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The Guardians #1
The Bequest
An alternative cover edition for ASIN B00ROKAZ9U can be found here.
Will Blackheart has lost everything. His SEAL team, his country, and—upon occasion—his mind. Worse, he’s lost something that has the capacity to kill thousands. Left for dead in the Afghan desert, Will has risen solely for the purpose of regaining that which was taken...and to punish those who dared take it.
His only lead is the son of a dead woman. Her only goal is to save a child. As they come together in a clash of anger, mistrust and potent, unwanted desire, Will and Cheyenne must put aside their differences and navigate the endgame of a woman for whom nothing was taboo…
A dark, edgy, steamy thriller with characters you won't forget…contemporary romantic suspense at its best.
2016 FINALIST, THE DAPHNE DU MAURIER AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN MYSTERY/SUSPENSE
"You're a jackass."Cheyenne Elias has inherited a child. A boy she doesn’t know and doesn’t particularly want; a boy whose mother was once Cheyenne’s most hated person in the world. There are a million reasons to walk away: her anger, her past, her certainty that there is nothing benevolent in this act by a woman who almost killed her. But abandoning the boy to a system she barely survived is not an option.
Will turned that pale gaze on her, and she cursed the color that immediately flushed her cheeks. “Because I told him the truth?”
“Because you’re a jackass.” She looked at Rafe. “Don’t worry. He’s all bark.”
“Am I now?”
She heard the taunt in those words—her cheeks were on fire—but she didn’t deign to look at him. “Like one of those little purse dogs. All yap.”
Rafe appeared skeptical. “He looks like a wolf.”
“Woof,” Will said.
Will Blackheart has lost everything. His SEAL team, his country, and—upon occasion—his mind. Worse, he’s lost something that has the capacity to kill thousands. Left for dead in the Afghan desert, Will has risen solely for the purpose of regaining that which was taken...and to punish those who dared take it.
His only lead is the son of a dead woman. Her only goal is to save a child. As they come together in a clash of anger, mistrust and potent, unwanted desire, Will and Cheyenne must put aside their differences and navigate the endgame of a woman for whom nothing was taboo…
A dark, edgy, steamy thriller with characters you won't forget…contemporary romantic suspense at its best.
2016 FINALIST, THE DAPHNE DU MAURIER AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN MYSTERY/SUSPENSE
434 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2015
684 people are currently reading
528 people want to read
About the author
Hope Anika
20 books62 followersWinner of RWA's Vivian Award and the Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery and Suspense, Hope Anika writes heartfelt romantic thrillers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews
June 30, 2024
3.5 stars
This book really won me over in the end. I thought the mystery/suspense plot was done really well. There were a lot of twists and turns. Georgia might have been too much of a villain, but sometimes you just need a really, really bad guy.
Cheyenne's character did take me a little bit to understand. She isn't 'cute quirky', she's 'been through a lot in life and is coping quirky'. As I learned more about her story, she really won me over and I understood her more. Will's story wasn't quite as deep. His main issues stem from the attack overseas. I did like seeing POV chapters from the boy, it gave us a better look at the relationship between Cheyenne and Will evolving.
Overall, I will probably read more from this author later on. Not my favorite in the romantic suspense genre, but still an entertaining story with a slow burn romance.
This book really won me over in the end. I thought the mystery/suspense plot was done really well. There were a lot of twists and turns. Georgia might have been too much of a villain, but sometimes you just need a really, really bad guy.
Cheyenne's character did take me a little bit to understand. She isn't 'cute quirky', she's 'been through a lot in life and is coping quirky'. As I learned more about her story, she really won me over and I understood her more. Will's story wasn't quite as deep. His main issues stem from the attack overseas. I did like seeing POV chapters from the boy, it gave us a better look at the relationship between Cheyenne and Will evolving.
Overall, I will probably read more from this author later on. Not my favorite in the romantic suspense genre, but still an entertaining story with a slow burn romance.
June 25, 2019
Cheyenne Elias is shocked when she is informed that she "inherited" a child. Not just any child but the child of her worst enemy. When they were young, Cheyenne and Georgia were best friends but then Georgia betrayed Cheyenne. Now so many years later she is given Georgia's son. Knowing he would be left in foster care Cheyenne accepts the boy. But there are others who want the boy. One is Will Blackheart, a Navy SEAL, who believes the dead mother left the boy infomation.
I saw this reviewed here on Goodreads and thought it sounded intriguing. I did like it. It wasn't prefect but I did enjoy it and was curious where it was going to go.
I saw this reviewed here on Goodreads and thought it sounded intriguing. I did like it. It wasn't prefect but I did enjoy it and was curious where it was going to go.
November 7, 2021
I could have loved it...
The storyline is compelling & unusual. Almost unique...
BUT!
Our esteemed author's use of incessant REPETITION & REITERATION killed any enjoyment I could have had reading this book.
She tells us dozens of times how VERY DAMAGED & DANGEROUS her two main characters are... How they both feel UNWORTHY of the other's love...
She tells us many, many times how the big, bad villian is DEAD & BEYOND JUSTICE & RETRIBUTION...
OVER & OVER & OVER & OVER & OVER & OVER & OVER AGAIN.
She treats her readers like mentally deficient children with a 5 second memory span... Or maybe she needed filler material to add to the word count... That could account for the incessant repetition.
I won't be reading any more of this author's books. Why pay to be insulted? The first free installment was insult enough.
The storyline is compelling & unusual. Almost unique...
BUT!
Our esteemed author's use of incessant REPETITION & REITERATION killed any enjoyment I could have had reading this book.
She tells us dozens of times how VERY DAMAGED & DANGEROUS her two main characters are... How they both feel UNWORTHY of the other's love...
She tells us many, many times how the big, bad villian is DEAD & BEYOND JUSTICE & RETRIBUTION...
OVER & OVER & OVER & OVER & OVER & OVER & OVER AGAIN.
She treats her readers like mentally deficient children with a 5 second memory span... Or maybe she needed filler material to add to the word count... That could account for the incessant repetition.
I won't be reading any more of this author's books. Why pay to be insulted? The first free installment was insult enough.
January 22, 2020
Good mystery with hot sex if that’s what you like. Written more for women
April 1, 2018
Great storytelling. Hard to put down.
Loved the main characters and the story development. Thoroughly enjoyed all the twists and turns until the very end.
Spoiler alert: the only change in the plot would be that they would have sex before the marriage proposal. With her rape history, that intimacy barrier would have to be surmounted before they had a future. The trust would absolutely have be cemented in place for the relationship to flourish. In this day and age, let's face it, sex would be necessary especially to a guy, and the characters are already attracted to each other. I think I would consider another book or novella for Rafe and Malik at least to meet. That situation wasn't finished.
Loved the main characters and the story development. Thoroughly enjoyed all the twists and turns until the very end.
Spoiler alert: the only change in the plot would be that they would have sex before the marriage proposal. With her rape history, that intimacy barrier would have to be surmounted before they had a future. The trust would absolutely have be cemented in place for the relationship to flourish. In this day and age, let's face it, sex would be necessary especially to a guy, and the characters are already attracted to each other. I think I would consider another book or novella for Rafe and Malik at least to meet. That situation wasn't finished.
September 5, 2015
Three characters who feel themselves damaged beyond repair, drawn together by a dead psychopath's plan.
A strong woman who needs and wants no one, a former SEAL maddened by betrayal, and a child humiliated and abandoned by his mother. Oh, and a puppy.
I didn't know quite what to expect. The cover is ...um... basic, but the cover copy is interesting and the sample chapters were good. I grabbed it and held on for a wild ride.
It was categorized as military romance, and I guess it is, but it's a thriller first. The romance is a large sub-plot but it doesn't feel forced.
The sex scenes...let me just say I had to stop to polish my glasses a couple of times.
Recommended.
A strong woman who needs and wants no one, a former SEAL maddened by betrayal, and a child humiliated and abandoned by his mother. Oh, and a puppy.
I didn't know quite what to expect. The cover is ...um... basic, but the cover copy is interesting and the sample chapters were good. I grabbed it and held on for a wild ride.
It was categorized as military romance, and I guess it is, but it's a thriller first. The romance is a large sub-plot but it doesn't feel forced.
The sex scenes...let me just say I had to stop to polish my glasses a couple of times.
Recommended.
August 25, 2019
Gripping. Dark. Beautiful.
Fast paced ride from beginning to end. Powerful, never ending fight for survival. Loved the twists and turns. I love forward to more from the author.
Fast paced ride from beginning to end. Powerful, never ending fight for survival. Loved the twists and turns. I love forward to more from the author.
November 22, 2021
This is a fascinating book, well worthy of 5 stars. It’s a suspenseful thriller with a serious and deep-rooted romance at its core.
If you need a book with sex scenes every few pages, this book is not for you. If your preferred sex scenes need to be at least mildly pornographic, this book is not for you. If you need to have everything spelled out in black and white, with no shades of gray, this book is definitely not for you. But if you want a book that makes you think, makes you wish that life could be better than it is, and includes remarkably erotic sex after a slow, tantalizing burn then this book just might do the trick.
The story is a romance, hidden in a mystery, wrapped up in suspense. There’s crossing, double crossing, triple crossing…it’s an incredible thriller that crosses the world. There are twists and doglegs and switchbacks that cause the reader to wonder who are the bad guys, really??? And there are plenty of bad-guy candidates across the globe and across nationalities. There are surprises that, when the reader looks back, follow logical pathways and progress plausibly. Overall there is a sense of fate, of destiny intervening in the lives of all the characters.
There are three main protagonists: William Blackheart, Cheyenne Elias, and Rafferty (Rafe) Humboldt. All three have been broken by what life has thrown at them. Blackheart is a former soldier, now a warrior on a mission of vengeance. Cheyenne is a successful artist who becomes the guardian of Rafe, the son of her deceased enemy, Georgia Humboldt. These damaged individuals come together into a powerful triad and the metamorphosis is one of great appeal.
While it can be fairly said that there is iteration and reiteration relating to each character’s damaged life, the thoughts and issues are not redundant: they are not the same statements made over and over again. Each character’s thoughts draw the reader in to feel an inexorable pull from each of them. It is a painful process: you might want to keep a box of tissues handy.
There are many interesting themes to think about, including these:
“…instinct is a far more useful tool than any weapon they’ve been given.” This from a battle-hardened warrior, William Blackheart, trying to reconcile the loss of his team, his failure to go with his gut.
“…paying something forward was a process, not an event, not a person, not merely one moment n time. It was a tapestry woven of past meeting present, and a conscious weaving of the future. It required diligence and sacrifice.” This from Cheyenne, contemplating her life choices and future steps dictated by her past. It’s a thoughtful moment in the book…and one worthy of the reader’s contemplation, too.
“It wasn’t fair, that the world was nothing like they said it was. All those stupid movies, painting it golden and filling it with love and kindness, when nothing could be further from the truth. Some people were good, but a lot of them were ugly and mean and not at all good. And it was damn hard, most of the time, to tell the difference.” This from 10-year old Rafe, trying to make sense of a young girl the three of them (Blackheart, Cheyenne, and he, Rafe) had just rescued from a kidnapper.
There are many issues brought up throughout this book, matters to think about, to ponder, for a reader to draw her or his own conclusions. In this way, the story is arresting and thoughtful. I spent some satisfying times thinking while reading this book, even brought up some points with friends and family members for their input.
There are occasional confusions. The timeline is sometimes off. For instance, in a report on Cheyenne as a child, she is seen as a runaway from Haven, the orphanage she lived in. In the report, she is gone 24 or so hours, but later in the book she was missing for more than 3 days.
Also, the writer has Blackheart and his friend, Brodie, flying out of an airport with code DIA. (Oops?) Since Brodie is coming from Estes Park, in Colorado, and Blackheart is driving to Colorado from Wyoming, I think the writer meant airport code DEN, which is Denver International Airport. DIA is the code for Doha International Airport in Qatar and I believe the two men were more likely to be flying out of Denver.
This book is not light reading and is worth the investment in time to read and think about. At 434 pages (in the print edition) it takes several thoughtful hours to read. I enjoyed the time. I hope sincerely other readers do, too.
If you need a book with sex scenes every few pages, this book is not for you. If your preferred sex scenes need to be at least mildly pornographic, this book is not for you. If you need to have everything spelled out in black and white, with no shades of gray, this book is definitely not for you. But if you want a book that makes you think, makes you wish that life could be better than it is, and includes remarkably erotic sex after a slow, tantalizing burn then this book just might do the trick.
The story is a romance, hidden in a mystery, wrapped up in suspense. There’s crossing, double crossing, triple crossing…it’s an incredible thriller that crosses the world. There are twists and doglegs and switchbacks that cause the reader to wonder who are the bad guys, really??? And there are plenty of bad-guy candidates across the globe and across nationalities. There are surprises that, when the reader looks back, follow logical pathways and progress plausibly. Overall there is a sense of fate, of destiny intervening in the lives of all the characters.
There are three main protagonists: William Blackheart, Cheyenne Elias, and Rafferty (Rafe) Humboldt. All three have been broken by what life has thrown at them. Blackheart is a former soldier, now a warrior on a mission of vengeance. Cheyenne is a successful artist who becomes the guardian of Rafe, the son of her deceased enemy, Georgia Humboldt. These damaged individuals come together into a powerful triad and the metamorphosis is one of great appeal.
While it can be fairly said that there is iteration and reiteration relating to each character’s damaged life, the thoughts and issues are not redundant: they are not the same statements made over and over again. Each character’s thoughts draw the reader in to feel an inexorable pull from each of them. It is a painful process: you might want to keep a box of tissues handy.
There are many interesting themes to think about, including these:
“…instinct is a far more useful tool than any weapon they’ve been given.” This from a battle-hardened warrior, William Blackheart, trying to reconcile the loss of his team, his failure to go with his gut.
“…paying something forward was a process, not an event, not a person, not merely one moment n time. It was a tapestry woven of past meeting present, and a conscious weaving of the future. It required diligence and sacrifice.” This from Cheyenne, contemplating her life choices and future steps dictated by her past. It’s a thoughtful moment in the book…and one worthy of the reader’s contemplation, too.
“It wasn’t fair, that the world was nothing like they said it was. All those stupid movies, painting it golden and filling it with love and kindness, when nothing could be further from the truth. Some people were good, but a lot of them were ugly and mean and not at all good. And it was damn hard, most of the time, to tell the difference.” This from 10-year old Rafe, trying to make sense of a young girl the three of them (Blackheart, Cheyenne, and he, Rafe) had just rescued from a kidnapper.
There are many issues brought up throughout this book, matters to think about, to ponder, for a reader to draw her or his own conclusions. In this way, the story is arresting and thoughtful. I spent some satisfying times thinking while reading this book, even brought up some points with friends and family members for their input.
There are occasional confusions. The timeline is sometimes off. For instance, in a report on Cheyenne as a child, she is seen as a runaway from Haven, the orphanage she lived in. In the report, she is gone 24 or so hours, but later in the book she was missing for more than 3 days.
Also, the writer has Blackheart and his friend, Brodie, flying out of an airport with code DIA. (Oops?) Since Brodie is coming from Estes Park, in Colorado, and Blackheart is driving to Colorado from Wyoming, I think the writer meant airport code DEN, which is Denver International Airport. DIA is the code for Doha International Airport in Qatar and I believe the two men were more likely to be flying out of Denver.
This book is not light reading and is worth the investment in time to read and think about. At 434 pages (in the print edition) it takes several thoughtful hours to read. I enjoyed the time. I hope sincerely other readers do, too.
August 20, 2021
Solid suspense, hopeful ending
MY RATING SYSTEM
5 stars--WOW
4 stars--would read again
3 stars--was good, won't read again
2 stars--read it, but didn't enjoy it
1 star--didn't finish, it was so awful
Do I need to read books before this one: no
Cliffhanger: no
SUMMARY
Will continues to have nightmares about the operation which resulted in bombs being stolen and his entire SEAL team dying. Revenge is what's kept him alive. He's going to get the bombs back and take down who colluded with Georgia, dead CIA agent. His only clue is her son.
Cheyenne learns Georgia--sociopath, her childhood BFF, and now nemesis--has died and left her son in her care. The girls met when Cheyenne was put in a group home at age 5 after surviving horrible burns and stabbing her mother. Cheyenne takes the boy because every child deserves someone who believes in them. She worries why Georgia did this, especially when she spots someone tailing her.
Rafe has known only maternal neglect and caretaker abuse.
EVALUATION
This is a good story of 3 people coming to grips with the torture inflicted by Georgia. It has a lot of thinking (along with action and dialog), but survivors tend to play it close to their chests. In fact, I was surprised they opened up as much as they did so quickly. I am pleased with the overall theme of hope and working to the future instead of dwelling in the past.
The conspiracy is well done, too, with people concerned about image and power rather than with what's right.
RECOMMENDATION
For those who like government conspiracy and believe in quick love.
FAVORITE QUOTES
Everything she’d been through, every horrible, fucked up thing she’d both experienced and done were intrinsically part of who she was now. And Cheyenne liked who she was now. The entirety of her being was a tightly woven tapestry…and if she plucked out the threads she didn’t like, it would just begin to unravel the whole.
The bad had made her strong, resilient. It had made her better. So being ashamed of it meant being ashamed of who she’d become. And she liked who she’d become.
Paying something forward was a process, not an event, not a person, not merely one moment in time. It was a tapestry woven of past meeting present, and a conscious weaving of the future. It required diligence and sacrifice. Again and again and again.
“Don’t sell yourself short, Rafe. There are enough folks out there who will do that for you.”
The best revenge is a good life.
“I don’t want to be scared anymore.” “Then don’t. It’s over. It’s time to live now.”
POSSIBLE TRIGGERS (SPOILERS)
Sex: a few scenes, video of an orgy described
Language: 189 F words, 109 Lord's name in vain, 88 S words
Violence: attempted kidnapping, rape, arson, mutilation, fights, gun fights, stabbings, detailed war scene, child abuse, choking
MY RATING SYSTEM
5 stars--WOW
4 stars--would read again
3 stars--was good, won't read again
2 stars--read it, but didn't enjoy it
1 star--didn't finish, it was so awful
Do I need to read books before this one: no
Cliffhanger: no
SUMMARY
Will continues to have nightmares about the operation which resulted in bombs being stolen and his entire SEAL team dying. Revenge is what's kept him alive. He's going to get the bombs back and take down who colluded with Georgia, dead CIA agent. His only clue is her son.
Cheyenne learns Georgia--sociopath, her childhood BFF, and now nemesis--has died and left her son in her care. The girls met when Cheyenne was put in a group home at age 5 after surviving horrible burns and stabbing her mother. Cheyenne takes the boy because every child deserves someone who believes in them. She worries why Georgia did this, especially when she spots someone tailing her.
Rafe has known only maternal neglect and caretaker abuse.
EVALUATION
This is a good story of 3 people coming to grips with the torture inflicted by Georgia. It has a lot of thinking (along with action and dialog), but survivors tend to play it close to their chests. In fact, I was surprised they opened up as much as they did so quickly. I am pleased with the overall theme of hope and working to the future instead of dwelling in the past.
The conspiracy is well done, too, with people concerned about image and power rather than with what's right.
RECOMMENDATION
For those who like government conspiracy and believe in quick love.
FAVORITE QUOTES
Everything she’d been through, every horrible, fucked up thing she’d both experienced and done were intrinsically part of who she was now. And Cheyenne liked who she was now. The entirety of her being was a tightly woven tapestry…and if she plucked out the threads she didn’t like, it would just begin to unravel the whole.
The bad had made her strong, resilient. It had made her better. So being ashamed of it meant being ashamed of who she’d become. And she liked who she’d become.
Paying something forward was a process, not an event, not a person, not merely one moment in time. It was a tapestry woven of past meeting present, and a conscious weaving of the future. It required diligence and sacrifice. Again and again and again.
“Don’t sell yourself short, Rafe. There are enough folks out there who will do that for you.”
The best revenge is a good life.
“I don’t want to be scared anymore.” “Then don’t. It’s over. It’s time to live now.”
POSSIBLE TRIGGERS (SPOILERS)
Sex: a few scenes, video of an orgy described
Language: 189 F words, 109 Lord's name in vain, 88 S words
Violence: attempted kidnapping, rape, arson, mutilation, fights, gun fights, stabbings, detailed war scene, child abuse, choking
January 29, 2024
free ebook
she grew up in foster care. she became friends with another girl there, but that girl was bad. she got $50 to have her friend be raped. she got preg and that girl took her to the man that raped her and they chloroformed her and aborted her. she was no longer able to have kids. she went back and beat the girl after she got out of the hospital. she ran away
years later she gets a call that that girl had died and left her 10 yr old son to her. she didnt want him at first but didnt want to leave him in the same foster care system she was in so she went to get him
a man during the war was almost killed, the rest of his unit was killed. the load they were trying to get out was stolen. dirty bombs were stolen by the woman who had the boy and was killed, she was in the cia
he found the lady and the boy. at first they were enemies of each other, then attracted to each other. they saved people in distress. he saved a puppy and the boy got to keep her. the boy was at risk of his father trying to get someone to kill him
they found the gps for the dirty bombs in the boys blanket his mom gave him. also a key. the man went off to get them, but found many people he knew were not to be trusted. including the twin of one of the men in his unit that was killed
he got the bombs out safely and went to the ranch where men were attacking her and the boy. he shot one of the men and the dog was saved
they were going to get married and be a family
she grew up in foster care. she became friends with another girl there, but that girl was bad. she got $50 to have her friend be raped. she got preg and that girl took her to the man that raped her and they chloroformed her and aborted her. she was no longer able to have kids. she went back and beat the girl after she got out of the hospital. she ran away
years later she gets a call that that girl had died and left her 10 yr old son to her. she didnt want him at first but didnt want to leave him in the same foster care system she was in so she went to get him
a man during the war was almost killed, the rest of his unit was killed. the load they were trying to get out was stolen. dirty bombs were stolen by the woman who had the boy and was killed, she was in the cia
he found the lady and the boy. at first they were enemies of each other, then attracted to each other. they saved people in distress. he saved a puppy and the boy got to keep her. the boy was at risk of his father trying to get someone to kill him
they found the gps for the dirty bombs in the boys blanket his mom gave him. also a key. the man went off to get them, but found many people he knew were not to be trusted. including the twin of one of the men in his unit that was killed
he got the bombs out safely and went to the ranch where men were attacking her and the boy. he shot one of the men and the dog was saved
they were going to get married and be a family
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 6, 2024
Me ha encantado, la historia, los personajes.. Todo.
Cuando a Cheyenne le dicen que su némesis le ha dejado en herencia a su hijo, al principio no quiere saber nada. Pero luego lo piensa mejor y decide hacerse cargo de Rafe, un niño de 10 años que hasta ahora ha llevado una vida de mierda. Su madre lo tenía viviendo con gente que no debería estar cerca de niños.
Will es un militar herido en combate. Él y sus hombres sufrieron una emboscada y murieron todos menos Will. Pero él no va a parar hasta descubrir al responsable. Y eso hace que lo lleva a Cheyenne.
Para Will fue prácticamente un flechazo pero Cheyenne digamos que no es una mujer nada fácil, algo que hace que Will sienta todavía más interés por ella.
La vida de Rafe está en peligro por culpa de su madre, de sus secretos y también por la identidad de su padre.
Pero Cheyenne y Will van a darlo todo para cuidar de él.
Se me 💔 cuando Rafe recibía cualquier gesto de cariño. No se creía que hubiera alguien en el mundo al que le importara. Y ver cómo va forjando lazos tanto con Will como con Cheyenne…🥲.
Cuando a Cheyenne le dicen que su némesis le ha dejado en herencia a su hijo, al principio no quiere saber nada. Pero luego lo piensa mejor y decide hacerse cargo de Rafe, un niño de 10 años que hasta ahora ha llevado una vida de mierda. Su madre lo tenía viviendo con gente que no debería estar cerca de niños.
Will es un militar herido en combate. Él y sus hombres sufrieron una emboscada y murieron todos menos Will. Pero él no va a parar hasta descubrir al responsable. Y eso hace que lo lleva a Cheyenne.
Para Will fue prácticamente un flechazo pero Cheyenne digamos que no es una mujer nada fácil, algo que hace que Will sienta todavía más interés por ella.
La vida de Rafe está en peligro por culpa de su madre, de sus secretos y también por la identidad de su padre.
Pero Cheyenne y Will van a darlo todo para cuidar de él.
Se me 💔 cuando Rafe recibía cualquier gesto de cariño. No se creía que hubiera alguien en el mundo al que le importara. Y ver cómo va forjando lazos tanto con Will como con Cheyenne…🥲.
August 4, 2021
I enjoyed In Plain Sight so much that when Amazon offered The Bequest for free, I grabbed. And wow, am I ever glad I did. It can be tough to write about damaged characters, but Anika handled it beautifully. I loved the book so much that I bought the next two books in the series, Blindsided and Hallowed Ground before I'd even finished this one. A big grateful Thank You! 💐 to the author for offering this book for free; Hope Anika is on my must-read list now.
August 27, 2020
I read this book because it’s written by the niece of a friend of mine. And, as my friend acknowledges, there are numerous sex scenes. I thoroughly enjoyed the plot which revolves around two women who were friends in childhood and, during their teen years, become bitter enemies. One is ‘good’ girl Cheyenne, and the other is the ‘evil,’ manipulative Georgia. When Georgia is murdered years later, she ‘bequeaths’ her 10-year-old son to her former friend. And, from that point on, the reader saddles up for a wild, adventurous ride. I couldn’t stop reading as more and more of Georgia’s devious and well-crafted plans ensnare virtually everyone she knew in some trap or misfortune. A fun read.
August 31, 2023
THE BEQUEST is filled with such powerful imagery and a well of emotions so deep you feel like you could almost drown in tears. The characters are so well-drawn and the storyline so intensely evocative that once you start reading you may find it impossible to turn away. Cheyenne and Will are originally brought together at cross purposes, but it isn’t long before they find themselves working toward similar goals. Theirs is a complex relationship with most of their conflict arising from their past and the recent evil machinations of a dead woman. They are kindred spirits, having both crawled through darkness and survived, and the chemistry between them is strong and inexorably not to be denied. Their passion, as well as their feelings, for each other builds slowly, but oh so intently, that once it ignites it's a conflagration you know will never burn out in this extraordinarily compelling tale you are not going to want to stop reading until you reach the end.
November 5, 2023
Amazing
I haven't read this author before but I really like her style. Her characters are intense and very likeable.
Cheyenne had the worst hand dealt to her - a highly abusive mother, institutional living and then to be "befriended" by a sociopath. Her scars are real, her anger is real but her character still has heart and hope.
Will is an amazing warrior. He lost his entire unit and was so severely injured himself. Then he finds out it was his own people who sold them out. His desire for revenge is everything to him.
And these two people meet over Rafe, the child of that sociopath, who, though dead, isn't done weaving her evil.
I haven't read this author before but I really like her style. Her characters are intense and very likeable.
Cheyenne had the worst hand dealt to her - a highly abusive mother, institutional living and then to be "befriended" by a sociopath. Her scars are real, her anger is real but her character still has heart and hope.
Will is an amazing warrior. He lost his entire unit and was so severely injured himself. Then he finds out it was his own people who sold them out. His desire for revenge is everything to him.
And these two people meet over Rafe, the child of that sociopath, who, though dead, isn't done weaving her evil.
March 21, 2019
One hairy ride
This book is like riding a rollercoaster. I was hooked at the very beginning. Totally engrossing and surprising. I enjoyed the author's style, the mixture of action, emotional intelligence, a solid story that wasn't rushed; one fully fleshed out. Even with the dark situations discussed, there is humor to be found. This author ranks with J A Jance in that I had to do a double take when I finished and took another look at the writer's name. This lady can write! I will be looking for more of her work.
This book is like riding a rollercoaster. I was hooked at the very beginning. Totally engrossing and surprising. I enjoyed the author's style, the mixture of action, emotional intelligence, a solid story that wasn't rushed; one fully fleshed out. Even with the dark situations discussed, there is humor to be found. This author ranks with J A Jance in that I had to do a double take when I finished and took another look at the writer's name. This lady can write! I will be looking for more of her work.
September 8, 2021
This book... wow.
I almost never give a book 5 stars, but this book is truly amazing. I don't even know if I can put how I feel into words.
So raw and real.
My first thought when I was still in the prologue was that the use of descriptive language is excellent. The characters are well thought out and deep - no superficial character building here.
The thriller side of things was a fantastic story that kept me on tender hooks the whole time, and the twist was totally unexpected.
I loved this book.
I almost never give a book 5 stars, but this book is truly amazing. I don't even know if I can put how I feel into words.
So raw and real.
My first thought when I was still in the prologue was that the use of descriptive language is excellent. The characters are well thought out and deep - no superficial character building here.
The thriller side of things was a fantastic story that kept me on tender hooks the whole time, and the twist was totally unexpected.
I loved this book.
March 7, 2017
What can I say ------
I took a chance with this book and am so glad I did.
The way this author fleshed out her characters made them real and believable. Written with three different POV's , you will be drawn into the drama and angst of each person involved. All because of one sick person.
Hope Anika is now on my list of favorite authors and I'm getting ready to download more of her books.
I took a chance with this book and am so glad I did.
The way this author fleshed out her characters made them real and believable. Written with three different POV's , you will be drawn into the drama and angst of each person involved. All because of one sick person.
Hope Anika is now on my list of favorite authors and I'm getting ready to download more of her books.
March 14, 2019
Really enjoyed the story and characters
This was not a perfect story. There were holes in the story, certain things that were glossed over when it came to technology. But the characters were amazing, raw, and deep. The scars from their life experiences are what tied them together and the connections grew through shared pain and happiness. You couldn't help but hold your breath when obstacles sprang up and hope that they would emerge stronger on the other side. Well done.
This was not a perfect story. There were holes in the story, certain things that were glossed over when it came to technology. But the characters were amazing, raw, and deep. The scars from their life experiences are what tied them together and the connections grew through shared pain and happiness. You couldn't help but hold your breath when obstacles sprang up and hope that they would emerge stronger on the other side. Well done.
October 29, 2020
This is a the book about Cheyenne and Will. Will is military and has some bagage from war. His answers are with a little boy. Cheyenne is bequeathed a child from her enemy, they were at one time friends until she was betrayed. This is such a wild ride and the emotions it invokes in you. This is truly a well written book with fabulous characters. This is a must read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 29, 2020
Hope Anika is a new author to me and she definitely impressed me. The story line description caught my attention and it sounded like a good read. There's twists and turns that keep you turning the pages wanting more of the story. The characters are well developed and each have their own realistic issues they are working through. I definitely recommend and will be looking for more from this author.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 24, 2021
Thrills and romance
It's timely that I'm reading this as the Taliban is taking over Afghanistan with dire consequences for those who don't follow their brand of extremism. This is my first time reading a Hope Anika book, and I was glued to my kindle until the end. If you like mystery, espionage and broken people righting wrongs with a little romance thrown in, you will also love this book.
It's timely that I'm reading this as the Taliban is taking over Afghanistan with dire consequences for those who don't follow their brand of extremism. This is my first time reading a Hope Anika book, and I was glued to my kindle until the end. If you like mystery, espionage and broken people righting wrongs with a little romance thrown in, you will also love this book.
September 8, 2021
STORY OF THREE BROKEN SOULS WHO CAN’T BELIEVE THAT IN ORDER TO HEAL AND PUT THEIR BROKEN PIECES TOGETHER, THEY NEED EACH OTHER. THIS WOULD MAKE A BEAUTIFUL MOVIE CAST STARRING; ASHER BLINKOFF (HOTEL TRANSYLVANNIA), JENNIFER LARWRENCE (THE HUNGER GAMES) AND CHRIS HEMSWORTH (THOR). ALL THREE OF THEM HAVE SCARS, THE WORST ARE THE ONES YOU CAN’T VISUALLY SEE. OH THAT WAS A BEAUTIFUL LOVE STORY. ;D
May 30, 2025
PERFECT IN EVERY WAY.
This story and the characters within remained steadfast and true all the way to the end. A satisfying, non- cheesy ,unrushed ending. Honest,spicy tension woven through at just the right moments to keep you invested and satisfied. The storyline is intriguing and never once loses its way. The writing is intelligent, beautiful, and, at times, felt therapeutic? I am eager to read more from this author!
This story and the characters within remained steadfast and true all the way to the end. A satisfying, non- cheesy ,unrushed ending. Honest,spicy tension woven through at just the right moments to keep you invested and satisfied. The storyline is intriguing and never once loses its way. The writing is intelligent, beautiful, and, at times, felt therapeutic? I am eager to read more from this author!
August 31, 2018
It had a wonderful plot with a scarred h, smart and strong, a wonderfully brooding H, an injured vet, plus there were animals and an endearing little boy. Unfortunately the plot got lost because so much of the story was 'Telling" and not 'Showing. Too many inner thoughts and descriptions. The plot was fantastic and it was almost great.
March 24, 2019
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Loved the fleshed out characters, the human factors in each
character and found the book hard to put down. The plots held my interest and I loved the
fractured. strong female character and the hero who was guilt ridden.
Also, had humor and the character of the child kept me intrigued.
character and found the book hard to put down. The plots held my interest and I loved the
fractured. strong female character and the hero who was guilt ridden.
Also, had humor and the character of the child kept me intrigued.
May 23, 2019
The bequest it's an awesome book!
From the first page to the last page I couldn't put it down. Have you ever read a book you didn't want to end? That was this book for new. This is one I'll be reading again. Slight warning, it has a lot of bad language, a lot. I don't usually read books like that but I couldn't stop reading this one.
From the first page to the last page I couldn't put it down. Have you ever read a book you didn't want to end? That was this book for new. This is one I'll be reading again. Slight warning, it has a lot of bad language, a lot. I don't usually read books like that but I couldn't stop reading this one.
August 17, 2021
Hope Anika is a master storyteller. WoW! WoW! WoW! This story was brimming with emotional content, snarky/witty characters, international intrigue, life-threatening conflicts, and a smoldering romance. What more would it take to glue a reader to his seat quickly turning pages to keep up with the action? Five Big Fat Stars and It Deserves More!!!!! Really Outstanding Story!!!!!
September 1, 2021
I almost gave up on this book. But I kept reading. Thank goodness. Cheyenne was unabashedly broken, but not giving up. Will wants to be fixed, only he doesn't know it. Not all their character traits were laid out in the beginning. I liked that. It's like meeting real people. You don't know what anyone has gone through until you get to know them.
September 11, 2021
This is dark in that the hero and heroine both carry a lot of heavy baggage from past trauma. Neither is quick to trust but their uneasy alliance develops into a strong connection. There willingness and ability to operate in the gray areas of morality while finding path to the light makes for interesting characters as well as a page turning plot.
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