher UK and American market.
Even though I haven't been fortunate enough to visit Australia yet, I got a strong sense of place while reading this book.
I thought the author did a good job as well with the character descriptions. It was very easy to imagine each one as they were interacting with each other or doing their jobs. I thought the hit and run scene was especially descriptive.
I liked the storyline with the undercover operation and the secondary romance between Mitch and Finn as well. I did feel like there were a few loose ends that didn't quite get tied up such as Peter's recovery as well as the end of the investigation but perhaps that will be addressed in the next installment of the series.
June 10, 2018
This is my first time reading Nic Starr and I was not disappointed. There's something refreshing about reading character voices with an Australian accent in your head and knowing that it fits. But accents aside, this story was hard to put down. I very quickly became invested in the fate of both characters and spent a great deal of time worried that one of them was going to end up in a life-threatening condition. The switching points of view emphasised the mutual distrust inherent in their circumstances while also showing that both men really wanted to to believe the best of each other. I was waving my pompoms for intuition to win. Also refreshing was the balance between plot and relationship development and the use of each to develop the other. I'll definitely be hunting down more of Starr's work based on this book.
September 19, 2018
DNF
This story doesn't have a bunch of holes like Swiss cheese, it has one giant hole like a donut.
There is NO way Mitch is going under cover in a biker gang that his ex-bf is trying to be a part of. I'm sorry, not happening.
Even if you try and tell me Pete wouldn't want it known he was intimate with Mitch and being associated with a cop. He doesn't have to tell the prez any of that. Pete let's it "slip" without any details, saying his real name and that he got busted by him in the past would be enough for them to look into Mitch.
I know it's fiction, but I like it to be somewhat believable. My brains just not wrapping around this story at all, so I will not be able to enjoy it. I really hope others can, as the writing isn't bad, it's just the plot, for me, is totally unbelievable.
This story doesn't have a bunch of holes like Swiss cheese, it has one giant hole like a donut.
There is NO way Mitch is going under cover in a biker gang that his ex-bf is trying to be a part of. I'm sorry, not happening.
Even if you try and tell me Pete wouldn't want it known he was intimate with Mitch and being associated with a cop. He doesn't have to tell the prez any of that. Pete let's it "slip" without any details, saying his real name and that he got busted by him in the past would be enough for them to look into Mitch.
I know it's fiction, but I like it to be somewhat believable. My brains just not wrapping around this story at all, so I will not be able to enjoy it. I really hope others can, as the writing isn't bad, it's just the plot, for me, is totally unbelievable.
July 22, 2018
I unexpectedly really enjoyed this book. I don't know what I was expecting but I guess it wasn't much. Here we have Mitch who goes undercover into a MC run by Rocky, the douchiest, evil MoFo I've read about in a while. He gets in through his ex boyfriend who is a drug addict so not all that reliable. While there he gets assigned to drive around Rocky's brother Finn who he's sure is also evil and twisted. Lo and behold, Finn ends up being....normal, which is a fucking miracle having been raised with Rocky. I didn't think I'd like Mitch's ex Peter so much. I didn't think I'd hate Rocky so much. I also didn't think I would love Mitch and Finn as a couple so much. My bad, I did all those things. I felt really involved with all these people which made the book so much better. Really loved this.
July 1, 2018
I liked the romance part of the plot of this story I also liked both of the main characters and that they were textured not one dimensional perfect “good guys”. I felt really sorry for Finn and how trapped he was but Mitch wasn’t living a happy life either.
When Mitch and Finn get together they connected physically but also emotionally, albeit in a complicated way, which was great to see as they were leading such isolated emotional lives.
The dramatic part of the plot in regards to Mitch infiltrating the MC club was entertaining, there is action and tension but it feels realistic.
The secondary characters really added to the story and I hope something good happens for Pete as I really felt for him, I’d love to read a story that featured him as a main character.
Overall this was a great read.
When Mitch and Finn get together they connected physically but also emotionally, albeit in a complicated way, which was great to see as they were leading such isolated emotional lives.
The dramatic part of the plot in regards to Mitch infiltrating the MC club was entertaining, there is action and tension but it feels realistic.
The secondary characters really added to the story and I hope something good happens for Pete as I really felt for him, I’d love to read a story that featured him as a main character.
Overall this was a great read.
June 26, 2018
Complex, gritty story with undercover cops, good guys and bad guys, motorcycle gangs and falling in love. Mitch and Finn were great characters and they were so well developed. I really liked both of these MC's and found their journey to love well worth reading. I loved the writing and the story-telling was excellent!
I found this to be a fascinating read that kept me reading all day because i had to know how the story played out. The focus on of this story is on the gang and the undercover work and the relationship that develops is really in the background of the story.
Recommend this as a great read when you want something more than a fluffy feel good romance.
I was gifted this book from the author and i freely give my review.
I found this to be a fascinating read that kept me reading all day because i had to know how the story played out. The focus on of this story is on the gang and the undercover work and the relationship that develops is really in the background of the story.
Recommend this as a great read when you want something more than a fluffy feel good romance.
I was gifted this book from the author and i freely give my review.
June 28, 2018
I really liked Mitch as a character. He was an alpha male cop, but also had a good heart. He was an awesome cop, and was dedicated to his job. He got an in to work undercover in the MC, but ended up falling for Finn, who was the head honchos brother. Finn was more than he appeared, too, and he was a lot stronger than he was given credit for from his brother. There were challenges in their way, but they were great together. There was action, romance, and great secondary characters in this book. I absolutely loved this, and am looking forward to reading more from this series. This was a very solid 4.5 star book.
I am voluntarily reviewing an ARC received by the author
I am voluntarily reviewing an ARC received by the author
June 26, 2018
I liked the blurb for this book, and I’m so pleased I won an ARC. I liked that it was set in Australia, that the good guys weren’t all good and the psychopathic bad guy was deliciously bad. Mitch and Finn had good chemistry. The secondary characters were just as important to the plot and I especially felt for Pete. The plot was interesting and flowed nicely.
I haven’t read much by Nic Starr but there are a few on my TBR pile that will be bumped up ready to read.
Definitely a recommended read.
I received this from the author for an honest opinion.
I haven’t read much by Nic Starr but there are a few on my TBR pile that will be bumped up ready to read.
Definitely a recommended read.
I received this from the author for an honest opinion.
December 31, 2024
When Detective Mitch O’Neill needs an in to go undercover with the Soldiers of Fury MC he finds it in his ex-boyfriend Peter. Finn Cummings, brother to club president Rocky Cummings, hates everything the club has become under Rocky's rule finds himself forced back into Soldiers' work. When Mitch lands a position as Finn's driver, their attraction causes problems for both, Finn doesn't want to involve Mitch with the criminals he's longing to escape from and Mitch hates to use Finn in his investigation to bring the club down. Will their attraction be enough to overcome the obstacles they face or will Rocky's rule of violence be one obstacle too many?
I can't say that motorcycle club stories are on my goto list of reads but I still enjoy them so when one reaches my Kindle its because I saw something in the blurb that pulled me in and Lies & Deception is no different. Was it the cop going undercover? Was it the president brother forced back into the fold? Was it the opposites attract? I can't really say just what it was about Nic Starr's story blurb that piqued my interest but I was definitely intrigued. I will admit that it took a few chapters to really sink my teeth in but in hindsight that had more to do with me not ready to let go of the characters in the book I finished before starting Lies & Deception than it did with Mitch and Finn. Despite the delayed reaction I soon couldn't put it down and before I knew it the final page was swiped.
You can't help but fall for Finn, yes it was easy for me to say "get a backbone and leave" but then I could see how he may not like his brother but Rocky was the only family he had and completely walking away from that could be a stumbling block. There are moments when the author really made it difficult to like Mitch, but then you remember that he's undercover trying to bring the ruthless Rocky down and that isn't exactly a rainbows-and-unicorns kind of job. What I really wanted to do was reach inside my kindle and knock their heads together at times and then there were moments I just wanted to wrap them up in bubblewrap and ship them to a private island where Rocky and life couldn't touch them.
And don't even get me started on Rocky because once I started I don't think I could keep my opinion very clean. So the less I mention him the better, he's the kind of character you need to read for yourself to see what makes him tick. As for Mitch's ex, Peter, I want to help him and its easy to see why Mitch did too but sometimes people just have to want it before they can be helped.
Lies & Deception may not be the best motorcycle club tale I've ever read but it certainly ranks up there. The characters, the setting, the tension, the romance, Nic Starr brings it all together in a very entertaining and enjoyable read that I highly recommend.
I can't say that motorcycle club stories are on my goto list of reads but I still enjoy them so when one reaches my Kindle its because I saw something in the blurb that pulled me in and Lies & Deception is no different. Was it the cop going undercover? Was it the president brother forced back into the fold? Was it the opposites attract? I can't really say just what it was about Nic Starr's story blurb that piqued my interest but I was definitely intrigued. I will admit that it took a few chapters to really sink my teeth in but in hindsight that had more to do with me not ready to let go of the characters in the book I finished before starting Lies & Deception than it did with Mitch and Finn. Despite the delayed reaction I soon couldn't put it down and before I knew it the final page was swiped.
You can't help but fall for Finn, yes it was easy for me to say "get a backbone and leave" but then I could see how he may not like his brother but Rocky was the only family he had and completely walking away from that could be a stumbling block. There are moments when the author really made it difficult to like Mitch, but then you remember that he's undercover trying to bring the ruthless Rocky down and that isn't exactly a rainbows-and-unicorns kind of job. What I really wanted to do was reach inside my kindle and knock their heads together at times and then there were moments I just wanted to wrap them up in bubblewrap and ship them to a private island where Rocky and life couldn't touch them.
And don't even get me started on Rocky because once I started I don't think I could keep my opinion very clean. So the less I mention him the better, he's the kind of character you need to read for yourself to see what makes him tick. As for Mitch's ex, Peter, I want to help him and its easy to see why Mitch did too but sometimes people just have to want it before they can be helped.
Lies & Deception may not be the best motorcycle club tale I've ever read but it certainly ranks up there. The characters, the setting, the tension, the romance, Nic Starr brings it all together in a very entertaining and enjoyable read that I highly recommend.
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