The Taming of LaRue

Predators MC #1

by L. Loren

LaRue “Church Mouse” Simmons is a feisty pain in my ass. I knew I loved her when we met in that biker bar two years ago. She blew me off then, but now she’s back and needs my help. I will do anything to show her she belongs with me. Even help her avenge her father’s death. If I can only get her to curb that attitude and listen, we’ll get along just fine. But, who said love was easy? She’s stubborn, independent and thinks she knows everything. I’m a surly bastard who enjoys the game more than she knows. It’s going to be fun taming LaRue.

Genres: Dark Romance, Interracial Romance

252 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 1, 2020

About the author

USA Today Bestselling Author, L. Loren holds a Business Management Degree from the University of Mount Olive. As a former call center supervisor, her desire to write lay dormant for years, until she found the courage to live her dream. She lives with her loving and supportive husband in North Carolina.

L. Loren created her own brand of erotic romance that she dubbed LoveRotica - Love stories with an edge of sexy. Her catalog of sexy stories is self-published and available on Amazon.

Her stories and poems have appeared in various anthologies, publications and literary journals. L. is also the curator of the Love is Color Anthology, available for free on Smashwords.

Reviews

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

3.5 Stars / 4 Steam Fans

CW: Motorcycle Club, Rape, Kidnapping, Conspiracy, Torture, Violence, Trauma

Video review available in Week 21: May 22 – May 28, 2022, total weekly book reviews on Steph's Romance Book Talk Patreon or coming soon for free.

For other bookish content, check out my YouTube Channel: Steph's Romance Book Talk.

[Darnell MR Hart · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book knocked me out. Mouse and Ace had me laughing and rooting for them to kick butt the next.  


I just found a new author to follow.  This book will make a great spring break read

[Bianca Cogdell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great first story to the MC series! Lots of drama, love and streams sex scene! Looking forward to the next book in the MC series!

[Jae Juice · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Respect is earned. Honesty is appreciated. Trust is gained. Loyalty is returned.” -Unknown

This is the main quote that stuck with me. This quote remained me so much of Blaze and Ace. The hero (Ace) was there from day 1 when Mouse escaped from Bear. He worked to earned her respect. He kept everything 100. Made work to gain LaRue trust and in the end her gain her her Loyalty and Love...

The Taming of LaRue is a good book to read. It remains me of the saying “marry someone like your father”.. Tyler aka was made perfectly for LaRue aka Mouse. He didn’t put up with her she turn into an “unstable creature”.. lol he put her right in her place. Bear deserve what he got. Karma is a bitch. I love the supporting characters,Matrix and Baby. They kept the story funny. I also enjoyed ready how the Predators MC became to be with the co-founders Blaze and Rebecca.

One thing I didn’t like... I wish Mouse got medical help after she the torment she went threw... and I wish there was and epilogue..

Great on job on your first MC novels Lisa! Looking forward to the other books in this series!

[Rady Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

You know that saying "Don't judge a book by its cover?"  This was just my case. 

While I must admit that I would not buy this book based just on the cover I was  from the very beginning very positively surprised how I've loved it. The writing was brilliantly done, the plot interesting, grabbing you from the first chapter until the last word. 

It was joy to read about those characters. While I sometimes thought that LaRue was spoiled brat, she had to work hard for all those things she achieved. The MC Prez was arrogant, although respected and stubborn man with a soft heart beeing in love with LaRue since he's met her for the first time. The whole MC was more like a huge family and friends. What I loved the most was the club not being involved in illegal stuff but earning money with honest work and supporting its members by starting their own businesses. 

And lets not forget about all the steaming scenes which added to spice the whole story. 

Anyway I am really happy that I got the opportunity to read ARC of this book and if there would be any other book to these series I am surely going to grab them. 

[Behind Closed Doors Book Review · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amount of sex 4 / 5
How explicit is the sex scenes 4 / 5
Story 4 / 5
Overall: 4 / 5

Taming of LaRue is the second book in the Predators MC series written by author L. Loren. I always get so excited when I begin a new motorcycle club romance, I just love dirty-talking alpha men! Especially the ones that toy the line between right and wrong and aren’t afraid to fight for what they want.

In this story, LaRue (Church Mouse) is the adopted daughter of Blaze, the national president of the Predators MC chapter. She went missing after her father was killed, and no one knew what happened. Actually, LaRue was kidnapped and finally was able to escape after a couple months of being tortured by Bear, an ex-member. While fleeing, she ran into Ace, the new president of the Predators.

Ace and LaRue’s chemistry was pretty dang hot, and I especially loved their banter. LaRue is a pretty feisty woman, but Ace was the perfect man to handle all her sass!

Voluntarily Reviewed a Gifted Copy

[Flip · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC for an honest review. Really amazing book. Mouse and Tyler were a crazy cute couple. I think everyone should read this book because it's hot, its sweet in some places and most importantly its freaking sexy!!!!!

[Francesca Penn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting story from beginning to end. LaRue was spicy and never held her tongue. It got her trouble with Ace sometimes which usually led to something amusing or hot.

Bear is a terrible person and while I was happy he was caught, I was still like "ouch". He messed with the wrong people.

I understand why LaRue didn't go to the doctor, but I wish someone within their crew had the ability to check her out. I don't know how I would feel if I were in her shoes; I'm happy Ace was there for her.

I wish there was an epilogue. I still want to want to know the deal with Ace's family. It was a great book, very descriptive, and will written.

[LateshaDWhite · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely Loved It!!!!

I loved this book. It held my attention from the beginning till the end. I am impatiently waiting for the next book in this series. Make sure you check it out. You won't regret it.

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arc read for an honest review fast and cute story!

[HI5O · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this

LaRue was a troubled soul for good reason. Tyler's love and innate attractiveness for her helped to heal her and to see the child as a blessing.

[Angelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

First whole book by this author and I must say that I LOVED IT !!! GREAT from beginning to the end....Hopefully there will be more on the Predators .....

[J.S. Andersson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a good MC based novel. And let me tell u this one didn't disappoint. I loved 'church mouse'she had an attitude but u cldnt not respect her...

[Debra Spears · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyable

Nothing like a good MC book. I enjoyed this book from beginning to end. I like the characters and the backstory. I’m a new fan and I’m looking forward to the next book in the series.

[Laverne Brewster · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.00 Stars. (BW/WM). Amazon E-book. Tyler "Ace" Rousch and LaRue "Church Mouse" Simmons had meet two years prior to their being reintroduced following the death of Blaze and three year capture of LaRue by Bear. Many years after Blaze had warned LaRue to avoid Bear because he was bad news added to a couple of years following LaRue's college graduation and establishment of a prospering real estate business equalled a huge guilt trip that lead LaRue back home to spend time with her adopted dad, Blaze. During this time, Bear who hated Blaze and how felt scorned by LaRue and wanted revenge, forced LaRue to witness him burn her father to death and then held her captive for 3 years as his sex slave. Following her escape, she was rescued by the Predators MC and reacquainted with Ace who she did not ever remember meeting. The story proceeds to Ace's and LaRue's instant attraction and F--k fest. The story is well written; but, a little too much drama for my taste and in an effort to create a feisty heroine, the author succeeded in creating a shrew who is overbearing, defensive, insecure, perpetually aroused; as she screams and stumps like a 2-year-old, demanding respect instead of commanding it.

[Mahogany SilverRain · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off, as a fan of Sons of Anarchy, I love the MC. This book is nothing short of amazing! What LaRue/Church Mouse had to endure and survive at the beginning of the book, broke my heart, but it is a living testament to the strength of this character. Ace was just the balm that LaRue needed and he may have been surly, but his love for LaRue and the fact that he would do anything for her, made me weak in the knees for this tough biker. She was also the balm for his tortured soul. The surprising turn of events only made me love this story more. The ending was just perfect for these two hard core, tough but entirely lovable characters.

[L. Loren · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first crack at writing a MC novel and I fell in love with LaRue and Ace. They were an interesting couple to write and their story inspired me to continue the series. Their story sparked me to write a prequel, Predators MC which is all about Blaze and how he came to adopt LaRue. It also gives the deetz of how the Predators MC came to be.

The story is free and only available to my newsletter subscribers. Follow the link to subscribe: http://llorenwriter.wordpress.com/joi...

Thanks for reading.
L

[The FountainPenDiva, Old school geek chick and lover of teddy bears · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not a fan of biker romances. It's like everyone started watching Sons of Anarchy and then boom, or in this case, vroom. However, I AM a fan of the author, L. Loren, and so was willing to take the proverbial ride with this book.

I have two non-negotiable rules when it comes to books:

1. I must love the heroine as much as I love the hero.
2. Life is too short for books that suck.

Neither of these were an issue with The Taming of LaRue. It was fast-paced, action and danger-filled, and yes, sexy. Interestingly enough, the overall story was strong enough to stand on its own if the sexy parts weren't there, which is a big problem with some erotic romances.

I loved the tough yet tender LaRue aka Church Mouse just as much as I wanted to smack some sense into her at times. Thing is, there are codes in biker/motorcycle club culture and LaRue adhered to them while also cementing her respect in the hierarchy and maintaining her independence. She was no pushover or doormat. What I wasn't cool with was her slut shaming of the Sweet Lips. I've known biker chicks like them and they weren't just sex toys or damaged in some way, but sexually assertive women who liked living on the wild side. Some became a biker's "old lady", while others left that world with memories both good and bad. Given what LaRue herself went through, and having grown up in biker culture, I expected her to have a little more understanding even if that kind of behavior wasn't her thing. I was glad to see her have close relationships/friendships with other women in the club, though the one with Sharon was strained, it was its way to being mended.

I'm also not a fan of sexual abuse/rape as a plot point or raison d'etre in a romance because, while it's a real thing that happens, very few authors handle the subject matter well or with the sensitivity it deserves. Nothing irks me more than the heroine (or hero) having gone through this horrific experience only to be "saved" by great sex. Ironically, despite all of LaRue and Ash's bedroom antics, she couldn't screw her way into healing, a fact that Ash points out to her (kudos to the author here). And I realize that victims handle trauma in varying ways, but I would have liked seeing LaRue, as a Black woman, seek out some kind of therapy. It would have been empowering for her as a character and perhaps for readers as well.

Ash aka Tyler. Ash was pure alpha without being an alpha-hole (I hate those with a passion). He was lover, respecter and protector without losing his authority in the club - something that caused no end of friction between him and the fiercely independent LaRue. I've said it before that alpha male heroes ALWAYS work best when matched with an alpha female heroine. Weak, wimpy heroines aren't dynamic enough to serve as a counterbalance, especially in an MC romance where strength matters. A doormat heroine can't have the hero's back in the clutch because she's too busy fainting or panicking.

So, when do we get to see Ash settle with his own personal family issues? Don't leave a reader hanging, lol.

Now, for the cons: there were a LOT of grammatical issues that sometimes took me out of the read in order to make notes on my Kindle, most glaring were shifting tenses and points of view. There was one particular sex scene that I had the damndest time envisioning (and I've got a pretty good imagination, lol).

I really wish Goodreads allowed half stars because my rating here is between a 3 and 3.5. It was an enjoyable read with characters I actually liked. And a bad ass Black woman biker...what's not to like?

[Erika · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok read

Ace was great although too lenient at times. LaRue was such a brat at times it was irritating. There’s a difference between being a feminist and being unreasonable. I can understand her not wanting the baby but purposely trying to kill it when she’s already 28 weeks was childish. Ace trying to get her to take care of her wasn’t him being controlling. For an educated woman, I know she was grieving, It was bizarre that she didn’t get checked out thoroughly when she escaped. Bear could have given her anything. I didn’t think that the author treated the aftermath of rape in a very realistic manner. Most rape victims (adult ones in particular if they have been abducted) don’t fall into a sexual relationship within days. The situation between Ace and his family was left inconclusive.

[Nene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

I really enjoyed this storyline and the main two characters.I wished it was more to their story and I would recommend.

[Marissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

LaRue (Church Mouse) is not your average heroine, she’s been through her fair share of hardships kidnapping, assault, abandonment, etc.. That being said, she is definitely a survivor, but also not a pushover and a bit of a feisty gal. With the help of the audacious and charming Ace (Tyler), LaRue is able to overcome her past trauma and experience real love and protection from a man, something that she had always hoped for. Ace and LaRue make quite the pairing, Ace, whom may seem a bit overbearing at times, displays notable compassion towards LaRue throughout her journey to recovery. The progression of their relationship was very endearing.

One aspect of the story that I felt was a bit too much of an added bonus was the surprise pregnancy, especially the heroine’s shock. Also, after her escape the heroine should’ve definitely been able to go to some sort of medical facility due to her assault to evaluate her physical health and possibly prevent other health issues.

Overall, the storyline was enjoyable and kept me interested from start to finish and also made me chuckle a bit. It was nice that LaRue eventually came around in the end, but I could not fault her for her feelings and behaviors after the initial discovery her pregnancy. Bear was a sicko that did not deserve for his genetics and image to be reproduced through a child or children. However, Ace really stepped up and chose to stick by and support LaRue throughout it all. On his own accord, he decided to help take on the responsibility for a child that is not biologically his and coming from a tough childhood of his own, doing so made him stand out for the better.

[A · Rating 5 out of 5]

What A Man...

Ace was my hero accepting Mouse with flaws, patience, and all.

I look forward in reading the rest of the series and see more of them again with Jr.

If all pregnancies were like Mouse's except for the conception, more women would do it and more often.

[Brenda Walton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it

Ace and Mouse are my kind of couple. They both knew how to be each other's rock. I would love to read another book about them.

[Veronica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book!

Wow! I loved it! The chemistry between Ace and Mouse was off the charts! I would truly recommend this book to all my fellow romance readers.

[Myrlita Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

[Jaleda Wyatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

💕 Loved it💕

Bear put poor LaRue through so much pain, turmoil, torture it’s amazing she was able to open herself up to Ace and fall in love with him. This was a great book.

[Zanette Easton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Complicated, hard life and painful story, but love comes

This story is emotionally painful, outlined a rough and hard life but there is love that comes to soften,in a measure and but a bit of healing.

[Yibiola Bishop · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Great book, great writing. I love the heart of Ace and Blaze. These two men personified the saying "never judge a book by its cover".

[Nycskpe · Rating 5 out of 5]

🥰🥰🥰

Vvery well written, I like this authors sighting style. I would like to see more of Tyler and Larue or Ace and Mouse.

[Martha Ruff · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book!!!